The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-19

the place raised this year over 200 bales of cotton, several thousand bushels of corn and potatoes and several tons Of hay, fodder and pea vines for stock.
 The tenants own farming implements and stock valued at $5000 including Il horses, 13 mules, 80 cows, 131 hogs, cattle, wagons and buggies. One of our tenants,' ,'' said Manager Rivers, moved to our com nnunity two years ago when we first pur- chased the plantation. He had been in deht 10 years and the debt had increased to $11OO. A white merchant in Selma advanced him the money to settle the old bill and advised him to settle down on our plantation and work himself out of debt. That industrious tenant, one of the best farmers in the county, has paid all his debts in two years, besides pay ing for three head of stock. This farmer has 700 pounds of meat in his smoke house. log crib filled with corn, stacks Of fodder, etc., and $10O in bank.
 "Another man. said Rivers, made eight bales of cotton farming with an OK The latter man Is named Sams'' The writer passed his house last Monday, and was surprised to see that the man who farmed with one OK had not only two Or three bales of cotton in his yard, hold- ing for higher prices, but he noticed four stacks of fodder and two new log cribs filled with corn and hay.
 The National Grand United Order of Good Shepherds. purchasers of the planta- tion, with George w. Chandler of Mont gomery, president and founder, is com posed of 152 fountains, 22 councils and 57 busy lambs in Alabama, Georgia, Mis- sissippi. Florida and Oklahoma with a membership aggregating 5000. Mutual aid. charity and economy are the three fold objects of the organization. That is they aid each other. n r1 5f,fra and they aim to establish home for old and decrepit members of their race and aid each other in buying homes. The houses for old folks are called Good Shep- herd homes Any old and helpless person may be taken into the home upon the recommendation of one of the fountains.
 On their plantation in Dallas county they have set apart 800 acres of ground for that specific purpose. This charity work is now in operation at Shepherds vile with a few inmates. As a matter or economy the society aims to purchase large tracts of land and sell to members in small farms of 20 acres to each adult member on reasonable terms. This is also in operation on the Stoudenborough plantation, which they have purchased on easy terms of payments.
 Five or six thousand members of the order pay 10 cents every three months on the purchase of the land to be used for the purposes designated. Under their charter the order may purchase land, es- tablish homes for old people of the coIorcd race. found communities, construct tram ways, electric lighting plants, etc.
 In the Shepherdsville community they have planned squares, lots and streets with the purpose to sell to members on reasonable terms.
 The order Is composed of such leading negroes as pr. A. J. Stokes, Rev. Will liam Madison, Jr.. Dr. Cooper, Dr. N. Nes- bftt and Rev. Riddick of Montgomery. Prof. R. B. Hudson, Rev. L. w.. Gallo. way and D. T. West of Selma. and Rev. A. F. Owens of Tuskegee institute.
 In purchasing the plantation in Dallas county the trustees had the moral sun. port and assistance of such leading white citizens or Selma as Capt. w. M. R, Lee, MT. Roger A. P. Jones of the Mabry securities company, Judge M Vaughan. Mir. Daniel Partridge of Partridea a Hodge Attorney Watkins and the pson,es Bank and Trust company.
 Manager Rivers, in charge Of the n,sn- tation. speaks in terms of praise of 1hs good feeling toward the enterprise bv his white neighbbrs. MT. G. M. Sumner MT J. R. Stewart. MT. J. D. Houston. Mr e J. Curry. MT. Ike Kyser, MT. I n AT Iison of Richmond and MT. Presslev E,a,,
 George W. Chandler. the president |. regarded as one of the most inteIii,av,s and enterprising men of his race ana un, with his large following and laudable nmr. poses he is deserving of success A. F. OWENS.
 Dean Tuskesee Normal and Industr,aI Tn. stitutes --- Selma. November IS. 1s1l