The Springfield herald., 1912-05-03

Just look at her position for mo-
ment." said one Of her business men
to the writer. We are here on Mo
bile river, which Is formed b1 miles
above us by the junction OF the Ala
bama and Tombigbee rivers. both no.
BILE streams, navigable for steamboats,
for 40 miles. and piercing country
rich in all agricultural products. espe-
cially cotton, in lumber. naval stores.
coal. iron, cement ant other mineral
wealth. We have four trunk lines
centering In the city, traversing the
richest and most productive states OF
the Union and putting US in touch with
ever. section. We have four miles Of
water front, anc can enlarge 1t above
or below Indefinitely whenever the
need arrives. We have a 20-foot chan.
mel t. the gulf. which we are about to
make 81 feet. and we are 100 miles
nearer Panama. the Wes: Indian.
South American and European ports
than New Orleans or any other large
gull port.
In 1860 Mobile was the second cot
ton port of the south. We expect to
get back there in a few years more.
Further. a movement has been quietly
going on for the last two years that
will make Mobile the greatest coal
shipping port OF the south inside of
OF the Tombigbee and Black Warrior
rivers by a series OF locks and dams
which will enable steamboats, and
barges drawing six feet OF water to
run to Mobile from the Mulberry and
Locust forks of the Warrior in the
richest coal and iron measures In the
world-a distance OF 400 miles. II you
wish to learn more of this, call on Mr..
William W. Thompson. who can tell
you all about this and of another arti-
Gle destined to add not little to Mo
bile's exports-cement."
We had a very Interesting interview
with Mr.. Thompson. man OF con-
strye.ive ability. with all the energy
and enthusiasm necessary to carry
out his plans.
Age Of cemen..
I'VE have had the stone age" he be-
gan, the age OF gold, of silver, Of
iron and steel. and now We arc coming
to the age OF cement. Wonderful
what is being done Just now with this
new building material.
Now, 10 miles up the Tombigbee
river from Mobile. is st. Stephen 8,
site of the first capital OF Alabama ter
ritory. now wholly deserted. and where
is perhaps the greatest deposit Of
cement rock in this country. For
three-quarters OF mile along the
river bank 1t rises. solid cIin from
rs to 100 feet high. and extending
back from the river no one knows how
far. A company has been formed to
work this bed 1t will build at st.
Stephens a colossal plant. ship its
product by barges to Mobile. thence
to the Panama canal and other mar
kets.
beginning at Demopolis on the
Tombigbee from which town there is
now good water to Mobile). chain OF
seven locks has been constructed on
the Jack Warrior. opening navigation
to Tuscaloosa. Others have been let
and 1t is expected that within two
years there will be all the year round
navigation to the Mulberry and Lo-
Gust forks OF the Warrior, 400 miles
above Mobile.
when the improvements on the
lower river are completed they will
probably be continued up to Birming-
ham, and 1t is certain that coal iron,
cement and perhaps oil and salt can
then be laid down on the docks OF Mo
bile cheaper than in any other city OF
the south. II not OF the Union"