The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-29
OPP AND FL0RALA, RIVAL CITIES OF PROSPEROUS COUN- ". WELCOME nIsH SCHOOL COMMISSION

Montgomery. December 29. .tspecial9- Opp and Florala!
 Located in the heart Of the wire grass section of the state. in a county whose population increased from 1900 to 1910 more than that of any other county in the state and separated by 20 miles, these two towns are destined to become within the next few years among the most thriV- ing and prosperous in Alabama
 Opp and Florala belong to covington county and in passing it might be well to add tsat according to the last federal census Covington county increased 1O7 pei cent in population, which was the record for any county in the state. For moro concrete presentation Of facts, it can be said that in 1900 Covington county had a population of something over 15,Co0; in 1910, the population was more than S20eo. Moreover the increase in land values has greatly exceeded the increase in pop ulation Some of the property that origi- pally sold in the neighborhood of Anda- lusia, Florala and Opp Tor s4 and s5 per l acre now sell for slo and $50 per acre. particularly in the neighborhood of these towns.
 The growth of Covington county is re ferred to in order to give proper credit to Opp and Florala. the foruaer located near the center of the county, and the latter just over the line dividing Ala bama and Florida, hence the name Flor ala Between these two towns the most friendly rivalry obtains. In progressive l ness, in growth in patriotism and in al else that go to make a fine community Opp and F'lerala are running neck and neck, though Florala, on account of the fact that 1t is older, has a larger popula- ton.
 But this fact does not make Opp any the less determined to secure the location of the Covington county high school, just as Flo1la's proximity to the Florida line does not make that town any the less de- termiAed. In fact. both towns are vieing with each other for the best of every thing, they have the best to offer. and, unable to agree among themselves they called upon Governor CpNeal and the other members of the high school com mission, Superintendent, of Education Henry J. Willingham. and State Auditor c. Brooks Smith, to come down to Cow ington and select a site for the new high school.
 Glad of the opportunity to shake of the cares of state for couple of days. the commission left Montgomery early Friday morning in response to the invi. tation of the two applicants for the coun. ty high school of Covngton. Appar- ently the citizens of Covington knew the mission of the governor and the other two state officials, for at most of the railway stations in Covington county there was a generous scattering of peo- pie to sec the train pass. At various places citizens of the county boarded the train and accompanied the party to sta- tions farther down the line several of the Opp contestants going as far as Florala.
 At Opp d delegation of F1orala cit izens met the governor and his party, and during the remainder of the trip the merits of Florala were sung in no un- certain strains in the ears of those who had 0 voice in the selection of the site.
 No other incident occurred worthy of mention save the loss of tho governor s hat, which happened half-way between Opp and Florala as he was passing from one coach to another But the loss Of the governors hat was more or less ap- preciated by the Florala delegation, for no sooner had the party from the state capitol arrived at their destination than a man boarded the train and presented new hat-the best that could be found in Florala-to Governor ONeal. He wore 1t during thS remainder of the day, and when his old hat was returned to him on his arrival at Opp, he had the more antiquated one placed away in his hand bag, and continued to enjoy the lustre of the new one.
 Incident after incident followed after the arrival at Florala. dozen or more automobiles met the party, escorted them over the town, and later took them to the hotel overlooking Jackson's lake where dinner was served Suffice it to say that the dinner was given by Flo rala citizens, and that Florala is one of the most thriving towns in one of the most thriving counties of the state. Dur ing dinner the party heard speeches set ting forth the merits of Florala as a de- sirabe high school site, and later the party went over to see the plant of the Jackson Lumbeg company, the largest lumber concern in Alabama
 Thus the day was spent. The proposed high school site was inspected and