The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-27

Willis Roberts were appointed by the gov ernor to hold the first town election. Very little is known of the early inhabitants of Cahaba, though history mentions Jesse Beene, Thomas Casey and Horatio G. Perry. Some of the state officials were Reuben Saffold, James J. Peasants Jack F. Ross, Henry Minor, James I. Thorn ton and Samuel Pickens.
 Gradually Rose in Price
 The town having been laid out lots which at first sold for $ and s2 per acre, gradually rose in price as the town de- veloped. and in a few years some sold for s4ooo and $4000, and some could not be bought at any price. In 1920 Governor William Bibb died, and his brother Thom- as Bbb of Limestone county then presi- dent of the senate, became governor In 1921 Israel Pickens was elected gover- nor
 The town of Cahaba continued to grow and prosper. Notable and wealthy per sons. large land and slave owners flocked to it, as it was the principal shipping point for all central Alabama Mobile be- ing the southern and Huntsville the north- ern outlet. With the exception of few small towns, situated along some waterway. Alabama was almost an un- broken wilderness. wherein the red men wooed his duslly maiden or hunted the wild deer and buffalo at will. There were only one or two stage coach lines, travel by river being the only mode of trans portation.
 In 1895, one of the largest freshets in the history of the state completely in- undated the thriving little city. The legislature was in session at the time, and the legislators had to be rowed to the capitol in skiffs. and were landed in the second story of the building. When the waters receded, destruction was everywhere-even part of the state building itself collapsed. This ter rble disaster showed only to plainly that q mistake had been made in the selection of this spot. and at the next session of the legislature the capital was removed to Tuscaloosa. Today small china tree marks the spot where on the capitol stood.
 This was terrible blow to Cahaba, and the town became almost depopu- lated. Houses were removed to differ ent parts of the state-some even as far as Mobile--and the town, though still the county seat of Dallas county gradually declined. Being a large skip ping point, and the country for miles around supporting II, and belnS helu together by a few loyal citizens, she struggled on, and in 1880, had regainel some of her old time prestige. The saw and the hammer began to be heard again. Large industries began to open up Among the prominent men were James D. Craig, George w. and Wil- liam Gayle ]. R, Hood, A. J. Safford and J. B. Clark; Drs James F. Heustis F. H. Hogan. P w. Herbert and l.. B. Earle; and Crocheron & Perrine, mer- chants. Later came Joseph Hilderbrant William Curtis, Matthew and Billups head John and William Lovett, Drs Underwood and Gill, Thomas, Joel and Peter Matthews and numbers of oth- els
 In 1893 eight years after It's first de- Yastation just as the struggling little town was beginning to get upon its feet again, another terrible overflow occurred. Again were the scenes of 1925 repeated. Many. disheartened left never to return, but in year or so new inhabitants moved in, business began to improve, and in 1886, the lit tie town took on some of it's former activity. William L. Yancey was editor of the Cahaba Reporter, Benjamin C. fancey William Hunter and George R, Evans were among the prominent lawyers. William R. King, then United states Senator and afterwards vice president of the United States. lived across the Alabama, few miles below Selma.
 Reached Her Zenith
 In the forties and hfties. Cahaba raeChed her zenith Tarpa ,oa,oo,,.;i.