The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-21

1 A short distance from Birmingham, between two strips of mountain country, 1 Oneonta answers roll call among those ] towns and cities of Alabama that have l become well known and tustifiably ra- nous for one particular thing--increase in population. This snug little business center. which fairly sizzles with com munity pride and public spirit, doubled it's population within 10 years. The cen sus gave the population at something over the 20O0 mark upon the last calcu- lation. and a fire-usually the greatest Godsend to come to the small commu- nity's business section-did another thing that has made the town look like we'll kept municipality. Brick buildings stand here firetraps and windshaken shacks used to house Oneontas finan- ciers and brains of commerce.
 Prof. T. c. Moore, for seven years the head of the Blount County High school, was asked how he accounted for the increase In population in Oneonta and the general awakening to activities that point to civic betterment all along the IiEes of the various developments one so easily notices
 Perhaps you do not know that we had Al boarding pupils in our school last year. There are many here this year, too. from Bount county, other counties over the state, and some from other states" modestly admitted the man who heads an institution in his home county, among his home people, to the utmost satisfaction of all. He does not want to go elsewhere, and he does not want to do anything else but teach--he is a tea cher by instinct, preparation, choice and love of the work.
 "What particular branch do you teach or specialize in, professor" he was asked, to which he replied II just take the leavings. After I have organized my faculty each year, I take what IS left, the members of the faculty beng allowed to teach such branches as they prefer, for in this way l get better work out of them, and then I fill in where the breaks come, teaching every hour in the day, every day. enjoy the work. and rather enjoy the general nature ot my work"
 SCHOOLS BACK OF FAIR
 Blount county's magnificent fair, then, may be attributed to Blount county's magnificent schools, for there Is where tho seed We're sown that made hay-and the harvest is greater each year. The
 
 ings, Ealf-mile race track, grandstand. live stock and poultry exhibits agr1- cultural dssplayes and real Midway, brass band, turnsrile at the gates, and exudes prosperity from every crack Of the fence that surrounds the spacious grounds cf the fairs property.
 W. J. Shelton is the president of the County Fair associa tion, and his first lieutenant and all around tabasco man. ager is Secretary w. M. Hagood They gave to the people of Blount county this year-the fair having closed yester- day-one of the best fairs in their his- tory. and the showings depicted wonder ful progress in that county, especially from an agricultural standpoint The schools did their part: their exhibits were there, and they made handsome showings, but. as usual. the girls beat the boys. The domestic science depart ment at the fair, participated in by all ages from over the county. including ev- erything from can of beans to can- ming outfit in operation, and an amateur peanut butter plant, drew attention of all who passed through the arts hall on the second floor.
 The agricultural exhibits were fine, corn being supreme in the displays. One attractive display of cotton was seen, the fruit on the heavy stalks being very prolific. No boil weevil had ever tasted ul tldI lOt All cACCptiOidi 0AoPi6J oA Barred Plymouth Rock chickens wore noticeable, and they could not be beaten anywhere.
 Quilts, handwork, garments of every description where fancy work was in- dulged In, ornamented the walls of the booths, showing the taste of Blount county women and their remarkable skill in such work.
 Following a few hours at the fair, where the crowds were addressed by Fred M. Jackson of Birmingham and George w. Darden of Oneonta, the Bir- mingham party (for 1t was Birmingham Day at the fair) stroyyed uptown There