The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-29
MEN, WOMEN AND THINGS

It is now more than thirty years since first visited Calhoun county It was in the old days when was living here and doing the society act" and severy now and then running over to Annston with a party to attend some social function.
 From my first glimpse of the mountains and valleys fell in love with the beauty of its surroundings, and as long as I live I will recall a moonlight picnic given at Coldwater Springs, one of the loveiiest spots imaginable. I have never been there since, but still carry in my mem ory the picture of bold rushing stream of crystal water.
 But since my first visit to Anniston I have made many trips to Calhoun county, for it was my custom to attend every fall the sessions of the Calhoun County Bap- tist Association. It was always delight when it met somewhere in the Chocco- locco valley. Unless you have explored it, you can have but little idea of its picturesqueness.
 There stands out in my memory trip made from the upper end of it one af- ternoon on foot over the mountain to Piedmont Springs It brought back to me recollections of summer spent in the Swiss Alps, when I made frequent pill grimsges to some well-known peak. True, the climb was not so taxing in crossing over the ridge to- reach the springs as many made in my vacation days abroad, but it took several hours of hard walk ing.
 I spent the night at the hotel and made my way down to Piedmont the next and I have wondered ever since why some one with money and enterprise had failed to buy the property and put it in first-class shape and give Birmingham a place to summer, for am sure that it has all the natural advantages needed for a popular resort. I do not know who owns the place, but whoever it may be, with proper promotion it ought to be made a success.
 It may not be generally known. but the name first selected for the county was that of Thomas H. Benton. in honor of the leader of the Jackson party in Con- gress but was changed twenty-six years later to Calhoun county in memory of John c. Calhoun. It was a part of the Muscogee Indian cession, formed into a county in 1882. The county contains $40 square miles. and holds high rank among the agricultural counties of Alabama for it's rank in agricultural production.
 The lands are fertile. The soil pro- duces cotton, corn. oats. wheat and all the other small grains. The other night I was entertained in the hospitable home of Thad M. Gwin at Oxford. He has small patch in the rear of his house. and last year raised about ten bushels of wheat on it. It Is now a waving field of green, being in oats. They will soon be har- vested and corn planted. give this as a sample of the possibility of the land in the rotation of crops.
 But the soil Is not only adapted to the staple crops for clover and legumes reach a degree of perfection not excelled anywhere else in the state. It is noted for it's orchards. apples, peaches, pears. quince. plums and all sorts, of berries. Practically all the native grasses of the state grow to perfection. From what I know and have seen of N, it offers a great chance for dairying. as 1t is one of the best watered counties I know any, thing about. There are already some fine herds scattered here and there.
 Up to 1892 q date nearly everything in my life from this year, for during 1t I made my first trip to Europe as a lad houn was known only as fine farming section. Birmingham had got its second wind and was forging to the front with it's coal and iron. Then capital looking about for an investment seized upon the rich mineral resources of Calhoun county, and it's red and hematite ores were de- veloped and the Model City was soon the talk of the country
 ) But Calhoun's iron did not complete it's mineral resources. for in it are found manganese, copper. kaolin, marble. sand stone, Autograph stone. fire clay, fire brick. and clay and lead all exist in greater or less quantities. But did not sit down to catalog it's unparalleled agri- cultural and mineral resources or to bear witness to it's growing manufactures. for these things are too we'll known to need any exploitation at my hahd. Its indus tries are on a firm commercial basis. 1 With such natural resources and a cli- Innate unsurpassed it is small wonder that fine social conditions prevail. Industrial energy. beautiful farms picturesque en-
 vironment, handsome churches and fine | schools make 1t an attractive place in
 which to earn a livelihood and build a home and rear family. Knowing all of
 tkese things, 1t was with genuine pleas ure that I accepted the invitation of S. B. Gibson. principal of the Calhoun
 County High School. to deliver the lit erary address on Wednesday night.
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 He met me at Admission. and with some charming friends we motored over to OK. ford where the school is located The building is one remodelled on the famous old Oxford College, whore the Dodsons taught and wrought so successfully for Ieducation. sending out men and womer who have made conspicuous success ir
 every walk of life. I felt 1t privilege
 to talk in a hall sacred with such hal
 lowed memories, It was packed and damned, for there was desire to heal
 the singing of the slee club trained by
 Miss Mullins. to listen to the piano and tho ooa1 V