Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-12
GRAND RUSH TO
MUSCLE SHOALS
Hundreds Flock to South
With Idea of Getting
Jobs.
Jobs.

Florence, Ala.-With the interest of
the nation fixed for months on Muscle
Shoals. an influx of. people to the dis
trlct has constituted a problem that
a taxed the ingenuity of town and
civic authorities.
Agitation of the potential strength
OF "the South's Niagara" and the pos
sioillties that were expected to be
speedily fulfilled in event of develop
ment of the latent war project, turn
ed a veritable stream of humanity in
search of the TEL Dorado. Folks came
on foot, in horse carts, in motor cars,
IN day coaches and in palatial draw
ing rooms. There Were men with
money seeking INVESTMENTS men in
oyeralls. hunting woxt. 1There. were
adventures looking for anything
they might find. Some spent money
lavishly others were wards of the
community and had to be fed.
Grave Problem.
The problem at once became 50.
grave that the town authorities Of
Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia-
municipalities composing the districts
.tri-clties'-sent out a warning:
Stay away from Muscle Shoals un-
less o come on legitimate business
and nave an engagement in advance"
eNoPPSO ia I'll l1lo lOxLun0
hunters. but yet they came. "
The first offer for the governments
property caused complete metamor-
phosis of the district. The community
was stunned when war work was
stopped the day the armistfce was
signed. Putting machinery IN
stand by" condition was a symbol
of dissipated hopes. But the re-
sultant somnolent condition was re-
awakened overnight when the word
went forth: Muscle Shoels is to be
developed" Everybody in the district
oelieved tina a bid meant other bids
N that competitors in the field
would result in Acknowledgement by
the government that Muscle Shoals
would not be scrapped.
The people of the district formed
the policy of extending a welcoming
hand to builders and the real estate
boards OF the three cities declared
mat realty prices should not ascend,
beyond unreasonable levels. These
boards, it is stated. have largely CON
trolled prices of real estate. A few
SPECTATORS edged in, however, and
small tracts of undesirable land have
oeen optioned and sold at figures not
WITHIN bounds set by the realty assoc
1t is asserted. though, that
cheating and taxing has
trapped but few persons. There arc
swamp or low lands in the region,
realtors declare, but some sof the
property offered is situated many
miles from the Tennessee river and
nitrate projects. .
Much Property Sold.
Much property is said to have
hands over a stretch of ter
r1tory along the river for a. distance
OF twenty-fi five miles. The state of
michigan. it is said, has furnished
more buyers than all the other states
mDin with the possible execution
OF alabama. Town lots have sold at
from oom a few hundred dollars TO- S10,-
Farm and contiguous to the
has brought from $50 to s125
80 acre; Many Of these nearby farm /.
chass nave been optioned or pir-'
euant WIN a view Of ~Sub-dividihg in
Anth " aooked-lor developments.
tnree municipalities. will consfftute
tne hub from which viii radiate n
VI the industrial miracles Of ia age,
~ matter who the successful bidder
may De for the government property.
EAtravagent stories Circulated CON
ssrnlng conditions in the district
p pnsn out The Muscle Shoals
Zoo nook., Endorsed by town and civic
an,zations n edited by one Of
sat. community's leading minister's. II
Who b vavn authentic data Yor '..those :
build i've i've me vision mi courake TO
,,u Ky themselves into he certnin ia
ritory." "uscle snoais or
has ransnicipal woodpile at shefield
- AFFORDED scores OF adyent,reta IN
opportunity Of q SQUARE meal