The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-18
SECTION GIVEN BY ELY

Among the land agents of the fed eral government on duty in Jeffer- son county was one Ely a down easter" hailing from the state of Connecticut. The hearty hospitality which had. opened it's arms to the stranger at the threshold of every pioneers cabin hidden in the forest, throughout the long distances of his journey, touched that spring of hu- man nature in his heart which
 makes all the world akin." Mr. Ely found the few scores of settlers of Jefferson county, who, 102 years ago, became, perchance, his generous hosts, as the shadows of night closed In upon his weary tramp with cam pass and chain through the wilder ness-found them animated by the true spirit of American citizenship. anxious to establish a village and trading center to be the capital of -J Jefferson county.
 In ardent sympathy with their hopes and needs. he gave the county. as pledge of his affection, a quar- ter section of land G60 acres) for the site of it's capital. In just ap- preciation5 of the generous act the county named it's capital Elyton. The Elyton Land company" is a eu- phonic title, and no fault is to be laid against the organizers on the score of taste on choosing a name It was destined to become a classic name. But why did they select 1t?
 The land of the company lying about the railroad crossing had been purchased to found a city upon, and the village of Ilyton, being only one or two miles distant to the westward must inevitably be absorbed in the growth of the city, provided the company should succeed in building up city to perpetuate its own name and mission.
 The gift of the humble but gen erous Connecticut land agent. cast upon the fortunes of Jefferson county, has returned to his memory with rich honors His humble name is indissolubly united to the most ac- tive, most comprehensive, and most enduring incorporated enterprise in the entire state, and one which was the most influential factor in the central city of the future great iron manufacturing industry in the United States.
 When we reflect that iron manu- lecturers possess the singular power to call into activity a greater multi tude of subsidiary, industries than any other influence known to man, we may discover how amply secure In fame is the name of the humble land agent incorporated into the york of the community.
 Company Organized.
 The company organized January 26, 1871, under charter granted by the state of Alabama. James k. Powell was elected president. The president took up his abode in the new town, and devoted a restless en- ergy, suggestive mind, and indomit- able will ceaselessly to the work of advertising throughout the United. States and Europe the mineral wealth surrounding it. It was he who surprised the country by calling upon the Alabama Press association to meet here two years in succession, and to invite the New Y orll Press as- sociation to participate in it's last meeting.
 The New Workers were twitted by the pluck of the proffered hospitality of a town boastfully claiming a fu- ture, while at that moment it had neither place on the map to be pointed out to the traveller, nor con .venient inn for the entertainment of visitors. Turning to the project of Colonel Powell the New York newspaper men resolved to accept the consequences of what they pre- sumed to be a practical joke.
 .- They came, saw and by their pens conquered place in the literature of the worlds journalism for Birming- ham, They saw Red mountain, a bank of red hematite. They saw the farmers living around the newborn town, hauling over it's clay streets or in by-cuts across its vacant, un- fenced lots. oX-team loads of the most beautiful coal, gruhbed from the hillsides of their pasture lands.
 With one consent the New York Press association turned upon the world a flood light of information on their discovery of Birmingham. Hun dreds and thousands of laborers, me- chanics investors and spectators in the United States and In Europe saw