The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-30
Old Map Of Birmingham
Mooted Point In Dispute
r. G. Harsh, Pioneer Lawyer, Recounts History
Of Ninteenth StreAt CONTROVERSY

In Alabama there are known to be
six copies Of the first regulation map
Of the city Of Birmingham, issued in
the very early seventies. The map ID
80 old that 1t does not show the curv-
ing lines Of Highland avenue, or the
other streets that, disregarding the
formal right angles Of modernity, swirl
and curl with an individuality that is
making Birmingham's Southside nota-
bic.
The old map, one Of which is on file
with the state department of archives
and history, in Montgomery, shows the
industrial district belt throughout old
Birmingham, its width from First ave.
nue. to Avenue A, full city bloch
wider than the present railway belt
for the limits now are Morris avenue
on the north and Powell avenue on the
south.
The site of the present Country clut
Is laid out in city blocks, which MAJ
or may not have a bearing on the ulti
mate disposal Of ownership Of that prop
erty when the club moves to its new
location. ss.
But the map shows, beyond al
shadow of doubt, that many streets
crossing the railroad lines area were
blocked off where they abutted on tbs
land set aside for the transportation
companies.
Second Edition.
Some claim the old map is a second
edition" Many reputable citizens ap-
peared in court and swore under oath
that they had seen q map, made by
the Elyton Land company, which
showed Nineteenth street open across
the railroad lines. The old records Of
the Elyton Land company show q hand
drawn map of the city with Nineteenth
street closed.
Exponents of opening up the end Of
Nineteenth street, where it is now
closed by the Louisville and Nashville
property, have not given up hope Of
finding a map that win show Nine
teenth street open throughout its en-.
tirety. !
Among those who have actively
worked for this improvement are Col
T. H. Motion; Maj. Monte Ullman, q
former city attorney, and r. G. Harsh
pioneer lawyer.
Mr.. Harsh was asked to write a re.
sumo Of the litigation to have Nine.
teenth street opened, and responded
with the fol owing;
ITO The Age-Herald, city:
I'm response to your request, for q
short summary and q few important in.
cidents Of the court proceedings in the
effort Of the city to open Nineteenth
street, state the following, viz:
"The city of Birmingham, through
its then city attorney, II. NJ. Ullman
and special counsel, Harsh, Harsh &
Harsh, on July s, 1916, filed an action
of ejectment in the city court of Biz.
mingham against the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad company, Alabama
Great Southern Railroad company, Biz.
mingham Mineral Railroad company
and Atlanta, birmingham and Atlantic
Railroad company, seeking the use for
the general public as q street of q
strip Of land 100 feet wide, beKinnins
at the south line Of Morris avenue and
ending at the north line of Powell
avenue, which strip Of land was claimed
to be a part of Nineteenth street, and
was .obstructed by the railroads in
question.
Case Removed
within 80 days after the filing Of
this suit the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad company caused the removal
of the case to the United States dis.
trict court, where 1t was tried before
the Hon. w. /. Grub, United States
district judge, and a jury, in Septem-
Der, 1920. Judge Grubb did not allow
the case to go to the jury, but directed
a verdict for the defendant, Louisville
and Nashville Railroad company, all
the others having disclaimed, except the
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic
which only claimed use Of a part OF
the strip as q tenant Of the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad company.
''The city cOntended and attempted