In writing the story of Florence, it is our intention to do it in a different way from the usual method of writing such stories. Trotwood’s Monthly is known as the magazine that is “Different” and we want to be that way. The fact that “John Smith came here in 1869, commenced farming under innumerable disadvantages, was married on February 5, 1874 to Miss Mary Jones, and that the union was blessed with several children, and that his sterling worth as a citizen and business man, is highly appreciated, etc., etc.,” may be gratifying to the vanity of John Smith, but does it help Florence? We think not, and will, therefore, write the story in a “Different” way.

The history of Florence from the day of the Moundbuilders has been told in this issue by Mr. John Trotwood Moore, in his “Southern Travels.” It is our intention only to tell of the commercial advantages, and tell it without any “hot air” attachments. Probably the most interesting story to be told in connection with Florence at the present time is the story of Mussel Shoals, for what it means to Florence, no one at this time can tell. If it is true that the waste waters of the great canal are to be harnessed, and electricity transmitted to the surrounding territory, it simply means that “Greater Florence” will be the leading city of Alabama, and one of the leading cities of the entire South. The story of Mussel Shoals has been written, and appears in this number, and the main stem of the story is facts. We prefer to allow our readers to form their own conclusions as to the result, but it is easy enough to see that it will mean the present Florence will give way to the Greater Florence, and rank with the best Southern cities. We would not be dealing in facts if we tried to convey the idea that Florence alone is to be benefitted by this contemplated improvement, for it means that the surrounding country and the neighboring town and cities will also reap their share of the prosperity incidental to this improvement.

Florence is an ideal place for a home. It is much easier to tell what they have not got, than to tell of the many advantages. There is an abundance of pure water, an ideal climate, good schools, good society, an abundance of the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere and if there is any disadvantages around Florence from the standpoint of its being a desirable place to live, we failed to discover it. The price of real estate in Florence, as compared with values quoted elsewhere, is below the average. A more desirable home can be bought in Florence for the money than can be bought most any place else in the South. Florence has more modern homes that are up-to-date in architecture than many places twice the size. Every street shows the progressiveness of the citizens in building homes that are a credit to Florence and to Northern Alabama.

Two live newspapers cover the local field thoroughly, and they are not spending any time slinging muddy editorials at each other, but are interested in the development of Florence, and both are a credit to the city. Their equipment is superior to that found in many offices twice the size, and their columns are bright and full of the latest news.

When a manufacturer investigates with a view to locating, he invariably asks: “What are the banking facilities?” Florence can well be proud of her banks, and a glance at their advertisements herein will tell the story. The First National has stood the test of time, and the Alabama Trust and Savings Bank show by their deposits that they have the entire confidence of the people, for they are but a few months old. These banks are safe and reliable, conservative and up-to-date.

Florence is noted for her educational institutions, and with the best graded schools and colleges can offer more in the way of educational features than many cities of larger size.

Florence has transportation advantages that place her in a commanding position, and with competition from two railroads and the Tennessee River, and with other railroads under consideration, is placed in close touch with the markets of the world.

There is probably no city in the United States that enjoys better advantages than Florence as a manufacturing point. Competing railroads and river transportation, cheap fuel, cheap labor, right at the door of one of the biggest furnaces in the South, they are able to get the best grade of iron at a very low cost, and without the usual transportation charges added.

Lumber in abundance, and right at the door of the best coal mines in the South. Cheap power is one of the essential features of a successful manufacturing point, and even with the present conditions to say nothing of the Mussel Shoals improvement, it places Florence ahead of most any city in the South as a manufacturing center.

As an example of the advantages of locating a manufacturing plant in Florence we will cite the case of the Stove Foundry. They are at the very door of the Philadelphia Furnace, and have in many cases had deliveries of iron on two hours’ notice—sometimes less. Now comes the point: Detroit is one of the greatest stove manufacturing cities in the United States. Records show that pig iron is being shipped from Florence to Detroit, and that finished stoves are being shipped from Detroit to Florence. Labor is cheaper in Florence than in Detroit. Fuel is cheaper, water is cheaper, and in fact everything is cheaper. The Florence foundries can make and ship a finished casting to northern points for the same rate the raw material can be shipped, and yet a great deal of the finished product finds its way back to Florence and points further South. There are a thousand arguments in favor of Florence, and none against her. Everything is better and conditions are better in every way. The climate is elegant, scenery sublime, and one of the most healthy locations in the United States.

A story of Florence without mention of their excellent street railway would not be complete. The Sheffield Company operate a line of cars between Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia, that are strictly up-to-date, and the same attention is paid to the wants of the people as though they were compelled to fight an aggressive competitor for every fare. These cars connect the L. & N. and Southern depots, and give Florence a service that they are proud of and appreciate. There is a friendly rivalry existing between the cities of Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia, as there always is when towns are located close together, and to ask a man in Sheffield what he thought of Florence, he would look as though he never heard of the place, and to ask a man in Florence what he thought of Sheffield, he would say that any man living in Sheffield when he could just as well live in Florence should be fined and imprisoned on suspicion, but in dividing his favors in the way of street car service, Mr. J. W. Worthington, the Vice President and active man, is impartial, and gives all three cities a service that is strictly first-class.

The Sheffield Company also furnish electric lights and power to Florence, and are daily improving the service and extending their wires.

Florence could well be called a “City of Schools and Churches,” for in that respect they are far above the average city. Their schools, as before mentioned, are of the highest order, and their churches represent all denominations. There is the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Trinity Episcopal, Catholic and Christian. The people are unusually devoted to the churches, and contribute liberally to their support.

Florence now has approximately three miles of cement sidewalks and is now advertising for bids for the construction of twenty-seven miles additional. Florence will use something like ten million brick within the next few months, as several large buildings are now being constructed and the plans are being drawn for many more.

Florence now has industries that represent a money investment of about one and a half million dollars, fine schools and churches, street railway, electric lights and gas, honest city government, an up-to-date and efficient fire department, police protection, telegraph, telephones, public parks, and in fact everything required to make it a desirable place to engage in business and to reside. It will welcome new industries and good citizens. It is in need of various industries to use the waste material from the wagon works, stave factories and planing mills, and can offer greater inducements to parties interested than any other city in the South.

It would be unfair to this intelligent city, filled, as it is, with schools, colleges and churches, not to make mention of its valuable library.

Since its inception in 1885 it has continued to furnish to the reading public of Florence the best literature, consisting of prose and poetry, history, science and fiction.

There are more than 2,000 volumes, well shelved and properly cared for. The library, while not entirely free, is open to all, and intended for all. One day of every week books can be procured and a membership fee of $1.00 per year is charged, this amount being used for the purchase of the new books, a stipulated sum being spent each year for historical works and reference books for students.

The books are carefully selected when purchased, there being a special book committee charged with this duty. The library is under the direction of twelve lady directors, selected for their special fitness for the work. They are:

Mrs. Erister Ashcraft, President; Mrs. John R. Price, Vice President; Mrs. Emmet O’Neal, Secretary; Mrs. L. M. Humphries, Treasurer; Mrs. W. P. Campbell, Mrs. C. E. Jordan, Mrs. H. B. Lee, Miss Nettie Simpson, Mrs. M. W. Cample, Mrs. M. C. Nelson, Mrs. L. B. Frierson, Mrs. G. N. Smith.

MUSSEL SHOALS.

By Erister Ashcraft.

In the future development of the resources of Florence and her surrounding territory, a new and powerful factor must be taken into consideration. It is only a matter of a short time when the hitherto wasted energy of Mussel Shoals will be harnessed into a power, second only to that of Niagara.

Much has been written concerning these immense falls, but it is the purpose of this article to give only such facts as will be of interest and practical use to prospective developers of this great power, and to those who are to help build up this beautiful valley into one of the busiest manufacturing centers in the United States.

In a general way the value and importance of this great power is expressed by one of the ablest American engineers who has examined and surveyed these shoals: “There is no place in the world where greater advantages are to be found for the harnessing of water power for the uses of industry, or where there is greater power awaiting development within reach of the seaboard by water and by rail transportation than Mussel Shoals.”

The following, from the report of Chief Engineer F. H. Newell, and incorporated by Senator Morgan in his recent report to the Senate on the “Navigation of the Tennessee River,” is reproduced here as being the most accurate and authentic account of the various important features of the Mussel Shoals with reference to their capacity for developing power:

“In the Tennessee river, in the vicinity of Florence, Ala., are several shoals capable of the development of power.

“The shoals are a succession of cascades, amid many islands, in a river bed varying in width from a half-mile to three miles. The difference between high and low water is only five or six feet, corresponding to a rise of fifty feet at Chattanooga. Beginning at Brown’s Ferry, twelve miles below Decatur, Ala., the river has the following falls:

“From Brown’s Ferry to the mouth of Elk river the fall is twenty-six feet in eleven miles. This is known as ‘Elk River Shoals.’ Its most precipitous part is at the lower end, where there is a fall of 16.5 feet in about four miles.

“From the mouth of Elk river to the head of Mussel Shoals, a distance of five miles, there is a fall of only two feet.

“From the head of Mussel Shoals to Bainbridge the fall is eighty-five feet in seventeen miles, and is known as ‘Mussel Shoals.’

“From Bainbridge to Florence the fall is twenty-three feet in seven miles, and is known as ‘Little Mussel Shoals.’

“From Florence to the head of Colbert Shoals the fall is three feet in eleven miles.

“From the head of Colbert Shoals to Waterloo is, therefore, 160 feet in a distance of fifty-seven miles. Sixteen miles of the distance, however, has a fall of only five feet, leaving a fall of 155 feet in forty-one miles that cover the four shoals mentioned. The shoals are really more precipitous than the foregoing figures would indicate. For instance, 84.6 feet of the fall at Mussel Shoals is in a distance of fourteen miles.”

The general surface of the water on these shoals is comparatively smooth and of even depth in its levels across the river, with no deep fissures to interfere with the building of dams at any location that may be selected. The islets and projecting rocks can be taken into the structure of the dams at a considerable advantage in the cost of such works.

The bed and banks of the river are only subject to slight changes, and improvements, when made, are therefore practically permanent.

This section of the Tennessee river runs through a fertile and beautiful upland, presenting on both shores bluffs or rock of strong texture that afford very extensive and excellent quarries for all structural purposes, while the rocks for the rougher work of dam construction are abundantly supplied in the bed of the river. These bluffs break away into beautiful farm lands, and the high lands and salubrious climate insure healthful homes.

Directly tributary are all the elements necessary for a great manufacturing center.

The nearby iron, coal and phosphate fields are among the richest in the world, and the supply of lime- and sandstone for manufacturing and building purposes is inexhaustible. Forests of timber of both hard and soft woods of every description are near at hand, and bordering the river banks from Chattanooga to Johnsonville are the most productive cotton fields of the South. Labor is skilled and plentiful.

It has been impossible to develop this great power heretofore, as the government has refused to allow the construction of dams across the river, but by the recent Act of Congress such permission has been granted.

With the immense supply of raw material of every kind in this section, sufficient manufacturing industries may be added here to consume the power generated from these shoals, making us the most important manufacturers of wood, iron, cotton, etc., in the United States.

Estimated minimum net horsepower of Tennessee river in Alabama on turbines realizing eighty per cent. of the theoretical power:

When the present general manager of the Tennessee Valley Fertilizer Company started in business some seven years ago, his stock in trade consisted of plenty of pluck and a hoe. With the assistance of one man, he mixed his fertilizer with a hoe, and the first day’s output was eleven bags of fertilizer. The first week showed up a total of 55 bags. Without telling of the seven years of hard and persistent work, will say that any of the eight mills in this plant to-day can mix as much fertilizer in twenty minutes as they did the first week. There is probably no brand of fertilizer sold to-day in any market that gives more satisfaction than their famous “Tiger” brand, for in this formula is represented the very best work of the general manager, who has given practically every hour of his time to the upbuilding of the business, and his motto is: “The Very Best That Can be Produced.”

The company own their own phosphate fields in Maury and Hickman counties, Tennessee, and daily receive shipments of the raw material, where it is quickly converted into their forty different brands. “King Cotton Grower” is probably their most popular seller, as it is especially adapted to the growing of cotton, and no expense has been spared to make it perfect, and as imitation is a sure sign of superiority, the company have been compelled upon several occasions to fight for their rights to use this name for their product. No better recommendation for their goods could be given than the fact that their very best customers and friends are the ones that started to buy their goods when the company was first organized, and who have continued to stand by them in their fight to give the people the very best. They make a special study of the needs of the farmer, and make their formulas accordingly, and while it is safe to say that it would be hard to improve on their different brands, which are all made with scientific accuracy, yet they are always ready to make any special formulas, and will take such orders and deliver them promptly.

Growing to such proportions in such few years and fighting the trust at the same time is certainly a record that could not be built on anything but honest principles and meritorious goods.

The Florence Wagon Works was established in 1882 in Atlanta, Ga. Was reorganized and moved to Florence, Ala., in 1889, and has been in constant operation since that time.

During the twelve years ending with 1905, this company has manufactured and distributed over 89,000 farm wagons, paying to its employees for labor and salary something over $797,000. The volume of business has been considerably more than $3,000,000. During that time it has paid to the railroads more than $200,000 for freight. These figures will give an approximate idea of the extent of business done by this institution.

It is in the heart of the very best supply of hard wood for wagon purposes. Being situated only across the river from the large furnaces and rolling mills of Sheffield it is enabled to secure its supply of iron under the most favorable conditions.

The entire factory is equipped with the most modern machinery for manufacturing and handling its large output, which is growing in popularity every year and the territory covered is being extended annually, now reaching from Virginia to Mexico, and from the Atlantic coast to the far West.

One of the most interesting features of Florence, is the Cypress Creek dam, on the land of Mr. F. M. Perry. There is a great opportunity for the development of sufficient electric power to supply the needs of Florence, and taking the figures of a prominent surveyor at Florence, it is estimated that this dam will furnish something like 12,000 horse power daily. The owner is reluctant to make any statement as to the possibilities, but prefers to let those interested investigate. We print herein a picture of the old dam that was in use before the war, and the present owner started to rebuild it some time ago, but before it was completed, a heavy rise washed away a part of it and he has made no further progress. The creek makes a big bend, and while it is some three miles around, by tunnelling through some 600 feet, it will give a fall of thirty feet, and by building a dam at the site of the present dam, or rather by finishing the one partly constructed, elevating it ten feet, it will back the water of Cypress Creek to a point where a tunnel of 300 feet will give a forty foot fall, and will discharge at the point shown in the second picture of the old cotton factory that was destroyed during the war, and which was never rebuilt. There is something like 1,000 acres of land with this privilege and to sum the whole thing up, taking the estimate made by City Engineer Major A. G. Negley, as a basis, an expenditure of $2,000 to finish the dam, $6,000 for the tunnel and $2,000 for the turbine would give electricity to furnish power enough to meet all the demands of Florence and the surrounding country.

Before the war there were three dams practically in sight of each other that furnished the power for a grist mill and two cotton factories.

For further information, address the owner, F. M. Perry, Florence, Alabama.

The Manual Training Department of the Alabama State Normal under the supervision of Prof. F. T. Nisbet, is one of the most interesting parts of Florence. Mr. Nisbet is a graduate of Atheneum and Mechanics Institute, Rochester, N. Y., and was at the head of manual training in the city schools of Yonkers, N. Y. He introduced manual training in the University of Alabama where he taught for two years at the summer school for teachers. It enables a pupil to demonstrate their ideas, and tends to develop the ability to express their thoughts in many ways. The Manual Training Department in Florence ranks with the very best in the country.

ASHCRAFT COTTON FACTORY.

It is hard to say anything of interest in regard to this institution other than what is stated in their advertisement. It was organized in 1900 with a capital stock of $100,000, which was increased the following year to $150,000. Their goods are in such demand that they are several months behind on orders, and, as stated, in their advertisement, are the first company in the United States to use the entire product of the cotton field. The factory contains 6,240 spindles and 200 looms, employing several hundred hands. The factory is one of the best equipped and most up-to-date factories in the United States, and the fact that their product is sold for several months ahead is conclusive evidence that their goods are of unusual merit. C. W. Ashcraft is President and General Manager, John T. Ashcraft, Vice President, and Erister Ashcraft, Secretary and Treasurer.

The two accompanying pictures of “Light Running Florence” wagons tell more than could be told in several pages.

The 3½ Florence Wagon that brought a load of 86 people to the fair at Murfreesboro, carried an estimated weight of 13,000 pounds, or six times as much as the ordinary farmer hauls at a load. The ordinary log wagon is seldom called on to hold up a load to exceed four or five thousand pounds, and oftener less, yet the “Light Running Florence” managed to carry a solid stone base weighing 22,000 pounds, and without injury to the wagon in any way. There must be a reason for this. If the wagons were built to conform with the claims of the Florence Wagon Works, as to the amount of tonnage capacity, they would certainly not be misleading the public or the purchaser, but when a wagon will carry more than five times as much as they claim it will, and ten times as much as the ordinary farmer wants to haul, there is but one answer; the wagon is built on honor. It would be pretty hard to get anything but an honest wagon from this factory, for unless a man be honest with himself, he could not be honest with his employer, and the record for industry, temperance, and general citizenship is certainly broken when you investigate the class of men that make these wagons. Many of the employes own their own homes, contribute liberally to churches and charity and patronize the schools, and a larger Sunday school class can be found from the children of this industrious lot of people than can be found most anywhere, considering the number of employes. There is not a “boozefighter” in their employ, and the standard of manhood and citizenship is certainty commendable.

The Ashcraft Oil Mills is one of the tributary industries of the Ashcraft Cotton Mills, where the by-products are handled, and is under the same management. In addition they operate several gins in the territory adjacent to Florence, to insure an adequate supply of seed for the manufacture of their product. Several years ago when there was little or no demand for cotton seed hulls, they advertised that they would for a limited time give away absolutely free their output of cotton seed hulls that the farmers and stock raisers might learn of its value as a feed. It was rather hard at first to give them away, but it resulted in creating a demand until now the entire output is sold with little or no advertising.

We print on this page the picture of Hon. Emmet O’Neal, and his beautiful residence in Florence. Mr. O’Neal is a candidate for the nomination for Lieutenant Governor. He is a son of the late Governor O’Neal, and it is only fitting that he should in time succeed his illustrious father. Mr. O’Neal is best liked where best known, and if the people of Florence were the only ones to be consulted his election would be unanimous. He is a native of Lauderdale County, and has always been a prominent factor in the Democratic affairs of the State. His residence, known as the old Foster home, on North Court street, is one of the old historic landmarks, and one of the finest homes in Florence.

Our advertisers represent the progressive business firms of Florence, and while we did not secure assistance from all of the business houses in Florence by any means, we certainly have reasons to be proud of our list. Florence has a hundred other business firms not mentioned herein. There are several wholesale houses, numerous retail stores that are a credit to any town, and, in fact, everything necessary to make up a first-class city, including hotels, restaurants, drug stores, livery stables, etc., foundries, machine shops, ice factory, steam laundry, etc., etc.

“Say what you please about us,” said Mr. J. W. Worthington, “but tell it just as you see it. State the facts, and we will stand by you. Charge me up with my part of the expense to advertise Florence, and send me the bill.” Is it a wonder that Florence is growing when the people interested in her future are willing to open their pocketbook and do not ask for anything to be said about them but the truth?

Rogers Bros. have used more space to advertise Florence than they have to advertise their own business. It is said that either of the brothers will go without his meals to do something that will benefit Florence. They own some stock in practically every industry in Florence, and will take stock in new industries.

Picture of Patton School at Florence, Alabama, and of Miss Freda Bose, who won the gold medal offered by the Florence Chapter, U. D. C., for the best essay on the subject, “The Reconstruction Period.” The Patton School was erected in 1890, at a cost of something over $22,000. Miss Bose is a daughter of John Bose, General Agent of the L. & N. Railroad, and is thirteen years old.

Notes of Florence.

Read the ad of Tennessee Valley Fertilizer Co.—From a hoe and one man to a business requiring the investment of $150,000 in less than ten years, and still growing.

F. M. Perry in talking of his Cypress Creek property says: “Don’t say a word that we can’t substantiate.” We have given facts alone. Investigate if you are interested.

Read the advertisement of the Florence Wagon Works. It is interesting even if you never expect to buy a wagon.

Mr. Percy Jones, the President of Cherry Cotton Mills, said: “There is nothing we care to advertise, at least from our own mills, as we do not sell to the consumer, but we run our card in order that we may help to advertise Florence.” This is the spirit that makes a city grow.

Parties coming to Florence can depend on getting all the comforts of home at The Jefferson. The manager is a practical hotel man, and can adapt himself to circumstances. His chef quit a short time ago, and Mr. Negley cooked the breakfast. The only difference noticeable was an improvement.

“Don’t use any space telling about me,” said Mr. Richardson, of the Acme Lumber Company. “What we want is to advertise Florence, and it you have anything nice to say, say it about our growing little city. I am willing to pay my part; don’t wish any personal bouquets.”

The Alabama Stove Company sell more goods than they can make, yet they cut the conversation short by saying: “We are in for anything that will help Florence.” Their advertisement is inserted in order that they might have an excuse for helping to “boost.” Mr. Berger seems to have the habit of “boosting” on the slightest provocation.

It you are interested in Florence, or wish to know anything about Florence, we publish the advertisement of the representative real estate firms, and we can assure you that facts are their main assets. Write them for information.

A visit to the Temple Planing Mill reminded us of the story of the fight between the railroad presidents. The president that owned the small road remarked that his line might not be as long as the other one, but it was just as wide. We do not remember ever having seen a busier shop, and they probably turn out more material in a month than some mills of larger pretentions.

Florence has three banks.