Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 14, 1885

We have just carried the reader briefly over the gradual development of this pleasant little city. We shall now turn our attention to the Greenville of the present day.

Her corporate limits are about two miles square, and her officers claim 4,CX)0 inhabitants, the majority of whom are whites. In a business point of view, she is generally considered the most important point on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad between Mobile and Montgomery, receiving more freight, and shipping more cotton and other produce.

The amount of trade carried on here can be estimated, and its character and quality determined, by the number and variety of stores, which may be classed thus: fifteen dry goods and grocery stores, four dealing in drugs, one in books and stationery, eight in family groceries, two in furniture, two in jewelry, four in hardware, three in notions, ten in confectioneries, and two in tinware. There are also three well-kept livery and feed stables, six warehouses for weighing and storing cotton, three gun-shops, two excellent carriage shops, two shops for the manufacture of bridles and saddles and all kinds of harness, two shops for making tinware, several good blacksmith and

The travelers stopping here have the privilege of choosing between three well-kept hotels - the Perry House, at the depot; the Holzer House, about the center of the business part of town, and the City Hotel, near the court-house. Persons so desiring can procure very good board at private boarding-houses at reasonable rates.

The people belong to nearly all the religious denominations found in Southern cities. The whites have five churches - Methodist, Missionary Baptist, Primitive Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian. The Methodists and Presbyterians have very durable brick churches ; the other denominations have neat frame buildings, sufficiently large for their present congregations. The colored people have four churches, all of which are made of wood.

enjoy the advantage of receiving instruction from any of the following schools: The Greenville Collegiate Institute, governed by a Board of Trustees appointed from members of the Methodist Church, and directly under the management of Professor S. P. Rice, male and female ; the South Alabama Female Institute, now under the supervision of Mrs, M. E. Garrett, who is assisted by several competent teachers ; the Greenville Male High School, with Professor George W. Thigpen as principal ; the Butler High School, for boys and girls, with Professor E. L. Norris as principal; the Home School, taught by the Misses Farrior. There are a few other schools taught in private families. Besides these, the State and county pay for the teaching of a public school, free of tuition. Greenville could be made a great educational center, as it is healthful, conveniently located, with a favorable climate and a refined society.

The health reports from the Medical Board of the county show that Greenville is the most healthy city of its size in the cotton belt. Within three miles of the court-house are situated the celebrated Roper Wells, whose waters, upon analysis, are found to be very valuable for medical purposes. Water is shipped from these wells to all parts of the United States. Five miles west of the city are found the Reddock Springs, noted for their healing properties in cases of dyspepsia, dropsy, consumption, etc. Within the limits of the city the water is freestone, of the very best quality, and is found about forty feet from the surface of the earth. An artesian well is now being bored, and when completed will furnish the city with an abundance of water for all uses.

The city is governed by a Board of Councilmen, elected by the citizens, and the laws are enforced by a mayor, as chief executive officer, assisted by a marshal and several police officers. By this means the people have perfect order, and enjoy all the privileges of city life. The city owns the two-story brick building called the City Hall, which is located near the center of the city. The basement of this building is rented and used as a market-house ; the second floor is used as the armory for the Greenville Light Guards, and for theatrical performances, balls, etc. All the revenue collected from the use of this building is turned into the city treasury.

Greenville has twelve pleaders at the bar, whose persuasive powers make them rank high in their noble profession, and no citizen need fear that he will not get his deserts in this locality, for these followers of Blackstone are ever ready to prosecute or defend those who may happen to be in need of their assistance and counsel. Those in need of medical advice have the privilege of naming one of eight skilled physicians, who are ever ready and willing to prescribe, to the best of their ability. Greenville is not wanting in the dental profession. Three of these happy relievers of human pain hang their signs in conspicuous

The Greejtville Advocate, the only paper printed in the county, is issued here, and employs a large number of men to do different kinds of work.

From what has been said, we see that nearly every profession and trade is represented in Greenville, so that no one need go from her salubrious shades in search of employment, for no city of the same size and importance has so great a diversity of work as the county-site of Butler.

The private residences here are mostly neat, comfortable and substantial structures, of the cottage order of architecture, and are especially adapted to this locality and chmate. But few are found of the palatial order. All, however, impress the observer with the fact that they are constructed in accordance with the most approved patterns of modern workmanship, and are built both for their beauty of design and for the great convenience of those who occupy them.

The society of Greenville is marked by honesty, morality and intelligence, and will compare favorably in culture with that of any other city of the same size in Alabama. Since the late war, the higher circles are not controlled by the so-called aristocj'ats, and any person who is honest and worthy of respect is now permitted to enter the social circles without further restrictions.