Columbus, Georgia - The Industries of Columbus, Georgia. Her Advantages As a Business Cent

Preface

It is only intended to give a brief report of our city in this pamphlet. We wish to induce you to come and see us ; to inspect our advantages, both as to trade, commerce and manufactories. With a population noted for its culture, enterprise and hospitality ; with railroad, steamboat and agricultural backing, we claim to have all that is required to give wealth, health and happiness to man.

Mailed

The free delivery system was inaugurated July 1st, and is as prompt and efficient as any service in the country. The following is the report of the Superintendent for the month of Augnist:

Delivered. Collected Introductory

We believe we could not more properly introduce ourselves to you than to do so through the medium of the following chaste address, delivered on the occasion of the meeting, in May, 1887, of the Chattahoochee Valley Convention. The speaker - the Hon, Mr. Samford, from our sister State across the river - has so filicitously acipiitted himself of his duty, we accept his statements as our own :

Mr, President : - In responding to the welcome that has been so eloquently and cordially tendered to this Convention by the ' Mayor of this City and the distinguished Congressman from this District, I might offer a good excuse for the poverty of my brief remarks, but I have heard, somewhere, that a maker of good excuses is generally good for nothing else. I frankly admit the embarrassment of the novelty of my position is somewhat relieved by a pleasure personal to myself. The Chairman of your Committee, at whose earnest solicitation I unadvisedly, perhaps, accepted this honor, was a comrade of mine during the dark days of war, while one of the honorable gentlemen to whose words of welcome I am replying, was a classmate of mine a few years ago in the stately halls of your own University. On our first acquaintance I took a liking to him, which soon grcAv into esteem, and as years rolled by, ripened on my part into a friendship which I shall not be the first to relinquish or forget. But there is another pleasure - a thrill of pleasant emotion is awakened by the fact that I stand on Georgia soil. In a county near this spot I was born, and while my boyhood and manhood have been passed in another State, while I love Alabama, her and homes and her people, while the splendid strides she is making towards the proportions of a great State awaken a glow of pride in my breast, and every whirr of her machinery is music to my ear, and tlie blasts of her furnaces on a thousand hills are roseate hues to my enraptured vision ; still, as I stand on the soil of my native State, there comes unbidden to my lips the exultant clansman's shout, " My foot is on its native heath, and my name is MacGregor."

I ask pardon for this slight personal allusion. You are here, o-entlemen of the Convention, not to listen to mere sentiment, but as business men, to consider business projects for practical results.

A philosophical consideration of the rivers of this Continent Avill lead the reflecting mind to a recognition of the wisdom of that Providence that gave these good gifts to man. They are the drainage-ways of the land, thereby fertilizing the soil and looming up the harvests of the thrifty husbandman. They induce the early and the latter rains, and bring the abundance of the ' golden fields. And then they furnish, free, the natural highways to bear the pi'oductions of the farm and the loom to distant markets. To the accomplishment of these wise ends, they are located at convenient distances throughout the land. A¥ith almost matliematical regularity Ave find them situated wherever they can be useful to man, leaving skepticism lost in a maze to account for them on anv other hypothesis than that the hand that fashioned them is divine. But just now, they rise up for the accomplishment of a purpose of great utility to this country. The increasing productions of the farm and iactory have induced the building of artificial highways of commerce that were ordered to aid the government in providing for the interests of the people. But these great railway corporations, grown rich and powerful by the colossal fortunes tliey have amassed, have become dangerous to the interests of individuals and connnunitics, and hence the government has been forced to grap})le with the transportation problem, and attempt a solution by legal enactments. I shall not stop to discuss the wisdom of the recent interstate commerce law. Its administration lias been confided to men who Avill not betray the o;reat trust confided to them. ]iut 1 venture the assertion that the location of the navigable streams of this country will be found, in the last analysis of this great i|uestion, the grand conservative factor in solving the transportation problem. Look at the map and you will find in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and i\ii3sissippi, more than twenty navigable streams, situated almost e.pii-distant from one another. Each of these Providential highways will be a check, if properly opened up to navigation, upon the greed and rapacity of artificial highways.

Another fact I have heard, which your superior information will contradict or verify, there is not in the United States, a single city located off of navigable water that has reached 100,000 population. This emphasizes the value to commerce of water transportation.

But you are not here to talk of water-ways generally. You are interested in the Chattahoochee, the Flint and the Apalachicola. What of them ?

I speak from a general knowledge when I say there are about thirty counties bordering on these streams, going no higher up the Chattahoochee than this city.

These counties embrace an area about ten times as large as some of the States of this Union. Again, the value of the farms and live stock of these counties is at least $20,000,000, and when you add the value of the cities and towns, and the splendid factories of this Lowell of the South, the aggregate goes up to near $40,000,000. The annual products of these farms and looms and foundries is at least $30,000,000. The annual cotton crop numbers nearly a half million bales. And in these counties alone, more than 800,000 active working citizens of this government are striving for honest bread. Tliink of these figures, and remember they will be doubled when you take in the territory adjoining the bordering coun*.ies that is also largely iiuerested in the navigation of these streams. Present these facts and figures to the able Senators and Representatives from Georgia, iVlabama and Florida, and they will see to it that you are not neglected.

cities of Alabama. That city has grown in spite of the harsh exactions and grinding processes of a relentless railroad policy. If this river shall be made safe and regular in its transportation we are sufficiently near to reap the great benefit of the low rates of river traffic. And so it is with wide scopes of country on both sides of the stream.

Gentlemen, it would be unpardonable for me to detain you much longer. You have great interests involved in tlie enterpi-ise you have undertaken, and I doubt not the wisdom and foresight and energy of tiiis Convention will be e<j^ual to the task.

As to the power of the General Government to open up to navigation the water-ways of the country, I shall not now stop to discuss. I question the claim that Congress gets this power from the "General Welfare" clause. That is the most abused of all the clauses of that sacred instrument. It is stretched to cover a multitude of sins. If the latitudinarians are correct in their construction, that Congress has the power to do anything which, in its discretion, provides for the general welfare, then it is simply a waste of ink and paper to have another word in the Constitution other than that clause. No, I would rather look for the authoiity, as the honorable President of this Convention said a few minutes ago, on the jvuijdiction of Congress over the regulation of interstate commerce. But it would be inappropiiate in responding to this welcome, for me to be groping among dry Constitutional enigmas, hunting for an honor that no one questions intlie practical statesmanship of this day. It is not now an open question, and no time c;ni be more propitious for urging this great work on the attention of Congress than now. The Federal Treasury is literally oversowing with revenue. Statosman;^hip fatigues itself to find proper objects on which to expend tlie public money. It seems to be o.ie of the strange impossibilities to lessen the collection of tiixation that is not needed. The money keeps on increasing in the Treasury, and tlien, tlie South is just now c.ialleno-inoi; the attention of the country to her wonderful and limitless resources, and in the mind and hearts of Northern statesmen there is beginning to be a recognition of the justice of the demands of the South. Yes, the demands of the Old South, for I am not one of that school that on all occasions canonizes the New South at tiie expense of the Old. I am proud of the ancestry that gave the Old South such a splendid name in the history of this country, and the evidences of strength and progress that she is now disclosing is the natural outgrowth of the grand old principles of an old-time honesty, honor and integrity implanted by the noble men and women of the Old South. From their brain and hearts was wrought out the civilization which to-day constitutes the glorious heritage we enjoy. The New South 1 honor is the Old South developing- There are in process of development three great civilizations, forming on this Continent the Eastern, Western and Southern. The first embraces New England audits dependencies. The Western lies North and West of St. Louis, and with covetous eyes on the Canadian provinces, is flaunting itself around the great lakes. While South of a line extending from Baltimore, by St. Louis, to the Pacific, sweeping down the Cordilleras and Andes, around Cape Plorn, embracing the great Gulf and the Caribbean Sea, lies the seat of the grandest empire of wealth, commerce, and civilization the world ever saw. With the eye of prophecy behold here the New South, robed in the fabulous splendors of Oriental magnificence, going down to the seas with the incalculable treasures of her mountains at her back, and tlie golden harvests of her deltas. She has cast away her robe of mourning, and g03s down to the seas with shouting more glorious than the Greek hero's war song or the Persge of iEschylus before the victory of Salamis. On to the Gulf, will be the rallying cry of commerce for the future. In that splendid sea Avill rendezvous the merchant marine of the world. Their white wings will bring the good ships from all nations, and freighted with rich cargoes of commerce they will go to the North, and East, and West, and South, and to the isles of the sea.

Bird'S Eye View Of Columbus The City As It Was And As It Is Now

Old Ways and Old Notions Give Place to the Age of Progress - Annual Review of the City's Business - Facts About Our Finances - Magnificent Wealth in Water Power - OtJier Interests of the City Presented. In 1827 thu site of Columbus was a dense, unbroken, lowland forest. Where some of onr finest buildin;,rs now stand was at that time marshes and ponds, from wliieh many of those who are now residents have often angled the trout and perch. From one block north of where the Perry- House now stands, all south and east was a muddy swamp, filled with briers and vines, and small undergrowth among the larger Irces, so that in many places it was difficult to get through. Between Oglethorpe street and the river the land was gfnerally high and dry, interspersed \\ith pretty groves of fine shade trees, but east of that street was wet swamp land. Wliere the court house stands was a large pond, and not long since we heaid an old resident say that he has seen the water there almost sufficiently deep to swim a horse. The place was laid out as a trading town in 1827. and an act of the Legislature provided for the appointment by the Governor of five commissioners to select the most eligible site and appropriate an oblong square of 1,200 acres for the town and commons, which was to be called and known by the name of Columbus. Tiiey were to lay out not less than 500 building lots of half an acre each, and to make a reservation of ten aci'es for the public buildings of the county of Muscogee.

At tliat time there were but few comfortable house.s, there being a few log houses, some board houses or tents, and a few Indian huts. This, in brief, is how the Queen City of the Chattahoochee had its origin.

is very diffeient from what it was in tliose early days. The locality is almost an unbroken level, and the wide streets, elegant residences and magnificent business houses have given her the title of the "Queen City of the Chattahoochee," and her cott(m mills and other manufacturing interests justly eutith' her to the proud distinction of the ''Lowell of the South.'' The principal part of the business is done on Broad street, though some of our laigist l)visincss houses are on other streets. The residences are to he found on every street in the city. The residences also stretch out to the north and east, climbing the ascent and reaching far away into the country. There are no narrow streets to interrupt the view or check the breezes as they arc wafted to the city. In the trcction of tlie buildings the i)lans have originated from no set architectural fashion. There are stately liomes whioh stand back iVom the streets with imposing columns ; elegant jialaces with marble stairs and carved architraves; more modem, but yet equally elegant cottages, with manbird's eye view of COLUMBUS. 13 sard roofs and cosy grounds ; the good old-fashioned Southern residence, with its airy rooms and marvelous verandahs, and hundrerls of designs in little, well-kept cottages, where the sweat of toil is cooled and the aching muscle calmed in repose. These homes, with their wealth of shruhbery, flowers and luxuriant shade, furnish the eye with an almost endless panorama of beauty. It is not surprising that the Columbus of to-day has been christened the "Queen of the Chattahoochee."

Thk Population

of Columbus are the people who came here with a fixed purpose, and not as an experiment. No city in America can boast more law-abiding and honorable inhabitants. They work, and expect a living by the sweat of the brow. Men do not get so rich that they retire on a competency. The drones must get out of the way or be run over. It is this that gives us one of the liveliest and most progressive cities in the Soutli. No enumei'ation has been taken since 1880. but there has been an increase of at least 20 per cent, since that time. On the first day of October, 1886, we estimate that the number of people living within a radius of one mile of the court house, and who trade in the city and carry on business here, to be between 24,000 and 25,000, and this population is constantly increasing. Every new enterprise, every new railroad, every new industry, iml^lies an increase to our population. Our new industries and railroads are springing up so rapidly that it is not only possible, but probable, that the United States census for 1890 will give Columbus between 30.000 and 40,000 inhabitants, perhaps neai'er the latter figure than the former. With an and population, there comes also an increase of wealth. Some of the costliest and tastiest houses in the South are being built in Columbus by citizens of the town. Some of the finest equipages in all the land are to be seen traveling our streets. With this increase of wealth and luxury, however, there has been no development of shoddy elements among them. The increase of wealth has been normally slow, and has been marked by a corresponding degree of culture. The society of Columbus is at once its piide and its fame. In it character, intellect, merit and wealth are prismatically blended. It ostracises no man without cause, and admits no man without merit. What it cannot assimilate it ejects ; and yet no man or woman has ever suftered unjustly at its hands.

The Historic Associations

that cling about Columbus, like the scent of roses to a shattered vase, are many and interesting. About the city are the battle ground of the Indian and Confederate wars, to both of which Columbus contributed her quota of heroes and blood. Some of our unassuming families bear the names and inherit the blood of the greatest statesmen the new world has ju-odnced. Citizens yet living in our midst have been honored with the highest offices the commonwealth of Georgia could bestow. Taken all in all, there is nothing - neither prestige, commerce, associations or advantages of society, education and politics - in which Columbus is not the equal of any city in Georgia. Her adopted citizens love her as a bride, like tlie natives do as a mother, and each one is ever alert to defend her fame and interests. In the unwritten and undeveloped future there is not a prospect more radiant with promise than the prospect that hangs over Columbus. And it only rests with us, her citizens, as to whether or not this i^rospect and hope shall become a glad fruition and a lasting reality.

Echoes From Our Mills Some Of The Largest Manufactories In The South

Georgia Lends the South and Columbus Leads Oeorgia - Short History of the fjargest Textile .Wannfnctoyy in the Southern States - Other Textile Institutions trJiich Set as Coronets in Columhus'' Crown - Industries in Other Lines inhieh Add a Full Share to the Success of the City.

Columbus has long since been specially noted as a manufacturing town. It has l)een thought by many tliat our cotton factories alone give the city this distinction. This is not tlie case, though cotton manufactuiing is the principxl industry, as a careful perusal of this paper will demnustrate. It will also show beyond all controversy that the industries of tlie city are as diversified as those of any city in the Southern States. Columbus has the largest iron foundry in tlie South. Here we have as complete a fertilizer factory as can be found anywhere. Our oil mills are equal to any. More enterprising institutions tlian scores of otliers ai'e not to be found anywhere.

A round of the cotton factories of the city by an Enquiker-Sun representative shows an eminently satisfactory condition of the labor which these mills liave to do. The cotton mills of every city employ tlie larger proportion of its factory labor. A Hour mill, witii $100,000 capital, will employ twenty or twenty-five hands, an iron foundry double as many, while a cotton mill of tliat capital would give employment to 250 or IIOO. All the mills are running full time, and are selling all the goods they can make. The labor generally is at present in better condition than at any time heretofore in the city, and better than that of any other manufacturing city in all the country. The basis of this is tlie high maximum of wages paid, the high rate of health and morals, the home surioundiiigs and personal apjiearance of the operatives.

Eagle And Phenix Mills

The cut of this leading industry of our city, which is given elsewhere, fails to represent the magnitude of their work, many of the important buildings being hid from view, and others built subsequent to its execution. Tliis company was organized in 1866, almost immediately succeedhig the war, the first mill being built on the ruins of the Eagle Manufacturing Company, destroyed by the torch of the Federal troops. The long period of profitable manufacturing by the Eagle Manufacturing Company established the fact that textile manufacturing in the South was not only a business to be sought as a meaus of profitable investment, but a most important factor in promoting the general prosperity of the communities where established.

The Eagle and Phenix Manufacturing Company, rising, phoenix like, from the ashes of its predecessor, has continued to grow in magnitude and importance, covering now seven acres of ground within its walls.

Its Manufactures

embrace nearly one hundred different styles of goods, the quality and saleal)leness of which are not surpassed by the longest established mills of the East and North.

Their Trade

embraces every Soutliern State, and includes the great Northwest and California, while many of their fabrics are sold direct to the merchants of New York. One of the mqst promising features of an increasing trade is found in tlie constantly growing demand by the West for their manufactures. Tliat section of our country, teeming with its millions of people, buys with such avidity their goods that it has been impossible to supply tlie demand from tliat section.

The Increase Of Population

by these immense works is estimated at fully 10,C00 per.sons. of which about 6.000 are dependent for their living through employment furnished them and heads of families ; besides which it has influenced merchants, bankers, professional and other business men, and all classes of artisans and mechanics, to locate in our midst. The trade of the city is immeasurably benefited by the necessarily large amount of wages distributed by such extensive works, and hardly an individual, from the mechanic to the banker, through all giades of business, but feel the beneficent effects of the largest manufacturing company South located in our midst.

It has attracted the attention of far distant communities, the deposits being represented by seventeen States and Territories. The depositors compose all classes, the thrifty negro, the sensible and careful among our operators, mechanics and laborers, trust moneys and the capitalist. It is an educator of economy and thrift in our midst.

The Raw Material

wrought into marketable fabrics is equal to 15,000 commercial bales of cotton and several hundred thousand pounds of wool. Those manufactures are planned with regard to the demands of the trade over threefourths of the Union, and executed with such perfection that no mills making the same class of goods can claim a superiority of manufacture. The mills contain 45.646 spindles and 1,531 looms. It was found necessary, to meet the existing demand for their popular goods, to order additional looms, which will soon be in position.

In the year 18R6 tlie presideut of this company, Mr. W. H. Young, stood on the spot where these mills are now located and expressed the opinion that it was the proper place to locate a manufacturing company. Subsequently, in 1849, he organized- and operated the Eagle Manufacturing Company, and was a principal and active organizer of the Eagle and Phenix Mills.

Columbus has the honor of having the only bagging factory in the State. Besides being the only one in tlie State, it is the largest institution of the kind in the South. Tlie members of the firm, Messrs. Hinde, Freer & Ulges, are among the best business men of the city, and are making a great success of the business. The factory has been in operation here about eight years, and has been paying well from the start. The capital used is $75,000, all of it being their own. The mill has eight looms, and daily converts 6,000 pounds of jute into 3,000 yards of bagging. These goods find I'e idy sale in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and other States in the cotton belt, and the factory here finds no trouble in competing with Noithern prices.

The factory employs on an average about sixty-five hands, most of whom are females. They work ten hours a day. and are paid well. The firm furnislu'S bagging for thousands and thousands of bales of cotton which find their way into this market. The enterprising members of the firm do all that is possible to accommodate their patrons, and the -success with \j'hich they have met is a monument to their integrity and enterprise. The history of this I'actory proves that manufacturing of this kind can be profitably done in the South ; and moreover, it proves the eminent fitness of Columbus as a manuCacturing point. We take just pride in our bagging factory, and wish there were a hundred other factories as well and successfully conducted as this one.

Swift Manufacturing Company

Consiiicuous among the manufacturing institutions of Columbus - indeed, we may say of the South - is that of the Swift Manufacturing Company, which sprang into active existence a number of years ago. No institution of the kind over opened its doors to the world under brighter or better auspices, and in the entire history of Southern cotton mills there can be found not one that has risen more rapidly into prominence and high standing in the mercantile world. The monumental success of the mills is no source of wonder to those who know the men who are the leading spirits in the enterprise. Mr. W. A. Swift, its president, is a man whose business vocabulary contains no such humiliating word as fail. To him this word is a stranger. Nature and study have endowed him with every qualification which characterizes a proficient business man. In Mr. G. M. Williams, the secretary and treasurer, he has an able second. He is a man with brain power enough to propel any business enterprise which he undertakes, and the marks of his skill and experience are everywhere perceivable about the mills.

To give an idea of the magnitude and extent of their trade, we mention that it requires 22y-horse power to drive their spindles, and over a thousand mouths are fed by their weekly pay-roll. They manufacture checks, ijlaids and cottonades of every description. The quality of these goods is well known to the trade, and no words of commendation which we may say will enhance their well-deserved reputation. They make also, the celebrated and beautiful Micheline Bedspreads in the richest and loveliest designs. The company has sold enormous quantities of these spreads in all parts of the country, and on every one of them is imprinted the stamp of excellence and beauty.

They are also manufacturing many elegant novelties in window curtains. The designs in these goods are very rich, and the colors are fast and do not fade.

The immense ti-ade which is carried on by this company is a fitting tribute to the worth of the gentlemen who have the factory in charge. We feel safe in predicting for them a bright and unclouded future. The Swift Manufacturing Company is a luminous gem in Columbus' coronet of jewels.

Columbus Iron Works

One of the Jewels of Columbus - The Largest and Most Successful Establishments of the Kind in the Country - What it is Doing for Itself and for Columbus.

It lias been said of Columbus that she makes a great deal of noise about the jewels which adorn the coronet of her aggressive enterprise, and those which are constantly being added to this circlet of her glory and neversated ambition. Tliis may be very true in one sense of the word, but any city in America should be proud to boast of such an enterprise and such a jewel as the

Time and again have we written that "Columbus has the largest Iron Works south of Richmond," and while we were able to say this eight years ago, these works have since reached such proportions that they today lead all the South in their particular line. The history of the Columbus Iron Works is thoroughly identified with progress and success; nor could it be otherwise than successful under its able management. Mr. W. R. Brown, the President, is one of Columbus' most substantial and solid business men, and the other Directors or stockholders are also among the best citizens of Columbus.

Tlie Enquirer-Sun representative went through the establishment a few days ago, and found over 200 hands engaged in working in the iron, steel and wood. The pay roll amounts each week to over $2,000, thus giving support to about 1,300 people. Of this number of machinists there are about 175 wlio are in ttie iron department, while about sixty are engaged in the wood department, or the department of builders' supplies.

What They Manufacture

Would be a long and tedious tale, and would take whole volumes in folio to enumerate. Almost anything in the world that is made of iron would come nearer answering the question. They own the Southern Plow Company, and their manufactures find their way to all the States in the South and West. The imi)roved machinery used enables the firm to turn out work so rapidly that the great expense of labor is saved, and a corresponding benefit can be derived by all who patronize them. The quantity of work done is equal to that done anywhere, and their expensive and and experienced and competent workmen, enable them to turn out a better class of work than is done in a majority of the Southern planing mills. Rival establishments cannot compete successfully with their improved and expensive machinery. This institution allows no trouble or expense to interfere with their upward strides af progress. They believe in

Light Rather Than Darkness

Works have one of their incandescent plants of one hundred lights in their establishment, and are prepared to furnish estimates. There is no safer firm to deal with in the Union. In making one cannot fail to observe the great amount of good that is done the country by this grand establishment, and many will coincide with us that the institution is a necessity. We do not refer to the hundreds to whom it gives steady employment with remunerative wages, nor to tlie thousands who are sujiportcd thereby, but to tlie fact that it so cheapens labor that the improved implements and substantial and ornamental house material is placed within the reach of all. Their machinery is of such a character that the work of days on the old plan is now but the work uf a few minutes. They furnish such articles as are in demand all over the country, and furnish them at such low figures that it is really cheaper to buy a house of them ready made than to make it yourself and count the labor as nothing. The Columbus Iron Works is a great institution, and we are proud to class it among the gems of Columbus.

The Mu8C0Gee Mills

Among the many manufacturing exterprises that have risen in Columbus, great and small, no industrial establishment has achieved larger success lor the capital invested than the Muscogee Manufacturing Company, whose mills are situated at the head of the rock dam, near the upper bridge. Many handsome improvements have been recently made, and a large amount of first-class machinery added. The productive capacity of tlipse mills may be briefiy summed up as follows : Looms, 258; spindles, 6,000; cotton consumed per week, 40 bales, and 13,000 yards of cloth per day, containing 35,280,000 yards of thread. The number of operatives employed is about 400. The goods produced are cottonades, checks, stripes, plaids, rope, etc. The goods turned out are universally popular, and find large sales in every section of the Union. But they are better known throughout the Southern States, with Louisville, New Oileans and St. Louis as the principal markets.

The decided success of the Company is largely due to the ability and experience of the otiicers. Col. Geo. P. Swift, its President, has had a life-long manufacturing experience, and his executive ability and general alertness for the interests of the stockholders, have been of vast service to the corporation. Mr. W. A. Swift, Secretary and Treasurer, is known far and wide as a business man whose tact and energy are invaluable to any enterprise that may be lucky enough to secure his services. Mr. William Parker, the able and eflicient Superintendent of the Muscogee Mills, is an element in the prosperity of the Company that could not be dispensed witli. His argus eyes watch every move and turn and change. The interests of the Company will never suffer in his hands. Mr. Louis M. Lyn(!h, the salesman of the Muscogee Manufacturing Company, is a man that the entire Company have learned to look upon as a sine qua noti. His tact, suavity and steam-like energy have been worth many thousands of dollars to the Company.

The Muscogee Mills certainly make a most gratifying showing, an fairly illustrate the manufacturing spirit of Colunilius. The mills i. enclosed in magnificent structures of brick. The buildings are la;, well ventilated and lighted, and the operatives are well paid, healthy ^ 1 cheerful. This enterprise, taken in its concavity and convexity, all in . is a benefit to Columbus and the State of Georgia, and an honor to ^I.j South, whose enterprise it so well illustates. In all its dealings with it^s^ many thousands of customers, no breath, either of suspicion or complaint, have ever been breathed against it. It is an institution upon which people rely with limitless confidence, like Englishmen do on the Fank of England, It has honestly earned, and it deserves its reputation.

Every one knows that our cotton factories are huge institutions, but there are few outside of those directly interested, who are aware of what it takes in the way of motive power to turnover 20,000 looms and 60 003 spindles. It requires eigliteen wheels with 3,088 horse-jwwer, besides four steam engines with 345 horse-power, and eleven boilers with 975 horse-power. The bands on the wheels go at the lightning speed of about a mile a minute, but in order to drive them at this rate for eleven hours a day, it takes 38,000 pound of coal per day, besider the water-power used by the eighteen wheels. Daring the day there are 266,000 pounds of water converted into steam.

Speaking of the factories reminds us that cotton is a great thing, but the process of converting a bale of cotton into a square inch or so of domestic is a very simple one, and amazingly easy and rapid. As in so many other cases, the first step is half the journey. The person who, with bent and aching back and cramped fingers, pulls the fleecy locks from the burr on the stalk, expends more effort and consumes more physical tissue than does any other one of the small army of individuals through whose hands, or under whose eyes, it passes on its way to the counter and into your possession. Once in the picker's bag, human fingers are well nigh done with it. From the gin to the loom it knows no touch softer than steel, and is torn and stretched and carded and beaten and ]n-essed and pulled and twisted and reeled and banged and washed and starched and stretched and brushed and baked and lanned and wound and unwound and measured and rolled and stamped and pressed and baled and worried and hauled about after a fashion tliat falls to the lot of perhaps no other material or element under the sun. And yet all this process is, as said, an amazingly easy and rapid one, when you are properly prepared to undertake it. When it is given to a factory like thoserof ours, who have all the latest and most improved machineiy, it is a matter of course, and of very few minutes.

The Clegg Mills

, -Che reporter's veins always thrill with pleasure when he begins to write about the institutions and industries which make Columbus what she is. He loves to linger over them caressingly, and finally, to bring them into prominence before the people, well knowing that the highest terms of praise he can bestow, is no more than they merit. .Just now our attention is turned to Clegg's Manufacturing Company, an extended notice of which appears elsewhere in these pages. While this factory is comparatively a small one, there is none in the Soutli that is in a healthier condition, or which manufactures a better quality of goods. In fact, the product of their looms is a marvel of beauty and excellence, and the demand for them is so great that it is impossible, with the present capacity, to keep it supplied. So fiattciing is the outlook for the future of the mills that capitalists are eager in their overtures to form a joint stock company, knowing that their money could not be more judiciously invested.

Mr. Clegg is one of the best mill men in the South. One has only to go through the establishment and examine the fruits of its looms to find this out. He has had many years' experience in the manufacturing business, and is a live, progressive man, who keeps fully abreast with the times. The mills are equipped with all the latest and most approved improvements in machinery. The factory building itself is new and attractive in ai)pearance, and is very desirably located near the depot, on Second avenue.

Among the products of the mills are the magnificent Micheline bedspreads, which are in such huge demand just now. Eiglit looms are constantly engaged in the exclusive manufacture of these goods, which are turned out in every conceivable variety. They have four looms which make exclusively rare arul fancy designs in Turkish tosvels.

The quality of the checks manufactured by these mills are noted from the mountains to the seaboard for tlieir supei;iority aud beauty. The retail dealers throughout the country can find no better place to buy everything they need in this line.

The live and progressive spirit of enterprise which has characterized the history of this factory in the past foreshadows for it an intensely brilliant future. Time will add to its magnificence and enhance its already spotless reputation.

Our Riyers

For a full and complete analysis of our shipping by water, we submit the re})ort of our Board of Trade at their annual meeting in May, 1887, during the session of the Chattahoochee Valley Improvement Convention :

$ 468,583 We do not ask our Government to make for us a navigable stream to connect our cities of Georgia and Alabama with the Florida railroads and our natural port of entry on the Gulf (Apalachicola), but desire to show our rivers in boating order through all the year, with only the difficulties of low water and shifting sand-l)ars to impede navigation; and proofs that what little work has been done by the Engineer Corps of the United States Army has beeir well done, considering the small amount of appropriations applied, and has effected great results toward rendering less difficult the navigation of these three important streams.

The Chattahoochee, the dividing line between Georgia and Alabama, with a navigable length of 223^ miles; the Flint, with a length of 261 miles; and the Apalachicola, 137 miles, have shown each year a prompt return in the increase of commerce as the work of improvement went on; and what has been done in the y)ast is but a slight indication of what will be the result when, with navigation unimpeded, and schedules of our boats as reliable as they will be, the country bordering our streams settled with an industrious population, and all our country receiving the full benefit of these water-ways so favorabh' placed for our use and benefit. In order to prove the good work already done l)y the United States Engineer Corps, we offer the following tables taken from the Chief Engineer's report for 1886, showing the condition of named })oints at the time work was begun, as contrasted with the present time:

Our Rivers Flint River

And this im})rovenient has been effected at an expense of $94,919.87 to the ])resent time, and an estimated expense of $83,000 more will carry out the original plan of improvement and give uninterrupted navigation between Montezuma, Ga., and the mouth of the river. Is not this a matter woth}^ of consideration by all the cities and citizens on that stream? Albany and Montezuma need competing lines; can a railroad be built for that amount? And bear in mind a river puts you in communication with and offers you the advantage of each railroad that crosses or approaches any of our three rivers.

This great improvement has been effected at a cost to the present time of $188,857.40, and that its benefit has been great, the increase of our river business proves. Our boats, of no less draught than those of former years, run with almost railroad regularity, and schedule time has been adopted by all, lower freights have been charged, and all our country around us has felt the benefits of it.

The amount required for completion of existing proj(!ct is $I()9, 228.69. Is it worth it? Let our showing of increasingbusiness, as work progresses prove ; we do not believe our Gov- eminent is inditt'erent to us and to our interests-, proper efforts will attain for us the recognition and aid given toother sections; our want of success in securing increased appropriations will be due to our lack of united eifort, and will be simply a reproach to us. Our statistics have shown the total amounts of business for the three rivers, and as each has been equally benefitted by the work done, each is equally entitled to their share of the increase.

Thus showing a rapid increase as the work of improvement progressed. Since 1881 our local receipts of cotton by the river have fallen oif, due solely to the fact that the better condition of our rivers enabled railroad points l)elow to offer competing rates to eastern points, and while our receipts declined, the benefit accrued to our planters below, who took advantage of lower rates to ship their cotton direct.

During the years 1885-86 competition on our rivers was at its highest point, Florida railroads gave us by this means an extremely low rate of freight from northern ports, and much profit resulted to our merchants from this fact.

"Florida Railroad and Navigation Company and Mallory Steamship Company, from New York to all Chattahoochee river landings. Class 1, 45c.; class 2, 41c.; class 3, 33c.; class 4, 2Tc.; class 5, 21c,; class 6, 18c."

Great reductions were made by our local railroads to meet this competition, and the gain was direct and very large to all who shipped by either route during that time. This marked reduction of through rates we can reasonably claim was made possiljle by the improved condition of our rivers, which allowed our boats to

Insurance Rates Cheapened

As to the effect of improvement upon the rate of insurance on our rivers, we have the authority of one of our ablest insurance agents in saying the rate in 18(55 was H per cent, and is now ^ of 1 per cent., and as the improvement of the rivers has progressed the rate has steadily declined, retarded only by ocqasional accidents of a serious nature to the boats, and that at present a risk on our river is taken at the prevailing rate with as much eagerness as one for a similar amount would be taken on real estate.

The country to he benefited by this improvement is large. "With an e.xtent of 62 H miles, our rivers pass through the best farming lands in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, and as yet but sparsely settled. Give them speedy and certain communication by water with our larger cities and their productiveness would be greatly increased and the benefit be felt by all three states. We have compiled from the United States census of 1880 a table of values and population, and in our rapidly growing country thev but feebly represent the present condition.

Our River Valleys Georgia Central System

The foreg'oing tables show the values, extent and population of the counties lyin.a- directly on. and dependent upon, our three streams for commercial use. Were we to include those other counties lying- adjacent to, but yet depending on them for the shipment of their products and supplies, the totals would be greatly inci-eased.

1872 - Steamers inspected, 10; net tonnatre, $1,609.88; masters license, 13; mates license, 5; pilots, first-class, 12; i:)ilot,s, second and special, 3; en<Tineers. chief and first, 12, en<jineers, second and special, 4.

1886 - Steamers inspected, 45; net tonnage $3,002.47; masters license, 75; mates license, 12; pilots, first-class, 32; pilots, second and special, 17' engineers, chief and first, 58; engineers, second and special, 43.

Georgia Central System The Net Work Of Railways That Span The State

Origia, Oroicth and AcMevements of tJie Central Railroad - Its Past, Present and Future - The Pioneer in Ruiliciy Transj)ortation in Georgia - The Men Who are at the Head of the System.

In this city, when our railroad prospects are so flattering, it is not only w(mderfnl and instructive, but it is also amusing to look back to the time when the jjeople were disposed to look with doubt upon these great agents of civilization, and were afraid tliey would destroy the trade of Colundms. It was always a superstition with thn people of olden time that evejy new invention or idea had its origin with the devil, and people who had the courage to push forward such new ideas and inventions were l)ei"secuted as witches, or persons of unclean spiiits possessed of devils. Tliis was no more fallacious than tlie idea that took pos.session of tlie retail merchants of Columbus when they bent their energies to defeat the Ihst railroad scheme, for fear it would destroy their trade. The old superstition of the Chinese, who were afraid to offend the spirits of wind and water by building a railroad, was not more ridiculous than the fear of some of the early Columbusites, that the building of a railr(»ad from here to Macon would take away their wagon trade, which was then the only boast of the town.

Georgia's material civilization has been more developed by railroads than by any other influence. Among the pioneer railroads the Central stands first, and it is largely due to the Central Railroad and Banking Company of Georgia that Columbus is to-day one of the most flourishing cities in the South. Instead of taking from Columbus her retail trade, the Central railroad has enabled Columbus to become the great manufacturing centre that it is. It has given her prominence over other places to which she never could have attained with the miles of iron track, reaching out like so many arteries from the heart over which course the pulses of trade as measured by the country. With only river advantages tliis could not have been accomplished.

a short history op the central will not be out of place in this review of our city's prosperity, and it will be read with interest. The Central railroad proper was the fust road built in Georgia. In 1872 the Central Railroad Company was formed by the consolidation of the Central railroad, chartered in 1835 and completed in 1843, and the Macon and Western, chartered in 1833 and completed in 184(5. The Milledgeville branch, originally the Milledgeville and Gordon railroad, was chartered in 1837 and opened in 1852. Of this system the line first built was from Savannah to Macon, a distance of 191 miles. Colonel Cruger made the experimental survey as far back as 1834. the exi)ense being bom by the city of Savannah. The Company organized in 1835, and the work actually began in 1836. At this time the railroad excitement in Macon and Savannah was at fever heat. In a short time over one million dollars were subscribed in Savannah to the line between that city and Macon, and Macon took several hundred sliares. The line from Macon to Forsyth, known as the Monroe railroad, also claimed its share of public attention, and in a few days a subscription was raised in Macon to the amount of $200,000. When the intelligence of the passage of the Central railroad bill was received Macon was stirred from centre to circumference. There was a grand public demonstration. The public buildings and private residences were illuminated, bonfires were kindled, the church and steamboat bells rang out their clanging music, and the thunders of cannon shook the very earth. The Monroe line, under the management of President L. L. Griffin, was rapidly pushing forward, and its charter was amended «o as to extend it to the banks of the Chattahoochee. The first train on this road ran from Macon to Forsyth on the 10th of December, 1838. The event was commemorated at a public dinner in the fiillowing toast: "The Monroe Railroad - The first finished link in the great chain that will connect the western with the Atlantic waters. To its opponents we would say, are we not all Georgians'?"

The First Train From Savannah

On the 1st of August, 1843, the first passenger train from Savannah reached Macon, stopping at McCall's mill, two and a half miles from the city. On tlie 13tli of October a grand festival took place in celebration of the enterprise. The Central was then famous, and was known for years afterwards as the longest railroad in the world built and owned by a single company. Honors were heaped upon the surviving originators of the project, and the master spii-it of the enterprise, Mr, William W. Gordon, was hailed as the greatest public benefactor of his generation. In 1845 the bankruptcy of the Monroe road, then completed from Macon to Jonesboi'O, necessitated its sale. It was knocked down to Mr. Jere. Cowles, representing a Nortliern party, for $155,100, which, when certain liens were jjaid off, enabled the creditors to realize $205,100 for a property costing over $2,000,000. In October, 1846, the road was completed to Atlanta, where the event was celebrated by a big mass meeting.

Growth Op The Central

The Central has always been exceptionally fortunate in its managers. Looming up all through its history like a statue of granite stands Colonel Wililam M. Wadley, a veritable railroad Bismarck. Colonel Wadley entered tlie service of the road in an humble capacity, but his restless activity, energy and foresight soon brouglit him to the front, and from his assumption of tlie duties of tlie presidency to the day of his deatli he directed the destinies of his great system with wonderful prescience and unerring judgment. He was elected president .Tune 1. 1S()8. and was re-elected at eacli succeedinu' annual eleection until his deatli. which occurred in August, 1882. Undc^r his able administration gradually the Central grew into a magnificent system concentrating sonie of the strongest lines of the State, stretchinti' beyond its borders, linking Savannah with the yreat seaports of the Nortli by a splendid line of ocean steamers, and holding in its grasji Chai leston and the great marts (jf AlaV)ama, Mississippi and the West.

The System Proper

The Central owns jointly with the Georgia railroad the Western railroad of Alabama from West Point to Selma, 138 miles. The Georgia's half interest is included in the lease, and is turned over to the lessees. In the lease of the Georgia railroad the Central owns a one-half interest in the net results. This lease interest embraces the Georgia and its brandies, 307 miles; a one-half interest in the Western railroad of Alabama; a one-fifth interest in the Port Royal railroad, 112 miles; a fiveeighths interest in the Rome railroad, 20 miles, and $440,800 in stock and $140,900 in certificates of indebtedness of the Atlanta and West Point railroad, 87 miles, equal to a one-third interest.

In addition to the interest carried in the Port Royal railroad by the Georgia raili'oad lease, the Central owns $900,000 of the Port Royal income bonds and $50,000 of the stock of the Company. This is equal to an ownership of three-fifths of the road.

Columbus And Western

The Columbus and Western Railroad has been purchased by the Central, and formally deeded several years ago. It is at present eighty-nine miles in length, and extends from Columbus to Goodwater. Ala, This road is now being extended from Goodwater to Birmingham, Ala., and when completed, will form a connection with the Birmingham, Memphis and Atlantic Railway, thus making the shortest line from Kansas City to New York, It will connect us with all the great markets of the Northwest on a direct line, few weeks ago, was that the entire line from Kansas City to New York via Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus and Savannah, will be under the exclusive management of only two roads - the Kansas City, Springfield and Memphis, and the Central of Georgia. The i-oad between Birmingham and Memphis is called the Birmingham, Memphis and Atlantic, but the ownership is in the Kansas City, Springfield and Memphis road. We have the authority of Capt. Raoul that this is the first time anything tangible has been presented to the Central so far as securing connections north of Birmingliam is concerned.

The Shortest To New York

The extension of the Columbus and Western, and the new line between Birmingliam and Memphis, gives the shortest line that can be had between Kansas City and New York. The beauty of it is that Columbus is on the direct line, and a rule placed on the ma]) will show tliis city to be almost on an air line between Kansas City and Savannah, wliere the line counects with the Ocean Steamship Company for New York. The distance is:

To tliis add SHO miles, the prorating distance between Savannali and New York, and you have the freight and passenger distance between Kansas City and New York, which is 1,447, or add 7.10 miles, tlie actual distance from Savannah to New York, and it gives the distance from Kansas City to New York, which is 1,947 miles.

The Advantages

of this new line will be of untold benefit to Columbus. Aside from placing us on the shortest line between Kansas City and New York, it gives us a straiglit shoot to all the markets of the Norttiwest, and puts us in direct connection with tiie greatest coal and iron fields of the South. That the road will be built is as absolutely certain as anything not a reality can be.

Leased to the Central for a Period of Ninety- Wine Years. The Mobile and Girard Railroad is one of the most important tributaries to the trade of Columbus. It is embraced in the Central system, and only a few weeks ago was leased to tlie Central for a period of ninetynine years. Tliis road extends frt)m Columbus to Troy, Ala., a distance of 8.") miles, and in as good condition as any road in the country. The Mobile and Girard has been under the control of tlie Central for a number of years, and while this has been the case, the people of Columbus have much cause for congratulation in the liberal policy adopted. Since the road has been leased there is none other than the highest commendation for the course pursued, as it is believed that it will be for the best interest of the stockholders, the Central Railroad, Columbus and all concerned. There is a clause in the lease which gives the Central authority to extend it, if so desired, and as a commercial move it will be to the interest of the Central to extend it. Whether or not this will be done remains to be developed.

Columbus And Rome

A Narrow Gauge Into the Mountains of MeriwetJier. This line is a narrow gauge, and extends from Columbus to Greenville, in Meriwether county. The road was originally contemplated to be built to Rome, Ga., a distance of 125 miles. The road is now operated to Greenville, and brings more cotton to Columbus annually than any of the other roads. It was asserted some time ago tliat this road would be extended to Atlanta, but if such a thing was ever contemplated it seems to have been abandoned. And this will, no doubt, be conceded a good thing for Columljus, as well as a wise one for the Central Railroad, as all the cotton in the sections of country contiguous to the line now finds its way to tliis market, and aids materially in swelling our receipts. The road is in splendid condition, and the amount of business done over it is enormous. It is an exceedingly popular road, is run under the right kind of management, and is a blessing to Columbus.

Georgia Midland And Gulf A Monument To The Pluck And Enterprise Of Columbus

Great Things Promised for Georgia in this New Railroad - Population, and Production of the Counties Contiguous to the Road - History of the Road and Its Contemjilated Connections.

For several months past Columbus' business men have been all aglow with satisfaction over the fact that the Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad has become an assured reality. While many men have done nobly in support of this great scheme, there is one man to whom Columbus owes a debt which may be paid in gratitude, but cannot easily be estimated in dollars and cents, for the consummation of this gigantic enterprise. This man is G. Gunby Joidan, president of the Georgia Midland Construction Company, and by common consent the head and heart and energy of the entire undertaking.

The Georgia Midland And Gulf

has been built by the Georgia Midland Construction Company, which is chartered from the State of Georgia, and has an authorized capital of $1,000,000.

This line of railway commences at Columbus, Ga., and the first division runs east northeast through the counties of Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding and Henry, to a connection with the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad, about 100 miles. The road will eventually connect direct with the Georgia, Carolina and Northern at some point on the line near Muuroe, Ga.

On March 27, 1886. a contract was made by the railroad company with the Georgia Midland Construction Company, a company with a large capital and amjjle facilities, to build and equip the first division of the road to a point of junction with the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. Work began on the grading in May, 188G, and was all completed in twelve months. All the road-bed and eipiipment is

First-Class In All Particulars

At Columbus, Ga., this road will connect with the Alabama Western for IVIontgomery, Mobile, New Orleans and Texas, Columbus and Western for Birmingham, with the Mobile and Girard for Eastern and Central Alabama ; and with the extension of this line to Albany, Ga., will connect at that point with the Georgia Central to Savannah, Ga., with the Brunswick and Western to Brunswick, Ga., and witli the Savannah, Florida and Western to Savannah, Fernandina and Jacksonville ; at Jacksonville with the Florida Railway and Navigation Company to Cedar Keys, and the Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Key West Railway to Tampa Bay, and thence by ocean steamer to Key West and the West Indies.

On the northeast a connection with the Georgia Central at Griffin, Ga., to Atlanta, and near there makes a competing connection via the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia to Atlanta, with connection with the Georgia Railway to Augusta, Ga., and thence to Cliarleston and Port Royal, S. C, at some point on the Georgia, Carolina and Korthern, and thence to Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadeljjhia. New York and Boston. It would be difficult to locate a line of the same length in any section of the country that would command as numerous and valuable connections as this road. Nowhere else can there be found a line making more valuable through connections and important local or side lines than is here ottered.

The Eleven Counties

penetrated by the Georgia Midland and Gulf embrace the most populous, productive and wealthiest agricultural district in the State. The following iigures are almost absolutely correct, and they give the total of the population, products and value of these counties traversed by the Georgia Midland Railroad: Total population, 164,401; number of farms, 13,653; improved land, 858,481 acres; unimproved land, 1,132,833 acres; grand total, 1,991,314; cash value of farms, $12,688,243; bushels of corn produced annually, 2,181,345; bushels of oats, 439,534; bushels of potatoes, 328,252; bales of cotton, 106,659; pounds of butter, 951,409; value of farm products, $8,135,633; value of orchard products, $101,275; total value of farm and orchard products, $8,236,908; head of live stock of all kinds, 195,546; value of live stock, $2,421,853; assessed value of real and personal estate, $28,676,241; total value of real and personal estate, $47,350,000. These figures were taken as far back as 1880, and it would require that 12 or 15 per cent, be added to them in order to reach the correct figures now. Besides, the fact must be taken into consideration that there is always a decided difference between the assessed and the real value of property in favor of the latter.

It Is The Best Built Road

to-day in the South, and has been constructed with such economy as to astonish even expert contractors. It has standard steel rails, iron bridges throughout, and is the smoothest road-bed and best equipped road in the South. It traverses the garden spot of Georgia, and a section of country that has only needed railroad facilities to develop the finest couutry in the South - a country of excellent water, exhilarating climate, productive lands and fine timber. Hundreds of people will locate along its line, and the Georgia Midland will prove a blessing to Columbus and to Georgia. There is no country tliat offers greater advantages in the way enumerated, and already the population has begun to increase, and before a twelve months shall have passed it will be 50 per cent, greater than it is now.

For the future, the South is the inviting field for capital ; Georgia is the progressive State in the South, and the Georgia Midland and Gulf runs througli the most desirable section.

Our Market

Nothing is so essential to life as something to eat. We may deny ourselves the pleasure of high living in any department except that of healthful food. To have it served in an appetizing manner on your table is only second in importance to have it exhibited for sale in a convenient and cleanly way, both to him who buys and he who sells. We reproduce the following:

Meat Sold In Market

Statistics Showing that We Use 31,^27 Animals, Weighing 2,594,660 Pounds - Some of the Live Men Who Deal at the Market. The market is a necessity to Columbus. Besides the revenue it brings into the City Treasury by the rents for the various stalls, it gives our citizens a place where they can find just what they want in the way of meats and vegetables. The proprietors of the stalls are butchers, who make it a business and understand exactly the demands of the trade, as well as the track gardeners, who raise an ample supply of vegetables of all knids. Those in search of sometliing to eat aie sure to hud it at the market, and they can always find sometliing nice. In order to show how much fresh meat the city of Columbus consumed in a year, we have compiled the statistics for the year. We find the amount as follows :

We thus find that there were 17,155 animals killed, and 2.115,750 pounds of fresh meat used from the market, and besides, there is a large quantity of fresh meat sold between the market hours. A large quantity of fresh meats is sold across the river, in Browneville and Girard. The actual figures gives the following for the year :

City Churches

Thus we find that the combined statement shows that there were used during the yeai', in this city and across the river, 21,427 animals, weighing in the aggregate 2,594,660 pounds.

For the privilege of selling, the batchers pay an annual rental of from $75 to $100 a stall, which nets the city a revenue of $1,525. Tlie stalls are the property of the city.

The amount of vegetables consumed in a year is simply incalculable, and the cheapness with which they are sold makes one wonder liow the truck farmers can afford to raise them. These stalls also bring in quite a revenue to the city, as they rent from $18 to $20, and aggregate $656 for the Treasury of the city.

Columbus takes just pride in her churches. No city in the South affords better religious opportunities. The buildings are large and comfortable; are well ventilated in summer and heated in winter. The churches have been peculiarly fortunate in the selection of ministers, as they are all fine speakers and enjoy the highest moral and religious character. They have endearetl themselves to their churches, and have won the respect and admiration of the public at large. Under the ministry of such able gentlemen, our cluirclies could not be otherwise than popular.

Great interest is also being taken in the Sunday Schools, whicli are ably superintended and managed. Parents who leel an interest in the futui'e of their children should send them to Sunday School regularly, or, better still, go themselves, and take their children with them.

Below we append a table giving the names of the pastors of the various churches, and statistical information concerning the difierent clmrclies and Sunday Schools, which show that all are in fine condition in every i-espect:

Educational

The Public Schools for Fifteen Years - A Steady Increase in Interest and Attendance - A Fine Exhibit for the Female Seminary - Otlier Schools.

Columbus is iudeed the city of schools, and we have no information of any better place for procuring an education. It has been said, and we have no inclination to dispute it, that the schools of Columbus have done as nuxch in the progress of building up the city as our great manufacturing enterprises. Every advantage that a parent may desire for the educational advancement of the child - wliether it be daughter or son, young lady or young man - may be found in this city, and it is encumbered with the fewest number of disadvantages so often found in a city of the size. The people of all the surrounding country recogn;Z3 this fact, and come here to receive the advantages. Their children educated, they still remain, and among them are many of our best citizens, who have fully identified themselves with the city's interest. Our citizens appreciate this fact, and it is the interest they take in the schools that has caused them to prosper, and bring us pupils from a dozen States. Columbus believes that in a free country like this, ignorance has no rights, except the right to get out of the way. It is the theory of her citizens to believe in the educational theory, and it does not claim that men are equal in capacity or attainment, but tliat every citizen is capable of being raised to a moral and an intt llectual level which will fit him to take an intelligent interest in public atfairs. In this our city is eminently correct. We believe in the capacity of human nature for educational improvement of a direct and rapitl sort. The old idea of advance only through slow and and prolonged stages of cumulative experience has long since been exploded, and in our institutions of learning are to be found all the modern appliances and apparatus. We have seminaries, and high schools, and public schools, with all the departments that entitle an institution to that comprehensive title. These institutions stand open ten mouths of every year, inviting young men and women of this country to prepare thoroughly for life's earnest work. We give statistics to show what Columbus is doing in the way of educating the youth of the country:

In December, 1886

Mayor pro Wm. H, Brannon ; Clerk of Council, M. M. Moore; Treasurer, John N. Bariiett ; Marshal and Chief of Police, John H. Palmer; First Lieutenant of Police, James A. Roberts; Second Lieutenant of Police, W. Z. Pickett ; Overseer of Street Hands, John Foran ; City Engineer, B, H. Hudson; City Attorney, S. B. Hatcher; City Fhysiciaii, J. E. Gillespie; Hospital Keeper, Catherine Andeison; Clerk of Market and Magazine, Thomas O. Douglass; Sexton, A. Odom.

Standing Committees, 1887

Accomiift - Jor,e\)h, Foley and Curtis. Bvidg'S and TI'Artr/ - Jefferson, Elledge and McArdle. Cemetery and Park - Y.Wci.h^i'. P.ramion and Dillingham. City Improvements and Commons - Dozier, McArdle and Biannt>n. Cisterns, Fire Department and Water Works - ¥oh-\, McEachern and Garrett Co«^rrt«<» - McArdle, Jefft-r.son and Dozier. Finance - Brannon, Curtis and Hatcher. l/(/s;jt<a^ - Dillingham, Dozier and Jeffer- son. Market and Magazine - Garrett, Dilliiiy;ham and Josepli. Police and Gas - Hatcher. (Jai-rett and McEacliern. Public Schools - Curtis, Hatcher and Foley. Streets and Sewers - McEachern, Joseph and Elledge.

Board Of Fire Wardens

All of the above were issued 1876 to 1879, for redemption of other bonds issued at various times and for various purposes. Principal and interest is payable at office of City Trcasuier. All bear interest at 5 per cent., coupons due J muary and July, excepting $36,800 of 7 per cent, bonds due in 1896 and 1897, coupons of which are payable April and October. Until 1894 about $10,000 of bonds will be retired annually by purchase. Tax on real estate, 1 per cent.

Street Railroad

Not to be behind the progressive ideas of advanced civilization, our city boasts of a complete and well-e(iuippcd street railroad, propelled at present by horse power, but with the i)rivilege, by special legislation, to use steam. The road has (our miles of track, reaching through the city and to suburbs. The road is in a highly prosperous condition, with a liberal charter and prospective extensions.

Miscellaneous Electric Lights

The city is lighted on its tlioroiighfiires by the Brusli Electric Light system, the same being used by our leading hotels, mills and steamers.

Fire Department

Two steam fire engines ; 2 liand engines ; 1 hook and ladder track ; 7 hose carriages ; 3,600 feet good leather hose; 9 mules ; fire dei)irtnient consists of 215 volunteers, 10 men paid part time ; fire alarm tehgraph, IG stations.

Water Supply

Twenty-six cisterns, capacity 400.000 gallons ; 1^ miles street mains ' capacity of reservoirs, 100,000,000 gallons daily ; pressure, 50 pounds ; 105 hydrants.

Water Works

No city in the Union has a better su]iply of water than our own. Tliey have been com])leted five years, and furnish water by gravitation a distance of four miles. They get their supply from the mountains west of the city, and have two reservoirs, containing in the aggregate nearly four hundred million gallons of pure water. A 12-inch main conducts the water to the city, connecting with the distributing mains, covering ten miles of pipes, fitted with double fire hydrants, which, under pressure, can throw water over highest building. Iiieorpoiated, 1880. Capital, $175,0>10. B. F. Archer, President ; T. W. Lynnot, Treasurer ; George W. Baily, Secretary.

Otheu Enterprises

The Columbus Barrel Factory, whose product is displayed at Section D, Main Building, Piedmont Fair. - This factory makes auythino- in the shape of a barrel or keg. Has a paid up capital of $20,000. Its daily capacity is 300, with the following corps of officers: President, Charles T. Porter; Secretary and Treasurer, M. M. Hirsch.

The Bottling Works of E. M. Walsh & Co., run in connection with their wholesale beer and liquor business. It is the only enterprise of the kind in the city, and is one of our best pajing industries.

The Empire Flour Mills. - This old and strong house has an exhibit of their own in Section D, ]Main Building, and in their regular advertisement in this pamphlet, gives the capacity and output of their mill. The proprietor of tlie mill is Geo. W. Woodruft", assisted by his two sons, H. L. and Ernest Woodruff. Their mill is the largest in this section. See advertisement.

The Columbus Southern Railroad, though not in sight, is an assured fact. This is the connecting link between Florida and Columbus. The right of way is secured, $150,000 good subscrii)tions signed up, and all awaiting a few m(n-e details to go on to a rapid completion.

We might go on and till a directory with these stauncli enterprises, but we will group a list of tliem to show the diversity of our talent and labor:

G. J. Peacock, Manufacturer Clothing; (^olumbus Ice and Refrigerating Company, IMusci)gee Oil Company, several Building and Loan companies. The Columbus Gas Companj', The Columbus Fertilizing Comjiany, Southern Telegraph Company, Western Union and Telejilione Company, a handsome Opt ra House, a Public Library, Young Men's Christian Association. Two large C'ompresses run by the Central Railioad, and one by private capital, for direct shipments to Europe.

Our Daily Papers. - For almost all thi' foregoing matter we are indebted to the files of tiie Columbus Enquirer-Sun and the Evening Ledger. These two dailies are our jewels. They come to us each day laden with the best and brightest of news - always ready with their pens or their means to push on the progress of theii' city. The business features of each can be ascertained by reference to their advertisement elsewhere in this book. In this place and time we desire to return our thanks to their respective staffs for indispensable aid in getting together the matter of this book. Without the use of their files ami daily publications we would have been lost.

First Premium Wherever Exhibited

Will be ready in a few days to wait on you with a stock of SPECTACLES and EYEGLASSES superior to any ever brou<i;ht to our beautiful city, and will charge but a reasonable profit on the money invested; will not charj;e for his skill and knowledge in fitting you; will sell you real Stone "Pebble" Lenses, if you want them, and are able to buy them, and otherwise will sell you the best ground and polished Glass Lenses in the market, put in any kind of frame you want. So when you want Glass Lenses, ask for Glass Lenses; when you want Pebble Lenses, ask for Pebble Lenses. Let "hifalutiu" names alone, as humbug.

In Western Georgia

Willi its 2f),000 iiiliabitants Columbus is one of the- best theatrical cities in the Southern circuit. First-class attractions only. Write for open time and terms to

We have on our list some good property, consisting of lousiness Houses, Residences, Vacant Lots, Subiu'ban Property, also Timber Lands in Southern Geoi'gia and Mineral Lands in Noi'thern Georgia. Oiu' business houses will pay from 6 to 8 per cent. net.

Columbus, - - - - Georgia

The following (Sea Coast) Cities have them in operation against Northern Ice : Wihriington, N. C. ; Savannah and Brunswick, Ga. ; Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Apalachicola, and Pensacola, Fla., and Mobile, Ala.

Among Them

$5,000 (jeorgia ih per cent. 30-year Bonds, due 1915. $5,000 City of Coluinbiis 5 per eeiit. Bonds, due lOOO. Southwestern Railroad guaranteed 7 per cent, Stock. Central Railroad and <ieorgia Railroad Stock. Aniericus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad First Mortgage 7 per cent. Bonds at 102^ and interest.

Carter & Bradley

We have increased the storage capacity of our house two tliousand bales, and have made otiier imiu-ovements to lower the rate of insurance on cotton stored with us. and are now ])re|)Mred to offer to the farnaers of this section more convenience, clieaper insurance by 50 per cent., and better service than ever in each department of our business. ij^Give us ONE trial and see that this is true.

Of The

I, E. H. Eppinj;, Cashier of the above named Bank, do solemnly swear that tlie above Statement is true, to the best of my knowUdge and belief.

Wholesale Grocer

With a large and commodious Brick Warehouse on raih'oad side-track, we claim superior facilities for handling goods in large quantities. Bayers will find it to their interest to see me before buying.

Urgestcottohmo Woolen Mills Imthe South

Manufacture Plaids and Stripes of every variety and weight, 100 patterns; Dyed Duckings and Osuaburgs; Standard Dress and Fancy Ginghams, Ticking in five grades, twenty varieties of beautiful Cottonades, new styles; Fancy Cheviot Stripes and Plaids, in all weights; C^otton Diaper, Rope, Brown Goods; Hickory Shirtings, Cassiraeres, Jeans; Woolen and Cotton Convict Goods; Fancy Striped and Plain Turkish and Family Towels; THE CELEBRATED COTTON BLANKET; Table Felting and Colored Curtain Hangings; Hosiery Yarns, colored and white; Seersuckers.

Our goods are unexcelled for perfection in manufacture, beauty and variety of Patterns, Fast Colors, Durability and Lowest Prices on all goods.