A W^ord in Explanation 



The letters which comprise this publication are taken from 

 a series written as Staff Correspondence of the Montgomery 

 Advertiser. For none of the letters did the Advertiser receive 

 a cent from the community or section spoken of in the letters 

 and which from their publication might receive benefit or ad- 

 vantage. The Advertiser management undertook the bur- 

 densome expense of this work in the patriotic desire to help 

 along the industrial and progressive movement which has 

 become so emphatic in Alabama in recent years. 



It was felt that the State's agricultural, industrial and com- 

 mercial advancement had become so pronounced in these re- 

 cent years that a closer study of existing conditions, a wider 

 distribution of information concerning these conditions were 

 due the energy of the people who had brought them about, if 

 for no other reason. And with a view of, not only informing 

 the outside world of what Alabama was doing, but of laying 

 before the people of one section of Alabama an account of 

 what the people of other communities within the borders of 

 the State were doing for the upbuilding of Alabama. In the 

 accomplishment of this double purpose it was only natural 

 that it should be shown that although Alabama, like other 

 Southern States in the despondent days that followed the great 

 war had marked time, while her northern and western sisters 

 who had received no dire and cruel wounds in that war had 

 marched forward with unweakened and undiminished steps, 

 she has now felt the impetus, the exhiliration of a new era of 

 industry and she had sprung forward and with swift and cer- 

 tain steps was moving to the front. 



That she has overcome the industrial misfortunes of other 

 years is due no less' to the twin facts that in the bosom of her 

 northern mountains lies greater mineral wealth than any State 

 South of Pennsylvania may boast of, and that her fertile acres 

 to the south are equal to the best that Texas or Mississippi 

 miay show, than to the quickened spirit of energy and progress 

 of her people. 



