Atlanta And Its Builders, Vol. 2 - A Comprehensive History Of The Gate City Of The South. Thomas H. Martin
effect her credit (the foundation of governmental, as well as of private, character) was impaired and diminishing; but under the confidence-inspiring provision of the new charter, wisely conceived and courageously forced, Atlanta has, at one bound, inaugurated perpetual economy in her expenditures — the steady, gradual reduction of her indebtedness — and placed her securities on an upgrade, without a parallel in the financial experience of these unfortunate times.' "
"The commercial panic, not being based upon temporary causes simply, but upon a general depreciation of the values from inflated proportions to their true standard, the settling down or adjustment of business to the changed condition, was necessarily the work of years. But the commercial circles of Atlanta gradually worked out of the depression of the times, and reassumed their old activity. Renewed vigor produced greater expansion, and expansion, in its turn, demanded enlarged facilities. More banking capital was needed, and more and larger houses for the handling and storage of goods. One secret of Atlanta's progress is. that no demand of trade, however feeble, fails to produce an effort at supply. So it was at this time. New banks were organized, and more business structures erected. In addition to those already mentioned, the Atlanta Savings Bank appeared in 1875, under the management of S. B. Hoyt, president, and R. H. Richards, cashier.
"The year 1875 was one of marvelous progress in building operations. Real estate improvements aggregated in value, perhaps, $1,000,000. This improvement embraced the filling up of numerous unsightly spots, as, for instance, the drainage of a marshy spot south of Hunter street, and the erection of numerous cottage buildings thereon, at an expense of perhaps $25,000, by Colonel Thomas Alexander, one of Atlanta's prominent railroad contractors, and who manifested his faith in Atlanta and its future to the extent of $100,000 in real estate and improvements. P. & G. T. Dodd & Co. (W. J. Tanner taken into the firm in 1876), to accommodate their great business, erected a splendid building on Alabama street — part of an entire block erected at the same time. A costly hotel — the Markham House — was erected for Owens, then the exceedingly popular proprietor of the National Hotel, and a six-story cotton factory went up. Residences — and many fine ones — ascended as if by magic. Among them were that of J. L. McBride. on Rawson street, in 1876, and, in 1877, that of James Oglesby, on Richardson street, and the elegant, city-like structure of A. C. Wyly, on Washington street.
"Business exhibited great activity. W. F. Stokes & Co. opened a wholesale fruit and produce establishment on Alabama street, and G. P. Guilford a new music house. M. T. Simmons and A. N. Hunt, both of whom were afterward councilmen. associated in the grocery business, having a dry goods department in charge of Mr. M. S. Gilbert as partner in the same. In 1874 they erected a handsome brick store on Marietta street. Mr. Gilbert at a later period became a member also of the grocery firm of Landrum & Gilbert, on Peachtree street. In 1872 M. C. & J. F. Kiser removed their wholesale dry goods establishment to the new building on Pryor street, adding W. S. Everett to the firm. One of the most important business events of the year was the establishment of the National Surgical Institute, for the treatment of all deformities of the body, face and limbs, including paralysis and chronic diseases. It is under the management of Drs. Allen, Johnson and Wilson, is an incorporated institution, with a capital of $500,000, and is now treating some two thousand three hundred cases, including those boarding in the institution and those in their homes in the states. It has the unqualified endorsement of leading citizens, and is accomplishing a vast amount of good. Dr. C. L. Wilson is the surgeon in charge. In the year 1875, W. S. & J. C. Wilson bought out the extensive coal and lumber business of Edward Parsons, a popular citizen who emigrated to New Zealand. W. A. Fuller opened a grocery business in his building, 148 Marietta street, soon after forming a partnership with N. J. Doolittle, both these men having been popular railroad conductors, and W. A. Fuller noted for his famous and successful chase of a band of men during the civil war, who, in the interest of the Federal army, stole an engine on the State Road for the purpose of aiding them in the destruction of bridges and other property on the road — their capture being one of the most spirited feats of the war. In 1875 Morrison, Bain & Co. removed their hardware establishment to the Republic block, occupying three large floors, and John Keely made a third enlargement of his retail dry goods store to 55 by 100 feet. Among the movements of trade may be noted that of wholesale groceries to Alabama street. In 1873 Stokes & Co., wholesale fruiterers, removed to this street; Stephens & Flynn, Dodd & Co., Fuller & Smith, followed, making it the great wholesale grocery street of Atlanta.
"The progress of Atlanta during the last decade (1870-80) has not only equaled, but has surpassed that of any other period. This progress has been a general one, extending to every department of business and industry. The same advance marked all other interests, religious, educational and social. Besides municipal reforms, the city government had also made great progress in the establishment of important public works, among these was the supply of the city with water, at a cost of nearly a half million of dollars. Though the well and mineral waters of Atlanta were amply sufficient for all drinking purposes, yet the continuous increase of population rendered another source of supply advisable for the central part of the city, and more particularly for the objects of sewerage, and the extinguishment of fire. The great enterprise is now in the most successful operation. Hunnicutt & Bellingrath, in 1875 and 1876, laid seventeen miles of pipe, all of which stood the test of two hundred pounds pressure to the square inch. The water can' be thrown in numerous streams to the top of the highest buildings. The works are under the control of a water board, elected by the people, consisting, at present, of C. H. Strong, G. W. Adair, G. W. Terry, J. H. Flynn and E. E. Rawson. The members of the board receive no compensation for their services, which are not only responsible, but also quite onerous, as in the case of the president, who at present is E. E. Rawson, the public-spirited citizen, whose time and labor form so prominent and large a part of many of our best institutions. The superintendent is T. F. Winn, a most efficient officer. The works were completed in 1875.
"Another most important step was the building of a street railway by George W. Adair and Richard Peters. This proved a valuable stimulus to the property of the city.
"The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized in 1876 by Miss Louise King, of Augusta, aided by a lady noted for her charitable works. Miss Nellie Peters, now Mrs. George R. Black. Under its operations several prosecutions have occurred, leading to improved treatment of dumb brutes; and drinking fountains have been erected through the city for their benefit — the largest one being the present of Hon. John P. King, the distinguished president of the Georgia Railroad.
"In 1877 another library association was organized — the Catholic Library Association. Its object is the dissemination of Catholic literature and knowledge generally. Its officers are: J. F. Burke, president: R. D. Spalding, vice-president: A. C. Ford, treasurer; John M. Graham, secretary, and John H. Flynn, E. Van Goidsnoven, P. J. Moran. W. B. Cox, John Stephens, M. H. Dooly, John Doonan and Joseph Gatins, directors.
"For several centuries, the progress of the printing art has been both a great indicator and powerful promoter of national and local prosperity. One has only to glance at a book or college catalogue issued from the Franklin Steam Printing House of Atlanta, to ascertain how near perfection this art has been brought. The Franklin Steam Printing House became, in 1873, the property of James P. Harrison, Z. D. Harrison, D. E. Butler, J. H. Estill, of Savannah, and J. W. Burke, of Macon, and rapidly assumed mammoth dimensions. Under the business management of James P. Harrison, the superintendence of John S. Prather, and the thorough bookkeeping of George W. Harrison — men unsurpassed in their departments — the Franklin has grown until it has become the largest printing house of the South.
"But no greater progress was made anywhere than in the acquisition of valuable citizens. Among them may be mentioned J. W. Rankin, who came in 1875 to manage the great wholesale drug house of Hunt, Rankin & Lamar, and N. P. T. Finch, of the Atlanta Constitution, gentlemen who may be cited as representatives or types of the substantial and worthy men won by Atlanta in late years."
The following is interesting as a glance at the newspaper situation in the decade under review:
"The printing business has developed into great proportions. Religious, political, agricultural, literary and medical journals are published. The daily newspaper business has been a checkered one. The old Intelligencer, in its palmiest