Class. Book- COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT / THE UNITED STATES INVESTORS FINANCIAL "^'TSmZIHlAL ^HAND BOOK^ -OF THE STATE OF- Informatiou Respecting the Financial Condition, Agricultural and Mineral Resources, Manufacturing and Commercial Interests of the State of Georgia and its various Cities and Counties. IM HI.ISIIKI) HV THE UxiTED States 1x\'t-:stot^, Frank P. Bknnett, Treasmir. Agents and Correspondents in every State of the Union. 7 and 8 PER CENT FARM LOANS. 6 percent Town Loans. All amply secured. Out of numerous loans placed by nie, not one has been foreclosed or become delinquent. S3O.0OO Municipal Bonds for sale. »35,000 bank and industrial stocks. Hotel for winter tourists at Fort Valley, Ga., cost $37,500, offered at bargrain by Executor of an estate; also 120 town lots m Sumterville, Fla., and 3,900 acres- fine fruit and farming lands in Houston county, Ga. W. H. Harris, Financial Agent, Ft. Valley, Ga. ATLANTA, GA„ BONDS AND flORTQAGES. Loans negotiated on improved city property at six, seven and eight per cent. Correspondence solicited. THOS. P. IVY. 411 Equitable Bldg., Atlanta, Ga. PLACES IN GEORGIA HAVING A POPULATION OF OVER 1000. Albany town 4,008 Americus city 6,398 Athens city «,639 Atlanta city 65,i533 Auffusta city 33,300 Bain bridge town 1,6(58 Barnesville town 1,839 Columbus city 17,3i)3 Cony era town 1,349 Cordele town 1,378 Covington town 1,823 Cuthberttown 2,328 Dalton city 3,046 Darien city 1,49 L Dawson town 2,284 Eastman town 1,082 Eatontoncity 1,682 Elberton town 1,572 Fort Gaines town 1,097 Fort Valley town 1,752 Brunswick city 8,459 Carrolton town 1,451 Carters ville city 3,171 Cedartown town 1,625 Gainesville city 3,202 Greensboro city 1,313 Griffin city 4,503 Hawkinsville town 1.755 Lagrange city 3,090 Lithonia town 1,182 Macon city 22,746 Madison city 2,131 Marietta city 3,384 Marshallville village 1,086 Milledgeville city 3,322 Newnan city 2,85& Quitman town 1,868' Rome city 6,957 Roswell town 1,138 Sandersville city 1,760' Savannah city 43,189 Sparta town 1,540 Talbotton town 1,U0 Tallapoosa city 1,699' Thomaston town 1,181 Thomasville town 5,514 Toccoa town 1,120 Valdosta town 2,854 Washington village 2,631 Waycross town 3 364 Waynesboro village 1,711 West End city 1.445 West Point city 1,2.54 Decatur town 1,013 NEW ENGLAND COnON MILLS <3^0ITSrG^ SOUTH, Southern cities and towns or owners of Water Powers and Mill Sites, who desire to secure some of the great New England industries which are now being transferred to the South, will find their best plan in making known their advantages through the columns of the Amebican Wool AND Cotton Reporter. This is the only i>aper in the United States devoted to all the products, processes and materials of textile manufacturing. It has a larger circula- tion among the textile mills than any other paper, daily, weekly or monthly. Address, AHERICAN WOOL AND COTTON REPORTER, FRANK P. BENNETT, Proprietor, 185 Franlilin Street, Boston. 335 Broadway, New York. 241 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Agents and Correspondents in ever>' State of the Union, THE UNITED STATES INVESTOR'S FINANCIAL ^^'INDUSTRI AL ^HAND BOOK^ -OF THE STATE OF- Information Respecting the Financial Condition, Agricultural and Mineral Resources, Manufacturing and Commercial Interests of the State of Georgia and its various Cities and Counties. PUBLISHED BY THE United States In^ntestor, Fkank p. Bennett, Treasurer. syvL^-z , Agrents and Correspondents in every State of the Union. - ■ K FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HAND BOOK OF GEORGIA. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, Its Favorable Situation as a Cotton Centre — A Power Canal Furnishes Cheap Power to Mills — Cotton and Miscellaneous Manufactories. This city is favored by nature and by man as a cotton centre. Be- ing a natural market for the raw product, it only follows as a corollary that one should find here one of the cotton manufacturing centres of the South, and such is Augusta. With railroads reaching out to every point of the compass and tiaversing a highly favored country, with direct communication by water with Savannah and the Atlantic, with a power canal practically exhaustless and very cheap, with a country surrounding of the best character for the cultivation of cotton, Augusta is well pre- pared to invite the attention of the investor, and especially of the cotten mill prospector. Augusta, which is truly an energetic and beautiful city, comprises about 45,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the Savannah river, which separates Georgia and South Carolina, and is at the head of steam nav- igation en that river. Nine railways centre here, and Augusta has its choice of five principal cotton routes to Liverpool and the continent, directly connecting with Savannah, Port Koyal, Charleston, Wilmington and Norfolk by rail, to say nothing of water communication with Savan- nah. Competition thus renders the city free from excessive rates. AS A RESIDENCE CITY. Augusta is one of the oldest places in Georgia, having been settled by General Oglethorpe in 1735. While one sees on every hand the fine old mansions of antebellum times standing alongside the more pretentious architectural productions of the present day, still everything wears a look of prosperity and respectability which makes a stranger feel sure that he would thoroughly enjoy residence within her gates. The climate is delightful, with just enough coolness to be invigorat- ing. The presence of a winter hotel here, filled always in season to overflowing, is sufficient testimony to the salubrity of the climate. The mean humidity is very small — smaller than that of some places noted for their fine, dry atmosphere. The sanitary conditions of Augusta are second to none, and the city is justly proud of its sewerage and water-works system. Broad street, about 175 feet wide, three miles long and paved with asphalt, is one of the finest business streets the writer has seen. The rate of taxation is not high, being $1.25 per $1,000. The city has no floating debt, and its bonded debt is $1,751,300, which was for the most part incurred in building the great power canal, which cost $2,000,000. The rents from this canal, it is said, furnish enough money to pay the interest on the bonded debt. Augusta has never repudiated an obliga- tion of any kind. AS A MANUFACTURING CITY. Augusta most rightfully lays claim to recognition as a manufactur- ing city. The advantage which the city puts foremost is its great power canal. This can^l is owned by the city. It has its beginning seven FINAXCIAI. AND INDUSTRIAL HAND HOOK OF GEORGIA. D miles above the city, on the Savannah river, is 150 feet wide, and of the most thorough construction. No one can have trouble in this seven miles length to find suitable and cheap sites for manufacturing establishments. The power is let by the city at $5. .50 per horse power, which, it is claimed, is the cheapest water power in the country, and cheaper than it will be furnished by the great Niagara Falls Power Company. It costs only one- tenth as much as steam power. The canal is not the only source of power, as many mills are scattered up and down the smaller streams in the vicinity of Augusta. Cotton manufacturing is Augusta's stronghold. There are here 12 fac- tories, running 4,858 looms and 218,000 spindles. Two companies have a capital of $1,000,000 each; two, $700,000 each; two, $500,000 each, and the balance with smaller capital. All these mills, it is reported, have paid handsome dividends, none of them having earned less than 6 per cent even during the past depression. One cotton mill has paid large dividends since its start and has built a new mill with its surplus accumulations alone; 85,000 bales of cotton are annually consumed here, and when manu- factured, the cotton goes to all parts of the world. The experience of others who have carefully tried the business, demonstrates the advantage of Augusta for the location of cotton mills. PINE LUMBER PRODUCTS. Other products are manufactured in Augusta. Second, perhaps, to cot- ton, are the products of pine lumber. With its nearness and accessibility to the raw product and its cheap railway rates, Augusta offers a splendid chance, because of its cheap power, to any factories using pine lumber. Cheap labor is abundant, and it is claimed that the consolidated cost of sites and the construction of plants is from 20 to 40 per cent less than in the North and West. The census for 1890 shows Augusta's enormous strides in industrial growth in the preceding ten years, and comparison with the other manu- facturing cities shows that Augusta stands almost, if not quite, at the top of the list. The business people of this city are anxious to attract factor- ies this way and will offer good inducements to bona fide promoters. FARM LOANS. The country around Augusta, which is largely flat, river bottom land, furnishes an excellent field for the placing of farm loans. Immediately around the city is a belt of truck country of exceptionally fine quality, capable of raising two and three crops per year with very little labor. Mortgages on this land at a conservative valuation can furnish none other than a highly profitable investment. Augusta should certainly be one of the places which the investor should investigate when looking about to find a good place for his money. FINANCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL HAND BOOK OF GEOBGIA. LOANS IN GEORGIA. Peculiab Featubes of the State Laws — The Dower Provision — Methods to Defeat It — The Safety of Georgia Loans. The laws of Georgia possess certain peculiarities in the matter of loans on real estate. We refer particularly to the dower laws. In Georgia a woman is an absolute /e?we-so?e as to her own estate. She also has a dower in land which her husband may die seized of. She cannot waive her dower lights. Therefore a statute has been provided enabling a man (or woman either) to convey land to secure a debt. This deed is construed by the courts to actually pass the title (for the purpose of securing the debt), subject to a right of reconveyance, or (according to a recent amendment) cancellations upon the payment of the debt. This conveyance, carrying the title out of grantor, defeats dower or any other claim or provision, and is an absolute security. The husband having no rights in the wife's prop- erty, her mortgage is as efficacious as /t/.s deed as a security, and lenders take one or the other just as may seem desirable or convenient. in case of default. All papers, whether deed or mortgage, contain a power of sale after advertising four weeks. Consequently, frequently upon default the land is advertised and sold; but when the parties are litigious and will not give up possession, the title having been purchased at the sales, ejectment has to be brought to get possession. The more general method of procedure, therefore, is to sue upon the note and get special judgment against the land and general judgment against the debtor and have the sheriff put purchaser into possession. In cities there is always a ready sale for real estate sold under foreclosure, and in the country where any degree of con- servatism has been exercised in making the loan, there are nearly always buyers for the lands at prices sufficient to pay up the debt. In all the good farming sections of Georgia, the titles to lands are absolutely good and well settled. In some of the pine timber counties of south middle Georgia, titles are unsettled — for instance, Dodge, Montgomery, Telfair, Irwin and Wilcox. Georgia has been shut up against the capital of most of the large insur- ance companies on account of the dower laws whereby a man's mortgage is no security, and many of the large insurance companies are prohibited by their charters and their own state laws from taking title to real es- tate except for offices, etc. Considerable money, however, is loaned from time to time, through brokers or people in the East, who have become familiar with the condition of the state, and some money is borrowed from the local building and loan associations. The rate of interest on warehouse receipt is 8 to 10 per cent. condition of fabmers. The people of Georgia are changing and diversifying their crops more and more every year. The production of fruit, grains, meat and hay is rapidly increasing. Hay from the Bermuda grass finds a market in Eng- land for the fine racing studs. The people have raised more hogs than any time since the war, and there will not be one- tenth of the meat and FINANCIAL AND INDUSTKIAL HAND BOOK OF GEORGIA. 7 corn sold in the state that there was four years ago. The lands are healthy and fertile, well watered and adapted for small farms for dairy- men and stock raisers. The people are improving and developing their farms, and a great deal of money can be used to advantage and with abso- lute security to lenders. While Georgia farmers sometimes fail to obtain large and profitable crops, they have never suffered from anything like a total failure, and to-day, in spite of 5 cent cotton, while Georgia farmery have very little money, they have plenty to eat and good stock, etc., and are in better condition than they have been for years. SAFETY OF LOANS. We have carefully investigated the methods employed by Georgia loan companies in making loans, in order to satisfy ourselves as to the safety of such investments for the public. When an application for a loan is received, it is first thoroughly ex- amined (nearly always by an officer of the company). A tax collector's or clerk of court's certificate is obtained as to what the property is given in for for taxes. The company then selects two as careful parties as it can find, who give a sworn statement as to the present value of the property, stating also that they are thoroughly familiar with same. The company finds out as to the recent sales of property in that neighborhood, and learns at what prices others hold their property. Having obtained this inform- ation, there is first a consultation between the officers of the company — the president, vice-president and secretary — who have the privilege of re- jectine loans. If they think favorably of the loan and are satisfied that the property is worth to-day three or more times the amount that is to be loaned, they refer it to the board of directors with their recommendation. All applications are approved in writing by the real estate committee of the board. In regard to the titles we would state that a conservative company never fails to have a complete abstract giving the whole history of the property ; and if there is any question as to the value, the loan is re- jected. GEORGIA LANDS. It IS Not True That They Are Held Unreasonably High — Prac- tical Demonstration Offered, It is publicly stated that southern lands are held at high prices. This is not true. We can place anybody, colonizers especially, in communica- tion with thoroughly reliable agents in any part of Georgia who will fur- nish them with excellent land, truly worthy the name agricultural, at from $5 upwards, largely according to proximity to railroads. In the South, prices are governed very largely by the nearness of the land to the railroads and large towns. Georgia, from the mountains on the north to the tropical lands at the south, can produce nearly everything required in the markets of this country. Her lands are very productive and profitably so, if only energy and judgment are used in their cultivation. There are numbers of planta- tions in the hands of scions of ante-bellum prosperous families. These peo- ple are simply too poor and often lack the energy to cultivate these enor- mous plantations as they should be cultivated. They would be glad to part with them in whole or in part at reasonable terms to colonizers or to capitalists. Anybody going there with a determination to devote energy and plenty of work to the enterprise in hand can succeed wonderfully. Plenty of cases can be pointed out where industrious northerners have gone there, and by dint of energy, by utilizing the resources already there, have laid up for themselves treasures. Labor is cheap, effective, and of a good class, markets are easily reached, living is cheap, and one is by no means out of civilization or even beyond the bounds of good society. Good schools, churches and other moral and intellectual advantages abound. 8 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HAND BOOK OF GEORGIA. It is a mistake to suppose that sectional feeling prevails. Former north- erners assure us of this emphatically, and every southerner does likewise. Almost any community will, with true southern hospitality, welcome and willinajly aid any industrious, sober and moral settler who may go to them. Such colonists are desired and sought for. We can and gladly will place any would-be settler or bands of colonists in communication with agents in communities which will welcome them cordially, and where they can get small farms or large tracts for sub-division, all of the most excellent possibilities of production and within the means of all as regards price. We can assure them by reference to early settlers, that all we state is true, and all that will be required is that they shall be capable of commanding the respect of any community in good standing, and that they shall go there with good intent. GEORGIA MARBLE. The Present Condition and the Future Prospects of the Marble Industry. A report has just been issued by the Georgia State Geological Depart- ment which is of considerable interest to that class of investors who are looking around for some place to put their money securely. This report is on the marble deposits in the state. It shows that there are very considerable quantities of marble of excellent quality, which, if properly worked, will yield a very profitable return. This report shows that all the true marble so far discovered is con- fined to a belt sixty miles long, extending through the very northernmost part of Georgia in a northeastern and southwestern direction. Deposits are found in Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens and Cherokee counties. The marble belt is found in the more hilly portions of these Cv>unties. Sometimes the hills in which it is found reach an altitude of four thousand feet. The belt is paralleled by the Marietta & North Georgia railroad, which in all cases is within two or three miles of the outcropping marble. The prevailing shades are light or dark gray, usually banded with black. Occasionally marbles of a flesh color tinged with green, resembling the Etowah marble, occur. The stone, which is very pretty, is firm and sus- ceptible of a high polish. Pickens county is at present the only county in Georgia producing any considerable quantity of marble. Here, near Tate, there are a number of companies which are annually making large shipments of the stone, both for building and ornamental purposes. The marble of this region is exceedingly valuable, and by continued use has been found to be of an excellent quality, both in point of beauty and usefulness. There are plenty of chances hereabout for profitable investment in marble quarries. The marble of Cherokee county is even better than that of Pickens county, though it has not been generally quarried as yet. In the former county is found a deposit of what is known as green marble. Although not marble, but serpentine, it looks so much like marble as to be called so. The quarries near Hollow Spring brought this peculiar stone into considerable prominence a few years ago on account of its beauty as an ornamental stone. Whitfield county has a small quantity of marble of dark chocolate and grayish hues. This very narrow belt extends for about ten miles parallel to the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia division of the Southern system. The marble belongs to the same stratum that traverses east Tennessee, and which is so extensively quarried near Knoxville. There is a good chance to purchase lands and work this marble, which is of a very valuable quality. FINANCIAL AN1> INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEOKGIA. SOUTHERN ELECTRIC RAILWAYS. An Excellent Chance for the Investment of Capital in Electric Street Railways and Lighting Plants of the Southern Cities. A gentleman interested in investments in the South, and who knows from experience whereof he speaks, said recently, "One of the very best chances for investment of money with profitable return in the South is found in the electric street railway and lighting systems." The Investor has observed that interest in the South is rapidly and very generally reviving and has several times lately commented on the fact. This is evidenced by the renewed tendency of manufacturing in- terests and immigration in this direction, as well as by investment inquiry. The South, though old, is new in a sense. It has the possibili- ties, soon to be realized, of a great growth. All this interest tends to a considerable increase in population of the southern cities. Growth of cities, in this advanced age, means need for street transportation or greater use of street railways. Most of the southern cities already have well equipped and well established street railway systems. It was of these that the gentle- man above quoted spoke. These railways, for the most part, were built by local parties, or, rather, projected by them; for they were mostly built by some one of the large electric companies interested in getting their equipment put into use. These companies usually built the road, receiving part of their pay in cash, and the i-est in what might be called equipment notes. The local compa- nies undertook the operation of these roads, and have put them on an estab- lished basis. Having done this they would now, in a great many cases, be glad to withdraw. This does not necessarily indicate that their invest- ment has been unprofitable. Often, the equipment notes coming due, they would prefer to sell the property i-ather than to be obliged to pay the notes. In a goodmany cases these local parties took hold of the matter out of public spirit, not intending to make a long-time investment of their money in this direction. In other cases the building of the roads was undertaken as a sort of side issue to some other development, and this being accom- plished, the promoters, for individual reasons, would prefer to part with the roads on a fair basis rather than to hold them longer. There are cases, and undoubtedly many of them, where a system is found not to pay on its present capitalization, and in such cases the present owners are ready to part with their property at a price which would place it on a paying basis. In any of these instances of already established roads, .the would-be purchaser can easily ascertain what the paying basis actually is, and he caa also examine well into the possibilities and probabilities of future develop- ment in traflSc. These instances are frequent throughout the South, and would well repay the investigation of the capitalist. In the use of the word capitalist we do not mean to include the investor who is prepared Uj invest only in a few bonds. We refer to the man or to the syndicate pre- pared to take the entire road. 10 FINANCIAL AND INPl'STEIAL HANDBOOK OF GEOEGIA. SAVANNAH, Its Position as a Shipping Pokt — Taxation and Population — Cotton and Naval Stores. Savannah is pre eminently a shipping port. The region immediately surrounding the city is taken up with truck gardening to supply the urban demands. As a shipping port it stands firsc in naval stores, third in cotton, and is well up on the list for lumber. It has regular coast line steamers and large steamships, and sailing vessels ply between this and large foreign ports in all parts of the world. The main difficulty Savannah has had as a port has arisen from the fact that it lies on a not too deep river, being 18 miles from the open sea. Of cour>e this gives vessels excellent protection after Ihey once get into port, but the difhculty has been to get into the river. For some lime a system- ' atic dredging has been carried on, and jetties have been constructed to protect the channel thus made. At the jiresent time a minimum depth of some over 22 feet at mean high tide has been obtained, and in about two years vessels drawing 20 feet wull be able to steam up to the docks along the river side. Eecently a large seagoing Italian steamship drawing, wlien fully loaded, 26 feet, took on a cargo of cotton at the docks. She was the largest vessel which had ever entered the river. Savannah has now a population of about 65,000. Last year $498,584 taxes were levied on $33,238,983 of taxable property as follows: Real estate $21 ,200,788 Banking capital $9,798,602 Ground rent lots 1,362,7(10 Shipping 9.')(i,.'550 Stockintiade 2,231,603 Tot. bonded indebt., Jan. 1. '94. . 3,494,400 Personal pioperty 4,688,740 The city boasts the largest artesian water supply in the country, its water works having cost $410,660, for which no bonds were issued. SHIPPING AND NAVAL STOKES. The vessels which came to this port in 1893 nun)bered 975, with a total tonnage of 1,008,083. They were divided as follows: American steam- ships, 372; American sailing vessels, 242; foreign steamships, 113; foreign sailing vessels, 248. (The increase in tonnage in 1892-'93 over 1891-'92 was 166,7(i6 or nearly ten per cent.) The shipments of naval stores in the eleven months from April 1, 1893 to March 1, 1894, were 256,889 casks of spirits, and 915,623 packages of rosin, making Savannah, as before stated, the foremost port for naval stoies in the country. But it is as a shipping point for cotton that Savannah holds up its head as the representative Geoigia port. New Orleans and Galveston are the only points which beat it. It received 11.78 per cent of the entire crop during the season of ]892-'93, as compared with 11.35 per cent in 1891-'92. It stands foremost as the s-hipping point for that best of Anerican cotton, Sea island. During the f-eason of 1892-"93 it received 78.08 per cent of tliat crop, as against 71.07 per cent in 1891- '92. Net receipts of cotton at any one port, lor any one year as compared with othei years, furnish rather misleading figures, as the amount of the entile cjop neces^sarily varies greatly from jear to year, but in ]892-'9o Savannah received 791,211 bales of total ret receipts at all ports of 6,(88,- S92 bales. In 1891-"92 it received 1,026,623 bales of a total of 7,137,900 bales. Of the total fhipments in 1892-'93 of 792,550 bales, there were shipped coastwise, 424,687 bales; to Liverpool, 61,711 hales; to France, 24,277 halts; to olhfr Euiojean countries, including eveiy contirfntal counlry laving Kaports, 279,280 bales; while 2,145 bales were used for home and interior consumption. FINANCIAL AND INDUSTKIAI. HANDBOOK OF GEOBGIA. 11 SOUTHEASTERN GEORGIA. WAYCROBt*, BkUNSWICK AND TUE COAST REGION — WHERE THE CaPI- TALIBT AND InVESTOK CAN PlACE THEIK MoNEY TO ADVANTAGE. The average tourist passing through Georgia to Florida, seeing south- eastern Georgia from the car windows, remarks: "What a G'>d-f<)rsaken country this is," little dreaming that he is judging of the entire state and this coast region by a very poor part of it. Take, for example, Way- cross. When our representative got off the train there, he was not at all favorably impressed. Its stragiiling houses and outward appearance of the deadest kind of inactivity would not indicate a place of 5,000 inhabitants, a town growing faster, with a conservative growth, than any other town in Georgia. So much for fust impressions. Under the direction of a well-informed gentleman, he was enabled to study the town and to see it in ^difierent light. Waycross is at the junction of the Brunswick & Western and the Savannah, Florida & Western, both roads of the Plant system. Thus it gets direct and important connection with southern Alabama, Florida, and southern and eastern Georgia. It is essentially a Plant town. It is not conductf'd on boom principles in the least. Indeed, it has been the aim of those interested in the town to make its growth careful and con- servative. It has sevei'al small manufacturing plants, begun in a small way, run on business principles and all doing well. The large Plant system will establish its shops here in time, as Waycross is the centre of its diverging lines. Land for this purpose is, we are informed on good author- ity, alreatly purcha^^ed. George M. Pullman selected Waycross as the proper place to build his southern shops when such become necessary, as they mus^. There is already formed a company which will erect a plant for the building of freight cars in the near future. The land about the town is well adapted to farming. There is in Way- cross a nursery which is meeting with unqualified success. The town is the centre of a large timber country which is dotted with lumber camps. All these things do not appear to the casual observer, but they are tending toward the making of the town, and the advantages which ap- pear on a closer investigation will commend it to capitalists, industries and the shrewd investor. BRUNSWICK. This place of 9,000 inhabitants is an enterprising and considerable sea- port. It exports more lumber than any other southern port. Regular lines of steamers and sailing vessels run to New York and Philadelphia., and ships of the coastwise, as well as the foreign trade, are constantly loading at the wharves. At the present writing twenty sea-going vessels are in this port, and this is by no means more than the tisual number. The har- bor is very fine, being fully 30 to -10 feet deep for some ways inland beyond the city. A bar, created by sand driffed around a wreck, has been for some time the only trouble, but this is being cleared away, and now vessels of deep draught can cross it with ease. Around the city are 4() miles of possible wharfage. Hence there can be no monopoly in this direction. Two large systems of railway, the Plant and the Smithern, give excel- lent railroad facilities to the interior Both these companies have splen- did wharfiige terminals here. The city is said to be very healthy. It is supplied with water from artesian wells, of which there are now 15. It has a well-equipped fire department, modern buildings and is just putting in an excellent sanitary system of sewers. In short, it is not a decrepit southern town, but a modern enterprising shipping port. 12 FINANCIAL ANI> INDUSTBIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. The entire southeastern region furnishes excellent CHANCES FOB INVESTMENT and the profitable location of industries. It is largely a timber country and these lands can be worked to great profit. A Michigan lumberman, owning large tracts in that state, has very recently bought a large tract of timber lands a short way up the river from here. Lands in this region are being put to agricultural uses with the best of results. Such lands can be bought within a mile of the city at $10 per acre and further back in the country at prices ranging down to $1 per acre for good lands, which only need to be cleared. In this country the soil can be tilled 12 months in the year, and at least three crops can be raised. Garden truck is very profitable. Fruits of all kinds are raised, ex- eellent shipping facilities giving close markets. Peaches, pears, grapes, etc., of the very best quality ai'e grown in the country surrounding this place. That agriculture can be very profitably pursued in this region is not a matter of surmise, but of proof by actual results. Enough fruit is raised hereabout to make a canning factory, not only certain of success but necessary. A cotton factory is already well estab- lished in Brunswick, manufacturing yarns. Its success demonstrates the fact that other cotton mills might locate here to advantage. Cotton is obtainable near by, living for operatives is cheap, labor and land can be obtained at a low cost, shipping facilities are such as to ensure low rates and quick delivery to northern points. ►« Between Brunswick and Savannah is an industry of especial interest. It is a tan yard, where hides are tanned by the use of the palmetto. This is the only plant of its kind yet established, and is in successful operation. The palmetto is an obnoxious weed, altogether too plentiful along this coast region. It has been found that the roots will tan hides equally as well as tan bark, and they are much more easily obtainable. Nor is there any difBculty in getting hides, of which Georgia and Florida produce plenty. • CITY PROPERTIES. Town lands in the places we have mentioned, and in other promising places of this region, can be obtained at fair prices. It is, perhaps, unneces- sary to urge that great care should be used in the selection of a location for investment. It is only fair to add that the towns of this region have none of the boom element in them at the present time. There is here a good example of the chance for street railway invest- ment, of which we have previously written. Up to February this city had a mule street car line. The company failed and sold out its property. The sale was declared illegal, and the property is now in litigation. As neither the new nor the old company has a certain equity in the road, neither cares to operate it. We are informed that there is no doubt that the city would condemn the franchise and grant a new one to any company which would put in an electric line. To one accustomed to the extension and operation of electric lines there can be no doubt that such a road would pay well, if managed on business principles. In fact, the city is suffering for want of a street railroad. Some one should take hold of it. People liere are "waiting for matters to develop." FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. IC GEORGIA WIREGRASS COUNTRY. Local Banks Take Care of What Farm Loans Are Offered. Thomasville is known throughout the North as a winter resort. There are three large hotels here, which open up only during the winter season. A good many of the richer of these tourists have bought farming property and are cultivating it as a sort of pastime. This buying has very con- siderably advanced the pHce of farming lands in the immediate vicinity of the city. Cotton is still the large crop hereabout, though the low price of that staplft in the last few years has caused a very considerable decrease in the acreage in this vicinity. But it has had a good effect in diversifying the product of the 30ll. As one approaches tnis city from the east, he sees on every hand pear orchards. Of these there are a great many, not only large growers but a large number of the small farmers have a few trees. Fruits of other sorts — especially peaches — are raised in no small number. This city is the centre of the Georgia watermelon region. Tne shipping of melons to the North is now a regular industry, and it is asserted that the crop regularly pays a handsome profit. In fact, in this section cotton hae been made a sort of by-product with the small farmer. timber lands. Timber lands are to be found in profusion hereabout, but we understand there are few of them for sale, in this region, at any rate. Turpentine camps have been widely established, and the extraction of the sap from the trees tends to weaken them, in some measure. The farmer of this region does not often ask for loans. So few are the offerings that the local banks can easily take care of all that are offered and this at rates less than the northern investor demands when one con- siders the commissions required by the loaning agent. Loans on city property can be obtained in many cases, and valuable city property is for sale in many of these small cities. Thomasville may be described as a very pretty winter resort. It has about 6,000 inhabitants. Its stores are mostly of brick and the houses are, for a large part, substantial, modern dwellings. Several northerners have built fine winter residences here, and naturally this increases the taxes of the city by no small amount. There are no manufacturing estab- lishments, except a cigar fa^^tory, so that Thomasville is almost wholly a mercantile city and dependent upon the surrounding farming country. A growing town. The same may be said of Valdosta, a town of 5,000 inhabitants, i'H- miles east of here. This town has had a very rapid growth in the past few years. It is at present building several brick business blocks, though some already built have no tenants. The town wears an air of mercantile prosperity. All the towns in the region round about Thomasville are shipping points for lumber, cotton and fruit, as well as naval stores. Most of the latter is consigned to Savannah, where it is trans-shipped to vessels. 14 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. SOUTHWEST GEORGIA. Columbus, Americus and Albany — Watermelons, Olives and Nuts — Diversified Resources of the Region. The southwestern part of the state, from Valdosta west and Florida north to Cohimbus, presents excellent chances, particularly to the intelli- gent and energetic settler with a little capital. We have already spoken of the melon fields around Thomasville. But melons are not the only crop which is largely raised in this fertile region. Cotton, of course, predom- inates. The present low price of cotton, however, does not render this a very profitable crop, except in the case of Sea Island. This variety is raised to a considerable extent in this region. It is very similar to that raised on the Sea Islands, being produced from the same seed. This cotton, being longer in staple and stronger, sells for nearly twice the price of ordinary cotton. The native farmer sticks very tenaciously to cotton. He is thoroughly conversant with that crop, and he will not flee to things he knows nothing of, even at an almost unprofitable price for cotton, and even though he sees others getting rich out of other crops, with little more land than he has. But in this section there are a great many eastern and western people, Avho have bought up lands, and are piling up very comfortable competen- cies — not by planting with cotton, but by putting in fruit trees, grapes, figs, nuts, vegetables, grain, etc. 'i'his section will, in fact, produce a great variety of crops, as experience shows, and hence the land makes ap admirable investment. watermelons. This is the great Georgia watermelon belt. About eight miles south of Albany is the farm of F. F. Putney. Mr. Putney was, up to 28 years ago, a northern man. He came here with very little capital, which he invested in lands which he cultivated himself. By energetic, judicious work he has gradually bought about 20,000 acres and amassed a very considerable for- tune. Much of his money has been made out of watermelons, in which crop he is a firm believer. He gets his melons into the New York market early in July, on the average, and gets a very fine price for them. For the seven years that he has planted watermelons he has made a profit aver- aging ^20 per acre, and some seasons his profit has been as high as $50 per acre. Watermelons are not his only crop, however. He raises a great deal of very fine cotton, using the best of machinery and fertilizers. He also raises corn, oats, peas, etc. An industry which has been given a trial in the same region is the raising of olives and nuts. Dr. W. A. Duncan, owning a farm about 14 miles from Albany, has made some interesting experiments in the production of these articles. It was entirely a matter of experiment, and the success achieved demonstrates that there is money to be made in both olives and nuts. The olives, which require very little care, are doing nicely. Such a crop will pay hand- -somely on the investment. For nuts, Dr. Duncan raises filberts, pecans and English walnuts. The region between Albany and Americus is largely planted with the Leconte pear. This industry is gi'owing and has proved exceedingly profit- able. This year the blight destroyed the crop, but with the profit made on a good crop one good year, the grower can easily stand occasional blights. Land in this region is sufficiently cheap. Good arable land can he FIXANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. 15 obtained at from $5 to $25 per acre, depending upon the proximity to a railroad or large town. ALBANY, AMERICUS AND COLUMBU.S are the centres of this region. Albany is a city of al)oat 0,000 inhabitants and is situated on the Flint river. It thus has direot river connection with the Gulf. This, with six radiating railroads, gives it excellent shipping facilities, at the same time miking the city a natural centre for a very large region. It has numerous artesian wells, a line water works system, excellent sanitary .sewerage, graded schools, several banks, electric lights, etc. Albany receives about 60,000 bales of cotton annually. It is the centre for investment in very considerable areas of land, which can be had at a very low price and be cultivated at a large profit. Americus is a city of about 8,000 inhabitants. It is chiefly a mercan- tile centre, being the centre of trade for about 10 counties. It has also several m mufacturing plants, some of considerable size. It has excellent railroad facilities; three direct lines north and west, and three to Florida and the seaports of Savannah and Brunswick. It has all the modern con- veniences, such as an electric lighting plant, waterworks system, telephone exchange, paid fire department, etc., etc. Real estate can be obtained at very reasonal)le prices, though the market is constantly advancing. The peojile are very anxious to locate factories in Americus, and they hold out very good inducements. Columbus, with about 2.5,000 inhabitants, is situated in the Chattahoo- chee valley and is the commercial centre of southwestern Georgia, south- eastern Alabama and western Florida. Its jobbing houses reach out all over this territory, with the aid of ample transportation facilities. But it .shines forth brightest as a manufacturing town, and as such is called the "Lowell of the South." Four large cotton mills ai'e located here, one being one of the largest in the South. There are also a large flour mill, iron works, the largest clothing factories in the state, the only jute bagging mill in the state, ice plant, plow works, wood working factories, oil mill, cigar factory, etc. ; in all about 40 manufacturing enterprises, with a total annual production of about $10,000,000. And still there are opportunities of the best sort for the investment of capital in other industries here, or in factories of the same kind as those now established. Columbus is a mod- ern city with ail the metropolitan conveniencies, beautiful residences, churches, schools, public b lildings an 1 businass blocks. As a residence city it cannot be surpassed in this part of the South. 16 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. FORT VALLEY AND PEACHES. Lack of Local Capital Lets Surprising Chances Go Begging — What the Town and Surrounding Country Offers. Fort Valley is a point which deserves especial attention from the investor and the would-be settler. Its principal attraction is peaches, but it has others. The Investor some time atro called attention to the chances for investment in Houston county, of which Fort Valley is the centre. We found here an enterprising, prosperous, substantial town of about 2,500 inhabitants, which is a considerable railroad centre, and hence well situated as a mercantile and shipping town. It is situated on a ridge, 528 feet above the sea-level. From it water flows in each direction — toward th" Gulf and toward the Atlantic. Its altitude — the highest in south Georgia — and its natural drainage render it a very healthy resort, well worth the notice of northern tourists. It is free from malaria and has, we are told, a splendid climate throughout the year. It is by no means a boom town built by the enormous surrounding peach industries, but is AN OLD TOWN, with an excellent system of public schools fully abreast of the times, sev- eral churches, substantial business blocks and a population of good social standing. It has a complete system of waterworks, affording ample water for domestic and manufacturing purposes, which would be furnished new industries at a nominal rate. In this line there are especially needed here a cotton compress, cotton-seed oil mill, ice factory and electric light plant. The cen ral location of Fort Valley renders these things necessary and cer- tain of success. One of the things needed, and perhaps the most necessary and the most lucrative, would be first-class banking facilities. There is already a private bank, but it is not adequate, it seems to us, for a town of this size and importance. An investment in banking capital here would without doubt prove very profitable, as the rate of discount is 12 per cent, and plenty of good paper is offering. There is not sufficient local capital at hand to take all the good paper offered. The town has no debt, and has had no failures during the past depression. We have spokienof the heaUhfulness and the equable climate. It seems to us that there is no better place for a large hf>tel for the accommodation of winter tourists, who stop in Georgia on their way to Florida. There is at present a well-built two-story modern brick hotel here, which could be utilized in this way, with additions. The high, dry climate would attract northern tourists. The rich agricultural country surrounding is well adapted to the growth of apples, pears, plums, grapes, berries, cotton, corn, oats, rye, wheat, vegetables, etc., all of which are now being largely cultivated. But the principal product consists of peaches. The Fort Valley region is famous everywhere as the Georgia peach country. Our representative had the pleasure of an afternoon's diivewith Capt. J. B. James, who is manager of eight peach orchards, comprising about 7,000 acres. These orchards are owned each by a stock company largely composed of northern investors, who are now about to realize large profits from their investment. When one looks into these profits he realizes that all "gold mines" are not by any means underground. During the four years immediately succeeding planting, if the trees are not al- ready grown, nothing more than the running expense, if even that, is realized; but once the trees begin to bear, the profits are enormous. One or two good years pay for the entire investment. FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OK GEORGIA. 17 Good land can be had at from $5 to $25 per acre, according to prox- imity to railroads. The right kind of land, say four or five miles from the railroad, can be had for $10, with nominal improvements. Lands with peach trees in any stage of growth may be had from the large companies at a reasonable price. When we say that one of these acres in peaches has produced $.500 clear profit in a single season it seems almost incredible, and yet such is a fact, and there are plenty more acres obtainable which will do the same in a good year. Do you wonder that the Fort Valley peaches have attracted capital from 11 states, to the extent of over a mil- lion trees? THE ELBERTA PEACH is the principal variety, and is the one on which $500 per acre was cleared. Many other varieties are planted. Lady Ingold being second favorite, be- cause it is an early peach, and can be put on the New York market in June. These trees can be obtained at the nurseries here for about $50 to the thousand. After planting, if one commences with the sprout, the young tree will not bear until the fourth summer, and even then it does not hold the fruit well. Indeed, Capt. James says that one must expect to wait until the sixth year before getting a good crop, and that one crop will pay many times over for the land. While waiting for the trees to grow, cotton, corn, peas, or the like, can be planted during the first two years. Of course, one can save a part of his land and plant with some quick crop as above. This is what Capt. James always does. Even this, however, does not pay the running expenses. After the trees get to bearing size, a ci*op eyorj year must not be ex- pected. Two failures in five years will be probable, but even with only two fair average crops in five years the profit per annum will be large. Experience indicates an average of 20 to 30 per cent. LABOR IS CHEAP and there is plenty of it. One experienced superintendent is required un- less one is going to take charge himself; then he must let the experience of those in the business govern him. One dollar per day will get the very best of hard-working, faithful negro labor, while women in the picking season can be hired for 40 to 60 cents per day, in each case feeding them- selves and working from sun-up to sun-down. Shipping facilities are of the very best. In two years 1,000,000 trees in this section will be sending to the market 2,000 car loads in the season of about a month and a half. These peaches get into the market at the very beginning of the season, and are almost wholly out of the way before other peaches begin to come in. This, with their fine quality, makes them bring high prices. One might think the market was in danger of being glutted, but one must remember, first, the peach is a popular fruit; sec- ond, these peaches find an early market; third, peaches were successfully exported to England this summer from California, which is three days further from that market than the Fort Valley region; and fourth, let us use Capt. James's expression: "If," said he, "you should turn the entire population of New York city loose among our million trees in a good sea- son, they would carry away every peach in their pocket handkerchiefs." The inhabitants of Fort Valley will be glad to welcome all honest, con- servative, first-class people, whether capitalists or colonizers. There is no sectional feeling, and any settlers of this class would find a warm welcome. 18 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. MACON, GEORGIA. The Geographical Centre of the State — Large Wholesale Trade — A Rapidly-Growing, Trogressive City — Facts aisd Figures. Macon is well named the "Ceutral City of Georgia," for not only is it the geojijrapliical centre of the staie, biic also the converging pjiut for transportation, trade, agricultiue and in-iuufactuiing. Its ad van ages will well repay the careful investigation of the investor who, realizing th« excelling investment opportuuitie;:) offered by the !South, desires to purchase real estate or loan money. He will liud in Macon all the con- ditions which go to make up progress, and none of the drawbacks. He will find a wellestab.ished city, wnose growth is aud has been con>erva- tive aui sate, where the bjom element Ilis not entered. He vs'ill liud also the natural centre for investment in a large aud wideiy diversitied regitm. One has only to look at a railroad map to see that xMacon is tne iraus- portalion centre of the state. Liues Orauoh out in every ilirectiou, reacH- ing directly all the large cities ot the state, aud through them the entire country. These roads, centering at Mac;ou, run througu the most produc- tive regions of the state. One fully expects to find, therefore, that M icon is the ceutre for the wholesale trade of Georgia, and so it is. Here is the largest inlaud cotton market in Georgia. Abjut a quarter of a million bales of cotton are handled here annually, whijh brings to the recad merchants and to the banks a business of between .f(jiJO,OJL) and .$?OJ,OOJ aanuaily. Micou is also an important shipping point for lumber and fruit. Drumiuein, repre- senting its jobbing houses, are met with all over the state, giving practical proof of the exten.«ive dealings and number of its wh le.'^ale linns. In fact, its wholesale trade is a most important part of Macon's commercial industry, and it plays an important and rapidly-growing part in the city's development, representing at the present time a business of fully $50,U00,- 000 annually. Ample oanking facilities are provided for the city's immense business. In this line about a million aud a half ot capital is invested in Maoon. MACON IS GROWING RAPIDLY. Its population in ISdO was 12,794, and in 1890 it included within its limits 22,746 persons, an increase of 79 per c-ent, a larger percentage of in- crease than that of any of the other large Georgia cities. It is still grow- ing at the .same rapid pace, albeit with a steady growth, aud now has about 30,000 inhabitants. It should be expiained here that the city limits of Macon are only of a mile radius, while the limits of the other large Georgia cities have a three-mile radius. Within three miles of its centre Macon has? nearly 40,0')0 iahibitants. Its tax valuation in 1889 was $11,- 300,42:{, and in 1891 this had increased to $14,623,999, the bonded iudebt- eduess being the sane in each year, $.5651,800. The post-office receipts may be taken as a good indication of the increase in the volume ot the city's business. The receipts for the year ending March 31, 1S85, were $28,762.01; lor the year ending March 31, 1890, $45,390.9(1; lor the year ending March 31, 1892, $.53,.5w0.60, making VI aeon in this year a posi-oliice of the tiist class. The increase of its population, taxable properly and post-offi -e receipts leads the observant investigator to one conclusion, that Mac(m is growing very rapidly as a commercial centre. But its \^hole^ale traUe is not Macon's only stand-by. It is a manufac- turing city of no mean importance. Its luauutaciuriug statistics are as follows: Num ler of industries report* d 40 Wages pai<1 $1,085,076 No. <»f establiHiiineiits repi>rte'l . ItU Cost of materials used ■l,r>'H,m Capital iuveste 1 $",60?,!);7 Value of products 4,ai+,MU Hands employed .5, U2 The 40 industries cover a very wide ground. FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL, HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. 19 AS A RESIDENCE CITY it is said that Macon is the third most healthy city in the country. The people boast of the fact that its educational facilities are unsurpassed in the South. The Wesleyan Female Culle.ii;e and the Mercer University, each with about 300 students, are located witliin the city limits. Here also are two Catholic colleges. Social advantages are in every way of the very best. Any one who comes here expecring to find nothing Init dilap- idated dwellings will be greatly surprised, as Macon has a gre.it many very liand.some residences, attesting its wealth and refinement, and the majority of its houses are neat and modern structures. Tlie same may be said of its business blocks. Theyare substantial, imposing, sensible build- ings. We .are particularly impresse i with the public buildings of which Macon has many. A post-ortice and government court house, a public library and a city hall especially attract the newcomer. The lire department, water, sewerage, electric light and street railway systems are all thoroughly modern, and Micon is very justly proud of them. In short it may be truthfully said that Macon offers most EXCELLENT CHANCES FOR INVESTMENT. Its financial men tell us that not nearly all the loans offered can be taken at home. Excellent loans can be made on business, re^^idence or agricul- tural property here or in tlie neighborhood, the security offered being worth usually two or three times, at a conservative valuation, the amount of the loan. Two or chree responsible loan companies and several private individuals are now engaged in placing mortgages with northern people. These agents are always glad to give more detailed information in regard to specified investments, and there has been issued a pamphlet (obtainable for the asking), thoroughly illustrated, which gives an accurate idea of the city. Not only this, but Macon is a considerable centre for investment in agricultural lands. A great deal of property very valuable for the culti- vation of fruit or other agricultural products, is listed here. The people of Macon would gladly aid any substantial manufacturing industry which might care to locate in the South. In fact, Macon has plenty to a'tract in- vestment, whether by the small investor or the lai'ge capitalist. 20 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. '^PIEDMONT GEORGIA." A Mining District — Agriculture — Gainesville and Athens. The section around Gainesville offers a great many inducements to the capitalist and the home-seeker. To the former it offers water power, tim- ber and minerals; to the latter, cheap lands of a productive soil, excellent climate and good society. The term "Piedmont" is properly applied to this region because it is literally at the foot of the mountains, with all the advantages which that location implies. Properly speaking, all northern Georgia, including the region around Rome already described, should come under this head. The mountain air is bracing and healthful, tempering the hot summer sun. The winds driven from the coast against the moun- tains give up their moisture and keep the lands always sufficiently moist. The mountains, moreover, are filled with minerals which need only to be worked l>y modern machinery to yield a handsome profit. The timber lands of this section would make a good investment. There are very many varieties and an endless supply, including pine, black walnut, hickory, oak of various sorts, ash, locust and cherry. Water-power for mills, both for sawing and manufacture, is excellent and convenient to any given locality, streams being very numerous and rapid. All that this in- dustry needs is men of energy and means to develop it. GOLD, of the minerals, is perhaps the most important in the region of which Gainesville is the railroad and Dahlonega the geograpical and mercantile centre. Before the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, this part of Georgia was quite famous as a gold producing country, an old government mint lacing located at Dahlonega. With the fever for western emigration the mining districts were deserted and have never been thoroughly worked since. The auriferous slate and quartz of Georgia is being profitably worked and can be mined and milled in much greater quantities with the same profit. Modern machinery applied here will make this section much more productive of gold than ever before. The Hand and Barlow mines in Lumpkin county are the only ones now in operation, and they have steadily yielded a good supply of the precious metal. It is min^d both from alluvial and vein deposits. Other minerals are found in large quan- tities. The late Dr. M. S. Stephenson, a scientist of note, said: "Near Gainesville, in Hall county, Georgia, can be found a greater DIVERSITY OF MINERALS, metals and precious stones than in any section of equal area on earth." Plumbago, soapstone, kaolin, mica, asbestos, copper pyrites, limestones, bauxite, corundum, tourmaline, granite, iron, and even diamonds of first quality are found. 'F'o any capitalist or body of investors who have any desire to invest in or work mineral lands, the Piedmont region of Georgia will well repay investigation. Agriculture is about the same, in point of variety, as in the Rome re- gion. The products which thrive best are those of the temperate zone. Apples, pears, grapes and such fruits well repay cultivation. Grains, corn, grasses and vegetables are largely raised. Cotton is the main prod- uct. Lands in the Piedmont region are within the reach of all as to price. Values vary according as the land is river bottom, creek bottom, upland or highland and in the order named. GAINESVILLE is a city of about 5,000 inhabitants, with substantial business blocks, pretty residences and modern conveniences. As a chicken, egg and butter FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. 21 market it is claimed to be the largest in Georgia, trade in these staples amounting to $500,000 per annum. It has several manufactories, most of them small but prosperous. Athens is on the edge of this district and in the centre of a famous cotton region. It is a typical old Georgia town of some wealth and con- siderable aristocracy, though not of an exclusive kind. It is a university town of about 10,000 inhabitants. Here is located the University of Georgia, the Lucy Cobb College for girls, and several smaller schools. It is as a cotton market that Athens is famous. Railroads branching out in all directions render a large region tributary to her merchants and busi- ness houses. NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA. kome and the mountain region — excellent farming lands — Minerals. In that part of Georgia adjacent to Rome we get up into the mountain re- gions of the state where the agricultural products are rather of the temperate Kone than tropical. Nevertheless, we have not yet left the cotton belt for, as everywhere in Georgia, cotton is here the staple product. Every farmer raises it and unfortunately many farmers raise little else. Still, there are a great many products which can easily be raised with good profit. Indeed, this region offers great inducements to the colonizer to settle here, and here he will come in numbers if the exodus from the North and West to the South continues as it has begun. This is what makes the farming lands valuable as an investment. Excellent land sells hereabout for $10 an acre, ranging from that price upward according to conditions. Agricultural land can be obtained for less but not of the first class sort unless in large tracts, when probably $5 to $8 would be the price. As for products, as I have before stated, they are mostly of the temper- ate zone. Grains, it is claimed, do fully as well, if not better, than the same crops in the West, and there is no danger of drought or dry winds. The climate is mild, pleasant and equable. The counti'y has seen the strange spectacle of this region shipping corn to the hot wind-swept re- gions of the West. The grains and corn raised here are of the very best quality, the corn being very sweet and full-eared. Clover and grasses grow luxuriantly here. There is a good opportunity to raise hay and clover for shipment to northern markets. Lands are cheap, extensive tracts can be easily handled, and the grasses grow rapidly and rank. Properly produced, good returns on capital and labor expended would be sure to follow. FRUITS. The inhabitants, those who have tried it, say that there is no better place in the country for the raising of apples. This region combines the necessary climatic conditions of the temperate zone with the rich soil of the tropics. Being at the foot of the mountains, condensing air dives at all seasons sufficient moisture. Apple raising is not an experi- ment here. It has been carried on in a rather hap-hazard way for many years. Peaches, pears and grapes are grown here in no small degree, and systematic effort would give large returns. MINERALS. Iron is found in large quantities in this region, especially around Cartersville, which is the centre of the iron mining region of Georgia. The iron is good quality and there is a great deal of it in hills as yet unworked under ground which is for sale at reasonable prices. There are many man- ufactories hereabout using the iron, and a good chance for many more. The 22 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL, HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. water power is unexcelled. The Oostanaula and Etowah and the smaller streams are mountain rivers with immense power which can be utilized at any time. Bauxite is mined here in large quantities. This region has what are believed to be the largest deposits in the world. Bauxite is the mineral from which aluminum is most successfully produced. The importance and constantly increasing u.se of aluminum makes the bauxite deposits very valuable. Here is a chance to establish an industry which is yet in a very young infancy. Manganese is found in sufficient quantities to pay for the mining and to give a good profit beside. Building stones are quarried here in large quan- tities and are of excellent quality. Limestone, of finest quality, is found in great abundance. ROME is the largest city and the natural distributing point of this region. It is a place of about 12,000 inhabitants, and besides being a mercantile centre, is a manufacturing point of no small importance. The industries are very varied, but iron mills predominate. Wooden goods are considerably manufactured and also cotton goods. Rome has excellent transportation facilities. The Southern railway system passes through the city, and the Louisville & Nashville has a terminus here. Besides these big trunk lines several small roads reach out in various directions, enabling Rome's merchants, wholesale and retail, to handle the products of this section and draw trade from a large area. ATLANTA. Thk Coming Metropolis of the South— Great Trade and Manufac- TuiiiNd Centrk — Phenomenal Growth Demonstrated by Facts AND Figures — A Beautiful Residence City. As a practi<^al illustration of the fact that Atlanta is the natural centre of 10 southern states, exceedingly varied in resources, Virginia, West Vii'ginia, North Carolina. South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky — one has but to turn to a map of the United States and follow these instructions: Place one end of a string at Richmond, Va., and the other at New Orleans, La.; the ends of a second string at Cincinnati, O., and Apalachicolar, Fla. ; a third at Chicago, III., and Tampa, Fla. : a fourth at St. Louis, Mo., and Brunswick, Ga. ; a fifth at St. Lcmis, Mo., and Jacksonville, Fla.; a sixth at Memphis, Tenn., and Charleston, South Carolina; and a seventh at New York and New Orleans, and every string will pass within a very ffcw miles of Atlanta, so that 30 miles will cover every cross. More- over, one will find that important railroad systems follow practically the direction taken by each string, all centering at Atlanta. No wonder, then, that Atlanta is called the "Gate City of the South." A radius of 200 miles, besides covering a rich agricultural country produc- ing nearly everything indigenous to the tropical and temperate zones also includes a greater variety of .ninerals, for the most part in great abund- ance, than would be included by the same radius from any other large city in the country. Here will be found iron, coal, magnese, gold in large quantities, silver, copper, granite, marble, slate, lead, graphite, soapstone, sandstone, limestone, flexible sandstone — in which is found the diamond — mica, talc, kaolin, asbestos, corundum, bauxite and other less important minerals. Indeed most of these are found within 50 miles of Atlanta. Tributary to this city are the trade and products of a very large area de- voted uot only to agriculture of every sort, but to manufacturing .of great FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. 23 variety and amount, to minirg and to timber cutting. No wonder then at tlie rapid growth and develDpnieut of this southern metropolis, no doubt of her future enlargement and prosperity. It is, perhaps, as A MANUFACTURING CITY that Atlanta is most marked. One notices not so much the size of her manufacturing plants as tlieir number and variety. And herein lies her 8tre!igih. For the most part Atlanta's industries are small and gntwing. "Great oaks from little acorns grow." These small industries will en- large, with each extension adding to the size, importance and pros- perity of the city. Like the farmer who varies his crops, the variety of her industries will prove an excellent policy. As a wholesale centre, Atlanta is rapidly making for herself the title she so much covets — the "Metropolis of the South." Several immense wholesale houses whose names are known all over the country are her pioneers in encroaching upon territory, until within a short time held with- out dispute by her laruer sisters. She has much to struggle aijainst but she has an energy and a push which are amazing. It is the same, energy which has sounded her name sharp in the ears of the whole country. The same deterniination and hard work are with her to-day as when 'she grew from 1(),()()0 in 1IS60, 22,(100 in 1870, 87,000 in 1880 to 65,- 533 in 181*0, and, by reliable census, to nearly, if not fully, 100,000 in 1894. No better illustration of this energy and progressive spiiit can be found than in the approaching COTTON states' AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION. Her inhabitants have gone to work on this with a zeal and enthusiasm which bids fair to piodu'-e results worthy of being placed alongside the beloved World's Fair. The country at large is just beginning to be informed of this enormous undertaking, which will culminate at the opening of the gates in September, l8i)5; bat Atlanta has been hard at work on the preliminaries for a long time, and, before this is printed, work will have been begun upon the first building. It would take more space than we have at hand to describe the plans, for they are on a magnitude .well worthy to be classed with Chicago's efforts. We are very- certain that before another twelve months is out, the whole country, in- deed the whole world, will be astonished not only at Atlanta's work, but also at Atlanta herself — this Chic;igo of the South. The immense benefit which the exposition will be to this cicy is incalculable. It will add greatly to her growth in every direction. Already, we are informed, tliere is an increasing demand for her real estate, which, by the way, caa be obtained at wonderfully reasonable prices, all conditions considered. The demand will increase as the exposition ad/ertises the city; every one who visits her fair will go away a walking advertisement and m8.rjy in- dustries will be induced to locate here as a result of personal visit 'and in- vestigation. Let alone this, Atlanta is growing with a rapiditj' which gives a con- stantly increasing value to her real estate. Her growth in population which IS not of the "boom" order, is shown in figures above. The increase of her wealth has kept the same pace, as her tax lists show. In 1859 her taxable real property aggregated $2,700,0(»0. In 1892 the figures show: Real property. $36,330,788 and personal, $13,297,859. The same rate of growth, allowing for a world-wide depression, is going on to-day. What better than ATLANTA REAL ESTATE or loans based on the same? Taxation is by no means high, the city tax being \^ per cent, which is the charter limit. Ye*: Atlanta his nok outgrown her improvements, but instead will have to grow very con- 24 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HANDBOOK OF GEORGIA. siderably before she can grow to many of them. One would expect to find that Atlanta had contracted an enormous debt in rebuilding herself, and in paying for these extensive modern improvements, but here again her energy and good judgment are shown. On January 1, 1893, her bonded debt was $2,954,000, bearing from 4 to 8 percent interest, while much less than half the amount bears more than 5 per cent interest. Her bonds are quoted at from 95 to 120, and she has had no trouble in placing them. We always believe that the business of the local post-office is the best indication of the real development of a city like Atlanta. Such figures never lie; they are unimpeachable and authentic. In 1878 the gross re- ceipts of the Atlanta post-office were $29,492.48. In 1892 they were $207,527.94. Atlanta has 20 banking institutions, with a total capital of $3,288,- 167.65, and surplus and undivided profits of $1,074,322.03. On Jan. 1, 1894, these institutions had on deposit $5,281,776.83. AS A RESIDENCE CITY, Atlanta is truly beautiful. Her residences are a revelation to any one who imagines a broken-down South. Her pride, Peachtree street, may Avell rival Cleveland's famous Euclid avenue for beauty. Her healthful- ness, salubrious climate; her splendid street transportation facilities and ■easy railway communication with the outside world; her business fatili- ties, her well-paved streets, excellent systems of lighting, warer-woiks, policing and protection against fire; her many churches and well- equipped schools; her beautiful and attractive parks and recreative re- sorts — all render her a delightful place in which to establish a home. Moreover, no one need to fear sectional feeling of any sort, except that Atlanta does not desire the class of population which degrades a city. This class she rigidly excludes, and surprisingly little can be found here. Labor is peaceable, law-abiding and to be depended upon. Political opin- ion is perfectly free, and sectional feeling finds no place here. The tem- perature, together with the climate, is by no means unbearable, it is claimed. For 14 years the average temperature for August was 78.8°. The mean annual temperature, according to the United States weather bureau, is 60°, the maximum being 94° and the minimum 13° above zero. Sunstrokes are unknown, as is also malaria. The necessaries of life are cheap, and rents, while rather high on account of sharp demand, are by no means abnormal. Atlanta people are home-loving, and this causes to be offered many loans on gilt-edged residence property of constantly ijicreasing value. Atlanta has 101 miles of electric railway, with a service which is un- surpassed anywhere. The suburbs are easily reached and are attractive, as Atlanta has shown a progressive spirit toward all those private im- provements coming within her limits. HER BUSINESS PROPERTY, as her marvelous growth would indicate, makes a good investment whether for actual buying or for mortgage loans. Her offices and stores are well rented. Her business blocks are substantial modern structures; her Jkiuitable office building would do credit to any city. Mr. T. J. Coolidge, of Boston, has just commenced the ei'ection of a seven-story business block at the corner of Broad and Marietta streets, two principal business streets. Atlanta is the natural investment centre of a very large region, and a great deal of investing and colonizing is done through this city. She is as yet remarkably free from financial sharks, and one will have no trouble in placing his funds with thoroughly reliable agents who will handle his money carefully and judiciously. A good investment will always bear careful investigation and should have it. Atlanta can successfully stand the most minute investigation. FIXANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HAND I500K OF GEORGIA. 25 THE STATE. ITS VALUATION A Georgia is one of tlic most flouvislilng of all the Southern States, ouly one of tliis group of states ex- seeding It iu population. The nuniher of inlial)itants n 1890, tlie period of the last federal eensus, was 1,S37,- (53. against 1,184,109 in 1870. The state at present :anks eleventh in i^opulation among the slates of the LTnlon. The colored population in 1890 was 47.01 per ;eut of the whole, the total number of blacks being !6.3,71t;, against 545,142 in 1870. The growth of (ieorgia n material interests has l)een commensurate with that n population. The state was one of the thirteen )riginal states of the I'uion, and has a total area of ND INDEBTEDNESS. The capital is Atlanta, and the 59,475 si|uare miles state officials are: Governor, W. V. Atkinson; Secretary of State, A. I). Candler; Treasurer, R. t^. Hardeman; Comp- troller, W. A. M'riglit; Attorney-General, J. M. Terrell; Commissioner of Agriculture, K. T. Nesbltt. The term of each of these officials expires Nov. 1, 1896. The legislature, which meets every October, is limited to a session of fifty days. VALUATION. The assessed valuation of Georgia, together with the tax rate is given below for a period of years : Vp,rs ^^*^'='' Personal ^'^'"*- Estate. Propertv. 1893 S25:J.7.54,ti34 $156,890,119 1892 258,877,830 11)2,271,679 1891 1890 225.054.915 152,31 1,869 1889 205,751,936 140,186,901 1888 195,K16,4:« 132.246,896 1885 179.946,059 119.200.739 ISSO 139.657.250 99.276.876 Railroads. $41,355,247 42,604,025 42,383,287 38,462,161 34,250.477 29.304.127 22.54vH,S18 12,490,525 1875. 1870. S2i!1.7.v>.s.>vt 226,119.519 Total. $452,000,000 4(i3.753.534 444 969.7.55 415.828,945 380,189,314 357.167,4.58 321,69.5,616 251,424,651 261.7-55,884 226,119,519 Tax per $1,000. $4.61 4.85 3.50 4.00 3.56 3^50 In connection with the railroads of Georgia, it I St. Louis R. R. at a rental of $420,012 per annum. The ihould be stated that the state owns the Western & | road extends from Atlanta, Ga., to Chattanooga, ^.tlantic R. R.. which it has leased for 29 years fr P. Ct. Paval>le. 1 * J Loans— N.\ME .A.XD Purpose. Funding bonds 1876 Redemption b(Uids..l892 7 Refunding bonds— Act of 1884 iK Refunding bonds — Act of 18S7 4'2 $100,000 i)avable each ;ear. Refunding bonds— Act of 18S9 3 -Prlncipal.- A\hen due. Outstanding. M*N .1 * J .1 & J .lulv JulV July Jan. 1, 1896 1, 1922 1, 1915 '98-1916 J & J Jan., 1917-'35 $.542,000 207,.500 3,392,0C0 1,900,000 1,833,000 275,500 $100,000 payable vearlv, 1917 to 19.34. and $33,000 in 19.35. State University bonds "......" 7 J&J 19.33 to 1942 The last mentioned issue matures as follows ; The contingent liabilities of the state ai'e $464,000 $62,000 April, 19.33; $96,000 April, 1934; $92,000 June, of South Georgia, and Florida R. R. bonds, indorsed 1935; $2,000 Julv, 1936; $15,000 February, 1939; $3,000 :)ctober. 1!U0; and $2,.500 July, 1942. Interest on the Georgia debt is payable pnl Atlanta, ia.. and at the National Park Bank, New York. by the state of Georgia, and $260,0(10 Northeastern R. R. bonds of a like nature. BANKING IN GEORGIA. State banks predominate in Georgia. The growth )f the national system is indicated by the fact that n December 189.3, there were in existence in the state !7 National Banks, against 17 in December, 1885. It should be added, however, that in December, 1892, the number of national banks was 32. The following figures cover the salient features iu connection with Georgia banking institutions, comparison being made with 1885 : -1893- National. State. Geougi.v. (Dec. 19, '93,) (Julv 1, '93) Number of banks 27 101* Cajtital $3,766,000 $10..324,5:n* Surplus and profits 1,S{9,325 2.988,497* Deposits, individual 4,911,929 14,24:3,198* * Includes savings banks. National. (Dec. 24.) 17 $2.625.r00 1,21>0,0»!9 3,827,824 -188.5- State. (June 30.) 21 $7.921,9.50 1.274.890 5.27 1,-547 26 FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HAND BOOK OF GEORGIA. VALUATIONS AND INDEBTEDNESS OF CITIES, COUNTIES AND TOWNS. Albany— Y. C. Rust, City Clerk. This City is in Dougherty County. LOANS.— AVhenDue. Water Works & Sewerage.— 6s, Jan., $96,000 Jan. 15, 1895 ($4,000 due yearly) to Jan. 15, 1918 Total debt Feb. 1, 1894 $96,000 Tax valuation, real 1,548,135 Tax valuation, personal 852,324 Total valuation 1893 2,400,459 City tax (per $1,000) 10.00 ♦Population 1890 was 4.008 *The present population is estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000. Interest is payable at the Mercantile National Bank, New York Citj'. Amprirns — i ^- S- CUTTS, Mayor. Americus. ^ henry S. Davis. Treasurer. This city is in Sumter County. LOANS.— When due. Building Bonds.— 6s, A&O, $30,0(10 Apr. 1, 1920 Sewer Bonds.— 6s, A&O, $35,000 Apr. 1, 1919 Water Bonds.— 6s, Jan. 1, $24,000 Jan. 1, '95-'18 $2,000 due every 2 vears. 6s, A40, $25,000 ". Sept. 1, 1920 Total debt Jan. 1, lb94 $114,000 Tax valuation, real 1,915,957 Tax valuation, personal 1,517,991 Total valuation 1893 3,433,948 Actual valuation 5,000,000 Total tax (per $1,000) $18.00 Population in 1890 was 22,107 Interest on the $24,000 water bonds is payable at New York or Americus on all other bonds at Balti- more, Md. Tax Free. — All of the city's bonds are exempt from taxation. Afha-na ^ W. D. O'Farrell, Mavor. Ainens. j j^ j^ Mitchell, Treasurer. ■ Athens is the county seat of Clark County. This city has never failed in the payment of principal or interest of its debt. LOANS.— "\Mien due. College Bonds 1873.— 8s, J*J, $24,500 Julv 1, 1898 Railroad Bonds, Funded 1893— 6s, J&J, $12,000 Jan. 1, 1896 to 1897 ($6,000 due yearly.) School Bonds 1886— 5s, J&J , $20,000 July 1,1916 Sewer Bonds 1891— 5s, J&J, $25,000 July 1,1921 Water Bonds 1892— 5s, M&N, $27,000 Nov. 1, 1895 to 1912 ($1,000 due vearlv.) 5s, M&N, $96,000 . . "......' Nov. 1, 1922 Interest on water works lionds is payable at New York and Athens ; on all other bonds at Athens. All coupons are receivable for citv taxes. Total Debt (all bonded) March 1, 1894, was $204,- 600. Debt Limited by State Constitution to 7 per cent of the assessed valuation. Tax Free. The college bonds are exempt from taxation. Assessed Valuation in 1894 of real estate and personal property was $5,926,914. The total assessed valuation in 1893 was $6,325,778; in 1889 it was $4,600,- 000; in 1887 it was $4,262,175. Real estate is assessed at its actual value. Population in 1890 was 8,639; in 1880 it was 6,099. Afianto S JOHN B. Goodwin, Mayor. Auania j j j^ golds.mith. Comptroller. Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton county. Since our last report the city of AVest End has been annexed and $51,000 of bonds assumed. Atlanta— Continued. LOANS.— A\nien Due. Capitol— 6s, J&J, $55,500 Jan. 1, 1914 Floating Debt— 8s, J&J, $100,000 Jan. 1, 1903 Funding — 6s, J&J, $50,000 Jan. 1, 1896 Georgia Air Line— 7s,J&J, $300,000 Jan. 1,1899 Georgia AVestern R. R.— 8s, J&J, $300,000 July 1, 1903 Redemption— 8s, J&J, $77,500 Jan. 1, 1897 8s, J&J, 18,000 Jan. 1, 1902 5s, J&J, 6S,.50O July 1, 1911 5s, J&J, 52,0{JO Sept. 1, 1915 43'j's, J&J, 116,000 Julv 1, 1916 4}^s, J&J, 22,000 Jan. 1, 1917 4}^s, J&J, 21,500 Jan. 1, 1918 4>is, J&J. 25,000 . Jan. 1,1919 4Ms, J&J, 289,000 Jan. 1,1922 4J^s. J&J, 36,000 Jan. 1,1923 i}is, J&.I, 46,000 Dec. 31, 1924 4s, J&J. 124.000 Jan.1,1920 4s, J&,L 36,000 Jan. 1,1921 Water— 7s, J&J.$299.000 Jan. 1,1904 7s, J&.T, 28,000 .. .Jan. 1, 1907 43^s, J&J, 500,000 Jan. 1, 1922 4s, J&J, 46,000 Jan. 1,1902 4s, J&J, 18,000 Jan. 1,1907 4s, J&J, 182,000 Jan. 1, 1923 West End Bonds (assumed)— 5s, $.51.000 Apr.1,1910 Par Value.— Bonds are in pieces of $100 and mul- tiples of tlie same. Interest is payable in Atlanta and at the Fourth National Bank and National Park Bank, in New York City. All issues carry tax receivable coupons. Total Debt, Sinking Funds, Etc.— The sub- joined statement shows Atlanta's total nmnicipal delit and the water debt on the first of January of each of the last four years: 1895. 1894. 1893. 1892. Tot. bond. debt. $2,962,000 $2,966,000 $2,954,000 $3,101,000 AVaterdebt 427,000 1,127,000 1,127,000 1,027,000 The city charter requires that bonds to the amount of $3,500 be purchased annually by the sinking fund and retired. In adilitiim to this requirement a sink- ing fund of $6,0(Ki annually has since been established to l)e set aside from taxes! City Property. — The city owns its waterworks, wliich are valued at $3,000,000, and other property valued at $2,000,000. Debt Limitation.— Atlanta's charter forbids the increase of the city's debt. T^vx Free. — All the above bonds are exempt from the city tax. Assessed A''aluation.— The city's assessed valu- ation (about one-half of its cash value) and tax rate have been as follows : Real Personal Tot. Assessed City Tax Years. Estate. Property. A''aluation. per $1,000. 1894 ...$42,097,780 $11,780,565 $53,878,346 $15.00 1893 . . .. 41,524,666 13.075.44:3 64,000,109 15.00 1892.... 39,201,777 14,240,968 63,442,745 15.00 1891 .... 35.502,618 14,406,332 49,907,950 15.00 1889..., 27.090.000 9,000,000 36,090,000 15.00 1888.... 25,590,681 9,0a3,617 34,594,198 15.00 The total tax rate (per $ 1 ,000) for 1893 was $23.60,'being made up of the state tax, $3.60; county tax, $5.00, and citv tax proper, $15.00. Population in 1890 was 65,533 ; in 1880 it was 37,409. Population of AA^est End in 1890 was 1,446; in 1880 it was 874. FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HAND BOOK OF GEORGIA. 27 Augusta.—.!. HiLLHOUsE Alexander, Mayor. Augusta is the countv seat of Rictiniond CJounty. The city has never failed in the payment of principal or interest of her debt. None of the following bonds are payable before maturitv. LOANS.— ■ — Interest — , . Principal . Name & purpose. P.C. Pajable. AVhen due.Outstan'g. Bonds tered M B 187.5.. ..7 A & O Apr. 1895 $88,000 M B 1875. ..7 A & O Apr. 189(i 56,000 M B 1875. A & O Apr. 1897 6-2,000 C E187,S.. M & S Mar 1898 101,.500 F B1876.. M&N Nov 1899 66,000 A C1876.. A & O Apr. 1900 8-2,000 F B1876.. M&N Nov. 1901 65,500 RB1877.. J &D Dec. 1901 -23,800 R B 1878. . J & J Jan. 1!MW 85,-^0 RB1878.. J & .1 Jan. 1903 .56,000 R 1879. . ..« J &D June 1899 48,0(K) " WW 1880.. ..() J & J Jan. 1904 106,600 A A 1880.. ..H J &D Dec. 1905 148,400 B B 1883.. ..fi F & A hVI). 1906 39,000 F I 188;^.. ..« M&N Nov. 1913 200,000 U1885.. ..« F & A Feb. 1915 45,000 RB18S9.. ..5 F & A Feb. 1919 25,000 OB 1891.. ..6 M & N Mav 19-21 105,000 EE1886.. ..4^ A & O Oct. 191H -24,500 RB1892.. ..4J^ J &D Dec. 19-2-2 11.5,000 1893.. .A% M& S Mar. w-a 98,000 1894.. ..4>i ' :m & N Mav 19-24 104,000 Bonds past due but not yet presented for pay'nt. .6,000 Par Value of Bonds.— The bonds of this citv are in pieces of $100, $500 and $1,000 each. Interest is payable in Augusta, and all coupons are tax receivable. The annual interest charge on the city's bonded debt is being steadily reduced liy the maturity of old issues of Ixinds and sulistitulion of new issues at n-duced rates ^lanri.-s can the debt of the city be incri'ased. No bonds can be lawfully issued except for tiie pur- pose of retiring old issues as they fall due. No obli- gation of this city has ever been repudiated or scaled. City Property.— The city owns its water works, valued at $600,000, the Augusta Canal, valued at $1,- 600,000. and more than $-200.(Xt0 in other good real es- tate within city limits. The annual income from ■water rents (canal and water works) is now about $90,000, and iiK-reascs yearly from new industries and new extiMisiuns ni water njains. Assessed Valuatiox.— The city's assessed valu- ation and tax rate have been as follows: Real Years. Estate. 1893 $l6.-27,s.4;i0 1892 16.46S.9.50 1891 16,MI,973 1889 15.40-2,.s.53 18.88 1.5.-24l,4.50 9,010,960 Personal Tot. Assessed City tax Property. Valuation, per $1,000. $6.44S..54.5 $22,726,995' $12.50 5.(j43,992 22.112.942 12.-50 5.309,326 21.351,299 12.50 5,010.S'-2.S -20.413.6S1 1-2.50 4,933,806 ■20.175.-2-56 15.00 5,0-28.107 14.039.(Hi7 15.83^ The average state and coimty tax is about $9.70 per $1,000. Population.— In 1890 population was 33,300; in 1880 it was 21,891. By the directory count the present population exceeds 38,000 and, including the immedi- ate suburbs, will considerably exceed 40,000. BrunsT^ick. — County seat of Glynn County. LOANS.— AVlien due. City Bonds. -$138,1.50 (?) Interest payable in Brunswick and New York City. Brunswick.— Continued. Tax valuation, 1891 $7,996,433 Citv tax (per $1,000) in 1889 1-2.50 Population in 1S90 was 8,459 Population in ISSO was '. -2,891 The sinking fund receives annually $1,000. Columbus. — County seat of Muscogee County. LOANS.— "When due. Redemption Bonds.— 7s, A&O, $36.800 Oct. 1, 189G-97 5s,J&.J, $444,000 Jan. 1,1894 (Part each year) to 1909. Par Value $.500 and inultiples of the same. All issues carry tax receivable coupons. Interest is payable at ibe dttice of City Treasurer. Total Debt on December '20,1893, was $476,700. The city lias no water debt, no Hoating debt and no sinking fund. Tax Free.— The city's bonds are exempt from tax- ation. Citv Property'.— The city owns real estate and improvements valued at $377,000. Tax Valuation (about 3^ actual value) in 1892 was $15,272,-526, in 1891 was $13,932,564. in 1890 was $8,- 178.655, in 1889 was $8,001,300, in 1888 was $7,418,005, in 1887 was $6,5-26,1-30. The city tax (per $1,000) in 1892 was $7.50; state tax, $4.'25; county tax, $2.15. In 1891 city tax was $7.50; state tax, $5.58; county tax, $2.75. The valuation of personal property assessed in 1890 was only $-201,060, and in previous years tlie amount was still less. The assessed value of taxable real es- tate for 1894 was $7,993,-2-55, at about full value for these times. The present rate of city tax is 1 per cent, and tlie state and countv tax is 68 cents on the Sloii additional. l»ui-i-LATiON in 1890 was 17,-303, in 1880 it was 10,123. Elbert County.— E. B. Tate, Chairman of County Commissioners. County seat is Elberton. LOANS.— When due. Court House and Jail.— 6s, Jan., $40,000 Jan. 1, •95--24 (Part due yearly.) Total debt Jan. 1, 1894 $40,000 Tax valuation, real 1,31.5,'226 Tax valuatii m, personal 765,479 Total valuation 1893 2,080,705 Assessment is 3-5 actual value. State and countv tax (per $1,000) $10.00 Po))ulation in 1890 was 15,376 Population in 1880 was 1'2,957 In aildition to the assessed valuation as given above, railroad property in the county to the amount of $330,(KX) is taxed for county purposes. Interest is payable at Elberton and by the Fiscal Agenc)-, New York City. Floyd County.— J. B. Hill. Treasurer. Countv seat is Rome. LOANS.— " \\lien due. Bridge Bonds.— 6s, J&J, $15,000 Nov. 1894-'99 ($2,500 due yearly.) 6s, J&J, $40,000 ■ '. 1900 to 1915 ($2,.500 due yearly.) Interest payable at Rome, Ga. Bonde^l.:3 rWlX I /All>iC, Land and Immigration. Boom 28. Old Capitol Building:, ATLANTA, GA. I have choice applications for loans of from $500 to $50,000 on improved and paying property, worth twice to six times the amount of loan desired, at 7 per cent and 8 per cent interest. Timber lands, oyster beds, munici^jal and other bonds, and some flue manufacturing stocks for sale— Bonds paying from a per cent to 8 per cent. H. W. REED, Brunswick, Ca. u X'JiHSo CO., MACON, GA., Capital, $100,000. Surplus, $5,724.96. Referent'en as to staniling of C'ofnpany, merits of Lioans and past record: lerchants Exchange National Bank, New York City, United States Investor, Boston, Mass., or any bank in Macon THE UNITED STATES INVESTOR. This little pamphlet about Georpia embraces some of the information which ■« l have been recently printing in the Initkd States lNVK.STt)R, anvehtok, amounting to $4.00, will can witli it a privilegeil subscription to our Financial Information Agency. IF YOU desire information respecting any particular railroad stock or bond. (■• the financial condition of any form of property, write to our Financial Informatii'i Agency. IF Y'OU desire to know anything about taxes, outstanding bonds or linancial condi tion of any town or city in "the United States, write to our Financial Inl'ormatioi Agency. IF YOU desire to know whether a tenant or mortgagor or agent is still renidin upon a piece of property in which you are interested, in any part of the United - write to our Financial Information Agency. IF YOU desire to know the character or value of amine or a land company wliich has Iteen offered you in any part of the United States, write to our Financial Infor- mation Agency. IF YOU desire to know the character and market value of a piece of real c^ tate in any town or city in the I'niled States, write to our Financial Informatioi Agency. IF YOU desire the names of bankers, brokers, private investors, or others, with whom you can communicate respecting any proposed In vestnuMi'" ivi.w.ii .-..n ,if.ii.-,- to oiler for sale, write to our Financial Jnlortnation Agency. THE UNITED STATES INVESTOR, FRANK P. BENNETT, Treasurer. Principal Offices: [.j[85 Franklin St., Boston. 335 Broadway, New York. 241 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Agents and Correspondents in every State of the Union.