Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: PREFACE. This volume is a collection of such facts in relation to the present and past of Alabama as best deserve preservation. Almost every State of the Federal Union has one or more volumes devoted to a like purpose; but the task has not heretofore been attempted in this State in the enlarged scope here presented. The result may be to familiarize the people with many events and facts which should not escape the memory of Alabamians. The peaceful era through which the State has passed leaves scant material for the annalist. It is with the glowing incidents of war and turbulence that the stately structure of history is reared. From what has transpired of such events the author has sifted the facts of most general interest. And the more striking features of the civil administration have also been winnowed from the mass with some care. No book about Alabama would be tolerated which failed to note her wondrous natural advantages, and this has been done herein so far as general statements will convey ideas. To swell out the volume with matter of interest, much memoranda is adduced relating to the public men of the State. Analysis, or delineation of character and talents, is not attempted, but the current and popular estimate of these persons is appended. There has been no invidious selection of individuals for remembrance in this way, but all have beenincluded of any considerable prominence in the State, at any time, in any vocation. Notoriety being the guide in the case, the more eminent personages could not be ignored even if such a desire had existed. Of many of these, only a meagre record could be obtained; of others, very full sketches are at hand; but justice required that a procrustean bed should be made, and something approximating to equal space has been devoted ...