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Well the bust was a small honor for Daniel, but look what they had planned for him in the 1930's, but it didn't work out...... c1939 Newspaper Story City of Prattville Celebrating its Heritage of 100 Honorable Years Year of Grace Crowed with Century Fetes Autauga County Capital Pays Tribute to founder and New England Ties Many More Gathering In Centennial Program
Daniel Pratt Memorial The Esther Pratt Social Center By ROBERT HUGGER Prattville, charming industrial and agricultural seat of Autauga County, snugly nestled in the Appalachian foothills, is rousing this year from routine activities to celebrate its founding a century ago, to proclaim its natural advantages, and to pay homage to those who have given it a heritage of which it is rightfully proud. The occasion is auspicious in that, unlike those of countless other communities, it is attracting interest, not only in Alabama, but instates far removed. This is easily explained, however, as Prattville and its citizens, from the beginning, have played no meager part in the economic, political, social and cultural life of the nation. To this time, the centennial exercises have included three scholarly gatherings. Others, not to be confined to the city or county alone, are scheduled for the Fall and Winter months. They will include, on Oct. 30, a eulogy by L. C. Cleverdon, of Judson College, to cover the following subjects: "Our New England Good Neighbors," "Daniel Pratt, of New Hampshire," "Esther Pratt, of Connecticut," "Milo P. Jewett, of Vermont," and "S. S. Sherman, of Vermont," the exercises to be under the direction of the Prattville Centennial Celebration Commission. Centennial Celebration On Nov. 25, at Prattville and the Capitol, Montgomery: A national centennial celebration under an act of the Legislature of Alabama and a complimentary act of the Congress of the United States, which is now before Congress, providing for the participation of the States of Connecticut and New Hampshire with the State of Alabama, in a celebration of patriotism in commemorating national unity and goodwill. For this event, speaking invitations have been extended to Gov. W. L. Cross, of Connecticut; Gov. H. Styles Bridges, of New Hampshire; Gov. Graves, of Alabama, and President Roosevelt, representing the nation. The subjects would revolve about the general topic of "Good Neighbors in the Nation's Service." On Dec. 18, at Prattville: A eulogy, by Gov. Graves, of Alabama, covering the topic: "Alabama's Tribute to Our New England Benefactors Builders of Homes, Schools, Churches, and State.." The first of the series of events were held in Prattville churches and included: An historical eulogy by Dr. Walter D. Agnew, president of Huntingdon College, Montgomery, which has brought laudatory comment from many states. His topic was: "Esther Pratt, Mother and Homemaker. The Glory of Womanhood." A eulogy by President L. N. Duncan, of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, on "Daniel Pratt: Pioneer and Patriot." A eulogy, by Dr. George H. Denny, president of the University of Alabama, on "Daniel Pratt and Basil Manly: Northern Patriot and Southern Scholar." Comment In Press Press comment upon some of the events included: . "The second commemorative service in the series of Daniel and Esther Pratt centennial celebrations, was a scholarly lecture on Sidney Lanier, the Southern poet, who was befriended by Daniel and Esther Pratt when Lanier and his bride lived in Prattville during his term of service as teacher in the Prattville Academy, founded and deeded to the people of Prattville and the State by Daniel Pratt and Esther Pratt. "This notable lecture by Miss Elizabeth Coleman, of the faculty of the University of Alabama, was delivered before an appreciable audience. Miss Coleman portrayed with scholarly eloquence Sidney Lanier's high claim to fame as forerunner of the most justly famous modern American poets. One of Sidney Lanier's pupils in the Prattville Academy of long ago, Mrs. M. W. Sanford, of Prattville, was in the audience. Prattville Hopes to Express These Plans In Stone Like the couple it would honor, the proposed Daniel Pratt Memorial, pictured above, is the dream of all Prattville citizens- to stand for time immemorial in the service of mankind. A movement is now underway looking towards erecting of this quarter million dollar monument, which would be the nation's first model demonstration in social service. It would be located on the site of the old Prattville Academy, founded by Daniel Pratt, at the head of Fourth Street. Within its walls would be: The Daniel Pratt Hall, The Sidney Lanier Poetry and Literary Room, the Esther Pratt Social Center, The Augusta County Circulating library and the Eugene A. Smith Museum. There was a $5000.00 grant from the Alabama Legislators that went somewhere? It would have been nice in Prattville.... but it didn't happen.
Brass Bell of 1850's Still Peals for Classes Prattville, Ala. (AP) A bell more than 100 years old still summons elementary school children to class each morning, just as it did for some of their forefathers. Daniel Pratt, who founded this town, had the 2,300 pound brass bell made for the Prattville academy, which he also established. From the late 1850's until 1927, town children knew its gong meant the start of classes. Then a new school was built -and the old bell was put aside until 1853, when a special tower was built for it on the school grounds, site of the old academy where it first rang. The tower was built by Continental Gin Company and still holds the bell on the school grounds. Sidney Lanier (Link) taught at the academy, in 1867. He left after an illness forced his return to Macon, Ga. John Hopkins Link The size of the bell in the Times article was wrong. The correct size and weight is 36" diameter and 900 lbs.
The History of that press below: Ante-Bellum Cotton Press The Ante-Bellum Cotton Press, as shown, was first erected on the "Hardy Plantation" near Columbus, Mississippi about the year 1880. Through the courtesy of Dr. P.L. Fite of Columbus, Mississippi, owner of the Hardy Plantation, the Press was moved to Birmingham and erected at the plant of Continental Gin Company. The Press was operated each season from 1880 until 1900 for packing and baling of lint cotton. A 40 saw gin supplied the Press at a capacity of three bales per day. " The bales weighed from 400 to 600 pounds. Lint cotton was carried from the gin in baskets and placed in the press box by hand. men and boys got into the box and with their feet tramped the cotton down into the lower part of the box. Wing levers are attached to the wooden screw pin at the top and mules or horses were harnessed to the wing levers and driven around the Press, thus supplying power for driving the screw pin downward and packing the bale. The wooden screw was cut from "Water Oak" and was made on a crude lathe turned by eight men. The thread on the screw pin was cut to gauge by hand as the pin was revolved. A modern Press can press 60, 480 pound bales of cotton per hour.
Click To Enlarge The Prattville Downtown redevelopment looks great. Can you remember all the political fallout we had when the Ticknor Street sidewalk was redeveloped into the paver stone sidewalk, as it is today. The business owners on that street paid the difference in cost from the standard cost of a public cement walk.
The finest new office buildings in the historic downtown is The Newton Oldacre McDonald buildings at Washington and Main. The building was designed to blend into the historic downtown district with much care and expertise. The Main building was built on a vacant lot.
05/09/2007 |
