Note: Mary Gorden Duffee is a much celebrated author who lived at Blount Springs. She wrote articles on Alabama and the South which were published in the Birmingham Iron Age and some northern magazines. The University of Alabama Press collected some of these and published a book called "Sketches of Alabama." Her father ran the resort in the years prior to the civil war up until it was burned by Wilson's raiders in 1865. She remained at Blount Springs and lived in a house on the ridge (above the Top Hap Barbeque restaurant) until her death in 1920. The Blount County News and Dispatch, Thursday, July 23, 1891 Blount Springs, Ala. By Mary Gordon Duffee. The other day while at the Springs Park, gazing at the lordly trees, the rampart of hills, and the blue heavens that adorned it, there seemed to pass before me the procession of summers of the long ago, when the wealth, beauty and chivalry of the South gathered here, and Alabamians were proud of the fame it had won. I though of the old pioneers who hunted the deer amid the wild tangle of cane; of the brave men of Blount who filled the ranks of the volunteers and first heard the strains of Dixie beneath the grand old beeches, and marched away-alas! In so many cases so far away that they will return nevermore-and just then a bevy of manly boys and girls came along, whose young lives knew nothing of the war, and I hope will be so loyal to their county and State as were their forefathers. Among them were my young friends back from that noble institution, "Blount College,"-John and Dan Rice-splendid young fellows; Joe Byars, full of energy and talent, and pretty, talented Della Porter in whom we take much pride. Then I strolled up the old "Tuskaloosa road," past the pretty home of those worthy people, Mr. and Mrs. Penn McPherson, ear by the old freestone spring; next the beautiful residence and part of Mr. Wittich, the great lumber merchant of Pensacola; the cottages of Mr. Mann and Mr. Shannon, most worthy people; and upon the summit of the hill, the homes of Dr. Estill, and that true-hearted man, Isaac Hamilton and his clever family; the well-known and popular resort of Dr. Robinson, with its attractive cottages and well-kept grounds; thence onward 'till a turn in the road brings one to the gate of the lovely home of Col. Brett Randolph, from whose windows can be obtained a view of wonderful scenic beauty and extent. Then down the hill-side at whose base flows mill creek, and along the margin of the waters to the famous Cold Spring, looking up at the elegant home of Mr. DuBois; next, the lovely residence of our clever merchant, Mr. Charles H. Hooper-whose excellent wife was the daughter of the late Henry Harrell, a man whose virtue, integrity and usefulness were alike an honor and a blessing to this community. On the right of the road, is a romantic glen, is a large never-failing spring of purest water; and a little farther on, the beautiful residence of Mr. William Johnson, of Boligee, Ala. The building, lawn and general surroundings for taste and style are probably unsurpassed in the county. Mrs. Johnson was Miss Katie Byars, the popular belle of this section. Upon the election to the right, are the homes of Rev. Travis Byars, Col. Peyton G. King, and that sterling citizen, Mr. Willie E. Byars, whose wife was pretty, gentle Annie Willoughby. Next, the summer cottage of the late Col. Sloss, and the hotel that looks like a castle. Then, past the stores, again the ridge opens on the left, with the summer cottage of Mr. Joseph Brewer, of New Orleans, (Mrs. Brewer is a daughter of Mr. Harris, once the owner of the Springs, a man of blessed memory!) Next is the famous Byars mansion where annually gathers some of the choicest society of the State, and presided over by that noble lady, Mrs. Byars and her charming daughter, Miss Alice, a stately blonde beauty. Their youngest son, Dr. Haden Byars is now at home with them from the medical college at New Orleans. A stroll along the old familiar Blountsville road through a valley full of pastoral beauty, brings us to the home of that cleverest of men, Mr. John P. Willoughby, the efficient and popular land agent of the L&N R.R. His home is now occupied by Mrs. Drennen and her much admired daughter, Mrs. Josie Ballenger, and Mr. Dan Drennen. The many friends of the latter will be glad to hear that his health is improving. Immediately opposite, nestling in verdure as green as that of his ancestral Isle is the "sweet home" of Mr. Jno. Crane and his good old mother, whose sterling character, industry and warm, kindly heart are so well and widely known. A few yards brings us to a spring on the left, beyond which resides an excellent man, Mr. Speake; then comes a home of which I love to write, and its inmates, big hearted Walter Harrell, and his amiable, cultured wife, nee Miss Alice Foust, and their lovely children. Here also resides the widow of the late Samuel Foust, whose gentle spirit and christian worth adorn all womanhood. Her brother, Judge Gamble, of Jasper, will occupy the "old homestead" this summer. Mr. Charles Fort having purchased the stylish and commodious residence of Mr. Goetter, of Montgomery, opposite the hotel, now dwells there. Mr. Fort has proved by his devotion to church interests, to business and all matters of public interest, a mot desirable acquisition to the village, and is untiring in his efforts to promote the welfare of all our people. At his old home is Mr. Worsham, the superintendent of the quarries, and his charming family-and now comes the gem of the valley, the residence of Major George D. FitzHugh, the distinguished Chief Engineer of the L&N R.R. system. The lawn in front suggests Kentucky, the lofty building a Swiss chalet, and the lowering mountain beyond throws cool shadows over all. Flowers that are rarest, bloom on every hand, but none so fair as the daughter of the house, "divinely tall and most divinely fair," Miss Lizzie FitzHugh, who has inherited her mother's wondrous beauty. With them is the modest, amiable Miss Birdie Livingston, a true, womanly spirit, very dear to all who know her, a model for imitation. The interior of the house is elegant in the extreme, and well worth being the abiding place of a man who has done so much for the material progress of Alabama. Returning past Mr. Hooper's store, we meet our clever townsman, Mr. William G. Byars, who is by his kindly manners and nature, a veritable patriarch amongst us. Next, our worthy Postmaster, Mr. Isom Armstrong, courteous to all; and then comes Mr. James I. Cox, who is as jolly and accommodating as ever, and his good wife so well known in former days as Miss Martha Wood. She works as arduously, and attends to everybody's comfort, before she thinks of her own, the same as ever. The hotel looms up, with its well kept domain, its band of music and usual summer surroundings. Major Hickle keeps a first class tale. The crowd does not come 'till late in the season. Dr. J.C. Lee is at his post as usual. I don't suppose any place of such note for its Sulphur waters exists where the resident population drink so little of the mineral springs. Our people look upon them as a medicine, and prefer, for general use, the freestone water, of which in wells and springs, there is an abundant supply here. The citizens rarely ever go to the park to take a glass of the sulphur waters. The do not own a dime of the mineral springs, hotel, etc., and have nothing on earth to do with the management, so far as dictating its business affairs. Attending to their own business is sufficient unto them. Our merchants are obliging, and often seriously burden themselves in helping the farmers from one season to another. They pay their taxes, and feel that they are a part of Blount county, and entitled to some consideration, and should not be held responsible for the acts of any individual or corporation. Well, the day of the barbecue draws nigh, and our citizens look forward with much pleasure to meeting old friends from all sections of our county. There is little excitement about the location of the court house, and only good feeling prevails. The will of the people must be done. I trust there will be no mud throwing at either place, as it is a mighty poor, mean, cowardly sort of business anyway you look at it. The best things in life come only form toil and unselfishness, and only noble sentiments from a pure heart. I rejoice t the prosperity of every locality in old Blount, but I do not like to see a whole community held responsible for the acts of others; neither do I admire flings at other places or their citizens; and I have faith that the men of Blount, whose grandsires built homes in the wilderness, whose fathers and brothers marched, fought and died for the sake of the South, and who are themselves glorious in their efforts to earn their living, build and support churches and schools, are worthy of the day and hour, and capable of thinking for themselves. The fields give promise of abundant crops; the woodlands are full of wild fruitage; good health prevails, and the glory of a mid-summer sun makes glad the earth. Truly we have much to be thankful for! Mary Gordon Duffee, July 20th, 1891.