Jack London was considered the most popular American author, and his Call of the Wild    was  a best seller.  There were 45 states in the Union.  Orville and Wilbur Wright became famous after their historic airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  Silent movie theaters became popular all over the county.

Items of Interest in Alabama in 1904

William D. Jelks of Barbour County was Governor of the state.  Birmingham became the leading industrial center in the south.  Pike County, Alabama had 65 schools within its boundaries.  Helen Keller, a native of  Tuscumbia, Alabama, received national acclaim after publication of  her autobiography and became an inspiration to millions of other handicapped people.  Alabama's state constitution (still in use in 1984) was 3 years old.  Booker T. Washington was president of  Tuskegee Institute.

Items of Interest on Brundidge, Alabama in 1904

The only school in Brundidge was the old two-story "Academy", then known as Brundidge High School. The principal was Prof. B. H. Boyd. The school graduated three students in 1904: Fannie Fleming, Oscar Peavy, Henry Pierson.  The only newspaper in town was the Brundidge News, founded in 1893 by J. E. Graves.  The 1900 census of Brundidge showed a population of 537 within one square mile of the center of town.  There were two blacksmiths in town: J.E. Helms, D.I.Helms.  Charles Henderson of  Troy owned the town's cotton gin , and cotton was selling for 91/2 cents per pound.

There were four churches in Brundidge: Salem Baptist - Rev, R.A. J. Cumbie,Pastor, Baptist Rest (Prim. Bapt.)- J.E.W. Henderson, Pastor, Brundidge Methodist- Rev. J. R. Peavy, Pastor, Philadelphia Presbyterian- RevJ.C.Sturgeon, Pastor

The mayor of Brundidge was J.I.W. Flowers, and the aldermen were:

J.W.Reynolds- 1st ward
F.A. Waters - 2nd ward
J.A. McEachern- 3rd ward
F.C. Bass - 4th Ward

The City Marshall was Yancey L. Bryan and J.F.Hightower was the City Clerk

Dr. Colin McSwean was Worshipful Master of the Brundidge Masonic Lodge, and Dr. R.C.Dickerson was in charge of the Knights of Pythias.

Brundidge boasted of having 4 resident physicians: Dr. Colin McSwean, Dr. R..C.Dickerson, 
Dr. J.W.Robertson, Dr.J.W.Reynolds.

Ben Andrews, master carpenter, was still building many fine homes in the town.

Firms doing business in the town of  Brundidge were:

W.A. Smith monuments and tombstones
P.T. Turner Photographer and Jeweler
Wood & Bryan (Frank Wood & Smed Bryan) Grocers
Dr. W.C. Ferrell & Dr. H. E. Peach Dentists
Hightower & Dinkins Drug Company
City Market (Ed. L. Pierson, Prop.)
E.A. Butler Brundidge Furniture Company
Pierson House Hotel
Ballard House Hotel
Brundidge Banking Company
J.E. French & Son Gen. Mdse.
City Restaurant T.A. Graham Prop.
E.B. Seay Hardware Company
Charles W. Helms Fresh Produces
B.H. Lightfoot & Company Milliner
James K. Gibson Dry Goods
J.H. Lawson Gen Mdse
Gus Hicks Gen Mdse
Abbie Watkins Fancy Groceries
W.E. Fleming Tailor
M.W. Britt Drug Store
Ramage & Gilmore (Kyle Ramage & Willis Gilmore) Gen Mdse
James T. Ramage Plantation Supplies
Peoples Restaurant W.A. Metcalfe, Prop.
McEachern & Dickinson Surgeons
Jackson & Haisten Hardware Co.

Click here for historical pictures of Brundidge

Brief History of Brundidge to 1904

Brundidge was founded in 1851 when George C. Collier moved here and opened a general store. For a number of years, the community and post office went by the name of "Collier Store". The name was changed to Brundidge in order to honor James M. Brundidge (1812-1901), a prominent Mason.

Brundidge supported the Confederacy when the War Between the States broke out, and several companies of soldiers were formed in the town. The Brundidge news paper reveals that there was a great deal of interest in the 1890's for a local bank or two. Robberies were quite common, and local citizens were beginning to demand some kind of banking services. The Brundidge Banking Company was created in 1900 and provided a great service, but it was felt by many that the services of still another bank were needed.

The mother of James T. Ramage died when he was just an infant, and he came to Pike County to live with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Burr Ramage. J.T. Ramage came to Brundidge in about 1893 and became a partner with J.E. Helms, and W.D. Lee in a firm known as HELMS, LEE & Company. They were dealers in hardware, furniture, stoves, coffins, and harvesting machinery.

J.T. Ramage later came out of the partnership and created his own firm, which specialized in plantation supplies. He soon showed a knack for business and became a prominent businessman. He was convinced that Brundidge needed and could support another bank and began work in that direction.

The Brundidge News contained the following in its issue of August 13, 1904: The old wooden two-story building which stood on the east side of South Main is a memory of the past. Workmen commenced pulling it down last Tuesday to make room for the brick building to be erected by the First National Bank.

The First National Bank opened for business on Saturday, October 15, 1904. The directors were: J.T. Ramage, J.S. Carroll, A.G. Seay, Dick Fryer and Burr Ramage.

The Brundidge News had the following to say in its issue for that day: The First National Bank of Brundidge open for business this morning. It has a good set of officers and directors. The institution will be welcomed by the people as an evidence of the growth and importance of Brundidge as a business center, and we are sure its promoters will find it a paying investment.

The Troy Herald, In its issue of October 22, 1904 , had the following new item: The First National Bank opened for business Saturday morning, and we learned that its deposits Saturday aggregated more than $16,000. Mr. James T. Ramage, who is president and has immediate control, is one of the foremost businessmen of this section, and there is no doubt but that he will get his share of the business. As soon as they get their fixtures in and furniture arranged, their quarters will be up-to-date in every respect.