LITMIR.BIZ

       E.B. Gaston in 1894, the year he led settlers to Alabama.

Preface

      THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT A MAN, EARNEST B. GASTON, and a mission, the creation of the Fairhope Single Tax Colony. I briefly characterize Fairhope’s history over the past century in the first chapter. The remaining seven chapters describe Gaston’s intellectual journey in the 1880s and 1890s and the ways in which he and his colleagues hoped to engage the difficult social and economic issues of their age by creating a model community. The book ends as Fairhope begins.

      E. B. Gaston was my grandfather. I was not quite ten when he died, and my memory of him is dim, but I always understood his special relationship to Fairhope. I came to imbibe the values of the community as I grew up in it, and to understand it as only an insider can. I have tried to use that special knowledge in writing this book, but I have also tried to guard against its potentially warping effect by seeking the distance and discipline of a professional historian.

      That task is made easier by the wealth of material in the archives of the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation. In addition to the official records of the colony, all well preserved, I found there extensive correspondence to and from my grandfather, as well as the complete files of the Fairhope Courier. Unless I note otherwise, all of the primary material I cite in the notes is in the colony archives.

      I began systematic work on the history of Fairhope more than fifteen years ago. Several short publications have appeared since then, but not the comprehensive history I hope one day to complete.⁴ When that book appears I will thank the many persons who have helped me over the years. Here I want to acknowledge those who have made this small volume possible.

      In March of 1992 I asked Randall Williams if he would print a sixty-page pamphlet for me on the origins of Fairhope. I was taken aback when he said no. After all, he was supposed to be a friend. When he added that he would publish a short book on the subject a great cloud lifted. His encouragement and enthusiasm never wavered and I owe the existence of the book to this gifted editor. I am proud to be published under his imprint.

      I presented the first draft of the manuscript to my colleagues in the History Department Workshop at the University of Virginia in September of 1992. The reception was heartening and the suggestions for improvement wonderfully varied and helpful. For their presence and encouragement I thank Ed Ayers; Brian Balogh; Alice Carter; Bob Cross; Rebecca Edwards; Megan Holden; Michael Holt; Ann Lane; Juliette Landphair; Mel Leffler; Andy Lewis; Nelson Lichtenstein; Brad Mittendorf; Duane Osheim; Anne Rubin; Pat Sullivan; and David Throup. Bill Taylor and Ann Schutte also gave me very helpful suggestions.

      Lisa Szefel helped as my research assistant and showed me what an accomplished editor she is. Gwyneth Love, director of the Oberlin in London program, made me the beneficiary of her acute sense of style and tone

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