Let it be understood here and now, once and for all, that there will be no return to Russell County of that tragic era, the days when the law violator reigned supreme, and trampled the Constitution and laws under his foot. From this day forward the reign of law has come to Russell County to stay, and stay it will under the providence of God and all the power of Alabama's government....
To those who have had part in the lawlessness in this country, who have made crime their livelihood, who have grown fat in the debauchery of our youth and the destruction of the morale of our Nation's young soldiers, your day is ended, your hour of reckoning is at hand, you stand at Armageddon.... (Ibid.)
III. The Name, "Phenix"
Excuses and Reasons
Besides, you start drinking whiskey gambling, it gives you an excuse for losing.
That's something you don't need, an excuse for losing. (Sydney and Rossen)
This quote from the movie, "The Hustler," reminds one that for some things noted
Phenix City's history, no rational excuses or reasons exists. Brasher reports that when many people see the name Phenix, they immediately think of mob rule; gambling; voting fraud; prostitution and mob rule, trademarks from Phenix's past. Some, on the other hand, question if/why Alabamians misspell the name, "Phoenix." In light of its tumultuous past, in 2005, Shaun Driggers, a native of Phenix City and current owner of the Barber Pole barber shop, organized a petition to change Phenix City's name. Driggers contends: "All over town we have pictures of this majestic bird -- the phoenix. Then underneath it, we have the word misspelled. How does that make us look?" (Ibid.) Driggers aims to eradicate the negative "Sin City" reputation, synonymous with Phenix City's name since the 1950s. Some people, Driggers contends, refuse to admit they live in Phenix City. (Ibid.) Despite current contentions about its name, Brasher posits, Phenix City makes a point to show off its "transformation." During 2004, Phenix City celebrated: "50 Years of Progress with "concerts, fireworks and 1950s-themed events to acknowledge its past and celebrate its transformation into a family-friendly town of 28,500." (Ibid.) Those who contribute...
Some contend that today; lessons of history seem to appear to have begun to fade. Along with dog racing, Alabama seeks "the legalization of horse racing, casinos, and lotteries as well. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.-the son of Governor "Big Jim" Folsom supported by the Phenix City machine in 1954-has threatened to call for a special legislative session to consider, among other things, casino gambling." ("Could This Be...")
Amid the controversies regarding gambling and changing its name, most signs of Phenix City' torrid past have dissipated. The only physical reminder of what was once known as "Sin City," the building where Patterson practiced law, a poignant reminder that then as now, real people live here. (Rawls)
Works Cited
Bible: Hebrew Ecclesiastes, 7:1. The Columbia World of Quotations. New York: Columbia University Press, 1996. 24 November 2006. http://www.bartleby.com/66/1/501.html.
Brasher, Bryan. "Barber: City needs new name: Man circulating petition; says area could be called Coweta Rapids," Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, April 14, 2005.
Could This Be Your Town?"(1994). 25 November 2006. http://www.alabamaeagle.org/gambling/could_this_be_your_town.htm.
Carroll, Sydney. And Robert Rossen.. (1961). Columbia World of Quotations. New York: Columbia University Press, 1996. 25 November 2006. http://www.bartleby.com/66/82/10582.html.
Littlejohn, David, ed. The Real Las Vegas: Life beyond the Strip. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Okamoto, Sandra. "Museum exhibit looks at 'Sin City': Photos, video recall history of Phenix City in tumultuous 1950s," Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, August 5, 2005.
Rawls, Phillip. "Slaying Lead to Sin City's Deliverance; Post-Assassination Cleanup Brought Normality to Town," The Washington Post, June 20, 2004.
Roberts, Paul Craig. "Phenix City on the Potomac. (Commentary)," The Washington Times, March 4, 1999.
Patterson:
http://www.pc-rcchamber.com/HISTORY%20HIGHLIGHTS%20PHENIX%20CITY.htm
Russell County AlGenWeb
2002). http://www.rootsweb.com/~alrussel/
The Phenix City Story
