Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-14
LOCAL ITE II 8.

MELANCHOLY AND FATAL AFrAIR.-We
learn that on Friday evening last ut Rector,
town Station, on the Manassas Gap Rail
road, Mr.. &. r. Ayres, was shot and instant
" killed by Mr.. JAS. Philips. The difficult
tv between them originated about the loca-
ton Of road. 1t is said that Ayres struck
Philips with cowhidc, when the latter
drew pistol and shot -Ayres, killing him ON
the spot.
A PASSENGER TRAIN will be run on the
Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Rail
road to-day and tomorrow, for the purpose
of bringing down the Stockholders TO the
annual meeting, which takes place to-mor-
row. and in order that the Board Of Directors
may pass over and examine the work as far
as completed
DrpoT OF THE New YORK AND VIRGINIA
SCREW STEAMSHIP COMPANY, &c.-The wharf
for the New York and Virginia steamers.
with the improvements made and III pro-
rress there, and in the neighborhood, and
the depot building now approaching compile
ton, are well worth IN inspection, and must
strike all who see them rs the most impor-
tant and extensive of the many facilities
lately offered in our city for the accommo-
lation of the trade and commerce Of Alex
andria and the surrounding country. The
depot building is of such dimensions and 5"
constructed as TO accommodate the now
large and increasing trade between this city
and New York In the centre Of the build
Ing there has been erected an Office OF two
stories for the agent from which can be
seen every thing that is going on through
out the entire extent of the depot: also on the
wharf has been erected IN office in which can
be transacted the business of taking an ac-
count OF the shipping or dischargng OF the
cargo of the steamer, without exposure TO
the weather or interruption from spectators.
The alley on the south Of the depot house,
which for a number Of years has been almost
anuisance. is now being paved, and gas is be-
ing introduced into the depot house, and will
be carried to every portion OF 1t, 81 that the
business of the company can be as well car
ried on by night as by day.
We learn that Mr.. Cromwell, one OF the
Company, was here the past week, and ex-
pressed himself highly pleased with the man
ner in which the enterprise has succeeded,
and was particularly lavish in his praise of
the manner in which Mr.. W. IL. Mcknight
had built the depot house.
We also learn that another member of the
! Company from New York, will be here this
week, and that it is thought he will make
contracts for the building Of four dwellings
on lots he owns within our city limits. All
these improvements add TO the wealth and
prosperity of Alexandria, and this connexion
with New York should be toStcrcd and en-
couragcd by our citizens.
Merchants who under the old arrange
ment Of freighting had to lay in at one time
heavy supplies, now find that for one half
the capital they can do the same amount OF
business, by getting such additions rs they
need tn their stocks. once week, and are
not losers by unsuitable goods which had TO
be left over. Alexandria truly is now in "a
position to command the trade OF all the west
and southwest, and with proper excrtions,
she will.
AlExA>pRIA.-Wc attended the annual
meeting of the Orange and Alexandria Rail
road Company, in Alexandria, last week.
When the road is conducted 50 a To admit
of the passage Of the ears over the entire
route from Alexandria to the bank OF the
Canal at Lynchburg. there will be grand
Jubilee held in Alexandra, and pleasure eX-
curSon over the entire route, extending to
Memphis, Tenn, and perhaps to New Or
leans. Ii will certainly be an event worthy
of celebrating, for then the last link III the
great chain OF railway from the eastern ex-
tremity Of the Union and New Orleans, will
have been opened On such joyous "cra-
SION we hone 10 make one of the happy
number.
Alexandria is well laid out city, with
wide streets and many beautiful private resi-
dcncrS Business appears to be thriving
there: it ought. and ii will The commerce
of Alexandria undoubtedly increases every
year. and the opening Of the Railroad 10 the
great Agricultural States Of the Southwest
and West must swell its business and wealth
many hundred fold. An enterpri>ins firm.
in anticipation Of the glowing trade and ira
vel has recently opened II steam line 81 COM
municatiun between Alexandria and New
York city: aud Soou We hope to learn that
all difficulties about freight over connecting
roads have been ad jus,ed 10 the satisfaction
of all concerned. There will be need for
several more machine shops. 10 manufacture
Locomotives Passenger and Freight Cars. to
do the necessary transportation which Is de>-
tined 10 pass over this road from New Or
leans and all along to New York.
The Mansion House, at which we stopped,
was filled 10 overlooking with guests, and
they found the rroprctors, Mes>r>. Stuart
and Gregory. gentlemen who understand
their profession, and who make every one
feel comfortable and at home while Soiourn-
inr at the Mansion House. This elegant
Hotel ha, been recently enlarglng is h"un-
diaries. and in few years this extensive pub
lie II use will be asking for more room L. ac-
commudate the travelling and business public
,,l,, ,,;u l,a rn Shiup there from the avenues