Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-05-01
Our Town.

anu INC neaVy losses Which they have entalled,
tle population of the Valley, and of Augusta
particularly, manifest no feeling of despondency.
but, on the contrary, have set to work with I'M
conquerable energy to re- build their broken for
tunes, and restore their ancient prosperity. It
would seem, indeed, as if the spirit of improve
ment which has been repressed for the last five
years has broken out with renewed vigour On
all sides we witness evidences of desire to re-
pair old buildings, to build new houses. and to
set on foot all sorts ofenterprises which promise
a profitable return
The American Hotel has been handsomely
repaired and reftted, and the Virginia Hotel is
now opened Ill style which will CRAFTY the
taste of the most fastidious 1t has been reno
waited from top to bottom In admirable taste.
and many alterations have been made with a
view to ventilation and light, which will contrib
ute greatly to the comfort of its patrons No
expense has been spared in perfecting the plans
OF MIR. Scheffer, the generous and SPACIOUS
proprietor, and the lessees, Messrs George /.
Peyton Co, have seconded his purposes, by
furnishing it in the most elegant and smntuons
manner.
The approach Of that terrible visitor, the
cholera, will probably cause thousands from the
cities North and East of us to flock to the salu-
brious regions of the mountains of Virginia.
which have always been exempt from the raw
ages Of the pestilence, and we confidently ex-
poet that we shall be thronged with visitors
from the middle of May, until the autumpa
fruits render it safe to return to the crowded
cities. Let them come. We hesitate not to
say that they will find comfortable and elegant
accommodations in our spacious hotels.
Mrs. Francis A. Stuart, the widow of the cal
liant and lamented Col. VIM. D. Stuart, who
fell ON the bloody field of Gettysburg, has leased
the spacious mansion ON Gospel HILL formerly
occupied by James Points, ESQ.,, and is fitting
1t up with new and tasteful furniture, as a first
class fashionable boarding house She will be
ready to receive her friends in a few DAYS
and we have no doubt her house will be filled
with that class of boarders who have taste for
refined society, and prefer the comfort and pri-
vacy OF an elegant private establishment to the
hustle of large hotel. We learn that already
several Of her rooms have been engaged and
some OF the most charming ladies of lower Vir-
glnia will sojourn with her during the summer
Two large new foundries have been erected
in Staunton since the close of the war, one of
which is already in successful operation, and the
other will be opened in a few days In connec-
ton with these foundries there are extensive
finishing shops into which the best machinery,
which could be obtained in the Northern cities
have been introduced.
Our merchants and mechanics have also
caught the spirit Of progress, and on our prin-
cipal streets improvements of all kinds are vis-
bic. Old walls have been taken out and new
and tasteful fronts substituted, with ornate win
dows and showcases; enclosures have been re-
novated, and paint and lime are giving a new
and fresh aspect to every thing.
The enterprizing and wealthy firm of Baker
Bros, who are SO well known in the lower part
of the Valley, have leased the large brick ware
house. near the Central r. R. Depot, formerly
occupied by Mr.. r. j. Hope, and are putting it
in complete order. The pasterers and csrpen-
ters have been at work, and from the
energy displayed, it will be ready within few
days to receive the large stock Of goods which
these public-spirited gentlemen are now laying
in for it.
They have run partition through the entire
building, thus making two rooms of % feet
front and GO feet deep. One of which is to be
finished in handsome style for dry goods, and
the other for groceries,
We learn that it is the purpose of these gen
tlemen to do wholesale business, and to offer
such inducements in the way Of low prices as
will lead the people, not only of Augusta, but
of Rockbridge, Allegheny, Greenbrier, Bath
Highland and Pendleton to come here for their
supplies.
That charming and ambitious little city which
rejoices in the name of Richmond must look
out, or she will be despoiled Of her commerce |!
IF she will arouse herself from her apathy, and
throw off her jealousy Of our rising greatness,
we may make her the eqtrc-p0t Of our trade, as
we are not quite ready yet to establish line of
steamers
We are gratifed to learn also that the enter
prize of our people is seeking some new chan
nclS. Messrs. Hotchkiss & Hartman are now
engaged in setting out an extensive vineyard in
the suburbs of the town. and other gentlemen
will soon follow their example. Mr. Kline, an
intelligent German, who has cast his lot among
us, has just returned from the Northwestern
States, bringing with him many thousands of
grape-roots for himself, DIR. Isaac Hall, G. B.
Stuart & Co., and other gentlemen who propose
to engage in the grape culture. Mr. Kline will
himself plant 10000 vines this spring, and he
has engaged 200, 900 vines and 200, 900 cuttings
for the next season.
A population like ours cannot be subdued-
They may be over-run and trodden down by su-
perior physical force, but, as soon as the pres
sure is removed, they will rise with renewed
energy and power, and enter again onthe race
for prosperity and happiness.
They see now that under the erroneous col1n-