Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-02-05
WHAT THEY THINK OF KNOXVILLE.

Mr. George Purvis, of the Bdnner, and
Col. Johu G.. Burch, of the Union ana
american, were in our city the latter part
OF last week anu the first vi the present.
They both speak in flattering terms of our
city, The Banner says:
The visitor to this growing metropolis
of our american Switzerland" beyond
the mountains, isstruck with many things
in all directions that rebound to the credit
of her citizens. New mammoth store
houses, warehouses and manufactures are
springing up almost as if by magic, and
they are buildings that would be creditable
to any city. The private residences of her
citizens also, are built with view, not on
ly to comfort, but in harmony with that
architectural taste which strikes the eye
as imposing and graceful. The many
beautiful eminences that surround the lit
tie city of Knoxville in every direction
are being crowned with these structures,
until the beholder is impressed with the
truth that this Is to be city of no mean
proportions. 1t already claims a popula-
ton of fifteen thousand.
The new custom house, now approach
ing completion, is built of East Tennessee
white marble, and is an architectural mod
ell of beauty. 1t will cost, according to
the estimates, something like $500, 000
when completed.
There are large iron and coal interests
being rapidly developed. Among the iron
founderies in operation now is one owned
by Senator Richards and his brother, to
which establishment the Senator (who is
practical worker by the way, as well as a
Legislator invited the Legislative COM
mittee recently visiting that city. He had
just introduced some new machinery for
the improvement of the fibre of the iron
by agtating the metal violently while
melted, in the success of which he was
deeply interested.
We were shown through the large sad
die and harness manufactOry of Thomas
O'COnnOr & Co., another Knoxville in
dustry, which does an annual business of
about one hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. They employ nearly q hundred
hands, and the activity characteristic Of
every feature of the business gave assur-
ancc Of Il future prosperity, making en-
largement of their facilities necessary at
an early day.
The writer aIlude~ to our inadequate
hotel accommodations and says:
The railroad would confer great favor
upon the travelling public by building u
passenger depot, or room, where people
waiting for the train, could be sheltered
from this bitter weather. These improve
ments, among others, will, however come
in time. Meanwhile the whole State has
good reason TO be proud of Knoxville.
Col. Burch writes as follows:
The inclemency of the weather prevent
| ed our taking more than Il hasty glance at
Knoxville. 1t has greatly and handsomely
| improved sidce our last visit. Some very
elegant residences and some very beautiful
and substantial business buildings have
been erected and still the work of i'm
provement goes bravely on iii manner
betokening Il gratifying degree of pros
perity. One thing especially creditable to
that city is the very graceful Opera House
recently erected by Mr.. Peter Staub, one
of KnoXville's most enterprising and en-
ergetc citizens. On the first floor large
and attractive store rooms are being com
pleted. The concert reom above will COM
| fortably seat about twelve hundred per
| sons in parquette and gallery. 1t is very
tastefully arranged, and is certainly an or
nament to Knoxville and an honor to MI
Staub.