Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-10-24
Middlebrook.

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don't change.
Middlebrook.
ITS RAPID GROwTH-TrS IMPROVEMENT.
This is now one of TIL, most enterprising
and business villages III the county. Sew
eral valuable properties have changed
hands and been improved; new buildings
have been erected and others are in pro-
cess of construction and there is general
progress that is decidedly refreshing
after the long run of dull times. The most
noticeable improvement is the large new
store of McCorkle Brothers, which was re-
ferred to several weeks ago, as nearly COM
pleted. This energetic firm commenced
business here nine years ago in the brick
building on the opposite side Of the street
but their business has so increased that
another building was needed to accOmmO-
date their trade. The one just finished
has been pronounced by commercial trav-
ellers the best store betw cen Baltimore and
Lynchburg. 1t is q concrete tin roof
building 824x284 feet, ceiling Is feet, hav-
ing glass. front, with spacious show win
dows. and large side and rear windows
above the shelves, and at night it is light
ed by three large chandeliers suspended
from the ceiling. A roomy Office and
large wareroom is at one side of the build.
ing and two spacious cellars below, all
stocked with goods in their appropriate
places. Around one side of the building
is a long platform for the convenience of
loading and unloading produce, everv de.
scription of which is taken, as one of the
proprietors said to the writer, nothing
that is good or saleable in any market is
refused" 1t takes six men, besides the out
hands, constantly employed to do the BUSH
ness OF this concern. They have a four
horse team always upon the road hauling
freight to Staunton and returning with
fresh goods, and are conducting system
attic and thrifty business which is credit
to the county and the men who manage it.
The Messrs McCorkles are fair, square bus
mess men, model country merchants, car
rying on their large operations without
parade or buster and deserving of all the
success they have won and will yet attain.
Another business improvement is good
frame store house built by Col. P. B.
Hogshead after his disastrous fire of last
spring. The building Is 44x22 feet with
IL feet pitch, neatly finished inside and out
and was put up in sixty days, showing the
enterprise of the man, who would not be
put down by adversely. The COL is a very
popular merchant and does fine bust
ness.
There is also new school building just
being finished. 1t is large frame struct-
ure IS feet long by "a wide. with two COM
partments which can be thrown into one
for public occasions by means Of sliding
doors. The building is surmounted by a
cupola and looks decidedly academic. Mr..
Watson P. Gale was the builder.
Another important improvement is the
new Protestant Methodist church, which
is situated on pretty knoll in a retired
part of the town. The building is 5Ox36
feet and Is monument of the devotion
and untiring energy of Rev. Lee Squires,
who is the originator, fnancier, architect
and builder. 1t will soon be ready for use.
Among other improvements is the large
brick residence of Mr.. Jas. W. McCorkle,
recently painted which with its new tin
roof. porticos, painting and pencilling
looks almost new and adds much to the
onnoo ~ n 10 of tho tomn 90 done oIoo tho
newly succeed and painted residence of
Mrs. M. P. Goode in the same neighbor-
hood, and the addition made to his dwell
ing by Mr.. Robt. A. Helms at the other
end of the town.
In the suburbs Mr.. Frank Argenbright
is just finishing new residence. It is q
concrete building, style of structure be-
coming quite popular in this neighborhood
on account of its cheapness and durability
as well as its neat appearance. Messrs.
Clemmer and Hogshead are also about
completing another good concrete dwelling
upon their fine farm recently purchased
from the McChesney estate, one Of the
best farms in that section.
The colored people who have a thrifty
settlement west of the town, which has
been christened "Blacksburg," have
caught the spirit Of enterprise. They have
neat new school house and are holding
fairs and festivals to raise money for the
purpose of building church.
Mr.. Jacob S. Garrison, an energetic
gentleman, in the neighborhood, it is said,
intends starting an important enterprise
upon the vacant lot adjoining Col. Hogs
heads store-a steam wagon factory and
grist mill. He is making arrangements to
get the grist mill under way this fall.
A visitor who will take the town in, In
the early morning, as did the writer, will
he surprised at the hustle and activity
which pervaded the streets and business
houses. The wagons loading with pro-
duce for market. and others from the
country, passing through on their way to
Stanton, the horsemen, pedestrians and
drivers in charge and accompanying the
teams, all being intent upon an early
start and a paying trip. make things as
lively as is generally to be seen in the
streets of large city.
1t will interest those who might wish to
settle among this go ahead people to know
that near Middlebrook may be bought one
OF the finest and best cultivated farms in
the county, having upon it large and
comfortable brick dwelling and excellent
improvements, Mr.. W. D. Hogshead, the
owner, wishing tc move to Staunton, will
sell this desirable place upon easy terms.