The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-02-12
Items from Waynesboro.

lhepOrIcu 1Or tuC tALIEI tAhuiNiANJ
The Cold Snap.-The farmers in this
vicinity all seem thankful for the late fall of
snow, which at this season goes so far in
protecting the young and tender shoots of
grain from the severity of sudden freezes
and thaws. Those, too, who enjoy facing
cold and bracing atmosphere behind good
span of horses hitched to comfortable
sleigh, with a pretty girl at his Tor their)
side, no doubt expressed many thanks for
the opportunity offered during the past week
for the privilege of such enjoyment. Those
who have ice-houses, also, no doubt, felt
thankful for the sudden fall of the mercury,
at least 1 should judge so by the alacrity
with which many in this town, on last
Thursday, embraced the opportunity Of
gathering in the ice that had form ed on the
nights preceding. Some Of the ice was
good, but much that saw was very indiffer-
emit. One gentleman told me that he had
housed some that measured from three to
five inches in thickness and was of good
quality.
Business.-The revival of business and
the prospect of the Shenandoah Valley Rail-
road coming here, and the opening of the
ssDavidia Iron Mlnes,'' will be the cause of
some of the lot-owners in the town erecting
some additional dwellings here. heard one
gentleman say that he had given bill for suf
ficient lumber to erect four frame dwellings,
and have had intimations that Others in
tended to do likewise.
Manufacturing advantages. There is no
town within my knowledge in this State,
that can offer greater inducements to any
one desiring to embark in the manufacturing
business than this place. North of town,
and along the west bank of South River, are
two or three of the very finest locations for
manufactures, with water power ample for
almost any kind of business. Waynesboro,
while its dimensions may be called insignif-
cant, is yet town that does very consid-
cradle business in the way of trade. Sur
rounded by one Of the wealthest farming
communities possibly in the State, it COM
mands large portion CT the trade from the
counties of Albemarle and Nelson. The
shipments of country produce from this
point to Richmond and other markets. will
show we'll in the aggregate with any other
town on the line Of the Chesapeake & Ohio
Railroad. I believe that bad not the crisis
of '73 occurred, and the citizens of Waynes
boro had Joined in extending to Northern
capitalists an invitation to locate among
US, long ere this the abundant facilities
of water.po and other available resour-
ces which now are lying dormant, would
have been utilized in manufactures Of diff
erent kinds, and our little town given an
impetus in improvement and enterprise that
would have placed it well on the way, by
this time, to position of Importance.
The City "Drummers" must consider this
a fine place to stop and make sales, judging
from the number that have been here in the
past two weeks. Almost every conceivable
branch of trade was represented, except
probably wooden nutmegs. One merchant
of this place, one day last week, reminded
me of the ''noble six hundred at Balaklava,"
as far as being surrounded was concerned.
There were "drummers" to the right of
him; ''drummers' to the left of him !;
''drummers" in front, all anxious to sell.
Some one noticing crowd of them walking
up street, enquired who they were. He
was told it was the Baltimore Drum
Corps" SWELL" he said, "there is enough
of them to beat the funeral march of the
Devil.:'
THE Dramatic Club of this place is pro-
crossing finely, SO am informed. Some
time next month they will give rendering
Of "Ten Nights In Bar-Room," by re-
quest. They will also enact "Lady of Ly-
ons." There is some fine talent in the
Club, and with the proper application and
care they will reflect credit upon themselves.
Personal.-The Rev. Mr.. Hoge. of Leba-
non Church, this county. occupied Mr..
McCutchen's pulpit in the Presbyterian
church on last Sunday morning and eve
ming. He is said to have delivered two able
discourses. He is a young man With fine
Evolutionary powers, graceful gestures, and
altogether man of fine promise.
s. E. w.