Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-07-23

The steamer George leary' upon which
we had come from Washington had just
swung around, and we with o,heri impatient
travellers. stood ready to step ashore. We
were once more i'm Norfolk After sundry
inquiries from cllicious but rather polite
hackmen. we selected the Atlantic Hotel
for our place Of rest until the Norfolk *
Western train should start at 1928. IL was
now 930 \. II. We were soon seated IN
the hack and of for the hotel. but Norfolk
streets are rather modelled after those OF an
Eastern city, and we were compelled TO
posses, our souls in patience until wheel
burrows and carts could be turned ont of
the way ia street barely wide enough for
two vehicles 90 pass. But after sundry yo-
ci.cratioa- and cxpletyes from the drivers
we were out upon broader way and were
soon at the hotel. We have but one objec-
ton 10 this hotel. At the rate that we were
charged for breakfast it would cost Us in
ihe neighborh0od of II 100 year for meals
alone; but As We were then only receiving a
salary of something over 5000, cur stay, for
The sake of The Proprietor, was transient
one.
Norfolk Is one Of the oldest towns in
Virginia. The county WAS formed in 1921,
and Norfolk was established by law a, a
town in 1908. Ii was then 4 considerable
place. made 50 10y It's favorable situation
and magnificent har5or, which to-day Is one
of the finest on the Atlantic coast. We
cannot see what is 20 prevent thl' city be-
coming rival of New York and Pmiadcl-
phia. The advantages which 1t possesse, IN
lis magnificent harbor which Is never frozen
over, It's accessibility to the ocean, it' favor
able situation with regard to the Western
cities to which, strange - ii HAY seem, IL
is much nearer than any OF the ciles on
the Atlantic coast. indicates for this city 4
brilliant future. Ii has now railroads from
the south and west, which hav made it one
of the finest cotton market, north of New
Orleans. The change lately made IN the
ownership of the Norfolk Il Western road
has had stimulating effect upon trade, and
the fine warehouses erected by this c0mpa-
ny and the other Improvements going
on have helped the city very much. Bat
for the permanence of this trade over the
Norfolk x Weston wc are ia doubt VI Is
supposed that Philadelphia capitalists are
largely interested in this road and II can
hardly be thought that they viii favor on
enterprise which must build up. another
city 20 the detrimeHt of their own and
while the trade may for a icw months flow
to Norfolk from the south and wet, this
will only continue until the Shenandoah
Valley Railroad is Guished ard the cotton
shipments will then be diverted from this
to that road ard thence to Philadelphia.
Not only ir Norfolk. but all along the
/ line from Norfo.t IS fa- as we rode are the
evidences of imrrovement visible. and IN
some places Cf which 'fe shall speak the
prospects now. a-e thai they will become
places Of note in south western Virginia.
There was orc spot in Norfolk which We
wished t. see and .hi.her we went u was
the old 4 Pauls Church, the oldest build
ING In Norfolk II WAS erected in l139 OF
material brought from England. During
the Revolutionary war this was about tn,
only Building that was saved at the deairuc-
ton cf The town by the British. Eut they
robbed the church, and carried the baptis-
nal font. which was of marble. TO Scotland
The church is of brick, and j. now almost
completely covered with ivy. In the south
western corner OF the wall, and near tht
top, is now sticking 4 cannon ball. whlcr
was fred by the British feet during the
Revolution. The yard Is beautiful sPo
in the midst o. the city. lts tell elm