The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-21
Some Practical Suggestions

railroads, running in very nearly parallel
lines north and south through the county
OF Augusta have been entered into. The
Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company have
arranged with Fitzgerald & Mccain to
construct fifty miles of that improvement
from Waynesboro, to which place it is now
completed, southwark, and the Valley
Railroad Company have contracted with
Mr.. Boyd, an experienced railroad man,
for the completion of the Valley Railroad
from Staunton to Lexington, Va. Work
will be commenced on each at once, and
pushed forward with all possible celebrity.
These lines of improvement will develop
one Of the finest sections of Virginia-rich
in mineral and agricultural resources, and
opening up splendid field for iron manu-
features. The Shenandoah Valley line es-
pecially, will run along continuous belt of
iron ore and n anganese, which has been
long exposed to general knowledge, but
lain dormant and without commercial
value, because of the distance from rail
transportation and the means of profitable
utilization. They will now come into i'm
mediate use, and located in fine limestone
and well watered section of the State, with
all the appointments of civilized society
surrounding, will attract the attention of
capitalists and experienced enterprise in
their development.
Already representatives of large eastern
iron establishments have been prospect
ing through the southwestern portion
of this county-that portion of it which
will be more directly accommoda ted by the
Shenandoah Valley Road. In conversation
with one of them the other day he stated
that the section of the county east and south
east Of Greenville, possessed great mineral
value, and that there were properties
which had come to his notice which would
be purchased, if reasonable price could
buy them. The owners of some of them,
however, could not be brought to fix def
mite figures, and seemed to be hestat ing or
unsettled, for fear they would not ask
enough. This gentleman, an experienced
practical miner, whose Judgment is relied
upon by those whom he represents, further
ties would make mistake if they calcu-
lated to secure speculative prices. The
properties would have to be developed and
large sums expended before any remuner-
alive returns could be realized, and these
facts would necessarily enter largely and
decisively into the determination of those
who we're now giving this section their at
tention.
We deem it proper, in view of what we
know and what is the reason of the case, to
publicly address few words of friendly
advice to those who own mineral lands, and
to urge upon them the Importance to this
section and themselves OF fixing moderate
value upon their possessions, such as will
induce capital to venture in them. Those
who will have to expend large means to
develop them, do not expect to pay their
value as estimated after they have been de-
veloped. They are business men, and know
the value of their money, their experience
their knowledge and their labor, and
cannot be induced to engage all these sim
ply to benefit the owners of these lands and
the communities where they are located
The assessors books will show how they
have heretofore been valued, and truthful
statement from their owners will prove that
they have not been source of profit. Oh
course, it is not expected that their saleable
value shall be guaged byi this standard, nc
more than it should by the properties after
they are developed. Capital is very indie
pendent and does not ordinarily submit to
extortion. If it cannot find profitable in.
vestment in one place, there is nothing te
prevent it from going elsewhere, and if in.
fated values of undeveloped mineral lands
In this section regulate the prices asked, il
certainly will seek other localities. The adj
vice we offer to every one who has property
Of this description which he wants to sell
is to fix a reasonable price on it, and when
inquiry is made by persons who come here
on business, have definite answer to give
They should think of the worthlessness OF
the property as it is, and fairly consider its
value in its undeveloped state, what it will
cost to utilize it, and the inducement that
should be held out to those who have the
means, the experience and the disposition
to purchase and develop it 1t is not only
a matter of contract between direct seller
and buyer, but if encouragement is given
to purchase, it will reasonably follow that
the whole region of country will be bene-
fitted. One year ago, the gentleman with
whom we conversed few days since, went
into an undeveloped mineral region in
Pennsylvania, and now there are sew
eral furnaces operating, a number of WASH
ers in use, and from 700 to 1000 hands en-
ployed. Similar results would follow here,
in the course of time, if those who are able
and have the practical knowledge, are in
duced to take hold of our idle mineral prop
critics. Labor would be given remunerative
employment, a market created for the pro-
ducts of the farm, lands enhanced in value,
and general thrift and prosperity diffused
throughout this entire section.
We do not suggest that the properties
should be given away, but that common
sense and enlightened judgment should con-
troll in fixing the price upon them, so that
capital may be induced to seek them and
experience applied to their Development
The business firms which have sent out these
trusted ag, nts to look into the mineral for
nations in the Valley and report upon their
condition and the opportunities they offer for
successful business operations know what
they are doing, and cannot be induced to
submit to any unreasonable demands or
engage in doubtful experiments. They eX-
pect to meet witch a spirit of liberality both
as to any negotiations they may propose
1ad in the generous greeting that should be
extended. If they come at all, it will be
as enterprising, intelligent, business men,
from whose operations communities will be
as much, if not more benefited than they
will be. If such inducements are not Of
fered, they will turn their eyes in some 9TH
er direction, for this is very broad and di-
versified country and other fields of enter
prise are unoccupied equally as attractive
as those we possess.
The Valley of Virginia, and especially
this norton of IT, has a very promisino f.