Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-07
PROGRESS IN LOWER VIRGINIA.
Business Boom in Norfolk and Richmond
Cotton Still King in the Former City-East-
ern Terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Acknowledgements News and its Great Ex-
pectatiOns, etc.
correspondence of The EVENING STAR.

NORFOLK, VA, Oct. 2, 1892
Landing here from the steamer Leary on the
morning OF the 23d ult, after pleasant trip from
Washington down the river and bay, found sky
overcast and the storm-signal flying, which at
this season Of the year augured badly for the
fishing, Clustering and grabbing excursions 1 had
planned. The weather continued to grow worse
the next few days, and by Monday the northeast
gale mad become hurricane, the drzzle deluge
and the equinoctial storm ragged with such fury
that Hampton roads was dotted with sailing ves-
sells seeking shelter, and some of the steamers
including the Leary, did not venture out on their
regular trips.
TO RICHMOND VIA NEWPORT NEWS.
There being no indications Of "let up,"
on Tuesday morning packed my satchel, put on
my overcoat and started for Richmond by the COM
parat1vely new route via Newport News. The
steamer Northampton, which left Norfolk at am,
landed her few passengers hour afterwards at
Newport News. the eastern terminus of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad. Here connection is made
from Norfolk with trains to and from Richmond
and the west. The distance to the capital of vir-
glnla by rail is as miles, the road running almost
In a straight line to Richmond through the low
lands bordering the James river, part of the track
being LAID through the famous swamps of the
ChlckahOmlny, where the enervating ague has its
home, as sadly realized by thousands of Federal
soldiers during the war There is a station on the
road in the suburbs OF Williamsburg the capital OF
country village.
THE PROSPECTIVE GREAT VIRGINIA CITY.
Newport News, formerly Point Hope. is not
growing as rapidly as was anticipated by its
founders and dreaded by its rivals; but situated
as 1t Is at the mouth OF navigable river and
abutttng upon one OF the great harbors Of the
world, with good docks and ample room for many
more, and with a railroad bringing to it for ship
ment the mineral and agricultural wealth of the
richest portions OF the two Virginas and the
states west or the Ohio river, 1t must necessarily
become place OF some Importance. Richmond
already feels the loss OF the trade in camel coal
transferred TO the new city, where ample arrange
mentS have been made for the speedy transfer of
the black diamonds from the cars to the vessels
It makes passengers on the cars smile now when
they hear the conductor about half mile from
the dock call out 27th street, and on looking out
they see nothing but country road across the
common leading to the big hotel on one SIDE OF the
track ana 10 nowhere In particular on the other
side, but the rapid growth OF Baltimore when it
nad put one railroad and not as good harbor as
Newport News, encourages lot owners and silences
SCORERS. Although the present docks, railroad
buildings, hotel. store and few dwellings do not
go very far toward the making Of great city, yet
several more houses are now under way and many
more Will be needed as homes for workers and
stores for supply or residents sailors and travel
BRANCH ROAD TO HAMPTON AND OLD POINT COM
FORT .-...--c
from Newport News is now under way and will
soon be completed, doing away with the present
mode OF transit by steamer. In Hampton, once
known as Keccoughtan, st. Johns church, built in
1874; the National Soldiers home, which stands on
the site of fort erected by the first settlers nearly
two hundred and fifty years ago; and the Hamp-
ton normal school are objects OF interest to visi-
Washingtonians as Fort Monroe the rtpraps and
the Hygeia hotel 1t may not be generally known
or as rat eneT Ts vas fort on od Point Com
against savages on the land side and marine ma
RAIDERS on the water slde The construction of the
present fort was commenced in March, 1819 and
It was named In honor Of Monroe, who was then
President There was confederate scheme to
Letcher, OF Virginia, refused to sanction the at.
tempt unless directed by the legislature to do SO.
and the project was dropped
BUSINESS BOON IN LOWER VIRGINIA.
Hound Richmond growing rapidly. In the valley
on the line OF the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad a
half mile north OF the Main. street depot an enter.
prising firm Is building an immense foundry, car
works. etc.. consisting OF half dozen or more
great workshops, requiring millions OF bricks In
the old SpoIswood Hotel. MT. Pace. a Richmond
millionaire, Is building block OF fine large stores
Out on Franklin and Grace streets. towards the
new park. many elegant residences are being
erected and the prices OF lots is going up. remind
ing one of the building boom in the Connecticut
and tobacco trades are lively and the city presents
every evidence Of prosperity.
On my return to Norfolk two days ago found
the equfnoctial storm "blown over" and was able
to look around little The cotton trade is lively
here and on the opposite side OF Elizabeth river.
road is taxed to its utmost capacity to bring In the
bales, while the Comprises" are kept busy re-
duc1ng them In bulk for shipment, and a large
force OF men is employed day and night in hand
ing the neecy product from the time 1t leaves the
cars until it is delivered on shipboard. At night
the great warehouses, illuminated by electric
lights, present peculiar and busy scene Among
the vessels loading with cotton is a large
steamship from Liverpool and others coming.
me companies and merchants are building new
warehouses along the docks in Norfolk and Ports
mouth, and several new ster-packing houses
nave oeen erected In Norfolk near the lower steam
Doat wnar1. portsmouth exhibits evidences of
renewed prosperity and much needed improve
ments are in progress
For the first time In many years there is more
lax OF business and less OF politics, which is OF
ltSeiI hopeful sign. few campaign meetings
are being held, but there to be little interest
taken In them by business men. The regular
democrats do not seem to be as sanguine OF O
sweeping victory as they have been heretofore,
put Tor that very reason may do better than they
hope for. G.
Mrs. Banks, an Indiana woman. bought some
poison for rats. wrote the WORD ''poson" on it
four times, hid 1t on the top shelf in the pantry,
and yet the hired girl used It for baking powder