The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-09
Sirhmond 1ispatrI,
ROANOKE.

SIN F'''ts
ICorTcspcndence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
MAY s, 1883.
The scarlet-fcvcr scare is over. There
are only three cases in town.
Extensive preparations are being made
for the reception of the American Institute
OF Mining Engineers, which holds It's an
nual meeting in Roanoke City June 4th.
The members OF this institute embrace all
the eminent engineers and minerologists Of
the country. They will make a thorough
inspection Of the mineral resources OF
Southwest Virginia. Beginning at Luray
cavernS and Mines. they will visit
the Grocer or Cloverdalc mines, the Edith,
aud all ore-beds along the line Of the Shen-
andoah Valley railroad. Upon reaching
Roanoke they will he received by J. b.
Austin on behalf of the railroad authorities,
and by the mayor Of the city, Lucien III.
Cooke. on behalf Of the citizens, who Will
extend 10 them the cOurtcSies Of the town.
From Roanoke they will visit Lynchburg
on Tuesday. returning the same day. We'd
n,sday win be spent in taking IN points OF
interest around Roanoke. Thursday the
party will be taken on a special train TO
POcabOntas. TaZewcll cotnty. TO examine
the extensive cOkc-oVcnS now in course OF
erection 10y the Southwestern Improvement
Company. The party will be composed of
about SEQ ladies and gentlemen. for whose
comfort and pleasure every arrangement is
being made by the good people of Roa-
noAe.
THE STOCK ASSOCIATION.
The organization Of the Roanoke Stock
Association lat week was a complete sue
cess. The attendance Of cattlc-men was
large. and a deep interest was manifested
in the proceedings by all. The selection OF
Frederick J.. Kimball president Of the
Shenandoah railroad) to the presidency Of
the Stock Association was q wise one. and
with the assistance Of the following vice
presidents fourteen in number-its sue
cess is assured Joseph j. Martin. presi-
dent Of the Baltimore and Philadelphia
~stock-yarGS; General Gilbert 5. Mecm. OF
Shenandoah; II. L. Davenport, Of Charles
ton. W. Va. George w. Palmer, Wash
ington county; Hon. III. \. McCowraS, OF
Ilagerstown, Md; W. W. Bentley, Pu-
ton county; II. u. Grayham. Wythe
county; John T. Cowan. Montgomery
county; W. +. Peery. Tazewell county;
II. III. Dulaney, Loudoun county Judge
J. j. Allen, BOtetOurt county John a.
Reedy. Madison county Major A.. L.
Rowe, Fredericksburg.
The following gentlemen compose the
Board Of Directors: 4. VI. Bowman, OF
Augusta county; II. :. Trout, +. ROrer,
Z. l.. Terry, VI. N. Rogers, J. b. Austin,
and J.. Allen Watts. OF Roanoke. Mr.. J.
t.. Austin j. secretary and Hon. IL. :.
Trout treasurer Of the Association. The
time for holding the exhibition Of stock is
not vet decided on, but will be some time
in october. Handsome premiums will be
offered for the best display Of horses, cat
lie, or sheep.
An AGRICULTURAL FAIR.
Besides the holding Of the stock fair,
efforts are being made, and with every
prospect OF success. TO organize an agricul-
tural society for the purpose Of having
annual fairs, beginning this fall. Good
sites can be obtained on the lands OF Seve-
raj parties near the railroad. The society
can DE easily organized. and with our SUI
peTiOr railway facilities will doubtless prove
a success. Ii is also proposed 10 have in
addition TO the usual attractions a mineral
bureau for the exhibition of the products
OF the numerous mines in this section. Our
merchants as well rs the prominent men
throughout the county seemed favorably
impressed with the project. Such an enter
prise would doubtless rebound 10 the bene-
lit OF Roanoke.
The merchants also have in cOntempla-
ton the organization of a board OF trade
for the purpose " advancing the merchan-
tile interests OF Roanoke City.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
The Rorer Iron Company, having a capt.
tal Of $4,000 are engaged in extensive
mining operations in the western end OF
the county. The n-arrOW-gauge road lead
ing from their mines at the town Of Gale
to the Shcnandoah-Nalle railroad at R0a-
nOke j. nearly completed. and traffic viii
begin thereon about June lst. Mr.. Ferdi-
nand Rorer, the president ofthe ROrer Iron
Company, i the wealthiest and most enter
prising man in this city. lie is a. liberal
a enteTprising.
The Presbyterians are to build a new
church at an early day, their present one
being too small. The Catholics are also
preparing for the erection Of L church.
Father j. W. Lynch, formerly Of LeXing-
ton, is now residing here, and holds
monthly meetings in ROrer Hall.
Prosperous Roanoke, strange TO say, has
no market-house, but butchers sell their
meat all over the town and truck-peddlers
mOnOpOlize the sidewalk. We noticed one
butcher-shOp next TO a millinery store. \
public hall is also needed. The present
one is a disgrace to the town; the back
part, or stage, is Of upright plank, not
even stripped. The Council, although Oft
times impOrtuned to improve it. have ne
elected 10 give it attention.
An addition Of twenty-five rooms is to
be made 10 the Rorer-Park Hotel. Although
we have tive hotels, so many persons visit
our town a. 10 tax their capacity.
The building Of the railroad shops is
nearly completed. Oyerfour million bricks
are said TO have been used in their erection.
The Grocer steel-wOTks will put their
furnaces to blast about May Goth for the
manufacture Of pig-iron at the rate OF 125
tons per day. The ore will be shipped
from the mines OF the Grocer Company, at
Houston, Botetourt county, and Cripple
(repk Wvtha cnuntv SPRy. |