Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-05-15
LETTER FROM LYNCHBUBG.

casiona echo from the CITY of Hills" as
dear old Lynchhurg, has been called from
time memorial We will not vouci for The
interest our letter will awaken in the mind
of your readers, but for their kindness OIL
| heart and hospitality, we most emphatical'y
oan do so. Having ,lwelt for some years
amongst them, truly can we say, ''kindcr
people we never met"
Ia looking at Lynchbure, after an absence
of five years we for the time being imagine
ourselves something Of poetess and say il
not POLITICALLY at least truthfully;
Changes here, changes there
Everything is changed,
The city of our birth is grown,
And %, how wondrous fair.
AS we walk along, the once familiar ways
We are surprised on all sides. Old houses
have disappeared as if by magic, and in
their stead Stand handsome residences and
stores, of which no city in the Union need
be ashamed. Along the business streets,
the names of new firms are everywhere vis-
bic. Sharp, energetic men have come here
from the smaller towns, to make speedy
fortune and judging from The flourishing
business look everything wears their dreams
in all probability, will shortly he realized
We could fill several columns with descrip-
tions of our business firms, did space permit,
but will only mention the handsome dry
goods store of Guggenhimer & Co. being a
woman | suppose we are eHcusable for put
ting the dry goods first
As we enter this handsome building and
are net on all sides by bevy of pretty
young lady clerks and young men, and hear
the silvery call Of the former TO the numer-
Gus little cash boys in attendance, we almost
imagine we are entering Lansburgh's, Of
Washington, or Wanamakers, Of Phila
delpha.
Various business enterprises have taken
place and there is fine prospects for many
others. Among these is fine nail factory.
All the capital required has been furnished
and the mill fitted up with the best ma
chnery. Lynchburg is an excellent loca-
ton for such a factory, having an excel
lent water power, and in close vicinity to
the best of iron. The James river iron for
toughness has no superior. This has been
proven by experiments for the War Depart
ment, at Washington. Soon the buzz Of
the great machinery will be heard CLING
the hearts OF all interested in snch things
with the most exquisite delight. 1t is esti-
mated that the nail trade of the city
dluOuulS W SDluS VI IolUy LuOuSdIu
keys per anpuul, and there will be no diff
ducts elsewhere. 2
And the Lone Jack Cigarette Company.
1t has only been in operation short time
and promises the grandest success. The
company certainly deserve credit. They
have left nothing undoDe to make their
enterprise success and are beginning to
enjoy the fruits of their labor. The factory
is situated on Ninth street. The company
are possessed of two of the noted Bonsack
machines and turn out every day from S. 900
to 100 900 cigarettes. A great many young
girls are employed in packing the ciga-
reltes. This furnishes employment TO many
poor deserving girls, who are thrown greatly
on tn :ir resources for livelihood. The CON-
pany derives its name from the celebrated
Lone Jack brand of tobacco, owned by Mr..
John W. Carroll, of Lynchburg -lhe king of
the toSacconists Of our city-and whose
celebrated brand Of tobacco is now known
nearly all over the civilized world.
Among the greatest improvements are
the electric lights, which will shortly be
visible. Il is thought one hundred and ten
lights will be required to light the city.
Those needed along the chief streets have
already been located. The complaints Of
strangers we trust will no more be heard
about the poor lights of our city.
Yes, the hand Of Improvement is not idle
any where. A great many of our beautiful
hills, which, a few years since, were scarcely
occupied at all, save with natures green
covering and the little ox-eyed daisy, now
abound in beautiful dwellings of all styles
of architecture. College Hill, which, by The
way, ought to be called Chapel Hill, now
abounds in chapels of every denominat: on
represented in our city, save the Ron an
Catholic. The Baptist and Episcopal
brethren were first in the field. Then Iol
lowed the Presbyterians. Their edifce, like
their faith, is firm and strong, consisting, as
it does, of beautiful stone structure built
after the Gothic style. We were present at
it's dedication few Sundays ago, and
the crowded house gave evidence Of
the deep interest manifested. The Meth
odsts are now building large brick
church, which will soon DO completed, and
last, but by no means least are the postal delivery
and street cars. The former brings delight to the
hearts of many Of the fair SEX and the latter, rest
TO the body Of our weary, business men, thus saw
ing them the long Eltiguing walk, to and from
their places of business. Many of our fair daugh-
tiers who look upon the pastoftice as verltablo
Mecca arc saved the weary walk to post and re-
cevc their letters by having them delivered daily,
.rain or shine" at II a M and p. IN. This
postal delivery is one Of the greatest benefits,
which could have been bestowed upon Lynchburg.
All tho foregoing improvements have taken place
and s'still there's more to follow" Among these
is the great cotton factory which we are informed
from reliable sources, will soon BIO in existence;
so a great many, like the little bird in Tennyson's
poem THE How and The Why who piped,
Hwbv . why? and the great bird who stared in
his face and shouted "how'? "how"? will now
nine another tune, for their why's and hows have
been speedily answered, first by energy and Sec
ondlv by money and brains.
Many of our people have changed too. We can
scarcely recognize the bonnie down sons and
sweet little daughters of our childhood days,
who have developed into staid young men and
handsome young lassies
The City of the Dead" has grown too, in these
brief wears. A few evenings since we wandered
through one of our principal cemeteries and were
surprised, rs well saddened to note so many new
graves. Here and there were the graves of those,
we little dreamed, where we next met. would be,
in this silent city and we stood at their graves
,ro could not but Weld ourselves, Ito mild mind