The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-31
JAMES w. NEWTON.

JAMES w. NEWTON.
The dry goods, fancy goods and mil
linery establishment Of Maj. James w.
Newton was an objective point for us the
other day. tits but few steps from the
VALLEY VIRGINIAN office to his place
of business, No. 9 South Augusta street;
we found the Major Eat home" and ev-
cry courtesy was extended US when our
errand was announced The fact is that
Maj. Newton is somewhat proud of his
establishment, and he has right to be.
During long years of business effort he
has strived to build up house that
should in every way prove credit to
the city and to his own reputation as a
merchant, and this he certainly has ac-
complished.
The premises occupied were at one
time the Staunton Spectator office. But
no longer do the walls echo to the cry
for copy nor is the building haunted
| by ghosts of rejected manuscript. In
lieu of compositors, editors and the ira
ditional "devil' are attentive clerks and
satisfied patrons; dry goods have taken
the place of type racks and cases, and
textile fabrics from all lands have usurp-
ed the spot once sacred to the tripod.
These premises were purchased by Maj.
Newton in 1876 he at once remodeled
the building, added fifty feet to its depth,
1 put in magnificent sky-light and 9TH
erwise improved the property, convert
ing it into one of the best business prop
critics in the city. He now contemplates
adding third story The salesroom is
85x2o feet; in the rear of the millinery
department is handsome office Is fee
square.
! Within the space. alluded to are all
manner of articles appertaining to the
lines of trade we have mentioned. Ir
dress goods, and especially the more ex
pensive kinds, pains are taken by the
proprietor that the stock shall always be
ample, and rare good taste is shown ir
! selections Domestics are to be found
J as matter of course, but, after all, the
real speciality is fancy dry goods. The
, shoe department is also an extensive one
. ladies' and childrens' wear being carried
in large stock, the deservedly famou.
/ "Zeigler" makes holding the place o
honor. The millinery department, which
: is under the personal charge of Miss JUL;
! Blackwell, also offers many an attraction
: it furnishes the ladies of city and coun
: try with modish hats and bonnets, and
: as consequence, is held in high esteem
S At Raphlne depot, on the Valley Rail
Y road, Maj. Newton has another store
: which he established last October.
! is under the charge of VIM. Hutchinson
a and reports concerning it are all favora
t Bile.
e Maj. Newton is native of this county
:, In 1857 he began mercantile life as
Y clerk at Greenville, and in 1850 he en-
e gagged in business upon his own account
/; When the war occurred he was Captain
If of the Greenville Grays, and was order
e ed by Gov. Letcher to Harper's Ferry
If his company becoming "E" of the ST
i Virginia After the ed battle of Ma
d nassas he was promoted to the Majority
S his regiment constituting a part of tn
e immortal Stonewall brigade. Mai. New
ton saw about as much active service a
any officer upon either side. Beginnin
with the battle Of Falling Waters an
ending with Winchester, he was in twer
: ty-one engagements. The second da
:, at Winchester (Sept. 10Th, 1861 put
stop to his military career, for in thu
! battle he lost his left leg. The Majo
admits that he is "a reconstructed rebel
e lat all events one of his legs is "Yan
e kee," and we may add that he take
y right good care of it.
Last May, upon the occasion of tn
: trip of the 9Th Virginia to Niagara Fall
to visit the 18th New York and to re
J turn to them the colors captured fror
the latter at the battle of Cedar Mount
ain, Maj. Newton was the field officer i
= command, and we believe we do not ex
: aggerate when we say that he bears thi
trip and the hospitalities rendered hi
: command as among the most pleasan
experiences Of his life. After the war h
re-engaged in mercantile life, and 70
;, about two years he conducted clothin,
{ : house here for S. Mandelbaum, of Bal
timore. Then, for time, he was witt
Simon Hilb; afterwards he removed t
Baltimore, and, returning here, in Oct
1869, he began trade for himself in hi
present lines. At first he was located OF
New street; in 1871 he removed to Soutl
Augusta street, and since 1876 he ha
occupied his present store.
h Maj Newton has had very prosper
Gus trade, and he expresses himself wei
pleased with the results of 1883; he alst
intlmated to us that he thought the pros
|. poets for the present year were veryfair
At all events, he is quite certain of re
ceivitig his full share of the patronage
that centres in Staunton, and more thar
: that no reasonable man could ask.