Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-09
INTERESTING INTERVIEW,
With the Iron King OF Richmond
Virginia.

With the Iron King of Richmond,
Virginia.
One of the largest iron manufacturing
establishments in the United States is that
of the Tredegar Company of Richmond,
Virginia. During the war between the
States, it furnished nearly all Of the railroad
iron and heavy ordnance used By the Con-
federate authorities. To meet the pressing
demands-made the more pressing because
of the paucity Of manufactures in the South
at the time-it was necessary 10 keep q
large force at work in every department
and at the same time, numerous organized
details at varying distances from Richmond
to furnish the works with raw material
Difficulties that at first seemed In
surmountable were overcome through
the ceaseless energy Of one directing
mind-that Of General Joseph K. Anderson,
then as now the president of the company.
A graduate OF West Point most OF his lite
has be- Il spent in the iron business DE
has done more than any other one man to
build Up TIE enterprise Of Richmond: bis
large works are to-day the life and glory Of
that ti:y, uog fast becoming rival OF Baiti-
more in the race for metropolitan position
in the South.
We had the pleasure of.meeting General
Anderson yes 5rday morning at the McL1re
House, where he and his two son' all
active business men and successful capital
;ats and all identified With the Tredeg:r
Works, are making their temporary hea9-
quarters in Wheeling.
The General is fine looking soldiery
gentleman, with shortcut grey hair ana
heavy grey moustache. While evidently
we'll up in years, he is still active IN move
ment and robust in physique. Courteous
and even gentle in his manner, pleasing 10
his address and comprehensive in his views
OF business and public affairs, he creates q
most favorable impression upon all ne
comes in contact with. Is he and his sors
had arranged for visit TO some O. t1e man
ufacturing establishments Of the city, ne
could enly afford a brief interview.
well. General, the reporter asked
How has the iron business been IN hich'
mond during the past winter
Very dull-very doll, indeed, was the
reply. "Richmood Ike every other Amer
icsn city, has iel, the depression IN trade,
manufactures aud business generally.
If not regarded imperuuent. may ask
the object of your presence in Wheeling at
this time?
"Takiag advantage Of the lull 10 business,
We start out from home to visit the manu-
featuring centres Of the country. Of course,
We could not think Of overlooking Wheel
inc. with her vast enterprises, So my sons
and are here for q few days to visit your
faciories-note improvements and study the
progress Of the times.
"WeD. General" continued the reporter,
a great deal has been said and written
about our steel nails"
YES" he replied, "can you tell me bow
your manufacturers regard them here, 1
mean Ss to their practical and prominent
utilization in trade?
The reporter was compelled TO plead ig'
roraBee. and the subject Of steel nails was
dropped, but he asked
ARE you looking for speedy revival OF
;be iron business in this country
Good times are always ahea4 OF oaa
times. Revival Of basiness in any and all
lines isa mere matter OF time "
At tiis tine bis two sons came up and
we're Introduced. Af;sr a civil interchange
I cf gresfipgs. the three Richmond iroo mas
tsrs left tie AcLgre Ho7se together u
make q tour Of some Of the Wheeling lac
torres.