National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-08
ENERGY OF THE NEW SOUTH
Observations During Recent Visit 20
virginia - Rapid Expansion OF the
uInfant CITY of Roanoke"

Observations During n Recent Visit 10
virginia - Rapid Expansion OF the
"Infant City of Roanoke"
Hon. VIM. d. Kelley, the "father OF the
House of Representatives. gives, in the
following letter, some idea OF the favorable
impressions made upon his mind during
recent trip into Virginia by the various evil
dences Of thrift and industrial progress in
the new southi
wAsmNeroN, D. c., May %, 1ss6.--MR. w
HENRY PATTERSON, LYNCHBURo, NA.-MY
DEAR MIR. PATTERSON found many demands
upon my time awaiting my return on Monday,
and must plead them as an adequate excuse
for my apparent delay In Informing YOU Of my
tion you so pleasantly conferred upon me
while was your guest. The extent and num-
Der of LynChburgs tobacco warehouses, to-
bacco and cigarette factories, and:the perfec-
tion Of their appointments did not surprise
me. They were such as mn intelligent visitor
might expect TO find at the center Of Virginias
great tobacco trade But the Touring mill OF
Hurt & Son, with It's large daily capacity, the
furnace Of tho Lyhchburg Iron Company, with
its force OF prosperous looking and contented
S9OTGd and NE Of ne
Of which is attested by tho visible evidence
that 1t has just doubled Its capacity, were each
an agreeable surprise as well as prophecy OF
Iynchburg's future industrial greatness.
Ny son and will long remember our pleas
ant ride TO Blue Ridge, and thence to the rich
ore banks of the Messrs, Grubb and Mr.. Grocer,
Wing as il does in the midst Of immense de-
posits OF rich. hematite ore. The early morn
Ing ride to Roanoke was in itself delight,
but the, beauty Of the location Of the young
sides of the enterprise and iberality Of its poo
pie charmed me- Its immense hotel, the ex.
terror of which recalled the days Of Queen
which attest the fact that the people OF young
Virginia are up in all the arts Of living known
TO these luxurious days, the perfectly appointed
furnace OF Mr.. Grocer, the railroad company's
machine and car shops, the simplicity Of the
apparatus by which the city is now and will
for many years be supplied with water as clear
Florida, is each in itself testimonial OF the
spirit which created and is so rapidly ex-
panding the infant city of Roanoke. -.
The announcement TO some OF my northern
associates that found the hands in the ma
chine shops busy on contract for 800 cars for
a New England railroad, created no little sur
prise, which made me regret that time had
not permitted me to see more OF the operations
OF the Gl0morgan Company's establishment
for the manufacture Of general machinery.
l had heard and read something ofthe energy
which characterizes the new south, and In the
few DAYS / could spare from public duty you
enabled me, my dear Mr.. Patterson. TO see
enough OF to give me modest conception Of
the Il Will assume as Us
shall be fully developed under the influence
of what Henry Clay called "the American
system Of protective duties"
Please convey TO Mr. Kimball, OF the Nor.
folk and Western road, and to Mr.. Axtell, OF
the Richmond and Allegheny, au expression
ofmy lively appreciation OF their kindness lin
furnishing transportation, which enabled me
to see so much in so limited a period.
Hoping you win remember mo kindly to
Maj. Elmer, and the friends who accom-.
panied us on our pleasant excursion TO the
Natural Bridge. remain, yours very truly,
WM ID. KELLEY.