The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-09
Waynesboro Items.

IL may De set down as maxim that the
prosperity of city or town directly
increases as manufactures are maintained.
| Ehis is perfectly plain to all who have
paid attention to the growth of our cities;
not to refer the reader to those across the
water. Take for example Roanoke city.
| Less than two years ago. its embryo, Big
Lick. contained not more than 500 inhab>
itants. Its citizens were dependent upon
the agricultural community surrounding
it for their support. No manufactures
existed and the place was at standstill.
| So soon as these were introduced, new life
was infused and the dull, listless town has
become thriving, busy city, The growth
is accum ulative. and they are now reach
ing out for more diversified industries.
Again; where manufactures exist, the
price OF agricultural lands are enhanced
and the value of labor increased. The rea.
son is apparent, for the more eaters we
have. the more provisions will there be re-
quired to satisfy their wants. Why not
then reach out and invite manufactures
This has been often done, in an admirable
manner by the VIRGINIAN, for Stanton.
We ask brief consideration why Waynes-
borO should become manufacturing GEN.
tire. First, two transcontinental railways
intersect here, thus opening up the way to
the outside world. The Newport News
and Mississippi Valley opens up the
way to Europe on the east, the vast |
coal and coke fields to the west The east
ern and northern cities can be reached by
the Shenandoah Valley. By this road can
be had the coal and coke from the Poca-
hontas region. And what shall we say of |
the minerals that exist in vast quantity at |
a distance of only few miles, Their |
mere mention should be sufficient. Given |
the same conditions in almost any other |
State, Waynesboro would be veritable |
| Pittsburg in less than a score of years.
| But there are other considerations. She |
has large stream of water flowing by her
doors. The country, Immediately sur
rounding is adapted to the growth of all
the cereals and vegetables in almost Him
liable quantities. The lands are generally
fertile and easily worked. With the pres
ent mode of farming South River dis
trict lin which Waynesboro is situated),
annually produces more wheat than any
other section of the county. Intensity
the present method and the product of
wheat may be doubled in few years.
This cannot be fully done, unless we have
a larger consuming population. Our pres
ent markets are too far removed for close
ly intensified farming.
Why our people do not engage in manu-.
features is principally because they have
not been so educated. Moreover they have
not the requisite capital to establish such
on large scale, which are the more desi-
rable. because they require the employ
ment of large forces. Furnaces. rolling
mills, nail factories, &C., &c., must be es-
tablished by foreign capital. We invite
all such to come. and we give them the
assurance that they will be welcomed.
Some old fogies are to be met with who
are opposed to any change, but the major
ity favor the coming in of legitimate cap
talsts. not sharpers and land grabbers.
We notice that the Hotel Mountain Top
is advertised for sale. This pleasant sum-
mer resort commands an extensive and
varied view Ga portion of three coun
ties. To the east lie the vine clad hills
and the famous pippin orchards of Able
marie, Southwark are to be seen the
dales. creeks and wales of Nelson. From
the northeast to the southwest are the
fertile lands of old Augusta. The noun
tains themselves present scenes OF really
SURPRISING beauty and variety and when it
is remembered that upon almost every
knoll there is an out-cropping of some kind
| of ore, the scene before us presents views
of wealth untold, because undeveloped
The G. and 0. company have had force
of masons repairing and enlarging the
abutments to their bridge across South
river, preparatory to putting tup an iron
and steel bridge to supersede the present
wooden one.
Though the weather has not been ex-
tremely cold, the ice harvest has been
plentiful and of good quality. Every
house in Waynesboro, we believe. has been
filled. The coolest weather yet noted
here, the mercury registered s to 10 above
zero. Have we had any winters of recent
years where the mercury did not reach
zero? We have not kept record and
therefore desire some of your correspon-
dents who have to reply. THOMAS.