Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-04-26
Letter from DanviIle.

Correspondence of the Alexandra Gszette.I
DANvILLE, Va, April 23-This charm
ing little city of nine thousand population
sis upon succession of hills on the south
s dc of the romantic Dan. The city as you
approach presents beautiful appearance,
viih it's large mills, huge tobacco fac
tcIies, lofty spires, and. handsome resi-.
dences, in which the Tobacco kings"
lnxuriate and enjoy the good things OF
life, earned by an intelligent handling
OF the weed" many large fortunes
having been made by the manufacture and
sale of tobacco in this city, which is con.
siaered one OF the bsst markets 10 the couD-
try hut the building up OF many interior
ms.kets, such as at South Boston. Martins
vile, Chase City, GAINESVILLE, Henderson,
Oxford, and many other progressive little
,owns, will doubtless put "cut off, on
Danville, which will require great ef-
fort 10 hold her present position in the to.
hacco trade. Whilst tobacco is the main
feature there is tendency to diversity, and
the cotton factory interests are now on a
sound and successful basis. There are now
here three large mills, two Of which have
been running for several years. and the third
II ia situated on the north side
OF the river-in North Danville-and gives EN-.
ployment to GEO hands. and when completed will
employ at least 1000 operatives. And then, too,
all this capital is furnished by Danville men, who
own and run these large factories. The aid
dress goods manufactured here stand high in the
trade and ever since the construction of the mills
orders have been in excess of the supply. The
fabrics are worthy of medium grade, of attract.
i've patterns and a fraction cheaper than eastern
mills can furnish the same goods.
Danville must not expect to continue to thrive
on tobacco alone Other interests must be de-
veoped, other manufacturing enterprises must be
started Danvile, like Alexandria, subscribed
largely to railroads that have Disseminated
against her rather than in her favor. Railro- DIS
sOon forget charitable subscriptions, and your
good old city OF Alexandria is to-day paying dear
y for the hundreds of thousands subscribed to
the old Orange and Alexandria and Manassas Gap
Railroads. The tobacco business at this time is
langushiug two months ago it was booming
bat since that time it has averaged decline in
prices at warehouse sales of from % to so per CT.
50 for some weeks past Danville has been very
dull place in the mercantile line-arge stores,
full stocks, numerous clerks and customers few,
merchants despondent and say they see no pros.
pect of an early Improvement. A few years back
The city had wonderful prosperity and real estate
went up out of sight" in prices. Now you can
see and buy it, too, if you wish. / find numbers
Of tobacco factories closed and several desirable
Main street stores tabled ''for rent" few years
ago every store was occupied and more wanted.
Danvilc has a uniformed police, but they do not
button-Ip. walk with erect carriage and look
every inch policeman" like some of your city
guardians They swagger along, smoke on duty,
occasionally take "a smile" and are jolly set
l had the pleasure of meeting my old army
comrade, Mr.. Robert Jameson, formerly of your
city. He is now in the insurance business in
Danvlle Well do 1 remember our race for life
and liberty on the early morning of the capture
of Petersburg. 1 escaped Bob was captured and
was permitted to "recreate" at Point Lookout for
several months after the great rebellion
c. w G.