Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-12-13
RAPID GROWTH.
INCREASE OF ROANoKE'S
POPULATION.
WHAT A FREIGHT AGEN? SAYS
A Steady Increase of Population.
Families Coming I'm Every Day.
what the Roanoke and South.
ern Railroad will DO.

The growth of this city has been a
wonder for years, not only to the
world outside, but to its own people.
When the first rush of population
occurred after the completion of the
Shenandoah Valley railroad, croakers
shook their heads mournfully when
some oversanguine person predicted
that the number of inhabitants would
reach 1900.
When it was suggested that lots on
Salem avenue and Jefferson would
bring $50 a front foot, these same wise
acres would smile scornfully and sug-
gest that it might yet be a modern
Pittsburg. In spite of such discour-
agements, however, in spite of cold
water at home and jealousy and mis-
representation abroad the people kept
on coming until the 5000 limit was
reached and the 5000 one was passed.
Even then there were many here
who were sure that the last number
was an exaggeration, and if the truth
was known there were not over 1000
people in the city.
When tho Roanoke DAILY TINES
was started November 30th 1886, it
was estimated that the population Of
the city numbered between 1000
and 5000, and business was rather
dullthan otherwise.
A visit to the freight Office showed
that the receipts of furniture and
household goods there were about
equal to the shipments. In other
words, that the population of the
place, like the business, was compare
lively at standstill. Under the
stimulus OF a daily newspaper thor
oughly identified with the best inter
ests of this city and section, change
for the better was soon apparent, and
by the first Of February following, q
new wave of prosperity had set in
which, with few slight intermissions,
has increased in volume, as the years
go by, until the population of the
city numbers 1900. The voices of
the croakers have ceased to be
heard, and jealousy and envy OF
neighbors has given place to respect
and admiration, and everybody
pclieN Cd WlltLi llj0 ltOduOhC OH u
outhern railroad is completed that
there will be population of 10000
here to celebrate the arrival of the
first through train from Winston,
n. C.
a TINES reporter, while on his
round yesterday, in order to consult
the railroad as the barometer of pop
ulation, called on Freight Agent
Wade to ascertain how fast furniture
was coming into the city from abroad.
He said the arrivals Of household
goods just now would average about
one family day. Some sixty day s
ago the average was about three a
day, and at one time people seemed
for month or so to be moving away
as fast IS they came in. There has,
in the long run, however, been a con-
slant and steady increase of popula-
ton, and at this time there are five
arrivals to one departure.
The great majority of those who
come here are Virginians, and many
of them are working people. A good
many come from the north, especially
from Pennsylvania. There are g.
number Of arrivals also from Mary
land and North Carolina, and occa-
sionally from Tennessee and Ken
lucky.
Of the Virginians the immigration
is mainly east and north of this city,
a large number being from tidewater
and from the valley. Many come in
from the adjoining counties by pri
vate conveyances and OF these no &C.
count can be taken.
Most likely, when we come to fig
ures, the population of this city is
made up as much, if not more, Of
people who have lived within forty
miles from here than Of people who
have resided at greater distance.
Altogether Roanoke owes a good
deal of it's push and energy to the in
flux of northern people. A Virginian
is hard man to beat at anything,
and when he sees his northern neigh
bors rushing away he joins in the
procession with an equal vim, aud if
they do not watch him very close his
natural ambition will put him at the
head Of it. This, really, is one of the
great secrets of Roanoke's growth
and prosperity. The Virginians have
fully imbibed the energy and progress
siveness of the northern immigrant,
and on all sides the most cosmopolitan
spirit is manifested. The Englishman,
the Irishman, the German, the
Frenchlnan, and even the Cinnamon,
all feel at home and have common
pride in the future of the city.
A Many Loss Sustnfnea nv the Wife
of the ExiIed Ruler of Brazil.
By Associated Press.
LISBON, December 12.-The ex-
empress of Brazil! has received tele-
gram from Rio Janeiro informing her
that all her jewels have been stolen
and the police are investigating the
cause. This loss will be a heavy blow
to the imperial family. In the collec
ton of jewels were comprised the
finest Brazilian diamonds that are IN
the world. II the Brazilian republic
should decline to continue Pedro't
income, the loss of these treasures will
be severely felt, as they were looked
upon as the chief immediate resource
of the family.
Archbishop walsh's Advice to 6
League.
By Associated Press.
DUBLIN, December 12.-Archbishol
Walsh addressed a meeting of tht
Tenants league in the rotunda yes
terday. The mayor OF Dublin pre-