Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-10-02
The R0ckbridge Company.

The following summary is compiled
from the Rockbridge Meas of the Goth in
slant -
The year 1889 has already contained
many days that in the future will be num-
bered as eventful in the development of
Rock bridge County. Not the least event
ful Of these was March Goth when about
half dozen citizens Of Rockbridge and else
where met quietly in the law Office of W.
A. Anderson. in Lexington, and organized
the Roeabridge Company under charter
granted by the Legislature in 1887.
Qaietly, but carr esiy, the officers of
thai company have been at work since that
time bringing Ia The attention of the public
the Inducements offered at Glasgow,
aud when on Wednesday, Sept. 25th, Ii
response to call, general meeting Of the
ST OK bolders of the company WAS held at
RE Natural Bridge. the report OF the
Tgeasurer, Col. J. K. Etmondson, showed
that 504 shares Of the company's stock.
representing $3.50, 400 capital had been
subscribed.
There were represented at the meeting,
capitalists from Boston, Richmond, PEERS
burg AID Norfolk ard elsewhere Among
them we're Joseph Davis, of Boston; Alex
ander Cameron, of Richmond; Wm. Cam
erop, of Petersburg; Z. II. Catlett, of
Ssaunton; l.. II. Shields. of Norfolk; Col.
A. g Sbepperd. Of Boston: r. G Morton,
of Richmond; O. V. Smith, Portsmouth,;
George Lee, King William Co., s. B Nc
Kinney, Farmviiie; d. J. Dance, Of DaH
vile, sc. In all, there were present about
forty stockholders. A large number, con
sideripg the d stance they had to come and
the fact that the stock is not held in small
| lots.
| At few minutes past 10 O'Clock the
meeting was called to order by VIM. A.
Anderson, Esq, of Lexington, Vice-Presi
dent, who nominated Col. J. D. FL. Ross,
OF Lexington, as Chairman. Col. Ross WAS
chosen Chairman, and Messrs. G.. d.
Letcher and w. It. Shields, of Lexington,
Secretaries.
On motion of Mr.. Shields, of Norfolk, a
committee on proxies was appointed. The
committee, consisting of Col. Shepherd, OF
Boston; Mr.. Dance, of Dauvile; and Mr..
Smith, of Portsmouth, reported 681 shares
represented in person and 2, 713 by proxy
OF the stock of the Company but one ninth
is held in Rockbridge New England is
heavily represented. Mr.. NJ. M. Martin,
the General Manager, carried in his pocket
| land money in addition to what was repre-
septed ny Others
The report of the Board of Directors was
read by Vice-Presideut Anderson, setting
forth the history of the Company 50 far aud
the possibilities which lay within its reach.
! the report Was adopted and received aud
ordered to be filed, and on motion of Mr.
Greenville Gaines, of Warrentou, thanks
were returned the Board for the work ac-
complished.
After the adoption of by laws by the
Company the election of officers took
place.
Directors: Fhzhugh Lee, of Richmond,
Va; r b. Catlett, Stauutop, Va; Jose oh
DAVIS, Boston, Mass F, o. French New
York City; G. W. Williams Boston, Mass.
M. nj Martin, Charlotte Co., Va; A. S.
Buford, Richmond, Va; L. Fl. Shields,
Norfolk, Va; Decatur Axtell, G. & o. R.
R.; A. W. Harman, Jr Richmond; W. A.
Anderson, Lexington.
From the Directors the following officers
were elected: Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, Presi-
dent; w. A. Anderson, Esq, ViceP
dent; NJ. NJ. Martin, ESD, General Mana
ger.
W. A. Anderson, Esq, placed Gen. Lee
| 10 nomination. He said: ''He has never
! ,eiled IN anything he has ever undertaken,
-,
as he nas never dnre il anything elsen
Mr. Davis, Of Boston. said: M. Chair
mar, Just enc word - a son Of Mesa
chnsetts, sister of Virginia, grand in
beauty, active 10 entorplis Use, it gives me
great pleasure 10 speak one word in this
business meeting. Your houored Governor
made speech IN our city soma wears ago.
It was q fed day. His speech reached our
hearts As never had been done before"
"Ycu are endoavoriug 10 make Virginia
an agricultural STATE. manufacturing
State also. Pace your horored Governor
st she head OF this enterprise. aud Massa-
chuset;s viii aid you move his election
by aeclamation." The motion was uuani-
Jnousy c4rried.
Gen. Las was called for He expressed
lsis thanks for he honor aud tie kind
ihings said of him Had he anticpa' ed
such nominating speeches he w9nld have
retired. His present duties would Occupy
him until January, afrer that he would
give his entire time tn this enterprise. He
had ouly determined to go into it after a
thorough examination of the merits of the
scheme, aud fully satisfying himself that
he could recommend il to others. Turnin 2
to Mr.. Davis he said ''ID early years Viz
einia and Massachusetts, went hand in hand
AID put our government on a sound foun-
dation-our Washington, and from your
State, the Adamses, Websters, Winthrops,
menwonderful in intellect and in enterprise.
We will be glad to join hands with you in
bringing Virginia to the forefront in a
manufacturing liue, and to strive together
with you Ike our fathers of old to promote
the glory of America"
NJ N. Martin, Esq, presented the name
of W. A. Anderson, Vice President, as a
man than whom none other deserved
greater recognition from the Company or