Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-24
Staunto1. $peftatog.
Looking SOuthward.


to Alabama where some had made, and
others we're going down for the purpose OF
making investments. a resident of South
west Virginia was on the same car and
conversation sprang up between them con-
cerning Southern resources and Southern
opportunities generally for Development
One of the number, who was from Maine,
said that the desire of moneyed men in his
State to look Southwark for investments
was increasiny because the means of infor
nation were multiplying. Continuing, hi
remarked that in ten years. time the stream
of investments would be much larger il
this direction from his State than the!
would be to the West which bad pretty
much monopoliEed the emigrating populs
tion and moving capital seeking new op
portunities in the future. He sustained
his theories upon the same line of argu
ment so truthful and so familiar to ou'
own people, and to which he, also, from
ocular demonstration, could testify. The
variety and extent of raw material, gooo
locations, superior climate, and all the othe'
advan tages not necessary to particularizt
here, were put in contrast to The Western
opportunities in very satisfactory manner
to Southern listener to bis well-arrangeo
and well-applied arguments.
He said the agriculture of the Western
States and territories would expand ano
would be the chief rource of prosperity
but that interest did not, and could no.
offer of itself, or through its influences,
either the extent Or variety of inducements
to engage in manufacturing that existed il
the Southern States. Almost every invest
ment made there, he maintained, had II
look directly to agriculture for support
and the partial or occasional failure
crops, which had been realized in man,
sections Of the West. had already caused
more reflection and investigation than wer'
customary heretofore in looking abroad TO
the transfer of energies and money.
He commended the policy of constant eff
forts, even if on limited scale, and th'
better If pushed by local men and means,
as the most inviting to hundreds who hat
small moneyed resources they would wisi
to apply in connection with their own labo'
In The new development. This policy woulo
help very materially 20 bring the large
capitalists for the larger enterprises.
He had read something of the progress
making in Virginia, and of the iron-ores o.
the country through which be was the'
passing. AS the tram moved along, his
attention was occasionally directed to ore
beds and mines and old furnace sites
several of each being in full view from tie
car windows. He said one of the best mean
of advertising such resources was to erect =
few pyramids of the ores at appropriate
points Immediately at the railroad as Indie
alive of its abundance and inviting in
Guiries of practical tests of values
which would in many instances lead to new
and enlarged development.
This suggestion, it can be added, ono
had an illustration of the real value u
would have been if carried out, ard that.
teo, along the lire of transportation owe
which the gentleman from Maine was q
the time of the conversation passing.
In 1885, President Kimball, of the Nor
folk and Western Railroad, procured thu
services of Professor McCreath to make al
examination of the ores on the lines of tht
Shenandoah Valley and Norfolk and West
ern railroads, with the view of drawing
public attention to their values. In was 3
good work for the direct benefit of private
interests as well as the prospective ad-
vantages to the railroads and without COS
TO the owners of the ore deposits. II
many instances, as Professor McCreatb
passed along, be was unable to procure the
ores to the extent desired, and had to make
his analyses and Investigations from piece
left from mining many years previously.
The pyramids of ores, as suggested, along
the line would have been, at least, more in.
viting, and would have furnished tie Pro
lessor the opportunity of making fuller
is standard work, and practical tests in
producing iron vindicate its accuracy
The c,nversation referred TO suggested
the value of advertising or bringing oul
resources into notics, and the many practi
cal plans which can be successfully adopted
We have noticed with pleasure the progress
made in West Virginia by State orgaui
cation recently set in motion for introdu
cing capital and population into the enter
prizes Of that State. 1t was organized in
February, 1888. At that tine We invited
attention to it and the spirit in which the
people took hold, and suggested that Staun.
ton could, by similar procedure, effect good
results for this locality, which could be
done at little cost. We had then one organ
ization which could appropriately have in
augurated the movement,-now we hav.
two that can move the whole community tt
action, if the people are inclined to RESPOND
to the effort.
Wythe county is now receiving the beDe
cts OF a timely and judicious plan which
was inaugurated in mass-meeting of hel
citizens last January, after experiencing
the great advantages secured through the
action of the County Board of Supervisor
in making known the resources of th'
county at the State Exposition last fall
The publications. which now 60 out th,ougl
amended ard Efficient cooperation to thu
work accomplished by the Board Of Super
visoIs, announce the premium of Ave
hundred dollars TO Wythe county awarded
by the Elk position for the best exhibit o
minerals and woods accompanied With tn,
diploma of that first award Of the EXPO
sition. And what is the exhibit? OF thu
10 square miles Of surfsce, covering ih'
iron-ore deposits Of Wythe, only thu
twentieth part is brought into activity. II
that small part, including the Crozer a.
Roanoke, are fourteen furnaces max rs