The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-25

meantime. the hotels and boarding honseS9
of Clifton Forge could be avaledo by thos
wishing To visit the springs during this
summer season.
Iron Gate is accessible from three di-
rections, by two leading railroads already
constructed. From the west and east by
the e. and o., and from the southwest
and S0nlh hy The Richmond ard AllPgha
ny, which passts Through the property OF
the projectors and will have its depot
within the limits of tie town. The Black
Diamond road. now under partial contract
from Petersburg TO Clifton Forge. as we
have been Informed, will open commu-
nication with the northwest and command
a hfavv trade in the forest and coal pros
ductions of the virgin country through
which it will pass
1t wouli rot be- possible to combine
more attractions aud advantages than those
which conspire to assure the success of
Iron Gate. Nature has been prodigal in
her provisions to invite the enterprise of
man, and the men have been found to
grasp the opportunity and utilize the ad
vantages which must result in progress
sive, busy industrial centre, as we'll as a
pleasant pleasure and health resort
The character of the gentlemen who
have in charge this important scheme of
itself ought to inspire confidence and COM
mand success. Each and every one of
them is successful business man. They
present a forceful array of business quail.
ilications which are rarely found in an Or
ganization.
Jos. Z. Thropp is a wealthy citizen of
Philadelphia, a thorough business man. an
an educated engineer and practical iron
manufacturer
Jacob lost is one of the editors of the
VALLEY VIRGINIAN, represented this
district in The 50th Congress. and has
been actively interested in Virginia de
velopments.
Fred. Colburn is proprietor of the Nc
Curly House. Clifton Forge, and careful
and systematic in his business affairs, as
a mal must he to successfully run no
tel.
Jno ID. Weeks is the editor of the Amer
acdn Manufacturer, Pittsburg. and an ex-
pert in statistics and iron interests.
Pliny Fisk is "a prominent business man
of New York. and formerly director il
the G. and O. Railway company.
II. Il. Wickfam is son of the late Gen
WINS, g. Wickham, Vice President and
manager of the e. & o.. and is genera
counsel for the Chesapeake and Ohio.
L. G. Best is superintendent of the St.
Lawrence Boom and Lumber company
and also President of the Rush Run Coz
Company
II l.. Parish is an able awyear and for a
number of years counsel for the G. and O
Hallway.
II. e. Parsons is proprietor of Natural
Bridge and prominently identified with
and interested in Southern development.
M. A. Rife is banker and real estate
dealer of Richmond, Va.
E. Nj. Nettleton has made fortune in
the lumber business. is largely inter
ested in that trade, and is President of the
Board OF Supervisors of Allegheny county
O. Illleman is of Hieman, Waring
Co.. proprietors of Callie Furnace. and a
practical hon man. la
Geo. II. Poindexter is a prominent real
estate broker of Richmond, Va.
With this combination of business meI
In control OF the Iron Gate project, it il
not surprising that it has inspired public
| iiInpn1 from 10 of RI 10
prising that in two days after the organi
Znion was Effected the stock should
have advanced to a premium, with very
little to be had at that. The whole
scheme. in fact. is based on legitimate
business principles. and managed by bust
ness men and methods; has solid founda
tion upon which to rest; has had to resort
, to no doubtful or questionable devices Oh
alternatives to place the stock; is ground.
ed in good faith and fair, square deal
ing, and is already TO all intents and
purposes a success. 1t will not be sis
mouths, we venture the prediction, before
the stock will rate 100 per cent. above par
and very little Of it will be sold at that
There is nothing strange about all this
when a little reflection is given to the
facts. We have stated above and in a
previous article the multiplied natural
advantages the location presents. Were
the same conditions to exist in any North
ern or Wtstern State, it would not be
twelve months before there would be a
city of 10000 people. In the centre of a
~ -
two railroads forming IA junction at that
point. with abundant water power on the
property for manufacturing purposes
with four or five furnaces constructed,
ard most of them in blast within ra-
dius of less than fifteen miles; in the
midst of rich agricultural, pastura
and mineral section-al practically unde
veloped-various mineral springs. of won
derful curative proper ties and withal com
manding the most picturesque and charm.
ing stretch of natural scenery that it is
possible to conceive, the wonder is that
a city has not long since been built and
busy industries established where Iron
Gate is located. We can only account
for the neglect of this invitation Nature
has ext ended for the enterprise of man.
to the fact that our people have been look
ing away from home and passing by the
hidden wealth that lies around them, un-
der the delusion that fortune awaits them
in distant sections. If they would dig and
deve at home as they would have to do in
stranger lands, Virginia would be dotted
all over with thriving towns and cities
our mountains would throb and pulsate
under the touch of enterprise and capital
our valleys would be vocal with the mu.
sic of machinery running profitable indus
tries-olIr people would find remunerative
emp. oym-nt-lands would become more
valuable lis home market would invite
enlarged productions. and the whole coun-
Try would blossom and bloom under the
inspiring il tiuehce of well rewarded indus
try in field ard factory.
Iron Gate is but the pioneer. Its sue
cess assured. and other enterprises of a
similar and possibly of more comprehensive
proportions would follow, until the Virs
ginias, between the Blue Ridge and the
| Mechanics WOuid he Onp huSv oc.no IF in