The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-10
LETTER FROM HAMPTON.
a Growing and Prosperous Town-The
Fire Record


Special Correspondence 10 the Times1
HAMPTON, VA, January Hampton
= advancing in prosperity very rapidly.
New residences are going up in every
direction and real estate Is constantly adj
yancing in value. II is not strange that
II should be so il is surrounded by a
most fertile back country and the waters
are constantly pouring into its bosom
The means of a most thrifty trade The
Hampton bar oysters are Justly esteemed
among the finest of this region Of fine
oysters, and the hog-hsh and spots in sea.
son are unsurpassed There is a crab
canning factory that does business here
a very large business Their goods. |
learn, are not only shipped all over this
country, but they are exported in large
quantities.
The town has the patronage not only
OF is own citizens and visitors. but also
of the 600 pupils at the Normal school.
and the old soldiers at the Home. of
whom there are about 5000 in that insti-
. lion. Many of them get pensions be-
sides getting pay for all the work they
do-forty cents per day for work besides
board and lodging free-and the most of
this money is turned loose in this town.
The oyster trade here is immense TO
a loOker-0n, IL is most astonishing that
the whole stock j. not soon exhausted
from the constant and excessive drains
made upon IL. But learn that oysters
multiply and grow very rapidly Those
VINO tongue up the oysters are required
to throw back into the water all the culls
the shells in which the oysters have
died, and the small shells-and the spawn
attaches 10 these, and the young oysters
grow 10 merchaniabe size in two years
SO that while the stock is being con-
stantly drained, il is constantly being re.
plenished. Wonderful provision of
muniicent Providence What store
house Of good things is the ocean. There
are two banks in Hampton, and the
Masons are now finishing a large and
attractive Masonic building. with stores
below, and offices and halls above II is
located on the main street of the town.
Old Point is three miles from Hampton.
and a score of carriages keep up con-
stant communication between the two
places. There is a company already or
ganized, and the right of way secured.
through Hampton to build an electric
street railway from Hampton to Old
Point. 1t is thought this improvement
will be completed This year, and then the /
town OF Hampton will be lighted with
There is handsome new Methodist .
Church in the town, just completed. It 1
is Of brick, with graceful spire, gothic
windows, cathedral glass, and presents a .
most attractive appearance, with Rev I.
MI Christian as pastor Besides This the .
Baptists have an attractive church edi- /
flee, recently built, and the Presbyterians .
and EpiscOpalians have each an attractive .
church building.
The distance from Hampton 10 New
port News is seven miles along the coast .
Of Hampton Roads, and the day will F.
come when there VIII be a continuous
town along the entire line, as there is
now between Hampton and Old Point.
The weather has been maryelously fine
here this winter, SO mild that Northern
visitors 10 this region, | hear, have con-
Guided 10 settle here on account OF the
elegant, mild winter weather
We have had a number Of fires in
Hampton during the past month. about
wo every week. Night before last we
be- Dol. gc fire, consuming some five or
-iX houses. all of which were insured.
But the efficient fire company of the
own did good and efficient service. The
ire apparatus OF the Soldiers Home
came over and did good work. NoX.