Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-19
TWIN CITIES.
FRONT ROYAL AND RIvsRToN, IN THE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
A Nav Era Just BeGun-A Wonderful
Country Awaiting the Home
Seeker and tho Capitalist
p,ovr Rov.n. Va. Oct. II, 1890.

Fnosr ROYAL, Va, Oct II, 1890.
There is great joy over all OF the
Shenandoah Valley. The future OF this
beautiful region is the topic now upon
the tongue of every man, woman, and
child. The sale OF the Shenandoah Val
lev railroad TO the Norfolk aud Western
road on the 1st of the month doubtless
opens new era in the history OF this
section. The Norfolk and Western road
is the great town-builder OF the South.
Wherever il has fastened its tentacles
upon the undeveloped wealth OF sec
ton towns and cities have sprung up as
by magic. But the prosperity OF the
road is not due entirely to It's manage
ment. The main reason OF Its success
lies in the great resources OF the country
it penetrates.
THE TWO CONFLICTS.
This region was the theatre OF much
OF the fighting in the war OF secession.
In plain and in forest, in valley aud on
mountsin-si the opposing hosts con-
tended for supremacy. When at last the
combatsnts parted. leaving great
swath OF desolation to mark the scene OF
their struggle. none on either SIDE
dreamed of the great conflict which
would begin in the same arena less than
three decades later. But nothing could
be more fitting, in the philosophy OF
events. than that peace should smile to-
day where grim carnage covered
twenty-five years ago. 1t was put
a Just compensation that health,
happiness, and plenty should exist
where there had been destitutlon.
misery. and death. A great conflict is
being waged in this region now. and the
combat grows fercer each day, but It's
noise gladdens the ear and sends Joy 10
the heart. Instead of the roar OF cannon
there is the thunder OF trains freighted
with prosperous people aud the wealth
they have gathered from the earth in
stead of the rattle OF the drums calling
men TO a carnival OF death, the whistle
OF the furnace and the mill announce
the dinner-hour instead OF the rattle OF
the musketry, moving down humanity,
the sound of hammers and the song OF
the saw tell OF handsome homes that arc
being built. And these two great con-
fiicts are separated only by a span OF
few brief years
HOW THE RAILROADS Run.
The Shenandoah Valley is crossed at
the north and the south by the Bslti-
more and Ohio aud the Chesapeake and
Ohio roads respectively. A branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio road runs along
the western side OF the valley and the
Shenandoah- Valley road, beginning at
HaRerstown, Md, runs down the eastern
side TO Roanoke in this State. The pur-
chase of the Shenandoah-V Valley road by
the Norfolk and Western gives the latter
an important link in short line to the
North, and therefore much traffic Will be
diverted to this route. All places along
the road will be benefited, but Front
Royal and Biverton are the towns which
will gain most.
LooATIo. OF THE TWIN CITIES.
By reference to map the reader will
see that the twin cities are located IN the
upper part of the VALLEY, at the junction
OF the Shenandoah Valley road and
branch of the Richmond and Danyille.
The latter runs from Washington to
Strasbure. a town on the Valley branch
of the Baltimore and Ohio road. From
an inspection Of its railroad connections
il will be seen that the twin cities already
possess means OF rapid communication
with every section OF the country. But
the shipping facilities will soon be greatly
increased. The Norfolk and Western
is now locating q line from Wash
inQton to Front Royal to get
an independent direct outlet to
the North. When this IS com
pleted the twin cities will possess facili-
ties for northward traffic equalled by
few places in the entire South. The
Cumberland-Valley road, which now
runs from Harrisburg, Pa, to Winches-
ter. Va, will soon be extended TO this
place. thence southwark through the
rich but undeveloped counties of Rap
pahannock, Madison, and Greene to
Fredericksburg and on to deep water.
There is no doubt that these roads Will
be built to this point, for the two princl-
nal passes of the Blue Ridge in this re-
zion. Manassas and Chesters. lie oppo-
site TO this place. Six roads are already
chartered to pass through them. SO
this will soon be the second most impor-
tant railroad centre in the State.
CHEAP NorIyE-PowER.
Tn this region there is some OF the
finest water-power in the South. The
two forks of the Shenandoah river join
here. and other streams flow through the
adjoining country along one OF which
there are already small mills OF various
descriptions.
The grest coal-fields of this State.
West Virginia, and Pennsylvania are
not far. and are reached in such man
ner that this place has the benefit of
short hauls and active railroad competi-
ton.
The two most important things to be
considered by manufacturers are motive
power and shipping facilities. These
cannot be brought from afsr. A place
to succeed must be able to say: "Here
thev are: come and utilize them" /
have shown that the twin cities have
these most important requisites of q
manufacturing town. But there are
other requisites which are of vital i'm
portsnoe to the success OF msnufsctu-
ring centre. The twin cities possess all
of them. From the white population in
and around them an abundance of cheap
labor may be secured. The mild and
healthful climate reduces mortality to
the minimum percentage snd renders
living much cheaper than in the cities Of
the North.
ENTERPRISES.
Front Royal is possessed of ample ia
cilitea The Front Royal National
Bank has a capital Of so, 200. with a
deposit exceeding $3.50, 900; the Bank
of Warren, capital SIS, 900, deposits
about 500, 000