The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-01-09
Iron Gat,.

Railways, has not been attended by
booming or buster The management I
have preferred to let their works speak for
them. The basis OF the project is rock
bottom. There has been no GIBBS and
flows of the tide of its progress. 1t has
gone steadily ahead, until its stock is
low quoted at $145-par value $100-and
none of it on the market at that price.
Lots have been gradually advancing, as
each day and each movement illustrated
the business soiidity of the enterprise
and the sagacious and intelligent con
duct of its affairs. Its history and the
methods which have directed it, have
inspired public confidence and the con-
fidence of every one interested. There
have been no intricacies and cOmpllca-
lions from the start to explain, or
doubtful eXpedients to cause distrust.
Business methods and business pur
poses have controlled throughout, and the
result is an assured industrial city, which
needs no fictitious boosting or eXtrava-
CANT booming To illustrate the gene
raj confidence i'll the project, we have
simply to note one fact. A week or two
ago some of the shrewdest business
men of Staunton, after thorough ex-
animation OF all the facts connected
with the enterprise and the fiattering
promise it assured, purchased 200 lots,
and will at once proceed to eXpend
$50, 900 in their improvement. Other
parties are coming in daily and pur-
chasing lots, and laying their plans for
business undertakings. All this is going
on without any putting or palavering,
and as the result of confidence.
The Hotel has already been leased by
Mr. Fred Colburn, of the Clifton Forge
Hotel, and we learn ample arrangements
will be made for summer visitors. to
avail of the mineral waters which flow
from half-doZen springs, embracing
lithia chalybeate. sulphur, and free
stone waters. Probably there is no such
variety and combination of medicinal
waters, in the same area. in the Union
az are found at Iron Gate, which are des-
tined to make the place not only re-
sort for the invalid, but for the pleasure
seeker and those bent Oh business.
An article in the Allegheny Sentinel
Of the Sd, refers to the site, the surround
inss and the improvements at Iron Gate.
as follows.
IRON Gate which is situated one and three
fourths miles east of this place, was visited by
the writer few days ago. He saw some of the
most beautiful and picturesque scenery that he
lcl, nIR re IN hp
visits the wonderful Hudson" The entrance
to Iron Gate from the wast is truly a gate, and
as we took a 'tie ticket beheld all of the
enchanting scenery between the two places.
Immediately before us the prospect seemed to
+ be closed by the steep ACTIVITY of the noun
/ tain, but behind the country gradually expand
! ed into breadfhs of unreasonable extent over
/ which the lengthaniHg shadows of evening
stealthily crept, hushing the scene into soft and
dreamy repose. Winding along the railroad
track we enter q kind of canyon that has OH
each side precptous sleeps that shoot heaven
ward in dizzy heights where the earliest light
( haralis the approach of the morning and the
last rays of departing day longest linger. For
ests of pine, iSy and dogwood strike deep their
roots into the virgin soil and interlacing their
branches overhead into arches Of leafy splendor,
/ east sonibre shadow along the line OF the rail
road.
the rude contortions of primeval ages and ar
ranged in rainbow shape, frown upon the trav-
eler like the embattled towers of some medieval
castle, or the dismal gates that open to Puton-
| ian night. Higher yet crystal fountain bursts
| from hidden depths and rushes laughingly across
! the road, and then goes dashing down its broken
channel into JaGkson's river, like pure spirit
that unawares has found its way into world
| OF woe, and hastens to escape from the gloom
and darkness of its sad environment. Anon
glimpse OF the city of Iron Gate can be seen
through the channel which the railroad passes
through. The true chain OF the Alleghanies is
sharply defined against the glowing west, While
ali the intervening space of hills and valleys
| bafhad in the light of the declining sun, and
! hecked with delicate shadowings of gold and
| purple, forms q picture that lives in memory,
associated with sense of peace and tranquility.
We have fairly arrived at Iron Oats and proceed
to take in" the city.
First we visit the companys hotel built by the
Iron Gate Land Company. 1t Is mammoth
building containing fifty two rooms. The mate
rial used in building is of the best and the archi-
lecture and mechanical work cannot be ex
ceiled. Next we visited Mr.. Carper's store and
found quite large quantity of groceries in
sto TX. bir. Carper's family is the pioneer family
of the place, while his store was the first to
! commence selling goods
We next visited the elaborate rolling MILL
This IN ill is Owned by a company, which has for
its president Mr.. Weeks of Pittsburg. Wefound
J general manager Crawford ia the mill and he
seemed to take pleasure in showing Us arouHi
but as am not a machinist cannot give you
I graphic description of the mill. The workmen
/ are making good Roadway and it is expected by
the officials to start the mill with full force of
hands i'll the early spring. From MI Crawford
we learn that Mr.. Weeks, the president, reports
all plans perfected for the erection of the steel
pla 1t at one end of the rolling mill.
We peramulated the town and visited other
places of minor Importance, then we start for
our h )mes night is fast coming on. The sun
has gone down. A few clouds hover in the west
Silence settles upon our road. might lets fall
her curtain and pins it with a STAR And we
weary travellers have sought and found rest in
our humble homes in historic Clifton Forge with
the scenes of Iron Gate indelibly impressed On
our minds.