The Washington critic., 1890-02-16
AFFAIRS IN VIRGINIA.
CHANGING AT THE TOWNS ON THE
WAY TO DANVlLLE.

-
Trtp-The Tobacco Iudustry-Hap-
peninga at OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES From
Culpoper.
Leaving Washington on the $50 a.
m. Richmond and Danvlllo train, we
pass through country which, If not
lined with costly villas, surrounded by
expensive and well-kopt lawns, one
does find many picturesque villages and
towns, made more picturesque and in
teresting by the stirring events which
try during the late war.
The first town of any importance at
which we stop Is Culpopor, and few Of
my old comrades in arms who were
stationed In this neighborhood during
the late unpleasantness would recog-
nize in this fiourishing place the village
they once knew. The streets are wide
and well kept and lined with business
houses. which give you the impression
at once that the people here are live,
go-ahesd set. There are two large and
well kept hotels here, so the tourist
may feel assured that he will be well
cared for.
The Waverly Hotel is situated at the
depot and under the management of
Mrs. NJ. V. Maddox, assisted by Clerk
Ashby. Mrs. Maddox's son is an old
commercial tourist and knows just what
the boys of the grip need. The neat
rooms, the well.kept table and the
hearty good cheer with which these gen
tlemen meet the travelling public makes
one almost forget home and long to
linger in this pleasant place. During
the summer many persons from our
city come here for rest after winters
campaign In business and society.
Among the visitors here at present we
notice Mrs. Darling, literary lady of
considerable note both in Washington
and Baltimore. Among the representa-
tive men are II. b. Macoy. druggist.
A. NJ. Nelson & Co. hardware; Ashly
& Somerville, dry goods.
Leaving Culpeper on the II a. IN.
train, We go next to Charlottesville, the
county seat of ALTERNATE. The town
is situated in the picturesque valley of
Rivauna, between the Blue Ridge and
Southwest Mountains. We are met at
the train by Mr.. ]. L. Davis, clerk of
Wrights Hotel, to which hotel we arc
taken.
One of the most interesting places
here is the University Of Virginia. and
both State and town may well be proud
of this institution of learning. 1t was
founded about 1919 by Thomas Jeffer-
SOD and at present has over 400 students,
representing every State in the Union.
Prof. w. B. Thornton, chairman of the
faculty, is at the head of this institution.
A short walk from the University we
come to the observatory, which is the
pride of the place and under the direc-
tons of Prof. Stone of Chicago, who
has added to science many important
discoveries.
Among the manufactures of Char
lottesville may be mentioned the Mon
ticello Wine Company, wooden mill,
shoe factory, hub and spoke factory
and cigar factory. The newspapers
here are the Chronicle and JcfGrSoHidR
Republican. both of them live and in
teresting papers. From Charlottesville
we next stop at Lynchburg, we'll called
the "City of Hills" 1t is situated on
the high bluffs which overhang the
James River, which flows on south
The view from the higher portions of
the city is grand. Mountain after noun
tain meet the eye and present scene
long to be remembered and almost i'm
possible to describe. This town was
built over one hundred years ago, and
takes its name from John Lynch. who
donated the land on which it is sit
uated.
The principal industry is the manu-
facture of tobacco. Nearly million
dollars capital is invested in this in
dustry One can hardly go a block
through this busy place without meet
ing the heavy drays loaded with hogs
heads of tobacco being carried to the
factories, soon to appear again, on Its
way TO the depots, in the shape Of the
well.knowp brands of tobacco which
one sees advertised everywhere. There
are in this place about thirty two
tobacco factories, which give employ
ment to fully 5000 persons.
The public buildings are equal TO any
in the State. excepting Richmond. The
postoffice, Federal courts and interna
revenue occupy large and imposing
building of press brick and cost about
$3.50, 000 The opera house has a seat
ing capacity of about 200 and will
equal any of our popular theatres. The
court house. built in the Grecian style
and situated as II Is at the head of Ninth
street, on bluff fully one hundred fee
above the street and reached by broad
balustrades and winding parks, attracts
and holds the attention of the stranger
more than any other building in tn,
city. The Y. NJ. c. A. has a fine build
ing, Of which they may well be proud
The newspapers are the NrginiaH, thu
Adpdnee and Daily NeWS. There arr
two fine hotels here. the Norval- Ar
lipgton and the Lynch, both are first
class.
Danville. the next town on this road
where we stop. is another importan
tobacco city, and, In fact, said to b.
the leading tobacco city in the State
Most OF the factories here make only
the high grade goods. To-day. meeting
a dray loaded with tobacco, followed
TO see as near ~ possible what was dom
before II reached the consumer Itwa
driven 10 one Of the large tobacco
auction rooms. where 1t was piled along
side Of endless other seemingly jus
such piles and tag placed on Il giving
the owners name, number OF pounds
etc. The auction takes place ever!
day. This particular load goes into tn
hand OF the fortunate or unfortunate
broker who bids highest, and from hin
finds lis way In the factory; and TO on
Of these factories / hastencd-it wa
that OF Grayely a Miller. one Of tn
largest here, and probably one Of tn
best known throughout the country, a
their goods are shipped TO every city
town and hamlet
Mr., Helm. a member Of the firm
kindly took me through the factory
The building Is five stories high an
about 40 feet long by 80 feet wide. Tn
rooms. except on the first floor, take /
the whole extent Of the building. Tn