The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-21
VIRGINIA OF TO-DAY.
What 4. seen and Heard in Riding over
the Old state.
rEor Tho Tfp,ac
For The Times

The condition and apparent prospects Of
Virginia in the spring Of 20 were most de-
plorable. Left without a single dollar OF
capital and crippled by a vast debt, invested
in public improvements which lay in ruins.
and her entire system Of labor utterly de-
strOved. she was left in a situation such As
demanded the sternest courage and the most
earnest exertion. Her valiant and energetic
people have been equal 20 the great task,
and now that twenty-five years hFve passed
away, virginia is rapidly moving forward
and She is destined 10 take her position In
the very front rank in the great sister
hood Of states. Briefly, the Virginia
Of today is grander, purer, a
more determined Commonwealth than the
Virginia of yesterday. Conscious, a. never
before. of her inhaustible resources, she Is
stirred by an active, wlde-awake and ell
terprising spirit Of incOnquerable purpose
to arise to the full measure Of her grand
possibilities. she realizes her pressing
needs. the rapid and complete develop
ment Of her resources. a greater dlyersinca-
ton Of her industries, the construction 81
permanent highways. the instllling into
her people OF industrial ideas, habits, &c.
Quite recently ! have been visiting some
Of the most promising OF the rapidly-gr0wlng
towns in the section west Of the Blue Ridge
and north of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road. There are dozen or more OF these
that are full Of vim and activity. StauntOn
has a score Of plans and projected pubic
improvements on hand. and these are in the
hands Of "a class Of men well known for
business tact. untirng energy, and keen
Judgment. stanton has future. Luray
is a charming town and full Of people Of
royal hospitality. genial and alable, and
they are thoroughly in love with Luray,
and. hand TO hand. they are doing
their utmost 10 push their town forward.
The great and indescribable "cayerns'
continue TO attract hundreds Of visitors.
The individual who has not seen these, has
vet in store a rare and delightful pleasure
The "Luray Female Institute established
last year. has already taken front rank
among the many schools Of high grade IN
this state. Its principal, Professor y. NJ.
Hargroye. is gentleman OF superior attain
mcnts, and he has the reputation Of being a
highly successful teacher. The present
session opened with a very considerable in
crease over the attendance last year.
Front ROYAL and RiyertOn are on a big
"bo0m." There is nothing like it In all the
history Of blooming towns" ! was told
that the stock had increased three-fOld IN
price and real estate was changing hands
rapidly, and at a percentage OF increase IN
some cases that recall the wildes dreams
Of the Arabian knights. The Company 800
the mysterious and OmnipOtent power that
does the "bOOming '-adNertlses an endless
manufacturing plants.
railroads and street-car lines. The places
are only one mile apart. and IiYeri0n Is at
the junction Of the two branches Of the
shenandoah river, and unlimited water
power is thus Immediately available.
wide and straight roadway has been opened
up between the two tO-be cities, connect
Ing them sort OF ~iamese-Iwins-like, and
my old friend, Carroll Garnett, the genial
host of the Garnet House, who is fairly
ablaze with enthusiasm. told me that this
was 10 be made a grand boulevard Of such
and magnincence as would
make a Partisan turn pale with,wOnder.
There is an immense area Of beautifully-ly-
Ing land suitable for building lots and manu-
featuring sites in and all around these two
magic cities. They are not rivals, but are
most happily welded, and both are work
ing together most earnestly and harmOni-
ouslv for their common welfare. did not
venture 10 ask the price Of some attractive
building lots along the proposed bOule-
yard-my nerves are not strong and fear
edtiI shOck-but learned that money j.
coming by every mail for investment. Every
human being near Front Royal and River
ton is dealing in real estate. | have great
faith in this joint boom and my mind Is
fully made up 10 place good deal Of my
surplus right there. just now, however, !
must devote my utmost energies 10 the
Of an overdue note for ten
dollars arrearage on an old board bill-sO
soon as that is satisfied, shall open a cor
with the imperial company
and ask 10 be shown some Of their best
slices
The Winchester "bOom" is said 10 be an
exceedingly conservative and busness-like
movement 10 improve the material adyan-
tages and develop the resources ofthis quiet
old burg. Its chief patron is Judge John
Of Scranton, Pa, a wealthy
capita Il. who has taken very
large amount Of the capital stock,
and who in MANY ways is giving
strength and yigor 10 the movement and in-
spring and maintaining confidence IN
others.
Virginia is leading the van in the march
of improvement Of the South. Her geo
graphical position on the Atlantic coast.
and her close proximity 10 the great CON-
mercial and financial centres Of the North
and East, her healthful climate, her natu-
rally fertile soil, her matchless people, and,
beyond all, her varied and unlimited re-
sources Of coal. iron, marble, timber, lime
stone, etc., are fast attracting 10 her the two
essentials to rapid deyelopment-capital
lud labor-and here, there, and everywhere !
throughout the larger part Of the Old Do
ninion the air is resonant with the sound |
Il the hammer and the click OF the trowei.
Virginia, in the spirit Of generous and |
yhole-soued hospitality and cordial good
will, so eminently characteristic OF |
Ter people, earnestly invites all TO
ONE and enjoy the unsurpassed
advantages she oilers. Within her
ounds, the capitalist will lind in
openings for safe and profitable
Investment, and the hOme-seeker, every
hing essential % healthful and happy liy-
". Don QUILL.