The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-08-28
Iron Gate.
MEETING OF THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
INAUGURATION OF THEIR SHOPS, sc.
Especial Correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.l

/
IRON GATE, VA, August 22d, 1890.
The Farmers Alliance Cooperative
Manufacturing Company met here to-
day to inaugurate the opening OF the
works of its company. There were
about 300 Alliance men present. The
register of the Iron Gate Inn showed
delegates present from all parts of the
State-from Isle of Wight, Sussex, Nor
folk, Rockingham, Charles City, King
George, Giles, Montgomery. Albemarle,
Hanover, Prince William, Loudoun. Bed
ford, Page, Rockbridge, Augusta, Bote-
tourt, Allegheny and others.
The officers of theAlliance are Isaiah
Printz, of Page county, Va, President !;
Jacob Wissler, Iron Gate, Va, Treasurer
and General Manager; T. W. Allen, jr'
of Mt jackson, Va, Secretary
| After q thorough examination OF the
rolling mill, which was turning out its
red-hot bars, and the foundry of the
Alliance, where a cast has just been
made, the buildings of the Alliance
company were examined. These build
ings are substantial, strongly built
frames, except the foundry, with metal
roofs, and are four in number, as follows :
A foundry of stone, $50 feet by SO feet; a
machine shop, 80 feet by 40 feet a wood
working shop, 40 feet by 40 feet; fitting
room, paint shop and wareroom, 80 feet
by 40 feet; besides blacksmith shop,
coal house, offices, etc.
The meeting was called to order about
II O'Clock by Mr.. r. w. Harris, who
managed the affair and by his activity
and energy. made it a success. About
| fifty delegates came up from the Lynch
burg State Alliance convention to at
tend this meeting. Mr.. Harris intro
duced Col. George L. Barbee, of Bridge
water, President of the State Alliance.
Col. Barbee spoke with great earnestness
of his devotion to the cause of the farm
ers of Virginia. He said they were con-
fronting monopolies which had driven
them to undertake work never before
attempted, and which was the grandest
in which he had ever been engaged.
The monopolies would destroy us if
they could, but, bound together by the
strong bonds of union of interest and
cooperation, we have grown from a
small despised band a few years ago to
an army of 100000 brave and deter
mined soldiers, who would carry the AL
lance banner to glorious success. We
have not been born to die, but to live.
We have $4,000 Alliance men in the
State, representing So of the 100 coun-
ties in the State. We have already ac-
complished a great work, and you see
here to-day the evidences of what we
this young City of the Mountains an
influence will go out all over this State,
strengthening and encouraging us in
our fight for emancipation from the
power of mOnopOlies.
Col Barbee spoke at length of the
value of conference and cooperation on
the part of farmers in securing good re-
suits from the sale of their crops and in
maintaining fair and just prices. He
cited as a notable instance the peanut
industry, which had passed exclusively
into the hands of city wholesale deal
ers, who set the price and established
the value of the crop each year. The
farmers met In conference, determined
to control their own products and thus
overthrow the oppression under which
they had lived in paying tribute to the
city dealers. In conclusion, Col Barbee
said we are now ON the high road to
success and working grand reform.
Politicians trembled as they heard the
tread of the mighty army of Alliance
men. Let US avoid all political entan
clements, make no mistake, but work
bravely for our Alliance.
The meeting was Dext addressed by
Mr.. Julian M. Rufin, of Old Church,
Hanover county. He gave an interest
ing account of the trade in and value of
the trucking interest around Norfolk
and on the Eastern Shore of Virginia,
showing that trucking" was one of the
most valuable investments of the age.
Hon. j. Yost was called for by the AL
lance and greeted as the Father of Iron
Gate. Mr.. Yost welcomed the Alliance
to the young city, to their hearts and to
their homes. He extended the right
hand of fellowship, and bid them center
in and take possession You see around
you the evidence of what has been done
in three short months. The sound of
what had been done had reached Wash
ington, and the politicians did not fail
to appreciate the force and Influence Of
the Alliance. Already Congress had
stopped in it's mad career, and had set
apart three days for the consideration Of
agricultural bills. 1t was said by some
politicians that this movement would
turn out like the oranges, but they had
come here and looked at what was going
on. They saw that you had your money
in here to push forward this organiza-
ton; that you were not building public
halls, like the Changers Hall In Staun-
ton, Va, but were placing your money
in industrial plants and building up and
strengthening your order and in estab
sections of the country. This is the
fist step in the onward march, and proves
that you are here to stay. This town
belongs to you, make yourselves at
home while here.
Mr.. Yost made a ringing speech. which
was well received and loudly applauded.
The meeting was further addressed by
Maj. Chrisman, of Rockingham, and Mr..
Babcock, of Norfolk.
In finances, the Company present the
following statement:
Cost of new buildings at Iron
Gate. S,S929
Cost of machinery erected at
Iron Gate. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5,418O6
Expense of removal from Edin-
burg ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 7sa4
Total cost of plant. sl5,O5s.4s
Machinery removed from Edinburg,
per inventory. .......................... 2,70S08
Material pig iron, scrap, ETC., from
Edinburg Observation-Disclosures. 1,s379O
Unfinished implements at Edinburg.... 3.027.O0
Appraised value of real estate at Edin-
burg. ............................. $4,000
Value of factory site at Iron Gate....... 10000
Thirty two building lots for houses for
workmen at Iron Gate. ................. 100000
Negotiable note, Iron Gate Co: bonus. e,OO0pO
Bonus West ifaln CATE %: not dne:.:::.: e,A0GQ0
Stockholders negotiable notes. 10000
Total expenditure and value Of prop