Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-25
VIRGINIA'S PlTTSBURG.
RESOURCES OF THE FERTILE AND WON.
DERFUL SHENANDOAH VALLEY.


found that the resources of place have not
been exaggerated, it is necessary to see that
the scheme for their development is sound
and is backed BY men of the highest ability
and integrity. Standing as an inter
mediary between the North and
the South, to answer the in
quiries of the one concerning the claims of
| the other, 1 am ever conscious of the re-
/ sponsibility of my position, and therefore
conduct my investigations with that search
ing scrutiny which one exercises in his per-
sonal affairs.
1t is gratifying to find places like Shenan-
doah, where all the claims are verified by
facts, and where the management is COM
posed OF men eminently fitted. in every
respect, for the discharge of the duties
which they have assumed. I have found
here reality more attractive than the
picture which anticipation painted. Shen-
andoah is very prosperous to-day, and there
ale grand successes so near in the future that
1t requires no unusual perspicuity to dis
cern them. Taking as basis of estimate
what has been accomplished in the past
few years, one soon perceives that 1t
requires only continuance of the present
programme to achieve in short period all
the things which the promoters of this town
have predicted. The whole Shenandoah
of prosperity which, for aught that mortals
can see to the contrary, will break only on
the ultimate shores of time Shenandoah
stands prominent among the leaders In this
great movement, and every day increases
the confidence of her hackers.
CAPITAL POURING IN.
The highest evidence of the merits of this
place is contained in the fact that some of
hA 4Irct
vested here. Last May the Shenandoah
Land and Improvemers Company was or.
ganized with c. Powell holland as Presi-
dent. Mr.. holland is one of Virginia's
most progressive sons, and has associated
with him other men who command
the confidence of all. Prominent among
the large investors here are the following
well-known men: F. J. Kimball, Joseph
d. Sands and William G. Mcdowell, Pres
ident, General Manager and Treasurer, re-
spectively, of the Norfolk and Western
Railroad; d. w Flickwer, Superintendent
and 0. Howard Roger, General Passenger
Agent, OF the Shenandoah Valley road;
John NJ. Robinson, President of the Sea-
board and Roanoke; George F. Tyler and
Clarence H. Clark, Philadelphia bankers;
Muller, OF New York, Governor Hill's law |
partner.
This is divisional point on the Shenan-
doah Valley road, which was recently pur- |
chased by the Norfolk and Western. The |
town stands between the Blue Ridge and |
Massanuttor Mountains, short distance |
from both, on the Shenandoah river, l. 100 |
ieet above the sea. The climatic advantages |
are those possessed by the entire val
ley. In the mountains on either side |
there are vast treasures of mineral and |
timber, and most of the crops common to
the State flourish in the fields between. But |
the foundation of the town future success
lies first, in her minerals, and, second, in
her timber. And these will reach their
highest value when they ale wrought to-
gether right here.
AN IRON CENTER.
Iron was made at this place 60 years ago
in primitive charcoal furnaces. A year ago
the Gem" furnace, owned by the Shenan-
doah Furnace Company, began operations.
Its product soon took rank among the lead
ing brands of the country. The capacity of
this furnace is 35, 600 tohs year. 1t makes
both foundry and mill grades. This iron is
strong, tough and fluid. High grade brown
hematte ores, mixed with Cripple creek
and Cranberry ores, are used. The first
two are from the company's mines. Among
those who use the iron OF the "Gem" fur
mace are the following well-known houses:
The Baldwin Locomotive Works, of Phila-
ielphia; Henry McShane & Co., of Balti-
more, and the j. Painter & Sons Company
and Lockport Iron and Steel Company, of
Pittsburg. A foundry and machine shop is
operated in connection with the furnace
This company employs, including the
men working in the mines and quarries, 45O
operatives and a capital of $500, 900. II
WINS 81, 900 acres Of fine mineral lands. The
property on the west side of the river has
,een thoroughly prospected and will be
developed next year, at which time branch
Dad will be built into the Massanutton.
)n the lands of the furnace company there
ire large quarries of limestone and fine
dimension stone, which can be worked at
mall cost.
ENLARGING PLANTS.
The furnace company is now laying the
oundations for rolling mill, which will be 8
econd to none in the country. 1t will begin
perations on January 2S, EMPLOYING 24S
nen and producing ], 800 tons of merchant ,
ron monthly. Next year a second furnace
f large dimensions will be erected &
The President of the company, Mr.. D, ,
:. Sylvester, was with the Allison Manu- =
acturing Company, of Philadelphia, for "a
ears, and the Secretary and Treasurer Mr.. ,
). P. Botsford, recently filled the same a
osition with the Connellsville Coke Sypdi- '
ate, of Pittsburg.
The railroad shops are located here. As ]
,on as the reorganization of the road is per- 4
cted, which will be at the end of the year, t
ew shops employing 275 men, commodi-
rs freight depot and passenger station will 4
? erected, and four miles OF additional a
dings will be laid.
The pay rolls of the furnace COMPANY and I
e railroad shops now aggregate $50, 900 a 1 l
onth. This will be increased BY the con- =.
mplated changes to $4,000.
FOR MANUFACTURERS. II
All the conditions necessary to the sue
IS of manufacturing obtain here. The :.
innate is mild, fuel and labor is cheap.
I'd there is an abundance of raw material .
Isily accessible. Besides the inexhausti-
e stores of iron. there are large deposits of y
anganese, copper, lead, asbestos, slate, n
,hre and clay. There are also immense
acts of land covered with the finest oak.
lckory, poplar, ash, maple, walnut birch. Is
lestnut and pine. Thousands of dollars o
orth OF timber is left to rot each year after
has been stripped of the bark, which is | O.
llpped to the tsnneries. What is needed | d
ere is industries which will utilize ali the N
Nv material without waste. Wagons. ag-
cuituiai III impiements, furniture, wood le
nlp and leather could be manufactured d
ere at the very lowest cost In fact. ali in 81
nstries in which wood and iron are the
-incipal materials would pay handsomely
IRE. r.
The land company offers great induce
ents to manufacturers, and is seconded by 1e
e municipal authorities. Taxes on ali r.
ctories are remitted for five years. The Ia
ot reserved by the land company for man
acturine sites is an ideal one for the pur- p
'se. 1t is in valley hidden from the re- al