The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-05-15
THE YADKI,N VALLEY.
THE CHAMBER or COMMERCE
ENJOYS ITS SCENERY.
a Land of Beauty and of Thrift, of Broae

River and Fertile Valleys, of Gener-
Gus, Contented and Happy People.
The business men of Winston-Salem
who went to Elkin Tuesday had n
delightful trip. .-... l'-.. Y
The special train provided for them
through the courtesy of Col. Andrews,
left the Winston depot at 1870, with
the private ear of Col. Andrews at
tached There were about 15O pas
sengers, besides the Salem Cornet
Dnnd and its beavers
The journey between Winston and
Elkin is just 81 miles and it was
made slowly, giving the passengers
opportunity to enjoy the magnificent
scenery along the route, and arriving
in Elkin at about II o clock.
There we were met by over Il thou
sand people, who rendered as hearty
n welcome as big North Carolina
hearts can give. a't5 ns Il
An hour or two was spent in look
ing over the town. 1t has an IDEAL
location. 1t is in among the hills that
lie between the Brushy mountains
and the Blue Ridge, nesting close to
the broad sweep of the Yadkin river.
1t has about 500 of the thriftiest,
heartiest, most law-abiding and most
hospitable people that Gods sun
shines upon. There are seven or
eight stores, a neat hotel, which Mine
Host Gwyn is charging and painting,
Il successful cotton factory, owned
by the Elkin Mfg. Co.. of which Mr.
r. r. Gwyn is president, and the Ell
kin wooden mills, owned by Messrs
Gwyn & Chatham.
Away out here, fifty miles from any
railroad, these energetic people have
made money by spinning and weav-
ing cotton and wool, which had first
to be hauled to them from Salisbury
and then hauled back as finished
product and shipped by rail. The
trip. by wagon, usually took week.
Two things have made IL profit posi-
BILE. First, the magnificent water
power at their doors, and second, the
cheapness of labor. If they made
money before, they will make more
now that they have the advantage
of quick and cheap transportation.
A good school house and church
and the neatest and best residences
that have ever seen in town of its
size. show that education and relig-
ion go hand III hand with the thrift
of these people. | was not surprised
when | was told that there was not
bar-room in the place, and that the
liquid which Bill N,ye calls '.spoopju'
was total stranger to the pious
palates of this people.
The dinner WIS IL royal one, of chick
en-, luscious country ham, mountain
beef, sweet butter and rich cream,
pickles, bread, ice cream and cake
1t was presided over by Elkin's May
or, Mr.. A. Chatham, whose smile the
whole day was Il benediction and
who was genuinely happy in giving
his guests a big-hearted welcome He
was assisted in his attentions to the
Winston-Salem people by commit
tee, composed of Messrs. j. S. Bell, r.
r. Gwyn, G. Z. Roth, j. W. Ring, G.
III. Gwyn, A. G. Click. Il. G. Franklin,
l.. NJ. Chatham, E. ID. Harris and L.
l.. Gwyn, and by every other citizen
in the place who could do anything
to add to the pleasure of the visitors.
>.
Graves Esq, of Mt. Airy, one of the
most eloquent and most popular
young lawyers in the State He
spoke of the common interest of
Winston-Salem and the Yadkin Val
ley. 1t was but natural that Win
ston-Salem and the people of Surry
county should be friends and broth
ers. They were fellow citizens of the
same commonwealth, nay even fellow
countymen, for once Surry county
embraced all the country lying be-
tween Rockingham county on the
east and the Tennessee line on the
west. The men of Surry and the men
of Forsyth had stood side by side in
every fight made against their coun-
try. In revolutionary times their
Ben Cleveland had led along with our
Winston, and in the war with Mexico
their Stokes and our Masten had
shared the fortunes of the field togeth-
er. 1t was but natural then for Surry
to extend brothers greeting to
Forsyth and Mr.. Graves did it with
much eloquence and feeling
r. b. Glenn Esq, of the Winston
bar responded in an effort that was
happy, humorous and well received.
DR.. Tyre York, "the old war horse
of the State of Wilkes" next respond
ed to the toast 'sThe Valley of the
Yadkin" l had always been anxious
to see the man who rode little mule
around on that vigorous campaign
which he made against Scales for
Governor Heis just recovering from
a severe attack of sickness, but seems
yet to be full of vitality. His hair is
gray and he wears full whiskers which
are fast turning white. He is about
6 feet high, wears black frock coat,
talks well and speaks in an interest
ing and vigorous manner. = sa
He complimented. Col. Andrews on
the building of the road and invited
everybody up to the State of Wilkes
to the big celebration on the 4th Of
July. He said this road would make
Winston-Salem one of the greatest
towns in the South He said Wilkes
had never been trumped and never
would be andif the people of Winston-
Salem, and Cy. Watson especially,
would come up there he would prom
Use them plenty of Wilkes chief pro-
duct (corn licker) and anoble dinner.
Mr.. Hugh Chatham nextresponded
to the toast s'Her Water Power and
Timber" He welcomed the, visitors
most cordially and asked their atten-
ton to the wonderful favors which
Nature had bestowed on the Valley
of the Yadkin. Between Donaha and
the Wilkes line, he said, there are 10
bold streams which will furnish facto-
L. s., I -