The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-05

The other day while seated in my easy
chair and rejecting over the future Of our
town. the thought occurred 20 me that we
were not growing and developing IN any
phenomenal way. | Will not lead out Do
the conventional style by predicting that
thirty years from to-day that Ringgold.
Virginia. will have a population Of sixty
thousand. because whether or not we VIII
have 10; a pleasant surprise is always more
agreeable 20 me than never realized ex-
pectatiOn. But FIVE could get the Pennsyl-
wanna railroad 80 build a stem 90 this place,
making this it's terminus, and then erect a.
large grain elevator Eefc. Gould we induce
an the capitalists of Richmond. Norfolk,
Lynchburg and Danylle 90 invest all their
money here instead of in their respective
cities, and If we had a De iesseps 10 build us
"a good canal from the Dan River 10 run by
here 10 furnish MS with an ample supply %
water power 10 run the various industries
that would spring mp here. then we might
hopefully long for better and brighter days.
We would like tO induce an the railroads
IN the South 90 make this q terminal point
Ringg0ld offers exceptional advantage o.
such "a project. One pet advantage l1
that having no river here, no road would
incur the expense of building long bridge.
Another thing. they might secure through
our Council more rights and privilege
than they could get in amy other city IN tie
United States. And III they didn't want 90
build a bridge across the proposed canal.
thinking it 40 narrow that their locomotives
could leap the waters. they could get leap
ing privileges through our Council. More
over. the railroad companies would have
the good will of all our people IL they would
give us an employment 40 good pay. / VIII
also mention that we wish 10 have the cspi-
tai of the State removed here. Al present We
have no churches with tall steeples piercing
the blue skies: no electric lights; no
Western lniOn time-Dalis 90 set our
watches by. Even many other things we
haven't got. but of course. all will come
with the capital and with the inhabitants.
/ would also like tO say that our town Of
fers advantages 90 another class OF people;
90 a certain kind of "a traveller, for instance.
if stranger should come here and bring
bis blankets 20 sleep on and something %
eat while here. You see the town would
offer him advantages that 10 would not %
the tourists that didn't bring these comforts
and necessities. Turning now 20 our town
and people, i'm a mole pointed and descrlp-
tive way. will say that no present 10 is
very small. / may tell y0u something about
It's size in my neXt-"Our People hide
pendence is our leading characteristic.
lose his head. but 10 us 10 has little on
no effect Now. if YOU want 20 'set 'em
up" % get us to help you talk in making "a
horse trade, that is a very different matter.
/ overheard one of our leading farmers,
during a conversation i'm the village store,
say something about ground hog and the
effects of his movements upon the weather.
Nou know some people have strong faith in
the grounding tradition; but j regret 10
state that don't remember what the farmer
said on the subject.
We people are i'm very good health at
present.
John simpsons dog was down with "la
grippe last week, but he is now considered
ont OF danger.
The mild and beautiful winter days are
but gentle reminders that spring will soon
bee here 10 cheer our hearts once more and
dispel the fears of man or beasts from haT-
ing the grippe any more.
"HARRY Lane
Ringgold Va. March ., 1880.