The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-03

Contrary to generally circulated re-
ports the public building site is not yet
settled in Roanoke.
Hon. Loren Crounse, Assistant Score
tary Of the United States Treasury, and
Special Agent Window came down
from Washington yesterday morning
and brcakfasted at Hotel Roanoke.
After breakfast they walked around the
business section of the town.
Mr. Window had been over it before,
but it was new ground to Mr.. Crounse,
who explored it thoroughly and with in
tercst. Tho gentlemen were unaccom-
panied in their walk, and their identity
was unknown save to Postmaster AS
berry, 4 TIMES representative and few
others.
After lunch several gentlemen called
upon the Treasury officials, among
them Vice-P President Sands, OF the Nor
folk and Western. AT o'clock the Wis.
itors were driven to the top of Mill
Mountain by +. Il. Kemp, then to Crys-
tai spring and over the city.
Returning to the hotel quite dele
CATION of gentlemen, headed by Mayor
Evans, were found awaiting Secretary
SiOuHHo hiQ w luuOl1, anu LuG
Church street site was given q strong
endorsement.
After dinner, number OF other gen
tlemen, including 5. w Jamison, DR.
Gale, Judge Robertson. Rush U. Derr
and Councilman Ecklon paid their re-
spccts and at S:55 Secretary Crounse
and Mr.. Window left for Lynchburg,
where they will remain to night, going
in the morning To Staunton to look into
the matter OF the public building site at
that point.
Earlier in the day Secretary Crounsc
and Mr.. Window, accompanied by the
editor of The TINES, went on Henry
street and inspected properties lying
along Ilcnry from Kirk to Robertson
streets. Secretary Crounsc authorized
the editor of THE TIMES to state that {.
site on Horny street, south OF Cam pbcll,
would be preferable, in his Judgments
to any previously offered, and that if
such u site should be rendered the Gov
eminent alta reasonable price its merits
would receive consideration.
The inspection seemed to reveal the
fact that the northeast corner of Kirk
aad Henry streets allowed scarcely room
enough: that tho northwest corner was
better. provided enough room could be
had; that either the southeast or south
streets would be eligible, but that still
isore preferable sito would be the
entire front of the east side of Henry
street between Kirk and Robertson.
This block is 200 feet in length and if
enough depth could be had an admira-
BILE site would be afforded the Govern
ment, with room to enlarge the build
ing in case addition she uld at any time
be necessary.
l'efore leaving, Secretary Crounsc
| acknowledged that he had, before visit.
ing Roanoke, accepted the statements
of its marvellous growth, progress, enter
prise and development with a wido
margin OF doubt, but that what he had
seen exceeded all anticipation.
'lou have here" said he, mot city
OF today, but a city of the future. Your
opportunities are wonderful. your re-
sources evidently ineXhaustible. think
that your land prices are too high, but
II the growth OF your city is as rapid in
the future as it has been in the past the
city may be able to catch up with these
values and sustain them. | have lived
in the West and seen numerous booms
and much rapid development, but mono
ever gave such signs Of solidity and per-
manency as Roanoke. If were young
man | should be strongly tempted to
come down here
TO sum up the situation, tho public
building site question is as open to-day
as it was when the first bids were put
in; but good deal depends upon
whether Henry street site Of sufficient
dimensions can be offered at sufli-
ciently low price.