The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-10-29
NOTES BY THE wAY-sIDE.

NOTES BY THE wAY-SIDE.
The "booms'' of "a year ago, when |
many of our people were eagerly and
actively engaged in swapping jack
knives and making paper fortunes be-
tween the rising and setting of the sun,
have passed away. The Jonah's gourd
fortunes have gone like Jonah's gourd-
withered in a night, and many who had
pictured delightful repose under the
shade of its leaves, are exposed to the
merciless rays of the burning sun of dis
appointment. The sanguine and over
confident hung on too long, not satisfied
with 'quick sales and small profits but
retained their holdings for abnormal pri
ces, giving no thought to the logic OF
the situation and to the ineXorable law.
that all excuses must have their re
action They shut their eyes to the ir-
evitable and blindly persisted in the
boom atmosphere, when the careful and
conservative recognized nothing but blu
siness mirage and miaslna. When the
reaction did force itself upon them, they
realized that their fortunes were myths;
that certificates of stock and town lots
were not money, and that their nicely
engraved certificates and their imposing
corner lots, were but little more valuable
than Confederate money after the war.
In fact. a lesson might be evolved out
of the boom history of the State
for the past twelve months, that it
would be profitable for the ranters
after free coinage of silver and sub
treasury loans to study. 1t might
teach them that no condition of
business is safe unless it has a foun-
datiOn of solid values-representing in
fact what it processes in theory-that
level must be reached sooner or later,
and that possessions that have not for
their predicate an unvarying standard.
are both delusive and dangerous.
AS result of the "boOoms'' we notice
several manufacturing sites, upon which
imposing and extensive buildings have
been erected at Goshen. Waynesboro.
Basic City, and Gordonsville, idle
monuments to over-contidence in booms
and plans and arrangements devised I'M
der boom excitement. The buildings
are there, representing large sums OF
money, but the machinery is not in mos
ton, in many instances, aud in others
the money promised for the machinery
is not Forthcoming.
Whether they will ever be occupied
as originally designed cannot be said.
But it may be assumed that all these
welI-built houses will be appropriated
to some useful purpose, and in the
end prove an advantage to the place.
But this is not all that can be said on
this subject There are two sides to it.
Out of the excitement and conf lence
of the boom period, a number of costly,
slightly and much needed hotels have
been erected. At Goshen, a splendid edi-
flee has gone up, and is nearing compile
ton. In the spring it will be open for
visitors, and if architectural attractions,
commodious and luxurious accommoda
tions and general comfort will draw
visitors, the Goshen Hotel will be not
in vain. At Waynesboro, the Hotel
Brunswick, built by the Waynesboro
Land Company, and kept by Mr.. Bur
CESS, is one of the most cosy and cons
plete and we'll conducted hotels we have
ever seen. Last summer it was literally
patronized by persons seeking a retreat
in our mountain regions from the mala>
rial and semi tropical districts. At the
Brunswick they found what they sought
and were 10th to leave its comforts and
attractions, even when the frost had
given the forest variegated hue, and
the mellow rays of a September sun had
become tempered by the crisp winds that
herald the approach of winter. The
Brunswick, we opine, will not be forgot
ten next summer by those who enjoyed
it's healthful surroundings during the
summer past.
At Basic City, the Brandon is another
hosiery that has been a thing of JOY
and health to many who sought a noun
tain resort during the heated term.
Hundreds and hundreds availed of its
splendid appointments, the charming
scenery commanded from its verandas,
and the invigorating associations and
surroundings, and who will renew an
other year the pleasant associations
and unaffected comforts they enjoyed.
These hotels were much needed, and it
nothing else were to come out of the
boom, there would be some compensa-
ton in having these much needed i'm
provements. But other benefits have
been and will be received. The stir and
motion and excitement which prevailed
in the Valley especially, brought many
strangers here, who would not probably
have ever known our section by per-
sonal inspection except for the boom.
They have gathered an idea of the won
derful natural resources of the State,
and the vast opportunities before us If
the capital and enterprise shall be ded>
icated to their development. The spirit
of improvement, too, has been aroused
and stimulated. Farms are being inn
proved, towns substantially built up,
and in every direction the salutary eff
fects of the movement last year may be
seen. Even the old and sleepy town
of Alexandria has been hustled out of
it's moss-covered shell and been made
to feel the impulse and inspiration of
progress, at leasJs to degree. City
property has greatly advanced in salea>
BILE value; several industries have been
established, and the street whittier sit
ting on the store box is getting ashamed
of his occupation as the people begin to
walk more briskly, think quicker, and
have an eye to corner lots and enter
prises of material advancement. 1t
takes great deal to move an old town
like Alexandria. encumbered with old
customs and tied down in old ruts. But
actually the spell of lethargy has been
broken, and the historic. hospitable old
place is looking up.
Washington city has felt the reaction
ary wave very sensibly. The town lot