The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-27
A Big FIRE In MANCHESTER.
fhe Plant Of the James RiYef Tanning
Company Destroyed.
FAST GROWTH OF OUR SISTER CITY.
Interesting Facts and Figures, Showing =
wonderful Increase In manufaot"r'n
and PopuIntion-Items Of Ne""
MAwcHysrrs BUREAU RlonsoSpTfh
rnpxvp EtrrR AND PORTER STREETS.

Was turned in from tho Second ward and the
Alert Fire Company promptly repaired to the
seems. The FIRE was found TO be in the large
tanning establishment OF the James River
tannery: and the entire top of the building
ras In flames when the fire department ar
rived. They promptly put four streams to
work on the burning building and success
fully kept the fire from spreading.
The fire was first seen by a lady member OF
the family Of Mr.. Faulkner, who lives at the
corner OF Hull and Second streets. Inc
fannery adioins Mi. Faulkners place IN tho
rear and the flames were first seen from an
eastern window Immediately over the boiler
room. The fire had evidently been burning
for some time on the inside, Tor IN three MIN.
utss after it was discovered the entire roof
was in flames.
reasonable manner. be accounted for. There
had been no fire in the engine during the day,
and all of the operatives left the place at 4:3O
O'Clock. No Waterman Is kept on the prem
Uses. and the affair occurring before dark -
all the more mysterious. The upper story OF
building. which il "a three-stOry frame struc-
turo. is used for driving the leather, and was
full Of this material. There was also O small
quantity of oil and grease stored on THIS moor.
Spontaneous combustion could hardly. nave
happened. and il is generally believed that IL
is the work OF All l~ncendlary.
Mr.. Lee Strauss. president OF the company.
vss seen at his home. No. 20 east Marshall
street. and SAID he knew nothing OF the IRE
until after il was put out. He then went
over to the scene and viewed the result OF the
flames and the fremen. lie SAID his pace
was full of goods. and 1t would be utterly I'M
possible TO give anything like an intelligent
estimate Of his loss. he has in several com.
panies insurance amounting TO $4,000. which
be did not think would half cover the
damage.
The conduct of the fremen cannot be too
highly commended. The fire had great head
way. but by heroic fighting II was held down,
and in a short while was entirely under con-
troll. Only the top and second stories were
DESTROYED and a portion of the roofing. The
south wall was only slightly damaged.
IL was reported on the streets that a negro
child was killed. There was no foundation
for the rumor and there was no accident Of
any character.
MANoHEsTER's GROWTH.
On March 20. 1874. by act Of the General
Assembly of Virginia. Manchester was called
a city. and as such should have. exercise and
enjoy all the rights. immunities, powers and
privileges and be subject TO all the duties and
obligations incumbent upon q city as - NUM-
pal incorporation. In point of numbers
Manchester was more than deserving OF
this honor. but from a financial stand
point she was far behind the require
ments Of a city: For a while
all things worked well. but ere long a pollti-
cal excitement and financial depression
swooped down upon the city and her 8 per
cent. bonds fell TO 30, interest was at default,
and all action was pending that would have
put the city in the hands of a receiver. The
financial depression WAS greatly due 70 the
expenses incurred in building the courthouse,
and what was at the time thought to be the
very foolish and unnecessary grading OF the
:. -. NJ = - tho Unnnnd
story and cutting others down until they
were left on q hill as high rs an ordinary tree
top.
THE WATER WORKS.
.Abont this time, October Is. 1881. negotia-
: fions were made for the sale of the citys
water power. which was considered by some
90 be o great mistake. while others thought
IL best. The deed was recorded, and Oh the
aforementioned date the water power OF the
CITY went into the control Of the Richmond
and Allegheny Railroad Company: This
seemed to be a turning point in Manchester's
financial history. Northern and Richmond
capitalists were induced to invest their
money, and on December "a, 1894. the first
street car rolled down Hull street and out
Seventh avenue 70 and across the free bridge
and up Ninth to Main street. Though Man
chester has never enjoyed a boom" since
that time her progress has been steadily
ON the increase until to-day. by a disinterested
fOIUIlHJICOn. NLO EIONN vi "
suburbs in the last few years has increased
about 1870 per cent. The increased valuation
of property in the Manchester district, which
includes Swanboro, for the same length OF
time has been about $500, 900. The assessed
value OF real estate is %, 233, 1919, which does
not include city and church property, which
is not taxable.s but valued at S348, COO: also
about a., 000, 600 of manufacturing property
which. under her liberal and progressive
policy, the city specially exempts from local
taxation.
The bonded debt of the city is 1912. 700. her
financial condition is first-class and her credit
way above par.
A COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.
A recapitulated comparative statement of
the city's progress is both interesting and
valuable information. The first year of the
CITY is here compared with the present. In
1874 assessed value of real estate was ZOO, 900.
1t now 10 81, 3l9. increase Sl.335,3l9. In
1874 the manufacturing establishments en-
ployed 672 operatives. Now there ere 1851,
an increase of l 1872.
In 1874 there were four churches. now
there are eleven. In 1874 a stage system was
running between Manchester and Richmond.
carrying about seventy-fv passengers and
making hourly trips. now there are three first
class street car lines, handsomely equipped
and propelled by electricity, carrying on al
average 1900 passengers daily. IL is esti-
mated that there were forty mercantile estab-
kAonihthbo ~ ~ ARfts hO-Ncf bApAN oAO 10
quite a number of which are large, first-class
places. In 1874 eight manufacturing estab-
Iishments were in operation. now there are
twenty-four.
LAND COMPANIES.
Inspired by the movement which has lately
taken place in the South leading citizens. as
sisted by outside capital, have organized sew
eral suburban land companies. With one &C
cord the managers discouraged flaming adj
vertisements and extravaganza publication.
They selected beautifully located properties,
and the result has been that the reaction
which has prevailed throughout the country
has not materially affected these enterprises.
A large number of handsome suburban resi-
dences and COSY cottages have been erected
on these well selected and laid out properties.
One of the most attractive features Of the
place is that romantic and picturesque spot.
Forest Hill Park, reached In a few minutes 10y
two street-car lines. This is also "a popular
resort for Richmond people and is frequented
by many strangers.
The following list shows the manufacturing
establishments now In operation in this city,
with the number of operatives employed:
Operatives
employed.
1874. 1891.