The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-02-26
A Great Mineral District.

On the part or the cltlZeuS tleio oh'o
promises we'll for 1891. At Clifton Forge
building is progressing in every dlrec-
ton: some few lots are changing hands,
and the real estate men, the barome-
tiers and the leverage of enterprise in a
new town, are preparing for an active
spring trade.
The foundation for the large stove |
foundry, contracted for with Ohio par
ties several months ago, is being laid,
with Mr.. Brown, recently manager OF
Victoria Furnace, in charge; the ma
chinery for the wooden mill was expected
every day, and operations to commence
in the early spring. The large three
story brick building of E. NJ. Nettleton
is we'll under way; a contract for the
erection of suitable building for the
Clifton Forge Publishing Company was
let; the handsome residence for the
Manager, Capt. L. Hartman, OF the Cliff
ton Forge Company, is nearly ready for
occupancy; four or five similar residence
buildings are contemplated in the same
locality; Mr.. J. E. King. Manager for
the Clifton Forge Building and Invest
ment Company, has under way a num-
Der of houses and four or five about
completed, and, in fact, in every direc-
ton new buildings are either under con-
tract and being progressed with or IN
CONTEMPLATION II the indications, even
at this season of the year and under
the depressing influences of the mIsera-
BILE weather we have had for three
months past, mean anything. there will
be degree of enterprise and improve
ment inaugurated this spring and sum
mer never before realized in that part OF
the State. One feature about the con-
ditions at Clifton Forge is noticeable
That is, every man almost is confident
of the future growth of the city, is pre-
pairing to participate in the movements
necessary to it, and to which their
means and energies will be dedicated.
1t is inspiring to be in the company OF
snch gentlemen. There ts an atmos>
phere of intelligent life and enterprise
about them that is contagious. Alert.
suggestive, nervy, confident, intelligent.
they take in the situation, are determ-
ined to profit by it, and put forth every
legitimate effort to avail of the phenom-
email natural advantages the place pos
sesses. If Clifton Forge is not popu-
lous, progressive and wealthy town, we
do not think it will be the fault Of the
men who are moving in the interest OF
the city. All the signs and manifesto
tions at this time point to a busy, stir
ring season this spring and summer.
Engineers are on the ground laying
out the bed for a side track from the
main stem of the Ches. and Ohio Railway
to connect with the industrial plants on
the grounds of the Clifton Forge Com
pany. The bridge crossing Smiths creek
at Church street on this Company's
property is nearly finished. and the one
higher up the stream is already ia use.
The Frazier building, with its eight
double offices, is.completed and occupied
On the Chesapeake and Ohio Develop
ment Company like cheering indications
exist. The spacious and beautiful hotel
= of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company is rapidly nearing compilations;
the extensive workshops will soon be
ready for use; the building company, of
which Mr.. Lloyd is the intelligent and
cautious manager, is progressing with
energy; new buildings are going up all
the time, in addition to number already
completed.
We learn that movements are on foot
to improve and develop the great Dou-
that survey, which touches the proper
ties of the Clifton Forge Company, the
Chesapeake and Ohio Development Com
pany, and the Covington Improvement
Company. English capitalists, we I'M
derstand, are behind it, and an English
expert engineer has been, or soon will
be, on the property to examine locations
for furnaces and railroad tracts. This
tract contains about 10000 acres, and is
rich ia iron ore and timber.
On all sides improvement seems the or
der, notwithstanding the inclement
weather.
At Iron Gate the same hopeful and
assuring feeling prevails. On Thurs
day last arrangements were perfected
for the construction of 70 ton blast
furnace, to be supplemented, in the
course of time, when this one is fairly
under way, by another. The Alliance
Agricultural Works are in operation,
with IS men at work, turning out plows
and wagons.
The Clifton Forge Mining and Develop
ment Company, of which g. K. Anderson
is President-one of the brightest and
most useful young men in that section
of the State-has recently, opposite Iron
Gate on the east side of Jackson River,
opened up forty foot vein of very fine
brown hematite ore, and is preparing
to mine and ship ores.
On the West Iron Gate property
good body of hematite ore has been dis
covered, which may open into rich
seam.
At Rich Patch mines the railroad track
is about laid; the manager of the mines,
Capt M. HI. Mccarthy. has taken charge,
and we may soon expect to learn of
heavy shipments of ores being made.
Preparations are being perfected to
build hotel, and a number of private
residences and business houses are being
negotiated for at Low Moor. AS the
weather settles, active work will COM
mence, an be Systematically and ener-
getically pursued. The manager of the
Allegheny Mining and Development
Company, Capt. H. Shepperd, is now in
the West, prospecting and negotiating
for industries, which it is hoped to have
closed when the spring opens.
Covington has a very inviting pros
pect before it. The railroad to Healing
Springs is under contract and work al
ready commenced. 1t is to be compile
ted-9l miles-by the 10Th of June, and
this will keep the contractors hustling.
The road will eventually be extended to
the Warm Springs, as the same syndi-
cate owns the Healing, the Hot and
Warm Springs, and it is the purpose to
connect these by rail and to establish
great sanitarium, where all can be
Irr or4 h