The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-07-02
Significant Figures.

A short paragraph published in to-
days editorial columns presents the fact
that Allegheny county, as shown by the
census returns of 1890, exhibits the third
largest per cent. of increase in population
in the State The localities which are in
advance of this county are Roanoke,
where Roanoke city is located, and
which has been especially patronized
and favored by the Norfolk and Western
railway, and Warwick, in which New
port News is located, the eastern terni-
nus of the C. & o. system, where Mr..
Huntington. it is stated, VIII expend
$3,000000 in Improvements. Notwlth>
standing that there has been no extra
ordinary efforts put forth to boom Ale
ghany county or to advertise the won
derful natural wealth that exists here, the
increase in population has been gratify>
ing The conditions attending both
Roanoke and Newport News have been
entirely different from those existing at
Clifton Forge and Allegheny county,
At both those places extraordinary eff
forts have been made by corporate in
fluences to increase values, invite popu-
lation and encourage development Here
the initiatory steps had only been taken,
when the census returns were made
Since then the C. s. o. Railway Compass
ny has expended over 100000 at Clifton
Forge in erecting shops. laying track,
building a hotel, etc, and will soon, we
hope, commence on a first-class passen>
ger depot, as we'll as a freight depot, the
latter to be located near Smiths Creek,
to accommodate existing business The
Clifton Forge Company has erected a
Wooden Mill and Stove and Range Fac
tory, and numerous enterprises have
been inaugurated which will add popu>
lation and business to this immediate
locality. The C. F. Development Com
pany have opened an extensive iron
mine on the old Charter Oak property;
Iron Gate has an S0ton furnace in pro-
cess of construction; the rolling mill has
been enlarged. the agricultural works
put in motiorf,1 and other enterprises
started. The Rich Patch Iron Colnpa-
ny have commenced shipping ore and
employ large force of hands, which
will be increased to 800 probably before
the close of the year. The Allegheny
Mining and Development Company is
building neat, moderate sized hotel at
Low Moor furnace and are negotiating
for large industry. Covington is cree
ting a large blast furnace, machine
shops aud other industries. all of which
will bring in population and capital.
These are simply the foundation condi-
tions upon which we predicate the pres
diction that before 1892, the ratio OF
increase in population and wealth will
be as great here, if not greater than at
either of the other places named. Ger
tainly this will be the case if the natural
advantages we possess are awaited OF and
development proceeds commensurate
with resources. These far surpass those
which surround either Roanoke or New
port News Indeed there is no similar
area of terrific ry in the known world that
holds more mineral wealth than Allie.
ghany county, and its development has
Just commenced The G. & o. railway
is getting in condition as rapidly as men
and means can do it, to greatly assist in
this work. The railroad company is
just fairly getting on its feet. The pres
ent management took hold of a practi
cally bankrupt organization, but in q
few years has built up its business, pro
vided trackage and rolling stock, erected
depots and equipped the road to meet
demands upon it, which are constantly
charging and increasing through the
efforts of private and corporate enter
prise. In five years from now Clifton
Forge will be equal to Roanoke in popu
lation Iron Gate, Low Moor and Coy
ington will each have made great strides
on the same lines and the development
of the mineral resources of the district
will have so progressed as to constitute
the basis for one of the busiest, most pros
gressive and affluent sections of the
State. so that the next census, at least
will show that Allegheny county has
taken the lead in both an increase OF
population and in wealth.