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


From almost every portion OF the State
we hear OF great activity in building,
but very little in real estate changes.
A few lots are changing hands for I'M
provement, but scarcely any for specula-
ton. This is good sign. 1t is building
up the community and the State 1t is
what should have been done more than
a year ago when the movement was COM
menced to advertise and develop the
natural resources and advantages of the
State. But then the speculative fever
was rampant. Lots were bought and
sold. not to improve. but to turn over
quick at profit. That policy had it's
brief day. Now things have settled down
to business methods, with the prom
Use of steady and substantial improves
ment all along the lines where the natur-
al conditions are such to justify improve
ment. Some of the boom towns which
were engineered under a craze will never
recover from the reaction for the good
and sufficient reason that there is moth
ing of real merit to sustain them. Others
more favorably endowed will slowly
progress, while still Others, where the
advantages are conspicuous and substan
tial, will forge ahead at more rapid and
assuring pace. There will be very little
speculation from now on. 1t will be the
survival of the fttest-the successful
race of the strongest and naturally best
equipped In this latter class may be
justly named Clifton Forge. The nat
! ural advantages here are apparent and
are recognized, and the present evidences
of growth and prosperity bear out this
classification. Iron Gate and Covington
may fairly claim to come into the same
category and Low Moor will be naturs
ally associated with the most forward
Indeed, this entire district, including
Bessemer, Glen Wilton, the Clifton Forge
Development Company and the other
localities in this region, will eventually
form community bound together by
common pursuits and common interests
such as will not have an equal in the
whole country, in their material rela-
tons. They embrace in the locality
they represent natural wealth beyond
computation which only awaits the nee
essary appliances for It's development
and conversion into active values. All
lines of Improvement will naturally fol-
low, and the district be built up on solid,
enduring foundation.
1t is true, q few have felt little
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invested in lots at boom prices, and
now when values are settling down to
legitimate lines, they cannot dispose of
their holdings at an advance, or possibly
at what they gave. This is one of the
results that must always follow abnor-
NAL conditions While the effect is de>
pressing in exceptional cases, in the long
run it will be beneficial. 1t will lead to
legitimate, natural methods, and safe
calculations. The situation will be
thoroughly measured and investments
made upon a reasonable assurance
of satisfactory and certain profits.
There can be no trouble on this score.
Every dollar invested in building at
Clifton Forge will be well invested,
whether the buildings be for sale or rent.
In either case they will be promptly
taken, and upon terms that will be mu-
tually advantageous to seller and buyer.
There is nothing in the situation to
discourage A little thought will reduce
this view to demonstration. The indus>
tries and shops already assured, and
those which will naturally follow, will
of themselves create vast amount of
business. The developments which are
now in the embryo state will grow in
proportions commensurate with the nat
ural resources upon which they are
based; pay>rolls will increase; industries
will multiply, and all will share in the
4 wealth.
1t will require a little courage and
nerve a hold-fast grit to realize the full
benefit of future conditions. 1t will be
the survival of the fttest" in this res
pect, too, and those who show resolution
and pluck will reap the reward of their
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