The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-29

aro not nero shantics, as in somo new
towns. Many Of tho residences are
handsome structures, and nearly all arc
neat and attractive buildings. Besides
the splendid Hotel Salem, costing COM
plete about $780, and tho new bank
building, costing complete nearly 500
600, there are many other large brick
buildings for stores on College avcnuc,
which has been macadamized at an eX-
pcnsc Of $4,000. Let any on. 20 about
Salem, and he will be impressed with
tho Solidity of what he secs. Very lit
tic Is done for mere show. Everything
is built for service"
Sale'r lies on ono of tho great high
ways of the continent. Commerce may
DO directed by artificial causes for u
time, butts ultimately controlled by tho
natural laws of distance and temper
ature That section of tho United States
known as the Great Interior, composed
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
kentucky and Tennessee, will find the
shortest and cheapest lines OF outlet to
tho Atlantic coISt. Natural law will
decide the routes Tho froStS Of the
Northern winters and the heated terms
of tho Southern summers, prevent either
tho st. Lawrence or tho Mississippi
from becoming tho chief channel OF
trade. Washington, with character
+
connecting tho mouth OF the Ohio mid
way tho valley of tho Mississippi and
midway between tho Lakes and tho Gulf
OF Mexico, with the mouth of tho ChcSa
peakc Bay, midway tho Atlantic coast,
on tho same parallel of latitudc.'' lie
was first to conceive and commence the
artificial lines. Governor Wise, after
thorough study Of chc physical geogra
ply OF the whole country, in an address
lrlt N,1l T. 100
said:
"a now commercial city on the AT
lantic terminus Of the Great Artificial
Belt must and will rapidly riso up to
contrast that part OF tho trade of the
great interior which meets the com
mcrco with the West Indies and with
South America. It's sito is due cast
from tho mouth of the Ohio; is midway
tho Atlantic coast is on tho same par
allcl with San Francisco, in Il climate
OF medium temperatures; is very near tho
worry Pillars Of Hercules, tho capcs Of tho
Chesapeake Bay; ut ihe mouths Of the
two magnificent rivers, the York and
tho James, which look out upon tho
sea, in near proximity to the Gulf
Stream, which passes OFF Capo Henry
four hundred miles nearer from South
America ana the West Indies than it
docs Sandy Hook. And tho same nat
ural causes which compel the European
commerce to turn III at Sandy Hook
will compel the commerce of the South
Atlantic and the Gulf to turn in at
Hampton Roads To the broadcast and
deepest harbor on the Atlantic coast"
Tho city which commands this trade,
tho Governor predicts, will be second
only to New York.
Facts arc beginning TO verify these
predictions The immensely increasing
freights of the Chesapeake and Ohio
and the Norfolk and Western railroads.
with the new roads being constructed
and projected, together with the growth
OF Norfolk and Newport News, have
an important Significance. The Nor
folk and Western road will be one of
tho great arteries OF trade.
Roanoke Valley is the gateway to
tho West. 1t is at the upper end of
that section OF the State regarded as
the Valley of Virginia. West OF it the
valley rises almost a thousand feet
The Shenandoah Valley railroad gives
it communication with the whole limo
OF the lower valley and the Northern
cities. The Roanoke and Southern will
open up the southeastern portion of tho
Piedmont section OF Virginia and make
easily accessible the rich iron ore Of
that region. This will give access also
to the Southern cities and mako new
markets for our manufactured articles
and agricultural products.
That this is not nero theory may be
soon in the wonderful growth OF Roam
Oke city. The resources OF this valley
arc only beginning to be developed.
The Western connections are not fully
opened. The Roanoke and Southern is
not completed. Yet in ten years Roam
oko has grown from COO to 81, 600 and
Salem in one year from |, 500 to 5000.
Roanoke is yet in her infancy, and what
twonty more years will make it, if fore
told would seem like idlo dreaming.
Tho possibilities TO the Roanoke valley
arc Unreasonable.
Salem is only about four miles distant
from tho western side Of Roanoke. 1t
has all and more, OF the natural advan-
tages OF Roanoke. The causes which
will make Roanoke the greatest inland
city OF the State will also be operative
in Salem. The interests are closely al
lied, and the growth OF tho ono will pro.
mote that of the other city.
To more superficial thinkers tho
growth Of Roanoke seems 10 forestall
that Of Salem, but moro careful observ-
crS find facts ~ warrant comparison
with St. Paul and Minneapolis, or with
Kansas City, Mo-, and Kansas City,
Kan, or with Pittsburg and Allegheny
City, and predictions are made as TO the
final Identification of tho two. The
Illustrated Great South, in the August
number, says: TO a man from the West
Appearances here forcibly remined one
OF the 8 tuation OF Minneapolis and st.
Paul, or Kansas City, Mo. and Kansas
City, Kan. so similar arc the condi-
tions. Referring to tho former, an
reminded that Il committee is row con
Sidcrinr DIanS for making MinncanOliS