The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-24
TIE VALLEY BOOM.
Staunton and Her Sister TOwns-An Inter
view with william +. Christian.


view With william T.. Christian.
During visit last night from Mr.. William
f. Christian. industrial writer on the Forum
Magazine, he was asked as TO the real basis
for all this advance in the Valley of Virginia,
and especiallyin Stanton.
Richmond has cut her eye-teeth. said
Mr.. Christian, and 1t IS hard TO get her to
believe much that is said about the country
the other side of the Blue Ridge The people
here are shell-bound and are for the most part
buster about other things than bOOms. But
the fact remains that even Richmond Is get
ting to be convinced that there is some prin-
ciple at work which forces forward this city at
faster rate than the normal speed.
The growth of Richmond IS proving a
liberal education OF her people. 1t Is ena-
bling them TO take hold of industrial advance
ment more quickly than they have been ac-
customed to. Consequently, it Is not 50 hard
now TO tell them confidently of what Is going
on in the new towns.
STANTON PROSPECTS.
But, for that matter, Stanton is no new
town IL Is, You know some $50 years old,
and has been the iobbng centre of Augusta
county since its foundation. 1t Is. III my
opinion. the shinyest town in Virginia west
Of the Blue Ridge, Roanoke not excepted.
The reason why these people about here do
not take in the industrial movement West is
because they are different people from
the Valley people You are English here and
slow TO take on new things. The Valley folks
are Yankees in your own mldst-thrifty with
money in their pOckets-a rich country and
cash-paying all the way through.
| have watched the growth among these
people for the last ten months, and do not
hesitate to say that from my observation of
the California boom the growth is
healthy and str ong. In Southern Cali
w
ground except imaginary gold, and nothing
above ground except during the time of the
annual rains. In the fall of the year in the
Valley corn shocks stand thick as the lines
of battle twenty-five years ago. There Is
back country.
As to the underground feature, men from
the United States over come and say that the
iron will make another Pennsylvania III Vir-
ginia. This fact | may emphasize by refer
ence to Iron Gate. backed by strong, conserva-
tive Richmond men.
THE VIRGINIA BOOM.
There is no analogy between the Virginia
boom and any other that has taken place in
this country, except the one in Pennsylvania
years ago. This fact is well recognized by
Pennsylvanians themselves, who are packing
themselves in StauntOn and vicinity.
The Pennsylvanlans are pioneers, but far
seeing pioneers-life pioneers-and their
dicta are generally based upon the inherited
".
They say Virginia Is all right IN her new
towns.
NO LoT-sELLING YEAR.
They are in these new towns with their
money and homes. But this is not going to
be a lot-seling year 1t is building year.
1 was speaking of Staunton. She, for exam
pie, is going TO have a lot sale on the I'd
and Sd of June. but no high prices Will
be allowed. Mr.. NJ. Erskine Miller, the
president, is very conservative man and
will manage the whole sale in a way that is
eonsonant with the dignity of that solid city.
Salem, Buena Vista. Glasgow, Basic City
Shenandoah, Clifton Forge, Covington-
all are going TO surprise these
people some morning, but Staunton will hold
her own throughout the ups and downs of all.
She cannot 90 back. A town of II, 900 nhabi-
tants with 81 SOC, 900 banking capital agri-
cultural land as rich as any in the world, money
among the farmers, minerals and coal in
abundance, railroad facilities of the best. a
finished civilization and all the conveniences
OF a complete city, an outlying suburb that
welcomes homes, steady building. StauntOn
will go forward and take a surprising place
among Virginia towns under the hand of
President Miller.
Mr.. MILLER.
Just a word about Mr.. Miller. a prince of
men IN character. appearance and promi-
nence; he is self-made. rich and leader in
the best sense. He has organized his work
during whole year, and has not asked for
public confidence until he has secured
his plants. They are there now. and l ven
ture 10 say that those who NAV come up on
the I'd and Sd of June next will find new
country opened TO them, provided they have
not seen the Valley for the past year. But
the whole matter is long story-a story full
of hope. however.
One of the greatest levers, by the way. in
this movement is the press of Richmond,
especially Tar TIMES. which is read far and
wide in the Valley. Its liberality and growth
have impressed the people. and everybody has
A-Qood word fanit