The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-09-04

Work OH the Furnaces frOCrGHaIhE.-
Pay Rolls Increasing and "a Good Outlook
for Trade.-Ncw Iron Mines Being Openy
ed. Stonega Academy Nearing CoH
p1etlon.
Mr.. s. R. Knott, Traffic Manager of the
Louisville & Nashville railroad, accompanied
by Mr.. Thompson, Treasurer of the road, and
others came in private car over this branch
of the line on Thursday of last week. Mr..
Taggart, of the Virginia Coal & Iron Com
pany, and Mr.. Dowden, of the Crate Mantcl
Company, were invited to go up the road with
them and discuss the situation with view, it
is supposed, of developing more freight. Mr..
Taggart was prevented by other engagements
from going, which was most unfortunate, as
our community has so very much to expect
from the beginning Of operations on his pro-
perty. Dir. Dowden, however, had talk with
them, and this week is doing large business,
which will increase from time to time.
Our city had as visitors last week, L. b.
Treadwell, of the Tredwell- Young Promoting
Company, $50 Broadway, New York; D. j.
Turner, Jr., of Culpepcr & Turner, agents
Old Dominion Steamship Company, Norfolk;
L. D. Smith, Norfolk; w. w. Flemming,
Washington, D. c., and j. n. Greear, Brick
lcy's Mills, Va, who with their associates, it
is understood, form the Big Stone Gap Coal
Company. 1t is not known whether they own
or by arrangement with the Virginia, Ten
nessee l. Carolina Steel & Iron Company
have lease upon the land on Looney Creek
now operated by the latter company, but Mr..
Treadwel1, the Vice-President gave it out
that the output of the mines would soon be
increased to fifteen cars of coal per day and at
tho end of the year to thirty, which will help
this place very mush, as it will give employ
ment to some two hundred men, and make IL
pay roll of perhaps $4,000 month. AS an
indication of growing business, commissary
was started at the works September LIST, by
Mr.. Rosebud, for the accommodation of the
increasing number of workmen.
The work on the two furnaces is progressing
steadily, and one of them is to be blown in by
Thanksgiving Day. The six ovens are up so
far as the iron work is concerned, the two
furnace stacks are up to the same heights, and
the twelve boilers and three engines are in
place The stone work is most behind, but
that will be pushed, the w0rkmen now being
engaged in excavating for the smoke stack to
be Us feet high, which is shell of iron lined
with brick, being some Is or 20 feet in dame
ter at the base, and 10 feet at the top. To
show Gen. Ayers's zeal in the matter, he has
taken the masons off his own house to hasten
the brick and store work of the furnace.
A force of men under Jeff Dillon is now pros
pecting for ore Oh the South side of the South
Fork, near the end of East Fifth street, in the
town limits, on the lands of the Big Stone Gap
Improvement Company, and the Virginia Coal
& Iron Company, and he has uneartbcd a fine
red herratite or fossliferous, that will proba-
bly, run ~ to Al per cent of metallic iron. 1t
is the intention of the Valley Street railroad
(if there is no opposition from the City Council,
as it is hoped there will not BEL to run a track
out East Fifth street, across the river, and load
this ore which can be shovcled directly into
the car, or dumped from an incline. The Bris-
tol Furnace offers good price for supply of
this ore, and the furnace at Graham is anx-
ious to try it.
The three instances cited above show how
Big Stone Gap is gradually getting what it
needs most of all, regular pay rolls, more of
them and larger in volume. This makes
money circulate freely, and consequently the
merchants do good business, the banks feel
more kindly toward customers, and our citi-
zcns generally arc more cheerful. Easier
money in London, New York, Louisville and
the points toward which our people have to
look for financial help, improves the situation
already; and it is reasonable to believe that
October LIST will see the condition of affairs
much bettered. This should be passably
fair business autumn, and the spring is OF
glorious promise and, it is hoped, will show
satisfactory fulhlment.
Nickels & Company are rapidly getting in
the foundations for their new store 48x60, and
the building will 60 up rapidly.
Mr.. w. C. Harrington has now completed
the plans for his dwelling on the East corner
of West Second street, and Cherokee avenue
on Poplar Hill, and stone for the foundation
is already being delivered. This will be one
of the most unique buildings and things OF
beauty on the Hill.
sF The building Of the Stonega Academy cor
poration is growing daily, the sides now being
covered and the roofing rapidly going on. The
exterior is Of stained shingles, the sides being
brown, the roof vivid red (Which will make
beautiful contrast with the dark green Of
the beeches among which the academy is sit
uated,) the trimmings olive greer, and the
windows ivory white. The four rooms and
hall are Dlastered with wainscottnp I'D foul