The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-06
A BUSINESS DAY IN ROANOKE.
The Norfolk and Western Com
pany Here.
The Party Arrives on Time and Takes the
First Drive to the Top of Mill Noun
tain-Many Business Meetings of the
Great Southwest Virginia Corporation
to be Held Here To-day.

ana happy IS the individual who may
claim possession of room and bed of
his own. Hotel Roanoke is, of course,
the head center of assembly. Each
train poured in its contingent until the
opening page of the days register was
filled. and tho list crept rapidly down
the second and over to the third page
before the last tired and dusty visitor
was ensconced.
Last year the Norfolk and Western
officials were first in the field and
secured the best rooms in the hotel.
This year the coal and coke operators
determined that they would have their
turn, SO they began arriving Saturday
and pre-empted the most desirable
rooms at the various hotels, and the
late corners had to take cold comfort
and do the best they could. AT the
Roanoke rooms had been engaged
month ahead.
The lobby of the Roanoke was an
animated scene until a late hour
last night. Wood fires blazed in the
open fire place to destroy the chill of
the unreasonable weather. Among the
visitors was strong sprinkling of Roa-
nokers identified with the Norfolk and
Western or the big interests which have
sprung up under the fostering care of
that wonderful corporation. Among
them were Vice-President Joseph Ii.
Sands, d. w. Flickwir, Malcolm w.
Bryan, of the Virginia Company; S. d.
James S. Simmons, A. S. Asberry, DR..
Joseph A. Gale and others. 1t was
nearly twelve before the last guest
turned in for the night.
During the evening the photograph
machine obtained four nickels under
false pretenses that it was in working
condition and would grind out "Annie
Rooney and other popular melodies.
Finally a legend yrs posted over it,
"Beware! This is a confidence gamer
The heaviest delega ton next to that
of the Flat Top association was the one
which arrived at 4 p. m. over the Shen-
andoah Valley division from Philadel-
phia. These were the Norfolk and West
ern officials and directors, accom- panied
by several gentlemen of marked prom i
nence in the affairs of the road. They
spent last night at Luray Inn and had a
pleasant trip down the valley.
AT Roanoke tho party was met by
Manager j. c. Rawn, of the Gas and
Water Company. lie had procured
cavalcade of carriages and the entire
rarty were driven at once to the top of
Mill Mountain, over the new road,
which has been constructed with won
derful rapidity up the north front
Fiom the city the narrow black line
could be traced slowly toiling up the
ascent, like long black snake be-
numbed by the sudden cold. And it
was cold, even under the overcoats,
which fortunately nearly every member
of the party had; there was shivering
when the chill western blasts struck up
the northern slope.
Expressions Of delight at the beauties
OF scenery were constant. From the
top the mountain panorama was magnifi-
cent. 1t was a revelation. To the
west the mountains ranged toward the
gap at Elliston lost to sight under the
heavy pail of smoke from recent noun
tain fires. South and nearer the brown
banks of the Rorer mines were barely
in sight. East the sawtoothed Peaks
OF Otter cut the sky. Nearer still the
breastlike mounds of the Blue Ridge
Ridge caught the eye, while to the
north McAfee's Knob and Dead Mans
Mountain cut off the Catawba valley.
The Shenandoah railroad twisted
in toward fIollins and was lost behind
the range, and the valley of Roanoke
opened up to where the James cuts
through the mountain gaps and glides
down by Lynchburg. Tho Chill wa
forgotten. Salem was almost under
foot and child could throw a
stone over Hotel Roanoke. Back to
Hotel Roanoke to dinner, and then to
business. 1t is safe prediction that
to-day's proceedings were mapped out
the gable roofs of Hotel Roanoke.
Following is the party which came
down on the Norfolk and Western spec
ial: President +. J. Kimball, L. W.
Clark, Henry Whelen, Jr., Richard S.
Brock, Eugene Delaro, Walter George
Smith, Joseph l. DJran, w. C. Hous, on,
Jr., Harold M. Sill, ]. ii. Dingee. w. C.
Bullitt, A. j. Hemphill, c. Howard
Clark, c. III. Mellon, c. M. Clark, all of
Philadelphia; Samuel a. Grocer, Up
land, Pa ; A. j. Dull, harrisburg, Pa. !;
Col. William Lamb and Col. Walter Il.
Taylor, of Norfolk; Col. w. l.. Boyce
and Judge w. j. Robertson. of Virginia;
Henry L.. Lamb, of Lansingburg, n. y:
William Solomon, Rowland Davis and
Gov. A. Crocker, of New York.
The annual shareholders meetings of
the following companies will be held
to-day: The Norfolk e. Western rail-
road: company, the Virginia Develop
ment Company, the Roanoke Machine
Works Company, the Virginia Com
pany, the Crozicr Company, tho Edith
Iron Company, the Roanoke Land and
Improvement Company, the Virginia
Mineral Railway COMPANY. tho Shen-