Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-05-20
THE FIRST LOT SALE.

Charlestown is experiencing its first boom
and the distribution and sale of lots natu-
rally excited great interest and drew crowds
from all parts Of the county as well as from
abroad Business, however, and not fun,
WAS the order of Wednesday, Thursday and
Fridqy. Capitalists from other States and
other parts of this State moneyed men at
home and men Of moderate means, aud poor
men, were all interested alike in securing
desirable property, making profitable in
vestments or helping to make the great de-
velopment scheme a success.
Extensive preparations were made by the
Improvement Companies and the town peo-
pie generally for the reception and comfort
of visitors; numbers of vehicles waited at
the stations, and strangers were " personally
conducted by efficient and courteous COM
mitteemen over the territory laid off to ac-
commodate the towns expected growth
The visiting capitalists, and holders Of
c. NJ. NJ. l. stock, came by hocks and bey-
les; by squads and platoons and compa-
MES; by pairs and couples and one after
another They were politicians from New
York and statesmen from West Virginia,
mOneymakers from the Keystone State, old
Confeds from Virginia and opulent journal
lists from all parts of the world. Governors
and State Senators went away with valua-
bic town lots concealed about their persons;
the pockets of plutocrats from the North
and East fairly bulged with newly acquired
real estate; Farmers Alliance leaders left
the pillow in the furrow and mingled with
" gold bugs and politicians in their anxi-
ETY. to buy our subdiyided acres, whether by
the front foot or front yard, or back yard
assured, especially in the latter, of stability.
On Wednesday some $500 lots were dis
tributed to happy possessors Of c. NJ. NJ. 1.
stock. OF course everybody was fortunate,
for the lots were all worth having, and there
seemed to be general satisfaction at the re-
suits of the distribution Even the fellows
that secured the outlying lots and found
themselves located on the border-land of
future contentedly accepted
the situation, rejecting that if they could
not come to town the town would surely go
to them.
On Thursday the great, good-natured,
but orderly and business-like throng gath
cred at the Hotel Powhatan where the sales
were made On Friday the Courthouse
was the scene of action and was filled with
interested spectators and eager purchasers;
the ladies watching the proceedings from
the gallery. Many choice residence and
business lots were offered and found prompt
and liberal bidders. Extravagant amounts
were not obtained nor expected for these
lots; the inflated values and fabulous prices
that have ruined many promising towns
we're not attached to the Company's land.
Many individuals purchased property, at
reasonable rates, for occupation rather than
speculation, and propose within a short time
to erect dwellings or business houses. The
number of lots sold was 800, and the amount
realized, 100000.
The public will not fail to recognize that
what has been achieved is largely due to
the officers and directors of the Improve
meut Company, whose energetic methods,
good management and fairness have won
universal confidence and secured the inter
.st and cooperation of men of wealth in
various parts of the country. The shrewd
capitalists of the Eastern States who have
invested so literally were not to be shared
by visionary schemes or deceived by misrep
and their confidence and their
in the enterprise are at once
4 tribute to the integrity and capacity Of its
chief promoters and an assurance of its sol
.dity.
The peculiar eligibility of Charlestown as
a site for manufacturing enterprises-its
railroad facilities and its accessibility to the
growing trade of the South and to the North
rs well-and It's attractions as place of
residence-advantages of climate, soil, lOca-
ton in a choice section of one of the lowell
est valleys of the earth-are essential fac
tors in the success Of the BOOM" And
the iudicious selection of ground for indus
trial purposes, with regard to railroad trans
portation, etc, and of some of the finest
in the vicinity of the town for res
idence sites, has contributed and will con-
tribute to induce investment, location OF
and influx of population
And as it appears that stockholders are sat
isfied and citizens gratiied; that visitors
were pleased at the prospect, and the pub
lie. interested and disinterested, confident
of the success Of the great enterprise and
hopeful of the future of CharlestOwn,-
the boom will shortly be no longer a
boom but a steady and sure development,
aud that the good old town is about to take
a place among the leading industrial cities
of the Virginas.
During the lot sales, or distribution of
lots, Judge Lucas became the pOssessor of