New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-22
GHOSTS OF DEFUNCT BOOMS.
OBSERVATIONS IN THE SHENANDOAH VAIL
LEY
RESULT OF THE COLLAPSE OF SPECULATION IN
TOWN LOTS-AN ARMY OF VICTIMS OF A
STRANGE CRAZE-SToCKHoLDERS
IN THE COURTS

TOWN LOTS-AN ARMY OF VICTIMS OF
STRANGE CRAZE-sTOCKHoLDERs
IN THE COURTS.
Boyce, Va, July 15.-A correspondent Of The
Tribune writing from this valley two summers
ago described this part of the Old Dominion as a
paradise Of boomers and told Of the strange fever
of real estate speculation. excitement and in
dustral enthusiasm which at that time was
spreading like an epidemic throughout these inland
communities. The farmer left his plough TO be-
come a gambler in town lots and, to use the
phrase Of native Yirginan. Wise men and fools
went in for the booms. 1t is safe TO say that
never before was there such an educational season
in Virginia, and it was pretty densely stupid
plough-hand white or black. who was unable TO
reel of commercial and industrial figures and sta
tistics Of the growth Of cities and urban popula-
tons until his nearer stood aghast and appalled,
The boomers own brain whrled and his vision be-
came dizzy as he pictured in the near future this
historic valley transformed from a smiling and
tranquil Arcadia to a great interlocking chain of
manufacturing cities. where the smoke from the
tall stacks Of countless thousands of factories
would probably shut out the blue ridges of the
surrounding mountains but where town lots al
WAYS sold by the front foot and valuations
swelcd 70 fabulous totals. When that good time
came the original possessors Of the soil TO be
Vanderbilts and Astors in financial solidity and
would spend their winters atioat in costly yachts
on the Nile or loter in the gay capitals OF Europe
and fan away the summer heat in villas at New
port or in cottages in the Adirondack WILDERNESS
Nothing was too extravagant for the Imagination
Of o Virginia boomer two summers ago.
Never was there such unique craze, never
such n rude awakening since the bursting Of the
South Sea Bubble. The traveller at the present
day, over the wcll-ballased tracks OF the Noriok
and Western railroad, fondly dubbed IN those
palrny days ~ The Town Builder Of the NlrgnlaS
nasscs so rapidly from the site of one collapsed
and burst boom to another that one might with
out exaggeration say that he was confronted by
one continuous reminiscence Of the exciting sum
mer of 1890, when the car seats were strewn WIN
dodgers and pamphlets advertising the climate
resources and glorious future Of some boom town.
or TO be more exact, town site. 1t was lonely
and remote hamlet indeed, al that time that had
not it's boom, and every cOrnield had been lald
ont actually or in the minds eye of the owner
into city lots The passing traveller from the car
windows now sees on every side only ghosts Oh
these departed boOms
A. CharIestown where they hanged John
Brown. which marks the northern limit OF the
string of boom towns on the Norfolk and Western
Valley road, there has been a show of develop
ment and two or three factories; half dozen new
dwellings and handsome hotel are scattered
about over large tract of country adjacent 10
the town. looking for all the world like bright
new ribbon on battered old hat. or Soo saddle
ON a 800 ponv. The>e new structures were built
in the first stages of the fever The townDullders
ccased operations soon after and things are at
n standstl Near the station large sign, shining
above a large waste of ragwccd, announces that
coII Joc bnen cd free
sites for manufactures" Not far off a deserted
plant is seen, consisting of a large hopper
resembling cidcrprcss half full of dried red
mud 4 pole projecting from the mud press,
which AZ one time had been drawn by a lonely
mule or horse rs the circular path bore evidence,
and pile of half-fnishcd bricks showed where
the local boom had reached high-water mark.
At Bcrryville, the next station south in TINS
reoion Of blighted hopes and vanished dreams, one
secs as the train draws near the place. marks Of
the boom thick upon the surrounding landscape
Streets have been graded far out beyond the
corporate bounds Of the place-red hills cut
through, hollows filed in and the limestone rocks
blasted away 10 make th0ronghfares for the
vast industrial traffic which Had been expected.
The ears rattle past large. Imprinted structure
which looks as if it might have been one OF the
main buildings Of Mr.. Carnegies Homestead Works
Vile But it is only a shell, built in the flush
and buoyant days of the boom, for an iron works
companv. which, tired Of the slow growth OF
Baltimore. hal decided for a consideration, TO
make a change and move 10 Berryville. There
is a row Of handsome cottages, score or more, All
complctcd shutters and windows in, and neatly
pantrd on one of these new streets near the IRON
works But grass and weeds are growing IN All
the streets, and the shell Of the iron works ana
the neatly painted cottages, waiting for pros
porous and wcll-pad wagccarners who never came,
70 all empty The only effort. apparently, that
has been made TO realize the assets Of the land
and improvement company is the commendaDle
ono Of fattcning herd of sheep on the succulent
blue grass which is fourishing where the wheels
Of trade were expected 10 be going round.
As an instance of the lamentab!e short-sight'd-
ness of the men who had charge Of these booms
in which were invested the savings OF many
thousands of poor people, il is related that at
Berryvillc fine farm adjoining the town, OK
about 300 acrcs. more or less belonging To II rich
uo,t,morean. Jesse Tyson. was bough' by the land
and improvement company for 5000 an acre
When the hard times came and frightened stock
hollcrs refused even 10 open the letters VI asses
m.nt which reached them from the company Of
dces the boomers compromised with Mr.. Tyson by
inducing him to take back his farm at SllO an
acre or "A net loss 10 the boomers OF $50 an acre,
ar So 600 in one little transaction.
It's the funniest thing in the world, re-
marked resident OF Berryvil!c To the writer,
how supposedly sane men, who all their hVcs
had been regarded as the best of business men IN
managing their own affairs and money! should have
committed such insane acts As did some of thc'e
boomers in handling the affairs and money OF
other people.
Front Royal was another boom town of the
Shenandoah Valley. The biggest circus or the
hottest political debate that ever took place had
not the power TO draw 80 large II crowd as at
tended the first sale Of lots at Front Royal in the