The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-16
ALTOONA OF THE SOUTH.
THE PROGRESS or CLIFTON FoR0E.
The story of Her Rapid Advnncemeni-ihe
Development Companies-hero
and Manufacturing Embellishments

n
asbort distance away and with the admire
bic facilities OF transportation afforded oy
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, Cllitoh
ForOe presents an ideal location for an III
dustrial and manufacturing city
Another aud, perhaps, the most impor-
tsnt consideration ia the progress OF ths
place is that she was fortunate enough W
have as promoters and residents men VINO
are noted for their libcrality, push and en-
terprise. whose unseltsh devotion 70 hei
advAncement laid the foundation Tor future
This Is the brief but true story OF Clifton
FORCES almost phenomena PIogress'
These are the essential elements III tho gre
alton of all successful cities and marked the
beginning OF 81 our large HHN
and mining centres. IL.
n was the lack Of these features that
oansad The collapse Of the so-called boom
towns In other portions OF Virginia.
Clifton Forge is not boom town, anu
has never been. but has steadily and rapidly
AJvenced She was built, like the house IN
sacred history, upon the solid rock OF rght
and wise Judgment, and when the storms or
vacation and adversely came she was not
sbaksp. and while others that had been
built upon the sands OF miscaloulation were
falling around her she forged ahead ana ls
today an idyl Of industrial and mercantile
success.
These are not idle boasts, but every asser-
tion Ia based upon facts and figures pro-
cured by the writer, who having seen ana
heard. has had all doubts removed ana is
SINGER 70 comply with the sacred command
go and tell it to others"
Here Is 20 be found all OF the advantages
of large city. among them electric hghts'
splendid water facilities. ample hotel &C
commodations, prosperous churches, opera
house and IN short everything that VIII
furnish q pleasure or a comfort, besides the
pure and inyigorating mountain air together
with the wholesome water enordlng the
greatest attractions to all corners. either
Temporary visitors or 70 prospective resi-
dents.
THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.
Clifton Forge is also very fortunate IN
possessing two splendid development ana
improvement companies, VIZ lie ClnIOI
FORGE Company and the Chesapeake ana
Ohio Development Company. These com
NAMES have as officers men OF wealth lH-
tusnce and liberality and can claim GOOD
share of the advancement of the town OK
which they are proud.
The Clifton Forge Company has Tor us
president Mr. 4. NJ NettletOn and for lts
secretary and general manager Captain
Lewis Harman.
Both Of these gentlemen are we'll known
for their integrity and enterprise, and have
added much TO the success OF Clifton fOrBe.
They are ever ready to materially assist any
new enterprise and take prominent part IN
every public-spirited project. The Ice COM
pany and wooden mills and the electric
light company. all Of which are great public
benefits are indebted 10 the Clifton Forge
Company for their gift of the lots on which
they are located. They still possess some
very valuable land for manufacturing pur-
poses. which will be donated upon proper
assurances Of good faith. ~
None the less advantageous to Chiffon
Forge is the Chesapeake and Ohio Develop
ment Company. This too. has been an im-
portant assistance 10 this thriving town. It's
president IS Mr.. j. O. Carpenter. gentle
man whose efforts IN behalf OF Clifton Forge
have clearly proven that her Advancement
is as sacred to him as his own personal in
terest, and its secretary and treasurer
Mr. George X. Anderson. also man OF q
business capacity eminentlY fitting him Tor
the position. This company made liberal
propositions in behalf of the town when
II was founded all Of which have
been carried ont. The company acquired
GOO or more acres Of land near Clifton Forge
at the price of $3.50 900 from the chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company. which amount
was expended by the railway company IN
the construction of shops, depot and I'M
provements upon the property. The shops
especially have proven source OF employ
ment for a large number Of workmen and
have added greatly to the attractlyeness OF
the place. A fuller account of their opera
tion will appear later.
WHOLESALE MERCANTILE HOUSES.
Not only as a manufacturing town does
Clifton Forge present superior attractions,
but IN the general mercantile line as well.
Perhaps one of the truest tests OF Der
stability OF progress are the thriving whole
sale houses of which she can b0ast. They
are: The Clifton Forge Wholesale Grocery
Company, the Clifton Forge Shoe Com
pany and Moody aud Carpenter Whole
sale Hardware Company. The Gro
Gerry Company is exclusively whole
sale and carries large stock of
groceries. They keep three travelling
men on the road and sell goods all along
the Chesapeake aud Ohio railway from
Charleston, W. Va. to as tar East as within
thirty miles of Richmond. The officers Of
the company are J. 9. Carpenter. presl-
dent; j. NJ SPOTS. of Stanton secretary
and treasurer. and John Donovan. manager.
The house was established not 50 much for
profit as It was 30 give Clifton Forge al
enterprise which NAV prove Of some benefit
10 its residents. The owners however. are
highly pleased with the business done so fer,
and have every reason 60 look forward to a
splendid trade next season.
The shoe house Is also doing q good whole
sale business. Ii is u branch house of Rob
eTts a Hoge, Of Richmond. Va. Mr. Rob
erts. the manager. Is ia every respect quail
bed Tor his position. and being fortunate in
securing good travelling statesmen their busi-
ness Is rapidly increasing and promises
soon u become an extensive establishment.
The Moody and Carpenter hardware
Company. with their elaborate quarters,
large stock OF goods and able management.
gives pronounced assurances OF rapid pro-
gress. The owners and managers are men OF
push and honesty aud are firm believers in
the motto OF honest trade III opposition 70
fraud and monopoly"
With the splendid railroad facilities here.
being the western terminus of the Rich
mond and Allegheny railroad us well AS tho
end OF the two great divisions OF the man
line Of tie Chesapeake and Ohio railway.
these wholesale establishments, manned 10y
such competent men. bid fair TO soon be-
come great mercantile establishments.
Another indispensable feature is the Al
lsgheny Bank at Clifton Forge The sue
cess of this bank mas been almost phenOm-
enal. IL began business ia January. 1880.
IN small house with but one
man employed. The Guinness for tue first
year was very satisfactory. Tor the second
year II showed an increase OF about % per
cent, ant has continued to grow up 10 the
present time. until now the average deposit
line IS from $4,000 TO 600 900. 1t has paid
per cent. ever since II was started aud
now has surplus OF ABOUT e 900. Their
new building Is fitted up with all the modern
improvements. The officers are: T. NJ
Nettleton, presidents j. L. Page, cashier
The board OF directors are, J. q Carpen-
ter, W. Q. Moody. J. +. Sachs. O. Hileman
and q. X. Anderson. with the president
and cashier included
The Clifton Forge Ice and Psfricarotin,