The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-12-30


Der Of letters have
been written to the HERALD requeeting in
formation concerning the present condition
and the prospects of the Southern city. Re-
plies to the communications were withheld
pending a compili alton of enlightening facts
and now the HERALD is prepared to furnish
what is believed will be satisfactory to all
correspondents.
Norfolk proper, by the census of 1890,
showed population of 35 l54, an increase of
81 10 per cent, but this census, like many
others, was erroneous Norfolk to-day has
fully $4,000 people, while within two mile
radius of its city hall at least 10000 people
dwell. There is also at least 5000 floating
population.
It's items of trade for 1891 were cotton,
s3O,OOOOOo; lumber, $lO,OOO,OOO; truck,
$6OOO,OOO; peanuts, S1,25O,O0O; oysters,
81, ,25O,OOO, and coal, 1,55O,OOO tons, besides
many others of minor Importance. Nine
lines of railroads, aggregated 1900 miles,
empty the vast products of the South and
West into numberless ships bound for foreign
ports Nineteen regular steamboat and
steamship lines do the coastwise and interior
navigation.
Real estate values show an increase for the
past five years of 81, 71s,OOO while the total
increase of the en4ire state was only $25,OOO,.
| 600; and as to health, the last authentic
statement shows decrease in the death rate
from 3410 in 1880 to 2177 in 1890.
The banks Of the city are among the most
prosperous in the United States, one having
made III per cent. average for % years The
total business for 1890 was $is,21O 4S6; fol
1891 it was $54, ,167, ,96s
The demand for stores and dwellings ha,
never before been equalled, there not being
to-day, nor for some time past, asingle vacant
house that a gentleman could occupy, and
there is little or no supply of either moderate
priced or cheap houses. Parties have recently
gone there with their furniture and were
compelled to take the same back to their cid
homes There is no available vacant space
in the old part Of the city, hence the only
resort is the annexed wards. The latter now
lack two essentials, one of which water j.
now about being supplied by the city, while
the other is rapid transit, without which nc
outlying district can be built up Stores
cannot be had at any price.
With the consummatiOn of plans now on
foot to make the exis ting city railways more
effective by the use of electric motive power
and the building of suburban lines, it is con-
fdently asserted that at least 1900 houses
will be built and occupied within eighteen
months. This opinion is based upon daily
insight into the present needs and future de-
mands.
Some Of the most dispassionatc and level
headed men in the country have both spoken
and written of the great promise of Norfolk .
future development. 1t has often been asked
why she remained in the background for 50
many years To one familiar with her past
| history the reason is plain.
For many years she had but little trade to
depend on, chiefly relying ON Eastern North
Carolina and Virginia, which, added to the
! fish and oyster business, made a living for the
I selfsatisfed and contented people on earth.
1t was said in the early days that maiden's
} AoNNA was d hNElo anu u Aauobi but TWO
supplying all the needful for the young
couple.
Fifteen years ago the first essential to
success was secured, i. G., water; next fol-
lowed extended transportation facilities and
coal furnishing the requisites, without which
failure was sure. Each year brings some new
adjunct until no city in the South enjoys
greater confidence in the eyes of capitalists