The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-31
Roanoke, the Magic City.

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Mr.. Editor: Roanoke is indeed a
magic city; ten years ago station,
with here and there a farm house,
apple orchards and corn fields, where
now stately residences and temples of
God point heavenward their spires,
and in lovely homes the sweet voices
of children sing out where. 50 short a
while ago the wild birds song was
heard in the valley.
The Water Works Co. have rece ntly
cut out long serpentine drive around
Mill Mountain, nine hundred feet
above. the city. Upon the very sum-
NIT is summer resort, "Rockledge"
Hotel and Observatory, whose wind
ing stairway leads you to the open
pavilion where birdseye view is seen
of Salem, six miles distant, and the
! city of Roanoke at your feet. Around
on every side are the eternal noun
tains whose purple tips, bathed in a
sea of glory by the setting sun and re-
f1ected on the bosom Of the river wind
ing through the green valley, is pic
ture of beauty well worth the fatigue
and ter cents fee to the Observatory.
The Norfolk & Western Railroad has
done great things for Roanoke and ex-
pended with lavish hand untold wealth
here. Hotel Roanoke is an example
Of their enterprise; it is unique and
imposing place, built on a high bluff
overlooking the city and laid out in
lovely lawns and flowers, with ter
raced walks and fountains; besides
handsome Offices and the most exten-
sive and well-appointed machine shops
in the South, whose pay roll, as pub
lished to-day, is $4,000 for wages to
skilled workmen the last month; and
during winter 10000 monthly is paid
to employees. This shower of gold
finds its way into the pockets of mer-
chants and tradespeople, and thus the
city has a self-supporting basis of pros
perity.
The Water Works Co. have also
done much to beautify Roanoke; they
supply the city from crystal spring
of clear ice-cold water flowing from
the base of mountain and the grounds
enclosed and laid out with beds of en-
erald green ard mounds of many-hued
bright flowers. Shady groves and
walks with romantic grottos invite
one to linger from the maddeniug
world in this gem of the.valley.
In striking contrast to this lovely
scene is the Roanoke Iron Works in
full blast. The mountain from which
this iron ore is taken is IN view of the
works, and the ore is conveyed to the
blast by railway. The melted fluid as
it comes Kissing and sparkling and
runs in long lines of gold, scorching
with its intense heat and binding by
its glare those who gaze, while the
thunder OF the blast as it throbs out its
mighty lungs Of air, remind one too
viyidly of "Dante's Inferno" to be
agreeable.
The markets here are unique. The
hucksters pay curbage to the city and
form around certain square with
the rear open on the sidewalk, and ex-
posed for sale are vegetables, fruits,
chickens, calves, sheep and young pups.
The meats are for sale in Sam Jones'
Tabernacle. All classes 60 to market
daily, and it is indeed an animating
sight. We hope nice market will be
built aud this custom honored by its
breach.
Church interest is here manifested
by money outlay. The Lutherans
have nearly completed magnificent
church of stone and rock, beautifully
placed in position with roughered
blocks of rock, but artistic and grand
in effect; certainly the most handsome
church in Roanoke. The new pastor,
Rev. Oscar Miller, is here, and was
given a cordial welcome by his flock.
The Episeopalians of st. Johns are
now building handsome church and