The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-02

beginning to attract attention, and it is
probable that the fruits of these efforts
will soon assume tangible shape. A
number OF letters have been received
here from practical tobacco men who
regard the matter favorably. Col. John
e. Penn has received the following from
Danville, of ample means,
"In THE ROANOKE TIMES of tho o3rd
instant, ] notice piece headed AN
Opportunity" for Roanoke to build up
an important tobacco trade, which
struck me very forcibiy, especially as
had given the matter considerable
thought before I ever read it in tho
paper, and the writer coincidcs with my
views. Since the Roanoke and Southern
places Roanoke in such close communi-
cation with Henry, Franklin and Rock
ingham counties, 1 know of no place
more suited to manufacturing tobacco.
My idea in writing you is this: The
competition is so great here in the
tobacco business and the margin so
small, would like to strike newer
field. AS you we'll know, was raised
almost in a tobacco factory, and am
details and am identified with the basi-
ness IN every respect.
"While i have good business here
that pays me well every year, still be
lievc / could make more in Roanoke
So, If you think l could meet with sufii-
cient encouragement might come over
and talk with your people in regard to
forming joint stock company to en-
gage in the manufacture Of tobacco |
could build up big tobacco business in
Roanoke, and there is no enterprise
that would add more life or activity to
business in yout9 city than the tobacco
business. If you feel Interested in the
matter, will be glad to hear from you.
IL not put in communication with some
men of Importance who work for
Hon. III. s. Trout has received letter
from Mr.. j. M. Con way, of Spring Gar
den, Pittsy lvania county, in which he
says:
81 see in the public prints that the
question is being agitated whether the
tobacco trade ii re-opened in the city
would be advantageous or not. 1t
seems to mo that the accessibility of
Roanoke to the best tobacco growing
sections of the country, by reason of the
Roanoke and Southern railroad, places
Roanoke in position of advantage over
all other places in tho country for
handling leaf and making plug tobacco,
save, perhaps, Danville and Martinsville
only. IL this be true, and / think it is
clearly so, there is now presented to
Roanoke grand opportunity to move
uD another step on tho ladder of indus
trial progress, and n very long one, at
that.
Look at what tobacco has done for
Danville. 1t was tobacco that laid the
foundation for the material progress of
m h.,
that city may be duplicated in Roanoke
proportionately as Roanoke is far in add
vance of Danville in other industrial
enterprises. If Roanoke is wise she
will not be slow to utilize this opportu-
nifty to enlarge her industrial borders
and add another star to her already
bright record for sagacity, energy and
business push"
Il. II. Fishburne, president of the EX-
change National Bank, and an old to.
bacco manufacturer, endorsed the views
expressed above and was anxious to see
several factories established here. He
had no doubt of their success and would
cheerfully contribute to it. The loca.
tion was most favorable, and all that
was necessary to make Roanoke q CEN
ter in this limo of business was we'll
directed effort.
". IN AHuTeWS, WQO-0 experience In
the tobacco and wholesale grocery trade
enables him TO speak advisedly, said he
was deeply interested in the future oe
Roanoke, and was confident that the
handling and manufacture of tobacco
could not be neglected by her business
men without injury. The advantages
tho city possessed over other points
where the trade was proitably con
Quoted were many, and SO plain that
business men would seek to utilize them.
lie endorsed the position of THE TIMES
and MIR. Hoge, and would cheerfully
lend his aid TO make the movement IA
success.
T.. G. fIcge, resident OF this city, who
spent several years on the road as the
representative Of largo plug and smok-
ing tobacco factories, was seen by rep-
resentat,ve of TIE TIMES Yesterday.
He said that'he had always regarded
Roanoke rs good field for tho manu-
facture of tobacco. but that since the
completion Of the Roanoke and South
ern it is an exceptionally fine location,
the equal OF Lynchhurg and the supe-
rlor of Bristol. which is fine market.
AT Bristol there is a manufacturers
who began business fourteen years ago
with small capital and is now rated
at Sl,00O,0 600. There are others who
have mado money there. and there is no
good reason that Mr.. Hoge could con-
ceive why parties who put their money
in the tobacco business in Roanoke
would not do better than in Bristol, and
fully as we'll as in Lynch burg. where
large fortunes had been amassed.
Mr. Hoge furthermore said that the
Roanoke and Southern penetrated and
opened up fino tobacco.raisings section,
and that the weed could be shipped to
the Roanoke market cheaper than else
where. He thought that it would not