The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-02
FROM GRAHAM.
A Fine Town in Southwest viT-
ginia.

To THE EDrroR OF THE TIMEs.-Tnere
have been so many kind words said
about TIE TINES since my arrival at
Graham that I cannot resist the gener-
Gus impulse to reciprocate, and so m ust
tell YOU and your readers my impress
ions, observations aud convictions re-
garding the present and future of this
favored spot.
The old saying about first impress
ions" leave it's highest significance here.
Upon leaving the train you are con-
fronted with one of the most charming
and substantial passenger stations out
side of large city, seemingly erected
with view to encourage the idea that
some day there will be largo city
here. The station agent, Mr.. j. Is.
Saunders, is most agreeable and pub
lic-spirited citizen whose apparent wish
it is to see that strangers are properly
cared for and courteously served.
Taking last look at the departing
train, you turn your attention toward
winding stairway leading up hill and
are told that at the top Of those stairs you
will find modern hotel, and toyour de-
light you are ushered into finely
equipped structure sup to date" in all
its appointments, we'll manned, from the
genial manager, Col IL. Hardell, at one
time in control Of the Admission, Ala,
Inn, to the competent chef in charge
of the culinary department.
There are number of summer board
ers Illustrating on the broad and breezy
verandas of this lovely resort, and
though no special effort seems to be
made to attract summer guests, yet am
impressed with the belief that if city
swelterers" only knew that here, 2,400
feet above the sea, upon an eminence
commanding the valley for miles, with
bold peaks almost in touch, a mountain
stream making music in its bounding
way, romantic mountain pathst OF Alpine
steepness, emerald clad and cloud cap
ped; indeed, a typical re treat for the
weary, the sick, the convalescent, the
robust, the gay, the nimrod, the pros
pector and, finally, the capitalist who
wishes to take quiet look at this won
derful country, being developed by men
of brains and nerve and energy.
How sensible it ia to spend develop
ment money in such enterprises as good
hotels. OF course Graham has a large
furnace in full blast, large lumber
company, foundry and machine company,
ice mandatory, flour mill, sash, door
and blind company, splendid news
paper 1.-The Headlight" two strong
land companies and other indus
tries; offers of free sites and fur
Their inducements to parties desiring to
locate here. but with all of these the So
journer in the land would have no place
to lay his head but for hotels, and that
Graham is we'll equipped in this regard
is to say that the stranger is always aG
home and sometimes these very
strangers are "angels unawares." Who
being handsomely entertained, might
leave their blessing in the form of cash;
might, in fact, "buy lot" or build an
industry or become citizens, which lat
ter is the desideratum of all these am
bilious towns.
Graham claims about 1900 population
and / guess that isn't far out of the way.
There should be twice that many con-
sidering the natural advantages, it be-
ing at the junction of the Clinch Valley
division, the Pocahontas division, the
Ohio extension and the New River divi-
sion, all tributary to the father OF the
family" the great, generous, wealthy,
wise and progressive Norfolk and West
ern railroad. but natural advantages
alone won't build a city," says President
Hyde, of the Equitable Life Insurance
Company. "The way to build city is for
about twenty. five public spirited citizens
to unite their determination, brains and
money and then the problem is solved"
Graham can't afford to ''let up" and she
wont. E. A. p.