The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-26
THE EXPOSITION.


the city is crystalizing. There seems to
be thorough unanimity that the event
must be commemorated in the most fit
ting manner. How shall it be done?
1t should not be done in q manner to
throw questionable credit upon the city.
Unjust be grand affair. In this mat
ter THE TINES has such strong conyic-
lions that it proposes to give them free
rein.
A celebration which will be mere
trades display with fireworks and
speeches will be child's play, unworthy
OF consideration. 1t will be- expense
without adequate return.
What is needed is an event which
will not only measure the progress of
the past, but set the pace for the future.
We want an affair which will lift the
city entirely out of tho rut and slough
and fill it with new fire, now life, now
ambition. All of Southwest Virginia
and the Valley should be invited to the
most active participation. For if Roam
noke is to be the commercial and indus.
trial capital of this section she must
show that her warm interest radiates in
every direction.
What shall the celebration be?
First. it should take place during the
week from June 90 to June 95, inclusive.
That gives us nearly two months to
work, and is at a time when tho farmers
can spare few days, and will conflict
with no other important event. The
celebration should take tho form Of the
grandest Exposition ever seen in the
State of Virginia. Nothing less will be
adequate; nothing less will be worthy
of the life, energy, enterprise and nerve
of Roanoke.
The Exposition should cover agricul-
ture, live stock, minerals and the me-
chanio arts. An exposition building to
cover not less than four acres should be
erected to contain those exhibits which
must be under roof The finest live
stook-cattle, horses, sheep, swine and
poultry-in Virginia and adjoining
States should DO brought here. Breeders
of Merinos. Cotswolds, Leicester, South
down and other famous sheep from all
over the country will make exhibits
The finest draft, coach and racing h orses
can be had. Shorthorn, Jersey, IIol-
stein, Ayrshire, and other breeds of
beef and dairy stock should DO exhib.
tied. The best in every line should be
brought together.
Melrose Park can be utilized for races
In fact the whole exposition may we'll
be held at that point. Undor cover
farming machinery and implements of
every description may be placed. The
entire gamut of the new enterprises
should be sounded. There should be a
forestry exhibit. The chestnut oak
from the New river, the hickory, black
walnut, birch and cherry, the ash, pop
lar and pine, every wood should be in
cluded in native and finished form.
The mineral world is capable Of i'm
mense exhibits. Gas, coking, splint,
camel, semi-anthracite and the whole
field of bituminous Goals should BIO dis
played.
The red and brown hematite ores.
The famous outputs of Gossan, Clark,
Rorer, Grocer and three score of other
mines. Limestone, gypsum, salt The
snales Of Chilhowie, the fire clays of the
Valley, tale, asbestos, manganese, the
wonderful marbles of Fincastle, granite
from the Roanoke and Southern, Peak
creek stone, brick from hundred kilns.
The vitri6ed brick from thu plant of
Adams Brothers and Paynos. The zinc
from the Bertha furnaces at Pulaski.
Zinc ores from Pulaski, Ivanhoe and
Bonsacks. Zinc oxides from the West
Lynchburg furnaces. Gold from Louisa,
pyrites. stalactites from Luray and