The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1892-12-22
TOi,acco in i;ristol.

The tobacco industry in Bristol dates
FROM The yea: 1913. In that year Major
4. u. REYNOLDS. of Patrick county, Vir-
vjii;A. came 10 Bristol and commenced
the manufacture OF tobacco tn small
scale. a, la, time the culture OF tobacco
was almost unknown as money crop
Major REYNOLDS founA only two or three
small crops III all the country tributary
to Bristol He had to obtain his supplies
of tobacco during that year and forseveral
succeeding years from the distant markets
of Lvnchburg and Danvilc. Gradually,
however, the production of the weed in
creased, and N the course Of a few years
il became apparcnt that regular market
for thc sale nt ieHf tobacco was needed.
Accordingly, effo,ts were made to cs
tah.ish such II market on The joint stock
plan. But Tor the want of Faith iii its
success, these efforts resulted in absolute
failure. The writer thereupon determined
fl erect warehouse on his own RESPONSE
billy. THIS proved Il wonderful stimulus
to the gcncral planting Of tobacco. The
farmers adjacent TO Bristol seemed pos
<essed with the idea that tobacco culture
would prove 10 he regular bopanza to
them; tobacco wruld pay al their debts;
sol,aaco would mike all rich and indie
pcndenf, Alas, fer the hopes and ex-
pectations of man, The first sale day was
set aud WAS duly advertised. 1t WAS i'll
February, 1876 l. WAS amusing to see
il,c people come IN. No c;rcnS ever OK
cited deeper interest The wagons,
loaded with tobacco aud accompanied in
many Instances hy the whole family, men,
women aud children, dressed in their
Sunday suits of blue jeans and ptaided
linsevs, rolled for two days into tue ware
house lot. On sale S day the house was
filed 10 ovcraowins. Every part Of the
building Was packed and iaMplcd with
ncople and tnhaco0. OF course 80 menu
orahle an event had to lie opcaed with
imposing ceremonies. Mr.. j. b. Wood,
who has since won golden laurels at the
lmr, had been selected rs the orator for
the OCCASION. And most eloquently did
he discourse on the virtues of the weed
and the hlissful prosperity that was to
cOUiS w tHOSt WIZ iuUQS :" cuSSSco1 VI NO
cultivation. Tie Rev. DR.. SIllins, now
president of Centenary college. Cleveland,
tennessee, who is always ready for any
cal! made upon him, and always equal to
the occasion, WAS auctioueer. just think
OF doctor of tliviniiy in atolacco warc-
house. standing osera tobacco pile. and
calling will, ali his might Tor bids. Well,
tlle doctor, who never fails ri anything,
did not fall here. He WAS as much ut
liome-oyer:a tobacco pile ms in the pulpit.
Wedi,ad sent 10 Lybehhurg forshryers.
MINOR Stephen lIaisey, MF. q. Il Bow
laaA and QUO or IH,a saihsrs hesroredsas
Will, their prpspr6e, They and Major
REYNOLDS were The bidders, All day long
sul two daysi The salo continued. Seventy
thoasaad pounds Of tullseee snld Toll il
nni In Gatl.ss Proclaim int he streess
Eof Ascalens Did say sud 1i'es, sold 81
Mi aygrase oi ssli,ust liree cents per pound
Alas, sias fuH III count ryIuea.. "a las f,.a
tiie blasted hopes, the disap pointed ex.
l.seetasioils iisiens BIZ gold and wealth
mud independence all gone SD eaded thu
| Hrst public sale of iol,aeso ere. ,li.sie II
! Southwest sfsgsssia or East slrlluessee
he sliss pp6in sstl f,rnsars went II,.me s.sis
len a.ss. sal Some siecl arcli they Sss,slt
snesef i'tia,,f aapt l.sr l,saslt of solssrco