The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-15

i<,oJU I,}0l ,DJJ
rourth ward, c........ 1850
F E,th w ,,.a 49,. lgd,l20 1,Ol5,si6
fifth ward 1885 25,,3O
Total. iGs,9s0 1894 600
The total valuation for 1892 real and
personal was Sll, sG9,3l5. The personal
property returns will show a falling off,
but the gross figures will foot up within
a few thousands OF Sl2,232, COO.
These figures are interesting as show.
Ing the direction Of building operations
and the growth OF the city. The First
ward at last passes the Second in its
realty assessments, Notwithstanding
that the Second has the heart of the
business section. The Fifth ward is
revelation. Unless tho average citizen
has been in that ward about once a
month during the past year he will feel
as though he were in new city, so
rapidly has it grown. The colored citi-
zen has spread himself almost exclu-
sively on tho north side OF the railroad,
where ne pays taxes on over $4,000
worth OF property, against Sll 900 south
of the tracks. He has increased in the
year only SLIGO in the First ward, none
in the Second and Fourth and over
$4,000 in the two north wards. But the
bailiwick Of Pat Oliver and Uncle John
Davis will grow in value as the colored
citizens increase in intelligence and
thrift.
Third Ward Whispsrtngs.
1t ia fact that the Republican poll.
ticians in Roanoke are lust ns smooth
as tho Democratic leaders, and don't
need to learn any more tricks. Very
few people ever heard OF the mysterious
Convention Of Seven which settled
Third ward politics last spring 1t was
a orA -
bell, j. w. Camper, j. p. Hawkins and
three others sat in and made up the
slate for Council. Fscllenthal, Pattie
and Boehm were settled upon and then
George Ramseys name was proposed.
1t was put to q vote and Ramsey lost by
one vote. Present Indications point to
no primary and q neat fight in the
Third. Those who have delved deep
into the African Jungle which passes
for politics east OF Henry and north of
tho railroad say that George Houston
and Scotty Graves are going on the
Council ticket together and will win.
But what are Uncle John Davis and Pat
Oliver dickering about? There arc 1875
colored majority in the ward.
a Moan Trick
w. d. Williamson is the maddest man
terrier pup. 1t is six months old, as
gentle as lamb and as full of grit as
only Thoroughbred bull terrier can be.
1T has tail like whip cord and n skin
as pink as baby's. 1t got mixed up in
street fracas with a mongrel cur the
other day out on Day street and was
calmly and gently proceeding to DO the
public service, when one of those
meddling people who feel called upon TO
regulate neighborhood matters, rushed
into his house, rushed out with revol.
yer and proceeded to shoot tho pup in
the sido. The terrier is in hospital
and may recover. The ball is some
whore in his interior, and when the
doctor probed around to locate it he
didn't even whimper. BY the way,
Williamson and r. b. Jacobs are the
best pistol shots in Roanoke, unless DR..
MoOrman can hold them down.
Ax%
The Electric Light as a Reformer.
What difference the electric lights
make in the town. There is hardly
point within the semi-circle Of half
mile radius south from Henry street
and Salem avenue where reasonably
coarse print may not be read at mid
night. 1t brings out more people in the
evening, too. This shows at all enter
tainments. Little groups OF three or
four ladies' do not hesitate now to at
tend the theatre without escorts.
Next winter the result will be even
more visible in the same direction.
There have been less offenses OF DO
lice character in the region south of the
railroad since the lights were turned on.
1t is even believed that it is safe for our
esteemed friend, W. p. H., to again
attempt the cultivation of chickens.
His last herd Of hens eloped with a col
ored party, who loved them not wisely
but too we'll.
Rebate on Gas Bills.
1t is the opinion of the board of public
works and the city solicitor that the
city would be legally entitled to re.
bate of 10 per cent. or all its gas bills
il it would pay them on or before tho
10th OF each month. AS this would in
the past have made a saving Of some
5000 year, it is plain that there is one
leak which needs stopping. II here
after the city will pay its gas bills