The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-29

Wishing to know just how the bust
ness pulse of Roanoke is throbbing and
what the prospects for good, healthy
year are, TIMES reporter interviewed,
as far as possible, all the real estate
men in the city, yesterday. The out
look from conservative men is indeed
bright, and il only half of their proph-
estes come true Roanoke will be revel-
ing in the glories OF past years ere New
Years day arrives.
Walking into the Office of James S.
Groves the reporter asked that gentle
man for his opinion in regard to the
building for 1893. He said: 81 think
the building that will be done in Roam
oke in 1893 will equal, if not surpa IS,
any previous year of our history 1 do
not look for any excited values in real
estate, but there will be more building
than we have ever seen done in one
year. This building will be done partly
by home people, but largely by outsiders
who wish to cast their lot in Roanoke.
I'VE mood moro industries in Roam
oke, such as factories, Wholesale houses,
cotton, furniture and tobacco factories
take on growth that would surpass
hor balmiest days"
Tho next place visited was the office
OF Ellis Brothers Both OF the gentle
men OF this firm were present and ex-
pressed themselves with perfect con-
fidence in Roanoke's future. They said:
"From the indications of our business
we believe Roanoke is just entering her
most prosperous year. The number of
houses that will be built will equal the
number OF any former year and the
money expended in their erection will
be much greater sum, because the
class of houses will be much better"
The office of Whitehurst e Smith was
next visited, and the same question put
to j. Shirly Smith, tho only member of
the firm present. His views are as fol-
lows Tho prospect for Roanoke is
bright indeed. Our business now is
principally with outsiders, and this
means that new money is coming into
the city. Yes. the indications are that
this will be Roanoke's greatest year.
The houses will be Of much better
quality, and tho money expended in
their erection will probably surpass the
amount of any previous year"
Messrs. Simmons &, Tlnsley were next
seen, and Mr.. Simmons said: From all
we can gather from observation, Roa-
noke will prosper this year as she has
never prospered before. One thing is
certain, the houses will be of much bet.
ter grade. Good houses are in demand,
and that class will be built to very
large degree. Our brightest year is
just before u.s."
M. T. Moomaw, with j. Z. WiDgfeld,
said: This year, in my opinion, will
be our best year-it will certainly
In hot
number Of outsiders are going to
make Roanoke their home and that
means new houses and more money. 1t
is a remarkable fact that if man or
woman has dollar they invest it in
Roanoke real estate. Yes, you can put
mo down as one who believes that Roa-
noke's brightest days will be in 1893"
ID. A. CARRIER said no wanted to sane
tion every word that Mr.. Moomaw had
said, and continued: cit seems to be the
general opinion that we will have good
year, and from what can see in real
estate, l think that belle: is we'll
founded. 1t is only natural conse-
quence that Roanoke should improve
more rapidly this year than any wear
heretofore because improved property is
the only kind that pays the owner"
Francis b. Kemp said: From all out
ward appearances Roanoke is just enter
ing on her most g orious year. If every
thing does not move along faster than
ever before, then am badly fooled, and
the result will be contrary to present
indications"
M LII. O'Mohundro, in replying to the
reporters questions, eaid: Business
never had better prospects than at pres
emit. My opinion is that we will have
our greatest year in 1898. There will
DO L., L. -
built and the dwellings, that will be
erected will be without limit. Unless
my expectatio fail we will have our
greatest year in 1893. majority of the
men who build houses this year will be
from distance, and our population will
increase with permanent residents, and
the wealth OF the city is bound t. be
augmented by such arrivals"
D. S. Hawkins: "Eigb teen hundred
and ninety three is going to be Roanoke's
greatest year. There will be more
building done than any year in Roam
| oke's history has witnessed, There are
large number of mon outside of the
city who own lots and will improve
them. A more substantial class of
houses will be built. There is a strong
deman for real estate.
"Our business for the month OF Jan
uary has been the best that we have
had in any month since 1890. We have
inquiries every day from parties in town
who are looking for lots on which to
build houses, and we have had q great
many inquiries from out OF town parties
who are looking for investments here.
This is one of tho best signs that Roa-
noke is on the eve OF 4 great business
move. Before the year closes l think
we will have all OF our present in