The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-21

and grow with the same assurance as
90 tho cities of greater capital, popula-
ton and age throughout the country.
1t would DO difficult task to guage tho
splendid future of Roanoke"
Horace M. Engle, of the Columbia
Land Company, expressed himself thus:
Roanoke has been weighed in the
balance and found all right! | have
seen nothing during the late season of
financial stringency TO excite surprise
or to create distrust in Roanoke's pres.
OF undue speculation had inevitably to
be followed by the debt-paying period
whose end is now approaching. During
tho past two years Roanoke has been
acquiring the valuable art of caring fer
herself, and is on a vastly better foot
ing than is commonly supposed. Not
only has astonishing material pro-
gress been made, but while our city
has INCREASINGLY continued to attract
good citizens from far and near, there
has been gratifying exodus Of certain
undesirable clements of it's population,
and meanwhile this period OF compare
tive quiet has permitted the crystalliza-
ton of those permanent clements and
agencies which fix city's individ-
uality.
"If all could but recognize the fact that
the ebb and flow OF business prosperity
are governed by well-defned economic
laws rather than chance, and would put
their shoulders to the wheel instead OF
praying that it may speedily rain
dollars, they would have taken long
step in the right direction. The pros
perity we all desire for Roanoke NAV
not exactly be clamoring for admission
at the city gates at the present moment,
but it is coming within easy sight and
steadfast appreciation of our unrivaled
possibilities, and persistent exercise
OF public spirit and personal effort will
do much to hasten its advent"
john I'll. BARTLETT, of the Columbia
Land Company and the Pennsylvania
Zinc and Iron Company, being asked his
views on the past, present and future of
Roanoke, said: "In 1892 the energy of
the developing element of Roanoke has
been devoted to obligations entered into
when everything was on q booming
basis. | am certain that all or nearly
all Of such obligations have been met to
the letter and now comes the present
year OF 1898, at the end of which there
will be no such strain as of 1892, to
cripple or rather delay the progressive
spirit of the live men OF Roanoke.
"ln reply to your queries as to our
plans for 1899, am pleased to say that,
although hampercd by difficult and ex-
pensive problems on the treatment of
zinc ores of this section for the oast four
years, the Washington Zinc Company
have solved tho question and are in
profitable and successful operation at
West Iynchburg. Duplicate works will
be erected this spring directly west of
Roanoke. on the Norfolk and Western
railway, on the property Of the Colu N bia
Land Company. Also the Monitor
Steam Heating Company will erect
works close by on the same lands Other
associated manufactures will doubtless
be in operation during 1898 All OF the
capital will BIO from the North The
conservative manner by which these
plans have been carried out during the
depression OF 1892 will appeal strongly
to the business men of Roanoke and its
well wishers and thinking men gen
orally"
Charles q Wilson, of the firm of Wilson Il
liuggins, architects, said: II think the building
duinG IT., tine present ,sss year viii show an increase
houses to be erected this spring We are .lso
most important pieces OF work of this season
wi II be tie completion or the Virginia College
dos ySg rGe With points 20
interests CT the city will be ma crially advanced
Mcssrs. Whitchurst n Smith were visited mt
found in excellent spirits. This firm represents
large mineral interests III and about Saltvillc,
and their offices are tho headquarters of Investors
from all parts OF the country. They are also the
managers OF the Pittsburg, Chicago and Roanoke
Industrial Development Company of Roanoke.
rms company was organized In June, 1891, and
It's object Is the development OF mineral and
homestead properties in and around Roanoke
between Roanoke aid Salem on Roanoke river
have been purchased by the company II is
beautifully located for residential, business and
manufacturing sites, and contains Il splendid
natural grove of % acres which Is being reserved
for summer hotel purposes and 1t is the intcn-
ton to make this locality the health resort of
Southwestern Virginia.
Already thirty thousand dollars worth of this
land has been disposed OF upon which the erec-
ton or several fine residences is contcm plated.
rhc laying out and grading of streets sidewalks.
etc, commences Immediately fine iron bridge
VIII be built across the Roanoke river connecting
the property with the Roanoke boulevard. The
river mt this point Il fifteen feet deep aud will
afford excellent summer bathing There il II
quarry or limestone upon the property which has
been pronounced by experts to be the finest
building stone in the valley. Mr. Whitehurst said:
" 4 ith us everything looks bright. Contrac are
being made and our prospects for this year arc
TO- per cent. better than in 1892"
W. l.. Reid architect. was visited by n TIMES
reporter ut his office in the Masonic building
Mr. Reid said: "Mo of my work was done ont
or the city, the PRINCIPAL part having been
located in kadford and Blucicd My work on
the Terry building occupied my attention in the
early part OF 1852; since then I have contracted
for the negro schoohouse in the Third ward,
the Asbcrry and Coon building and others |
Am very c'nfdcnt that there will be m increase
in the building interests this year over the past
have plans and specifications for over S2J0,00D
worm OF business ana residential work on hand. "
-. Messrs Whtchurst ~ Smith we're visited by
TIMES reporter and EXPRESSED themselves as
more than satisfied with the outlook for the
present year. Mr.. Whitchnrst said: "Our pl os
poets for this city so far are 100 per cent better
than at the same me last year We arc reccv-
ing communications daily from people who
desire TO invest in property in and about Roam
okc VIC are now negotiating with mn English
syndicate which wishes to operate in tho mining
interests in this locality. II the prospects are
iuliillcd for the coming year KOanOke will look