Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-30
ALEXANDRIA DURING 1898.

the city during the twelve months just
closed in order to show "the very age
and body of the times" in which we
1--we and that comparisons may be
drawn with preceding years.
The year 1898, certainly the last halt
of it, will long be remembered as one OF
business depression and stringency in
money affairs. This was felt, the coun-
try, if not the world, over, but Alexan-
dria has cause to congratulate herself,
that she breasted the "hard times"
nobly. While banks were failing,
merchants assigning and factories shut
ting down all over the country, Alex
andria pursued the even tenor OF her
way and weathered the 'storm" with
out having SUSTAINED failure of any
note among her merchants, while her
banks. under safe and conservative
management, prepared for any emerg-
ency that was likely to arise and met
all legitimate demands promptly-aid-
ing their customers in many ways. ln-
deed it is said by many that Alexandra
felt the depression in trade later and
rallied from its effects sooner than most
of the contiguous cities.
Numbers of artiZans OF this city work
in Washington. Many of these have
been thrown out of employment during
the recent depression in business and
the same may be said of many of those
whose employment is in Alexandria.
1t is generally conceded that the num-
Der of unemployed men during the past
half wear exceeded that ofany previous
year for long time past, and this in q
perceptible way affected the retail mer-
chants and curtailed their business. But
certainly Alexandria suffered no more
from this cause than her sister Giles
aud as proof of this it can be stated
that the building associations (AleXan-
dria's savings banks) were called on in
but few instances to redeem stock.
Year after year the GAZETTE notes
the extension of the city's limits. This
growth is not confined to one section,
but is seen in every ward, and what
were recently the sparsely settled
streets are now closely built upon. The
recent action of Council in making APP
preparations to open certain streets,
and to grade and macadamize others
will, inevitably, result in still further
extension of the city's limits.
The GAZETTE's reporters III their an
nual calls on the merchants to ascertain
the growth of trade in order to compare
the business of the city this, with that
of previous years, were assured that in
many instances, despite the complained,
of dizziness of times, the volume of bust
ness exceeds that of 1892 (Which is con-
coded to have been one of Alexandria's
most prosperous years. though the
profits were smaller, owing to the gen
eral decline in values and prices.
The lumber trade, which has grown
to be one of the city's most important
industries, held its own during the
year, and certainly would have largely
increased but for the great depression
which retarded building. Like other
branches of business, the profits are
not so lare as formerly, but the volume
of trade shows no falling of, while the
dealers have extended their territory
of operations.
The extensive additions and improve
ments to the already large fertilizer
manufactures show that there has beer
no falling ofin that branch of indus
try. The manufacturers, however, say
that while the output was greater this
year than last, the profits were not SC
large as they are compelled to meet
competition from other cities. The
Alexaderia manufactured fertilizers
have attained high rank of excellence
wherever introduced, and the manufac
turers meet with encouragement as they
push their trade.
The wholesale grocers and provision
merchants report an increase of bust
ness over last year, and steady an
nual growth. they admit that their
profits are smaller than formerly, but
their increased business evens them up
This growing trade is annually referred
to, and is very gratifying, as it shows
that Alexandria is considered the best
market in which to buy groceries and
provisions in this section of the coun
try.
Another business that has largely in
creased is the wholesale drug trade,
with its branches in paints, oils, etc,
The firm of E. S. Leaibeater & Sons
have now one of the largest and best
equipped establishments in the South
and supply very large and growing
territory. They almost monOpliZe the
trade in this section, including Wash
ington, in which city it is said, they
furnish supplies to nearly every retail
drug store during business there. Oh
late this firm has been compelled to
occupy two additional stores as annexes
TO the old establishment.
The candy, cake and cracker bust
ness of Messrs. Geo. r. Hill & Co. has
increased so that the firm has found it
necessary this year to add very
largely to their buildings, and their es-
Enlistment now is model plant, ar
ranged with every convenience.
The Alexandria steam bread and pie
bakery is continually increasing its
business, and now supplies bread to
towns within n radius of over hun
dred miles. Their bakery is gem for
convenience and neatness, and but few
people. even within the city's limits,
know on what an extensive scale this
business is conduct ted.
The Portner Brewing Company re-
port slight falling oil in their business
during the year. This is accounted for
by the adoption of the new liquor laws
in South Carolina where the company
has extensive depots for distributing its
beer throughout that State. These laws
have greatly interferred with this COM