The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-20

Ian for Such an Enterprise and to
correspond With the People of south
vest Virginia Upon the Subject-Many
Prominent Citizens Express Them
ieIves In Hearty Accord With tho
5cheme-April Is Fixed ns a limo for
Holding a Convention for tho Conn
plotion of Plans.
The proposition 10 hold an industrial
position in this city next fall, wide in
scope. embracing every industry
i'd every varied interest of this great
ction, so rich in all the mineral and
Igricultural wealth that go make up
prosperous and populous county, of
fhich Roanoke is the metropolis, was
net with enthusiasm by the leading
.itiz ms of the city from it's inception.
Pursuant to call issued in the The
TIMES on Friday, mass meeting to
consider the matter was held las night
in the Hastings Court room, and con-
sidering the fact that number of
other meetings of an interesting nature
was held in the city last night, was
AotSO1y obtCAu0Q OJ VIC representative
citizens of the city. The meeting was
called to order by Judge A. j. Brand,
who stated its object in brief speech.
N. b. Johnston was elected chairman on
motion of Fl. M. Darnall. John k
Simmons was chosen secretary.
James S. Simmons, who more than
any other one man, made the great de-
cennial celebration of 1892 success,
expressed his hearty CO operation Of the
idea and believed 1t was q very import
ant affair at this time. The resources
OF this section when put forth before the
country and adver tised had always
brought good results and was followed
by prosperity. This could be accom-.
plished even under the extreme disad-
vantages that now exist. The idea was
to start the ball in Roanoke and s,ist.
ance would be procured from all South
west Virginia. He had just returned
from Philadelphia, and mad seen the
managers of a large number OF great
enterprises in this section and found
them willing to assist this enterprise
financially and to send in their eXhib.
its.
Mayor Trout was called upon and ex-
pressed himself as being heartily in
favor OF the movement and believed
that nothing would do Roanoke more
good than something of the kind pro-
posed The people of this city could
not afford to stand still and Roanoke
now was in a condition to partake of
any prosperity that came along. He
spoke of the largo amount of foreign
capital invested here and was sure that
those men would assist in any plan TO
promote Roanoke's interests.
Col. John E. Penn was the next
speaker. He said that the successful
decennial celebration came about tho
time of the beginning OF the great fnan-
cial depression that has swept over the
country, and it would be a most fitting
thing for Roanoke to celebrate the end
Of the hard times by holding a magnif-
cent industrial celebration 10 mark the
beginning of new era in progress and
prosperity. The darkest hour was just
before the dawn, and Roanoke mad
reached her darkest period. Let the
whole State and country know that our
people are at work and will do all that
Is possible to bring the city back to
prosperity. Colonel Penn's idea was to
make this not only Roanoke exposi-
ton but display of the great resources
of the whole of Southwest Virginia, en-
bracing, too, fine stock, fine horses, fine
men and fine women.
r. A. Buckner was called upon, but
declined to make speech. He said he
was in hearty sympathy with the move
ment and would give it financial aid.
Ii. M. Darnall moved that commit
tee be appointed to formulate a plan
for holding the exposition and to CORE
spend with the people of Southwest
Virginia on the subject After some
discussion the following committee was
elected N. B. Johnston, chairman;
James S. Simmons, Hon. Henry 8. III ont.
Col. John e. Penn, John K Simmons
R. A. Buckner, Col. S. 8. Brooke, Mai.
Joseph H. Sands, e. R. Woodward, Fl.
M. Darnall, Edw. L Stone and Thomas
w. Miller
Rev. DR.. j. Cleveland Hall made
spirited address in which he stated his
belief that Roanoke had passed the
darkest hour. That she was here, and
here to stay. This exposition will be
tho greatest advertisement she has ever
had in laying her great advantages and
those of this section before the world.
1t takes great deal more than hard
times to put Roanoke out. In a few
years Southwest Virginia will be Vir-
ginia and Roanoke will be tho largest
city in the State
Q. ID Vines had great and abiding
faith in Roanoke, which in the year
1900 would have $4,000 people He be.
lieved the people of the great South
west would help and make this exposi.
tion their own.
James s. Groves stated his approba-
ton of the plan and cited the instance
OF Atlanta, whose growth was attribu-
table to her great expeditions.
John K. Simmons, who originated the
idea. upon the re quest of several gentle
m 10 az ~ . ho hut