Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-07
GAINESVILLE NOW.
QUITE AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE
TOWN or FORMER TIMES.
stc Has Risen from Her Ashes and Pros
pered-Advsntages as Commercial
and Tobacco Centre.

Cbthhof Haze, VA. June 6.-tSpeciaiD
A little over one year ago | was at this
place 1t was then scene OF ruin and
desolation. A terrible condagration had
destroyed II from the heights OF Petten-
gill down both sides Of Main street for n
quarter OF a mile. when the flames were
arrested by the Roanoke river. Hun
dreds OF buildings. including hotels, bank.
stores, livery stables. tobacco warehouses,
shops. and residences had been reduced
10 ashes on that memorable LIST OF AprIl,
1898, when old Boreas blew perfect
tornado The magnificent shade-trees.
which had stood the storms OF nearly a
century. burned and blszed from root
20 summit. The lawn enclosures and Or
namental shrubbery were swept away,
and mot rose OF the wilderness could
be seen to tell where the garden had
been"
The suspension and failure OF two fra
Insurance companies about this time. IN
which policies were held by ,hc unforta-
nate property-owners. was an additional
calamity TO the homeless and distressed
sufferers Il was enough - cause
dependency and crush the spirits OF the
most resolute hearts. But not so with
THESE people. They realized thclr condi-
ton, and each one, though pros,rate. like
Acteus of old, arose and seemed imbued
with new life and increased strength and
energy. So that the ClarksyiiIc of to-
day IL an improvement on tn town OK
former times.
HER NEW BUILDINGS.
New and elegant buildings have been
erected. Brick houses with city fronts.
splendid residences with mansard roofs
fine hotels newly furnished, tobacco
houses adapted 10 present necessities, ana
numerous shops and Offices now greet tho
eyes.
The antique style of architecture has
been succeeded by the modern OF more
imposing outlines and attractive arrange
ments.
The situation OF the town being at the
confluence of the Dan and stanton rivers,
where the Roanoke f. formed and also
being the most acccss iblc market for a
popuous and fertile agricultural section,
II was Of necessity bound to rise from its
ashes and prosper,
There are now business houses Of al
kinds and fixed and increasing popula-
ton. On all sides THRIFT and progress are
apparent.
\ TOBACCO MARKET.
A large section is supplied by the nu-
merous stores, and the adjacent country.
producing fine tobacco and tributary TO
this market, makes its sales immense
OF that commodity. The American To-
bacco Company has resident buyer here.
\ large wagon mandatory is also in
successful operation.
The place IS almost encrcled by rail
roads. The Atlantic and Danville and
keysylle and Durham railroads cross
each other here and wind around the town
on nearly every side Passenger and
freight trains going south. southeast. and
west pass here every hour In the day.
The mails seem TO be continually going
and coming. The old-time loafer who
always met the train on arrival when
only one railroad passed here finds his
occupation gone, as his time would now
be too much employed. and he would have
no opportunity To rest at the stores and
tell jokes and news.
40 STAGNATGON.
or course the town has felt 10 some
extent, in keeping with all other places.
the strngeuCy Of the times. But sim
there has been no stagnation in business,
and the bank and merchants make good
exhibits and report trade encouraging.
Vt any rate, new business-houses will
be erected this summer and an expan-
sion OF fan trade Is confidently expected.
\ new paper the Clar6sville Chronicle,
has just commenced publication here,
with good patronage.
Two lawyers live here. They are ex-
Judge Henry Wood and State-Senator
! Thomas y. Williams Both are enthuS-
astic over the future prospects Of their
native town, and say there Is no doubt OF
its advancement in business and popula-
ton.
Situated on an eminence. high above
the tides Of the Roanoke. and nterspersed
with hills and wales, with commanding
Views sweeping up and down the rivers.
and surrounded by mineral springs the
place could not be other than healthy.
The people Of the vicinity are noted for
their longevity | met here Mr.. william
NJ puryear. who Is an old resident, be-
ing In his S5th year AMI appears in good
health and fine memory. lie knows the
towns history In all|ts vlcissitudes, and
is ever ready with a rominiscence. lie
Is brother Of Professor Puryear. OF
Richmond College.
AT THE SAM! STAND.
Mr. Robert II. Bugg IS in the mercantile
business at the same place. where l
passed daily along, forty-twO years ago.
while attending school here. Iic has been
merchant Tor nearly nfty years, and Is
stig active, and as eager for u profit
as ever I'm his youthful days. Thirty-nine
years ago he planted a small elm tree In
front Of his store IL was killed by the
fire Of last year, and has been cut down.
IL viii measure at its base ten feet in
circumference. and it's limbs extended
across the street. Transplanted trees
grow more easily and more rapidly here
than at any other place / have ever OBJ
served. The soil and moisture from the
rivers seem favorable 10 their growth
Mr. Bugs store was the only one
on his side Of the street that escaped
destruction by the fire. 1t was built fire.
proof, and the flames lcaped over II.
The Baptists, Methodists, and Presby-
terians have churches here. The Episc0-
pal edifce was burned last year, and has
never been rebuilt.
There is considerable Interest now mani
Tested with reference 10 deepening the
channel OF the Roanoke and making Il
navigable for steamers. The survey has
been made by United States engineers,
and they report the scheme entirely
feasible, and cost from Weldon TO Dan