Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-30
LETTER FROM PAGE.

Correspondence of Alexandria Gazette
LURAY, Va, Jan. 2S-Luray is again
having tussel with the water ques-
ton, and the subject being one of vital
interest, it is to be hoped something will
result from the movement.
Although there is good stream of
water running through the town, yet
for all practical purposes it has never
been Of any help in cases of fire and
never will be as it now is. Our town
is powerless and at the mercy of the
flames, not having fire apparatus of
any kind nor even an organization Of
any of its citizens having in view the
fighting of the flames. The best that
can be done is to confne the flames to
the burning building and in this there
has been great good luck caused by
the elements. With good water sup
ply once secured there will be little
else lacking to insure the continued
growth of our really pretty and inter-
esting town, but without this necessary
convenience, not only will its growth
be retarded, but the numbers of visi-
ters to its great and splendid caverns
be kept below WHAT would then be.
We have three weekly papers, The
Courier, The Page Ncars and The Union,
ell of which are in good aud healthy
condition and all alive to the interests
of the people of Page and this beauti-
full valley, and this fact in its itself
shows spirit of progress and of at
tention that speaks well and for itself.
Page has for its size more brandy and
whisky distilleries than anv county
of the State, there being now four run
ming distilleries and the prospect for
several more. That of. G. Burner has
been running ten years and has gained a
good reputation for fair dealing and
square whisky.
a new Touring mill has been erected
near the depot here by a joint stock
company and will shortly begin opera
tons under the managementof c. W..
Carter.
Deer, once so numerous in the Fort
Valley, seem to have all at once become
scarce, and the only one killed this
season was a white one. Bear, however,
are more plentiful theIe and one is kill
ed every now and then.
There is but one bridge over the
Shenandoah in Page county, in fact
from Front Royal to Shenandoah City,
some 80 miles apart, and consequently
during the bad weather communication
across the river has been inconvenient
and limited.
The spring elections are beginning to
interest our people and candidates are
becoming plentiful. Our new Circuit
Judge, Mr.. Harrison, of Winchester.
will hold his first court here on the 18th
of February, this term being also the
first one under our new statute giving
Page three terms during the year.
The Cottage, fine residence and
the last on the site of the once famous
Luray Inn, caught fire Sunday night al
about one o'clock and was entirely COLI
sumed. 1t was occupied by ]. Y. jamie
son. president of the Page Valley
Bank of Virginia, of Luray. Mr.
Jameson lost all his valuable furniture,
his family escaping only with their
lives, and losing all their clothing. The
fire caught from the furnace and had it
not been for the servant who slept On
the lower floor and was awakened by
the smoke all escape for the family
would have been entirely cut offin few
minutes. AS it was she had barely time
to arouse the family, who quitting their
beds hurried from the burning building.
The Cottage belonged to the Cavern
Company and was insured. Mr..
Jamieson's loss is partly covered also
by insurance.