The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-02
THE BOOMING OF ROME.
by CHARLES DWIGHT WILLARD.

ASSo VI Vic BTCul DTcEullGQ In
southern California.
Three men stood on the top of q low,
fiat hill and examined n map.
"Name it-Rome," suggested one of
them.
Romeo" said another, doubtfully.
1T wasn't built in Il day, you know"
Rome, Italy, was not" said the first
speaker, but Rome. California, shall
be-"
Those who played the part of Romu-
lus, Remus and Cclcr were the presi-
dent, vice president and treasurer of
the Glorious Climate Land and Water
company. Their names are not mate
rial, but conveniently to distinguish
them from one another we shall make
use of their titles, respectively general,
colonel and major. Dutce ct dec0rum est
to serve ones country on the field of
battle, vanquishinE her enemies and
upholding the honor of her flag. That
is one way to secure distinction and n
military title. A somewhat simpler
method is to provide occasional drinks
and cigars for the gentlemen of the
press. The pen is mightier than the
sword.
The major had been n citizen of Los
Angeles one month-he still sometimes
inadvertently said you" when he
meant I'VE"
The colonel had two months longer
to his credit, and intended to run for
the Office of county supervisor at the
next election.
The general was n veritable old
timer. lie had been living in Los
Angeles now nearly year.
Nobody knew whence they came.
There they were; that's all. In this
matter they were no worse off Tor shall
we say no better) than many others at
that same time and place The gen
cral, for example, when he was intro
duced to strangers had way of saying
in loud voice: Yes, sir! My name is
bangs, sir. And that was my name
before l came here" Then he would
look aggressively around, and it hap
pened not infrequently that of them
that heard him one or two would turn
a little pale and cast down their eyes.
All, whittier have they gone, those
Judges, commodores and generals who
for brief time seemed to own the
town? Can it be that they are all in
Oklahoma?
mate company was five millions of dol
lars, of which sum four hundred and
fifty dollars had been subscribed and
paid in. 1t was we'll known, however,
that the company was backed by a
powerful English syndicate. In those
days, when n man desired to enter upon
any little enterprise, such as building
railroad, constructing a deep-water
harbor, or founding large manufac-
turing center, he would always take
care first to secure the backing of some
powerful English syndicate. They were
always powerful; n obody ever heard of
weak one.
The only other assets of the Glorious
Climate company was n document bear
ing the signature Of n degenerate scion
of once illustrious Castilian house
an option on n piece of land favorablv
located for town-site
The general, for all that the seams of
his coat wer e shiny and his cuffs somc-
what frayed, carried about with him,
never theless, n secret talisman. He
had pull" with the railroad Tho
information had como to him from
the inside" that the California or Bust
railroad (projectcD was to pass direct
ly through the tract covered by their
option.
Believe in this railroad? Well, they
knew the public did, anyhow-the
dear, trustful public that always be-
licves in things.
The colonel had been newspaper
man in his early days, and understood
the gentle art of working the press "
In surprisingly short time, everybody
In southern California knew that great
things were in store for the new city
OF Romc-therc could be no doubt of it,
because the newspapers said SO.
On certain day in August the tract
was to be thrown opc to the public in
n grand auction. In the meantime n
few lots were disposed of at private
! sale-principally to newspaper men,
public officials of high standing, rail
way magnates, famous writer's and ac-
tors.
The major was to act as auctionccr.
lie admitted to his partners that he
mad never sold lots in his life, his
greatest efforts heretofore in the line
Of misrepresentation having been linn
tied TO the trading Of horses.
~ Ia tHSiPic SSSiHS 10 oc ABOUT the
same, however" he said. ASK five
times what it is worth, and then take
whatever is offered"
lie was cool and easy speaker. The
crowd, the music and the enthusiastic
cheering of the cappers moved him to
extraordinary effort. Many of those
who came to scott remained to buy.
NO one was more astonishcd at
the result of the sale than the conspira