Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-31

This has somewhat affected the e6ten-
sive sugar trade OF this city, which ior
a number of years past has been q
d;stributinp point for the best sugars
made. Thirdly, the people OF 81. !.
this t section raised more hogs this year
than thew had done for long .lne
past. Many cured their to oan IN a all
and thus curtailed sh;oh lac 10 ono If
kinds of sailed meas WIZ" .ha nrou;s;on
the heaviest , i.ims ~ III, These three
mercoan1 Cove stated, would show o
items, 81 in the grocery and provision
iailisgfff to Offset this an increase had
tt55t been made in other items.
r One of the greatest losses the city
sustained during the year was the
burning of the large bakery and candy
manufactury of Geo. b. Hill & Co.,
with the immense stock of miscellan-
eous goods, which occurred during the
blizzard, on the night of February 9,
but by the indomitable energy of the
members of that firm, the largest build
ing in this city has been erected on the
old site, and phoenix like has sprung
| from the ashes one of the most COM
pletely equipped and best arranged
bakeries in the country; 30 what was so
great loss to Messrs. Hill & Co., has
proved a great gain to Alexandria, as
| the new establishment would be q
credit to any city. That Mesars. Hill
& Co. may be fully rewarded for their
great outlay of money and commenda-
BILE spirit of enterprise is the wish OF
the entire community, and is gratifying
to state that their holiday trade was
the largest in the history of that firm.
Hardly since the Portner brewery
| was erected has there been year that
some improvement to it has not
been made. This plant has con-
tinued to grow to meet the
steady demands for the excellent
and invigorating beer made there, and
besides the additional buildings erected
new and improved machinery is con-
stantly being added. The several
brands of beer have won national re.
putation and in many instances ply.
sicians of renown have recommended
these beers as tonics and invigorants.
Ths plant is really a model in every
respect, though it seems that it will
never be finished. A new bottling
house, 10 be fitted with all modern i'm
provements and appliances, is now be-
ing erected. The company's business
largely increased during the year and
arrangements are being made for build
ing branch brewery in Norfolk.
The banks in Alexandria have been
| ,f incalculable benefit to the city,
and no similar institutions in the
| country are on a sounder basis. In
the hands of business men, they are con-
Quoted on business principles for the
benefit of their stockholders, but al
ways with liberality to their custom
ers, deserving of commentator. They
| are always ready to supply money for
my legitimate business enterprise, and
the merchants have long since learned
that the banks are their friends. The
last exhibits published show the excel
lent condition of the Alexandria banks
and the officers report a satisfactory
business for the past year.
The building observation-disclosures,
lria's savings banks-continue to do a
great, but quiet, work in building up
the city. These institutions, which are
excsllently managed, encourage many
to save their money and, eventually, to
become householders who, but for these
associations, would never own a dol
lars worth of property. These men be-
come better citizens, take more interest
in the city's welfare, and encourage
Others to follow their example. 1t is
hoped that the Legislature will not in
sist on taxing these associations out OF
existence, as on several occasions it has
attempted to do.
| Alexandria for some time has rested
under the odium of being a city OF
wild cat" insurance companies. These
companies are chartered under the
laws of Virginia, but are all Differed by
non. residents of the State-chiefiy from
Washington-and organized in the be-
ginning, it is said, to defraud. These
companies have not only hurt the home
and other reliable companies which
have agencies here, but have broughtre-
proach upon the city. Fortunately,
however, the stern hand Of the law has
been interposed and it is hoped that lie
fore long this blot upon the city will be
entirely wiped away.
Notwithstanding the falling of
in the amount of business done
in heavy goods, mentioned above,
the whole grocery and pro-
vision trade has been fully as
large as that of last year, when it was es.
timated that it amounted to $4,000, 900.
Alexandria having established repu
tation for being as good market for
groceries and provisions as any in the
| country, continues to attract trade from
all directions, and undersells cities which
but few years since would not admit
that Alexandria was competitor. The
retail grocery trade, too, continues to in
crease and in the many handsome stores
within the city can be found any article
on the market and all sold on the
CLOSEST margin.
Alexandria'S lumber trade is one of
her most important industries, and
taken in connection with the extensive
mills for making sash, doors, blinds,
boxes, &C., which are conducted by the
lumber merchants here, large forces of
men are employed, much capital is in
vested and much money is keptin circu-
lation. The Alexandra merchants not
only supply the increasing home mar
ket but now ship directly from mills in
the lumber districts TO points hundreds
of miles from this city, to which points
they have extended their trade, which
el,; hon6copoolx, or,3 &c