Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-31
The amount of work done this

time. The amount of work done this
year exceeded that of last year.
There has been no falling off in the
ice business and this city now supplies
a large territory with ice, which is
brought here by the vessel load from
the north and which is also manufac-
tured at the extensive ice plant here.
The confectionery and fruit trade has
been fully equal to that of last year,
though the profits-may not have been
so large.
The stocks of goods carried now by
the Alexandria jewellers are as large
and handsome as those to be found in
any city of it's size, which is an lndlca-
ton that the merchants engaged in this
branch of trade keep up with the times.
The city during the year extended
its sewer system more than during any
previous year and spent more money
in this work. A large sewer was built
from the corner of Alfred street down
King to Pitt and thence to Princess,
connecting them with the sewer that
leads to the river. Another big sewer
was also built from the corner of Duke
along Fairfax to Prince streets and
thence to the river. Suitable catch
basins were also constructed at the sew
eral street intersections along the lines
of those sewers, and all of this work
was done after the most improved
plans. After the Pitt street sewer had
been finished most OF that street from
Princess to King was repaved, and is
now in better condition than ever be-
fore.
1t is probable that next year King
street will be paved throughout its en-
tire length with improved material.
The city also renewed much of the
old gas mains during the year, and also
laid new mains in several parts of the
city. The pipes on King street from
Pitt to Henry are now all new, and the
leakage in these pipes has been entirely
stopped, making great saving of gas.
The city added to its real estate pos
sessions by purchasing a lot on Patrick
street, between King and Cameron and
building thereon modern engine
house for the use of the Hydraulon
Fire Company. This house has not yet
been entirely completed, but is near
enough 80 to show that il will be one Of
the finest in the State. The removal OIL
the Hydraulion from the Second to the
Third ward was deemed advisable, as
the city is growing more rapidly in the
northwest direction.
The above resume shows that Alex.
| andria has about held her own during 9
year of severe depression and that heI
people have much to be grateful for
The hearty wish of the GAZETTE is that
next year may bring peace and plenty
TO the old town and to her good peo
Pile.
The most disastrous fire which has
visited this city in years occurred or
the night of October Is, when many Of
the buildings of the Alexandria Fer.
tilizer Company, and all of those al
Fishtown, together with train
of freight cars we're burned, en-.
failing a loss of $4,000. Although
the loss by that fire was felt by all con-
| cerned, yet, as stated at the time, the
fire may prove an advantage to the
city, for already new and better build.
ing are taking the places of the burned
ones and the appearance of that section
will doubtless be improved, while the
taxable values will be increased.
The storm which visited this city on
the night of September goth will long
be remembered as the severest ever ex-
perienced here. In addition to the two
deaths resulting, damage to the extent
of nearly 100000 was done in sums
varying from a few dollars up to two
and three thousand. Most of this dam
age has been repaired and the work
gave employment to many idle men,
which materially assisted them, thus
fulfilling the old adage that it is an i'll
wind that blows no good.