Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-01-08
DEATH OF AVELL-KNOVN CITIZEN OF
ROCKBRIDGE.
MIR. A, ID. GRANT PASSES AWAY-HE
IMPROVED HIS OPPORTUNITIES,
BESTOWED LIBERALLY OF HIS
MEANS TO WORTHY PUR-
POSES, AND LEFT A GOOD
ESTATE.
THE INCLINE AUTOMATIC RAILROAD
AND ITS CONSTANT AND RELIABLE
WORK.

AND IT'S CONSTANT AND RELIABLE
WORK.
Correspondence of the sPEcTAToR.l
RIVERSIDE, Rockbridge County, Va,
| January 4th 1895.
| MIRA D. Grant, well-known citizen OF
Rockbridge County, died at his home in the
INNER Irish Creek mountain section on the
night of the LIST instant, in the list year OF
his age. Not only IN the locality of his resi-
dence, but along the mountain and IN the
Valley country, from Basic City to Buena
Vista his acquaintance and friendship were
recognized and appreciated. The deceased
was endo wed with vigorous, active intel
lect and his strong will-power and energies
were well applied throughout his long career.
In the DAYS of his boyhood and youth his
section had meagre advantages and primary
schools even were few and far between. Be
fore the construction of the Shenandoah VAL
lev branch of the Norfolk & Western railroad,
the advantages of the people inhabiting the
valleys and slopes of the Blue Ridge section OF
Rockbridge, in the eastern part of the county,
we're few, indeed, IN the latter years, though
it was there that iron was first produced IN
the Valley and mechanical genius achieved
great results The natural resources OF the
country were valuable in many respects, yet
the needs of improved transportation during
the more active years of the life of Mr.. Grant
deprived him of the advantages now at
command. Self-reliance and industry carried
him along its journey, and long since he had
enjoyed the pleasures of a fine competency in
lands and valuable personal possessions
His home, amid the tall mountains, ap-
parently cut off from the outside world, was
complete in buildings and supplied with every
neighbors many of whom were of limited
means, were upon the broad scale of true
liberality and kindness. A large and gener-
Gus hospitality always welcomed the stranger
alike with neighbor and friend as his domicil
was approached. He resided in the immedi-
ate vicinity in which much money has been
expended and many strangers called hither in
pursuit of developing the resources of the
mountain country. His excellent bearing
and friendly greetings to all such will be alike
missed in the future, as we'll as his charity
and good deeds towards the needy Of the
community.
In early manhood Mr.. Grant was married
to Miss Hannah Copper, who survives him;
a young lady of the lower South River valley.
a Christian woman and a neighbor. indeed,
in the truest sense of those terms. Her in
Auence is wide extended. and her large
Christian work was well sustained by the
means of her husband. No children blessed
their home, and hence it may be that their
charities were the more abundant. The
sanctuary on the mountain side, in the bounds
of the Fairfield Circuit M. E. Church, South,
is the church of the vicinity, and in its APP
pointments and work the ministers in their
rounds of the circuit fully testify.
The funeral ceremonies of Mr.. Grant were
observed at the residence during the afternoon
of the End instant The burial took place on
the 3rd instant at Nersiah Church Cemetery, in
the lower South River valley, near this place,
fifteen miles distant from the residence of the
deceased Rev. ]. W. Canter, in charge of the
Fairfield Circuit, conducted the services on
the End instant, and he, with Rev. ]. H.
Davis, Pastor of Timberridge (Presbyterian)
Church, oficiated at the grave. Both &C.
casions were deeply impressive, and, though
the weather was cold, indeed, the attendance
from both communities was large.
THE INCLINE AUTOMATIC RAILROAD.
In October, the SPECTATOR published full
sketch Of the newly designed automatic in
cline self propelllng railroad, erected by the
John A. Roeblings Sons Company, of New
York, for the Glasgow Development Com
pany, to transport their iron ores from the
mines down the mountain-side of a mile to
the Norfolk & Western railroad. Six days in
seven the little, but wonderfully arranged
structure, is executing its mission with
promptness and large savings to the pro-
prietors of the iron-ore mines. 1t will be
remembered, as previously stated, that these
mines are in the South River Valley, eight
miles south of Vesuvius, and ON the line of
the Norfolk & Western railroad. The product,
at present, averaging daily five or more cars,
is sent to one of the furnaces at Roanoke
The ore rates with the highest in yield and
value. This property is owned by CON-
pany, the members of which mostly reside in
Norfolk, and they also have landed possessions
at the boom town, known as Glasgow All
appearances indicate that the investment in
the iron-ore property will become valuable.
CAxroN.