The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-01
ALExANDErA's PROSPERITY.
An UnexampIed Trade in 1896 and Reach
ing Out for More.

ALEXANDRIA, Dec. 3l.-SpOcial.-The
merchant, mechanic, shop-keePer. bank
or. broker. professional man. and wage
Garner here say that the old year has
been q very good one and one quite salts
factory to them, while the farmer from
the country adjacent says that, leaving
politics and the great storm, out OF IL,
ne has no especial fault TO find.
Though there need be mentioned Moth
ing especial here with regard 10 big
things that are soon 10 come ID Alexan-
dria. 1891 Will enter upon an era full or
hope and confidence, nj every enc feels
encouraged TO say the least.
There have been no failures here dur
ing the year, the several fires could have
been much worse mad the town depart
ment and citizens been less efficient or
energetic. For the most part che losses
thus entailed were insured, and the aa-
Justments nave been prompt and salts
factory. Taxing tie whole towns trade
into consideration there has been a mark
ed advance over the proceeding years.
Tho Industrial plants have been kept
going constantly Several have increased
their output several fold, and hope 10
ind q demand for as much again during
the coming year. The town has increased
rather than lost in population, yet, this
cannot be especially noticeable
SPLENDID WHOLESALE TRADE.
The Wholesale trade of Alexandria.
which. during the past ten years, has
caused considerable commend outside.
has largely increased between the pres
ent and last report. 1t has extended. run
ming far into other States. and under
the noses of other cities who heretofore
have practically had their own way about
everything In the line. The competition
II has evoked has been prom pity met
and this trade-namely. the grO' cry. lager
beer. cakes. confectionery. fertilizer.
crockery and glass ware druls. paints
and oils hard coal and wood. mill pro-
ducts-bids fair to grow largely in the
coming year. The local drug trade has
increased with three new storei. ana four
others remodelled. while the wholesale
house, the oldest merchantile establish
ment here, has increased its ales from
- TO ~ per cent, and doubled. its bust
ness of three or four years ago. The
cake and cracker and confectionery fac
tory, also an old institution here. has
like the Miller and the Smcrt-French-
Robinson Fertilizer Company risen like
a phoenix from its ashes TO double its
trade and make ready TO double its output
as well. The Smoot tanneTy has been
removed, but still ship largely their pro-
ducts from here. They say they have done
better this year than ever bef,re.
THE LUMBER TRADE
The lumber dealers have done well. In
hardware and cutlery lines Grade has
greatly improved. while in dsy goods.
q BOOAS anu cAttHt HiAo -tlof
notions, wholesale and retail. from
houses selling 10 both wearer and mer-
chant Il has held It's own. The same
may DO said of furniture. Stationery, har-
ness and saddlery, tin and ironware.
iewelry and millinery. yet, In .on-e lines
OF these there has been stead. improve
ment. Standard gold and silver and
leather Goods and fancy goods Of
standard character sold herti for less
han hey mHy be had In Washington:
like iaodern furniture. have during the
past several years taken especial strides
here.
The cigar and tobacco and lhiuor trade
outside has been fairly good. bit without
much improvements. as some e the dry
goods merchants complain % In their
line-due 10 Washington general store
advertising.
The produce market has had an excep-
tionally good year. the agricultural Inn
plement dealers and photographers say
the same. The banks have doEc we'll. as
have the various building expectations.
despite the fact OF the great hodaa az