The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-15

Impression of Visitor After an Absence
of Years.

After an absence of years on returnin.
TO the Hill city l find many and impor-
tant changes.
When 1 left tobacco was still king.
and the laborlng class found IL their
chief dependence. The introduction OF
machinery and other causes have
wrought a revolution in the trade.
Tobacco town is stiil, however, an i'm
portant point for shipping and sending
firms In foreign lands keep their agents
here to attend the breaks.
The old negro In patched garments
still summons his customers with the
musical notes Of his long horn, recalling
the cavalry bugle TO those old enough 10
remember the striving days Of the war.
The snun makers are doing a f'ne
business and one firm which ten years
ago was borrowing money TO get a start
is now rich.
Tho city has felt the financial depres-
sion severely. Several booms which
strukc the suburbs Of west and south
Lynchburg left DISSOLUTION i'm their path.
Recent sales Of property I'm those locait-
ties dismally impress the lesson OF IN
fated values and inevitable reaction.
The West Lynchburg Hotel, bullt i've
years ago 40 u cost of $4,000 sold last
week for 5000. IL was purchased by a
Norfolk syndicate ard should prove
hnc investment at that price.
The property is surrounded by WOODS
mucn OF IL prmeval forest, with fine
mineral springs close by. and ought III
well managed to attract families FROM
the low country TO these high ana
healthy regions.
The Riycrmont boom was not Of the
everescent variety but proved TO be OH
The kind that comes To- stay. 10 was mo
means of building 81 bridge between me
old pant of the city and what had uilul
boom times. been the remote suburbs on
Daniels ull. This bridge spanning
Black Water Creek and IN immense ra-
vine had been needed for hundred wears
bur would probably have been delayed
hundred more but for the miracle work
Ing boomers. Iy 10 a large district OF
country has been built up. The River
mont College. proving itself every year
more and more a blessing TO the commu-
nifty is in this surburb and is destined
60 become "a centre of light and lead
ing not only 20 the settlement growing
MP around it, but 10 tho city ana lhe
state
Great have been the Improvements or
late years i'm the tnoroughtIres and traN-
cling cOuveyances of this town. Whlch
is one of the most expensive and diincuIt
in the whole country 90 build up MANY
an impgec8UtiCn has been heaped upon
the head of old john Lynch for starting
bis city ana establishing his ferry 40 the
most rugged location'aiong James river.
Every stronger who has visited TIE place
from that day 10 this is ready 10 agree
with the old negro who ausw cred an
carly traveller indignant exclamation
What the -- dld they ever build
town here for?" You see marse, dey
could NOT DO nothing else wild de lans.
Since electricity has brought MS the
faith that removes mountains. NOBODY
has reason 20 complain of the diriicuities
i'm transit here. The steepest hills have
been graded TO suit the car lines. and the
principal streets are admirably paved
The Riycrmout car line gives q lovely
ride from The Presbyterian cemetery,
where generations of the city's dead are
sleeping. 10 Rivormont Park, where one
can but be impressed with the feeling
that this is O. much alive and growing
town.
Although the tobacco trade has con-
tracted as TO manufacturing, there is
good evidence OF an increasing diversity
of Industries, an tending to prosperity for
the old burg steadily spreading over the
rugged hills. made accessible boy the cleo
trio lines.
The cotton mill established IN the south
western suburb within ten years has from
the first proved profitable TO the COM
pany and has recently been considerably
enlarged.
I'm connection with or as a result Of
the cotton mill dye works and trouser
factory have been or ned 10 the Same
district. This week ir is announced that
plans have been prepared for large adj
dition 10 the pants factory.
Plow works have recently been started
I'm south Lynchburg. and now hear that
a large brass making concern is TO be
established on the river near Hurts mill.
Railroad men report Il thriving business
done by all of the roads running through
the city.
Large amounts Of freight are moving
and shipments 10 and fro are particularly
heavy.
1t is especially in her wholesale trade
that Lynchburg feels hope for the fu-
ture.
There are now three wholesale shoe
houses in the city, all increasing their
business annually
Merchants from a distance can now
supply themselves In many lines Of trade
by visiting Lynchbur9.
The Hin City holds a highly strategic
position as distributing point, and is 20
the upper South what Atlanta, the Gate
City" Is to the lower South. The adj
mirable railroad facilities-extending
North South. East and West-enable the
Lynchburg wholesale merchants 90 place
goods al low freight rates with certainty