Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-14
Graf Increase in Virginia
Real Estate Values.
BOTH IN CITY AND COUNTRY
sehous Fire Ms Result OF Crossed
Electric Wires Much Property
Goes Up I'm Smoke "A Murderer
Pleads For Pardon Ola the Ground
or III Health Capital city Notes of
Interest.
Especial to fundamentally

Richmond, Va, Jan. 13.-It will be 4
surprise to many, probably n majority.
Of Virginians to know that during the
year 1898 there was an increase in real
estate values in the State aggregating
nearly s3,OO00OO.
This statement was made at the Au-
ditor's Office to-day, and at first seem
ed hardly credible. Figures were ut
once shown, however, clearly substan-
tiating the assertion.
There has been so much talk OF the
depreciation in land values in Virginia,
and the assertion was so frequently
made during the session of the last
General Assembly that the income
from real estate taxation would be
greatly decreased when the lands were
re-assessed next year, that it will be
u matter of great surprise that there is
to he an increase instead.
The great increase has been in the
counties. The increase over 1897 on
lands was $l52 i33: on lots in towns,
$33G.1l9: on buildings, 81, 12303i; Il total
of sl,6l2, lS6. The increase III cities over
1897 was $i,1l3.1S0.
The-tttttiH iitt-rt1tsse s; IA tta-eref
1887 in the assessed values OF lands,
IOtS, ana DnllulnSS, was S3,,Z1,Ibb.
This sum would be very much in
creased hrd the land been assessed
last year. These figures show that it is
not proper to speak of Virginia rs
poverty stricken. Lands are increase
ing In value all the time" said an Off
cial at the Auditors office yesterday.
"A few months ago in my county Il
small farm. not specially good one,
was sold for what was thought to be
n good price. In few weeks it was
rc-sold for an advance Of So, POO
FIRES FROM CROSSED WIRES.
The undertaking and livery establish
ment of James McDonougn x Co, on
Eighteenth street. was totally destroy
ed by fire at 1870 o'clock this morning.
The fire. the origin of which was live
electric wire, was discovered by gen
tleman half hour before the fire de-
partment could reach the scene bav-
ing been delayed by the fallen wires.
and the ice along the streets. Several
alarms We're turned in, but no re-
Spouse could be had. At length II telc-
phone message to the fire department
called out several companies. During
this time the fire gained great Roadway
nut 1t took the firemen only twenty
minutes to get il under control.
Mr. McDunough stated to-day that
his loss would be al least $50. 900 There
was no insurance on the stock. which
consisted Of baskets. carriages, hearses,
paints. horses ana harness
At 30 o'clock the ]. j. Wright Cot
ton Company ANA the y. d. Shotwcll &
Co. : tanncry on Perry street in Man
chester. were consumed in flaines,
thereby destroying about So. 900 worth
OF property. The plants We're fully in
sured. Temporary buildings will be
constructed Immediately. Many men
We're employed in the concerns ana n
large business was carried on. Both
fires are thought to nave resulted from
crossed wires.
WANTS y CONSERVATIVE PAR
DONED.
Governor Tyler is being urged to par
don Willie Meadows. young White
man. who killed Maggie Driver in n
saloon in this city several years ago.
and was sentenced 10 the penitcntiary
FOR eighteen years. Meadows is dying
OF consumption Hnd Or. NOTTITIn. sIIr-
geon at the State farm where Meadows
Is confined. has twice written asking
for his pardon on the ground that his
presence is injurious n nj nor inmate