Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-01-05
BEAUTIFUL TALEWELL.
The Centre of Gilt Edge Agricultural
and Grazing Region.

and Grazing Region.
TAZEWELL, VA, Dec. 3I.-Special.-
"With an elevation of over $500 feet, the
town of Tazewell lies right in the heart
and centre of the fertile county of the
same name of which it is the county seat.
The peak of Rich Mountain, lying in the
immediate background, on the south,
casting its shadow 1,700 feet above the
main street, is picturesque and glorious,
and never fails to catch the eye Of the
traveller as he turns his steps from the
station, one mile away, on the Norfolk
and Western railroad, and enters The
street-cars that bear him to this place.
He never fails to climb to the top of the
peak before he departs, for there he is
told that the beautiful country, with its
rolling meadow lands and pastures, its
streams and valleys, are visable and beau
tiful, and he returns more than satisfied
and seldom refuses chance to gaze upon
that same picture the second and even
the third time.
Then twelve miles to the east is the
entrance to that famous Burk's Garden,
whose beauty in summer and whose snow
drifts and winds in winter, have made
it famous. This is one of the most fertile
sections of the State. Embracing about
sixty square miles, it is owned by wealthy
cat tie raisers, and cannot be bought at
$l00 per acre. Then West we have the
Cove, owned and controlled, principally,
by the Barns, the Bowens and the Wards
and Gillespies. From this section most of
our export cattle are shipped, and its fer
tility and value is only equaled by the
Burk's Garden on the east. Each year
there is shipped from this country from
5000 to 1000 export cattle, weighing
from !, ,45O to LOO pounds, and bringing
a revenue into the county Of over $780,
600.
Then there are the sheep, the wool, the
lighter cattle, the horses and the hogs,
shipped in large numbers and quantities,
the proceeds of which 90 into the pockets
of farmers and make them the wealthiest
and most prosperous Of any county in the
State.
The town of Tazewell has about 1000
inhabitants; two dry goods and notion
stores, two clothing stores, two drug
stores, one hardware and furniture store,
five grocery stores, one jewelry store, and
one general merchandise store. 1t is said
there are more goods sold in the town of
Tazewell than any other town of its size In
the State As whole the merchants
seem to be prosperous, and report trade
on a steady rise. Large buildings for
mercantile purposes have been erected
within the past two years, and it is re-
ported that a grocery firm will erect A
large new building in the spring. There
are two cold storage rooms here. Every
thing seems on the upward move, and the
year of 1898 has been a prosperous one to
most all of the business interests of this
section"
The above is special correspondence
of the Richmond Times from this place,
and was published in the New Year issue
of the Times, together with similar letters
from all sections of Virginia. The CORE
spondents from every part of the State
give very glowing descriptions Of the inn
proved conditions and business develop
ments in their respective localities during
the year 1895. No such reports have
been sent up for many years.
There was less improvement at Tazewell
in the way of buildings than at most
places from which the Times received the
reports. in 1899 we hope there will be
healthy growth in our population and a
number of buildings erected. If,however,
our people desire to make Tazewell a
much larger town more attention will have
to be given to manufacturing enterprises.
As it is, the town is almost entirely devoid
of any industries of that character. a
few small factories would not only increase
the population but add greatly to the vol
ume of business. There is enough capital
in the town and surrounding county to
start and run several factories. When
those who have the money can be made to
see that such investments will be profta'
BILE they will not hesitate to invest. Until
that time arrives we need not expect
any very great change in the existing con-
ditions of the town.