Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-06-01

manufactured product has the worlf
for it's market. A large consignment
in the pulp shape .goes regularly T.
Germany, while the writing and caro-
papers-a beautiful article-find read
sale in the Northern cities. Much of il
also goes to Mexico. / have been in
other paper mills. but " ish to say right
here that the Buena Vista product is
equal to any and strictly first quality.
| Another industry here that attracts
the visitor is the woolen mills. When
working on full time they employ 125
operatives-both men and women-Mr.
David r. Miller is secretary of the
company. In his absence was cour-
teously shown through the buildings
by foreman, G. W. Fansler. an Albe
marie county man, and on whose au-i
thority learned much of interesting
detail concerning this large Industry.
From him learn that the mills are
engaged in government contract work.
That is, the government goods manu-
factured here is for uniforming the
soldiers in the u. s. army and navy.
During the last 1S months. 250, ,0c0 yards
of dark blue navy goods has been turn
ed out, besides quantity of the sky
blue kersey.
Up the railroad track from the wool
en- mills, is the tannery operated by
the Blue Ridge Tanning Co.. an indus
try that ID familiar to our readers, but
tor that reason none the less import
ant and helpful to this industrial COM
munity. 1t gives employment to scores
of men who in the course of year
convert 45, 900 hides into as many sheets
of excellent leather, mostly for betting
and sole leather purposes. This valu-
able stock finds ready sale in the Phil
adelphia and Boston markets. Mr.. j.
E. Dawson, of Cumberland, Md, is
the superintendent in charge, and
veteran IN the tanning business. He
tells me that this company is operat-
ing two other tanneries in the State,
one at Salem, the other at Bluff City,
Giles county, and both large plants.
at the latter place Mr.. J. M. Kunkle,
a we'll known former resident of Pond
Gap in Augusta county, is the superin-
tendent.
Still another industry here, new
enterprise; and one that the people
like to talk about, is the Southern Clay
Product Co., engaged in the manufac
ture of tiles and fire brick. This COM
pany has an unlimited supply OF the
best fre-clay material and are turning
out vast quantities of the best manu-
factured article.
The Buena Vista Saddle and Har-
ness Co. is yet another industry. 1t
has not such large interests as those
enterprises already mentioned, but is
one of these small solid industries that
are valued in every community. 1t is
the maker of the celebrated Wilbur
saddle, and is the business that. did not
suspend during the dark days sue
ceeding the booms collapse of ten years
ago. In its employ l found two Of Au
gusta's former citizens, Il. M. Speck,
of near F1shersville, and J. w. Silling,
of near Mt. Solon.
So much for the industries. The
town proper is keeping pace with it's
big industries. Its large and hand
some summer hotel is soon to be filled
with guests, its merchants are doing
a solid business, it has a bank, an or.
ganized city government; with hust-
ings and circuit courts; an excellent
graded public school, several hotels,
churches of all denominations, electric
plant and an excellent water supply.
City Treasurer A. o. Burks is a be-
liever in his town, in its present and
it's future prospect. In behalf cf it's
order and good government, he asserts
that since Buena Vista has become a
no murder has ever been
committed. Cerfew bells ring each
night at and there are no disorderly
public places. What impressed me
most favorably and what will impress
the average visitor here, is the uni
form courtesy of the city's officials.
From the mayor to the chief of police,
they are as courteous and Obliging a
set of men as I ever saw in office.
Here as elsewhere in all the live
towns I find a goodly number of men
from old Augusta and Staunton. They
have settled here most Of them years
since and have grown up with the
town. In nearly every instance they
are doing well and are occupying posi-
tions of trust and emolument. Besides
those already mentioned is Shirey
and Brown, the leading druggists. w.
H. Shlrey and VIM. M. Brown. both
formerly with DR.. N. Wayt Il Brother
in Staunton. Mr.. Shirey is Presi
dent of the City Council. E. w. Ran
dolph, of Greenville, Cashier in Manu-
facturers and Merchants Bank; Elijah
Lee, of StrlDling Springs, is mayor;
Harry T.. Gilkeson, of Staunton, hard
ware merchant-has as large and valu-
able stock as will be found in this
section; g. w. Ruebush, proprietor of
large general store and member of city
council. His brother, j. q. Ruebush is
farming near here, both of Greenville );
L. H. Keller, of Buffalo Gap, ticket
agent and operator for G. & o. Ry.;J
w. Waddy, of Greenville, postmaster,
and his son e. w. Waddy, attorney-at-
law, bright and rising young man