Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-04-06
BUSINESS ACTIVITY At eRoTToEs,
The Industries There Enjoying a Large
and Thriving Trade.

boomers, because it lies so prettlly;' a
it was; as I find it today Nor has iti
beauty faded, or Its vIgor lessened will
the passing years, but rather will she
in her new spring dress, soon appear
even more radiant.
Just east of the railroad and north
of the station is the extensive grove
wherein the villa lot sites were staked
of, and where now is seen as pretty q
row of villas as ever the boomer
dreamed of. Across the track is locat-
ed the business portion of the town,
further into the Rocking
ham county line than was intended by
the early promoters. Grottoes-for
that is its name now-is an incOrpOrat'
ed town, with mayor, council and
other authorities. It has three general
all doing an excellent business,
several churches. two boarding houses,
a livery stable. planning mill, factory,
and other lesser enterprises;in fact the
town has gotten down to u solid bust
ness basis, and all are pulling together
for the common good; and right well
are they accomplishing it.
The American Hardwood Manufac-
Co., is the leading industry.
VIM. F. Livers controlling owner and
general manager. Mr.. Livers is known
to our Staunton readers as secretary
and draughtsman in the Office of the late
Maj. Jed Hotchkiss. After the disas-
trous collapse of the boom, Mr.. Llvers
united his fortunes with that OF this
place, and has built up for it and him
self an excellent business. AS the
name implies, his factory is a worker
n hard woods; telephone boxes, switch
boards, cabinets. battery cases, etc.
Sixty operatives are given employ
ment and a vast amount of work is
turned out per month, estimated at
about 10, 900 boxes. The freight, too,
IN incoming stock and outgoing pro-
luct runs up into hundreds of dollars
every 80 days. The factory is worked
its utmost and is still much behind
IN orders. 1 was shown the order file;
here was one order from an Ohio firm
or 14,800 telephone cases, another from
In Indiana house for 800 boxes per
week until forbid, and still others
dating several months back,
Ind work on which up to this time has
lot yet begun. $780," said MIR. Livers,
should no more orders come in we
will still be engaged for some time to
,ome in filling those already booked"
But they do continue to come in, some
With nearly every mail. To meet this
growing trade a new dry kiln is being
)uilt with a view to increasing the
output.
Assisting Mr. Livers In the Office is
Mr.. W. W. Stlteler, who with his fam
ly, moved here from Pennsylvania
bout a year ago and will make this
lis future home. The superintendent
Mr.. W. w. McGahey, o Rocking
lam man, and a nephew of Richard
formerly editor of The Spec
Another industry that brings much
If business and money to the town is
planning mill Of Eutsler Bros,
builders and contractors. This firm
las a large patronage and the mill force
lere is kept busy preparing and ship
3ing builders material to the various
where they have contracts and
where large forces are engaged in the
work of construction. MI. M. D.
Eutsler and his son are in charge of
The Office and mills here.
But 1 was about to forget the cave
just across the river, and who could
it who had eve see it. The
"Grottoes" after which the
place is named, and which has done
much and is still doing much to bring
the town into prominence. / don't
suppose there are caverns in the world
that surpass these in beauty. At least
that is the opinion expressed by the
globe trotters who have been here.
Mr.. L. ID. Patterson is the general
manager in charge. He is also propri-
etor Of the livery and sale stables
he runs in connection with the
cave.
PERSONAL MENTION.
This place in common with other
communities has suffered much from
the prevailing grip. Many of the fac
tory men and towns people are housed
on that account. Mr.. j. L. Mohler
just across the river, has experienced
a severe attack, combining him indoors
several weeks, but he is now conva
lescent.
Mrs. R. A. Harnsberger has been il
quite feeble health lately n her PEG
pie are apprehensive of a second attach
of paralysis.
Mr.. W. G. Armentrout is putting th'
finishing touches to his ley residence
which is one in a row of very prett.
homes.
Mr.. J. s. Leeth, of w. A. Leeth &
Co., left Tuesday for Baltimore, wher
be will purchase his spring and sum
mel goods.
The public school here, under Prof
Hamrick and assistants, will close TO
the term tomorrow. There will be n
public exercises.
News has reached here of the death
last Wednesday, of Mrs. John Root
aged so years. She leaves a larg
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