The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-04
BANNER CITY
OF VIRGINIA
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT
RECONSTRUCTED RICHMOND
Her Schools. Industries. People and
Expectations as They Impress the
Visitor and as They Promise to In
fluence the Coming Development of
the New South.


VI
Richmond. April s.
+ TIME and space were allotted
me I would speak of other not
able edifces in this banner city
II. of the new South, viz, the jeff.
Davis mansion. now used as a
museum for Confederate war rel
les; the Old Monumental church, the
Old Bell house, both of which
date back a century ago, the lat
ter to call the people together
and to bed at the hour of nine;
the postoflice and the custom
house. built of James river granite.
the solitary building in the midst of
acres of ruin and desolation from the
great "E.vacuation' fire of April j,
1865: and especially of the magnificent
new depots. the latest ornaments or
the city: the Southern railway and
the Seabord Air Line. the latter, bet
ter known as the Capital city Line
The latter road, championed by the
leading citizens, has this last year
consolidated several minor lines, con-
structed several missing links, includ-
ing new short cut from Richmond
to Carolina, saving some forty miles
and opening up new territory south
ward, and is pointed to with pride as
a forceful illustration of Richmond
push and enterprise.
The Seaboard Air Line. in order to
reach a desirable location for depot.
had in fact to cut through the heart of
the city and at great expense. Its de-
pot is to be used jointly with the
Chesapeake and Ohio. 1t is located
right on Main. the business street of
the city, and is three stories. built of
James river granite, of Gothic archi-
lecture, and one of the most beautiful
buildings of the city. Trains come in
and passengers are received on the
second floor. and descent to the street
is made by means of large elevators
or by the broad granite stairway,
which in itself is an imposing feature
of the building. Its location renders
it more easy Of access than any other
depot in the city, L think. Street cars
pass in front of it every few minutes,
and transfers take passengers to any
part of the city and it's miles of sub
urbs. The general offices have already
been moved here and soon the machine
shops. now located at Portsmouth, will
be transferred, thus increasing the
present population of Richmond over
one thousand.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
The educational interests of Rich
mond are well provided for in an eX-
cellent system of public schools, with
numerous private schools, seminaries
and colleges, some of which have a
recognized high rank. The present sys-
tenn, inaugurated in 1869, has grown
in popularity and efficiency. and IS now
reputed among the best in the country.
The city superintendent of schools, Mr..
William f. Fox gave me the following
data: There are 10 large and handsome
brick school buildings all supplied
with improved furniture and appar-
atus. employing 10 principals, all
white 159 white and 101 colored teach
ers. or 26O in all. The pupils number
12.2S7, of whom I.25S are white and
5.029 colored. The salary Of the prin-
cipal is $50 and of the teachers $50,
average. per month The principal of
the Richmond high school receives
5000 per month for nine months. The
annual expense of the school system
IS about $l59,000. Each school is under
the sole management of the city super
intendent.
There are numerous private schools
some of high character, that MAIN
tain the ancient reputation of Rich
mond as an educational centre. The
female schools are among the hest in
the state. The Union Theological SEM
mary is a handsome building just out
side the city. 1t has a high reputation
as one of the leading divinity schools
in the South. Though under Presby-
terian control, the institution is open
to students of all denominations
The Richmond Theological Seminary
is for the education of colored min
isters, 1t holds good rank and it's
graduates stand high among the
preachers of their race.
The Hartshorn Memorial College is a
handsome building and designed for
the higher education of colored girls.
The Richmond College is the only
institution in the city of collegiate
grade, comforting literary degrees. 1t
has eight literary and scientific schools
and law department. The Catholics
have five schools of high grade.
PUBLIC UTILITIES.
The city owns and operates it's gas
works ut a price to the consumer lower,
it is claimed than that of any other
city of its size in the country Rich
mond also owns its water works plant,
which is operated by water power, and
furnishes an abundant supply at a low
cost. The water is pumped from the
James river onto plateau containing
three hundred acres, called Reservoir
Park, the highest ground above the
city, and into Il mounded reservoir
covering a space of eleven acres. with
Il capacity of forty million gallons.
The pumps are fed from dams in the
river three miles distant, and by
canal extending six miles above that
point Water is strained on being
pumped into the two reservoirs, and
although muddy at times, is not con-
sidered unhealthful, as ii comes
through clay soil, supposed To filter it.
The meter system Is used. giving
each family i,50O gallons of water for
siXty-seven cents, Within the three
| miles Uhe limit Of the tidal ehb and
how) the fall of the James river is
| 81 feet and within nine miles the fall
is ll2 feet Above this point the water
shed of the river is $500 square miles,
and from there the city water is
| drawn. Owing to the granite
rock on which the city rests, hor-
ing is so difficult that artesian
| water is hard To secure, and
| only two or three attempts have
proved successful. The most import
| ant is that which supplies the famous
Jefferson hotel.
RICHMOND WATER POWER.
The most novel and gigantic enter