The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-28
WILMINGTON SENDS
GRATIFYING REPORT Or
Many Evidences Of industrial
Progress and Activity.
A GOOD FINANCIAL SHOWING
This Cotton Industry Has Very Greatly
lncreased-Tne lob .cco Market is
Developing Street Railway
and telephone Facilities.
A GOOD FINANCIAL SHOWING
Especial Dispatch to The Ttme..)

WILMINGTON, N. c.. Dec. a.
Wilmington is in better condition dnan-
cially, industriauy and in every other
way than it has ever been, and the New
Year holds cut the very brightest pros
poets.
The financial condition Is best shown
by the bank statements, made November
25th. The FIVE banks show to al de-
post Of s4.25S, 530.I2. On deposit in the
banks December 18th, 1901, was S3.-0l. S91.-
56, an Increase of s., 03G,u-S=.66. During the
year the Atlantic Trust and Banking
Company was formed, with paid In
capital stock Of s50,ucO. The new bank
shows $4,000 in deposits. There Is no
better sign than the condition OF the
banks and Wilmington Is fast Incl easing
in wealth
Perhaps the most notable development
In the Industrial line was the purchase
of the railroad from here to Wright Vile.
eleven miles, by the Consolidated Rail-
ways. Light and Power Company. Of
this city. and its conversion into a well
equipped. modern trolley line. Tie work
Of converting the line cost upwards IF
s1UO.0pO. The same company has now in
the course of erection modern power
pant. to be equipped with the newest
and best machinery.
CROSSTIES
conspicuous part In the commercial world
is the crosstie business. In twelve
months there has been shipped North
from Wilmington by water nearly LOO
COO railroad cross ties. With increased
crosstie business. heavy shipments OF
lumber from half dozen big mills.
continuation OF good trade in naval
stores and increased cotton exports. the
shipping from Wilmington harbor has al
reaIy doubled itself over the year 2. e
ceding Already this cotton year. be-
ginning Septernuer-1st, 255s12 bales have
been received at this port and It has ali
been compressed and exported to Europe
OF: large tramp steamers. 1t is estimated
that this ports cotton receipts this crop
year will far exceed 100000 bales. passing
last years figures.
This section of Carolina IS fast devel-
oping the tobacco industry. A warehouse
company was organized here and char
tered in November. with an authorized
capital stock Of 100000 and s35.o6o paid
III. Last spring the strawberry crop from
this belt sold for several million dollars.
and all trucking has been increased. with
better financial results. Especially sue
cessful was the cantaloupe crop. which
nut hundreds of thousands OF dollars In
the truckers pockets.
SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
A few months ago fine system OF san
city. which cost Sl25.0OO.
Road building is receiving greatest It
tcrton. both In the city and county. The
past year the city has spent 10000 on
street improvements. and the county voted
:. bond issue of s50.1.D for good roads The
county now OWLS nearly twenty miles OF
r1acadarrized roads. an6 is working with
relentless energy to build up every public
road in the county.
Several new manufacturing enternrtses
were started this year. viz: Hydraulic
white pressed brick factory. shirt and
overall factory. shuttle block. shinEle and
lumber mills and other manufacturing in
dLstries along lesser lines.
Wilmington was greatly benefited by
the Atlantic Coast Lines absorption OF
the Plant system and the location OF all
the Offices here About 800 clerks were
moved here by the deal The Atlantic
Coast Line Is charging it's Office building
and plans are being perfected for. two
other Office buildings. one for the pur-
chasing agents DEPARTMENT. and the other
for ticket offices. waiting rooms, ETC., at
passenger station.
The Bell Companv.s and the Columbus
Conlpany's long distance telephone lines
have recently been brought TO this city.
The local exchange Of the Boil companv
Is soon to go into new building. and
an underground metallic circuit is now
being put dow, IN ti'e CITY.
NEW STEAMER.
The new passenger and freight stea-'er.
City OF FAYETTEVILLE. hriIt at Jacksonville,
Fla. for the Fayetteville and Wilmington
Steamboat Company. will arrive raxt
week. She will run on the Cane Fear
from Wilmington to Fayetteville. and her
accommodations are second to no river
heat in the South.
MANY great improvements have haen
made In the business section Of the citv |
and some handsome new business blocks !
have been completed. BY reason OF the |
incl eased POPULATION hundred nice dwa'!- !
mss have been hr'1t. and thee IS now
no. a vacant dwelling OF desira tility in |
Wilmington All the public schools are |
fourfshirg. and an-e~ee have been added |
to the grammar schools.
An era of great prosperity now spreads |
over North Cardinals metropolis.