The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-12-25
Sea COast CnllIngs.


bar then, but not so now. One Of the
largest ship yards known TO man occu-
pies a portion Of it, and in closest touch
Of this bee-man hive Of industry has
arisen, as though in a night, prospe-
rous and progressive Newport News
The shipyard is giving employment
to at least 1000 men, many Of them
skilled mechanics, expert draughtsmen,
accomplished electricians and has upon
1t buildings and building materials run
ming high into the millions. The
mightiest Of all mammoth battleships
are being built here and the hum is
deafening and yet musical. / watch
ed the process of"paying of" this great
army Of earnest workers on last Satur-
day at 1870 p. m, and it was "a sight"
Within the short space Of 20 minutes
fifty to sixty thousand dollars had
been handed from corporate hands to
those Of individuals. There were sew
en- windows from which the money,
in sealed envelopes, was handed and
before each window some 1000 men
were arranged in line which was kept
moving in quick time and soon melted
away. AS the individual man ap-
preached the window he called out his
number and name, and the envelope
was handed him, and so on to the end.
1t will be interesting to your readers to
know that a Farmville boy was on
watch at one Of those to decide upon
the identity Of the applicants. Now
and then he would turn one down,
and as quick as thought and without
protest he would step from the ranks
to make room for the next.
And in those different lines there
was more than one son Of Prince Ed
ward drawing pay. The average pay
in the yard is about SIS a week. There
are six fighting ships under construc-
ton, three battle ships. two armOred
cruisers and still another whose class
fail to recall. The millions involved
in the transactions of this work shop
are immense.
or Newport News | need not write.
1t is an "infant industry" but is ask
ing no "protection," on the contrary
pushes boldly to the front and com
petes fearlessly with Greater New
York for supremacy on the high seas.
Its growth has been marvellous, but
it still wants to grow and is looking
forward to the coming Of another rail-
road from the far west with intense
interest. 1t isn't waiting, however,
for something b. turn up but is turn
ing up something as the days come
and go.
It's street car connection with
Hampton, Phoebus and Old Point is
we'll nigh perfect. The ride to Hamp-
ton OF some ten miles is made in thir-
ty minutes and at a cost Of five cents.
The cars are comfortably heated, too,
and the trip is a positive luxury.
know OF no better place for reading
the morning or afternoon papers I'M
less it be the old armed chair at home.
The vacant spot where once stood
the noble Hygeia is not good to look
at. never expect to know the luxu-
ries Of a more luxuriant hostelry.
A dear lady Of Farmville once visit
ed pie factory in Baltimore where
she saw tanks Of mince meat and tons
Of pie crust, and she hasL't fancied pie
since. Something Of a kindred feeling
seized me on yesterday as / stood in
one Of the largest oyster packing con-
Germs in all this section where ! saw
hundreds OF men "shucking" the inn
mortal bivalve for "dear life." As the
gallons were made ready for shipment
they were dumped into vessel about
the size Of a Farmville hogshead, and
when | peeped into one more than
half full, instinctively cried out, no
more oysters for me. But when | get
back to Farmville and see them dealt
out by the pint the old feeling Of in
tense love will return in pristine force
and vigor. In this connection, it was
interesting to me to learn that many
Of the openers get as high as 81 a day
or zoe a gallon. wish you could see
an expert at this work. Did you ever
try to open an oyster, Mr.. Editor? /
would as soon undertake to open the
vault Of the Planters Bank.
1t will be no surprise to you or to
your readers to know that this people
are intensely interested in the James
town Exposition, and it is right hard
to describe their disappointment when
today they were advised that the four
teen transportation companies leading
this way had only agreed to subscribe
to one hundred thousand Of the stock
Of the venture. They were expecting
three times that, and il seems to ME
they had the right to expect the larger
sum.
The weather has been cold for weeks
past but there has been no skating on
the sea.
Yes, this is a busy portion Of Vir-
ginia, but no matter where ! go find
no buster place than is Farmviile on
Saturdays. Nor do | know Of streets
better kept, stores more attractive,
homes more delightful, nor people
more lovable. Tide water is winsome,
the valley bewitching, the mountains
inspiring but the garden spot Of Vir-
gina, may not say Of the earth, is
found in Southside Virginia.