Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-12-30
Rockbridge's Industrial Growth
for the Year

Tor the lear
The industrial conditions il
Lexington and Rockbridge during
the year now closing have been il
the main satisfactory.
The farmers have been blesse,
with good crops which hav
brought fair prices, the mechanic
has had abundant work at goo(
wages, professional and bushes
men have been constantly employed
Manufacturing enterprises have
steadily grown in volume of bust
ness, and on all sides the spin
of contentment is observable.
While Lexington has not had
building boom" several substan.
tial residences have gone up
greatly to the improvem ent of the
sections where located. Washing
ton and Lee University has now
in course Of erection a modern
Engineering Hall to cost over
$50, 900, and the building of a
system of dormitories to cost $50,
600 has been projected and is now
under consideration. Throughout
the year carpenters, painters and
masons have been busy, indicat-
ing considerable improvement on
all lines of houses. A special
cleaning up and renovating was
done in early spring on account Of
the converting in Lexington of the
General Assembly of the Southern
Presbyterian Church.
The most important industrial
enterprise established here is the
Rookbridge Lime and Stone Com
pany, located just west of Lexing-
ton. In addition to their capacity
of 300 barrels of lime per day from
their three kins, the company in
August began the manufacture Of
a patent process of fertilizer lime,
W .lich has met with great success
in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and
which has been satisfactorily used
in Rockbridge. The company con-
trolls the right to manufacture and
handle this fertilizer in Virginia.
The officers of the company are
Mr.. f. L. Embree Of Buena Vista,
president; Mr.. /. II. Adams Of
l. nchburg, vice-president; Mr..
Lawrence Embree of Lexington,
secretary and treasurer.
The two banking institutions
here are in a prosperous condition.
The Bank of Rockbridge has a
capital stock of sos, 900; loans and
other investments, 1922, 900; cash
and exchanges, $780, 900; surplus
fund and undivided profits, $780,
600; deposits, $3.50 The
deposits for the past year show an
increase of $l5, 200. A dividend of
6 Per cent. has been declared for
the year. The officers of the bank
are Messrs. W. S. Hopkins, presi-
dent; VIM. NJ. McElwee, Jr.,
cashier; j. w. McClrrg, teller.
The First National Bank of Lex
ington has "a capital stock of $780,
600; loans and other investments,
1907, 900; cash and exchanges,
SOL, 300; surplus fund and UNI
divided profits, $35, 900; deposits
$30S,OO The deposits have
doubled in four years, and increased
25 per cent. the past year. A
dividend OF per cent.for the year
has been declared. The officers of
the bank are Messrs. j. Il. Dunlop,
president; b. f. Vaughan, cashier;
II. C.Wise, teller; We .Firebaugh,
book-keeper.
Rockbridge enjoys complete
system and rural free
delivery routes. Wholesale grocery
establishments are situated in Lex
inSton and Glasgow. n arly all
the Touring mills in the county use
The patent roller process Of man
Between the Natural
Bridge and Natural Bridge citation
On the n. & W. and c. d o. rail
-oads, distance Of three miles,
here has just been completed
nacadamized road at cost of
81, 500.
One steel bridge has been erect
ID in the county, near Rockbrldge
Baths. across North river, at cost
If about 81, 900 and new resi-
lence has been built at the county |
arm for the superintendent of the
Door, costing 1000.
Country produce Of nil kinds
good prices. During
he fall and winter turkeys, chick
ms and eggs have been higher
han for years. Dressed turkeys
etailed here for Is cents pound,
chickens at Is cents and eggs at
70 cents dozen.
Town Treasury Increased