Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-07-27
BOOMING VIRGINIA.

The new agricultural and indus
trial department recently estab-
lished by President l.. T.. johnson
of the Norfolk and Western is des-
tined to do wonderful things for
the development of Virginia, espec-
tally along the lines of the road
from Hagerstown to Winston
Salem, and from Norfolk to Bristol.
The new department is i'm charge
of Paul Scherer, formerly immi-
grafton agent Of the Norfolk and
Western. He is ably seconded in
his efforts by +. III. LaBaum. who
has been closely identified with the
railway company for several years.
These men are sending out thous-
ands of circulars weekly to all
parts of the United States. adver-
tising the resources of Virginia.
This Is especially true of the terri
tory contiguous TO their lines. In
fact they have recently sent letters
to real estate and land agents all
over the state, requesting them to
furnish the department with adver-
tising matter and lists of farms
offered by them for sale and these
catalogues and are being gratui-
tously distributed by the depart
ment wherever then are calculated
To do the most good.
The department is also advertis-
ing very extensively i'm many of
the leading trades and scientific
papers of the country To the effect
that parties desiring To make pay
ing investments either in farm land
or manufacturing enterprises will
be offered special inducements TO
locate i'm Virginia.
As an indication of the prospects
for outside capital to invest in Vir-
ginia, the great amount of corre-
Spondence received and disposed of
and the large number of inquiries
received might be pointed to as
an index substantiating the bright
prospects of the new department.
Within the past few days over 40
letters of inquiry have been re-
ceived. Among the letters received
one Is from man with some money
who states that he is desirous of in
vesting in the mercantile business
in a good town.
Another wants a large deposit of
sand, contiguous To line of rail
way and of such quantities as to
pay for shipping and building
purposes.
Another wants information re-
garding Virginia Anthracite coal.
Another inquiry was received in
regerd to large quantities of white
oak timber. 1t is inferred that the
/ party making the inquiry is desir-
Gus of locating 4 furniture factory.
Another concern wants clay
lands of such quality that the clay
deposits can be utilized for the
manufacture of tiling. 1t is under
stood that Virginia has clay de-
poSitS of uneXcelled quality.
An inquiry was also received in
regard to the proposed location of
a brick factory. This party is de-
sirouS of locating where clay can be
secured for the manufacture of
vitrified brick.
\ very large cement firm is cor
responding relative to the location
of a Portland cement factory
They figure that if Virginia can fur
niSh land containing the necessary
ingredients for the manufacture OF
this famOhS cement that the open
ing of the Nicaragua canal vii
furnish an uneXcelled market fol
the products of their plant.
One of the largest poultry can
ners in the United States is alsC
making inquiries of the department
regarding the location of a canning
establishment and a poultry slaugh
, ter house in Virginia.
a very large and important rea
, estate concern in Chicago is anXi
Gus to learn something of Virgini;
lands and the proSpe cts offered t,
farmers from the northeast. Ii
fact more than two hundred in
quiries in regard to location fo
homes. business on small q
moderate scale or for manufactur
ing industries have been receive,
10y this department within the pas
few weeks.
All parties desiring information
in regard to any of the above vii
dO well to communicate with Pau
Schcrer, who has charge of tn
department, Mr., Scherer stated L