The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-29
a Virginia Town That Is
Marching Onward to Com
IneTcial Greatness.
COTTON MARKET AND
LUMBER HEADQU
Many Factories Are Already in
Operation, and Good Room for
Many More - Competing
Freight Rates That Are
Attractive to Manu-
iacturers.
~ FRANK $. wooDsoN.

EMPORfA, VA, March -s.--Virginia
Is fast learning how to stand on moro
than one leg. The time was when agri-
culture was everything In the State and
nobody sought to make profit on
anything that did not grow out of the
rich soil and only one profit at that.
That Is to say Virginians simply grew
4 crop OF one kind or another, sold the
crop In the nearest market, pocketed
the cash and that was an end of 1t 80
far as virginians were concerned. They
were content to let manufacturers
elsewhere get ali OF the trimmings that
came from the conversion OF the raw
material into the finished product. Vir-
ginians have found out in recent years
that there are several profits to be
made on the products OF the soil, be-
tween the soil and the final consume
or wearer. and just as we'll as not these
profits may he made at home.
Because Sirginians have found out
this thing. Virginia manufacturing
towns are springing UP along all the
lines of railway. and they are making
the old State mighty rich in one way
and another. In other words Virginia
IS fast becoming manufacturing
State. as we'll as great agricultural
State Manufacturing towns are getting
than vifginians realize.
Emporin to the Front.
without any flourish of trumpets. or
any brass band effects. but merely by
aile energy of Its own people, tho town
of Emporia has become within the last
decade a mighty Important SPOT on the
commercial map of Virginia. 1t has
become SO because 1t has taken advant-
ge OF Its natural resources. In a
word It has become manufacturing
town that is attracting national as well
as local and State attention. and unless
all OF the signs of the times shall fail
Emporia will attract still greater at
tention from far and near. and the
time is not far distant when 1t Will be
one of the leading manufacturing and
commercial centres OF Virginia and the
South.
With ar abundance OF raw material
of various kinds at its very door. with
complete transportation facilities. with
promising water power awaiting de-
Velopment with natural advantages UNI
surpassed and with social influences
that are evidences OF the finest OF vir-
ginian citizenship. Emporia has every
possible advantage, and 1t is no wonder
that it has grown within few years
from struggling village-two strag-
mercial and manufacturing centre o,
great Importance.
Two Towns in One.
Emporia was within the recollection
of many people two towns. Bellfield
on the north side of the Meherrin River
and Hicksford. on the south side. Ir
1882 the towns were consolidated unde,
she name of Emporia. They were con-
solidated by act of Legislature and in
that year became one town by law, but
for several years they remained very
much apart IN sentiment. There were
rivalries and dissensions. but by and By
the active young business men got to
pulling together In commercial way
and ever since then Emporia has been
growing in commercial and industrial
Importance.
The spirit of cooperation and unity
was further accentuHted here this week
when the Emporia Board of Trade-wa<
organized. A meeting of citizens OF
{ beth sides of the river was held We'd
nesday afternoon in the courthouse
which meeting was largely attended
by the members of at least three rath-
er inactive trade and commercial or.
CARNATIONS, and these organizations
practically laid down their charters
and united in one strong organization
under the name of the Emporia Board
of Trade.
Pulling Together Now.
This body is broad gauge concern
with eyes wide enough apart to see or
two sides of a river at one glance. a1.t
is going to do great things for the up.
building of Emporia and Greenesyillt
county
Notwithstanding the Meherrin Riy.
er and some other things which hav,
In days past divided the town to ,
greater or less extent the business
= spirit of the town has ever been on.
ward and upward and great things
have been accomplished. Emporia i,
full of monuments to the farsighted
ness. energy and business sagacty OF
Its people, monuments in the shape O
great enterprises, splendid bushes.
houses beautiful and costly residences
improved public schools, commodious
churches, permanent municipal i'm
provements. all Of which go to make u.
4 a splendid interior town with a healthy
moral atmosphere, and a good place i,
which to live.
Public improvements.
The population within the actua
municipal limits is fully 5000. and llv
Ing within hearing and within its in
4 fluence and trade reach are 1000 NOR,
people, making practically a popula
ton of 1000, The towns affairs hav,
been wisely managed, and the city
fathers can show some very substan
s. tial permanent improvements for tn,
money they have expended and TIL;
small bonded debt they have incurrel
amounting to only $4,000.
This debt might have been larger o
tho improvements that have been mad
Z might have been smaller hut for TIN
MD of a we'll regulated tllspensary, tw,
I of them In fact The dispensaries
which furnish the thirsty with tn
necessary stimulants, are entirely al
vorced from politics and are manage