Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-26
PROGRESS IN REBUILDING
V|RG|N|A's WONDER CITY
HopeweiI Is Rapidly Returning to
Normal Business Conditions, but
Wit, Better Construction.
CONTRACT FOR BANK BUILDING
Many New Structures Have Been
Completed-Other Merchants Are
Doing Business From Freight Cars
and Temporary Shncks.
Especial to The Times Dispatch.

Especial to The Times Dispatch
HONEYWELL. VA, December 25-The
rebuilding Of the Wonder City went
forward with much progress during tho
week ending to-day. Buildings are be
ing rapidly completed. and it will he
only "A few days longer before the gun.
cotton city will closely resemble the
town that was so tragedy DESTROYED
by tire three weeks ago
With the Improvement In the meth
obs OF building. which is compelled by
the military authorities, substantial
structures are being erected and tho
town is becoming far more Of city
! than ever before. larg. percentage
OF the buildings now being erected are
OF brick and concrete. and others OF
sheet steel on which the building rest-
lations are more stringent than In the
past.
evidence OF the reconstruction Of the
city is brought forcibiy to view by
standing ut the corner of Hopcweil
street ana Railroad Avenue. in the cen
ter of the burned district Looking
down the latter street. twenty build
inEs. nearly all of which are complc,cd
may be seen This is on one side oF
tho street only. and the buildings v ere
erected within ten days. ON Hopcweu
street, Just below RaiIrca, Avenu.
IRON that have been completed The
oniihinrs arc in the main TWO story
structures, and will be used as stores
Oh various kinds.
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR
NEW BANK BUILDING
inc Virginia state Bank, OF Jicpe-
vi mas just awarded the contract for
the erection OF a handsome nome or
oTlck construction, TO cost apDroximotc
~ $4,000 Work on tn, bujldin,. v,I
re started At once ana hurried to com
pictioii' so that the new bank will he
Htic to move INTO new quarters IN tn.
carly spring.
The new bank building will be erected
On property acquired by the directors
several months ago on broadway. near
inc corner OF Hopcwcll street ANA
! VIII adjoin the old sit. Of The Farmers
ana Mechanics Bank
I"ntfactors are facing n serious
propicni IN this city these DAYS. and
'n'l ~ securing transportation OF their
materials 10 the Wonder Citv. There
Is SUCH congestion of the raiIro,,I
tracks and over the line between ,bis
/ CITY ana Petersburg as to make 4, al
most impossible 10 gc, materials n,
the ground Ia any reasonable time
II Is stated that the Norfolk and
western hallway has It's freight
tracks loaded with more than 100 cnrs
some or which have been at the local
s'fhS LOT several weeks without any
attempt being made by the consirnrns
10 unload them. 1t is stated that these
( cohsiSnccS are paying the usuai de.
murraEc required by the railroad COM
phny. and are taking their time un-
loading the cars.
SEVERAL CONCERNS DOING
BUSINESS FROM FREIGHT CANS
Iherc are reports that several con-
Germs are doing business from these
freight cars rather than pay the higher
rentals that are asked for ground, con-
SiderinS that the dcmurrage OF 81 daily
Is cheaper In consequence II great
. part OF the materials arriving at the
ioca! freight yard daily Is being blocked
ana IL is Impossible for many build
ers and contractors to obtain the ucccs-
Shry supplies. which has hammered the
progress OF rebuilding the city to some
extent. Some action. il is stated, will
he taken TO relieve the situation in the
next few days.
IL is reported that the guncotton city
viii soon have an adequate and
cornplcte telephone system with a pub
lie exchange, a long sought improve
inent. 1t is stated on reliable authority
that the Petersburg Telephone Com
! pany is preparing to install an en-
change ii suitable building can be
! found and If one cannot a new building
will be erected.
AS a precaution against future fires
regulations governing the construction
, OF chimneys. and the handling of gas
| oline and other infla mn,able goods have
been issued by authorities OF the fire
department.