The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-19
PETERSBURG NOW HAS
$4,000 POPULATION
Past Ten Months Has Been the Most
Prosperous In the Cockade
City's History.
GREAT BUILDING ACTIVITY
Work Going on Day and Night 10
House City's Rapidly Increasing
Popuiation-Two Millions Spent In
Improvements

Petersburg, Va Dee. fs.---Duriug
the last ten months Of the year which
Is now rapidly drawing TO a close the
City OF Petersburg has experienced
one Of the most prosperous periods in
lts history. The business people of
the city among whom con be found
some Of the most conservative, yet
competent in the State, if not in the
South. and the financial institutions
among the most substantial In the
South. have enjoyed a period of pros
perlty. such as was never known in
southern Virginia.
This great wave Of prosperity is due
IN a large measure 10 the location
near City Point Of the gigantic gun
cotton plant of the Il. l. DUPONT de
Nemours Company, which has given
steady employment for the past ten
months to an average which will reach
something like rs, 900 lahorers and
skilled workmen daily. 10 whom 1t is
estimated at least one and three-qu
ter ufiliinn dollars are paid monthly.
a large portion of which has been
spent with Petersburg business houses
and In real estate IN and about Tho
city or deposited in the eHgs hanks
When this gigantic wave struck the
city it was found to be totally unprs~
for the tremendous influx Of popuIa-
ton, and consequently building opera
tons were commenced not too hastily
but upon conservative basis
Since building operations were ac-
lively begun il has spread throughout
the entire bounds of the city. until
today hammer and saw can be heard
in every section and sturdy builders
are engaged day and night in con-
structing buildings from an ordinary
tenement, which will produce a mod
crate rental, to the most expensive
dwelling or apartment
Several new hotels have been erect
Ell during this period and thrown
open to the public and others are
under course of construction the
most modern Of which r. the Hotel
Petersburg being constructed in West
.Tabh Street to replace the old Shir-
ley at cost of approximately s1T5.-
900, and which will accommodate.
when completed on April ] several
hundred guests.
The total amount invested in i'm
provements throughout the city dur
ing the past ten months at \ conser-
vative estimate will reach $4,000, 900
and it is generally believed that with
in the next sixty days splendid ac-
comm odations can be furnished at
! least 260o more residents in the city
in addition to the 10000 or more that
have already come into the city dur
ing this period.
The population of Petersburg which
stood for many years between $4,000
and $4,000 is now not less than 80. 900
and is growing rapidly in most sub
stantial way.
Tobacco Sales.
The sales of tobacco al the several
local warehouses for the week Just
ended aggregated 20s,595 pounds. Sales
Of bright leaf for the season to date
total $50 and of dark leaf for the
season 52s.5h2 pounds, The market
Is quite active and good prices are be-
ing obtained fo~ all grades. The sales
have closed fer the holidays and the
market will not be re-opened until
January An.
Santa Claus Appeal.
The Empty Stocking Club and the
Kings Daughters have made a stirring
appeal TO the Petersburg public for
contributions especially of provisions
to be distributed among the city's
poor for the Christmas holidays Do
nations for charitable purposes, &C
eording to active workers In the lead
ing organizations. have not been as