Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-01-07
STORY OF CHARLES TOWN

MAO section of the country rests
N upon surer or more substan-
~ tial foundation than does that
surrounding the twin cities of
Charles Town and Ransom. Jefferson
county is located in territory which for
fertility and productiveness has no superb
or in the Union, and the growth of the
two communities have been steady and
permanent, rather than rapid and tenn
porary. The people are prosperous, in
dustrious and hospitable, they give a
hearty welcome to the stranger, and
are always ready to lend a helping
hand to any worthy enterprise that may
be located here While it is not what
might be called manufacturing city,
and does not depend for its prosperity on
factories it has many undeveloped ad-
vantages and resources, that should at
tract the attention of the investor and
homeseeker. Its financial institutions are
among the strongest of any section in
the State, and the liberal policy pur-
sued by them toward business men and
farmers, has had much to do with the
growth of this and adjoining counties.
There are no communities in the coun-
try that offer the homeseeker better
chance to win out, if they are indus
trious, capable and have determination
to succeed. There is no army OF unem-
ployed here; so often read of in news
items from other cities, on the other
hand there is work for everyone who
cares to do it, for although Jefferson
county and Charles Town were settled
long before the Revolution this splendid
section is only partially developed. 1t
is not the purpose in this necessarily
brief sketch to delve much into the his
tory of the past 1t is of today that we
would write. Charles Town and its
sister city Ransom, though proud of what
they have accomplished in the way OF
progress, do not live in the shadows of
the past, but in the vital, progressive
present, with a supreme confidence in
what the future has in store.
OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES
The two cities have public utilities of
the highest class and nearly all the manu-
facturers use power furnished by a COM
pany owned in this section and find it
most economical The Charles Town
Gas Company furnishes excellent gas
. for lighting and for heating and cook
ing purposes. The two communities
pride themselves in the fine supply of
water which is brought to both cities
through the pipes of the, Charles Town
Water Co. 1t comes from single spring,
fresh, pure and sparkling, located about
mile from the city. By gravity it
flows into the reservoir, and from there
it is, pumped by an electric motor into
two standpipes, one with capacity of
10000 and another with $4,000 gal
Ions. There are about four miles of
pipes. The telephone company, owned
by local business men and women, fur
nishes communication with every part of
this section and also connects with the
Bell long distance. One of the first
things to attract the attention of the
visitor are the many fine concrete side
walks that have been recently laid and
also the excellent macadam highways
and roads. The greatest care is taken in
keeping the thoroughfares clean, and the
sanitary condition of the city is in charge
of most efficient health department.
CHARLES TOWNS TREES
This city has always been famous for
its fine trees 1t is half hidden in
magnificent grove of fine old oak, elm,
chestnut and lindens, planted general
tions ago by the ancestors of those who
now enjoy their delightful shade. In
summer on most of the streets they fur
nish a perfect canopy of greenery, and
contrast beautifully with the white col
umns of many of the fine colonial houses.
One comes face to face with many rather
striking contrasts in architecture here,
for the new and the old stand side by
side, one speaking mutely of days of
century ago, and others of only yester-
day, There are many fine residences,
and substantial public buildings, while
the hotels are, unusually good. The
Norfolk & Western Railroad Company
is just about completing one of the finest
and most conveniently arranged stations
in the State.
OF INTEREST TO INVESTORS
AS has been referred to in another
part of this New Year Prosperity Edi-
ton, Charles Town can in no sense be
designated as a manufacturing town.
Most of our manufacturers are located in
Ransom and among them being one of the
largest harness, saddlery and collar fac
tories in the state, employing about 100
people, a modern brass and iron foun-
dry (making for the most part, plumbers
suppies), the big Jefferson Cooperage
Co., Maxwelrs shirt, kimona and dress
factory and several others There is also
an extensive -four mill in Charles Town,
several modern machine shops and other
smaller manufacturing industries 1t is de-
sirous of having located here. industries
that employ intelligent, law-abiding work
men and women, who make good perma-
nent itizens. There does not seem to be any
desire on the part of its citizens to have
come here that class Of factoDies, in
the trail of which inevitably follows an
undesirable element, that is a detriment
to the best interests of any community in