The Washington Herald from Washington, District of Columbia • Page 8

THE WASHINGTON HERAIiD.iPBpRSDAT. MAYr 23. 1913. A Typical Railroad Town, the Terminus of Three Divisions of the Chesapeake Ohio Railway Destined to Become "The Altoona of the South." 0- CLFTON By V. F.

IETV1I, BUS Comapondent Clifton Forge. May St. Olfton Forge, possessing many natural advantages to become city of alio and a. thriving commercial center, having within a small radius eight iron furnaces and a large number of iron ore mines, acknowledges as the. principal factor In its upbuilding the Chesapeake and Ohio Hallway, being at the terminus of the eastern, western and James BJter divisions of the road.

A former president of the road went on record as saying that Clifton Forge Is destined to become the Little Altoona of the South. In short. Clifton Forge Is a typical "railroad town," every bit of commercial activity beginning and ending with the Chesapeake and Ohio Hallway. Following the established custom al euch points, the railroad company main Jains a hospital with a corps of trained and efficient physicians and surgeons, as fwell as the hotel. The division offices end machine shops are located there, and It Is the home and headquarters of a majority of the employes.

The common thing In most points of. this character is that the citizens are forever complaining with reference to the shortcomings of the road that made the town possible, but here we find the tmcomnon citizen, who Is forever telling ef the great benefits derived from the road, its liberal treatment of employes, and deep Interest manifested In the town and Its general welfare. The compay maintains at this point next to the largest yards on its system, containing thirty-four miles of trackage, as well as a belt line around the city for the purpose of handling manifest freight and expediting cars. The daily average of cars handled in and out of Clifton Forge numbers 1,631. The population In the main is composed of citizens in whom civic pride and loyalty to their town Is evident.

The local branch of the Young, Men's Christian 'Association Is looked upon wlth-pride. It being fully adequate to the needs of the little town. An excellent schooling sys- to the general welfare of the community lis promoted, there being no dissenting oice when discussing any move that tend to upbuild their town or srorally uplift Its citizens. The present population is snout 6,000. and two newspapers are published there A new post-office was recently erected at a cost of tiw, ana mere are a number of pros perous business enterprises.

A number of beautiful churches and hundreds of splendid homes grace the town, while the streets are macadamized and the sidewalks are of concrete. The various professions are well represented there. In Clifton Forge there is room for a urge numrjer 01 industries, sucn as a furniture factory, chair factory, overall factory, broom factory, and numerous others There Is also an opening here for a wholesale boot and shoe house, wholesale dry goods, notions, By a large number of men this city Is re garded as an Ideal place to locate a steel plant, where the raw material Is close at hand In great abundance. Clifton Forge is lighted by electricity with day and night current and the corporation owning the electric light Plants (there are two of them) has a thirty-year Jrancnise, and is now planning to develop Its water-power on Cowpasture River, a few miles distant, for the purpose of Increasing Its output. This undertaking will require an expenditure of a large sum of nones but It will mean cheaper lights and cheaper power for Clifton Forge It is estimated that this plant will have not less than 2.000 horsepower, which will be sufficient to operate a street car system, furnish light to the city and Its citizens, supply other near-by towns with current and take care of whatever power may be seeded by present and prospective industries at the lowest possible cost "With cheap coat the larger industries mat use steam If deemed advisable, but this may be sav ed and a cleaner and safer power substituted.

This company, when Jt completes its plans, will furnish all the power that may needed. In the Chesapeake and Ohio shops and save the railway money At the same time It means an Increase In the capacity of the snops. special inducements will be of fered new enterprises by the Clifton Forge Public Sen ice Corporation, the owners oi me power plant The City Public Schools. A higher compliment could not be paid Clifton Forge than to make public the fact that, with only 6,000 Inhabitants, It has 1.000 white children attending the public schools There are two -nubile school buildings, the larger containing seventeen rooms ana costing J35.000, the other, erected this last year, being somewhat smaller, containing nine rooms and costing 316,000. Prof.

J. Grier Fress-It, formerly an Instructor at the Hew Tork University, is the principal, -and three are twenty-three teachers under his supervision Besides a regular course, Btudents are allowed to take a 'business course during their last two years In the high school, and -consequently a great many pupils, who have otherwise dropped out before graduation, to enter business, remain, thus giving Ctlfton Forge a reputation for the number of graduates for the size of the school. term which expires September 1, 1J1Z. A large petition signed by the representative business men and prominent clti-rents of QJfton Forge, requesting that be run again in the coming election, was declined by Mr. Bowles.

He Is a lawver bv Tirnfesslon and It ts "Vila d- aire to take up the practice of law again. is very progressive anaipub-Hc spirited and has always taken an active Interest In every movement to advance, the Interests of the city. His many friends regret his determination not to run again while It is generally believed that should he decide to run, be will be elected by a comfortable margin. Chesapeake -and Ohio Hospital. This hospital was originally built by the Chesapeake and Ohio for a hotel being the original Gladys Inn.

It was run as a hotel for seven ears until the present hoter which Is more centrally located was built At that time the fast passenger trains stopped at the foot of the hill below the hotel for meals. The hospital is now used for the treatment of diseases and accidents among the em ployes or tne road, and Is under the management of Dr. J. C. Wysor and his assistant Dr.

R. A. Davis. DrWysor was sent from 'West Virginia by the road at the time of the opening of the hospital, and hat been in charge ever since, xne hospital stands on a beautiful elevation overlooking the city, and is one oi tne snow places of the com unity. Clifton Force Motoal Telephone Company.

i This company was organized In April, 1S37. starting with thirty subscribers and using a fifty-drop board, and by the following March they were forced to Install a rso-drop board, Now the line extends oil over the county, more than 609 'phones being In use. and a subscriber can talk without toll anywhere within a radius of fifteen miles of the central. Ing distance metallic circuit 'phones are in use Detween towns. The whole line was rebuilt last fall, six miles of new cable being laid, and a new switchboard Is now being installed In Coving- ion, ine aim or the management Is to give prompt and efficient service and have as little wire trouble as Is possible by using the best equipment The officers or the company are Watbs, president and J.

A. Sprout, secretary, treasurer, -and general manager. A. B. Davles.

A. B. Davles was born In Amherst County and came to Clifton Forge In the merits of the line of goods he is selling and a tiresome trip on an accommodation train, looks forwardjto just one thing at night good hostelry where, ha knows that he will be served a decent meal and given a good clean bed In which to Test his weary bones. To the traveler In Virginia, making the Alleghany County territory, the Gladys Inn, at Clifton Forge, appears, as an osl In the desert Opened In November, 1907, containing stxty-x rooms and twenty baths, under the management of J. Callahan, the Gladys Inn has earned and maintained the reputation of being one cf the best hotels in that section of the State.

Judged from every Viewpoint of what a first-class hotel should be. It Is operated on the American plan and Host Callahan Is a "hall fellow well met" Tne Clifton Forge Public Service Corporation, Clifton Forge Is destined to be a large manufacturing center on. account of the natural advantages in tpe way of water power development Plans and specifications are now being worked ut for a nydro-electrlc development on Jackson River, and after this Is completed they win have cheap power to offer manufacturing enterprises. The current will be transmitted to both Clifton Forge and Covington, from this plant which they expect to have completed In twelve monms. in addition to this wa.

ter-power development, this company Is nomine reserve riparian rights on Cowpasture River, which will be devel oped as the demand for electric cur rent Increases. Our large steam turbine Is now In operation supplying electric current to many of the local Industries, Including tne uneasapeaice ana Ohio shops. This company formerly purchased the electric plants of the Clifton Forge Light and Water Company and the Clifton Forge Ice and Bottling Works, and, after consolidation of these two plants, have been able to work up a very large business and Install one of the most complete steam plants In this country which Is to be used as an auxiliary to the water-power plant thereby insuring the very best service. At one time the controlling Interest was owned by the town. However, after several years operation, they decided that municipal ownership waa not profitable and sold their Interest to the Clifton Forge Light and" Water Company.

vvitn electric current made from pow er at a very low price, the healthy location of this community, the abundant supply of elegant water, there Is every reason why one should find this cozn- i ISBaiAuEvrzSt bsb, 1 BsaEBBr-auvl' 7itww9SMiBTTTsrsssMlsWHIsmMlfiWPWsssss' Kk'I "Hf 3 JriP-BmiM- -1 tJfcesyjhMBaS tfiXmy I BaTLSwiTBBSSMffBSSSV fl-eMT JfEvSfisS 'I Tim ife! SvvLsBBSSBlLLBMBLBLLBaMLis I "i I ji BffBfcJ.l'.w'1 -11- il Clifton Forge Ice and Bottling Works, Clifton Forge, Va. Pbota by CHflra Ac They have four regular traveling salesmen, who work parts of Virginia and West Virginia. A short time ago a branch house was started at Marling-ton, W. which is under the direction of J. A McLaughlin Recently, the building, which the concern has occupied since It began business, was purchased by them and thoroughly overhauled, an additional floor and basement being added, electric elevator Installed and the building put In as good shape as a new house, having" floor space of square feet with railroad track facilities at Its doors to handle the large amount or merchandise dispensed by this concern.

Clifton Force Solphur Sprincs Property. The Clifton Forge Sulphur Springs property is located Iwo miles from the town of Clifton Forge, at. an elevation of 2,000 feet, is just fourteen miles away from Hot Springs with good roads between the two points, and but two hours distant from the White Sulphur Springs and Natural Bridge. The property is divided into five-acre tracts, snd is an ideal locality for a summer residence. Mayor John I.

Bowles. Mr. Bowles, a native of Alleghany County, was born on a farm on which the city of Clifton Forge now stands. He first entered public life six years ago, when he was appointed to fill the Unexpired term of Mayor J. W.

Lapoppe. who died. Mayor Bowles served itwo years at that time and was then reelected by the people for a four-year IBsMieJfcrllssnsffli 13 ll'tBit'i'WfcJ JlSHskts 'JHLVvw a-. fVf3i PlioCo by Dnnford, Cliftoo Foccb. Home of the Clifton Forge Grocery Company, Clifton, Forge, Va.

1SSS. He first entered public life in 1SS3. when he was elected Councilman In 1300 he moved Into what was called West Clifton Forge and was appointed Council man and later elected. Mayor Mr. Davles enjoys the distinction of cclng the only public official to stay in officer during' the whole life of the town of West Clifton Forge-1900 to 1306.

In 1306 West Clifton Forge consolidated with Clifton Forge, and It is all now the city of Clifton Forge. In Mr. Davles was again elected Councilman of Clifton Forge, and he has served in that capacity ever since. Davles Is now a canriMati, fnr Ifavnp fn the comlnV election and It Is the general opinion around town that he will be elected by a large majority. He en- Jos the reputation of being public- spirited In the true sense of the word and has always fought for measures that would advance the interests of the city.

The Gladys Inn. The Knight of the Grip, whose lot Is not always a pleasant one to content plate, after a day devoted to extolling IGERM I IK 1 St. WfeZ 3 Asfc wJK "IT. il TS- J- 1 K.s slr- vTiM." V.VfU"aJ lifcjsflP'siPj -rboto by Doaictd. Cfcftoo force, Scsldence of A.

O. Clifton Force, Va. rcunlty a desirable location for fac tories. The authorized capital stock Is and the officers are W. G.

Matheys, president J. w. Johnson, vice president and A. ord, secretary-treasurer. Clifton Force lee and Bottllnc "Works, Incorporated.

This business has been carried on in Clifton Forge for nearly twenty-five years, the company having purchased the Alleghany Bottling Company about eight years ago This company Is one of the early bottlers of the famous drink. Coca Cola, their territory extending through a large portion of Virginia -and the coal fields. The rjjant Is one of the most up-to-date in the bcutn, all machinery being electrically driven, and operating the most complete washing an sterilizing1 machinery tor cleaning the bottles. connection with this large bottling establishment is operated two large ice plants, with a dally capacity of slxty-flvo tons, "which supplies Ice to the C. Ry.

Co for both passenger and refrig eration oi meat iruit and vegetable cars. The enormous bottling business this company has worked up is largely due to the elegant mountain spring water which is piped from many miles up In tne mountains xor supplying the city. The capital stock Is 95.000. paid In, W. Mathews Is president and A a Ford, secretary and treasurer.

Clifton Force Grocery Company, Incorporated. This company was originally organized in March, ISM, with J- C. president and John Donovan, manager but shortly afterwards it was re-organized with John Donovan, president and manager, who had charge of the business up to the time of his deatlC about one jear ago, when the officers and board or directors were elected as follows. F. Donovan, president and treasurer, George P.

Moore, Ice John Donovan. Jr secretary, and E. A Bnead. Dr 3 Tatum, and Dr. Wysor, directors.

Ther concern does sn exclusively there being immediate to the property excellent trout and bass fishing The soil is adarrted to the ralslnr of fruit and vegetables and the surround-. ings are pleasing to the eye. The property contains sulphur, Uthla, aid Iron springs, and Is being sold on reasonable terms. Dr. H.

Tatum Is In charge of the property and will be pleased to furnish Information to any ono desiring It His post-office address Is Clifton Forge, 8. F. Chambers. Maintaining an office In room 11. the Alleghany Building, 8.

F. Chambers maXrs a specialty of rebuilding typewriters and supplying the 'local business establishments with typewriter supplies, such as ribbons. Inks, Mr. Chambers boasts that he can sell you a machine for any price from SS to J60, that will give service equal to a new J10O machine, and at the same time guarantees the same His charges for repairing and cleaning are very moderate and the best that we can say for him is that he Is "making good and en- Joys the confidence of his townspeople. The Clifton Mills.

Standing out prominently In the front rank of Clifton Forge Industries, la the old-established Clifton Mills. Many years of honest liberal treatment of patrons backed up with quality products has given this business a standing In the community that the owner. CoL Frailer, points to with pardonable Pride. The Clifton Mills specialties are. "Last er Hat meal.

Frazler's mixed feed, high grade flour, mill feed, corn. oats. Red Ash. and Splint Coal wood. J.

A. Fra iler, familiarly known as is a gtnuu oid soui, ana one ox ine town public-spirited citizens. J. D. Dnnford, Photographer.

it Is said of J. Dunford, that from the time, many years ago, when he traveled In Ills own horseless casriages baby buggy propelled by a nurse and was wheeled Into a photographer's shop sale grocery business, carrying a big I to pose for a piexur of nts cunning StOCS: OC evervmin? In till, crae.pv Iln- LKAir.triat fin nnA fr raullnn.9 fa including tobaccos, cigars, candles, drugs, I hold still and nteh the bird'" he vowed that his ambition in life would be to some day have a shop of his own and make photos of his fellow-citizens' "cutest ever." That he has realized a fond ambition and become a matter of the profession Is attested to by the. large patronage he now enjoys as the foremost photographer of Clifton Forge. Clifton Force Steam Lanndry, The Clifton Forge Steam Laundry. In corporated a few years past for C5.000, wss recently purchased by the Edmonds Brothers, owners and operators of the Hlnton Fruit Produce of Hlnton, who do a large fruit and produce business In this city.

The laundry occupies a building 73 by 100 feet, which Ms. recently been thoroughly equipped with all the late Improved machinery of the American Laundry Machine Company type, and they are now Installing one of the National Chemical Company's "Prosperity Collar Moulders." Their machinery Is driven by electric motor and steam heated by the Clifton Forge Ice Bottling Works, with whom they lise a ten-year contract and has an earning capacity of tUOO per jvofk. They have a number of out-of-town agencies, though the trade never has been solicited, but under the now management they sre establishing rlew agents east and as fsr west as Montgomery, Va, Since they have the best soft water and their equipment Is complete with aU sanitary arrangements their work Is excellent and trade rapidly increasing, we predict for them a most prosperous business for the new enterprise The officers are H. J. Edmonds, president; W.

T. Edmonds, vice president, GAB. Edmonds, superintendent and E. Harris, manager. Clifton Force Flonrlnc Mills, Inc.

With Klolner. president and E. Smith, secretary and treasurer, the Clifton Forge Flouring Mills. was organized two years ago The mill. Ss by tS.

and four sto-les high, has a capacity of eighty barrels dally The company manufactjres high-grade flour feed, and meal, and are dealers In hay and straw, their special brands of flour. Belle or Clifton, patent. Rising Son. Bakers Choice, and Uncle Sam are well known all over this section, and the business of the mill has been very successful. Mr Kolner has been connected with large milling companies in this sec tion for a great many years.

He came to Clifton Forge four years ago and Duut tne mill here three vears aeo One jear later the present company was organized with Mr Smith as secretary and treasurer Mr. Smith Is native of Bath County, but came to Clifton Forge In 1S30. Both of these gen tlemen are progressive and public-spirited, and are always willing to lend a hand In matters pretalnlng to the upbuilding of their town and county. Smlth-McKinney Hardware Company. This company was established twelve years ago, and is under the active man, agement of W.

K. Smith, a popular hardware man and a resident of Clifton Forge for twenty-two years The firm does a general retail hardware busi ness, embracing the entire county, and has the agency for such celebrated lines as American Wire Fence, Oilier chilled plows. Stag paint Lewis' white lead. Majestic ranges, Fosters cook stoves and ranges, and ThornhlU wagons. Tna stock of goods carried is exceptionally large and complete, and this, combined with the pleasing personality of Mr.

Smith and the general efficiency of his assistants, makes this establishment popular with the trade throughout the county. Mr. Smith's residence in Clif ton Forge is a beautiful place, delight fully located, and well cared for. W. B.

Grove A Son. B. Grove has been in the drug business in Clifton Forge for twenty- four years, and Is one of the leading druggists of the State, having the most commodious drug store between Staunton and Charleston, and doing a business accordingly. The storeroom is 21 by 90 feet with large show windows. handsomely decorated In hardwood and containing a magnificent soda fountain.

They cater to the best soda fountain trade and have twelve tables serving customers. This store Is centrally located, and especial attention is paid to compounding prescriptions. Huylers cundles. Dykes Family Remedies, and Hudnut perfumes are carried, and they have a big trade In garden seeds. Their cigar stand does a business that requires the undivided services of a cigar clerk, and the store, as a whole has an air about It that is distinctly metropolitan.

Bnrke A Merritt. Seeing a good opening for another high-class grocery concern, (X H. Surke came from Rockingham County to Clifton Forge one year ago, and with H. II Merritt established the present firm of Burke Merritt handling the Francis H. Leggitt Co.

premier line of fancy groceries; wltlf efficient delivery serv-, ice ana catering to tne nest trade these joung men are rapidly becoming rec ognized ns leaders, in the grocery busi ness. Bes des groceries and vegetable! tney carry a large assortment of Virginia bams and bacon, dry, salt and smoked meats, and are in a position- to tl orders foe every table requhite the market affords. Their store ts commo dious and well kept and they boast of keeping a stock that enables their customers to get what they want and not something Just as good. Murray Jt Foster. This firm, estblisbed over twenty years ago by Kuckols fir Foster, Is one of the oldest dry goods stores In Clifton Forge, although the present owners took charge only two years ago.

Mr. Murray has been with the house for thirteen years and both proprietors are hustling young men. who not only do a big business among the residents of the city, but have a large country trade as welL They handle a general line of dry goods, notions, ladles' ready-to-wear goods and men furnishings. They are exclusive agents ror Manhattan shirts, "Niagara Maid" silk gloves, William Anderson's zeyphers. Royal Worcester corsets.

Ferris waists, and many other standard lines. Being all their lives In the business and acquainted with the requirements of their customers they are enabled to maintain an establishment" that commands the best trade and secures the services of the best sales force to satisfy the public. A. O. Snrber.

Being a wholesale and retail desler in beef, pork, veal, mutton, lamb, and cured meats, in connection with the grocery and produce business, and having the advantage of being In the stock business W' wlsKr' AslllH jisHsk' 4sHH sH bsI tIs! sTsfssSssssB sisssasrei ssssHsssssHn A JbsssssssM LsssssHtsssMm isssssssssH HBsssaiBsa "snBsssssssssa BnssBH Photo by Danforu. Outon Fane. si wort joirv bo-tales. all of his life, A. Surber Is considered one of Clifton Forge's most successful merchants, with a big trade amour the oest people or tne community He kills his own beef, buying on the hoof In large numbers, and paving the highest market price for everything In his line, insist ing on his customers receiving the best the market affords.

He Is a native of Bath County and went into business here in 1SSS. The Surber residence Is one of the handsomest in Alleghany Counts and is situated on a beautiful elevation overlooking the Blue Ridge. Pendleton Feed Company. If any of the work stock or milch cows within a radius of ten miles of Clifton Forge miss a feed It Is because their owners neglect to 'phone the Pendleton Feed Company The hay, grain, and feed repository of this company Is cer trally located and connecting Is also their coal and wood yard, where Kay-moor coal and fire wood supply the city with fuel. They are also agents for Studebaker wagons and Capitol Stock Food and remedies, and receive a carload of William Tell flour every month.

When a tourist at the Gladys Inn dines on a tender steak from the loin of a Alleghany steer he can rest assured that the winter quarters of the animal was stocked with mill feed and meadow hay bought from this old and reliable firm. TV. G. Fraamrr. A stranger walking down the streets of Clifton.

Forge and passing G. Frommer's establishment might not recall a moment later that he had passed" a grocery and fresh meat store, but If he should have gone Inside, the following would have left a more lasting impression Four butchers would be carving succulent steaks, roasts and chops on enormous chopping blocks, quarters of beeves, hogs and lambs being rushed In from the cold storage room on trolley tracks; one clerk receiving orders over the 'phone, another pulling charge accounts out of the McCaskey register with the deftness of a railway mall clerk, electric scales and cash registers in evidence, and a full fledged Ice plant on the premises for the manufacture of crystal Ice And if the stranger would have a little patience Mr Frommer would take time from his duties to. receive him cordial!) and If questioned would Inform htm that this busy store bus a carload of cattle every month and do their own butchering Smith Bros. Fnmltnre apd CasVet Company Incorporated. Five years ago Smith Brothers bought out the Rosenberg Furniture Company and Incorporated the, present concern with a paid In capital of tliCCO.

They occupy a commodious corner building and have only recently added oO per cent to their floor space in order to accommodate larger shipments of furniture. Two carloads of Iron beds, the largest shipment of beds ever received here, have been added. They carry a stock of rugs as largo as any concern in the and also display a large assort ment or carpets, matting, oil cloth and linoleum and can supply a home from cellar to garret They are also funeral directors and licensed embalmers. A large arch entrance connects the store with the dry goods establishment of K. W.

Trout a convenience which Is greatly appreciated by shoppers. When the citizens of Alleghany County want anv-thlng in furniture ranging from a. kitchen stove to a Globe-Wernlcke book case. Smith Bros is their mecca. The company consists of J.

S. Smith, president. E. W. Smith, vice president.

W. K. Smith, secretary and treasurer. Hatch's and 10 Cent Store. This Independent 5 and 10 Cent Store opened In 1906.

and was a success from the start, the stock of goods now car ried being double that of the first year Having the services of association buy ers In the Eastern markets enables the Hatch store to secure an manufactured articles at the same prices as syndicate stores, and consequently his customers around Clifton Forge are able to get the same quality ahd selection as if they were residing in one of the larger cities. All standard 5 and 10 cent store articles Including pure candles, post card', kitchen utensils, glassware, notions, hosier), china, enameled ware. are carried In large quantities, and because of the fact that anything from tacks to trimmed hats may be found in profusion at a market saving to the purchaser, the Hatch store Is one of the busiest in this busy railroad city. Mathews-Cnrtls Company, Inf. Clifton Forge being right In the heart of the Blue Ridge timber section It was to be expected that a lumber company of some consequence would be located here.

The Mathews-Curtls Company is located In tbo heart of the city, equipped with the latest machinery for turning out CONTU.UED OS FOLLOWING PAGE. Vhoto by Dastard, CUftoa Hall, Cllftoa Va..