USA > Virginia > City of Alexandria > City of Alexandria > A Concise History of the City of Alexandria, Va.: From 1669 to 1883, with a Directory of Reliable Business Houses in the city > Part 5
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The Relief Hook and Ladder Co., organized in 1788. The Hydraulion S. F. Co., organized in 1827. Clarkson's Cornet Band. The Columbia S. F. Co., organized in 1871.
The procession proceeded along the following route : Down Cameron to Fairfax street, Fairfax to King, King to Alfred, Alfred to Prince, Prince to Fairfax, Fairfax to Duke, Duke to Washington, Washington to King, King to Sarepta Hall. When the procession passed the corner of King and Royal streets it pre- sented a solid body of light ; amid fire works, the firing of crackers and the waving of flags, and torches and lanters, on either side of the street, it proceeded on its way, presenting a scene that may have been equalled, but never excelled. Ushers were in attendance at the hall to assign seats to the ladies, who were especially invited to grace the occasion by their presence. Arriving at Sarepta Hall, the soldiers and firemen filed in, where many ladies were already assembled. After music by one of the bands, acting Mayor E. E. Downham, President of the Board of Aldermen, who presided, in- troduced Rev. J. J. Bullock, D. D., Chaplain U. S. Senate, who opened the services with prayer. Henry B. Whittington, Esq., one of our oldest natives, and most respected citizens, read a poem composed for the occasion, which was received by the large audi- ence with enthusiastic applause. We regret we have not space for the entire poem, but reproduce a few lines, as follows :
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"Dear home of my youth ! with what thrilling emotion, My heart e'er responds at the sound of thy name : And yielding to none for an ardent devotion To aught that redounds to thy honor and fame; May peace and prosperity ever attend thec, And long coming ages thy virtues record ; With love to adorn and stout hearts to defend thee, A lasting renown be thy glorious reward !"
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CENTENNIAL ORATION.
In introducing the Orator, Mr. Downham said, Mr. Carne needed no introduction to an Alexandria audience, his name being a household word in almost every Alexandria home. On taking the stand Mr. Carne commenced by saying :
. "I esteem it high honor to speak of my native town, between two of its centu- ries, in the presence of its chief officers, its councils, so many of my fellow towns- men, and these fair ladies, whose presence here to-night reminds us that though times may change and centuries pass, Alexandria will always be Bellhaven
"Called by the City Council to recount the deeds of a hundred years, I assume the task the more willingly because I am confident that all the demerit of the narration will be absorbed by the interest of the theme which I present; that you will not expect from me the flight nor the scream of the eagle, not even the wood-bird's notes, such as have just fallen from the poet; but will be content that I shall sit like a town sparrow on your window sill and twitter of home"
In this little volume it is impossible to give the learned oration of the gifted orator ; but, to show the appreciation of the efforts of both Mr. Whittington and Mr. Carne, the City Council, by a unanimous vote, directed the publication of the poem and the oration in the municipal reports of.that year.
CITY OFFICERS, MARCH 9, 1880- THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. Courtland H. Smith, Mayor. F. L. Brockett, Auditor. M. B. Harlow, Treasurer.
THE CITY COUNCIL.
Members of the Board of Aldermen .- E. E. Downham, President; J. J. Jamieson, Clerk; R. H. Rudd. Messenger; 1st Ward. C. C. Smoot, Wm. A. Moore; 21 Ward, Henry Strauss, W. H. Marbury ; 3d Ward. E. E. Downham, Thomas V. Risheill; 4th Ward, L. W. Reid, Jno. B. Smoot.
Members of the Common Council .- J. T. Beckham, President; James R. Caton, Clerk ; V. M. Taylor, Messenger; 1st Ward, Hugh Latham, Wm. S. Moore, W. W. Herbert, G. W. Rock ; 2d Ward, Theo. H. Ficklin, J. T. Beck- ham, Jno. P. Rice, Jos, Broders; 3d Ward, Jas. S. Douglas, Malcolm McLean, Isaac Eichberg, Isaac A. Smith; 4th Ward, Paul R. Evans, John D. Javins, J. W. Peake, H. V. Daniel.
Corporation Attorney, K. Kemper: Commissioner of the Revenue. George Duffey; Collector of Taxes, N. D., John T. Hill; Collector of Taxes, S. D., S. K. Field; Superintendent of Police, G. W. Clifford; Superintendent of the Gas Works, Jacob Roxbury; Clerk of the Gas Works, W. W. Harper; Clerk of the Market, Charles L. Neale; Janitor of Market, A. H. Brown; City Surveyor, Albion N. Hurdle; Gauger and Inspector of Liquors, I. B. Lovejoy; Measurers and Inspectors of Lumber, Stephen Swain and Jas. L. Adams; Measurer and Inspector of Wood and Bark, G. W. Dearborn; Weigher and Inspector of Hay, R. A Rudd; Inspector of Oysters, Orlando Wood; Keeper of the Alms and Work House, S. B. Cornwell; Keeper of the Town Clock, R. M. Latham; Scavenger, James R. Cole; Steward of Offices, V. M. Taylor.
Physicians to the Poor .- Dr. E. A. Stabler, Dr. R. C. Powell, Dr. D. M. French.
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Overseer of the Poor .- William W. Rock.
Fire Department .- Chief Engineer, E. S. Leadbeater; Wardens, Stephen A. Green, F. E. Corbett, J. Rector Smoot, George E. French.
Officers of the Courts .- Judge Circuit Court, Hon. James Keith; Judge Cor- poration Court, Hon. A. W. Chilton ; Judge County Court, Hon. James Sangster; Clerk Circuit and Corporation Courts, Morton Marye; Clerk Circuit and County Courts, Benjamin Austin; Commonwealth's Attorney, (City) Samuel G. Brent; Commonwealth's Attorney, (County) Edmund Burke; City Sergeant, W. H. Smith ; Deputy Sergeant, George W. Rock ; Sheriff of the County, F. S. Corbett.
LOCATION.
This city is situated on the west bank of the Potomac river, 110 miles from the Chesapeake Bay, into which it flows, and 175 miles from the Atlantic ocean, according to the Coast Survey. It is one of the chief cities of Virginia, and is 109 miles by rail from Richmond, the Capital of the State. Most of the streets are paved, well-graded, and cross each other at right angles. It is lighted with gas, is abundantly supplied with pure water, and for health is not surpassed by any other city in the United States. It has many private and twenty-three public schools and twenty Churches, and from its elevated grounds on the west it commands. an extensive and beautiful view of the surrounding country and of the City of Washington, six miles distant ; with which city it has. hourly communication by steamboat and railroad. In 1860 its. population was 10,000, this, in 1870, had reached 13,570. In 1880 it was 13,616, according to the census of that year ; but it is. known that a new and correct census would show the present. population to be fully 17,000, which a growing trade is steadily increasing. It has a fine and commodious harbor ; the Potomac washing the city, being one mile wide and from thirty to fifty feet deep; and, being supplied with extensive warehouses and wharves, afford all the facilities required for commercial and manufacturing purposes. During the past year many of the old wharves have given way to new and substantial structures, thereby adding greatly to the appearance of the river front. It has several lines of railways; a canal, seven miles long; turnpikes and steam communication with Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Norfolk. At Norfolk connection is made with steamers to Halifax, Queenstown and Liverpool. This city imports salt, lump plaster, china, queensware, drugs, medicines, and dry goods.
THE COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE.
In 1868 a commercial exchange was formed by the election of George Y. Worthington, Esq., as President. The organization was celebrated by a sumptuous banquet. A certain hour was
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fixed for the sale of grain, prior to which, (10 o'clock a. m.) members of the Exchange were not permitted to sell ; grain arriving after the close of Change, the owner of which was unwilling to wait until the following day, could be put upon the market. This rule is still in existence, and it is estimated that, at least, one hundred thousand bushels, arriving by vessel and wagon, are annually sold after Change. The fiscal year commences with May and ends with the month of April. Although the receipts of flour and grain have not come up to what they were before the war, it is gratifying to state that they are increasing, and that they must continue to increase. In the year, commencing May 1, 1879, and ending April 30, 1880, the receipts of grain were 903,200 bushels, sold on Change, and 27,424 barrels of flour; the value of which was $1,300,000. This amount was increased by the sale of 100,000 bushels of grain, received and sold after the close of Change. In the following year, there were 926,105 bushels of grain sold on Change ; 100,000 bushels, estimated, sold after its close, and 26,433 barrels of flour. During the year 1881-'82, 743,220 bushels of grain were sold on Change, and 150,000 bushels not reported ; besides 27,300 barrels of flour. The shortage was in consequence of a partial failure of the crop. The present business year, com- mencing May 1, 1882, shows a marked increase in receipts ; the first half of the year showing an increase of at least one-third over the previous year. As the demands of the trade grow, it is ap- parent that increased facilities for its handling should be provided, and this can only be done effectually by the erection of a grain elevator. When the Pioneer mill is put in operation, with even one-half its capacity of 600 barrels, daily, not only a grain elevator will of consequence be required, but largely increased supplies of wheat will have to be provided, and this we look forward to in the near future.
The officers of the Commercial Exchange for the year ending May 1, 1883, are as follows : Walter Roberts, President; James W. Carr, Vice-President ; P. B. Hooe, David G. Watkins, Thomas Perry, James McWilliams and G. Y. Worthington, jr., Board of Managers ; Charles S. Taylor, jr., Secretary ; William A. Moore, Treasurer ; Richard H. Lyles, Recorder, and Edward Jennings, Janitor.
COMMERCE OF ALEXANDRIA.
The following report, furnished by the officers of customs, gives
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an exhibit of the commerce of Alexandria, which is gradually in- creasing, and promises in the near future to equal its past im- portance:
Total value of Exports,
" " Imports, -
" Tonnage tax collected, -
" Hospital tax collected,
" Duties on imports,
$136,977 70
- 11,121 30
- 1,019 22
- 661 02
- 80 84
Inspection of steam vessels, 284 90
Entrances coastwise, 174 ; number of clearances coastwise, 144 ; number of entrances, foreign, 16; number of clearances, foreign, 17; vessels changed owners, whole, 23, in part 4; vessels built 4; licenses issued above 20 tons 62; under 20 tons 38 ; registers is- sued 8; changes of masters noted 65; number of vessels boarded by inspectors 583; number arrived with merchandise 141; coal 55 ; lumber 55, phosphates, guano, &c., 44; grain 20; salt 16 ; ice 13 ; number of vessels departed with coal 38; grain 33; cooper- age 17. Shooks and headings exported 36,778; bundles hogs- head hoops 57,644 ; bushels wheat 27,103. Number tons plaster imported 11,185.
Total number of vessels hailing from Alexandria, eighty-nine; with a total tonnage of 11,806 tons.
THE POTOMAC FISHERIES.
The Potomac river has long been noted for its productions of fish and oysters. During the past season there were seventeen shores fished, which employed over five hundred men and sixty horses. The product of these shores were six millions herring, three hun- dred thousand shad, and two hundred thousand bunches of fish. To market this trade forty sailing vessels and steamers were re- quired. The value of some of the fishing landings, or "shores," as they are sometimes called, is somewhat impaired by trap nets and gill nets, used by small operators. The trap net is a station- ery fixture. The gill net floats with the tide, and very frequently directly in the berth of the shore or landing. The largest nets used at the landings average 1,200 fathoms in length; though they are used in lengths from 300 to 1,000 fathoms. These fisheries offer a fine field for enterprising men of capital by engaging in this trade. There are several shores which, for some years, have not been used, because of the want of capital; and judicious manage- ment would well repay investment. By curing and salting fish on
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the shores, and at the principal market, Alexandria, the capitalist would be handsomely remunerated by holding until the fall of the year. The lack of capital causes the annual importation of several thousand barrels of Eastern fish, which are not as much liked as the grand old Potomacs, and are not as cdible.
OYSTERS.
In the oyster trade more than one thousand vessels are engaged, which employ upwards of three thousand men, and it is not unu- sual to see from 300 to 400 vessels at one time receiving cargoes on the Potomac and the Rappahannock rivers. Many vessels are engaged in the transportation of oysters to Northern waters, where they are transplanted, and in a little while they come forth first- class "Saddle Rock's," the favorite oyster of New York city. These oysters supply the demands of Alexandria, Washington, Balti- more, Norfolk-in part, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Im- mense quantities are sent by rail to the West, and indeed most of the oysters consumed in the United States are furnished by the Chesa- peake and its tributaries. The wealth of these Virginia waters seem to be unknown. The State of Maryland, however, always watchful of her interests, levies and collects a considerable revenue from this trade ; and by the levying of a tax, by no means onerous, the Virginia tax-payers would be materially relieved of a part of their burden. The local trade of this city alone requires 80,000 bushels ; employing three hundred men, and twenty vessels. This trade is increasing yearly, and during the next season several pack- ing houses will be added to those now in existence. This city has long enjoyed the credit of furnishing the cleanest shucked oysters offered to the trade. Instead of striking the oyster in opening, the process used here is by boring at the mouth with a knife-the opener always having at hand a bucket of clean water, so that the sand and dirt on the shell is not deposited with the oys- ter in the bucket for consumption, as is the practice in other places. MANUFACTURES.
Alexandria presents great advantages as a location for manufac- turing establishments of all kinds. The low price of city property, and the great demand for manufactured articles, offer inducements to men of capital and enterprise to establish additional tanneries, iron foundries, shoe factories, machine shops, paper mills, brewer- ies ; factories for making agricultural implements, buckets, tubs, brooms, barrels, matches, etc. ; railroad car works ; fertilizer and cement mills; stove foundries ; tobacco, woolen, and cotton fac-
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tories ; and, in short, every branch of mechanical industry would prosper in the hands of enterprising men with capital.
The manufactories in existence at the end of the year 1882, may be stated, without classification, as follows : Number of manufac- tories 210; employes 2,480. These include ship and house car- penters, brickmakers, bricklayers, brewers, confectioners, cracker and bread bakers, tanners, smiths, coach builders, &c. The machine shops and locomotive and car works of the Virginia Mid- land, and the Washington and Western Railways, are very exten- sive and complete. These works give employment to a large num- ber of mechanics and artisans, and the work they turn out will compare favorably with that of similar establishments in the country. IMMIGRATION.
Virginia is the oldest of the permanently settled States of the Union. The first settlement was made at Jamestown, on the 13th day of May, 1607. Over two hundred and seventy years have elapsed, and her great men and brilliant deeds have passed into history.
Her geographical position is the most favorable of any State in the Union; with a climate equally removed from the extremes of the North and South ; her entire northern and eastern borders being washed by nature's great highways, the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Her extensive area comprising almost every variety of soil known to the world.
The State of Maryland and Potomac river form the northern border of Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic ocean on the east, North Carolina and Tennessee on the south, and West Vir- ginia and Kentucky on the west. The State has an area of 41,352 square miles, and is divided into 98 counties. Her estimated popu- lation 1,846,690.
CLIMATE.
There is necessarily, from its topography, great variety in the climate of Virginia. In the low country, near the coast, it is very warm, and the seasons early. The counties bordering on the Upper Potomac, and extending to the Blue Ridge, are celebrated for their salubrious temperature. The immigrant seeking a location, regards the healthfulness of a country as a matter of great importance. The climate of Virginia is genial and healthy, with shorter and milder winters than the Northern and Western States ; and the summers though longer, are no hotter ; in fact Northern and West- ern men who have settled here, admit that they do not experience the extreme heat here that they do in the North and West. So salu-
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brious is the climate that but little time is lost during the winter months from out-door farm work, and stock are enabled to graze at least nine months in the year.
Within the last few years a large immigration of thrifty settlers from Northern and Western States and Europe have come to Vir- ginia, and at least eight hundred of these have purchased farms in the counties contiguous to Alexandria. One real estate firm, in this city alone, sold more than five hundred farms to immigrants, which include farmers and planters from States south of Virginia. The value of these farms aggregate more than three millions of dollars. CITY FINANCES.
The financial condition of the city is believed to be in a better condition than it ever has been since it was authorized to incur a debt. In the official reports for the fiscal year, ending May 31, 1882, the bonded debt was $050.650.00, of which $891,900.0:) bears three per cent. interest, and $58,750 six per cent. interest ; on this debt the interest is paid promptly. During the last three years its bonds have advanced largely, and for investments are eagerly sought. This debt was incurred in the building of the Alexandria Canal, the Virginia Midland Railway, and Turnpikes leading into the city, and is more by a million of dollars than that incurred by the Capital of the United States by exactly that amount; and yet the city of Washington enjoys all the advantages of our railroads without sharing any of the burdens imposed upon us by the outlay in their construction.
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY, VA.
This county embraces a small extent of territory on the west side of the Potomac river, north of the city of Alexandria, and south and opposite the city of Washington. Its greatest length is about ten miles and its width about four miles. Exclusive of the city of Alexandria, the seat of justice, which is embraced within the limits of the county, the population in 1870 was 3,185.
The great railroad lines, between the North and South, pass through this county a distance of six miles, and the Washington and Western Railroad traverses it, in a northwest direction, a dis- tance of about eight miles.
It has two good turnpikes, several county roads, and three splen- did bridges (over the Potomac) leading to the District. Two of these bridges are free, and are kept in order by the United States Government. These advantages, together with its proximity to
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the markets of Alexandria and Washington, render the lands in this county very valuable as truck farms or market gardens- these cities affording a demand for all the crops that are produced.
Within the past few years extensive brick works have been put in operation on the lands in this county contiguous to what is known as the Long Bridge, and supply, in a great measure, the material used in the great improvements now being prosecuted in the city of Washington. These enterprises have increased the population of the county fully 3,000 since the census of 1870, when it was reported at 3,185.
The Arlington estate, the seat of the late George Washington Parke Custis, and of his son-in-law, the late General Robert E. Lee, is in this county, on the hills overlooking the city of Wash- ington, three miles distant. This splendid domain, embracing over one thousand acres of land, is now held by the United States Government, and is used as a National Cemetery for the burial of the soldiers of the Union, who fell in the late conflict between the States of the North and South, and as such is an object of interest to visitors from this and other lands.
In Alexandria county there are nine public schools, having 413 pupils, 197 white and 216 colored. Sixty-one per cent. of all per- sons between the ages of five and twenty-one years attendod school during the year ending December 31, 1882.
STATE GOVERNMENT.
Governor. Wm. E. Cameron,
Lieutenant-Governor .John F. Lewis.
Attorney-General
Frank S. Blair.
Secretary of the Commonwealth. Wm. C. Elam.
Adjutant General ..
James McDonald.
Auditor of Public Accounts
.. S. Brown Allen.
Second Auditor
.H. H. Dyson.
Treasurer.
D. R. Reveley.
Register of the Land Office and ex-officio Superinten- dent of Public Buildings. J. M. Brockenborough.
J. M. Blanton.
Commissioner of Agriculture. Railroad Commissioner . Asa Rogers, Jr.
Superintendent of the Penitentiary .Samuel C. Williams.
General Agent and Storekeeper of the Penitentiary Winfield Scott,
Superintendent of Public Instruction. R. R. Farr.
Superintendent of Public Printing.
Richard F. Walker.
Vaccine Agent.
Lewis Wheat.
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS.
Judges .- Lunsford L. Lewis, T. T. Fauntleroy, Robert A. Richardson, Benjamin W. Lacy and Drury A. Hinton. Librarian to the Court, P. C. Nicholas.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
J. J. Beckham, Mayor.
F. L. Brockett, Auditor. THE CITY COUNCIL. M. B. Harlow, Treasurer.
Members of the Board of Aldermen .- E. E. Downham, President; J. J. Jamieson, Clerk ; R. H. Rudd, Messenger ; 1st Ward, C. C. Smoot, Wm. A.
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Moore; 2d Ward, Henry Strauss, W. H. Marbury; 3d Ward, E. E. Downham, Thomas V. Risheill; 4th Ward, L. W. Reid, Jno. B. Smoot.
Members of the Common Council .- James S. Douglas, President ; James R. Caton, Clerk ; V. M. Taylor, Messenger; 1st Ward, Wm. S. Moore, W. W. Herbert, B. H. Lambert, John W. Burke; 2d Ward, Jno. P. Rice, Joseph S. Beach, J. W. Green, Francis A. Kerby; 3d Ward, Jas. S. Douglas, Malcolm McLean, Isaac Eichberg, James W. Shinn; 4th Ward, J. W. Peake, J. T. Nalls, J. S. B. Thompson, John T. Sweeney,
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION.
Corporation Attorney, K. Kemper; Commissioner of the Revenue, George Duffey ; Collector of Taxes, N. D., John T. Hill ; Collector of Taxes, S. D., S. K Field; Superintendent of Police, J. P. Coleman ; Superintendent of the Gas, Works, Jacob Roxbury ; Clerk of the Gas Works, W. W. Harper ; Clerk of the Market, James W. Simpson ; Janitor of Market, A. H. Brown ; City Surveyor Albion N. Hurdle ; Measurers and Inspectors of Lumber, Stephen Swain and Jas. L. Adams; Measurer and Inpsector of Wood and Bark, Wesley Makeley ; Weigher and Inspector of Hay, R. A. Rudd; Inspector of Oysters. Orlando Wood; Keeper of the Alms and Work House, Mary G. Cornwell ; Keeper of the Town Clock, R M. Latham ; Scavenger, Geo. W. Clifford; Steward of Offices, V. M. Taylor ; Dispenser of Medicines, James Entwisle, Jr.
Physicians to the Poor .- Dr. R. C. Powell, Dr. G. T. Klipstein, Dr. W. M. Smith, Dr. T. Marshall Jones.
Board of Health .- Dr. R. C. Powell, Health Officer and President ex-officio; District South of Prince Street, W. P. Graves, C. T. Ervin, John T. Robinson; District North of King Street, John Lannon, Frederick Paff, John Harlow; District in and between King and Prince Streets, Michael Bossart, Owen Nugent, J. H. D. Smoot.
Overseer of the Poor .- William W. Rock.
Fire Department .- Chief Engineer, E. H. O' Brien; Wardens, Stephen A. Green, Ist; George E. French, 2d; Geo. H. Harlow, 3rd; James E. Waddey, 4th.
Officers of School Board .- Edgar Snowden, Chairman; William F. Carne, Superintendent of Schools; Hubert Snowden, Clerk of Board.
Officers of the Courts .- Judge Circuit Court, Hon. James Keith; Judge Corporation Court, Hon. Nathaniel B. Meade; Judge County Court, Hon. James Sangster; Clerk Circuit and Corporation Courts, Morton Marye; Clerk Circuit and County Courts, Benjamin Austin ; Commonwealth's Attorney, (City) Leonard Marbury; Commonwealth's Attorney, (County) Edmund Burke; City Sergeant, W. H.Smith ; Deputy Sergeants, Braxton B. Smith, Theophilus Ballinger.
LOCAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD COURTS.
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