IR Nov. 17, 1887 - SOME NOTES. TAKEN ON A VISIT TO THE ROCK.

            It is part of a reporter’s business to see to it, wherever he goes, that no bit of interesting fact or circumstances escapes him, and whatever the mission, he must always be ready for an item.  The performance of his duty leads to a condition where the item is the thing uppermost, above self and above pleasant surroundings, in all his movements.

            These observations are inspired by the thought of a little visit and a few notes obtained between trains at Hanging Rock, the other day, to which suburban industrial center the smooth ride on the street rails of the Scioto Valley, a glimpse at the people within the train, the sight of fleeting field and hill and cottage home, are of themselves a sweet diversion.

            From the railroad, Hanging Rock has the advantage of an air of activity and importance indicating a much larger town, and the strange traveler who rides through and observes its foundry, its railroads, and the extensive institutions that Means, Kyle & Co. operate, which appear at their best from the elevated track, must be impressed that it is the center of valued industries and concerns, as, in fact, it is.  Coming out of Means, Kyle & Co.’s car shops, a gentleman said, “Isn’t that a complete establishment!” and the admiration he expressed might well apply to all their properties.  The car shops are complete - a large building with roomy departments for blacksmith shop, machine shop and car construction, and a wood-working department occupying the entire second floor.  The familiar face and form of John H. Fisher are at the forge.

            At Hamilton Furnace, they were perfecting arrangements to carry the cinder away from the furnace in cars, and had an engine in position with which to operate the cars on the switches.  The engine was under cover in the middle of the cinder yard, at a point where the cinder is 30 feet deep.  The cinder has added many hundred feet of valuable territory to the furnace grounds, and the cars now adopted are to handle the output more conveniently and broaden the yard still more.

            Where you get off the cars at the station, there is a beautiful stretch of railroad scenery that Howard Norton, from a position a few rods below the platform, secured with his camera a few days ago.  The view shows the railroad cut, the towering hillside and the station, and makes a charming picture.  It is only one of the lovely scenic views with which the region abounds.  What a magnificent field for a stereoscopic artist there is at the Rock!

            Some of the Hanging Rock people are at work, just now, on a pleasure-seeking enterprise.  They have subscribed to a fund to build a dam across the valley of Osborne’s Run, near the railroad trestle by the foundry, to secure a skating rink, and the prospect seems a fine one.  The dam is in course of construction.  It is 100 feet long and will afford a clear water space of 100 by 300 feet, convenient to the railroad crossing where all trains stop, so the Ironton skaters will be invited down this Winter to share the sport, and be given an opportunity perhaps, to a share also, the expense of providing suitable rink accommodations.

            They have a new town hall, at the Rock - a square, frame building, on the corporation lot between the two churches, with a deck roof surmounted by a flag staff.  A man said they held their election at the hall, and the Mayor had his office there, but his Honor is not often at headquarters, for his official duties are burdensome.