Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-11
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Gan extract from the notes Of stranger in Wash
ington," from which we take the following:
April 5.-Took ride with friend about ten
miles out of the city, as | have frequently done
since have been here. The land generally not
very good and poorly cultivated, though there
abundant evidence OF improvement, and now and
then places which seem to have fallen, not long
since, into the hands of those who know how
gardening and farming should be carried on and
the value OF feTtilzer Eva was 5, informed that
from the city, even the distance of single mile
Int that now many who cultivate gardens and
some farmers purchase and haul il the distance OF
six or seven miles over bad roads and nm and
down steep hills. Land a few years ago-say ten
or twelve-lying from three to ten miles from
Washington, could he purchased at from five to
fifteen dollars an acre some was Of course held at
higher rates, but not much now IL is held at
from forty to an hundred and twenty dollars per
acre.
But is IL not somewhat STRANGE that while
land situated within four miles and in sight Of
the Capitol OF the United States and the metropo-
iis OF one OF the greatest nations, and certainly
the most thriving, growing, and prosperous on
the globe, should be selling at such prices, when
lands situated in the far West equally distant from
large CITY, {Chlcago, St Lonis, and even ST
TO two hundred dollars acre, Why II is
much lower in price here, where there is one of
the best markets in the country, is enigma.
But the time is not distant when all this will be
changed. Those who now own farms in the vi
clnity Of Washington will do well TO 90 hold ON
The country immediately around the CITY is some
what billy, and on that account Affords great
number Of picturesque sites for country residen-
ces But the roads, at present, are decidedly
behind the age of improvement and many of
them are as injudicOusly located az they are bad
ly constructed Many farmers who attend the
washington market regularly are compelled to
go round Robin Hoods barn. and to climb up
long and steep hills to get there with their
truck, :" when direct roads might be made and
all these hills avoided. The value in
nomical sense, Of smooth, level, straight roads
does not seem to be fully appreciated. Those
who have jurisdiction Of roads will, one Of these
days learn that the people Of city, those who
purchase articles of the country people in the
market, have to pay the difference of the cost to
the farmer between being able to bring the same
load to market with one horse or being Obliged to
use two, and between his being able to come or
go in one hour or three. Good roads, ramifying
IN every direction, are all-impoftant to a city.
Milk sells at exorbitantly high prices and so
does butter aad vet am assured thst there are
no large dairies near the city. This isstrange."
UNITED STATES Police REroars.-Behrs
Justice Donn.-John Slatterly arrested by
Police Officer Williamson charged with forgery
and fraud, upon the information and oath of SOL
ONION Hubbard. From the evidence IL appeared
that SlatteIly boarded with MT. Hubbard, and,
falling to pay his board at the expiration Of the
first month, he was refused further entertainment
unless ample security given for the forth
coming month as well as the one that had already
passed, which was readily assented to by Slater
ly, and after short time he produced the follow
ing letter:
"WAsHING1oS. April 6. 1857.
" Dear Sir: will pay John Slatterly's debts
due on boarding for last month and this month,
whatever the amount shall be, on the third day
Of next month.
(5igned,) THOMAS M'GRAIH."
Slatte!iY accordingly, upon the production Of
the above note to Mr. Hubbard commenced board
ing again A few days subsequently, Mr.. Hub
bard, meeting with M'Grath, spoke OF the mat
ter, which was repudiated by him; consequently
Slatterly was arrested. Defendant was committed
to Jail to await the action Of the June term Of the
Criminal Court.
peDny xx-,S ,rra-.o1 - naa.o-
charged with striking boy named Wilson on
the head with stone. Case dimissed.
Thomas Fletcher (colored) was arrested by
Officers King and KeInball charged with attempt
ing to commit rape on a colOred girl named FL
len Bruce. From the evidence it appears that he
was prevented from accomplishing his purpose
by the timely interference Of persons who were
brought to the girls rescue by her screams.
Fletcher was committed to jail TO await the ac-
ton Of the Criminal Court at its June term.
WAsHISGroS AsTLCA.-There are at present
80 pauPers, most Of them invalids, crowded to-
gether in the building now occupied as tempo
Tary asylum. In four small rooms these poor
creatures are compelled to remain sleeping two
and three ia one bed, and scantily provided with
clothing. In the attic room Of this house are four
helpless old colored women who cannot get down
stairs and were the place to take fire in the night
when the inmates are asleep, they would almost
inevitably be burned to death How they will get
along in the hot weather Of the burning summer
unless some further provision shall be made for
"A
DAYS would suffice in such atInos phere to breed
COntagOn Of most deadly character
Every effort has been made since the late fire,
(Which consumed all of the clothes and other little
effects Of the paupers, they barely having time to
escape with their lives,) by Mr.. Queen, the pre-
sent lntendant, to amelioriate their unfortunate
condition. The great want seems TO be 4 want Of
room
a temporary frame work house has been erected
by Mr.. Queen in the rear Of the old building. some
NIFTY feet by twenty-five, and one story high, where
every possible provision for the comfort of the in
n1teS has been made. There are now some
twenty-five regular dodgers in this department,
who are daily employed in the grounds of the in
stltution, under the active supeTntendence of Mr..
Ming, the assistant gardner
The JAMESTOWN SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
have in contemplation the celebration of the two
hundred and fftieth anniversary of the settlement
OF jamestown upon the site of that town. on
"Wednesday 18th Of May next. The Society has
through their President, p. r FendalI ESQ in
Elted Ex-PIesident Tyler to be its guest and to
deliver an grafton on the occasion. Annexed is a
copy Of his letter Of acceptance:
SHERWOOD FOREST. April 2, 1s57
Ny Dear Sir Your letter Of the nth Of March
informing me that the jamestown Society OF
Washington propose TO celebrate, on the 18th Of
May next, and on the site of Jamestown the an
niSersary of the landing of the settlers, and re-
Questlng me, on behalf of the Society to deliver
an address upon the occasion. reached me on
Wednesday and while / greatly distrust nv
ability to acduit myself satisfactorily of the
49, SOhSlNciluS tuS circumstances and the
occasion, will not decline to undertake it,
BE pleased TO make known to the Society nv
hlgh appreciation Of the compliment which they
have. ! second time, bestowed upon me; and ac-
cept for yourself my cordial salutations and as
suTances Of high esteem.
am. dear sir, truly and faithfully your friend
anu se'Sani; JOHN TYLER.
PHILLIP r. FENDALL. Esq
President jamestown Society.
RETURN OF rHE MUTEs-In compliance with
the instructions of the Court, Deputy Marshal
PhliIiPs len this city on Thursday afternoon for
Baltimore, in quest of Mrs skinner and the mute