Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-09-26
VIRGINIA NEWS,

Inc LyhcnDuTG NEWS gives all aCCpuilI VI q
brutal attack Ivy highwayman upon lad
named Holloway. near Abingdon, on Thursday
last The robber lnct the youth on the Eass
Tennessee cars, and induced him to get OFT at
Abingdon, Va, as the nearest point to Henry
aud Emory College, whittier the latter was 60
Ing. He then, under the pretcuce OF passing
away the time Till the arrival ot another tram.
induced his victim to walk into the @ooIa,
where he sneakingly struck him with Il stone
on the back of the head The au drew PTS
tol, but before he could Use it was knocked
down and pounded with the stone till he Was
inseLslble. The robber then took away from
him Sl35 in money, his pistol, coat and boots,
and made off. The lad afterwards informed
the citizens, who offered reward for the cap
ture of the highwayman, and Friday night sue
ceeded in getting him. He gave his name
variously az Young Stone ond Ragland. An
envelope in bis pocket bore the name of Peter
| f. Young, sergeant u. S. A
In Richmond, yesterday, there assembled a
convention of Federal cx-oficers and soldiers,
who have made Virginia their home since the
close Of the war. Gen. FL. II. Wells, of this
place, was President. The Convention adopt
cd set of resolutions plcdging itself to the
support Of the Reconstruction acts A motion
to endorse the Radical platform adopted by
the State Convention Of April last, was second
ed by the only colored delegate present, but
was laid on the table A resolution urging
the repeal of the usury law of the State, was
adopted The Convention adjourned sine die
A meeting which was called in Norfolk on
Tuesday evening by the ex-ofcers, soldiers and
sailors Of the United States Army and Navy
to meet in the Custom House, was adjourned
to the Exchange restaurant in consequence Of
Collector Webb refusing permission for the
meeting to assemble there.
In Richmond, on Tuesday child Of Mr. L.
j. Conrad, died from the effects Of opium,
given to him by mistake for ipecac. Another
child Of the same gentleman, fell from ladder
and broke his leg.
A white man, and colored man, have been
arrested in Lynchburg charged with passing
counterfeit money, large quantity Of which
was found in their possession.
| SCHOOLS FOR FREEDMEN The fourth semi
annual report of the schools fur Freedmen for
| the six months ending June 80, 1867, made to
General Howard by j. W. Alvord, General
Superintendent, has just been issued from the
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Aban
doned Lands" From it are obtained the fol-
lowing items of local interest
"A change has been again made in the de-
partment of Washington. Alexandria lefty
and county, and Fairfax county have been at
tached to the department Of Virginia, and
West Virginia has been added to the depart
ment of Washington.
"Ln Alexandria lefty and county, and Fair
fax county, Va. there are &c schools with 81
teachers29 white, and colnred, and 1856
pupils. The average is ,204, or GS per cent.
''rhe local superintendent remarks: When
We first opened onr schools in Alexandria here
Was almost universal opposition and ridicue e.
| Now, the people are thoroughly convinced Of
| their benefits, aud at the late public cxamlna
zens Of the place, astonishment and even de-
light was expressed at the fine appearance Of
the pupils, and the great progress they had
made.
'for March the superintendent rrpUlts
somewhat diminished numbers by the transfer
Ct Alexandria and Fairfax counties, Va, to
tue care of the commissioner Of that State
But the average attendance Is remarkable. |
when We consider the exceedingly bad weather
during nearly the whole month
" 1.-The house 10 Alexandria, Va, which was
nearly completed when that field was taken
from u.s. Is an excellent building, and gives
credtable evidence Of care for the education OF
the youth in that portion Of this department.
"One school-house, lrrge enough to accom-
modate 400 scholars, has Teen built by the BID |
reau in Alexandria. Va aud it has assisted in
building three houses OF the same size III the |
District OF Columbia. Assistance has also
been given in building three houses in Mary |
land
DISMAL SWAMP PEAT. The New York |
Tribune has long article on peat-the peat
Of the Dismal Swamp, the lakes, and Canada.
The article discusses peat in all its adaptations
as fuel. 1t has been tried in Canada for rail |
roads with fine results. 1t is economical and
efficient. 1t requires less amount in bulk Of
fuel than coal, and makes an intense heat
Railroad men regard it as great auxiliary to
railroad interests, not only as fuel, but us afford
ing new article Of transportation. 1t is also
considered as suitable for iron works as fuel
for "smelting purposes. For parlors and
chambers it is said to be admirable 1t is
burned in small quantities, and requires to be
repleuished often; but yields more intense
heat and makes less ashes than coal or wood.
Dismal swamp is probably the largest available
peat deposit in America, if not in the world;
and its availability arises in great measure
from the fact that q canal large enough for
small steamboats, traverses its centre