Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-08-06
GEN. Mems PROPERTY. show what

GEN MEMS PROPERTY.-IO show what
some of our extensive land holders 10 the Val
lev are doing to reconstruct the country, not
withstanding the sudden and violent disrup
ton of our system Of labor, we would refer to
the management Of that splendid estate,
known as 'sthe Steenbergen property" owned
10y John G. Meem, Esq, of Lynchburg, Va.
This estate now comprises near 5000 acres,
lying in the very heart of the great Valley, on
both sides Of the road, between the villages OF
New Market and Mt. Jackson in Shenandoah.
Ut this magnificent landed possession there are
$500 acres cleared, ,l25 OF which is river and
creek bottom, and the residue wool and pas
lure land. The very large body Of level low
land on this farm, Tor farms rather, for there
are two estates now combined under one con
troll, is remarkable for its productive capacity.
outstanding the property was ravaged
during the war, and miles upon miles OF It's ex-
tensive fencing destroyed by the troops who
passed through and encamped upon it, yet the
hand Of reconstructive power is distinctly visl-
bic in every part OF the estate. NO less than
10000 rails have been split, hauled out, and
put up, thus securing the crops from the IN
trusioDs OF stock of all kinds. With the scanty
and uncertain labor at command since the war,
the Intelligent managers OF the farms--'Gen.
Gilbert S. and Col. JohnG Meem, jr. brothers.
have been able to put out and cut this year 800
acres of wheat, producing Is or 20 bushels to
the acre 50 acres OF oats; 200 acres OF tlmo-
thy meadow, making 2S0 or 300 tons OF hay,
and leaving portion for seed s.; whilst there
are 300 acres OF corn which is very forward,
much of it already in taSsel, and which will
average so or GO bushels to the acre. The es-
tate subssts, in addition, 100 head of grazing
cattle, and 100 head of sheep; besides large
number of hogs. Mr.. Meem takes just pride
in having the very best breeds Of animals upon
his estate, and therefore spares no expense IN
their procurement The labor on the farm this
year will cost about $6,OG0 The Woods and
Mccormick $ Reapers and Mowers were both
at work on the farm, both giving the utmost
satisfaction. ....
The foregoing facts and figures show what is
being done by some of our intelligent and en-
energetio Shenandoah Valley farmers, who are
engaged, in the face of great difficulties in re-
constructing their shattered fortunes. This
year S work is not as good as was done before
the war, nor as extensive as the work marked
out on the programme for the coming year,
the Messrs Mee,n intending to put out from
$50 to 600 acres in wheat this Fall.
Nor is the labor of cultivating their lands
the only work being performed on this estate.
A new circular saw.mill is in operation, which
is turning out Lumber and shingles in great
abundance for the Improvement OF The farms.
A new, extensive aud beautiful! barn, with
modern improvements, occupying the site OF
the barn which was destroyed By fire after the
war was over, has gone up on the Mount
Airy portion of the estate, under direction
of Col. Meem, jr., whilst stabliug and other
buildings have been erected on the Locust
Grove farm, under the supervision OF Gen. G.
S. Meem. Other impro oVenlents are being
projected and will be pushed actively forward
The prospect Of the very early re construc-
ton of the Manassas Gap Railroad to Mt
Jackson, (no longer now, we believe, matter
of doubt OF uncertainty Is stimulating the
spirit of improvement Immensely. Heretofore
the ordinary means of transportation have been
entirely inadequate to carry OFT the resources
of this celebrated landed estate in the lovely
Shenandoah valley-an estate second to none
in the South or in the L. s. in point OF pro-
ductive capacity. 1t has not been favored,
either, with any sort Of system Of manurlng.
In fact, the present years crops OF wheat, oats,
grass and corn have had the advantage OF no
manure whatever, the labor rendered necessary
by the ravages OF the war making it difficult to
do more than get up the ordinary fencing.
A part of this property was purchased by
MIR. Meem in lS4l, the rest at different
periods since, the laSt-the 'Rude fllil poi-
tion-in November, 1865 Mr. NJ. was born
in Winchester, in the lower Valley, but has
resided in Lynchburg for the last 4e or 50
years, where he has carried on business as
merchant and earned a reputation for honor
and integrity of which any gentleman might
well be proud. .
The Mt Airy homestead, the residence OF
Mr. Stecnbergen in the days of his prosperity
and extensive cattle and bank operations, is
the seat of refined and princeIy hospitality
which does credit to the tastes Of the liberal
minded old Virginia gentleman and his son
into whose possession it has passed.-H01Tts-
ondurg Register. ....... .. 4.
BREACH OF TRUST estcrday morning,
Chas Williams and Albert Curtis, president
and secretary OF much respected brotherhood,
we'll known to our colored community as The
Sons of the Union,' with long faces and tee-
ings visibly depressed, appeared tetore his
honor to enter criminal proceedings against
their devoted, but lately reereant treasurer
Billy Wilson, he having appropriated to his
personal benefit the entire luods of the assocla-
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