Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-14

| Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
Never in the memory Of the Oldest lnhabl
tant has there been more suspicious succc S.
sion Of seasons, than we have had this winter,
in the Forks of Hanover. InDecember, early,
there was freeze which enabled many to Sc
! cure their crops of ice Again IN the Christ
mas holidays there was another excellent freeze,
which was embraced by many who had missed
the first opportunity. The intermediate and
subsequent periods were mild, balmy and beau
titul Taking advantage OF this lovely weather,
the clear voice of the farmer, and the keen
crack Of his whip were heard, urging on the Ia
boring teams, as they turned over the mellow
earth for the ensuing crops. While the whole
North was bound in icy chains, and It's lnhabl
tants we're shiVering over their expensive fires,
we were hasking in the bright rays OF the sun,
and sporting in the baImy bree2es of our con
genial and hospitable cline. Free from the 10
Examinations Of the mountains and the levers Of
tidewater-the cold of the North, and the heat
Of the South, we are, OF all people, the most
hiehly favored.
New Market and Fall Mills, two Of the most
splendid waterfalls,in Eastern Virginia are for
sale, with valuable adjoining lands. Gentlemen
from [ndiana have recently inspected them,
and will soon return with several others, with
reference to their purchase Most of our Tar
mers have determined to divide, and offer for
sale portions of their farms, being convinced
that the present system of labor cannot be pro
fitabIy employed on the spacious fields which
oDce they cultivated.
Mining milling, numbering, wood chopping,
merchandising, and farming in all its depart
ments, so engross the attention OF our people at
present, that they manifest no interest IN the
"COnference" committee of their brethren IN
Washington, or the recent military appoint
ments 10 this county. a HANOVER.
January II, 1869.
WASHINGTON ITEMS. The coroner inquest
on the TWO colored men recently found dead,
at the residence of the French Minister, re-
turned the following verdict THAT the de,
ceased came to their death from the admins
tration OF a quantity OF Strychnlne by some
person or persons unknown to this jury.
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Richard Il. Dorsey,
residing on Capitol Hill, while in the Senate
gallery, was attacked with paralysis, and died
before he could be removed from the building.
The deceased was over seventy years OF age,
aud had suffered from paralytlc strokes several
times.
The Odd Fellows fraternity have abandoned
the idea of celebrating the seml-centennlal an
niversary in this city on the Goth of April, but
will unite with the Grand Lodge of the United
States in celebrating the anniversary at Phlla-
delphia.
The steamer Arrow, Capt. Stackpole, hav-
ing been supplied with new boilers, NC, re-
sumed her daily trips yesterday for Mount
Vernon and intermediate landings.
The election of directors of the Merchants
Line of steamers from Washington to New
York took place in New York yesterday. with
the following result J. ". Thompson, W..
G.. Metzerott, Samuel Bacon, and A. K, Shep-
herd, directors for Washington II. 9. Fabn-
stock, John Abendroth, John Gray, and John
G. Cook, directors for New York. j. W..
Thompson is president Of the company, and
H. G.. FahnStock vice president.
OUTRAGE. Shortly before dark yesterday
afternoon, as one Of the most highly respecta-
Bile ladies in the city, was crossing Church
street on Sth, a big black man walked to
her side, and STOPPING attempted to catch hold
of her foot. The lady screamed and started
to run, but the daring rascal overlook her and
again attempted the outrage. AT this time
the lady's cries attracted the attention of a
gentleman who was passing the Washington
House, and he FASTENED TO her assistance. -
The man then ran off up Sth street towards
Court. and was pursued some distance, but
made good his escape. Such an outrage as
this on one of the most public thoroughiares
of the city, where persons are continually
passing shows daring and an audaciy on the
part OF the perpetrator which calls for summa-
~ punishment. should he be caught LiDlch