Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-01-03
Letter from Virginia.
Olivet Church. New Hunt Co., Va, !
18th mo. 18th. 1869.

18th mo. 18th. 1869.
To the Editor ofthe KenneJec ,Io~,uol.
In my last from Glover HILL" | in
formed you of my intended visit to this
section In it in speaking of bright
Hope Pit, omitted to mention that this
was the pit which exploded in 1867. kill
ing instantly sixty-nine colliers fifteen
of the bodies have not been recovered yet !;
there were twelve successive explosions
before it was stopped, which was done at
last by filling the pit with water. This
bit of information should have been in the
last letter, which was mailed hastily at
Chester en-route to Richmond
On the 10th left Richmond on the York
River railroad, for Tunstals station in
this county; where a Miss Hall (eolored)
is teaching from Troy New York, under
the support of the New York Branch of the
the American Freedmen Union Commits
sion. From thence astride IA small mute,
which seemed like justice would demand
should ride half the time, passed at
slow pace five miles to Howard school,
not offering to change places with the
mule, however just it might have been.
Found hospitality kindly offered by my
friend Henry Brisby. member elect 10 the
Legislature from this county. The school
in charge of G. VI. Jennings (colored)
from Philadelphia, and supported by the
same "a the other was visited this A.
NJ, having twenty-eight pupils pres
ent, and "A good school with a prospect of a
This school will compare fayorably with
any of the schools in Maine in relation to
advancement and branches of learning
taught. An easy ride with horse and
buggy brought me to this place. Upon
the way noticed a signboard. the inscrip-
ton will give you rerb6tim et hteratiDt.
viz. ''to Knew kent G. ii. miles" At
this place is quite a number of free born
people of color, horribly mixed with the
white race. their black blood originating
from the Pamunkey tribe of Indians. The
above Association propose to give them
teacher here, and also at the Indian settle
ment where ! propose to visit tomorrow.
on the banks of the Pamunkey river, one
of the main branches of the York, the
other being the Mattaponi, which is also
formed OF four small streams from which
1t derives its name viz. The Mat. Ia. Po
and Nj having their source in the upper
part of Hanover Co. The Pamunkev and
Mattaponi unite at West Point, forming
the mighty York, which is five miles wide
to its mouth, where it empties into the
Chesapeak Bay. This is now quite a pop
ular route to travel from Baltimore to
Richmond, taking steamer to West Point
from thence by rail to Richmond The
soil in this region is held at about five dol
lars per acre. The reason is peopl COM
ing here are quite sure to have the shakes"
and fever thrown into the bargain
Notwithstanding this man from the
'Wooden-nutmeg State, is here engaged
in great enterprise He has bought the
timber on large tract Of land, and built
il steam-mill, and is al it saving hard pine
for northern markets with enercy and zeal
which hardly can fail of Success.
Morning of the ls,h, find my plans
frustrated by .ar tremendous rain storm,
The AR * warm and mild. yet the rain
comes down in real Virginia style; seems
Ike there j. a great tab of water above
with the bottom knocked out ought
not to complain a. | have fine quarters,
and mine host, John Howell, assures me
a hearty welcome while the storm last,
land longer too"
Alloy nae ta quote a few of tlie expires
sions quite common here on usual topics
Of conversation. In answer to the inquiry
't how their crops were the answer was.
''the people had right smart chance OF
wheat, but the corn was mighty indifier-
ent." ''the potatoes mighty ~ol1y too,
"cept wheat the farmers don't make nwhin
no how" "ail died out for want Of seat
sons, meaning rains or showers ",
would say. They are rejoicing in a gooC
''ehance" of wheat now Sowm. saving il
looks ''rnfghfy perf~ and ''reckon On a bis
crop" ought to express that an
greeted with the creates, cordality AM
poiiieness by all 50 far ON this tour, am
feel sure the public school masters =
'ah needed viii ere long be respecte
~~opie At large even in "Old Vh
-r ssaend,
sANURL II. JONES.
-