Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-06
salem. Fauquier Co., Va.

SALEM, May 1t has been some time since
YOU have been troubled with any communica-
ton from Salem | do not feel disposed to let
Salem and its surroundings be sighted. In
nv last communication | gave an account of
| its improvements These are still going on.
Several new houses have gone up and others
are in course of construction. One new store
has Just been opened by +. W. Maddox & I.
S. Johnston, and one dissolution taken place IN
the firm of Cologne & Sanders which results
in an additional store. There are now tive
stores in Salem; not too many hope to DO well,
although the scarcity of money continues.
The wheat crop through thispa OF the county
surpasses anything | have seen for long time;
great efforts arc made for large crops of corn
and oats If the season suits, Alexandria may
look forward to large supply Of produce this
year. provided she does not let Baltimore come
in and take it from her as heretofore, which
she Will make desperate effort to do. Il
glad to find the merchants of Alexandria &c
waking up to their interests by way OF solicit 6
trade They find it will not do to sit quietly
down, thinking that the trade must naturally
come to them. This activity upon the part OF
| the business men Is beginning to show itself al
ready. From W hat | can see, AleZandrla Is not
only looking up but going up. Let her COM
returns to the farmer, not trusting TOO much to
EMPLOYEES to weigh grain, and her dry goods
merchants hold out inducements and dun up
trade, that is making is making its way to Bal
timore. hope the day is not far distant when
Alexandria Will be what she ought to be- one
of the leading cities in the South. 1t makes
Inc feel sorry to see at the depots marked on
the bags Baltimore. | find, however, these
marks are not so frequcntas year ago am
glad to find the Gazette is still growing in pop
ularity Success to it!
There is one other matter will beg leave to
mentioa, think il. should be noticed. 1t Is the
morality, honesty, politcness, and general good
dcportment of our colored population, through
this section of the country. They seem to know
the best course to pursue to advance their III
tereSts, and they walk therein. SALEM.
HnymarI1ct. Prince William. CO.. Va.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. j
HAYMARKET, May 4.-Kuowing your inter
est in the prosperity of the Old Common
wealth, take pleasure in informing you OF
the improvements going on in and around this
place Building is going on in every direction:
the sound of the hammer and saw can be heard
from one end of our village to the other. Hay
market has recovered from the effects of the
war, in Il great measure. And the buildings
that have arisen over the ashes Of the ones
burned by ''Segel men, are IN ornament to
the village We are hard to keep down. In
addition to the buildings in course Of construc-
ton in the village, the MesSrs. Pratzc, who
purchased land adjoining the village. are ar
ranging for the construction of tirSt-class
dwelling, with all the modern improvements.
They have planted large numbers of fruit trees,
and with vineyards and other improvements
contemplated, will have model farm The
Mcssls. Pmtze are Prussians, and gentlemen
OF taste and culture. The dwelling and out
buildings of Mr.. Otto Wittichen are models of
comfort and ornamental workmanship
The farmers are nearly through with their |
spring planting, and their prospect for large |
crop is encouraging. | never saw wheat look
ing better at this season. Our waste places are |
beng built up, and we are looking encouraged |
to our future. There is no portion of our State |
that presents scenery more picturesque or
beautiful than does that portion of Prince VII. |
liam lying at the foot of the Bull Run mountain. !
Ii you think the writer gives an exaggerated !
statement OF the resources and beauty of this |
portion Of our noble old State, why, pay us 4
visit: and see for yourself; you will receive 4
warm welcome. Yours j.
BEAUTIFUL PHENOMENON As various az
are the phases Of beauty assumed by our noun
tains hereabout, in different lights and shades,
it is doubtful if any one ever saw them clothed
in more gorgeous beauty Of coloring than they
presented to the eye on the afternoon of Friday
last. About sunset the heavens were covered.
nearly to the horizon, with sombre cloud
} ust before the sun disappeared the red rays
broke through the western cloud, and. in,pinr
ng upon the dense mass which hung over the
Blue Ridge, impaired to them bright lurid
appearance: this was reflected on the mountains
beneath, and, as far as the eye could reach,
hey seemed bathed in brilliancy The color
vas as scarlet tinged with purple. The houses
III the mountain stood forth with dstiuctncss
arely seen; from every house intervening the
windows seemed to be shooting out brilliant
lanes. Above all a rainbow, taking its color
rom the lurid clouds. shot up and arcled itself
n beauty. Words are only adequate to give
amt impression of this magnificent phenome-
on 1t continued, probably, not more than
en- minutes.-CIarke County Courier.