Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-09-24
VIRGINIA NEWS.

The Fredericksburg Ledger says that the
people of Fredericksburg have been more
prompt in paying their Corporation taxes this
year than any other year probably since 1t was
a town. The Commissioner books, including
tax on real and personal property, license and
dog tax, call for about 500, S31. 81. The books
we're passed into the hands Of the collector
about the last Of August, who advertised a
discount of ten per centum on all taxes PAID 6y
the 18th of September. Up to the time the
ten per cent. privilege expired, Mr. Huffman
lad collected $50, 035. II, leaving balance Of
S7,S02 IS to be collected
The Fredericksburg Herald in noticing the
nomination for Congress, from the Norfolk
district, of Major Baker ?. Lee, of the Nor
folk Journal, says I'VE cannot imagine how
Major Lee consented to fall from the high po-
sition Of an editor to accept nomination tor
Congress-.
Professor Davis, principal of the Southern
Female College, has succeeded in securing the
services of Mr.. A. R. Chamblin, of Loudoun
death of the late Rev Charles Il. Hail. who
will devote his entire time to the college.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth is now
busiIy engaged sending out to the clerks of the
different county courts, poll books to be used
at the Presidential election in November. The
postage and cos. of these documents amount to
considerable sum.
The Louisville Ledger of the 18th instant has
lengthy account of the display Of leaf and
manufactured tobacco at the Industrial Expo
sition' in that city. 1t says that Virginia is
extensively represented in this department.
Major Thomas S. Dabney, of Richmond, has
received fattering offer of position from Gen.
Dodge, chief engineer of the Texas Pacific
Railroad, and has accepted it. He will leave
on Monday for the scene Of his future la
bors
The kitchen of the residence of Mrs. Ira
Garrett, in Charlottesville, was destroyed by
fire on Friday night last The Central Hotel
was in danger from its proximity.
There was grand Conservative barbecue,
at Ashland, last Friday.
A Greeley and Brown Club has been formed
in Fredericksburg.
A PHENoMENoS- Along what is known as
"Mine Ridge" in Elk township, in this county,
are situated several springs of water that yield
the supply for farmers owning land along it.
These springs are impregnated with deadly
mineral poison which, during the rainy season
does not iDjure those who partake of the water,
but during drouth everything that drinks it is
more or less affected. Hundreds of head of cat
tie have died in past years which could be at
tributed to no other cause than this water. 10
the last thirty years many persons have died, all
undergoing the same suffering, and all dying
from the same apparent cause.
During this summer one or two persons have
died from drinking this water, and late case
was that of Mr. George Barriek, brother ofJas.
|. Barrick, our clerk who has been using this
water, and providentialy rescued from the jaws
of death, all his physicians having given him
up. Many other neighbors are effected in the
same way; some may live, but the chances are
against them. This isa phenomenon that can
not be accounted for-one that our medical fra.
ternity should at once take in hand and solve if
possible to do so. There is a deadly mineral
poison in these springs (they are all mineral
springs) but what it is, or the cause OF It's ap-
pearence at stated intervals, battles the wisdom
of all who have attempted to tathom lt.-Ae,o
Greek, Vest Va, TriJnne.
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