Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-23
9pirit Of yeffersol1.
Gharlestown, W. Va. April %, ,72.
[For the Spirit of Jetier.on.l
LETTER FROM GEORGIA.
Eastman, Ca. April 4tb 1879

as 4 Z.
Editor SIS SPIRIT Of .I16erson ~
There is a sprituaiist lecturer here, sowing
broadcast his wild and fanciful theories; that
the spirits of Departed friends are constantly
lowering around us and, by their magnetic
power, influencing all in a greater or less de-
gree, but those who are mediumistic in par
tIcular; that although We may be unconscious
OF their presence, yet an angel of mercy or
demon of wrath is our constant companion ac>
cording as we sustain character of purity and
uprightness, or of dishonesty and corruption.
BE the above as it may, spirit" comes
to me through the weekly mail which brings
JOY and eladness to my lonely heart Through
its friendly aid am waited back to tOld Vir.
ginia's Shore, familiar names take form and
feature as read and 1 commune in exstacy,
not with the dead but the living And though
its glowing pages chain my mind to the mighty
ever:moving present, yet wayward fancy will
oft revert to the fading past and live over
again many delightful episode of days gone
by as often as sfoDd recollection presents them
to view;" living figures seem to be painted
on Memory's wall, see again the sparkling
eye and hear the merry laugh from many lips
which are now, alas, silent in the grave x * X
We are just now having VI hat many are be-
ginning to think will be second edition of
the Deluge. Georgia has been in a literally
drenched state for the past two months a
fair day is the rare exception, while rain, tor.
rents of rain, has been thea rule Owing to
the porous, sandy character of the soil the
water is rapidly absorbed and there is but
little mud had the same amount of rain fallen
in the same space Of time in Virginia the whole
country would have been utterly impossible.
The short cotton crop of last year and the
consequent advance in prices has put the
70 q fhnr
heavy crop this season, believing that the
scarcity of cotton, together with the recent
European troubles will keep the market active
for some time to come. a larger amount of
guano and manipulated fertilizers has been
bought, and will bo used this season than has
ever been used in single year before. Thou
sands OF farmers are in debt but they have
recklessly mortgaued their prospective crop to
obtain guano, and God only knows what the
result will be. There are SO many risks to
ruu an untavorable season, an attack OF the
rust, inability to get labor, many things may
defeat the planters expectations and then
short crop and consequent ruin. The
Homestead Act" is in full! force, hence fac,
tors and guano companies obliged to bind
the farmer up in the most stringent manner
A mortgage lien'' virtually gives the holder
claim, right and title to the whole crop until
the supplies furnished are paid FOR
The little town of Eastman, whcre am
now writing, is rapidly building up both in
size and Importance. Two years ago it con-
sisted Of but two or three old houses, now it
has several hundred inhabitants It is one
OF the hea'thiest localities in all Georgia, and
many lnvaiids seek refuge here from the how>
ling winds of the frozen North. Ia winter
the climate is delightful, beyond comparison,
and is regarded by eniucnt physicians as par.
ticularly beneficial to consumptives a large
influx of visitors Of this class is expected next
fall, and projects foot looking to their
reception, comfort and amusement-and the
draining Of their purses. William F. Dodge.
in whose honor the county was called, has
built magnificent courthouse which is to be
presented by him to the county in few weeks
This building is constructed on an original
design and is spoken of by critical newspaper
reporters as the most convenient and best
arranged courthouse in the State, notwith-
standing there are Others which cost more
money.
The country around this place is very poor,
which will operate very seriously against it,
yet if the original intention of its founders,
viz: of establishing manufactures, are carried
out, there will be every prospect OF its beco,n-
ing town of no little importance.