The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-10-16

DOWN THE

"A COSBY correspondent VI tne aSulhS~
ton Star has been down tie river" and
gives some interesting jottings from tho
Virginia side. In the absence of our senior,
who is pleasantly mentioned, we give a
few extracts:
The roads from Fairfax G. H., are in q
terrible condition, and should be repaired
as soon as seeding is over. At Accotink
is a large Touring and saw.mill, owned by
Hilman Troth, which does a thriving BUSH
ness in both lines. 1t can be reached from
the river by light draught stern-wheel
steamboats,, on the Accotink creek, which
is soon to be dredged out by the govern
ment. Down the point between Pohick
and Accotink creek are brick and tile
kilns of Warrington Gillingham. The tile
manufacture is largely on the increase,
which speaks well for the condition of agri-
culture in the county. Across Pohick bay
is Gunston Point, where
THE OLD MANSION OF GEORGE MASON,
of Gunston, stands. This George Mason
was the author of the Virginia Bill of
Rights, and was one of the old nabobs of
Virginia. His land joined to George WASH
ington's estate, and, if we may trust tradi-
ton, these gentlemen of the olden time
must have been rather jealous of each 9TH
er, differing as they did in their political
views. The double row of d tches are yet
to be seen upon the line between the two
tracts now in woods, showing that before
to-day men have differed about their line
fences. If this be the true explanation of
the bitches, / am inclined to think WASH
ington himself was in the wrong, from his
imperious character, as shown by the story
of his
ENCOUNTER WITH A PoACIIER,
which is not so much told as the cherry
tree story. But to go back to Gunston
Hall. It is q fine old mansion Of English
() brick, built in the most substantial and
elaborate manner. 1t was very much
injured during the war by the Louisiana
Tigers, who were stationed there for a time.
1t is now the property of Colonel Daniels,
the editor of the Richmond STATE JOUR.
NAL. He has rechristened it Iona, in honor
of his gifted and beautiful wife. He is
making fine and extensive improvements
on his place, in blooded stock and sheep,
in grapes, pears, and other fruits, and IN
pastures and meadows. Soon after the
close of the war, Colonel Daniels bought
the large farm, of over 900 acres /; made
1t his permanent home ; expended q good
deal of money on it, and moved his family
there. He is an enthusiast in agricultural
improvement, and equally anxious to see his
district, and all the state of Virginia, rise
to the highest state of prosperity and dis
t~inction. He has been nominated for Con-
gress in the Eighth Virginia district for
rnerly the SEVENTY, and the people cannot
so well advance all their best interests as to
turn out and elect him.
Col. Lewis, from Wisconsin, is building
q fine dwelling further out on the point. 1t
is a pleasant sail up the bay again, and
makes me wish all roads were water and all
wagons boats. Half way from Accotink
to Mount Vernon is
THE WOODLAND" TRACT,
once part of the Washington estate, and
later the property of a descendant, Major
Lewis. Some twenty-five years ago it was
bought by some Pennsylvania and New
Jersey Friends, and divided up. They
seem to be ali good farmers, and doing
well. They built turnpike from Alexan-
dria to Accotink, which is better than any
toll-pike | know of in the State ;-but they
say it is not yet finished, and so they do
not collect toll. Well, l suppose we must
believe them, but Pm going to grumble
right smart at the next toll-gate | come to-.
There is in this neighborhood a Friends
meeting house, plain and unassuming, as
all such buildings are. 1t has a flourishing
First-day school, and a free library. There
is a Methodist church, built since the war
by the colored people at a cost of $500,
and q fine we'll near it, which an old darkey
proudly informed me cost sS1. They are
soon to have a public school there. There
is a newly finished Baptist church near the
Woodlawn mansion, which cost about
81 500. Then we come to
THE MOUNT VERNON NURSERIES
of Chalkley Gillingham. There is no show
or pretension, indeed, / fancied there was
a studied absence of it, but the stock turned
out is, according to Whittier's adiuration
to the troubled Quaker about the oak for
war ships: stake care that it be sound"
Mr.. Gillingham is a natural pomologist,
Just as some men are natural inventors or
machinists. To him nothing has more
beauty than a well laden apple tree OF per-
feet form. 1t were we'll if the delights Of
all men were as simple and unambitious,
(mind, / say all men, not half the men, for
they would go to RUM.