The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-21
MANCHESTER ITEMS.

The TOBACCO TRADE.-While every other
brauch of business has ilourished and in
creased in importance in proportion TO the
growth Of the town, the tobacco business is
by far more inconsiderable than in the earlier
history of the town. Many years back there
were several warehouses for the inspection
of tobacco. and many Establishments en-
gagged in manufacturing and dry stemming,
and the names of CaSkle. Harrison, Walden !,
Miller, Gilmore, Gray, Fisher, and other 5
were known everywhere. From some cause
the trade decreased, and during the war but
little was done. The large factory OF Gill
more & Co., Decatur street. was destroyed
hv fire in 1864 and for several years thereafter
| the business almost entirely closed. Sue
ccssfll efforts have, however, been made
during the past few years to renew the busl-
ness, aud ut this time it is assuming some
thing of its former Importance. In manu-
featuring tobacco several gentlemen OF we'll
known business talent and ability are largely
engaged, heavy shipments being made to
foreign markets. In dry stemmins two
firms are doing a large business, their sup
plies being shipped chiefly to the British
markets. This trade gives employment to q
large number of bands, aud the prospects
are good for an increase in the business and
the speedy resumption by Manchester Of its,
former position as the third in Importance
among the great tobacco marts of the State
TEE MANCHESTER DIAMoND.-Arc recent work
on the subject of diamonds, said to be the
best authority in use, speaks of the diamond
found in this town in April, 1855, by MIR.
BENJAMIN Moore as the largest American
diamond well authenticated ever found,
Z" weighing at that time 27-7 carrots, and with
a specific gravity of 3,50S. Its general charac-
| Ter approached nearer the Brazilian than the
| Oriental stones" The general supposltlon
has been that the gem was lost by some OF
| Latayette's men, at one time encamped on
! the spot of its finding but it is hardly pos
| sibe that they had uncut diamonds. Since
| the discovery of this gem various parties
| have spent much time in quest OF others,
but with rather Indifferent success, as this
was doubtless the only one washed this way
| Mr. Moore, known as "Uuce Diamond,
lost two gallant! sons in the late war. ana
| lives in our midst us an humble but much
respected citizen. Had he been properly
advised in regard TO its worth he might have
becn.a wealthy man. f@r', rr~#.
BRUTAL AssAULr.-A man named Edward
| Ryan, living on the suburbs of town and
l
of liquor, committed most brutal assault
on bis wife Tuesday. DR.. Monteiro reports
her injuries as serious, the wound having
caused conclusion of the brain. Ryan had
not been arrested at last accounts, ~
| The CONDITION OF THE STREgTs.-Partly
| from the incessant rslin, and owing to other
causes, the condition OF the streets was never
worse than ut this time, walking OF of Hull
street being attended with great discomfort
and Inconvenience. When the weather
| opens, will the Street Committee try to memo
| the ways of our people, who now wade
| through the rain and the mud!
The CONSERVATIVE CLUB.--Attentlon l.
called to the meeting at the Old Continental
! tonight. postponed from Tuesday night on
! account of the rain. A full attendance is
| expected, as the organization will be com
| nleted. officers absent without good excuse
| will be considered as having resigned. Whal
the people want is live men. Let all sucf
who feel an interest in the Lower BoWery
| and tue Conservative cause attend to-nlgnt
AN INTERESTING DEBArE.-The last meet
| ing of the Jefferson Literary Society, at the
county courthouse, was we'll attended ue
spite the rain, and the question "E tne
| homestead law benetcial?" was ABLY de
bated. The club is having accessions OF oui
| best citizens at each meeting.
MILITARY MEETING.-The meeting to or
| ganize company was postponed on account
of the weather, but another one will be called
! Mt an early day. Manchester possesses ample
/ material for one or more companies, ,andtL'
| undertaking should be a.s'lEceessful E one.
j PERSONAL ITEa.-Nathah Il. Cosbill, Esq,