The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-28
panviI,e to pittsylvania COURTEOUS,

From our Travelling Correspondent
CHATHAM, May %, 1873.
We yesterday reached this place, twenty
miles from Danville, by rough and tedi-
GUS stage ride, of over five hours, over |
muddy roads, through creeks and stumpy |
woods, and found good supper and COM
Portable lodging at Carter's tavern, the
best one here.
The route passes over White Oak noun |
tain, from which we can see much hand |
some scenery and have distant view OF
Peaks Of Otter and spurs of the Blue
Ridge.
We passed some fine fields of wheat,
orchards and clover fields but this section
is devoted mostly to growing tobacco, and
of the best quality, too.
This place, the county seat, formerly
was called Competition, but since has been
named Chatham, after the same eloquent
British statesman for whom the county is
named, the distinguished Pitt. 1t is
pleasant, thriving little town, of some four
hundred inhabitants, and situated on Cher
rystone creek, a branch of Bannister river,
which furnishes water power for grist
mill. There are here several tobacco
factories, and daily tobacco breaks, where,
much Of that staple is purchased, ana
hauled in wagons to Danville and to King
gold, on the Richmond and Danville rail-
road. The place possesses the usual county
buildings, churches, schools, stores, shops,
and one hotel, where l am stopping. The
postotfice Is fitted up in cheerful looking
style, with Mr.. Cole for postmaster, who
has aided me in getting up club for IHE
JOURNAL. There is a weekley Taper
published here, and well supported.
o,J to-day, ora tho first ones
that have been so warm as to make thick
clothing at all uncomfortable but garden
and field crops are pushing up fright
smart" thereby. Oats and corn are
well up, and the wheat full headed, but
the straw is short altogether, there vii
be less than an average crop in quantity
yet it will be of good quality, II nothing
adverse happens. :.
The town is well spread out in many dl
rections, which show several handsome
residences, with their attractive grounds
and howery shrubbery to fine advantage
in fact, Chatham out-does Rome, in PIC
turesque and elevated situation; the latte
city was built on "seven hills" but thi
place is built on many more than that
with fertile slopes and valleys between. L
one side of the town stand the three ar
Gent, towering columns with ruins of rock
and bricks around they are not the rum
of the ancient Vatican or Coliseum, no
vet of the forum, where Anthony hel
. crowner's quest over Caesars Gu
gown but they are the columns who
once sustained the ancient courthouse
this Pitts county, where the modern Pitts
of the Old Dominion, were wont to pou
forth forensic eloguence to enraptured at
diences. And in front of the sign OF "Sht
riffs office" hangs the sign of the " Cha
ham Savings Bank )" significant! =.
In regard to the foreign crops, l motto
the following, from an English paper:
sThe London Times shows, by a n
ference to most of the agricultural returns
from the United Kingdom, that the acr
age of land in cereals is much less the
than last year, and that the bad conditle
of the ground from excessive ran
threatens a short crop. That paper es
mates that more than one-half OF the era
needed for consumption IN the kingdo
must come from foreign sources. .u ...
This statement should induce o.
farmers to provide as much corn al
wheat for sale and expectation as posslb
by themselves eating as much oth
wholesome articles, for substitute,
possible, such as oatmeal, potato'
buckwheat, fruit, peas and beans, and su
other products as do not bear, exportatl
so proftably as wheat; fos that grain
going to be cash, at high prices. on
throw out the suggestion, as an importa
one, for those who are particular
interested, to act upon as they shall see
be wise in their own judgment.
AS the court will be in session here
Wednesday, | will send in few day
another letter, and club Of subscribers
THE JOURNAL, which is much liked hel
by all parties. u. D. "