The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-23
Pittsylvania County-Tobncc0-N
From our Travelling Correspondent y
DANyILLE. Nav 20, 1878.


From our Travelling Correspondent
DANvILLE, May 20, 1878.
We had fine run this morning, on the
Richmond and Danville railroad to this
Mace. crossing the Staunton river at Roam
oke station, passing keysyilie, Oloyer,
Wolf Trap, and some other lively little
places: and then running up the splendid
valley of the Dan river, which presents
some as coed lands, fine farms, and pro-
missing crops, as are met with anywhere in
the state. tobacco being the great crop,
with much good corn and wheat, while
MANY rich clover fields shed their sweet |
perfume on the air.
!, The disastrous effects of the late flood |
in the Dan are seen, in the washed fields |
and drift-wood everywhere lodged on the
trees and fences. Some corn fields, which |
had been early planted suffered badly. |
This is the highest flood experienced since
1850.
Pittsylvania county was formed from
Halifax in 1767, and is named from the
eloquent English statesman, Pitt. 1t IS
about 30 By 26 miles in extent the sur
face is somewhat broken and rolling, but
generally is most excellent land, for to-
bacco. corn, and wheat-as well as various
4 fruits. &c. Portions of the soil are much
worn and exhausted, by shallow blowing,
long cropping, and no manure but the
application Of 80 to so bushels of lime to
the acre, with 10 to 20 bushels of plaster
per acre, in the spring, restores this land
to high filth, while raising paying crops.
The lime tells proftably, for at least five
years. III ~
The county is amply watered, by the
Staunton river on the north, by the Dan
river on the south, and by the Bannister
river in the centre and all uniting to form
the great Roanoke river, near the Carolina
line. The bottom lands along these rivers
are exceedingly rich and productive. We
passed the thriving town OF South Boston,
on our way to this place; it's located on
q Danville,g INC chief commercial place,
situated at the rapids of the Dan, is
handsome, hourishing city, of near 5000
population. 1t possesses splendid water
power, which needs the expenditure OF
some capital to utilize it-and make 1t
beneficial to the country. understand
large portion of it is for sale, at reasona-
" This city is distinguished for its. extern
+. sive tobacco trade and manufactures. Hon.
Mr., Anderson, of The Register, informed
me that there are twenty factories, six
warehouses and about thirty prizeries
inspections, and sales by auction take place
daily. Mr.. Church, at the hotel, told me,
that the. sum paid out weekly for labor in
these establishments is nearly $4,000.
Mr.. Bouldin, of The Times, informed me
that there is soon to be factory erected
on the opposite side of the river and that
blasting the rocks for the site and ionnda'
ton is already commenced. Thert
ia considerable new building going or
here, and the place has the air Of rapid ant
permanent growth; there are many Tin.
y stores, shops, and elegant residences, witt
the usual schools and churches. From
Mr.. Wheeler, the postmaster, l Learned
that the business in the postoftice is on tn
increase, which is an evidence of prosperit
in the community. locke into box
factory few moments, where number
men were employed making boxes 70
packing and shipping tobacco; and wa
much surprised to learn that the boards
which they are made are brought frol
Canada which does not look like yer
good economy. | stepped into anotht
shop, where several men We're makir
hogsheads, of light. thin boards, in whle
to pack tobacco, for shipping.
Thus, great number and variety
laborers are employed and paid, at tn
point, and it keeps the place lively ar
prospecting, as all these must be fe
clothed, housed and educated and wi
glad to learn that the two newspaper
printed here, are prospecting with the 9th
q branches of business. But 1t is matter
real regret to see the splendid waite
power running away, without doing y
work 1t might. .& "a Z,
..4! Just now the people are rejoicing in 7
prospect of speedy completion OF t
Danyille and Lynchburg railroad, viii
they hope will be realized sometime
August next, and which it is believed "
bring a largely increased trade to this pla
from that direction.
..y,s Political feeling is rather serere q
moderate, though both parties are reast
ably alive to the subject. So far as |. C
learn. Hughes and Hunter are the favorit
with the two parties as the candidates
governor. Primary meetings, to elect de
" gates to the convention, and to nomin
county candidates, are being held. II
% informed that the registration shows pre-
'1 nearly an equal number Of white and {
ored voters here. y.
One pleasant thing is noticeable, t
there are more fine looking horses in
streets than are seen in most places.
ID The National bank, of Danville, is
q ing q prosperous business and it is s.
to have large, fine, new banking-hor
the contract for the building Of which
let, and speedily to be put up, and to b
handsome edifce.
asaoa NV next will be from Pittsylvania
. &c H., village formerly known as Comp
49,, Int pnvu uamad Chatham. /.