Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-01
WarrentOn to IIarrisOnbHrg.


On the line of the Manassas Railroad, at
ROYAL, substantial stone walls, as fences, begin
70 apcar; these the armies could not burn
down. Frequently big piles OF stone, picked
off of the fields, appropriated snugly away so
"a not to interfere with cultivation OF the fields
in other cases they lie scattered all over the fields
much in the way; and rails arc used tor fences
now, this does not look quite wise like as the
work of cutting timber and making those rails,
would have been enough to pick up and lay
mn the stones into wall sufficient for fence,
and would have gone great way toward clean
ING the fields as we'll as making them Il use in
stead of hindrance.
From Strasburg to Harrisonburg, we pass
along tho line of the w. g. V. Nj. 4 &. S.
Railroad, many thriving and pretty villages,
as Edinburg, Mt Jackson, Woodstock, New
Market, Tiubcrvillc, and some others; which
will be noticed more fully in subsequent let
tiers. This line and valley is along the Shcnan
andoah river, between the Massanutten and
North Mountains advanced spurs, on the east,
of the Allegheny range. All along massive
lodges and beds, of the best limestone, arc seen
cropping out, aud it is easy to be quarrod Tor
roads cement or for lands.
Along this section NC begin to meet those
large substantial barns, SO characteristic OF the
true, thorough ard thrifty farmer; heavy,
strong horsc-tcams were ut work, to the pillow
and to the harrow; fence corners and fields
looked clean the wheat is quite promising
and generally put in with drills. The pastures
and meadows look quite u1urlant and many
cattle and sheep are seen lecdlng on them
Several small vineyards were seen, and some
hop-yards Apple orchards arc in handsome
Al. lIy I.IIli
here. On the farms, the people are plainly
but comfortably dressed, mostly in homespun.
But in the villages it is different; the cXtraya-
gance Of style seems to reign supreme as IN
estern towos: one old farmer remarked
seems like that fashion is like the meas es-t's
taking, everywhere they catch EN- IN town,
and city, and all over the country, pretty much
the same. :,
I have had an interesting conversation with
veteran farmer, of fifty years experience ;
and he stated very correct fact or principle
'that land is all the better for being sheltered
or covered where board has lain some tmc
or where leaves or straw have covered the
ground awhile, it produces all the better -
that S true, and is another argument in favor
of liberal nluching, or top-dressing lands
Cor. Ricl State Journal
DEATH OF JAMES Brooks, Eso.-Mr.
James Brooks, member of Congress from New
York died at his residence, in Washington
last night, at $50, in the presence of his fami-
ly. He had long been in feeble health FROM
as he himself frequently said, the effects Of
fever which he contracted in Asia Mr. Brooks
was the senior editor of the New York Express
lie was born in Portland, Me-, November 10,
1910, and was consequently in his 63d year.
By the death of his tatherin 1914, he was left to
make his own way in the world At twenty
one he graduated at Watervile College, Maine,
and then became the head of the Latin school at
Portland. lie travelled through the Southern
States and among the Creek and Cherokee In
dams, and wrote letters to different papers. lie
was among the very first ofthe Washington cor
respondents, and, in fact, was the originator OF
the extensive system which now prevails. ln
1885 he became a member of the Maine Lcgls.
lature from Portland. and it was he who first
introduced bill for the survey OF railroad
from Portland to Montreal and Quebec. This
same year he visited Europe, and on foot he
travelled over great part of the continent, and
was a constant correspondent Of the Portland
Advertiser In lS46 he established the New
York Express. He was young man, without
capital or personal friends in New York but
his great ability was carly recognized, and in
1871 he was elected to the Assembly Of the
State of New York, and in the following year
was chosen member of Congress, which posi-
ton he held until 1853 lie was active in the
com promise mcasurcrs of 1850 In lS61 ne was
member of the constitutional convention of
New York. He was member OF the Thlrty-tirst,
Thir;y-sccond, Thirty eighth, Thirty ninth,
Forticth and Forty first Congresses, and was
reelected to the Fortysecond as a Democrat:
Hc occupied in Congress high position, and
held an important place on the Committees on
Foreign Relations and Appropriations. lie
was a man of great culture and Influence. HIS
name was an honorable one, and no doubt his
death was FASTENED by recent events In connec,
ton with the credit mobilier, the truth or
falsity of which future history will have to de-
ternliue. As an editor and writer Mr.. Brooks
was universally known in this country aud the
series of letters published in the New York
Express some years ago, describing his travels
abroad, won him wcll-descrvcd reputation.
OFFICIAL REPORT The following is the
official report Of Gen. GiIlcm of the disaster to
the Federal troops at the Lava Beds.
LAVA BED, April 2S, lS73.-Io Myor Cen
crut ISchofcld, San Frtnctsco On the 18th
instant, Major Green, commanding the camp
on the west side of the lava bed, ordered Cap
tain Thomas, Of the 4th artillery, with batteries
a and X, 4th artillery, company i, 18th in
fantry, and a party of Warm Spring Indians
(about 10 soldiers and IA Indiaus) to make
reconnaissance in a southcasterly direction to
point about t miles from camp. The party
left camp at a. N. At II m. the party
reached a designated point and were resting.
No Indians had been seen. Suddenly the party