The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-01

until the at" of the house had been burned.
The other part and some surrounding build
ings were only saved by extraordinary exer-
tons Of some Of the white people. The
house was owned and occupied by some
cclored people, who had conformity pur-
chased the property, and the loss will be
heavy on the owners, though probably not
more than ore thousand dollars in value
1t was set on fire by the careless handling of
a lamp.
Ice is being cut and stored away here to-
day. QUIP.
EotetOurt" from Charlottesville.
CHRISTMAS FEsTIvIT1Es-ToBACCo AND WINE
TRADE-GRAPE CULTERE-USivERsITY- g.
s.-THE RAPPAHASNOCK TRAGEDY-CHAR-
LoTrEsvILLE's EDITORIAL CORPS, Sc, &C.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.]
CHARLOTTESVILLE, December 81, 1878.
Thrilling items are scarce, Messrs. Editors,
in this good old town, though it is Christmas
and the o-be-joyful has been circulating
freely, hear; can't give "erifence" in the
case, only 81 heal say." Even the "students,"
Charlottesyille's last chance for row. have
not had the spirits, or else lacked the num-
bers to get up a fuss. About one-half are on
furlough, which, of course, includes the
strength OF the egg-nog party. Those who
remain are OF the class who "can't miss
lecture" or whose homes are too remote to
admit of a visit lat this time. There
is good attendance this session at
the University, numbering, we hear,
some $50 equal to the school oflast year, and
would have shown large increase but for
the stress of the times. This excellent insti-
tuition, though mourning the recent loss of
old and tried members OF its faculty, main.
tains lis position at the bead OF the schools Of
the South, and is worthy of most cordial en-
dorsement by the southern people. This
from a stranger, and one who has not ac-
abundance with a professor or student with
in its classic walls.
several of the churches in the place have
celebrated the season with appropriate fes-
tiyities. The Episcopals held fair, which
was largely attended, and proved a decided
sncces, in raising needed funds. The Bap-
lists had Christmas featival. kriss krngle
dispensed many choice gifts, and made glad
the heart of the pastor. Rev. j. c. Long, by
a present of a bag containing, mirdbile dlctn
specie--eold and silYer--in these times, and
other choice gifts, il not quite so taking.
Last night the Methodist Church South
delighted their Sabbath school with Christ
nas.tree. Passing, we stopped few min
utes. and did not wonder at the enthusiasm
of the crowd when we saw the pretty tree
laden with rich and beautiful presents, and
heard the really excellent music with which
the school entertained US. The pastor, Rev.
Mr. Ware, as we'll as several others, received
real valuable presents, and from the glimpse
of them we cou Id catch we came to the con-
clusion that there was no panic in the Mctho-
dist Church South in Charlottesville. who
ever else may be panicky.
We had almost forgotten amongst the
many well-merited prizes which were award
ed to notice the presentation Of beautiful
volume to Miss Annie Perley, who had not
in the period Of six years and six months
failed on single Sabbath to take her accus-
toned seat in her class. The superintendent
well remarked that such an instance of pune
tuality could hardly be found within the
borders of this enlgbted land.
Charlottesville now boasts of tobacco
warehouse "a new cOncern), and they are
succeeding in stopping a large quantity OF
the weed which would have otherwise reach
cd your market. Farmers go home with full
rockets, and the merchants here get their
tithes.
Grape culture is rapidly becoming an i'm
portant interest in this section. The soil
and climate seem to be especially adapted to
IL. and number of enterprising farmers
have invested their capital in that direction.
There are about 100acres in vineyards around
Charlottesville, and wine company 10 sue
cessful operation in the place. Eight thou.
sand gallons were made last season besides
a heavy shipment of grapes to the northern
markets, and much larger increase i'll tne
business is anticipated the coming season.
Domestic wine is coming in use here, and
happily, in proportion to its popularity, dis
sfpation and drunkenness decreases. We
will be able to give some interesting details
hereafter in this connection.
AS we 60 to mail the particulars ct the
horrible murder at Rappahannock station,
which you have noticed, are detailed 10 us
by a gentleman from that place. 1t seems
that Mr.. Derkin, a late citizen OF Petersburg,
who bad recently purchased property near
Rappahannock, had been requested BY MIR:
Marshall to call at his house (Where he bad
left negro man in charse) as ne Went TO ms
Derkin's) home. Stopping there to look
after Mr.. Marshall's affairs, he must have
seated himself By the fire in the house and
III his pipe, when the negro, approaching
from behind, dealt the unsuspecting
man n murderous blow with q heavy
wagon bolting-pin. The one blow disloca-
ted the neck and fractured his skull, and
must have killed him instantly. The fend
then rifled bis victims pockets, stripped the
corpse OF its clothing, put it on himself,
leaving his own clothing and his murderous
weapon beside The murdered man. He
then went to Derkin,s house, and with the
key which he had taken from Derkin's
pocket entered the building and took some
articles of clothing, and fastening to the
station, bought a ticket for Culpeper Court
house, taking the. night train This occur
red on Friday night the 26tl, and it was not
until the following Sunday, at II NJ. that the
body was discovered and these facts elected
by a coroner's ipey. Two detectives passed
here yesterday La pursuit Of the murderer,
who, It seems, at Culpeper Courthouse
bought another ticket for North Garden, in
this county. Fha feeling against the culpsit
in the Deighborhood of the murder Is repre-.
sented as Intense, and lynching Is Threatened
orsnIy II the man should be CAPTURED. The
body of the murdered man was taken on 20
petersburg to-day. He is spoken of as good
citizen and 8 popular young man, WITHOUT
family. -;
tion with & Viatorn for tbs title Old Voiu.
mino,ls. - we will close by eongrafuatlng the
citizens of Charlottesville upon their very
Intelligent and enterprisiDg editorial corps.
| II Is not often that we see in town OF tnis
size two as readable sheets as the Chro'lstc e'
and eFeYsonidn. nor meet with as pleasant
and coIppanlonable gentlemen as are at theil
Mead. More anon. BorEroUgT.
A 50. 50