Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-05
Letter from Vienna.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
VIENNA, FAIRFAX Co., Va, Jan. ). Yes
terday Sunday we were sitting out on the
porch most Of the day, or IN the house With
windows and doors open and the fire out. Such
weather for midwintcr is very extraordinary,
and, fear injurious to health, from its relax
ING and debitating effect Keen frosty weather
is much to be preferred. suppose it is settled
now that we are to have an open winter, but
all are 10 hopes of enough cold to get some ice
for summer S use.
Few persons are aware of the healthfulness
Of this ridge, known as the Court House ridge,
and even of those who live here few have know-
edge of the great elevation from which we look
down on the part Of the world 10 which you re,
side. According to the reports Of the surveys
made BY the engineers Of the w. u y. Il. Il.
the elevation of this ridge at the highest point
of the road, mile east Of this place, Is 40
feet above tide watcr-neary 200 feet higher
than Leesburg, and the highest point Oh the
route this side the mountains. We are here
within sight of the Catoctin range, and get the
fresh breczes from the Blue Ridge. We have
always cool nights, aud are exempt from mlasm
and mosquitoes. The land produces well, and
we are we'll furnished with groceries by the
several stores kept here. The butchers from
the Court House often visit US (usual ly twice
week. with good fresh meats, which they sell
at prices third to one half less than you get
such things for We get nice surloiu steak for
l24 cents per Id. We have excellent soft water
in great abundance, aud get good oak wood for
s.. 81 per cord ;,
This neigbborhood is thicky settled with
large population. mostly of northern origin.
There are within radius of mile and half
about forty families Several churches are in
close proximity, and new one is being erected
by the Presbytcrians under the pastorshlp OF
Rev. Mr.. Brown, 10 the village. We have
foundry and plough maDufacory, steam grSt
and saw mill, and in good weather good roads.
I wish [ could speak we'll OF the roads when
the weather is bad, but they are IN sympathy
with 'old probabilities. : More anon. Ii.
SHOCKING DEATH-On Monday night, near
Liudsy's Turnout, AIbemare county, Va, two
colored children we're frozen to DEATH and a
third 50 badly frozcu that it is not expected to
live. It seems that the mother and father OF the
children had separated in quarrel and lett the
three little ones in their cablu 10 take care OF
themselves. i nephew of the wife took care OF
the children TWO or three days but hn1iDg 1t
more than he could do started them on Monday
evening about dark to go to their mother, who
was living about three miles away. de carried
them in sight of the mothers house, and start
ing them towards it alone turned back i he
next morning the three We're found near where
he had left them huIdled together two OF them
frozen dead, and the third almost 10 dwDg
condition. An inquest will Investigate the
matter, and the par=uts will probably be arrest
ed.-Stuuutou KMdicator.
Fur several days rumor has prevailed 10
pbiladelnhia that Asa Packer was to succeed
+ ,par Thomson 10 the Presidency of the Penn
svlyapia Railroad. Yesterday Mr.. Thomson
-. - l. .ioa liz denian lis truth.