The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-12

Now AND THEN.--In looking at the
various changes through which Virginia
has passed in the last thirty-five years,
nothing is more instructive than glance at
our present and former means of intercon-
munication in railroads. We find the date
of the first chartered one to be that from
Petersburg to Weldon, February 10th,
1880, distance CT miles. Next, Winchester
and Potomac, April Sth, 1881, dis
lance 80 miles. This is the road from
Harper's Ferry to Winchester, passing
through the counties of Frederick, Clark,
and jefferson. Then came the Seaboard
and Roanoke railroad, from Portsmouth
to Roanoke, March s, 1882, distance to
North Carolina line SO miles, subsequently
re-chartered February 81, 1876, and con-
structed from Norfolk to Weldon, North
Carolina, q distance of 80 miles.
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad, chartered February 25th, 1884,
distance to Fredericksburg GIL miles. The
chesapeake and Ohio, beginning with the
charter Of the Louisa railroad, February,
18th, 1886, extending from the junction on
the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac road, 20 miles this side of Richmond
to Louisa Courthouse, q distance of 3S
miles. Richmond and Petersburg, March,
14th, 1886, distance % miles,
making total distance of con
structed railroad in Virginia Of about two
hundred and seven.y-seven miles, with a
capital of some seven and half millions Of
dollars only to begin with. Thus stood the
system of railroad travelling in Virginia
something over thirty years ago. There
were some hundred or more miles OF con-
veyance by canal boats and besides the
few steamboat lines on the eastern waters,
the other modes of travel were stage
coaches and private conveyance.
We all know how it is now, for the lit
tie Louisa railroad now stretches its giant
arms from Chesapeake bay to the Ohio
river, and others have done nearly as
well. .u..s -s..f
ST. JAMES HoTEL.-It has already
been intimated that this capacious and
new and elegant hotel, located on Twelfth,
between Nam and Franklin streets, in one
OF the most central and easily accessible
positions in the city, would be opened at
an early day by Major Thomas w. Hnn-
niger, member of the House of Delegates
from Henrico. Major H., as the manager
of first-class hotel, stands deservedly
high. He was the first lessee of the old
Spotswood, and is most kindly remem-
bered by the travelling public. He has
recently returned from the North, where
he procured for his new bantling COM
plete and splendid outfit in the way of fur
niture and appointments. He has, we are
pleased to learn, associated with him in the
conduct of the st. James John p. Bal.
lard, esq.,, whose brilliant conduct of the
Ballard House and Exchange Hotel-the
former of which he built-has given him a
reputation Of which any man might be
proud.
We hope for the new house and its
worthy managers that share of success that
we are sure they will deserve. The st.
James will be open about the LIST of March
The ODD.FELLows. This is a good
order wherever it may exist. OF its three
cardinal characteristics. Faith, Hope, and
Charity, the true Odd Fellow, always ODE
dent to the Divine injunction. gives, the
greatest breadth and scope to the last
named. Yesterday lodge of this order
| filed through Main street on its way to pay
the last tribute OF respect to a deceased
brother. 1t was Friendship Lodge No. 10,
and the members marched with solemn
steps and slow to the performance of this
melancholy duty. Brother John j.. Rob-
ertson, who they buried, had been an in
valid for the past seven years, during
which time besides his dues his
brethren kept constant watch over him to
see that he suffered for nothing. Now that
his voice will be no more heard in the
lodge room his family will receive six OF
seven hundred dollars paid by the five
lodges here who have united themselves to-
gether under the endowment policy. We
doubt whether there is an order extant
into whose composition charity more large.
ly enters than the Odd-Fellows.
| The LATE COLONEL THOMAS p.
AUaUsT.-The many friends here of this
ever popular and lamentei gentleman car
see the man as he lately lived amongst US
by visiting the photograph art gallery of
speeding the life-lke and splendid canvass
and oil portrait Of him, lately completed by
this firm for a committee of Dove Lodge
No. 81 A.. F. and A. NJ, of this city, o.
which William j. LYMAN, esq, was chair
man. The likeness is wonderfully pre-
served considering that it was painted from
q small photograph. The frame Of thu
portrait is FIVE feet by four in dimensions
and it is perhaps one of the largest portraits
ever painted here. Colonel August wa
the first master of Dove Lodge, and tn
portrait represents him in o sitting posi-
ton, clothed in full Masonic regalia AM
with the insignia of his Office in his RICH
hand as in the act of presiding. Thi
capital picture will, at an early day, ador
the walls of Dove Lodge, and serve as
perpetual reminder of its first master
Messrs. Rees & Co. deserve the utmos
credit for this display of their artist
skill. f tfa
: DRY GOODS BY DIRECT hfPoRTA
J TIoN.-Our attention was called thi
morning by Levy Brothers to their seeon
importation Of Hamburg goods which hav
. been placed in stock to-day. That of las
year was such decided success that the
imported about four times the amount, an
lhave now the handsomest and most elegaI
besides their being the newest designs
3 Hamburg edgings, insertings. lace hant
kerchiefs, linen worked yokes, lace co
3 lars and small assortment of b.ac
: lace fchus. We counted ninety-seve
: new patterns in edgings alone, and were
lost in admiration of the designs that v
r believe we commenced to talk dry good
Another point must not be overlooked
! and that is, these goods are purchased b
4 | Y II Al. Fac tha or