The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-01
An Indignant and Interesting Letter
Conserving Ca Ira..
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, n. Gu
Jnna % 1oTk


June %, 1875.
Editors Dispatch In your weekly issre
of the 18th instant, under the head postal"
you say that the name and site Of Cairn, in
Cumberland county, has been, or is about to
be, changed to that Of McRae's Store. And
you say that it ought to have been done long
ago. Now, sir, most solemnly protest
against this piece of vandalism. The bare
thought of such thing creates within noe
perfect SILVER Of disgust. Why, sir, the first
set of marbles, the first pocket.knife, the
first fur hat, and the first suit of "store.
truck clothes ever had in my life came
from Caira--a suit of dark corduroy; and
well do I remember falling down one cold,
frosty morning, while chasing an old hare"
and splitting the pants from above the knee
down to the ankle. All of the molasses that
used to eat with nv pancakes and fritters
csme from Cara; all Of the sugar, coffee,
and tea ever tasted until was fifteen years
old came from Cara. learned to ride on
bag Of corn by going to mill at Cara, ana
while going and returning used frequently
to meet with old Carter Page, dressed IN
blue broadcloth coat. white Vest, Wntte era,
vat, aud naukeen pantaloons, on splendid
riding mare. With stirrups and bridle-bit
rubbed until they. shone like gold--a per-
feet specimen OF the old-fashioned Virginia
gentleman And then old Uncle John HoI-
man on his blazed.face, dark chestnut'sorrel
mare. as fat and sleek as mole, though a
ulougl.horse, with her long, sweeping tail
reaching 70 the ground. he dressed in
suit Of homemade mixed clothes, and low
crowned, broad-brimmed hat, and pants
buttoneS tight half. way down the leg to the
ankle--a perfect specimen Of the o!d.fash-
toned, home-staying, aud home.living VIII :
ginia plauter--a man whose plain. straisht-
forward honesty Of character commanded
the confidence, respect, reverence, and
esteem OF all who knew him, both white and
black. Both Of them either going to or re-
turning from Cara. ! have many times
while at the Gaia mills seen Mr.. Pages cart.
driver (Parson Buck) stand In the mill.door,
never move out Of his tracks, and make his
team of three yoke Of large oxen turn his
he wanted 1t. simply by talking to bis lead
feat which constituted him, In my estima-
ton, at that time, greater hero than
Napoleon Bonaparte ever was IN the eyes of.
the most enthusiastic Frenehnan. Tom and
Frank Dean, old Nat Rixes, Jack Gillian.
ringtOp, and everybody else ia that region OF
CoQhtIy WfOlc tue uatuc VI VHls pl6ce tS
have written 1t, and called it Sira. Nor did !
ever see II written in any other way until
Thornton, Darlington e. Co. got q dandy |
of clerk, who used to use grease enough on |
his hair once week 10 make pot Of soap, |
scratch his head with one fuger, wear his
hat on the side of bis head, and hold his neck
rs stiff as III he had an iron rod through 1t.
lie used to write 1t Cs.I.ra, and called it Ia.
Frs.
Pray, Dir. Editor, where is Dir. McRae's
tore (? And who Is this man MeRae? Who
,Eer be may be, let him be anathema maraua.
ha. say /, before be shall be suffered to perpe-
rate such piece Of downright vapdalism.
il was to Cara mill.pond that 1 used to 60
o catch ssIyer-perch. IL was at the head of
'aira mill pond that Jack Pollard killed Par.
sp Kigk patTjgk's tiue blooded COW, which