Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-03
A CHEERFUL VIEW.

The Richmond Dispatch administers q re.
buke to the "Jeremiahs" who are continually
pouring out lamentations over the pro strate
condition of Virginia, and points out better
way to improve the fortunes of the State. It's
words have the right ring, and afford food for
profitable thought. 1t says:
Virginia has had more means and more
energy the ten years since our war than she
had during he ten years after the close of the
war of 1872 We have had ways to market
which We had not then, and we have had slim
ulaos to activity and production that we're not
kpowu then. Indeed, Danville was then as far
from Richmond in time as London is, and far
thcr than San Francisco is now. The means for
enterprise and for the rapid conversion of all
neccssares OF life into cash are all the world to
nothing compared with the almost utter want
of means that then restrained the Industry of
the people.
If we be true to ourselves, perseverlng and
hopeful, we will all the more rapidly get out OF
our difficulties; but moping, and complaining,
and depreciating our own power and energies,
can only result in our own Injury.
I'VE say that many sincere but mistak-
en- persons are too much given to draw
ing these dolorous pictures. DemagOgues
and ofhcehunters who want to get office by ap-
pearng as the peoples friends use those pic
lures for their own selfish purposes, and the
people are the sufferers.
"Let us be stout aud hopeful Virginia is
the State of great resources. Her people came
Of u glorious ancestry and should be unsurpass-
ed for energy and determination, while their
character should be altogether unimpeachable
for integrity and honor. Virginia can do any
thing!"
HIGHLAND. .-Rchland deserves more than
passing notice. At the close Of the war there
was but one building on the premises. and sur
rounding the present railaoad depot decay and
desolation greeted the eye, while the entire
promises were sadly out of repair. Gen. Fitz.
Lee, its present owner, having laid aside the
sword, resorted to the plowshare to rehabili-
tate in part the agricultural interests of Vir-
ginia; how far he has succeeded will be shown
by this hurried and imperfect statement OF Rich
land of to-day:
There are now thirty-fvc buildings on the
farm, including three excellent dwelling houses,
railroad depot, express Office, postofhce, store
house, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, the
rest stables, barn, tement and out houses.
Twenty families, white and black live here,
comprising population of nearly one hundred
souls A large Touring and corn mill, with
never falling supply OF water, is kept IN con-
slant motion Fifteen miles of fencing have
been built He has also built schooner and
several smaller crafts, which are used tor his
own accom- mediation iu Transporting produce
and grain to and from his place and also to
cugage in fishing A new and substantial
wharf is DOW 10 course of construction and
when finished will accommodate river steamers.
The farm contains fourteen hundred acres,
six hundred of which is DOW under cult
vatiou; the remainder in woods and pastures.
Gen. Lee has recently introduced water into
every apartment of his residence making it one
of the most desirable to be found in any rural
district.
The farm is we'll stocked with cattle horses,
mules, hogs aud sheep.
Gen. Lee is his own overseer. and has every
thlog perfectly systematizod. % an emlnence
stands his office, from the roof Of which floats
flag, on which is painting Of Gen. Jeb.
Stewart horseback. This flag when up can be
seen from all localities of the farm, and denotes
the Generals presence and that he is ready to
attend to business.
Richlaud is located on the banks of the P,-
tomac, and from here a commanding view OF
the river as far as the eye can reach may be
had.
T1e growing crops on this magnificent estate,
are all looking exceedingly promising. Alto
gether Rchland presents most active scene,
and certainly shows that it is under the gov
eroment of one who thoroughly understands
his business.
Gcu. Lee is entitled to much praise for his
efforts in rehabitating al least one Of the waste
places in Virginia, and 10 such manner as to
make it decided blessing to his section OF the
State. Correspondence Of the Fredericksburg
Star. .--..s
A LADY HORSE THlEF-At WaterVllle,
Kansas, week or two ago, female known as
Mrs Brown visited the livery stable OF MIR.
Henry Alger and hired horse and buggy tor
two days. The horse and buggy were furnish
ed and the lady left After she had gone 1t
occurred to the livery man that certain clrcun-
stances in connection with the woman were
suspicious, aud be set out in pursuit. lie
started little too late. The pestiferous woman
had made admirable time. First she was trao-
ed to Washington and then to Alexandria, then
to Beatrice in the State Of Nebraska, and here
the telegraph was utilized.
The woman general route was Known, and
dispatch sent to Brownsville, Neb., ended
the chase. Word came to Mr.. Ager that his
game was bagged, and when he got to Browns
vile he found Mrs Brown iD Jail. Some
where on her journey she had picked up
a man, but at the time of the capture he
escaped into the woods leaving bis hat
and coat iu the buggy in his exceed
ing haste. The woman had travelled about
a hundred miles before her capture; but MT.
Alger was leuient, and she goes free from
lack of prosecution.