Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-18
Letter from Orange Co.

Correspondence of the Alexandra GaZettc.J
NEAR ORANGE G. H., Va. Jan. II, 1876
Three score years and ten u What an lnslg-
ni6cant space of time compared to that which
has passed? What Il nothingness compared to
eternity ? Yet, when misfortune after mistor-
tune overtakes US, how drearily drags out our
allotted time ? The general misfortune OF the
Southern people, has, indeed, been severe, and
caused many brave hearts to succumb. lo the
near future there appears to be little hope for
the recuperatioo of the fortunes of the South
ern people. The complexion Of the present
House of Representatives Of the United States
constitutes the ground work for opening the
''bloods chasm" of the North aud West, and
reinvigorating the 'Grand Army of the Re
public"
Land, the only property left in the South,
in about, nine cases out of ten Is hopelessly in
numbered, and the products of the soil do not
reimburse for their production. Land, in our
county, that before the war, sold for from six
TO ten dollars per acre, DOW sells for from too to
three dollars per acre, and will produce from
twenty to thirty bushels Of corn per acre. This
is grey land. The red land OF Virginia, such
as the Midland road passes through, sells for
from twenty to sixty dollars per acre, accord
ing to location aud improvements. 1t is sur
p~rising to real.z, the extent to which the red
land of Piedmont Virginia can be brought. The
farms of 0. T. Bruen, Col. George Tayloe,
r. l.. Nelson, and William Graham are indis-
putable evidence of the high state of %cultiva-
ton and productiveness to which red lard can
be brought by the aid of money.
Yourcorrespondent never viewed the Thames,
climbed the Alpine heights, visited The Yellow
Stone Valley, nor partook Of the Inequalities
IF the Centennial Commissioners, but for real
beauty and subllmity Of scenery that elcvates
the soul and. purities the heart, we commend a
view from Clarke's Mountain, Orange county,
Virginia.
A few days ago, 10 the heart of the Rapldan
Valley, in full view of the houses OF God,
where men meet and protest. to love their neigh
bors as themselves, two near nelghbors OF re.
6uenent, and character far above p~uglllsts, al
lowed their brutal passions to get the better OF
them, and had a knock down or so. The affair
created considerable excitement for a while,
from the high character ofthe parties involved.
and the acknowledged 'pIuck' of the old
soldier"
About three o'clock on the evening Of the
18th the residence Of Mrs. Mary A. Parker,
uear here, was consumed by fire, with nearly
all of the furniture. The fire originated from
a spark on the roof, and was seen by several
neighborS before the inmates of the house knew
their peril. [ hear that several OF the nelghoors,
who are able, have contributed to assist her to
rebuild. Sinca the war this lady has been the
victim of thieves, shysters, and the fire feud
beyond anything ever known in our county.
There was 90 insurance, aud the loss is about
one thousand dollars.
We have a cheese factory near Liberty Mills
postofhce, in this county, owned aud run By
Mr.. Frederick Wist, formerly of New York.
We noticed bis cheese on the counter of the
store of Joseph H. johnson, Of the village.
Mr.. Wist says he can manufacture a pound Of
cheese for the same price We can grow a pound
of tobacco.
We have had no snow this winter, and the
ice is as clear as crystal. ARGUS.
Gen. Beauregard is an applicant for am
nesty.