Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-06-05
Letter from Fairfax.

FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, June ., 1871
There arc two subjects that are absorbing the
conversational powers Of our citizens just now :
Ono is the hot and dry weather that we have
been enjoying ~ No rain has fallen here since
the 18th ultimo, aud in consequence thereof
the ground is very hard. and the gardens are
suffering. The other subject is the locusts. On
Sunday morning, May 20, at 9 o'clock, one lone
locust trilled out his warbling note all alone, 10
few minutes he was answered by another,
and 10 few hours they had gained 10 numbers
considerably. As We now write the air seems
filled with noise similar, we suppose, to that
which pervadcd Egypt 10 the days when old
Moses called out his locust brigade. The woods
sound like Atzi's Pond, where the frogs croakcd
from sunrise till even for six years. The an.
nual summer festivities will begin here next
Tuesday night. The first thing on the boards is
an entertainment to be held at "Tcmplar' 8 lIall'
on Tuesday evening 10 the interest Of our school.
Prof. W. f. Stokes will array the talent OF his
boys and girls 10 such way as to promise a
pleasant evening 10 those who may attend. On
Thursday evening, at s o'clock, the 18th, the
ladies Of our village will give vocal and instra7
this place The proceeds will be devoted to
that church and We promise all most enjoyable
season upon that OCCASION. The ladies deserve
great credit Tor their efforts D bringing about
this pleasant entertainment. They have not
spared any pains in getting up the concert, and
as the object is laudablc one, We trust that a
crowded house will witness the debit Of the
"Fairfax PhiIbarmic." The programme is a
rare collection Of both vocal and Instrumental
music. We cordially invite our friends In
Alexandria and vicinity 10 attend. On Friday
next the Coed Templars Of this place will have
their annual strawberry festival. A pleasant
time is anticipated, and as the former occasions
have been such successful ones We checrluy
hope that the one next Friday will beup to tho
usual standard. Our juno term of the Circuit
Court will convene here on Monday, lIth inst.
His Honor, Judge Blow, Of Norfolk, will pre-.
side, as Judge Keith will not be able to attend
owing 10 sickness 10 his family.
The forest fires in the lower peninsula of
Michigan extend from Tawas to Harrisonville
a distance of forty miles along the shore of
Lake Huron, and for an indeGoite distance
inland. The destruction of standing timber
saw logs, banked fences, farmers barns, dwell
lngs, &C., is very great. No towns are in i'm.
mediate danger, but unless heavy fall Of rain
soon comes none can tell where or when the
fires will cease. Persons arriving 10 New York
report the smoke from these fires as being very
dense and extending over the length of Lake
Huron, making all navigation dangerous. The
fires are raging 10 Delta, Marquette and School
craft counties, in the upper peninsula.
G. s. o. CANAL-Tho annual meeting of the
stockholders Of the G. s. o. Canal was held in
Annapolis yesterday. Alexandria was repre-.
sented by j. w. Burke, ESQ. The report of the
President states the tonnage during the year
1876 to have been G54, 400 tons of coal. An cleo.
ton was held with the following result: Pres-
dent, A. p. German; Directors, James G.. Ber-
ret, NJ. Bsnnon, B. B; Crawford. h. D. Farnsn-
dis, p. Hammill and John Humbird. The
n,eeting adjourned to meet at Annapolis the lst