The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-28


NEGRO BOY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CATHOLIC CHAPEL-ALLEY-COOPER OLD
MIN E-GuBERNAToRIAL- WANDER
EuT-RoBBERY--LOC AND
CONCERT.
CORRESPONDENCE OF the Richmond DiSlatch.l
f'REDEEICKSuAIL, May, 1877.
Farmers in this region are now nursing
thcirtobacco-plan beds with great a>Siduity.
Plants are well advanced. and will soon he
ready Tor the hills. While depression cX-
ISIS in consequence Of the very small price
now ruling for the great Virginia staple, the
usual quantity Of it will be planted this sea-
son.
The number OF acres planted in corn eX-
cccdS the average this year. The young
plants arc well on the way, despite the at
tacks Of the crows and Il small species OF
worm which, boring into the stalk, soon
induces yeIownc,s and then decay.
The best wheat seen between this place
and Richmond was on the farms OF Mr. Ro-
bert Goodwin. near here, ana ut Rlfer
Bend, the home OF Mr.. Joseph Tyler, OH
Southanna river, just across the borders OF
Louisa, in SpotSylyania county. The latter
crop is immensely thick, very tall. and with
redundant ercenncss and other evidence OF
vitality, and also fast heading, gave promise
Of yield that should gladden. the owners
heart.
On TUESDAY morning TumpSey Hart "a
colored YOUTH, aged thirteen years, went
wading in Carrots mlll-pond. located not
far off the road leading from Fredericks-
hall to Elk Creek Westinghouse. The bot
tom OF this pond is composed Of Il blue,
glutinous mud, with u powerful suction
and unknown depth. Tumpsey adventured
too far. and soon got over his depth. When
found bv Mr.. Edward BoXley. who rescued
the body, it was erect as dried mullen
stalk, with the feet firmly held in the mud.
The grief OF the mother OF the lad was
painful to witness.
On Saturday, May 2Gth, Bishop Whittlc,
OF the Episcopal Church, will administer
the holy rite of confirmation at ST. Johns
church, in Spotsyirania county, to about
twenty candidates of both sexes. 1t prom
Use, to be an interesting occasion.
The Catholic chapel ut Pottiesyile, in this
county, is opened at stated periods for the
celebration Of mass and other Church OBJ
scrvanccS, and is attended by priests sup
piled from Richmond. The membership is
made up OF number OF original Catholics
and not few converts obtained from the
natives here, which latter arc rs jealous for
the interest Of the Holy Mother Church as
those to the manner born. So far, how
ever, as religious beliefs are concerned, l
think the Baptists and their coadjutors, the
Complexities, hold "the balance OF power"
both in this and the adjacent counties.
On Tuesday passed the Alley-Cooper
gold-mine tract, located between Centre
vile and the Courthouse. The place has
been pretty well denuded Of its timber
trees, and Is covered with Il second growth
far more pictureQue than useful. at the
lightning Of the "late unpleasantness !"
the Alley-Cooper was worked, and with
good results, by northern company; but rs
Lime waned and the bitter feeling increased
the workmen came out OF their tunnels,
forsook their buildings and machinery, and
turned their wandering steps northward.
The Debris Of sundry buildings, hole or
two in the ground, and several boilers en-
crusted with rust, now only indicates the
spot once the scene OF busy industry and
high hopes OF golden largess. It is related
that long ago farmer, who hired 4 portion
Of the tract, in digging post-hole I'm.
earthcd about 81 100 Of the precious metal
Thinking he had "the deadwood" on 8
fortune he disposed Of bis ancestral patri
moby and invested the proceeds in q hunt
for gold. 1t is said that he breathed his las
in the county poorhouse.
Ga the farm OF Mr.. Robert Goodwin
three miles from Frederickshaii, are the re
Iaa ms OF the homestead, &C., in which wa