The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-05
PATRICK COUNTY.
PATRICK COUNTY, VA,


November l, 1877.
Editors Dispatch: We have had quite
stir with the religiously inclined in this
county for the last few weeks under the
s., preaching OF the Rev. Messrs. Deshaz and
| Trainham, OF the Methodist Church. About
one hundred have professed faith in Christ,
| and many OF them have joined the church.
The Baptists. called in this community the
" old Baptists,'' have had two Associations
| in this county within the last month-the
| first at Bell Spur, embracing the second
Sabbath, and the second at RuSselFs creek,
embracing the third Sabbath in October.
| There were immense gatherings nj each
| place. At the former church there was
some disorder; only two or three fights;
no one hurt. but good deal OF fighting
within few hundred yards OF the North
Carolina line, and here the bclligercnt spir-
| its OF the two States have been wont to meet
on preaching-day and take a little tilt. 1t
seems that as the Association was 4 big al
fair these fellows concluded to have tight
commensurate with the OCCASION Sat
urday the weather was too Indictment
for anything like general engage
ment: only a little skirmishins-pick-
et-trng. Sunday, however, was the
big day; and such disorder. such Disgrace
ful scenes, we nave rarely ever heard OF III
a civilized land. 1t seemed that the whole
pandcmonium had been turned loose. we
have been informed that there were some
tftv engaged in the row, two men shot
one severely wounded "a Mr.. Simmons), a
peaceable young man who was not engaged
in the fight: the other Il Mr.. Collins, who
was endcayoring to keep the peace; two or
three were stabbcd-onc an old man, named
Lawson, severely cut; sticks were freely
uscd-an Irish bout in comparison would be
mere child -pay-anda as for stones, they fell
thick and fast, dispensing in wild confusion
staid divnes and women and children. The
pcace officers OF our State acted with spirit
and promptncsS, and soon arrested six OF
the most prominent otlcnders-thrce Law
sons, two MabcrS, and Fry. They were on
the next day tried before Justices W lit and
Bishop. and sent on to court for further
trial. In Justice to our county, will state
that all Of the parties concerned were from
our ncighboring State, North Carolina.
These disturbances of religious gather
invs are fearfullv on the increase III our
county, and good men-Chrlstan men
gricye over an evil they cannot prevent;
and unless our law-officers adopt some
measures for their protection the peace-lov-
ing people and females will have to remain
at home upon such occasions.
Tuesday, 23d October, was our regular
County Court-day, but little business was
before the Court. 1t was, however, held-
day with the county candidates. They were
working manflllly, and many fair promises
were made the sovereigns. Such express
sions Of devotion for the beloved people,
such abnegation, such willingness to be sac
riiiced upon the altar OF their country, was
rarely ever before witnessed in this county.
At noon a proclamation was made from the
courthouse door that we would have pub
lie speaking. Soon 4 large crowd convened,
when A. Staples introduced the Hon. Archer
A. Phegar, OF Montgomery county, as the
| Conservative candidate for senatorial honors
in this district. Mr.. Phcgar is Il graceful
and fluent speaker, and engaged for al hour
the profound attention OF our people. Alter
| a handsome eAordium lie discussed the seve-
raj political questions most interesting TO
our section His ideas about the public
debt met with almost entire appreciation.
His views were liberal, Just, honorable, and
statesmanike, and while listening to the
Youthful orator we felt fully convinced that
dear old Virginia would in that emergency
be true to her integrity that she would
meet all of her engagements; that she
would shame her dcfamers and bring
| no reproach upon her fair cSclltchcon. MI.
Pbleear expressed himself favorable to-
wards our free school; regretted the mis-
application OF the school-fund; hoped 1t
would not be necessary in the future. In
contrasting the condition OF the schools III
this county and the other counties OF his
district, Patrick was presented in very
unfavorable light. He endorsed heartily
the nominees for the State ticket, and COM
mcnded President Hayes's southern policy.
In conclusion he gave us Il hopeful view OF
the future. We predict for the speaker
useful and brilliant career. AT the conciu-
sion OF Mr.. Phlcgar's speech the county
candidates were severallv called out. Gen
cral Akert declined to speak. and stated
that she was not speaking man." Colo
mel VI. d. Carter spoke briefly, endorsing all
OF the views OF Mr. phegar. The Rev.
Austin j. Ca$sell announced himself can
Gidate for the House OF Delegates, and
made a short speech. Captain y. ".
Smythc, the other candidate, did not make
his appearance; it WAS stated that he was
out g beating the bushes" All the county
candidates have Withdrawn, leaving the
field to the four just named, all Conserva-
tiycs. We anticipate a lively time from
now till the 9Th instant. PATRICK.