Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-09-14
COMMUNICATED.
VIRGINIA-TuE NORTHERN NEcK-VR
GINA PoLIrICs-HER FUTURE.

GINA OLlIlCS-IlER
Ed. Register-It has been long,
long time since your correspondent has
had the honor of contributing to your
columns, and perhaps many of your
readers have forgotten Memo" but
here he is again, and making bow to
his numerous friends, he promises in
the future to do better.
Perhaps description of recen. trip
through the counties composing what Is
called the Northern Neck of Virginia,
would interest your readers. Many OF
them no doubt have travelled through
this beautiful region, aud will recall
with pleasure its verdant fields and
beautiful rivers. Surely it may be said
that Nature has scattered her gifts with
lavish hand on this favored spot. Here
on tho left, the grand old Potomac rolls
along in majesty and power, bearing on
her bosom noble vessels and mighty
steamers, bearing their burdens to con
tribute to the resources OF our National
Capital, while underneath the surface Of
its broad waters are myrlads OF fishes,
crabs, oysters, &c, which furnish
boundless source Of revenue to the peo-
pie along its banks. And there on the
right, her smaller but not less beautiful
sister, the laughing Rappahannock, is
moving onward to the broad Chesa-
peakc, which receives in its bosom the
waters of both. In this Peninsula lies
the Northern Neck, consisting of tho
counties of King George, Westmore-
land, Richmond, Lancaster and North
umberland. Crossing the river at Port
Royal, wo passed into King George,
then down the banks of the Rappahan-
mock into Westmoreland, and late in
the afternoon we reached Warsaw, the
beautiful little capitol Of Richmond
county. Here is one of the oldest
churches in this region, built far back
in the last century. But our journey is
not yet completed, and again we are on
the road A drive of two hours brings
us to Faruham village. Here is anoth-
er old church, said to be the oldest in
the Neck. 1t is built in Gothic style,
of bricks brought from England. Farm
ham Church still uses a massive silver
communion service presented by George
Ill, King of England.
The setting sun warns US to seek shell
ter for the night. This is an easy mat
ter, for this is Virginia, and the hospita-
bic doors stand ever open. Early on
the following morning we are again
upon the road, and passing through tho
village at Lancaster Court House, we
speed rapidly to our destination. AT
the Court House we stop TO look at the
beautiful marble monument erected 10
the memory of Lancasters noble sons
who fell in defense of their homes and
fircsdes, willing sacrifices on the altar
of ''Lost Cause" BY ten o'clock VIC
reach ''I{ilmarnock meeting house, and
here our journey ends. And now We
see sight that is rarely witnessed out
side of Virginia, or at least the South
an old fashioned Baptist Association
Here are assembled all classes and con
ditions of people, from the fashionable
city belle to the dusky daughter of AT
rica. Here is every description of We
hiclc, from the aristocratic coupe down
TO that particular southern institution
which always carries US back to the
days of our forefathers-the ox-cart.
Here, out from tho church, is the large
arbor, where visiting ministers three
times a day present the Bread of Lite
to the waiting throDg. And soon comes
the dinner hour, and thon-but tongue
and pen utterly fail to tell of this sump'
tuous repast. There is no boarding
tent herc-no forlorn individual stand
ing aside waiting for an invitation to
partake-cverybody is invited to come
up to the tables and fill himself "with-
out money and without price" | cannot
attempt to tell of the variety OF the fare.
Earth, air and sea have been called
upon to contribute, and as the venera-
bic DR.. Jeter remarked, at was deed
of charity to help unload the groaning
tables" Bu: the dinner is over, and
after hearing another sermon we report
to the committee whose business 1t Is
to assign homes to the visitors. We
are told ours, and soon thank our stars
for the selection, for we are domiclled
in a grand old mansion on the shores
of the Chesapeake. Soon we lay our
tired bodies down, and are lulled To rest
by the low sad music of the waves as
they beat upon the shore. Two more
days of the same kind, and we turn our
horses homeward, stopping on our way
at Marvin Camp" Here tho Metho-
dists were having a grand time. On
the stand we noticed among the rest
Bishop Doggett, of Virginia, and Rev.
w. w. Walker, ex-member OF Con
gress.
On our homeward road we passed
through the section of Westmoreland
which is holy ground. Here in radius
of lew miles three Presidents OF our
Union first saw the light, Washington,
Madison and Monroe, and few miles
farther on Lee was born. Passing
"Montross" the county seat Of West
moreland, we came to Oak Grove Vii
lage, thence to King George, G. H.,
where we spent the night, and in the
morning reached home. We have won
dered much why this country is not
filed up with settlers. Land is cheap,
(from 50 TO slO) the soil is fertile. eli
mate healthy, timber plentiful, and liy
ing is cheaper we think than any where
oIso in tho ITn;on Rut enouOh of this