The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-08
ORANGE COUNTY,
correspondence OF the Richmond Dlspatch.l
JANUARY 4. 1878.

fCorrcspondcncc Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
JANUARY 4. 1878.
The UiSpatch and the State did injustice
TO the late Rev. Mr.. Stcptoc, OF Culpeper, in
ascrioing his death to poison; and the cor
respondents were inconsiderate in their
mention OF II. He did take poison, mis-
taking it for some spirits which his wife Kept
prcpared with simrles for her chIldren'S
ailments; but it was neither the remote or
immediate cause Of his death. as have the
highest AUTHORITATIVE OF his attending
physician--for stating.
Mr.. Steptoc was adjutant OF the Fifty
second Virginia infantry, and received q
severe wound in the leg. Erysipeas de-
welcomed from this old wound, the flesh all
sloughing of. and finally attacked vital
parts and resulted in his untimely deatiBAIt
at least robs death OF some OF its sting to
know the brave occasion OF it, and the Sc
renitv Of his last moments was such that
even his noble wife was ncrved to see him
pass away with resignation that could only
have been heaven-born.
Death has been busy in our midst OF late,
and sudden deaths out Of all proportion.
Among those recently dead are Mrs. Gar
rett Scott and Mrs. James NJ. Macon-both
nicccs OF the late Governor Barbour, and
the latter the widow Of the last surviving
nephew OF President Madison.
The corn crop Of Orange is shorter than
for many years, and hay and forage gene
ral1 so scarce that farmers are fearful as TO
their ability to keep their stock through the
winter.
The talk is revived about building the
missing link between Orange and Char
lottesvile, so as to join the two sections Of
the Virginia Midland railroad, now depend
fn- n -p
and Ohio An entirely new company pro-
poses to undertake the work-one Of the
Royal Land Company OF Virginia, which
owns the Narrow-Gauge railroad between
Orange and Fredericksburg, being the pre-
sident.
The latest intelligence concerning the
condition and prospects of the Virginia
Midland railroad is encouraging. Full in
terest has been paid upon the londs Sc
cured by the first and second mortgages,
and there is II surplus to go to the interest
upon the third-mort9age bonds. The hold
ers OF the first mortgage, however, claim
that they are entitled to have their prnci-
pal-money paid before subsequent mort
cages have any right to participate in the
assets. The Court is considering this ques.
ton. The lease for ninety-nine years OF the
Manassas Gap branch to the Baltimore and
Ohio Company at SIX per cent. on the coSC
OF construction more than enables the CON-
pany TO fulfil all the obligations of that liue.
am told by wellinformed gentlemen con-
neced with the road that with the single
exception OF the Centennial year, when the
passenger traffic exceeded all bounds, it is
doing a better business than at any time
since the war. and that if the increase OF
business, continue in the same ratio the
company's obligations will all be fully in
their control and sale OF the road be
avoided. ......>
President Barbour, now receiver also, is
greatly beloved and esteemed by all having
business connections with the company, and
it is believed that everybody will be graft
fed if it can be SO managed that he and o
Virginian directory can retain the control
OF the road. rr4 - 49,. Tr -&,h .aEt
Elegant farms, highly improved, have
been lately sold in Orange at about one
fourth their value. We Sigh for the silver
bill and the repeal OF the resumption act.
The bar OF the county have united in
memorial to the. Legislature asking the re-
election OF Judge Shackeliord in this cir
cult. His eyesight has been entirely re-
stored By means Of a surgical operation.
..aeegEt .a., DENNIS.