The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-28
CHARLOTTESVILLE.

THE LATE HAIL, sroRA-THE DROUGHT AND
CRoPs-LAYING OF A COMPASSIONATE
NEKAL--A GLORIOUS RAIN AT LAST.
correspondence of the Richmond Dispaich]
July %, 1879.
1t is gratifying to he able to say that the
damage done BY the late bai-storm was not
so great rs was feared and reported. Mr..
Hotopp7s vineyard was only slightly in
iured. Greater damage was done 10 Mr..
Rcierson's and Mr.. Minors. Mr.. Hotopp,
who may he considered the pioneer vine
yardist Of this section, says that he would
not take $4,000 for his present crop.
Many persons, and particularly CORE
spondcntS, are seemingly disposed to make
sport OF the very serious condition OF the
agricultural prospects OF the country. 1t
is no laughing matter in this section, what
ever i. may be clscH here. Two months
and one week (sixty-sevcn days. have passed
since n rain of any value fell upon the
earth hereabouts. At tie beginning OF the
drought the corn and other crops were
never ID finer condition; the whcat-a re-
markable crop-had just been harvested;
and the former looked forward 10 the re-
suits Of this year with hope for the relief
for which he had labored each success
sive year since the war and failed to realize.
And how have his hopes been blasted? l
looked over the fine farm "Carlton" yes
tcrday. and the sight there made the heart
sick. On the right lay field of corn
Just in tasscl The corn was we'll staiked,
but had not reached more than IN average
OF FIVE feet. The tassels were white and
dropping over, evidently dead, while the
shoots were withered and the blades were
yellow and dry. This field looked hopeless.
On the left lay Il field Of miIlet, perhaps
eighty acres, makinga beautiful stand, now
gone to head four to sir inches hagh. The
loss on this field, at low estimate, cannot
probably be less than $4,000. OF course
this would be, to great extent, conStruc-
tive loss. This is only one Of the finely
cultivated farms in this vicinity that is in an
almost hopeless condition as to its crops.
As for the grass, it is invisible. And yet |
am told that these are not the worst, by 4
great many, in other parts OF the county.
Perhaps an immediate rain would give some
hope OF partial return from these crops.
We had several showers to-day, and the
prospect for more is good.
To-day the colored Methodist Episcopal
Church OF this place laid the Cornerstone of
their church-building here, assisted III the
work by the Jefferson Lodge OF the United
Order OF Odd-Fellows and visiting lodges
from Waynesboro' and Staunton. Addresses
were made by Revs. Diggs, Herndon, and
Foster. After the ceremonies the lodges
marched through the principal streets in
very imposing array, headed by the (Shall |
say it p celebrated Red-Leaf Brass Band Of
Staunton. We had the exquisite pleasure
OF being entertained for season by this
charming musical organization last summer.
To describe its effect upon connOisseur in
music would require the pen OF Dante in
an "Inferno" mood, or the weird imagina-
ton of Poe under the inspiration Of
"Black Cats.' Good gracious
The funeral OF Mr.. William L. Smithson,
prominent banker or Washington, d. g.,
took place here this evening. The services
were conducted by Rev. Mr.. j. d. Black
we'll OF the Methodist church. The corpse
was buried in Mapiewood cemetery, and
was attended by u large procession. Mr..
Smithson was Virginian, and suffered du-
ring the late war for his adherence TO the
southern cause.
July &c, 1879.
Last night about O'Clock rain began
TO descend gently, and in The course OF half
an hour increased to violent thunder
storm, the water pouring down In immense
quantities until the streets were flooded.
The wind was very strong, blowing down
fences, corn, tree-limbS. &c. But we have
had rain-and Il splendid rain--worth thou
sands of dollars to the county; and we
also rejoice that it will assist in furnishing
your people with water. The indications
are to-day for more rain. Already the
fields have begun to resume their fresh,
green appearance.
As an evidence OF the quality Of the
wheat raised in this section, am told that
much OF it will weigh 81 pounds to the
bushel. DUP.