The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-09
A Few Miles Over the RieiImosd and
Allegheny Railroad.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.J

BUCKINGHAM, October 8, 1881.
But few miles over this road will well
repay one for the trip, and should convince
even the most skeptical Repudiationist that
from the thrift and activity along the line
this old State has not yet fallen into such
decay as to justify her in cheating her
creditors. But few know, imagine, all
that this road Is doing for our Statc-how
her hidden wealth is being rapidly deyel-
oped by the energy and capital OF the con-
trollers OF the road. And then the great
advantage possessed by the railroad over
the canal-boat in its increased speed and
comfort has, and still viii, induce settlers
to locate along the line. Every induce
ment is offered to the settler. The
lands in this great valley of the James
equal any in this country, and though
much Of II has been worked bad
ly or over-worked on account OF the
want Of capital, the owners trying to farm
on too large scale, and beyond their
means,sy yet by the iudiciOus expenditure
OF little money for manures, little time
and labor, they can he made to produce as
much per acre as any land in the world.
The climate is pleasant, and, notwitstand-
ing what has been sometimes said to the
contrary in regard to the malaria, it is eX-
ceptionally healthy. Chills and fever do
exist TO a certain extent but they can
easily be avoided with little care. Other
sickness is rarely hesrd Of The settler by
locating in this section will be free from
the long winters Of the North and West.
The land can be ploughed nine months in
the year, and when your crop has been
seeded, nearly ii not quite matured, you
never hear OF its being destroyed by the
western blizzard or locust. None Of the
miraculous and all-destructive blasts and
storms OF the West ever visit this happy
valley. The land can be purchased at rea-
sonable rates-at rates that will repay the
purchaser a good interest on his invest
ment.
Let me give one illustration-a few facts
that can be proved a few years since Il
gentleman from the North visited this sec
tion and purchased a small farm OF about
one hundred and fifty acres, paving about
eighteen dollars per acre. On the place
were a good dwelling-house and the neces-
sary iarm-buildings. For about five hun
dred dollars more he stocked it and pur-
chased the necessary farming implements.
The outlay absorbed his entire capital,
about thirty-two hundred dollars. BY close
attention to his business, by n iudicious
system of farming, attending carefully to
the rotation Of crops, and exerting iudg-
ment in his manuring-placing his farm
ward manure upon the poorest spots-he
has already increased the value OF his farm
several dollars per acre; and during this
time has lived free from debt, obtaining
from his purchase q comfortable support
for his family.
The people OF this valley, az is well
known, possess the true Old Virginia hos
pitality. and welcome courteously and cor
daily the stranger; and regardless OF what
is said to the contrary by many OF the
northern papers about the social ostracism
the northern man is made to feel, rs kind n
welcome is extended him as any other,
and that welcome is continued, and its con-
tinuaton to all time rests entirely with the
settl, himself. The only social ostraciSm
that have heard OF is where the man adj
yancee extreme opinions that are totally re-
pugnant, not alone to the Nirginians, but to
the eentire white race that respect themselves.
ANY coming with these intentions must
EXPECT to be civilly and quietly let alone
But 10 all those who come with the inten-
ton of making their home amongst us-of
aiding to build up the State while aiding
their own intcreSts-a kind, cordial wei
come will ever be extended. l have been
amongst neighborhoods in which there are
many northern men, and l have yet to hear
one express any other opinion than one IA
vorable TO the kindness shown him by the
Virginians amongst whom he has settled.
Let us hope that our great Virginia road,
the Richmond and Allegheny, may be the
means OF inducing many settlers TO come
amongst us. The road offers every induce
ment. It's freight and passenger charges
are reasonable, and every facility IS Of
fered by the company 10 the farmer
to transport his produce to market.
From the commencement OF the road
its officers have ever shown VIII
lingness TO accommodate the farmer,
and on no road in the State will be found
officials and employees more willing and
anxious to serve the public. No road i'll
the State Is better equipped in every way,
and nv advice to those who are seeking
country homes is to take trip over this
road, feeling sure II they do so they will
settle along its line, where the inducements
are 40 great, good land at reasonable prices,
a mild, healthy climate, with its winters
free from the rigors Of the North and West,
and a cordial welcome from the people,
that will take from him the sad feeling that
he is a stranger in a stranger land.
WASDERER.
G"Wanderer" is a Republican,