Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-27

TER of the RandOIphs-Judges at the
German-ImpOrtaBe of the Com:
ing EIection-A Young Patriarch
Pen Picture of "OId Jubai"-A
Memory OF the War.
wYTHEvILLE. VA, July 24-For twenty-five
or more years previous to the Revolutionary
war, the whole of Virginia west Of the Blue
Ridge was called Augusta county, and included
even the present State of Kentucky. In 1716
this Augusta county was divided into Wash
ugton. Montgomery and Kentucky, the latter,
of course. being now Kentucky State Wash
ington and Montgomery counties still exist in
this southwest region of the State, having
lost from time to time, during these hundred
years, the territory composing all the counties
that make up the great valley and all West
Virginia. These facts explain what Washing
ton meant when in the dark days Of the
war, he spoke of retreating to the Mountains
of West Augusta and there holding out
against British invasion. 1t was not the little
territory now known as Augusta county, with
Staunton as its CENTRE but the great west and
south vest section of the State, including all
west of the Blue Ridge and notably this easily
defensible mountain region in which am now
sojourning.
Nor was this then, as is commonly supposed
wi derneSs. Such a condition of country
could not have maintained a guerilla war 1t
has been a surprise to me to learn. since l
have been here, how early this interior coun-
try was settled. BY the middle of the last
century, as stated in my last. the pioneer had
found his way hither in considerable numbers
and had discovered the mines that abourd
| here. The reason is that this is the end of the
great valley, and is natures route from the
east into the valley of the Mississippi This
fine locality for a village would not long be
overlooked and unoccupied. and SO in 199i
Wytheville laid out on these beautiful
hills. under the name of Evansham, though
Wythe county was established the year before
| Wythe Court House soon became the popular
substitute for Evansham, and afterwards itself
gave way to Wytheville. as the fittest name
In December, 1888, this village was set on fire
By a negro man to revenge himself on his
master for 7me offerse, by burning his house
From the want of water and facilities
away, with few exceptions, the
accommodations of fifty years occu-
patton. The incendiary was convicted
and hanged The town spreng up gradually
from its ashes, and this explains the number
OF substantial and well bnilt brick houses " hich
were not likely to be 0nilt here so early as the
beginning of this century.
| have already spoken of the beautiful cOun-
try around Wytheville and its fine scenery
But the statement will bear repetition The
great valley turnpike enters and leaves the
the summit point Of this well graded and sym
metrical street, up and down 10 the points Of
its entrance and exit. is in itself beautiful
sight. Diverging from this highway. at any
point, north or south, one soon gets into the
hills, and crossing the ridges and spurs Of the
mountains which overlook the town. he has
the finest views imaginable Of mingled nature
and cultivation. From the chimney and high
rocks on the top OF each mountain south of
the town. and towering a thousand feet above
it, landscape taking in tie whole region
for many miles, is obtained, that delights
the eye, and that never fades from memory,
Nor is it necessary to ascend a mountain 10
crafty the vision. a visit to any of the valley
farms will satisfy ones sense of the beau
tiful. few afternoons ago | rode out to Mount
Prospect, the estate of the late Colonel Gordon
Kent-and my wife having visited there in her
childhood-we were most cordially received.
The trip over the well graded turnpike for five
miles, and then for a mile or more through the
hills, is sufficiently beautiful. but when we
emerge from the wooded SUBMITS, and
come in sight of the handsome residence nest
ling in its grove half way down the hill side.
surrounded by the smoothest grassy fields dot
ted with hundreds of fine cattle; and then
looking further down to the base skirted bv
the railway-the cars visible in a continuous
run Of three mieS-over a strip Of country
called Max Meadows from the land once be
longing TO the McGavocks, one is ready to ex-
claim that no more lovely vision ever blessed
the eye.
In greeting the inmates of this mountain
home. whom should l find, in the person
California Randolph, whom l Identified
at once. from the family history, as the great
granddaughter Of Edmund Randolph, of
Washngton's Cabinet: And when l addressed
her as such. she seemed surprised; but her sur
prise was increased when told her that Sir
John Randolph of Williamsburg was her
great-great great-grandfather, and that she
was the great great great great granddaughter
of old William. of Turkey Island, the first of
the clan 4ndolph, that emigrate1 to Virginia.
She seemed TO feel that was no stranger to
the family history, and this little episode made
my visit more agreeable, both to the family
and to myself
An attractive feature just now in Wythe
vile life is the session of the Virginia Court of
Appeals This court sits about nine months in
the year, its sessions confined to Richmond,
Staunton and Wytheville The winter session
of five or six months is in Richmond, the rest
of the time divided between the other two
places For climate reasons the summer SEES
sion begins in this mountain town early in July
and lasts about six weeks. The court
is composed of five Judges,
in Virginia elected by the Legislature for
twelve years. The Chief Justice, Moncure,
now an aged and inirm man, is absent, and
probably will not sit again on the bench. The
other four are Judges Christian, Staples, An
derson and Burks. the former presiding at
this court. Ispend part of every day in lis
teuing to the arguments of the lawyers, or in
hearing the decisions of the Judges. Ia at
tendance at this court there are a good many
lawyers, in addition to resident ones, from this
and other sections of the State, generally fine
looking men and good speakers. Some OF the
prominent ones are the State Attorney
General, General Fields: the Lieutenant Gov
ernor, General Walker; United States Senator,
John w. Johnston, exUnited States Senator,
Colonel Withers, and Lieutenant General Ju-
bal A. Early Judge Staples appearance is
noticeable for his penetrating and expressive
eyes and, though a larger man, yet in face
and general appearance he somewhat resem-
bles the late Mr. DeRenne.
These dignifed and learned Judges do not
disdain the social life of Wytheville nor even
decline society's gaietieS. Three of them l saw
the other night at the festivities of
the German q don't mean to in
sinuate that they were dancing), and they
seemed to enjoy the contrast from their graver
occupa ions Without meaning to group my
self with these dignitaries, hasten TO say that
too was present merely as spectator. This,
by the bye, gave me a chance of seeing some
of Wytheviles charming bellies, under better
auspices even than at church, but the sight
was married by the feeble illumination of the
room. which only half revealed their features
and expression.
Before l dismiss this honorable body, will
say that the term of its Judges will expire in
a year or two. and it Is very important. for the
character Of the court. and the due adminiStra
tion of justice. that the next Legislature he
rescued from the Readiuster faction, b. the
success of the Fuuder, or Debt.Paying party
II not. the next Legislature will not reappoint
these Judges, but viii fill the vacancies with
ReadjuSters Now, there are not. l am told, in
that party five equally competent iurists, and
so one NAV imagine the loss TO the court. This
danger is fOreseen. and so the true friends Of
Virginia credit and honor viii strain every
nerve to succeed in the coming election for the
Legislature
Perhaps | may say a word here on the
relative condition and prospects of these two
divisions of the Conservative party. There is
a very hostile state of feeling existing between
Them far more so than used to be between the
Wings and Democrats in former days This
county, two years ago. sent Read juster dele
gate to the Legislature by 80 majority, the ne
groes voting with that faction The towns
people generally are warm Debt Payers hut
they have been outvoted in the county This
year they are highly confident of reversing this
vote. and if like success attends similar efforts
elsewhere, the State will be carried by them
against both Readjusters and Radicals. SO
may it be,
II anything else were wanting to show the
hollow pretences of this faction to be true
patriots and Southern Democrats. it will be
found in the scandalOus act of the present
Legislature in voting down. last year. the name
of Stonewsll Jackson for the only new county
created in Virginia since the war, and in cal
ing il Dickinson, for a member Of its body an
obscure Readjuster. and former scalawag
Radical. 1t is a disgrace to the State and the
next Legislature should wipe il out.
Col. Robert T. Withers. a gallant soldier
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