Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-06-29
Letter from Rappahannock.
Correspondence of the Alcxaudri, G.,

WoopvILLE, Rapp., Co.. Va, June 2G,
lSS2.-Not for many years have such wheat
crops gladdcncd the farmer aSarc now to be
seen throughout nll this Piedmont country,
and information fr0ln I'LL parts of the great
| Valley report even better wheat there. Ap-
pc:iranccs with wheat, it istruc, are not al
ways reliable and yet il seems to be out of
the question that so fine and splendid Il
showing should turn ont badly. Harvest is
now beginning, one cause for apprehension
being the unusual and very general scarcity
OF laborcrs-'''rhc harvest is ripe, but the
laborcrs few and this has led to the intro
duction of an unusual amount ofmachincry.
more rcapers and binders having been sold
by the agents than heretofore.
The great Mecca, to which pretty much
all the cmigrants from out this section
among the negroes 60, is the great manullc-
turing centre Of Pittsburg. This subject of
labor has become one of interest to our far
mcrs, and the probability is that in the near
future Il problem of some difficulty will grow
out of it. which if ii can be solved by resort
TO labor saving machinery, will lead to Il
greater independence upon the part of the
farmer than has hitherto been enioycd hv
him. Other sections have had TO coutcnd
with this same qucstionin in political economy
and it now seems our turn has conc"
very unpleasant rs well us unlornate
affair happcncd at the home of two brothers
close by, Dallas and James Thomhill, which,
as 1t has gone into the court for settlement
we give the facts rs brought ont ut the in
vcstigation before the magistrate. The
warrant was sworn out by James against
his brother and his wife for an attempt ON
his life by poison, and it is said in support
thcreofthat mt the breakfast table on the 10th
inst. the milk i'll his mug was SO very bitter
to his taste that he could not drink it. and
at once called the attention of his brother
to the fact. The milk was tasted by
negro boy serving at the table who con-
llrmcd lis bitterness. All present denied
any knowledge in the matter. The milk
was poured into hollow rock in front of
the door and was nj once Tapped by a dog
and Il cat. both dying in few minutes in
the agony of convulsions with all the symp-
toms of death by strychninc. There were
facts showing the presence of poison in the
milk, and upon them the suspicion of foul
play upon the part of some one Parts of
the stomachs of the dog and cat were re-
moved by DR.. c. Il. Kcmpcr, and by him
placed in the hands of the authorities for
transmission to the State Chemist at Char
lottesvillc for analysis. Both parties de-
tcndant were bailcd for their appearance
before the July grand jury, at which time an
investigation will he had by it of the mat
ter. T he occurrancc Of this unhappy affair
is deeply to be regretted, as I'LL the parties
arc not only largely connected and known,
but have always born excellent characters
as industrious and good citizens.
We notice the failure of the spring oats
generally. and this section is not an cxccp-
ton. The small green insects finding the
wheat unsllted to their taste fell upon the
| tender oats. and so complete has been the
onslaught that little will he left for the far
mcr. The corn is looking well, the acreage
large and the yield promises we'll The
new Methodist church here was dedicated Il
few weeks since, and presents Il very credi-
table appearance, us it is indeed quite II neat
and comfortable one, and what is much bet
ter is now entirely paid for the last $50 of
Indebtedness having been readily subscrib-
cd by the large congregation present at its
dedication, the services of which were con-
ductcd by the Rev d. NJ. Anderson, pre-
siding elder. and the Rev. Mr.. Grown the
preacher in charge.
But little is now heard Of our projected
railroad since the stoppage of our county pa
per. the Blue Ridgc Echo, which was not
only an earnest advocate of this measure,
but in all questions Of public interest man
fully us well us intclligcntly contended for
what it believed to be the true line of action
for the material progress of our old State;
and much us this really good paper will be
missed among the people of the county, its
influence as one Of that noble band of demo
crate papers can be but regretfully lost--if
indeed lost it is TO be.
May we not hope that the same energy.
enterprise and vim that characterized its
ursewill lead to some speedy solution fthe
question of its resumption, either through
private means or what seems to us the bet
ter plan though subscriptions to Il joint
stock company, Il method requiring but
small advance and consequently little risk
from individual subscribers We shall he
glad to sec the Echo once more Il live worker
in the land of the living B.