The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-02-02

HOLDERS.
TConcspondcncc Of The Richmond Di-patch.l
RIDGE, EDGEFIELD COUNTY,
January 80, 1882.
The extreme anxiety felt here few days
ago has been greatly abated by the quietude
OF a week. People exchange greetings
with more OF the wonted manner. and the
SUPPRESSED excitement discOyerablc for
few weeks past is now nearly gone.
\ wholesome reaction from the negro eX-
oders is taking place. The case is now re-
vcrsed. The cXodusting" is not from
Edgefield. but from Arkansas. The wild
hogs and such like luXurieS which were
painted TO their eager vision but a few
weeks ago here must have given out, and
the Arkansas Paradise they sought have
cluded their search. / have a cook i'm my
employ whose husband three weeks ago
wrote from Forest City, Ark, saying he
was soon to buy lot in town for 50, was
getting plenty OF work at $50 per day,
and was looking forward TO sending for
her and her six children, though not then
"fiXed up for them" In week she re-
ceiyed another letter saying he was in Shell
by. Tenn, en- route home, and wished her
TO send Slj, to meet him i'm Chattanooga. 4
few days later, again he writes saying he
has worked his way TO Tuscumbia, is
broken down, and bcgs for money to be
sent him there, and take him quickly back
to Ridge.
This man was doing well, renting land.
The &" craze" took him. Chickens, house
hold furniture, corn, fodder, whatever
would bring ready money, was sold at the
greatest sacrifice ut his door. lie would
not take time to seek fair price, which he
could easily have obtained by coming three
miles TO town. Two good cows he sold for
SO: a good cooking-stovc and utensils for
$3.50; and so on, putting the money in his
pocket and hurrying off 10 Arkansas, leay-
ing his wlic and six children "to shift for
themselves" This is but one OF many such
cases. The plea OF some of them, in now
sending home for money, is that they have
been robbed Of what they had. But the
fact that they are coming Woodworking
their way-sendng first for money. is
enough for those here 4 specific for the
"craZc.N
Consequently the laborers are going to
work, and the planters and merchants
who Il short time ago saw from their rest
less movements that il would require only
uniformly llatiering accounts from Arkan-
sas to make multitudes Of them, in spite OF
all engagements, break up and go, are now
feeling that that danger has passed. The
feeling is gaining strength with every day :
observations that the engagements for the
year will be carried out, and the farming
will 90 on as heretofore.
Incendiarism j. now supposed TO be over.
1t is eight days since the destructive flames
have sent their glare OF alarm into the
darkness OF the night. II they were kim
died by white laborers with the hope OF keep
ing up the negro exodus. or by reckless
negroes ready 10 work any mischief in the
upheayal OF things, or by poor white men
jealous OF the landhOldcr, and wishing by
any means TO reduce HIM to the level OF the
plOw-handles with himsclf-in either ease
the settling down Of the colored laborerS
tends TO restore order. At any rate there
is growing probability in the minds OF
the people that these depredations are al an
end.
F." II is an i'll wind that blows good to no.
body" and since the incendialism begun
the insurance agents have had quite an in
crease OF business. People who never
spent a dollar before for insurance have
recently taken out policies. one Mr..
Grice, whose clubhouse was burnt recent
ly, was some time ago approached by an
agent to insure his property. liis laconic
reply was, "N0t while ! live" But eur
cumstances alter cases, and he has since
had his dwelling insured. The calm course
of the property holders during the eX-
citing times has been very pralseworthy'
Amid the changes of the laborers, the
mysterious threats gaining currency, and
burning Of buildings, they have escheweo
rashness. They have acted calmly however
great the excitement felt.
AS to the depredations, they have been
determined TO bring the offenders to JUS
tlce, il possible; but they have been equally
determined that no punishment should DC
inflicted without the clearest PROOF OF quit