The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-01
THE STATE AT LARGE.
MARTINSvILLE.

| Doubtless the attention oil the pubic mas
been drawn TO this town by the proposed
change OF its name to Henry City. The
people OF the State, however, are not so
we'll informed about the sudden growth OF
Martinsyille from sleepy country village
OF 300 people to q prosperous, energetic,
lively town OF 1000 souls Ia the short space
OF two years. The Danvile and New
River road, narrow-gauge line from
Danyile, has caused this evolution at Mar
tinsville.' Two years ago the first train
ran into the town. At that time there
were three stores OF general merchandise
here. two blacksmiths shops, and four
wretched saloons. The times have
changed, and the town along with them.
There are now five large and well APP
pointed tobacco factories, not one OF which
manufactures less than 100000 pounds OF
plug tobacco annually, and three hand
some tobacco warehouses. all doing large
business, as may be inferred from the re-
port Of the first years operations, closing
| December 1, 1888. During that year only
two warehouses were in operation, and
these sold 3,316,000 pounds OF leaf to-
bacco. A third warehouse has recently
been opened, aud is gradually building up
! large patronage. The other two are go
ing ahead, increasing every day. In addi-
| ton TO these, there are several prizeries,
which are used by extensive leaf dealers.
The tobacco business Is the impeling
force OF the town. From indications. as
| furnished by statistics OF the trade from
December to this date, there is but little
doubt that the years operations, the sec
ond year OF the markets existence, will
show business OF 100000 pounds. Six
hundred men, women. and children are
engaged in this business, and nearly or
quite 400, 900 are invested.
MERCANTILE BUSINESS.
The mercantile business OF the town has
quadrupled. There are now fourteen
handsome stores, without single failure
OF any sort for two years. or these two
are hardware exclusively and two are
drugStores. one is clothing store, and the
remainder general merchandise and dry
goods. Further than this, As illustrative OF
the growth OF Martinsville, $4,000 were
nut in buildings here last year. Buildings
have been in course OF erection all winter.
and there is no doubt that double this
amount will find its way into improvements
during 1884. The improvements as rule
are owned by the occupants and are sub
stantial and permanent.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
Educational and church advantages have
kent apace with the commercial life OF the
place. | might enulnerate other evidences
OF thrift--a bank, foundry and machine.
shops, saw-mils. etc.-but IL is not neces-
sary now. All this growth and increase
began in the summer OF 1882. There is
nothing TO warrant the prediction OF halt
or stay. People and capital still come.
aud the Henry-county tobacco is attracting
the money OF Obacco-manufacturers from
other sections. and its merit has gone right
TO the front i'm many market OF the country
South, West, and North. In view, there
fore, Of the foregoing. it is hardlya wonder
that MartinsvilIe should attract attention.
Just why Henry City Is to be preferred
10 Martinsvile scarcely citizen can tell.
Butthree-fOurths Of the people want Henry
CITY. IL il a curious craze, but ii is so.
The tobacco people. who are regarded as
the life-bl0Od OF the town, all agree that q
change is eminently desirable TO the tobac-
60 trade, and without telling why, every
body else says, Give lis the Henry City,"
II is not strange that the country people
are opposed TO a change. Martinsville Is
their county town; it has their interest,
and they take great pride in its rapid adj
vance rs tobacco market and town OF
Importance. Besides, they have more re-
gard for old associations. A meeting OF
the businessmen was held on the 22d, and
there were but two dissenting voices OH a
resolution to request Senator LybroOk and
Delegate Peters TO renew their efforts 10
secure the passage OF the bill providing for
Henry City,"
BRIDGES AND ROADS.
The people OF Henry county are a great
people for bridges. Nearly every stream
in the county is spanned either by hand
some iron crossings or most improved
wooden ones. But il has not occurred to
most OF them that the roads OF the county
are the heaviest tax to the people. But |
am more that glad-I am delighted beyond
measlIre-to note that the subject OF roads
is beginning TO enter this county; and re-
cent experience has taught q most I'M
pressive lesson OF the importance OF good
roads as a means OF local economy, which
is inestimable and far-reacbing in its bene-
| fits. The press OF the State. the Dispatch
heading the list. has not much longer Ia
urge this subject before the people will
take hold Of 1t With public spirit which
! brooks nothing but success.
| Rev. G. VI. Howard, an evangelist OF con-
siderable fame and still greater success in
numerous towns in Virginia, North Caro-
| lima, and other States, is how conducting
| a revival here. There l. a deep-seated in
terest manifest in the effort, which, rs yet,
has not gone far enough to warrant pre-
diction Of the end. That il will be re-
vival OF great success Is not question,
however.
A PHENOMENON.
Jack Dodson, negro man, aged sixty.
nine, died at the Chestnut Knob settlement
Saturday. lie was born black-almost
! typical negrO-but years ago white spots
appeared on his face and body, and gradu'
| ally increased until two years ago lie wa,
absolutely white. His skin was healthy
and did not have the slightest indication
OF leprosy. All the while he was in per.
feet physical and mental health. The loca
scientists simply pronounce this wonderful
change phenomenon, and go no further
No one as yet has assigned satisfactory
explanation Of Jack Dodson's peculiar
rise, by quick degrees, from negro to
! Caucasian OF perfect type, to all practica
purposes. That the change OF his eolol
was true, actual, and absolute ] know u
be fact.
The family OF Circuit-Judge Ii. NJ. Fore
have been in sad af1liction caused by tn
death Of their infant daughter and onl,
child on Saturday.
The Board OF Registration selected TO
this county is universally approved. II |
composed OF two Democrats and Repub
lican--all gentlemen OF great integrity o
character. FOURTH ESTATE.