The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-07
THE STATE AT LARGE.
oRANGE COUNTY,,

IT'S LANDS, PRODUCTS, AND PEOPLE hh
TOWNS AND VILLAGES AND SOME DEscHif-
TT0N OF M--GORDoNsvILLE, BARBoOhs-
VILE, SOMERSET, AND THE COURTHOUSE
Especial Correspondence OF the Dispa'ch.I
G0RDoSsvILLE. February 0, 1884.
Orange county Is chiefly in the PIEDMONT
district. The larger portions OF It's lands
are rolling, and along the Iineof the Soutn'
west mountain. which extends diagonaif
across the county; they are rich and fertile
Its population Is IL. 3J0--whites, G,340; co.
Iored, 8.Sf2; males twenty-one years OF
age and upwards white, 1,4S0; coloreu'
1,2G0. =,
The minerals are said to be inferior. Al.
though some years ago Mr.. Stockton, OF
New York. for awhile worked the old
eold-mine. but soon gave 1t up as unpront-
able. it Is thought BY people living in that
neighborhood that, with proper skill ana
outlay Of money, 1t would be good in'
vestment
THE CHIEF PRODUCTS.
Wheat and corn are the chief products.
Some tobacco is cultivated, but OF an IN
ferior grade. Much attention is gwen by
the farmers to their grass crops, and last
season large amount OF hay was shipped.
In different sections are TO be seen hne
herds OF cattle that will equal any raised in
the State. They are chiefly OF the Durham
and Shorthorn breeds. The raising oil
sheep is also an interesting feature. They
are OF the Merino. Southdown, and Cots
void breeds. and in the early spring when
vegetation first puts in its appearance IL IS
pleasing TO the eye Of the tourist to witness
the cattle and sheep grazing in the fields
and along the meadows and hilisides.
FRUIT.
In the last few years large numbers OF
fruit trees have been set out; also several
grape-yiheyards. In the neigobhrhood OF
Gordonsvile. which is at the foot OF the
Southwest mountain, the richest lands are
10 he found. Many northerners and Eng
Iishmen and others have settled here,
and have large orchards OF the choicest va
rleties OF apple and peach-trees. The
VINEYARDS embrace the most improved ya-
rieties OF grapes. 1t is said that the soil
and climate OF Orange is well adapted TO
grape-culture. Last year several parties
in the county set out from five TO twenty
acres in grapes. Mr.. c. q. Trash made
from the fruit gathered in his vineyard
10000 gallons Of wine.
IHE PEOPIt.
The people are generally well-to-do
farmers, and in some sections | noticed
handsome private dwellings-houses that
would do credit to any city; among them
NAV be mentioned Frescata, the former
home Of Ex-Governor Barbour, now the
propertv of e. :. Buddacker, Esq, OF
New Orleans. Alex. Cameron, OF Rich
mond, and Mr.. O. +. Breesee also have
handsome residences.
The principal villages OF the county are
Gordonsville, on the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway: Orange Courthouse, Barbours-
vile, on the Virginia Midland, and Som
erset. Gordonsville, which is the largest.
is near the boundary lines OF the counties
OF Orange. Louisa. and Green. 1t is a
place OF some commercial importance. and
during the summer months numbers OF
CITY people sojourn here. 1t has also had
impaired to it historical interest by events
which happened during the late war.
SPRING CHICKENS.
1t is well remembered by the tourist
travelling the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
way. for on the arrival and departure OF
the train they are met with the pleasing
faces of the cOlored waiter women. beseech-
ing them to purchase spring chickens. hot
coffee, and sandwiches, DC. They have
spring chickens here the year round.
The population OF Gordonsvile is about
1900. The buildings are principally frame.
The town is incorporated, and has mayor,
council, and police force. The streets are
wide and the town well laid off. The
number Of stores are: General merchan-
diso, %: baIdworo, millinery, :. OAR
observation-disclosures q.
common schools, 3 q private and l public.
There Is female seminary, under the
management Of j. A. Shelborne; 1 news
paper-the GordonsvilIe Gdzette-edited
by Lovelock & Gentry, which is Demo-
cratic: also, s churches g white and 3
colored). The churches are divided de-
nominationalIy as follows: 3 Baptist Il
white, - Carroll pastor, and colored);
Methodist. W. Z. Edwards pastor; 1
PRESBYTERIAN, no pastor; / Disciples,
Elder Blennis; 9 Episcopal Il white and
coloren.
BAEBOURSyILLE.
Barboursville is south OF GOrdonsville,
has population of 800 people, six stores
and church, used by the different denom-
nations. Orange Courthouse, the county,
seat, is on the Virginia Midland railroad.
The lands around it are not rich as gen.
era thing, but there are several valuable
farms in the neighborhood; among them
is the handsome property belonging to
Governor James l.. Kemper. There are
at the Courthouse fourteen stores; five
churches: two BapTist-one white the
other colored; one Episcopal, Rev. John
Harnsborough pastor; one Methodist,
William Il. Edwards pastor; one Presby-
terrain, no pastor; one public and TWO pri-
yate schools.
Somerset has about IS inhabitants and
three stores.
The oldest man in Orange county is the
venerable DR.. Uriel Terrell, who lives
within five miles OF the Courthouse, and
is ninety-fve years of age. He attends
court regularly, and seldom misses any
public meetings. ARAMINTA.