Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-26
THROUGH THE STATE.
APPOMATTox COUNTY.
O,hcr items about the Appcm mnt'ox Assoein-
don-R do TAX Church ch-Busine's and
Irops- -Sasssfras.Oii Business-On the Sur
render Ground.

ps-Sasss fras.Oii Business-On the Sur
render Ground.
Correspondence or We Richmond Dispateh:J
AUGUST 25, 1884.
In the report OF the Appomattox Associ-
alton mention WAS not made OF the sermons
at the stand by Rev. W. l.. Pitcher, Rev.
j. III. Newbill. Rev. S. G. CioptoD, Rev.
DR.. Dickinson, and Rev. W. X. L.. Smith.
Whenever the pastor would announce a
popular preacher as about to take the stand,
and business was not very interesting In
the church, nearly everybody but the dele
gates went down TO the arbor. But the de-
sire to hear upon the several subjects In
hand was so great that time was not left for
the discussion OF Sabbath Reform and Sys-
tematic Benefeence. Amongst the other
items | did not report was discussion
about the church al Smithville, which there
was desire 10 revive, and the house at
Campbell Courthouse and the land on which
Il was built, about which committee OF
three was appointed to confer with-the trus-
tees. Memorial services were held in honor
of Edward ID. Reams, a candidate for the
ministry. who had died during the year.
One Of the letters named in terms OF horror
the late jess 1hornhill, who had been dis
tinguished for usefulness in its service for
a PERIOD Of about fifty years.
The church at which the Association met
CIied Oak), a common-sized brick building,
with brick gales, Is over one hundred
years old, and fifty years ago was head
quarters OF the Baptists OF all this region.
/ was told that Elder Davidson was
pastor OF II for about fifty years-some say
John 4. Davidson, some say Samuel David
son, some say Thomas Davidson. A long
time ago the Norlh family owned n large
part OF all the region OF country OF which
tins church stood the centre.
Rev. John s. Mason, who has been
preaching for about fifty years. expects,
an told, TO retire from the pastorship Of
churches after little while, and will preach
his last sermon as pastor from the text from
which he preached his frat. He was once
saddle and harness-makeI at Halifax
Courthouse. and is something Of humor-
ist. In speaking with one OF his comrade.
in the ministry, who had been a black
smith. about the titles conferred on men
Younger III service than themselves, he re-
marked: "Well, my brother. we have a
right 10 letters after our names as well as
others. | was an II. f. (hOrse-tailor) and
YOU were an II. 5. (hOrSe-shoer)."
4 prominent member Of this Association,
whose name ] may not call, thinks he was
guided by Divine power in the obtaining
of his second wife. lie was passing along
the streets Of certain town, intent on
meeting an engagement at bank and think
ing Of no other engagement but that, and
the man who had the money in hand for
him was going along just one hundred
yards from him up the street. While push
ing along after his financial friend he sud
denly met a lady whom he had never seen
or heard Of before. As il put into his
mind 10y some OF the powers that work
pIovidcnceS. the thought came, and the lips
expressed il, "That is my wife, il can
get her.; and. forgetiul OF the bank en-
gagemcnt, he followed her and took an in
geuious turn TO be introduced TO her.
And now he and she agree in thinking
their first meeting not casual.
There are several houses 1--we. Think
at AppomattOX depot (pOSt-Oilice name Ne
lrask8) for pacing sumac-leaveS, and the
sumsc business il one OF the industries OF
the county. There Is one firm near this
depot which owns two steam threshing-ma-
chimes and enc flour-mill A lumberlnan
near the depot has trade in Lynchburg,
Roanoke, and Halifax county. one OF the
millers tells me that some farmers made
from twenty to twenty-five bushels OF wheat
for one, but thinks the average about eleven
4
Ing from drought.
A new business 10 Danyille man Is the
manufacture Of sassairas-oil. There are
counted over TO me seven sassairas- mills In
the county. Such mills would do good
business in some parts Of Halifax county
and Pittsylvania. One miller says that
from G2, ,000 pounds OF the roots he made
50 gallons OF oil. The roots are pulled up
or dug up. washed chopped TO pieces at
the mill, boiled, and that liquor distilled.
The oil is sold by the pound at 45 cents
Per pound, or at nine pounds to The gallon
at from "a TO $3.50 per gallon, and IL is
shipped IN tin cans which are furnished
bv the purchasers. The roots sell at the
mills at - cents per hundred, and the root
eathererS, when they clean off the land.
are charged nothing by the landowners
for the roots they obtain, but when they
pick about on the lands they have TO pay
cents per hundred pounds. The distillers
could only say that the oil is used for fla
Noring soap and other articles and ~ a sol
vent. Professor Winston says he bought
some American soap in Paris.
\ trip to AppOmaitoX Courthouse and
the fields and woods around does not afford
much pleasure. The house in which the
articles Of surrender were signed IL a neat
brick building, with some yard in front
and is now the property Of Mr.. Y. ii. Rag
land. l. was then. think, the property OF
Mr. McLcanc. Here is the house in which
General Sharp, pr0yOsi-marshal general,
handed back the parole.papcr Of the writer
countcTsigned TO include one servant
and two horses" here il the spot where
we rested for the last time a. members OF
the Confederate army. Here il the place
near the road by which General Lee rode
of 10 Richmond, and there we saw him and
TOOK OH our hats 70 him for the last time.
Here i the place where the fabulous
sour-apple tree stood. Here is the
house Of Slr. l.. 7. lngc, where troops en-
gagged for one OF the last times, little
southeast Of the courthouse, and the NAM
moth oak IS in the yard. A cannon-bsll
crashed through this house, and balls pep
percd II, and the marks are stu there.
But K il an scene Of only small woods.
and red hills. and gray levels, and small
creek called u river, and some houses, and
nothing more, except 10 those who had
some share in what took place there once
upOn time" No relics are TO be had. and
nothing for the curiosity-hunter, and moth
ing 10 be seen worth the employment OF
guide. When we came away "On that
day." We were bid by those who had been
our enemies "Good-bye, friends; hope yon
Will find wife aud little ones well. Come
back into the Union, and when we get
rested we will join hands and clean the
French out OF Mexico ALPHA.
HAMPTON.