The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-05-14
Letter from Rockingham.

DEAR YIEGINIAN Thinking letter
bro n Rockingham would be agreeable to
you. this is written from Mt. Clinton,
WesI Rockingham
/ IL is related Of the celebrated Mr.. Dan
iel. of the Richmond Examiner, that he
| never inquired what is the news ~ but
what are the people talking about 2" AS
your correspondent has nothing much i'll
the way of news, he viii repeat something
i'll respect to what West RockinghameTs
are talking about.
A political nausea seems to have come
upon our people and you scarcely ever
hear The forthcoming elections spoken
OF. It looks as if the Offices must go a-beg-
ging.. In Central district the offices, I'M
less it be constable, are seeking for men
to consent to receive them, so WELL salts
fed the present incumbents seem to DE to
retire and seek repose upon their well de-
served laurels.
When it comes to crops. building and
orchards, then there is plenty Of themes
for conversation.
1t looks now that d, two-third yield of
wheat may be hoped for Piney and
gravelly lands promise well, red and white
lands far below the average. A largely
barley.will be relied upon to make up for
deficiency in wheat.
New dwellings. new fences. and new
barns are the order of the coming busy
summer days. There are nnmberS Of PEG
pie II this region who say they cannot for
tlaeir lives understand why the papers
nouid have ST. much 10 say about hard
times Store goods We're never cheaper or
n lore abundant, there is plenty to eat and
to wear. our health is good and plenty OF
work 10 do for those who are able and will
Ing and taxes coming down, Ii these
ale not good times what is there to bet
done TO make them better, we would like +
to have some one tell us.
Outside Of Harrisonburg corporation,
is believed no one in central district has
ever seen or owned q coupon, that de-
vOuring "cut-WOrm OF the revenue, ;, SO
much dreaded In some quarters, hence our
taxes will be paid in currency just as
cheerfully as such dues can be paid.
Mt. Clinton is d hamlet six miles west
of Harrisonburg on both sides of Muddy
Creek. About thirty chimneys are seen
mokilg OF morning or evening. Three
stores, TWO blacksmith shops, two wagon
makers. two joiners, one mill with an
engine and turbine wheel TO be used alter
nately, as water is plenty or not, two ply
population about two hundred. A Memo
mite meeting house ard Il U. Il. q. chapel
are in walking distance. Seven christian
denominations are represented by the
thirty OF more families that compose the
hamlet. Some of the large farms in the
vicinity have been subdivided, and the
process is going on. The princely estate
of the late Col. Hopkins IS now in the
hands of seven or eight busy farmers, and
they are thriving on their respective parts
Dr. Williams occupies the Hopkins
mansion and is thought to have the best
prospect for wheat in all West Rocking
ham, The magnificent Crawford farm is
now occupied by DR. Curry and six or
seven others. and all are pushing along,
doing we'll An immense quantity of wal
nut and oaken slaves are being taken from
the Crawford forest. the finest in the
Valley. 1t will soon be true of DR.. Curry's
forest what the Prophet Isaiah said OF
home timber land in his time: And the
best of tile trees III his forest shah be few,
Eat n enlla ,Asy Ayrste tien-7 With
Many kind wishes for you and yours, beg
leave to remain.
Yours as ever, ). L. Ii.