Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-30
MECKLENBURG.
HOW CHRISTMAS WAS SPENT.

HOW CHRISTMAS WAS SPENT.
A Good Trads-The BuTsio Li,hia sprisas--
Extensive Improveme Values - Rat
road Matters.
Correspondence fthe Richmond Dispetch.l
BUFFALO LITHIA SPRINGS. VA,
December %, 1885.
The weather for Christmas enjoy
ment has been charming. Bright skies,
bracing atmosphere, fine roads, and
pleasant out as well as indoors make
the last week Of the departing year un-
usually delightful for the winter sea-
son.
The country people do not now in.
dulge in the Hastings and festivities OF
former years. Then there were gay
and Joyous throngs going from one
house to another, and servants at COM
mand to prepare the feasts and give
attention while the visitors were enter
tanned. But now housekeepers in the
country consider Christmas-week the
most irksome and unpleasant of the
year. This is the time for changing
homes for the colored people, aud they
think it is contrary to the spirit of free
dom to perform any mental service from
Christmas to New-Year's day--a week
they have by common consent adopted
as a general holiday. During this week
they move, visit, frolic, make merry,
and have their festivals.
The country merchants in every d.
rection report a splendid trade dur
ing this month. exceeding any for
many years. This they attribute to the
greater amount Of money in circulation
than usual, arising from the good prices
paid for tobacco and facilities for mar
keting that product at the numerous
warehouses accessible in every direction
and offering extra inducements in solicit
ing the patronage Of farmers.
Colonel Thomas +. Goode. owner Of
the Buffalo Lithis Springs, has leased
them for term of years for 100000
per annum, payable in monthly install
ments, with the privilege to lesSeeS to
purchase during the continuance Of the
lease at 100000. The company leaS-
ing is styled the Virginia Buffalo Lithla
Springs Company, with Charles II.
Royce president and manager, and II.
/. Doolittle secretary and treasurer,
with main office 80 Barclay street.
New York. The company now has
possession, and extensive improvements
are contemplated. Additional hotel ar
rangementS are now in progress to open
for the entire year, and the place will
be made more accessible by good roads
and comfortable conyeyances. The man
sgement generously decided to allow re-
sidents Of the county the water for their
own Use free of charge.
Rev. st. George 7. AbrahamS,
young Baptist minister, in charge Of
church at Williamsburg, Va, was mar
ried on the morning of the 9th instant
to Miss Grace Love, of GAINESVILLE. and
left on the same day for an EXTENDED
bridal tour.
A letter written by General |. 5.
Grant in 1881 to Thomas ID. JeitreSS.
Of this county, in reference to the sword
of General Lee at the surrender, has
been purchased by the Century Com
pauy, Of New York. and will be pub
lished in fac Simiie in the Century
Mag0ziae. This will establish the
truth Of history and put an end to all
the misrepres entatlOns and fabricationS
in regard to the alleged demand for the
sword of the illustrious southern chief
tan by the victorious Grant at Apo
mattOX.
This county contains 4l1,G51 acres
of land. Of which 1873, 300 are improved.
There are Loo farms. or one farm for
about every fourteen of population.
The assessment of real estate in 1850
was 1897. 529.3S, and in 1855 it was
81. j4S.Gl4.l 10. an increase in five years
Of $l5l ,0S4.Sl. Personally in iNoU
was valued at $GO7, 955. and in 1885 at
1903, G72.7S, an increase Of $50, HIS.
1t is remarkable that the delinquent
capitation-tax amount, when the pay
ment was a prerequisite for voting, was
sl,l00, and now. when not required to
be paid before voting. is so41-really
a gain Of several hundred dollars by the
abolition Of the tax as voting qualti-
cation.
As a tobacco-producing county this
ranks sixth in the State. with an an
nual production of 8, 1876, 40S pounds -
Pittsylvania, Halifax. Bedford, Camp
bell, and Franklin being the five whose
figures exceed this county's. Nearly all
the tobacco produced in this county
is sold at the two principal home mar
kets Of Chase City and GAINESVILLE.
The Richmond and Mecklenburg, ira
yersing the western portion Of the
county, is the only railroad, and was
completed about one year ago from
keysyille, ria Chase City, t.
Clmksville. 1t has developed a
fine section, increased the vii
lagos. and made available great
forest. agricultural, and mineral pro-
ducts heretofore inaccessible and non
transportable. With villages springing
up, industry and activity infused among
the people, population and productions
increasing. educational facilities offered,
and Democracy triumphant, the grand
old county will rise in radiant splendor
and a new era Of development and pros
uerity crown the labors Of her worthy
sons and worthier daughters.
I. d. j.
SAVED By 4 PROMPT CONSUL.