National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-06
VIRGINIA STATE NEWS.

The Chesterfield county (Va.l coal mines
are the Oldest In America.
The farmers In Middlesex county are now
blowing, with good prospects for the early
crops.
The local option bill just passed by the
legislature has been signed by Gov. L,e,
and is now law. ... Cd.
Virginia raised the first cotton, he ,, and
fax Up America, and established the first
library on this continent. .-,
Owing to the failure of the corn crop last
year In Page county, many Of the farmers
in that county are now buying for their own
use.
Capt. W. II. Murdaugh of Portsm 1uth,
has been awarded the contract for juaiper
spans for the fifth lighthouse district, for
the sum of SO, 100.
The first college In America was estab-
lished and put In operation atWllliams-
burg. The first theatrical exhibition In
America was also at Williamsburg.
j.. 7. Carter, prominent grocery mer-
chant Of Staunton, died ON the Sd instant Of
pneumonia, aged 3S years. He came from
Nelson county about eight years ago.
The Roanake Machine Works at Roanoke
City have a force Of 500 men at work, many
working day and night. BY the LIST Of May
they Will have thousand men at work.
Two new lodges of the Knights of Labor
were organized In Norfolk during the last
week. The colored men Of Norfolk and
Portsmouth have organized lodges In each
city.
The Ocean House, fine hotel opened a
year ago in Portsmouth and fitted up at q
cost OF $4,000, will be sold out at public
auction on the 18th instant. Dull business
the cause.
The printers Of Petersburg will form a
typographical union very soon. The pre-
liminary meeting has been held and COM
mittee appointed to draft constitution
and bylaws.
Mr.. John Gee, Of Manchester, at present
q conductor on the Richmond and Danville
railroad, has been rendered the position of
general superintendent Of the Atlantic and
Danville railroad.
The first sheep, cattle, and hogs brought
to this country were landed In Virginia
The same is true Of the first African slaves,
brought to jamestown in a Dutch vessel
and sold in 1919.
During the month of February fifteen
American and nineteen British vessels
cleared from Newport News. The exports
for the month amount to $l,3S3,09 and
ihpOits NcOilteJ W Slf,1Sc'
The Liquor Dealers Protective Associa-
tion of Richmond, now numbering 300 menu
bers, has organized and elected counsel.
1t is their intention to resist infringement
Of their rights" by the local option advo-
Gates.
The large warehouse Of the Seaboard and
Roanoke railroad at Norfolk has been fitted
up for holding the Moody and Saukey
meetings. The building will accommodate
5000 or 5000 persons. The city OF Norfolk
will furnish the lights free Of cost.
A number of colored men OF Lexington
| (Va.), who were scholars in the Sunday
school taught by Gen. Stonewall jackson
| before the late war, have started move
ment to secure funds to aid In erecting the
monument to their former teacher.
The first English church in America was
| established and the first church building
erected at jamestown on the James River,
| of which there still remains portion OF a
Trick wall, which can be seen from the
steamers plying up and down the James
river between Richmond and Newport News.
Considerable tobacco is grown in the
county of Tazewell and high prices are
realized, AS much as $3.50 per 100 pounds
has been paid for whole crops. Lands in
the county can be had cheap, at from So To
$15pe acre. Those not having the means
to purchase, can effect leases on most
favorable terms and for term of years.
The tobacco warehouses at Martinsville,
Henry county, are doing heavy business
| In leaf tobacco, and prices are advancing
The charter Of the town has been amended
so as TO allow $50, 600 to be voted for water
and for fire apparatus A large amount OF
building will be done as soon as the spring
opens.
During the last week two fine farms In
Princess Anne county have been sold tC
northern men-one of 100 acres, on the
Indian river turnpike, near the city of Nor
folk, to Bonney IL Evans, OF Blossburg
Pa, and the other of 700 acres, 'on the
waters Of Lynnhaven celebrated for III
superior OYSTERS, TO Mr.. Porter Sheldon, o.
New York.
j. ]. Mcdonald, OF Northumberland
county, represents the thirty-sixth sena
torial district Of Virginia, composed of the
counties Of King George, Richmond, West
moreland, Northumberland, and Lancaster
Mr.. McDonald's speech delivered In the
senate on the educational question has at
tracted unusual attention from all parties
He is Of Irish descent, and Is stauch Re
publican in politics.
Northampton county is thirty.miles long
about five miles wide, and occupies thu
southern end Of the eastern shore peninsula
All the advantages possessed by Accomacl
of easy and quiet access to market, warn
and easily titled soil, and salubriou
climate are possessed by this county
Fish, oysters, and wild fowl are a source
OF cheap and luxurious living, and bring
large revenue to the people. The count.
roads are well located, and naturally good
There is nothing lacking to make thi
county one Of the most prosperous In tn
state, but ''people-new people-and new
IDEAS"
Tazewell county was formed in 1870 from
parts OF Russell and Wythe II is sixt
miles long, with varying width, and con
tains 336,250 acres of land, assessed a
81 ,l06,G93. The surface is generally noun
famous, but there are number OF fertl
valleys, some Of them OF considerable OK
tent. The soil is mostly limestone and yer
fertile, the mountains, even TO their tops
being covered with luxurious growth o
blue grass, which is Indigenous there
Timber is abundant and of large dimensions
and consists OF oak, walnut, cherry, hickory
elm, and chestnut. The county is rich Il
minerals, having large deposits Of iron
coal, salt, and gypsum, &c.