Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-20
HARRIS0NBURG.
A. VIEW OF THIS BEAUTIFUL AND
rHRrvrNo TOWN ON couRr-DAY.
The Rich Surrounding country-Scenes OF
Hissoric Interest Indictments Tor
xurdsr and pefalcation-A
Great Eorsc.Market.


HARRIsoNBuRo, May Is, 1886.
uarrisonburg is located on the Valley
railroad twenty.six miles from Staun-
ton and l62 miles from Richmond. Ii
has q population Of about 4, 900, having
nearly doubled since 1870. II was in
corpora,ed in 1850, and is one Of the
shr,f,iest towns in the Valley. The
town government consists Of mayor
and common council of nine members,
sergeant, treasurer, assessor, apolice
force OF four members, well-dis-
citlined fire department OF two hand
engines and a hook-and-ladder CON-
pany.
There are nine churches here, repre-
senting the different denominatlons--as
follows: Methodist, two lone colored)-
pastor, Rev. l.. Q. Miller; Baptist, two
lone colored)--no pastor; Episcopal,
Rev. o. +. Bunting; Presbyterian,
Rev. j. II. Smith Catholic, Father
Mcyerry; Lutheran, one; jewish
synagogue, one. There are two banks
the First National, capital, slOO, 600
President, Josiah Wilton; Cashier, q.
@. Srayer; and the Rockingham
Savings, capital, rehabilitation,
Henry shacklett Cashier, j. ID.
Beard. There are number Of general
merchandise stores, three hardware,
one aueensware, two hotels, aad seve-
raj boarding. houses, and during the
summer q number Of visitors sojourn
here. The County Court is held on the
third Monday in each month by Judge
George ID. Grattan. The Circuit Court
meets in May, October, and January
Judge William Mclaughlin presiding.
The United States Court is presided
over by Judge John Paul, and the new
building is nearing completion.
Harrisonburg can boast Of large
and commodious courthouse and fine
public-school building. The town is
situated in the most picturesque portion
of the Valley, and is surrounded by
country which at this season Of the year
is lovely TO look upon. From the COM
mandipg hills around the town the eye
can take in many miles Of beautiful
wheat fields and magnificent forests,
dotted here and there with attractive
farm.houses. In the distance can be
seen the Massanutten mountain, which
juts up in the centre OF the Shenan-
doah Valley, and made famous
by the immortal Stonewall Jackson.
1t cuts off from the main valley what
is termed the Page Valley. Mole Hill,
on the Stage road TO the celebrated
Rawley Springs, which sends forth its
health waters, is eleven miles from
here and Rouud-Top, near the thriving
town of BIidgewater, eight miles dis
tsnt on the North river, is visible.
Also, the celebrated battleiields OF Port
Republic and Cross Keys. The eye
also reaches the fertile meadows OF the
Lipyille-creek section, six miles north ]
ward, which was called by the soldiers
of Stonewall Jackson's command du-
ring their Valley campaign 1.-The Land
of Milk and Honey" To the south,
and Immediately on the Valley turn
pike, can be seen the spires of the vii
lsge Of Mount Crawford, where bridge
spans the North river, which was the
scene Of many a cavalry conflict during
the war; and here the gallant Ashby,
who commanded the Bachelors caval-
~, won his spurs.
Yesterday was court-day, and in the
early hours Of the morning could be OBJ
served on every thorOughfare entering
the town men on horseback and in yehi-
cles Of every description on their way |
TO the courthouse. A Rockingham
courtd day must be seen to be fully
appreciated, for it differs much from
others. 1t is the time honored custom
Of the people in the county to turn out
and visit the county Cl1arrisonburg)
on that day, whether they have business
or not. Yesterday there was a large
crowd in attendance, including number
from adjacent counties. 1t was agrand-
jury term.
IMPORTANT INDICTMENTS
Mr.. S. r. Sterling, late treasurer oil
the county, who has been out on bail IN
the sum Of $4,000, charged with de-
falcation Of county and State moneys
to the amount of about $4,000, was
indicted also, William Finchum, aged
ssout twen!;- three, q farmer living near
Elk .on. on the Shenandoah Valley road,
charged with having murdered his bro,
Their The reason for the crime IS sald
to be that Finchum was in love WIN
his brothers. wife, and wanted nim ou'
Of the way. At the time Of the killing
which was in March last, there was
much excitement in east Rockingham,
and but for the timely action OF the
county officials Finchum would have
been lynched by mob. The muir
deyed body of his brother, John Fin
cbum. was found near his home, III a
niece of woods, about dusk, with q
gun.shot wound in the head and gun
near by, which was identified as the
property of his brother.
The Woodbiuo cemetery is located in
the eastern portion Of the town on an
elevated position, a most lovely spot, and
here rest all that is mortal Of 300 gal
liant Confederates who fell on the fields
of Port Republic and Cross Keys. 1t
is in charge Of the ladies Of the town.
Harrisonburg has become one Of the
great horse. markets Of Virginia, and ii
is said that from two TO five hundred
horses are sold on court-day. Yes
terday 900 horses were shipped, be.
sides o large number changing hands
among resident farmers, the aggregate
amount expended being between s25,'
coo and 100000. The counties O
Highland, Augusta, Page, and Shenan
doah, as well as the county of Pendle
ton, in West Virginia, contribute thei
supply for sale to this market
Every horse that is seen in tow
court.day is presumed to be for sale
and horse. buy ers in large numbers fror
Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore
Richmond, and other places are present
and are recognized by having in the
hands either long stick or rope
Around the public square, which is Ell
closed, and in the centre Of which
the courthouse, cattle and wheat