The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-04-14
A Letter From Virginia.

We have been handed the following letter
from our fellow c~"untymen. Mr.. A. Is.
Burnham. who Is now visiting in Virginia.
Although not written for publication. it will
he found 10 contain much of interest 10 our
reaier..-
BEErIyUGLIO Va, April q. ISIS.
hr. D.. w. Il. Tevis. Lexington DeHr Sir.
since coming to Virginia / have constitute, j
myself Il regular tramp" Thi- plIcr being
my ohJr"tiye pnInl. from which have rah.ut-
ct owe. u pace ct icrri'Dr, embracing ,omr
lhr"" hnnir"d mIl". cast aud west from The
Ai'@hrny mpunIr'm~ 10 the >Pabourd, aud
about "Gr hinircd mile north nud south. /
hhd that the cities AMI town, have been liter
ally puzzled Town aud rebuilt, aud more than
d"lhled themselves in population since ! Ien
me state in 1876. | have just returned from
a three week. visit to Hampton, Norfolk and
portsmouth. each Ot which have quadrupled
their population since | WAS there last. New
port News, situated at the mouth Of the
James river, has been built up entirely within
The last twelve years, and contains a popuia-
'ioii VI about 1000, some very handsome
blocks or rows Of buildings, II large hotel.
imposing In lts appearance, and the largest
gram elevator in the United States, capacit,
''OO O6O. The largest ships IN the world can
come within two hundred feet Of the builds
ing aud receive their cargo. The ar range
lnent| aud construction for moving the grain
anu coal to the vessel Is simply wonderful. |
went several times TO Fortress Monroe (Old
Point Comf1rt). Hampton il situated iusI
three miles from the fort, aud the "soldIers'
! III nmp - ilNyu Iai taa ,l,o So. I
worth looking at. With its spacious laid out
grounds and large handsome buildings Is a
standing evidence that "Uncle Sam" takes
good care Of his wards, of whom there are III
this time $500. composed entirely Of the vol
enteer soldiers Of the late war between the
stntes. Ii is interesting TO II stranger to 20 over
the many large building and learn how every.
Thing ~ conducted for the comfort. happiness
and well-being of the old played-out soldiers.
IL shows that the government does not do
thIhsS by halves. Space will not permit me
10 give You n full description Of the grand
work OF the Normal school at Hampton
being none by the state, IL Is A school de-
voted entirely to the education of The colOred
female and Indians. AT this time Il contain Ms
DUO pupils. Including about forty Ind an
6'Ts NV" olpuH hinOnS the rest. i spent
several days In Norfolk, and while there, as I ,
promised 10 do, hunted up our good friend |
and former fellow -townsman. John ID. New. !
IL you could have witnessed the hearty, cor /!
dial, ntlectiOnate Misunderstanding we gave each |
other YOU would have smiled, | guess. l
spent Il remarkably pleasant day with him.
lie is looking Just as well, II not better than
when he LETT Missouri. 1t is true he has been
unfortunate in business, but that other mis-
cradle aud abomlnable report we heard about
MIN IL wholly untrue IN every particular.
lie Is now keeping books for a business house
Ia Portsmouth, with bright prospects of doing |
well In the future. When | iucidently mem
TONED the lying report we heard about hIm
tie seemed much grIeved. told him that
none or his true friends did or would believe /,
1t. lie thanked Inc for our confidence and |
defense, and said that he felt his foundation !
was 80 firmly laid that II mere pecuniary los,
would not shake the faith upon which he wa,
rooted and grounded, and that his church re- |
lati0ns and associations were u, happy now |
as at any time of his life. His son, "WiUie."
Is a salesman In u large dry goods house In
Norfolk. His second son, Ben Is trsyelinp !
Tor u wholesale house of the same place,
Yours very truly,