Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-01
A NOVEL SCHEME.
PROPOSED PURCHASE OF BAT
FIELDS ON THE CHICAGO PLAN
An $50. 600 Investment IN Historic Forts
Breastworks, &c, for their Prese''"
tIon-A Soldiers Home.
fcorresoonaepco OF ,bo RIcsmond Dispstch.l

Application will be made to the Oour'
at an early day for q charter of incorpo,
ration of 1.-THE Petersburg Battle-fieiu
Land and Improvement Company, win
capital stock of not less than SlUO'OVO'
Three well-known gentlemen--j' Dc
Cooke, Esq, Commonwealth attorney
for the county OF Prince George MI
j. Finley McElwaine, our city auditor
and chairman of the Democratic party,
and George $. Bernard, formerly Com
monwealths attorney for Petersburg
and at present attorney for the Norfolk
and Western Railroad Company IN TINS
district, have for some months past been
quietly securing options on valuable ana
historic lands in Prince George county,
near the city, with q view to the organi-
zation Of the above company. and their
work has been only consummated within
the past few days.
BIG OPTIONS.
The options obtained embrace about
$500 acres of land. extending from Fort
Sedgewick Fort He'll, on the Old Je-
rusalem road, to the Appomattox river,
within which territory is 1.-The Crater
property, the Spring-Garden pro-
perty, on which is Fort Haskell and
the site of Fort Morton, the Riyes pro-
perry, on which are Forts Sedgewlck,
Mickle. and Rice, and the Hare proper
ty. on which stands Fort Steadman, made
famous in the last days of the siege by
the assault and capture by General Cor
dons troops. Within this territory, too,
are the Federal and Confederate breast
works occupied in 1S64-'65, in a good
state Of preservation, and many other
points of historic interest.
PURPOSES OF THE COMPANY.
The objects Of the company are the
preservation of the forts and breast
works embraced in this area of land from
Fort He'll to Fort Steadman the mark-
ing out by appropriate monuments and
sign-boards Of tho positions occupied by
different bodies of Federal and Confed-
crate troops the laying out OF drives
and pathways for the purpose
Of giving convenient access to all
points of interest the establishment
OF parks and other places of attraction,
the construction Of dummy or electric
railroad through the territory, the sub
division and laying off of oil lands not
needed for the above purposes into small
| holdings or places Of suburban resi-
| dences and truck farms, the utilization
of the spring water on these lands for
tho purpose Of increasing the water sup
ply OF the city of Petersburg, the buying
and selling Of lands, the establishment
of d soldiers home for disabled Federal
and Confederate soldiers Of honorable
record, etc.
A SOLDIERS HOME.
The charter provides that a suitable
site for the buildings and ut least fifty
acres of land are to be donated for the
proposed soldiers home, which home IS
| 10 be managed by board of governors,
! twelve in number, SIX OF them to be
| Federal and six Confederate soldiers
said board to so manage and conduct the
| home as that soldiers of both armies
| shall in all respects enjoy It's privileges
on the same footing. The fund for the
erection and maintenance Of the home
is expected to be raised by donation.
"THE CRATER"
Tho Crater is 10 be at once placed in
proper condition with q view TO making
| IL a place of attraction to all inter
osted in the history OF the siege of
| Petersburg, and small admission fee IS
/ to be charged to visitors, but not to sol
/ diers or sailors of either side.
This land will cost the company be-
tween SO, 600 and $4,000, or little less
than $50 per acre. 1t is believed to be
fairly worth, for farm purposes, $50 to
500 per acre.
A gentleman OF large experience in
such matters has been engaged to take
charge OF the management OF this enter
prise, and steps are now being taken tc
raso the necessary capital.
The scheme is one Of great impor.
tnnce, has the endorsement OF many
prominent men and capitalists, anc
promises to advance in large degree tho
interests OF this city and section.
DRINK AND EXPOSURE.
Edward Stokes, a colored musician
was taken to the Jail last night in a dy'
ing condition from the effects Of drinh
and exposure, and died in his cell this
| morning.
A number of Lynchburg gentlemen
arrived in the city to-day, having come
hero with the view Of making invest
ments in property if they found things
satisfactory. They were driven througl
and around the city, and their visit, 1t Is
understood, was a very satisfactory one
DECIDED SENSATION.
General Mahone's circular-letter abou
Lanpston caused a decided sensation IL
political circles here. 1t is believed tina
| it will have a very depressing etlec
upon Langston's chances. The GeneralI
opinion of the colored candidate is en-
dorsed by nine out of every ten OF tn
white Republicans i'll the district, VIII
will show their sentiments by casting
their votes for the Democratic candl
date on election-day.
George White. negro, was fined Il
the MAYORS Court this morning on tw'
charges of assault made upon country
man. He attempted to cnt the latter
but the knife-blade did not penetrate t
tbe flesh. ROBIN ADAIR,