The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-09-25
South River Items.

South River Items.
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM ROVER.
Dear Virginidn
Ever since it was seen by notice to
that effect in the VIRGINIAN that Mai.
G.. Julian Pratt, the veteran fair man.
had opened the campaign and was pre-
pairing to make an exhibit on the district
fair grounds, the people all over the
district who for SO many years have en-
joyed the rare treats prepared for them
by Maj. Pratt, have looked forward with
lively anticipations to the opening day
of the oncoming exhibition. From all
that can be gathered, the fair of 1890
will eclipse anything of the kind ever
seen in this part Of the Old Dominion,
and the people are preparing to throw
off the tolls and cares of. home-life and
rally at the B. D. fair grounds, and in
such numbers that will gladden. the
heart of the untiring Secretary.
With NJ. Erskine Miller ia the execu-
1.-TWO CAdI VI tl1C dbcOClatIOu, anu 0AdI.
Pratt secretary, backed, as they are, by
such strong board, there could be no
such thing as failure outside Of Provi-
Dental interposition, for a stronger or
ganization does not exist in the makeup
of agricultural societies in the Union.
And it is a duty that the people of the
district owe to the district, to the society
and to themselves, that they unite in
their efforts to make the fair what it
should be. The more enlightened of our
population appreciate the efforts of the
gentlemen who from year to year have
done so much to advance the interests
of us all, and that class have no hest
fancy in acknowledging the great good
that has been accomplished by these an
nual exhibitions. so that at this time
there are a greater number than ever
ready to do all in their power to second
the efforts of the officials in making a
show this fall that will be worth travel
ing long way to -witness.
1t is to be hoped that the weather will
continue fine during the fair season, and
il such be the case, there will be a grand
time in your beautiful city.
Basic, West Waynesboro, &C., are still
booming at a rapid rate. After an alb
sence OF a week from that section, one,
on his return, can scarcely recognize the
locality. SO rapidly do the changes fol-
low upon the heels Of each other.
II the files of the Spectator of eighteen
years ago could be overhauled, it would
then be seen that at that time a resident
of Sherando, over the initials "AA.A.. )"
predicted all this good that has come to
the favored section and much more that
is yet to come. 1t would be seen, too,
that many persons thought "a. A. A.
to be visionary and another correspon-
dent, "B.. ridiculed the predictions. See
now what has come about. Your CORE
spondent is as confident at this time
that in the next decade there will be a
population of $1,000 or more settled
within radius of II mile from the G. &
o. bridge at Waynesboro as that he is
living at this instant. The signs of the
times point to the fulfillment of the pre-
diction, and whether we would or no
force us to belief that the foundation
of vast city has been laid and its
growth as fully assured as absolutely
certain as anything which depends on
mortal activity aided by inexhaustible
material resources can be. And as
"a. A. A." said in 1872, we now say,
mark the prediction"
This whole magisterial district is feel
ing the effects Of the activity in the cen
tire. The oldest citizen fails to call to
mind a time when business of all kinds
was as brisk, or when the masses APP
peared as prosperous.
There is no cause why there should be
single idle hand in South River dis
trict. If there is the slightest reason
for complaint anywhere 1t comes from q
scarcity of muscle-it being little diff
cult to secure farm labor at short notice,
If any people have extraordinary rea7
sons for returning thanks to Almighty
God, the people of this section have.
True, the wheat crop was short, but to
compensate for that loss, the increase in
prices over that OF last year came in the
nick OF time, and while last year the
grass crop was an almost total failure,
this year we have crops that have rarely
ever. been equalled in quantity, while
the quality taking the crop as whole
far excels anything ever seen.
The prices for hay are nearly double
those of last year. Notwithstanding
the long drouth it now turns out that
the corn, for the most part, stood the
severe test, and that the crop is far
above the average for several years past.
and the drouth, SO we learn, did not ex-
tend over the whole territory of South
River district.
There is fine outlook for successful
pitching of the wheat crop. Farmers
are nearly up to date with their prepare
tions and the ground IS being put in
better order than we have seen it in a
number of years. On the road from
Fishersvills to Rarterbfnok, P. b. Bark
holder has q field upon which the linish-
ing touches were being put Saturday af-
ternoon, and the above field of perhaps
fifteen acres bore the appearance of an
exceptionally well prepared garden bed.
We have never seen rs nicely prepared
a field in this famed farming region OF
anywhere else. We met several Of the
most extensive farmers of the county as
we passed the field, and are sure they
showed signs of watering mouths as
they gazed with critical, but admiring,
eyes upon the beautiful field of their in
telligent, progressive and liberal brother
agficllt4rist.
William and Frank, sons Of our old
and highly esteemed friend, John E.
Hamilton, decd, have bought out the
livery business and good will of jeff p.
Terrill, OF Wayaesbora, and ore prepar-
ing to begin operations In their new
line at at early date These yoqng men
are well known to o majority OF their
fellow citizens, and they are justly popn-
lar. They are both enterprising. Indus
trious and intelligent gentlemen. and
are just the men suited to the calling In
which they are now about to engage.
There can be no doubt as to their sue
cess. That they may receive an album
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