The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-15
VIRGINIA AS SHE IS.
WHAT rs SEEN AND HEARD IN a
RIDE OYER THE STATE.
Eappahannock County-Gr Ground Made Ciassis
by the War Between the ststes-No Boom,
But n Healthy Growth-Intsrcsting Local.
tics Described.
For The Timss.1

For The Timss1
Rappahannock county lies in the exact
centre Of that portion OF the Old Dominion
known as Northern Virginia. section
which became historic in the days which
tried mems souls" It was the battle ground
of the saddest and most destructive OF mod
ern wars.
This county was formed from Culpcper In
1892 and was named from the river which Rows
on its northern boundary: Its shape is almost
square, having length of eighteen miles snda
breadth Of seventeen. The county of Fau-
quier lies due north, Culpeper On
the east, Madison is on the south.
The western boundary is the top OF the Blue
Ridge Washington the county nlr ro seat f,om
Richmond. It is small village of some four
hundred population. Flint Hill. six miles to
the north. and Sperryville, six miles to the
south, are both more attractive and thrifty
places. The former presents evidence in its
neatly painted houses white-washed fences,
etc, of spirit of improvement on the part
of its people. At Sperryville is located
large steam tannery producing 100000
pounds of heavy oak tanned sole leather per
annum, and consuming in its manufacture
over 5000 cords of chestnut-oak bark.
This single industry places in circulation not
less than $4,000 per annum. paid out for
bark and labor A market for the finished
leather is found in all the Eastern markets.
and its superior quality commands uniformly
the highest prices.
CATTLE AND SHEEP.
Rsppahannock ranks high in raising Of
cattle and sheep. There are several stock
men living in the county who handle an,
nually from 500 to 800 head of cattle and
200 10 500 sheep. The abundant growth OF
nutritious grasses the beautiful supply OF
pure water, afforded by the Rappahannock,
Thornton, Hazel and Rush rivers and their
tributaries. with the natural drainage thus
supplied. all combine TO furnish superior adj
vantages for successfully prosecuting these
industries Her beef and mutton Is preferred
by the city butcher.
This county is notable for its heavy ship
ments TO the city markets of immense quant.-
ties of butter, eggs, poultry, and DRIED fruit,
and stranger visiting the county must DO
struck by the proof of interest In fruit culture
shown by the extensive acreage being planted
in orchards One merchant shipped during the
last season 10000 barrels Of apples. thirty tons
of dried cherries, q. 500turkeys, and proportion
ate quantities of all other marketable produce
And taking into account the aggregate ship
ments of all Of the dozen or more stores within
the county the quantity will be surprisingly
large and would speak in high commentator
of the thrift energy. and good management
of the people. There are scores OF farmers
Nho are putting out extensive orchards OF
from /, 900 10 10000 trees.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools of Rappahannock are q
decided success. They are well patronized
and properly appreciated by the parents. This
! feeling of interest in the schools and the in
creasing disposition of the patrons 10 give
them every possible encouragement IL due 20
the dilligent and unremitting effort on the
part of the efficient county superintendent 10
| maintain in every detail of the school work q
| hicb standard of excellence. Let this be emu
lated in all sections of our State.
MANY CHURCHES.
In proportion to its area and population
| a OO0l this county is blessed with churches.
There are 81 in all-l7 Baptist, @ Methodist,
Old School Baptist. Episcopal, Reformed
Episcopal. l Presbyterian, l Dunkard' ror
the most part these churches are served by
earnest and consecrated ministers, whose
preaching is generally heard by large and in:
terested audiences. SO large number OF
churches and so faithful an attendance upon
preaching speaks better than can mere words
Of the high character OF the citizens OF the
county.
VALIANT SOLDIERS.
Rannnahannock bore n noble part in the
struggle of q quarter Of a century ago. Seven
companies were organized within her bounds
and marched boldly 10 the fray Five Of
these were in the infantry under Colonies
(ex-GovernOr) William Smith and (ex-'foy-
| ernor) j. J.. Kemper, and two IN the cayaiary
under Colonies Richard Field and Turner
! Ashby. Many Of her noblest sons now sleep
the sleep Of the true and the brave. Their
memories are fondly cherished by the surviving
comrades of the dreary march and the deadly
conflict.
The people Of this county are sane. / saw
no salient evidence that the spirit OF lunacy.
| now SO rampant in some parts OF Virginia,
had dethroned the reason OF any OF her peo-
| Dle. Her towns are moving quietly along ia
| the even tenor Of their way. There Is no
boom They have not yet discovered that
! they ought TO be cities, mutliated all tne ad-
| iacent farming land with imaginary streets, ex-
! hausted the list of adjectives IN preparinga
! high-sounding prospectus" and sent out
! smooth-tongued agent 10 sell the liquid stock
! of the inevitable company" 10 every single
| individual they can find who Is blessed with
money without Judgment. II was positively
refreshing to see a good-sized area OF land
that had not been cut up into town lots. Ana
vet many citizens of Rappahannock have been
| caught. Not less than 100000 have gone out
of the county for lots, stock, ETC.
SOME SoTABLEs.
This county has sent into the strife OF life
And deeds her fair quota Of notable men.
| Major General Edmund L. Gains, who won
deserved fame in the war Of 1912. and in the
defence of Lake Erie. later Indian wars, ETC..
was born near Gaines Cross Roads. he mar
| ried lady OF New Orleans OF great wealth.
| For many years she persistently continued
| suit for the restoration of large area OF land
upon which the city of New Orleans had been
| built. MI,
Russell Barbee, the father of the noted VIII
liam I. Barbee, the sculptor had his home
stead in Thornton's Gap, along the line OF the
| Culpeper and Luray turnpike. The Co
auette" and The Fisher Girl" are among the
most celebrated productions of Barbees skill.
Thornton's Gap is named for Frank Thorn
ton, one of the earliest settlers OF this county.
Mary's Rock. high and picturesque point
towering far above the gap mentioned. was
so called in honor Of Frank Thorntons wife.
| From this is secured a far-reaching and thrill
! inc view of the noted Page Valley. There
/ are numerous visitors TO Mays Rock and the
Devils Stairs. The latter IS two miles north
west OF Washington. II is deep, narrow,
rocky gorge in the side Of the towering noun
tain. Above. on either side, are ragged over
hanging cliffs and through the deep-cut chan;
| mel rushes a wild mountain stream, clear, cool
and sparkling. From the opening to the tops
a distance OF two miles It's depth Is from
one hundred to thousand feet. Half way
the Devils Cabin, cave in the side OF the
clif-from its roof bursts stream 81 silvery
water Here is scene worth visit across
the continent It has been pronounced lar
IL. = NlAx. in ~