The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-07

~ 4N-tA' w. WORTHY VI HObAtt as
WXWNS& forming part Of the
N#P4 history of the town
and its environs at
tbo period and as indicating the changes that
have meantime occurred. Almost every rem
nanto Of the places have now disappeared. A
.,r,l in the noirhborhood Of Hollywood a
short time ago has revived "reminiscences
worthy 70 be recorded here.
poBsON's.
Moro than thirty years ago piece of dressed
sanastone stood Of the southwestern corner
IS rankin and Madison streets with the let
4a- "kn carved on Its top. This stone lndi-
.,fo5 wostwardly the corporate limits OF
p-olmond at that time. About one mile as
S-.a crow hies' from that spot, still further
0ost. stood an old homestead known as Dob
e.ns'. Although this was far from being a
errbon.ous name the appearance and situa-
t,o. of the place made IL none the less lnylt-
r, The house was built Of wood, painted
M with the traditional green
rs hip-roof relieved by four dor
rar windows aud hanked by a chimney
D.. each side painted red. Like most
III the old Virginia country homes of that
d4y an ar Of comfort and cOntentment per-
,a3od the promises. Approaching 1t from
le front the house presented TO the eye a
retired but picturesque appearance upon the
i.elrrouud of forest. This forest afterwards
became the present Hollywood cemetery.
Nlur men living may recall the solemn still
ness If this romantic spot, which was dis
turbed oftener by the noisy intrusion Of
youthful voices than by anything else. The
prrliug brook that at that time whispered
tong rs happy way az the foot of stately oaks
Rld venerable holly trees invited many y small
boy 20 its banks, with pin-hOok and line,
En- pursuit. of the minnow that dispOrted
H-r.aafraa IN its HnnId NUatpra kntV and
Then the note of the robin announced his re-
,urn from his far-of w4nter home TO. perhaps,
the very spot where the summer before he
frstiearned tsEOng. Attfmes the drOpplnRot
lwlgs or pieces Of bark betrayed the presence
Of the busy squirrel, already at work upOL the
fendershoots q the lOftiest trees. Along the
southern boundary Of the forest little was TO
De seen on heard bat the ripping Of the waters
OF the old canal, provoked by. the
dr0wsy motion OF some heavily laden
barge bearing its freight Of tobacco
g. the city. In such a case the sliding
Lucy" or the 'Buxom Lass" had not even a
solitary mule for its prOpeiing power but
was more generally tOwed by a stalwart
negro. The latter was apt 70 be o veteran
navigator of those waters, b for MANY
years had not only walked the tow-path q
the canal to its terminus az Westham, but had
breasted the floods and currents Of the James
from the basin in Richmond to Balcony Falls
In the Blue Ridge. Is was by such water car
riage4hat at that time the traffic of the valley
of the upper James was accommodated.
THE OLD RESERVOIR.
Westward from "Dobson's" a succession of
oak and pine forests covered hill and dale tor
miles up the river bank, including the New
Reservoir and Park. b. Old Windsor and West
ham. From the upper windows of the resi-
dence the highlands Of Powhatan. across the
river from Westham, could be seen so looming
above the hOrlz0n as t. suggest to the be-
holder the appearance Of distant mountains.
The prospect in this direction was a relief
from THAI toward the east, where the eye was
fatigued with the monOtOny Of open fieids
and commonplace buildings of the neighbOr-
ing town. All of a sudden, about
the year 1880, the occupants Of Dob
sons" were deprived Of their west
ern view. The town had grown 10 a CITY
and the people wanted some other source of
water supply than that derived from the wells
aud springs. A competent engineer, a Mr..
Stein, was employed for this purpose, and IN
fortunately for the personal comfort OF the
n~eighboring family constructed what IS known
as the odd Reservoir" and It's connections.
low composing but a secondary part Of the
Richmond city water-works.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. INCIDENTS.
Several well-remembered incidents may be
lofe recalled connected with the memories of
TINS forest. then known as "Harvies woods"
il had long been the habit Of a couple of
youngsters, stin in their jackets. to saunter
out to these parts on Sunday morning before
the hour for church service had arrived. One
of these youths became IN time a prominent
officer in the United States army after having
passed a creditable examination at West
Point Military Academy. He subsequently
served in the Mexican war, then through the
war between the States on the Southern side.
and died soon after It's close.
His companion during these Sunday morn
Ing tmmps stin survives him. On one Occa-
sion tho two had been lettering under the
great oaks and Wading through generations of
ullen leaves about 20 turn their faces home
ward. when they were attracted by the sOund
Of b " woodlands axe IN the depths of a neigh
boring glen. Being an unusual occurrence on
Sunday. they went towards the spot andfound
two men and "a small boy engaged ~ securing
q hollow tree full Of honey and defended by
e. infuriated swarm Of bees. The men had
evidently been at work for some time destroy
Ing one Of the largest oaks Of the forest, pro-
badly the growth Of a century, tor the
sake of q few pounds OF honey.
Just as the two arrived the man then
Getting upon the grand old tree ceased 10
work. and WAS relieved by his companion.
Meantime the two friends stood looking with
o-approbation and regret upon the wanton
destruction going on IN this "brOtherhOOd OF
venerable trees" But they were of course
unable % interfere. Notwithstanding their
"r4NUfoY0l. they could not resist the IaScl-
nation always attending the anticipated fall OF
d g!aut tree. as il comes "rustl1ng. rushing
CRASHING. laundering down" upon the
bosom of mother earth. a good deal
OF work was still 10 be done before they could
witness the grand but solemn -denouement.
j was growing late. The church bells IN the
W. were already tolling their last invita-
ions 90 worship. The two young friends
sll fingered. Notwithstanding they knew
Wey should be required 10 explain their ab-
ss-ee from church. AT that day the older
ofle We're in authority and little dreamed
tst the time would come when 1t would be
'e happy privilege of parents to obey Their
Children. After all their decay II anxiety
le Two friends were disappointed IN Their ex-
~c.auous. They not only did not witness
'le iau Of the tree but We're present at a
"ea,L-stroke not 10 have been anticipated.
THE HAND OF DEATH.
The last cutter had himself became fatlgued
~ DIS work, and sent his son the little boy,
!" awake his companion. who appeared 70 he
@''etp on the ground near by. Upon reInoy-
as d Ted silk handkerchief which he had
'Iown over bis face the latter was observed
W Wear q strange and fixed expression. Every
.loit To awake him failed, and 1t was soon
,.-Au That death had delivered his stroke
sp'h lie men instead Of upon the tree. The
r"o yo1ihs after gazing with singular emotions
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