The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-18
OLD VIRGINIA AS SHE Is.
NOTES TAKEN ~ WHILE RIDING
OVER THE STATE.

Culpeper and Its Historic Memories Re
cslled-Ths Town of FairfsI-Minuts
Mon of the Revolution Steady Strides
to Prospsritv-Incidsn
The very air of Culpeper is fragrant with
sacred memories. There is no section OIL
Virginia that has played a more important
part in the making of her history. Gull
pepper was formed from Orange in l74s, and
was named from Lord Culpeper, Governor
of Virginia from 1880 TO 1888. Its ave-
rage length is twenty and its average
breadth eighteen miles. The coustry is most
bountfully watered by the tributaries OF
the RappahannOck and Rapid Ann rivers,
which are respectively, its north, east ana
southwest boundaries. The surface Is
beautifully diversified and the soil 10 OF a
deep red hue and highly fertile. Besides
the wIde-awake and prosperous town OF
Culpeper (once called FairfaI), the county
seat, there are several other thriving little
villages, viz: Jeters0nton, Stevensburg,
Rapid Ann and Rixeyyille.
TOWN OF FAIRFAX.
The town of Fairfax was founded in 1863,
and named in honor Of Lord Fairfax, the
original proprietor Of the Northern Neck Of
Virginia, and in whose vast domain was
included all of the present county OF Cul-
pepper. Fairfax WAS afterwards changed 10
Culpepcr Courthouse, and later 10
simply Culpeper, it's present name.
IL IS a very handsome town OF
some three thousand population, and
has now in operation numerous and
profitable manufacturing plants. IL Is sltu-
ated Immediately on the line OF the virginia
Midland raj road, and, being within easy
reach OF Washington, its depot Is becoming
the regular and daily shipping point for
considerable tonnage Of supplies for that
market.
WITH STEADY STEP.
Culpeper is one OF the few places | have
vet visited that have not attempted =
'boom." Its citizens are wise and prudent,
and prefer steady, even and continued
growth that is solid and permanent
to rushing and half-crazy STIR
OF a few months that would be
wholly fictitious, and that would end
only in collapse and stagnation In
business affairs. Pity tits that some other
of our Virginia towns had less of the wild
spirit OF speculation and more OF the earnest,
energetic and conservative method OF I'M
proyement and growth that Is characteristic
OF Culpeper. All Of its business houses are
on a substantial footing. and every one OF
ito manufactures are tinding prompt ana
satisfactory demand for their entire output.
The citizens OF both the county and the town
are genuine Nirginians, courteous, ana Die
and hospitasle.
A RELIC.
In one Ct the old books In the clerks
ONCE, at The courthouse, Is found this in
teresting entry:
''20th July, %. 5. )-George Washington,
Gent., produced commission from the
President 4 Master OF William Il Mary
College, appointing him 10 be surveyor OF
this county, which was read, and thereupon
he took the usual oaths 10 his majesty's per
son 4 government, a. took h subscribed the
abjuration oath & test, & then took the oath
OF surveyor, according TO law"
VALIANT MEN.
CulIeper has furnished many brave sons
TO fight our American battles. Early In the
war OF the Revolution Patrick Henry, then
commanding all OF the Virginia troops, sent
TO this county for assistance. Upon his
summons $50 men from Culpeper,
with twice as many from the
counties Of Orange and Fauquier, combined
rendezv0used here and camped In hsld
half mile west Of the Courthouse. An ola
OAK, until few years ago, marked the MS
toric spot. These were the nrst minute.
uel raised in Virginia. The old nag USED
by the Culpeper men had fierce and hos
tile aspect. In It's centre there was . rat