The Newtown bee., 1892-07-22

most be called city of monuments.
 Among others, there is fine one to Gen
 Lee and large shalt is now nearing
 completion for the soldiers and sailors of
 the late war. This is located on bluff
 at the south of the city in a little park
 corresponding somewhat to Hollywood
 on the banks of the James, the other
 end of the city. All one can see of Lib
 by prison is the site where it stood. It
 was purchased by Chicago syndicate
 and, in 1889, it was taken down, brick by
 brick, loaded on the cars and is now an
 attraction in the windy city. Visitors
 were pointed out the interesting old
 building on Main street known as the
 old stone house, without question the oldest building standing in Richmond.
 It is supposed to be erected by one Jacob
 E. G. Ege. Associated with it are the
 names of Washington, Lafayette, Jack
 son and other celebrities. Whatever has
 been it's history, it's antiquity is unques- tioned and it has been visited by thou sands of people.
 Richmond is not an easy city to get about in on foot, but it has good elec- tric system of street cars which run in all directions. It was one of the first cities in the country to introduce the electric system. It has some historic old churches. Monumental church was built on the site of the Richmond theatre, burned in 1S11, when Gov G. w. Smith and 8 other persons lost their lives. The crypt in the portico contains the names and the ashes of some of the victims. St Johns church is another interesting old structure. It was built in TAO and, though it has from time to time been al- tered, it is substantially the same as in l775. The city has many handsome churches. The Baptist denomination is much the strongest here, followed by the Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Metho- dist. Richmond is built almost entirely of brick. The city is enjoying rapid growth in new residence sections. There are some fine residences going up, re- minding one of the newer part of Bridge port.
 An interesting little place, settled by Richmond people, is Bon Air, about l2 miles from the city, on the Richmond and Danville railroad. It is settled large ly by wellto-do people and is one of the prettiest little places I ever visited. It is considerably higher than Richmond, the spires of the city being visible. One of the first men to settle here was Rev Dr James K. Hazen, whose name is familiar to almost every Presbyterian family in the South. A Richmond land company controls most of the real estate and is particular to whom it sells. Dr Hazen, who is secretary of the Presbyterian board of education in the South, built to the congregation. It is almost an ide- al community and, from a social point of view, it is delightful. The families come together once week for literary social ] and every one appears to be on intimate l terms. One thing the Virginians certain ly excel in; such unbounded friendliness l and hospitality I never before encoun- | tered. You instinctively feel that they 1 are glad you came and are at home at | once. One of the pleasantest gentlemen l met in Virginia was Pope Miller,a Rich mond druggist, whose home is in Bon Air. He does large wholesale business in his line and is well known throughout the State.
 The city has some fine club buildings. The Y. M. c. A. have a splendid build ing and among some others are the Vest the Richmond, the Commer- cial and the Commonwealth.
 One misses in Virginia the New Eng land Sunday. Trains run almost as ire luently as on week days. The day before Memorial day, companies of militia who came from out of town arrived in the city and were escorted by Richmond compa- nies in true weekday style. The news papers of Richmond are mighty enter prising. There are two morning, the and the Times and an evening paper, ,the State. The Farmers Alliance, which is getting to be quite a factor in the State, has an organ here, weekly paper. There are several religious week lies.-[ Allison P. Smith.