Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-01
CoLUMBlA'o CURIOUS COMPLAINT.
Amclie Rives's Depot the Victim of
ATistocrafic Exclusiveness.p
fCorrespondence Of the Richmond pIspatch.l

fCorres pondence OF the Richmond Dlspatch.l
CONAN, Va, Decent Der 30.-The closing
year with its many Joys and numerous
disappolntments will long be remembered
IN this section of the State. Cur people
have carried on q quiet and rather close
life ever since the end of the war; but the
epidemic of land-boOms suddenly took
hold Of them. Gotham. although favora-
bly, situated where the three cOunties-Al-
bemarle, Orange aud Louisa-join. and
being the main shipping point for Flu
wanna county. has not been affected by
this speculative agitation. All the land
around tins station Is owned by an old
Virginia family that declines TO sell any
lots for Industrial or commercial enter
prise. and thereby blocks tie path for
material Improvement and development.
In fact. this so-called aristocratic ex-
cusiyeness" of the landowner Is a great
drawback Tor the ueighborhood many miles
around, end deserves to be publicly oriti-
cised.
DIT MENTAL AND DIsADvANTAGEoUs.
Wealth in the hands of undetermined.
generous man can be made a blessing 10
its owner aud many of his fellow-men.
out If ill-used. a. IN this instance 1T IS
detrimental ami proves disastrous. Cob
ham could have grown to gOod-sized
and prosperous village years ago without
these unfOrtunate circumstances and sure
iy 1t would have gathered some benefit OF
the late land boons If not entirely ex-
cluded from market. As matters are, 1t
has only suffered by losses and poor re-
suits of unsound speculation in it, neigh
borhOod, and being considered an out-of-
tne-wy place" Is also seriously neglected
in regard to railroad accommodation and
easy connection with Richmond, Washing
ton and CnarlOttesyllle
LITTLE EMIGRATION.
Another CONSEQUENCE of this unfavor-
able circumstance IS that there Is little
emigration into this part of the county.
The southern slope of the Northwest
mountains and the billy region of the
Green Springs district in the northwestern
part of Louisa, are known a. very fertile
and the climate is highly salubrious. All
the cereals grow remarkably well, the to-
bacco of this section was celebrated be-
fore the war, and the grapevine is at
home here. Minerals found here are varied
and immensely valuable, and plenty of
water-pow-r invites industrial enterprise.
But our people are dlsheartened by HIM
ORANGES they are powerless 10 overcome.
They neglect their farms, no improve
ments are visible. and they even discou-
rage newcomers from fear that they might
become successful competitors of theirs.
SUCCESSFUL FARMERS.
Andyet some English and German farm
ers have settled IN these hills, and they do
well. Their farms are well fenced, their
fields aad meadows well cultivated. the
stock is stabbed and well fed. dwellings
and out-houses are III good repair and
they are planting orchards and vineyards.
There is enterprise aud energy III these
settlers, to whom work is pleasure and
no shame, who consider Gctiyity and in
dustry creditable qualities of agentleman.
Thus the old year has introduced some
fresh and productive elements into this
region, and there Is room for many more.
Persons seeking cheap lands. which can be
easily improved. and healthy homes
should settle near Gotham.
THE DEBT INCUBUS.
To the ending year we furthermore owe
the hope that the State debt will at last
be settled Oh acceptable and honorable
terms. The uncertainty In regard To the
Indebtedness Of Virginia and the amount
or taxes its citizens might eventually be
forced 20 pay has also kept away desirable
emigranfs and foreign capital. The cIti-
zens II this nelghborhood hope that the
Legislature will agree 10 the settlement as
accepted by the English bondholders, and
do away with source of disadvantages.