The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-28
MIR. BARNEY AND FLOWER JAMES.

NIX. BAttNEt AND IRE LOW EN-
There is no region on top OF the globe
which can offer greater inducements to
settlers than the lower James. The lands
are good, very responsive to careful cul-
tivation. and susceptible of the highest
Improvement at the minimum OF cost. Its
climate is as near perfect as It is pos
sible for any climate to be. being warm
enough in winter not to be
subject to the rigors OF north
ern cold. and cool enough In sum-
mer TO be free from the languid and en-
crvating heat OF the far south. The
waters of the river abound with the most
delicious fish, oysters, terrapin' ana
such delicacies. while wild game OF every
kind is plentiful. and under proper re-
strictions. can easily be kept so. 80
much is this the case. hat In ante-bellum
days a gun. a boat and a negro were ali
that were needed 10 enable anyone 70
live like a prince. and the only drawback
to life In this highly favored region ever
known was chills and fevers. which could
be always prevented with proper drain
~
age and a little common-sense care. This
section Of Virginia, therefore, Is capable
Of Offering facilities for as easy
comfortable living as heart could reason
ably wish for. and no wonder that In
the olden time it abounded with happy
and hospitable homes.
Since the war this section, notwith-
standing it's superior advantages, has been
laboring under serious drawbacks. The
war left its people very poor, and the
ease of living there attracted TO it a
large idle negro population, which ef-
fectually prevented anything like progress
or prosperity. Consequently the whites
who could do so, nearly all left, and the
whole country has largely been aban-
doned TO it's fate. In consequence, what
ought to be the most thickly settled'and
! thriving portion of Virginia has been
the most desolate. and almost completely
given over to negro rule.
It IS a matter Of congratulation that
light is breaking over this part Of the
State. and that steps are at last BENG
| taken which will restore it to its former
position as one of the garden spots oil
Virginia. AS our readers have been fully
informed. Mr.. f.. e. Barney, a Western
man. and a gentleman of large means
has started a movement for the renoVa-
ton of the lower James. which promises
10 do wonders. He himself has proven
his faith in the country by making large
Investments there. Some years ago he
purchased a place known as Hog Island
on the south side of BurwelPs Bay, and
having changed its name to the more
euphonious one of "Homeward,' has
made II a highly productive, and, no
doubt. profitable, estate. He has also
bought the farm known as Meadowville'
near Dutch Gap, and more recently has
purchased old jamestown Island, which
he proposes to thoroughly drain ana
make a most delightful place Of residence
as well as a summer resort. He also
intends restoring, as far as possible, the
old graves and gravestones, of which the
historic burying-ground was pillaged by
Yankee vandals during the war, and TO
protect the ruins of the old Colonial
church from both the encroachments OF
the river and the sacrilegtous hands Of
relic hunters. In addition to these things,
he proposes establishing a daily line Of
fast and new steamers on the river, and
settling it's abandoned lands with thrifty
and Industrious families from the West.
In this way Mr.. Barney proposes to
build UP and rehabilitate the classic and
desirable region of Virginia lying be-
tween this city and Norfolk, and to make
it contribute it's proper share to the
wealth of the world and the happiness
of mankind. That he will succeed, does
not admit Of doubt, and the people Of
Virginia have cause to heartily con-
graduate themselves that such a man
as he has been attracted to the old State.
If she could be filled with that class Of
settlers. It would not be long before she
would attain to her former position Of
wealth and prominence, when by common
consent she was regarded as the leader
Of thought and influence in the Federal
Union.
The Times wishes Mr.. Barney Cod
speed in his good work, and hopes that
he may reap a rich reward. and that his
efforts may be crowned with all the sue
cess he anticipates and deserves to at
tain.