Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-20
THE NORTHERN NECK
DISASTROUS RESULTS OF THE CORD
WOOD AND TIE BUSINESS.
Its Terrible Meaning to the RappahanDock
Counties Accumulated Profits Lost
General Iec's Defeat Regretted.

CONFORM. KING GEORGE COUNTY.
VA. December l9-Cspeclal)-For some
years past the railroads.&c. and cord-wood
business has nonopolized labor to the
detriment OF the farming interests
throughout this tidewater section OF
virginia. ut the same time anordlng tenn
porary lucrative employment for hum
dreds Of young men OF small capital
the latter also resulting In disastrous
neglect Of n large majority Of the forest
farms. But railroad-tieS and cord WOOD
cutting and shipping IS no longer busi-
ness here, for IA the first place there II
no demand. and IT, the second place the
raw material" has been completely cX-
hausted along the navigable waters OF
the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers
And the necessary cessation OF this once
leading enterprise has "a meaning OF no
inconsidcrable magnitude TO the people
Of King George and neighboring counties.
The small farms which were neglected.
ior a series Of years are now quilted
uufenccd. grown up In bushes, and prdc-
tically worthless
DECLINE TO RETURN.
Iahorors who commanded fabulous
wares i'm the wood and tie business
now decline 10 return 20 the helds ana
work for the ordinary farm-waR s, ana
cannot be- induced so again engage III
farm work The profits which accumuia-
ted from the business IN It's active slVe
were this year lost by the sudden tre-
peudous "tumble" in the wood and tie
market. So the result summed up gives
farms which cannot be utilized, spoiled
labor. q large and important element ~
citIz.ns practically out u business with
out capital and in a condition similar 10
that in which the close of the war iouni
their fathers-a state ~ affairs u hi
l,montea and rit.c1 rather tHan criu-
c.sed- for the large class OF men mus
seriouey affected are among the most
deserving. energetic. and loyal citlzehs'
TIE PROSPEROUS MEN.
The young men who escaped the wood
aud tie craze ten years ago when II
promised fortunes 20 so many plodd'
along ON ~. farms battling with low
prices for farm produce, drou-htS' nooA-.
ravaecs by insects. ana the myriads OF
enemies which confront the farmer. Now
10 comes 10 pass that they constitute the
safe. prosperous. happy, and rising ele-
mont Of the community
General F.tz Lees defeat i'm the late
senatorial contest caused wid"sprtAd
surprise and regret throughout TINS ana
adjacent counties and the subject IS sun
more than any other the one
generally t1ikc1 ~ in political clrc.es.
Even the Republicans here respect AMI
admire General Fltz. and were In great
hopes that the LEGISLATURE would confer
the honor upon him. Nevertheless. there
is M feallu- here against Martin, and his
election by the General Assembly VIII
I'm no wise cause disa.fcction in the King
George Democracy in the future clcc-
tions. &C.
DESTITUTE FAMILIES.
The "Kuc's Daughters and Sons" OF
this county. last week gave an oyster
supper az the courthouse 10 raise funds
for the benefit Of destitute families and
individuals
The recent cold snap brought great
numbers Of wild geese and ducks To some
of the creeks ~ the Potomac and Rap
uahannock rivers. many OF which are
being KILLED and shipped 30 the large
cities. where prices for such game rule
high.