Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-01-23
Letter from Page.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
LuRAY, Va, Jan. 1.-THE present
cold spell is the longest aud severest
since 1880. The Thermometer has sew
eral times ranged to &c below zero. The
Shenandoah river is frozen from its
source to Harper's Ferry and teams
cross at many places. Ice has been
gather foot thick.
Rev. Mr. Splitter, Dunkard minister,
of Page, has married more couples in
the last thirty years than half of the
other ministers. What is remarkable
he never charges a fee and will take
none. He adopted this plan at the
start of his ministry and has never de-
parted from it, He is not only accom-
modating to the many couples which
seek his services, but marries them just
where he happens TO beat home, in
the church, in the stores, in the road
and has performed the ceremony in his
saw mill. His home has long been q
Gretna Green, and had he charged even
small fee would now be richer by
several thousand dollars. 4 better,
more honest and worthy man does not
live.
A recent listing of the churches
in Page county free from taxation,
reaches the sum of 900 and nearly
all denominations are represented.
There seems to be more of q practical
move just now in the way of improv-
ing our roads; and when so much
can be done and should be done, it is
to be hoped we will have better roads.
AS an instance of their present condi-
ton. the fact there has been no bridge
across the Shenandoah on the road
to New Market since the war, is only
one evidence of what exists. Great
improvements are being in the cave,
cave, newwalks built, iron ratings placed
at ali dangerous places, cementcd roads
throughout, and other improvements
which add greatly TO the convenience
of visitors. Ten thousand persons Wis
tied this great attraction last summer,
and a greater number is expected the
coming season: and this wonderful Curl
osity will no doubt receive its part of
the crowds drawn by the Worlds fair.
Marion Zirkle, of this place, postal
clerk, was injured in wreck on the
n. & w. r. r.. west of Radford, a few
days ago, the spreading of the rails
causing the accident.
The Stanley Record is out in an edi-
torial this week offering on the part Of
the Stanley L. & l. Co., to build new
courthouse, Jail and other county build
ings free of all cost if the county seat
be moved to Stanley.
The article makes the buildings at
Luray so unfit, unsafe and so utterly
worthless as they now stand, as to
make the acceptance Of the offer or
build new ones by the county the two
demanded alternatives.
This view of the matter will be a
resolution to our careful, observant and
practical supervisors, who have such
things in charge, and to whom this will
be news of a rather startling character.
Stanley is small village with possible
future developments ahead, but scarce
" suitable as vet for county seat.
Should this matter ever be made an is.
sue. we can safely say that the good
people of Luray and its neighborhood
will very willingly contribute to build
new buildings on the site of the present
ones and keep the county seat where it
is. But such an issue will never reach
practical form. The truth is the pres,
ent courthouse is absolutely safe, and
though not rs good as it should be, an
swers its purpose quite as well as most
such buildings in the State. Page has
still a railroad debt of $4,000, on
which she pays per cent, and has re,
duced the principal already $50, 900,
whilst the Stanley l.. & |. Co. may find
more profitable investment for its sur
plus capital than bnllding new court
houses. b.