Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-17
A YOUNG LADY ReLlC-HUNTER.
She Secures an Ancient Ciock-Laboi
Scarce In the "Neck The Crops.

fCorrespondence OF tho Richmond Dispatch.l
CoxoRN, KING GEORGE COUNTY. VA, June
l6.-Mlss,Nannie =. Minor. wealthy and
ACCOMPLISHED young lady of New fofk.
recently visited this county In search OF
notable relies of the old Carter family,
from which she is descended. During her
stay she was the guest of Major Henry
Byrd Lewis and family, at "Cleve." their
magnificent home by the Rappahannoek:
Here the distinguished relic hunter found
not only as fine natural scenery as can be
found in any quarter ofthe Old Dominion,
but the picturesque landscapes, sloping
green lawns, the immense old brick resi-
dence, and many other elaborate surround
ings. all intact which added to the charms
of "Cleve" many long years ago when
1t was the historic homestead OF the Illus
trious Carriers of Virginia. Miss Minor
also visited the County Clerks office, ana
there, among the old-tine records. she
found tho will of Charles Carter, dated
September 10. 1862. This document, re-
markable in many respects, covers torty-
seven pages of legal. cap paper and de-
yises vast amount OF property OF almost
every description, both real ana personal.
APRECIoUs RELIC.
At the administrators sale of st. Leger
Iandon Carter, which occurred at
"Cleye~ on tho 18th day of December.
1852. the old Carter family clock was pur-
chased by Mr.. John Arnold. and from that
dav it remained III the Arnold family as a
precious relic until recently when Dr.
Thomas L. Arnold yielded TO the .persua-
sions of Miss Minor and sold her the
unique old-time piece TOR quite .n pretty pn.S
and Is a perfect gem OF ancient ingenuity
and workmanship.
SCARCITY OF LABOR.
The unprecedented scarcity OF farm Ia
| Dor IL now operating very seriously against
| the farming interests of this whole section
| of Virginia. Hundreds and hundreds OF
| acres Of corn-helds have not been touched
since the planting. and farmers are not
| only riding in every direction hore IN
search of labor, but are going to the cities
! fo. the pupose of hiring hands 70 save
| their crops. Wheat is ripe and should
| be harvested now. but In many sec
! tons sufficient labor cannot be obtained
/ 10 carry on such necessary work. when
| pleasant spring weather came nearly all or
! the competent laoorers left here to seek
employment IN the large cities. on the
railroads. and at the large lumber-mlils
| North, leaving large areas here planted
| down to corn. wheat. aud oats, a great deal
of which must remain unworked.
TOTAL FAILURE.
The hay crop is almost total failure
| throughou this part of the Tldewater sec
tlon. An unusual number of improved
mowers were purchased b. the farmers
early in the season, there being larger
area in grass this year than at any period
| since the war; but majority OF the nay;
fields will not be moved over at all, and
tho many new mowers Will remain on
hand, useless expenditures. -.
Mrs. Captain X. l.. RObb of " Clydale,"
this county, will leave in few days for
New York and other large cities or the
North. where she proposes TO 7pend much
OF the summer season.
POLITICS.
Tho availability" of tho several GU
| bernatorial asprant5 IA just now receiving
marked attention in King George. each OF
the asplrants having some advocates here.
The sentiment. however. Is about evenly
divided between Tyler and O'Ferrall-i. e.,
among Democrats. The PeOple's-party
folks are talking formally about man
of their own faith and order"
Or. 4. T. Arnold, the Populist chair
| man, IS a popular and strong man
and means to marshal his hosts
and organize for formidable fight. should
his partv determine TO place a State ticket
IN the field next fail. The Democrats here
are unanimous for Hon. William A. Little,
of fredericksburg, for Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor. aud by the way, Mr. Little ls quite
/ \
George. Stafford, Caroline. and Spotsylya-
MIA counties.
SMITH AND THE VAULT.
The steel vault which was TO have been
placed IL the Clerks Office here by Mr..
Is. +. Smith, OF Richmond city, Is now the
| topic Of conversation. On the 22d day OF
last December the King George Board of
Supervisors contracted with Mr.. Smith to
have the vault completed in five months
from that date. Meanwhile time wore
away and the material did not come. Mr..
Smith was ADVISED that the vault had
been made an issue in local politics here
and that he had better complete the work
in the specified time. tor should the anti
yaul. men be elected supervisors they
might possibly take advantage OF anv
technicality. Sure enough, two thirds
of the newly-elected supervisors are
anti-yault men. and as they take charge OF
the county affairs July lst and as the work
of erecting the vault Is not begun, the
subject has assumed an ugly shape. Mr..
Smiths time expired MAY 22d, but as there
seemed to be miscarriage of the first ma,
terial shipped by Mr. Smith the old board
has been extremely anxious for the work
to commence IN time to be received oy
the present board.