Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-25
MERCANTILE FEVER.
EFFECT or A SCARCITY OF LABOR
IN THE NORTHERN NECK.
stores-An Embarrassing Post-Ofhco
situation in King George.

Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispa.ch.l
CoMoRN. KING GEoRaE COUNTY, Va. June
A.-StifI's Wharf. at Chatterton, on the
Potomac, has just been rebuilt and opened
to traffic at that point. II will be remem-
bered that this important wharf was do
stroyed by an ice-gorge last winter and
that an elaborate mention of it was made
through this correspondence. Suitable
warerooms and mercantile establish
ment have also been erected at Chatterton
for the safety and accommodation OF the
travelling public and traffic.
MIR. James 3. Wallace. an inmate OF the
Soldiers Home, at Richmond. is here on
visit to relatives. Mr.. Wallace is a men,
Der of one of VirginIa's old aristocratic
families, which abounded IN wealth and
luxury prior 10 the ravages of the late war.
His early life was spent in the drug busi-
ness. when he stood high as pharmacist.
FIFTY STORES.
The mercantile fever has proven go con-
tagious in the Northern Neck that the
little, narrow county OF King George has
fifty stores in operation, and present
prospects indicate that half as many more
will be opened along the Potomac and
Rappahannock during the present year.
Many hitherto successful farmers declare
their intention to change business for the
simple reason that necessary farfu-labor
cannot be procured with which TO carry
on agricultural pursuits.
READY FOR THE SEASON.
Colonial Beach, the popular watering
place on the Potomac, III Westmoreland
county, is being put in apple-ple order "
for the season. which will begin next week.
dozen or more hotels and boarding
houses and some seventv-hye handsome
cottages are in readiness for the crowds of
invalds and plea5ure-seekersw VINO Will very
soon wend their way TO that delightful re-
sort. In the very near future mdgnlhcent
excursion steamers from Washington and
other large cities will arrive daily. IL IS
generally conceded that Colonial Beach.
unlike many ways1de summer resorts, has
come 70 stay. and that II lS destined TO be
a large and important town.
In the midst Of the season often as many
as .000 excursiOnists visit Colonial Beach
daily, besides several hundred cottagers,
who spend the entire season there. boat
ing, fishing, Grabbing. and bathing, and
IL is not uncommon for 1,2O0 persons to be
walowing in the surf at one time. This
enterprise has proven % God-send, for IT
affords lucrative employment for q good
many mechanics. painters, brIckIayors
teamsters. &C., besides furnishing an ex-
cellent home market for vegetables,
poultry, eggs. butter, &C., which are pro
duced In the poor country adjacent, thus
being the means of forcing into clrcula-
ton thousands Of dollars among the farm
ers and working people in upper West
moreland and lower King George.
POPULAR TOPIC.
The post-office at King George Court
house is lust now the topic of cOnvcrsa-
tion throughout this whole section. The
present Postmaster is q partisan Republi-
can, who rendered his resignation TO the
Postmaster General early IN the Cleveland
Administration, and so far his resignation
has not been formally acted upon. There
are now two Democratic applicants Tor the
place both of whom are active workers IN
oil Democratic campaigns here, and both
are strongly endorsed by prominent
and influential Democrats. Public sentl-
ment is so evenly divided between
the two applicants that Congressman
Meredith. whose duty it Is 20 make the
recommendation 10 the department at
Washington, is placed III peculiarly EN-
barrasslng situation. SO tar ludlclOus NJ an
agement has prevented bitterness OF reel
ing. notwithstanding the unusual shape
which the affair has assumed. Bat as the
two Young men who are contending tor
the post-Oflice are highly connected and
belong TO prominent families, II IL pam
that even IL continuation of JudicIous
management Will not suffice TO avert local
factions which will work TO the detrlment
of Democracy hero next fall
DIKD OF LocXJAw.
A valuable blooded stallion belonging to
Mr.. John Hoffman. Of this county. died
some davs ago of lockiaw. A stick pene-
troted the animals foot and in removing
il q pnrticie remained. which caused acute
inflammation that Immediately produced
locklaw aud death.
A number of valuable farm animals
have recently been seriously injured
here by barbed-wne fencing. A long Sc;
res Of such injuries have virtually arrayed
the farmers against barbed wire as safe
and suitable material for fencing purposes,
and very soon the old fashioned rail Licences,
with rude stakes and riders. will adorn
the farms in Ildewater Virginia wherever
rail-timber can be procured.