Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-06
A TRIP TO MATHEWS.
FERTILE AND DELIGHTFUL PORTION
OF EASTERN VIRGINIA.
Handsouc and HsspisabIe Homes on the
big Bsy--Need Of an Kisctrio Rail-
way-Bichmond's Chance.
written for tho p,,pa,ch.I

Few Of the Richmond people know any,
thing OF the beautiful section of country
lying in the eastern part of Virginia and
bordering on the Chesapeake. which at
this season Of the year 10 delightful not
only to the pleasure-sceker. but beneficial
and recuperative to those seeking health.
A visit Of ten days gave the writer an op-
portunity TO enjoy the hospitality OF Its
good people, iuhale the fresh breezes and
pure air direct from the ocean; to admire
the fertility of the soil, the bountiful
crops both of grain and fruit, and TO ENJOY
the finest oysters. fish, and crabs, which
are furnished abundantly In the numerous
saltwater creeks and inlets with which
Mathews county abounds.
The residents OF that section are some
what noted for their large size. and the
women generally are handsome and we'll
looking; sooiabilty. hospitality. and KIND
ness being also CHARACTERISTIC OF them.
The entire county is very level through
out, the soil generally rich and .produc,
tive, and corn, vegetables, fruits, ana
melons grow in profusion. The markets
are Baltimore and Norfolk. which taKe All
the products-the steamer Avalon tor the
former city and the Northampton the lat;
ter-and at this season they are crowded
each trip with the products OF the soil as
well as the finest saltwater 6sh. In the
fall and winter they carry away large
quantities of tho succulent oyster ana
wild ducks. the latter being abundant IN
the rivers and creeks.
RIsIDESCKs.
There Is no county in the State contain
ing so many beautiful private residences,
generally located on some river or creek:
And this is especially noticeable In Milford
Haven. where can DE seen the quiet. happy
Oakley Place, with its fertile lands IN the
rear and the trees fairly grooming WIN
delicious fruit. This is the penceful nome
of Mr.. s. l.. Richardson, who. with his
good wife. enjoys all the blessings OF o
kind Providence. while his son. george H.
manages the estate with skill ana Juug-
nent that proves him the right man IN the
right place.
Lower down near the Bay Is Fleetwood,
the handsome and comfortable, home Oh
Mr.. John Fleet, O prominent and popular
citizen OF Mathews, who, with his accom-
plished wife and her pretty daughters
make their friends happy in the ENJOY
ment of that hospitality for which old VIZ
einia is noted. Mrs. Fleet was the widow
of our townsman, Dabney Baker, ESQ.,,
and. with her daughters, Misses Oracle
and Matte, retains the regard and esteem
which they held while residents OF Cburch
Hill few years back.
Fitchett's, Just below. is lsnding-plase
for the Avalon, a desirable locality, with
two stores and @ boarding. house; Mr..
Borum, O wealthy citizen OF Norfolk, has
q summer residence at this place.
OTHER HANDSOME noMEs.
OpposIte Gwinn's Island is River View,
the residence of Captain William Hudgins
and his handsome daughters and hne-
looking sons This is the prettiest spot
and finest view Of Chesapeake Bay IN
tho county, and will repair any ope de-
string few days rest. Gwinns Island IS
o well-known locality, and IS mentioned
in the colonial history of Virginia.
In another portion of the county resides
Judge Garnett, whose beautiful home IS
the centre of attraction during the sum
mer season.
Mathews Courthouse contains five
large stores, post-ofice. telegraph-otfice
churches, and the usual mechanical shops
generally found in thriving country VII
lage.
MEETINGS.
The Methodists are carrying on q sue
cessful camp-meeting, near the v liiage'
which has attracted largo crowds. L he
writer attended services there one morn
ing and listened to very good sermon
from the stationed minister In that CIR
cult the effect of which, however, was
spoiled by the use of number OF slang
phrases. The Baptists in the village have
recently held protracted meeting, when
was conducted by Professor Newbold, OF
West Point, with good results. The DIS
cIples have also o good following IN the
county under the guidance OF Rev. MI.
Kemble, a young gentleman OF talent and
education. Mr.. Charles II. Hasker, OF
Richmond, while on recent visit. de-
hvered a short but interesting address to
the Methodist Sunday school last Sunday
week.
RAILWAY WANTED.
The great desire of the people OF
Mathews and MiddleseX at present Is for
an electric railway TO run down through
those counties and connect with the YORK
River road at West Point. The distance Is
only about thirty-four miles; one bridge
is all that will be needed; no grading Will
be necessary, the country being level, ana
the people along the route intimate that
they will grant the right of way through
their lands and contribute free the neces-
sary ties. A public meeting Is talked OF IN
Mathews to start the movement, and u Is
earnestly hoped that Rlchmonds busi-
ness-men will interest themselves IN
the road. 1t is proposed TO carry
the road to Saluda, IN Middlesex
county, and thus open TO Richmond
large and fertile section which Is now en-
tIrely cut off from it, and receive in re-
turn new market for It's goods ana manu-
features. learn that prominent ana IN
fuentlal men are at the bottom OF this
scheme. ana If the city will only lend a
helping hand success will be assured. AT
present 1t takes the best of two days to get
| to Mathews county. and that, too, III a
roundabout way, and its products seldom
reach the Richmond market. whereas II
| the proposed electric road Is built the TRIP
could be made in four or five hours.
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