Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-11-01
LETTER FROM PAGE.

LOhA1 Na'J wv. ~, looi. HSiS IL
no great amount of political enthusiasm
here owing greatly to the fact that ou'
favorite and popular candidate, Smith
Turner, will have no difficulty iu being
reelected. His opponent, Mr.. Walker
has been speaking through the distric'
and at some points joint discussions
have been had between the two, but as
for any great enthusiasm there is none
1t would take the unexpected to de-
feat Smith in this district,so thoroughly
has he impersonated himself upon oul
people. One very important feature o.
the coming election seems to have been
almost overlooked in the campaign, the
proposed amendment to our constitu
ton to enlarge and define the criminal
jurisdiction of justices, and this should
have been prominently placed before
the people, as by this alone can the
heavy criminal expenses of the State
be reduced.
What is true of this in one county is
true in all other counties, but when
there is large colored population the
necessity for the change will present it.
self more prominently for the action OF
our people. As matters now stand the
stealing OF few ears of corn, chick.
en-. or even articles of less value, COM
pels the case to go through the whole
machinery of our courts at the same
cost to the people as the stealing of 8
horse.
This ought not to be, in the very ma
ture of things, and though there is nc
doubt the change will be made, still
like all matters of public interest, il
should be brought prominently to the
attention ofal
Carter Loutham. of Madison county
was here last week speaking in oul
county in the interest of fthe republican
party, and started for his home last
Sunday to cross the ridge on horse
back. Not arriving there his family
sent several kilograms of inquiry here,
and no one here knowing what had be-
fallen him on his way home, could an
swer them, but on Friday news was
brought to Luray that he had been
found in the ridge that morning 80 bad
ly crippled with a sprained ankle as to
be unable to help himself, and had laid
in the mountain since Sunday evening
without food, shelter, or seeing anyone.
1t appears Mr.. Loutham had attempted
to cross bride path to Nethers' mill
and had got lost, bewildered aud dazed,
and in his aimless ramOlings among the
rocks and Businesses about him, had SO
crippled himself as to render further ef;
fort to get out impossible. After spend
ing two nights and days he was fortu
nately seen by boy and taken care of.
1t may seem strange that such an ad.
venture could befall one even in the
Blue Bidge in these days, and vet to
one who is perfectly familiar with some
of the mountain paths the thing car
easily happen. There are districts in
these mountains when if one gets away
from the path but step or two, he is
lost, and if he knows nothing of wood
craft will keep lost unless by some lucky
fort he manages to get out.
During the past summer the body OF
an old gentleman remained undiscover
ed within rifle shot of Newmarket fol
two months, and this, though many
parties were out for whole days hunt
ing him; and had it not then been for 9
dog with a boy who was gathering
grapes, the probabilities are the body
would not have been found for as many
more months, if ever. But to the ma.
tive who lives among these eternal
hills, the road is anywhere and every.
where for him, and he treads the
ground with an inspiration that makes
his journey as safe as though he were q
chart and map unto himself. But
how different the case to him who
knows not the language of the trees,
and cannot read the book of nature in
its toughest pages, who looks not for
the moss on the north side of the oaks
for his direction and the stars for his
guide
We are glad to know that Mr.. Lou
than will soon be entirely recovered,
and that no serious results will follow
his enforced stay in the mountains.