The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-25

fare would have been obstructed by the
large brick mansion. lately occupied by
Col. a. S. Buford. and now being demol-
ishcd for the erection OF a block OF mod
ern dwellings.
Begun to Build.
Having needed the protest OF his friends
Mr.. rutherford begun the new residence
by ex~cavating the foundation in the win
ter OF 1874. Early the following spring he
made the brick from clay on the spot.
and proceeded TO burn oyster-shells for
m Houses were not run up In a month
In those days. 1t was a serious and i'm
poriant undertaking then. People build
ed as IL there houses were never to he
destroyed; were never TO become a prey
TO the march Of Improvement. or dis
appear at the demands OF progress.
by the LIST. OF December. 1895, the dwell
ing house, two out-houses OF brick, %
by 20 feet each. two stories high. and a
large brick stable were under roof. In
the spring of 1896. Mr.. rutherford
brought his family up TO their new home.
but occupied one OF the out-houses. until
November, 1896. when they moved into
the main dwelling then completed.
AS part Of the history Of the times. It
may be proper TO state here that his
large family mansion, 81 feet front, by 10
feet In depth. with all the out houses
and stables. exclusive Of the land. cost only
$1,000. For many years after he had oc-
cupied his new home Mr.. rutherford
kept enclosed all the land south of the
dwelling as far as Main street; his Ice
house being at the extreme border OF
his large aroa. II space allowed IL might
be well, for the sake OF history TO de-
scribe here this typical example Of a pa
triarchal home OF the day. 1t coupled
an rxforoftso uroa urhfeb tHao cnnD laid off
into lawns. kitchen and flower gardens.
rchar and vineyard. AS time passed
these became more and more circum-
sCrited. The proprietor found 1t 10 his
interest to sell off-building sites. Frank
lin street was opened. and cross streets
arranged for public convenience. The
property was afterwards known Us "Ru-
thtrfoord's Addition" and became attrac-
tive to investors and builders. Other
gentlemen followed Mr.. rutherford ex-
ample. The Pages, Mr.. J. A.. Chevali.e.
Mr.. Wilson. Major Price. the Cunning
hams, and other soon supplied "A neigh
bcrhCOd Of agreeable residents Upon lots
In that region. Many were the improve
ments made before this was accom-
T'ished The face Of the country had 10
be much changed. on Franklin street
between First and Foushee was a deep
swampy level. generally filled with water,
through which people waded as best they
could. A rugged pathway OF thistle and
other underground represented First
street as Il climbed up a g~ravelly hill
side TO what is now known as Linden
Square. A massive brick wall enclosed
many acres west Of First street, occupied
by orchards of every variety of fruit
known at that day. Many Of these are
now never seen; and others nave 50 de-
generated that they are not cultivated.
In one corner Of this enclosure the wall
was perforated with lozcnge-shaped open
ings TO let in airl Why let in air? it may
be asked. when the canopy Of heaven
was above and the winds thereof were
free?'
The way Of II was this. During Mr..
Rutherford's lorg and enterIrising career,
he end his Partner a Mr.. Hawxley, IN
Dublin, had like all other merchants suf-
feTed reverses. To recover these Mr..
Rutherford had advised the purchase Of
tobacco In view of the fact that war
between England and the United States
was then imminent. The purchase had
scarcely been made when the war Of
1872 broke out. The British invaded the
country. Washington had been captured
and burned.
This alarmed Mr.. Rutherford. His to-
baCCo vas then stored in the warehouses
near the river at Rockets. He recol-
lected how. during the revolution in 17S1,
Arnold had taken Richmond. and destroy
ed and carried off the tobacco in the
town. lie therefore detersnined to find a
hiding place near his home for his
treasure. which the enemy would not
probably discover. Fortunately the Brit
ish rever reached the capital Of Virginia.
The tobacco lay safely hid. hiding its
time. Peace came. ard with 1t much pro-
NJ from the sales Of this wise Investment.
The space once devoted to these purposes
IS now occupied by the handsome dwell
ings subsequently erected by the Kents.
Edmurds, and others. but now more
closely encountered by tenement lodging
places.
The writer of these lines recalls the APP
p%earance Of the perforated old wall. as
with other enterprising urchins Of the
reighborEood. he walked barefoot along |
it's broad top. gathering the fragrant
blooms Of the magnolia r~lauca," COM
monty called laurel which grew
In profusion on the damp rich soil inside. |
or Joined marauding parties Of boys over
the same enclosure In pursuit OF the lu- |
scious fruits that then grew where the to-
taco had 80 long slept.
The Old House.
The noble old mansion-house. built BY
Mr.. RutherfCd and now being removed
vas col sidered at that time. one Of more
than usual pretension. In the last fifty
years, IL has undergone several mOdifca- |
tiOns, especially in its outward appear
ance. Originally TIE roof was in keeping |
with the style OF dwellings built by tho
rich ard more aristocrstic class. 1t was
lofty end peaked, and thanked by tall
chimney stacks, which stood out In relief
against the sky. towering above the lofti-
est trees. The body Of the house was
broad and ample. and afforded a typical
example of simplicity and strength. so
characteristic OF the structures of the
colonial period. When Mr.. Rutherford
decided TO tuild for himself a new dwell |
ing, he declared il should be large enough
TO meet the wants Of his then increasing
fGnily, and "be susceptible Of such ad-
ditiCns as circumstances might afterward |
demand" His an~ticIpations in this respect
were fully realized; he having become
the father Of thirteen children. most of
whom lived to enjoy under its capacious
roof the protection and providence of
their berefcient parent: and many of
whom afterwards occupied as heads of
families, spacious homes provided by him
In parts OF his ample domain.
Soon after Mr.. ltherford had taken
possession OF his new home. he narrowly
esCS ped having a bad neighbor near him.
His friend Alexander Buchanan, who had
sold him the hundred acres, still owned
more acres on 'F'' street Immediately
east OF the lot on which the tobacco had
kaon cfOred row OccuDfe1 nv tho houca |