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

orchards, remained for a time In the nahas
OF mis- Oldest living son, but In due time iS
extended limits were encroached upon os
buildings devoted 10 the use OF otner
members OF his numerous household. Ine
family mansion was sold TO the Hon. John
Y. Mason, late Minister TO France anu
Secretary OF the United States Navy ie
removed the lofty roof and made ,ne
first alterations from it's original pans
Other occupants succeeded him In tui",
making changes which although aduine
much to it's comfort and decorating 10
exterior. very materially detracten ~
the original simplicity and dignity OIL -"
building.
Before closing this sketch OF the oiu'ss
and most conspicuous dwelling place. -
that part OF Richmond. we cannot Ieil"."
from giving some account OF cer.a.'
other changes made In the same nelsnVoi.
hood, and which were consequent upo"
the industry and enterprise of us punuei'
The adventure Of Mr.. rutherford en-
ticed the march OF Improvement IN una'
direction. Reference has already Deen
made TO the building OF other attracuse
residences. But the highways were 10 ue
improved and new streets were 10 ne
opened. To effect these. the c~ontihu'ty
Of Mr.. Rutherfoord's ample precincts nao
10 be violated. The cutting OF Foushee
street, named after a noted practitioner
Of medicine and Mayor Of Richmohu'
destroyed much OF the garden and SEED
houses Of the establishment. East OF
this. the ground lay low, and was gene
rally wet. Indeed a perennial pond OF
water and its prolific accompaniment &C.
,uried the site OF the Grace-Strect Bao-
fist Church. and Of many other buildings.
The stables stood on the corner or Grace
and Adams streets; at the southern end
OF the latter was a well dug by Mr.. Ru-
tterfoord. and which supplied almost tn"
entire n~eighborl,ood with water. tor
many years after HIS death this land
mark was a conspicuous object near the
middle Of the street; was still frtquented
by thirsty devotees. and on one occasion
became specially noted as the scene of an
accident. by which one Of the bellies OF
the State came near losing her life from
a fall from her horse.
Filling the Ponds.
Resides tn pond on Grace street an
other TO which reference has already been
made. lay south of Franklin street, much
IN the Inconvenience Of travellers. The
earth from the neighboring high places
lad TO be used in filling up these ponds.
The one lust mentioned was obllterated
by the red gravel and clay from what Is
now Linden Square; and the larger one
on Grace street. once the haunt OF the
snipe. the summer frogs, and the klldee.
had 10 be deeply ditched ana drained
besides filled up, before the wet eMpanse
could resign its foul end dsnk soh'udes
to the occupation Of the growing W
II would be a pleasing task 10 add more
in this connection Of the excellent ana
enterprising proprietor. who thus became
the prosperous pioneer Of western lIch-
mond. Would that the beautiful highway
Of which he was the original FOUNDER
could become the memorial Of his gifts
and his virtues, by bearing the name OF
"Rutherfoord Avenue rather than the
misnomen which now inaptly attaches to
this most favored street of our city. our
object. In this local sketch has been, TO
nernetuate the memory Of another relic
of early Richmond. about to disappear
before the necessary advance OF i'm
provement, and for the entertainment
Oft hose who revere the past and It's
pleasing lessons, and to Shape the citys
ancient legends into THIS. w. L. T.