Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-02
A VETERAN TERRAPlN
1T WAS CERTAINLY ~ CAMP Du-
RING THE LATE WAR.
Many Tramps Passing Thro"s"
King George County-One 1entie-
man Feeds Forty In "cek-"e
Proposed New Railroad.

CONFORM, KING GEORGE CoCNii l.
VA, June l.-Mr. Ben. Temple Iayior'
! son Of Mr. w. r. Taylor. prominent
citizen OF this neighborhood. found last
week a terrapin, which, like the people
here, "fell into the hands OF the enemy
in 1868. and which, upon examination
not only proved to be peculiarly inte-
resting relic OF the days when this COM
munity was lighted by Yankee camp
fires, but bears battle-scars and MARKS
OF hard times and trying Conflicts IL
may now be seen at BLEAK HIM. une
home Of Mr.. Lewis J. Bfllingsley' ABOUT
two miles from this place, where II y
being tenderly cared for ana almost
daily visited and scrutinzed by many
curiosity-loyers and the occasional Tehc-
hunter. Just how old this risky little
tcrrapin Is no one knows or pretends 10
know, but that 1t was here and WORKING
for an honest living when the hrst Diue-
coat and brass-buiton arrived there - 10
shadow Of doubt. for plainly ana arusu-
cally carved upon its breastbone IS the
following data: sth Penna. Cav'y. May,
1862" Though worn smooth and shallow
by thirty-two years friction upon the
ground. these letters are well preserved
and perfectly deciphcrable, and their per-
feet regularity and arrangement prove
quite conclusively that the tcrrapin was
fully grown when the letters were en-
graved-or rather that II was as large
in May. 1853, as II is at this time. Inc
Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry IN cnarse
Of Colonel Gregg was In camp on Mr.
Taylor's Mount View farm, where THIS
week IN
May. 1868, and also on this farm was the
signal station, at that time In charge OF
Captain Glascosky. Strange as II may
seem. the field on which this terrapin was
found has been cultivated nearly every
third year since the war, and from II,
perhaps hundreds Of terrapins have been
taken and used for cTab-bait In recent
years, besides the large number, no doubt,
destroyed by dogs, and also by fire. when
grubs. etc. were burned in springtime,
and yet this reminder Of the dark days
Of 1853 was preserved through all these
dangers and three decades as II by some
special providence.
THOUGHT THE DOG DID 1T.
For some years shepherd dog has
been in the habit OF catching and gnaw-
ing the terrapins in the immediate vicinity
Of where this marked one was picked up,
ana Hlo kObAu-DiAlllS anu various CNdA y
left upon many Of them has finally led
to an examination OF them, when found
in the way Of persons at work In the
field. a lacerated and disngured shell
first prompted Mr.. Ben. Taylor 10 pick
up and notice the one now becoming
famous, and, tracing over the shell what
he supposed to be the prints Of dog-teeth,
he easily deciphered the inscription de-
scribed above While in general appear
ance this historical terrapin is not differ
ent from others. It Is In some respects
peculiar. IN size II is under the average,
for II weighs only eleven ounces. The
yellow stripes. or spots, upon Its back
are very much paler than those OF Its
fellows. and the thick shell. with bevelled
edge that projects out over the heads OF
terrapins, is missing on this one; but
this was lost long ago in a battle with
dog or some other enemy. for the irregu-
lar edges and spiculous corners. imper-
fectly ossGsd. remain to show that II
was once perfectly formed. Those Of
our citizens who remember many mem
bcrs Of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry
are curious 10 know whether the one
who marked this terrapia Is still living
ard recollects It. and hope that these
lines may be read by him. or some one
who remembers the incident
THE TRAMP NUISANCE.
King Georgians have never been so
exercised on the subject Of tramps-or So
called tramps-as they are just now. For
two weeks past some Of the highways
here have swarmed with men vending
their way towards Fredericksburg en-
route 10 Baltimore and other cities be
ycnd the Chesapeake bay and Potomac
river. Some Of these so-called tramps
are men of fine address. and more than
ordinary intelligence, but all are apps
rently entirely without money and all
means OF support. So far their be-
haylor has been excellent. and they have
received commendable kindness at the
hands of many Of our people. But the
great number of them and their desti-
tute condition render their daily pres
ence a nuisance and a heavy tax upon
the charitahly inclined citizens who reed
and lodge them.
FORTY IN ONE WEEK.
One Of our citizens who resides near
the main thoroughfare through toe coun-
tv fed and cared for forty Of them In one
week. and has been so moved by thelr
suffering and need as to Mt up an out
! house for their comfortable accommoda-
ton at nights. Instead or ing cen
sured as tramps these men deserve pity
are now regarded as gentlemen untor-
tunately situated, for. according 10 their
accounts. they were brought TO Virginia
nv false prctences. Prominent men here
| have interviewed them and endeaVofed
| TO ascertain the cause OF their condition
| and nearly every gang corroporates the
| statements made by the preceding gang
| the story Of each being 10 the effect that
| some agency in Baltimore, or their re-
| siding city. induced them TO come TO VIZ
| r.inia-somcwher on or near the Ches2-
| peake bay-tO procure lucrative employ
| ment with some oyster-packlng establish
! mcnt. and that they are promised az l,Ss
| $50 per day for their labor They de-
| clare that work being scarce in the
| cities. they leave their homes on ~
| strength Of such promises and come I,
1 Virginia. only to find that they cannot
| possibly earn under the terms or theli
| employers. more than from u cents to 2
| cents Der day. and that their beard con
| sists entirely Of common cheese anC
| crackers. II this story Is true this state
| OF affairs is a sad commentary on ths'
| section OF virginia wher, honest mer
| are made tramps and paupers; and II no
! true something else is terribly at fault
| and In order TO relieve the people here OF
| an army Of heggars the affair ought e
! be investigated by state authorities, for
II allowed TO go on in this way 1t mus
| result seriously.
4 corps Of engineers reached here carly
this week, engaged in survey OF tn'
route for a railroad from Fredericksburg
! through the counties Of the Nortnerr
| Neck. 1t is understood that another
corps started at the lower end OF I'M
route last week. and that the two vii
| meet in the course OF a week or tW'
more. The arrival Of these "forerunnerS'
i'm this section was hailed with great JOY
by hundreds OF people who ardently nc
sire the constructor Of the road. anc
the survey Is accepted by many as IN
very best proof that the long-talked-o
scheme will matcrialize.
THE SUFFOLK BAZAAR.