Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-20
THE NORTHERN NECK
1 Thief Escapes BY Swimming Ashore In
The Darkness.
KILLED ON THE OYSTER sLoop.
One Of the Men . King Georgian Named
WesseIs-Mr. McNeii's Appointment
Increase Of Business.
Correspondence of the plspatch.)

Correspondence of the Dispatch)
CONFORM. KING GEORGE COUNTY,
VA. January 19.-The warehouse on the
wharf OF Mr.. X. II. Johnson. on Macho-
dac creek. was entered one night last
week by an unknown thief. or thieves.
who, on being fired at by Mr.. Johnson
disappeared very mysterously. lmme-
diately following the report OF Mr.. John
sons pistol q heavy Splash" sounded
in the water by the wharf. The In
ference is that the frightened burglar
Jumped of the wharf and swan ashore
In the darkness. thus making good MS
escape, while the walkway from the
warehouse was being watched.
1t has been learned that one OF the
men killed on the oyster sloop. OF Mount
Maria. IN the Potomac river. a snort
time ago, was Mr.. ]. T. Vessels. who
married Miss Sarah HAYES. OF this
county.
COULD NOT FORD THEM.
Some OF the creeks between this place
and Fredericksburg were 80 much swollen
by the freshet last Friday that the faitn-
full mail-carrier found II impossible 10
attempts to reach here, had 10 return 10
Fredericksburg. and there remain till
Saturday morning.
Mr.. j. W. Mcneil, a ministerial student
OF Richmond College. came to King
George on Saturday last, and on Sunday
morning at II o'clock preached at PotO-
mac Baptist church to a large and APP
preciative audience. The sermon was an
excellent one. and Mr.. Mcneil made such
a favorable impression upon his congre-
cation that the church, at the conclusion
Of the services, invited him by unani-
nous vote to preach at Potomac on the
second Sunday in every month during this
winter and spring. The invitation was &C
cepted, and standing appointments have
been made here for Mr.. Mcneil. This
young divine is a native OF Franklin
county, and was recommended 10 the
Baptists here by Rev. James .. Kirk,
of Richmond, who was for number or
years pastor Of the Baptist churches IN
this county.
BETTER PRICES.
Real estate in this section Is command
ing better prices just now than II has Tor
many years. The many splendid advan-
tages and resources OF the Northern
Neck are becoming generally apparent,
and the probability is that considerable
this year, and that several new and I'M
portant enterprises will spring up during
the ensuing summer and fall. To say the
least. the Northern Neck has capabilities
superior 10 those of other sections OF the
country
Rev. John McNabb, rector Of the Epis-
copal churches here, has received call
to Pohick church. in Fairfax county, and
las 1t under prayerful consideration. The
people of King George. irrespective OF de-
nominations, regret the CALL and sin
cerely hope that Mr.. McNabb will not
accept 1t. for he is one OF the most use
full energetic. and deservedly popular
ministers of this entire section.
ICE-GORGES.
On Monday and Tuesday Of this week
some parts of the Potomac river pre-
scented a most magnificent and pic
turesque appearance. on account Of the
long gorges Of sparkling ice which
stretched along its shores for many miles.
A great many ornamental and forest
trees were broken down by the snow ana
Ice last week. and the handsome shrub
berry in some of the country yards was
quite badly mutilated.
ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK.
Since about the middle of December
the country merchants have enjoyed
brisk trade, the volume OF business In
their line being at least 80 per cent.
larger than during the corresponding
period of one year ago. and nearly %
per cent. larger than 1t was during the
thirty days from December 10, 1893, to
January 10. 1894. Experienced business
men and competent judges OF the signs
Of the times consider the outlook for
1895 rather encouraging. and think that
all the indications point to a significant
Increase In business in the various depart
ments of enterprise throughout the rural
districts. Farmers contemplate cultivat-
ing larger areas in corn and spring-oats
this year than was TILED for the same
cereals in either 1898 or 1894. Present in
dicatioDs are that trucking will be en-
gagged in more extensively in this sec
ton this season than perhaps ever before.
This, Of course, makes the outlook more
hopeful for the laboring class, and all
foretelling increased business and pros
perity for CONFERENCE.-THE. a careful
investigation shows that there were
fewer business failures among the coun-
try people in 1894 than there was in either
of the two preceding years. Commercial
travellers report larger sales and better
collections during the last quarter of 1894
than they had during the corresponding
period of either 1885, 1882. or 1891. and they
Claim TO have taken larger orders from
country patrons this January than they
took for either of the three Januarys last
past.
POPULAR NEWSPAPER.
Several days ago some literary people
were discussing the merits and dement's
or the newspapers Of the present day,
when 1t was unanimously agreed that, all
things considered, THE Richmond Dis
patcn Is the best 'all-around' paper In the
Soutn-porfect as a newspaper, nothing
lacking as a family-paper-almost an en-
cyclopeda." So popular is the Dispatch
hereaboutS that those who don't sub
scribe to 1t either borrow or beg H. and
but for the clever morals and strict in
tegrity of our people, they would even
steal 1t II there were no other means Of
obtaining It.
ALREADY there are from three 10 five
candidates for a majority Of the county
offices TO be filled at the May election
here, and the campaign promises to be
spirited contest. So far. the Populists are
standing aloof merely watching the
movements of the two old parties. but
whether they will continue TO play the
role Of lookers-on remains TO be seen. for
their leaders are very reticent concern
Ing their plans and purposes.
III IN