Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-20
.RYE-VALLEY RICHES.
Recent Developments Of Great Mineral
Wealth.
, THE MANGANESE.
MINING
Tho AppIe-Crop I'm the Wytheville
Ncighborhood--A Choice Variety
Notable Musical Eveut-The Plano
Playing of Mr.. Edwin Farmer.

WYTHEVILLE, VA. October 19.-(Spe-
cial)-"Rye Valley" in smythe county.
Va, has been for some years locally ia
nous for its rich and varied mineral de-
poslts. But being situated several miles
from the railroad 1t has been to the
world at large terra incognita." Lead
ore IN considerable quantities and much
iron ore has been discovered by COMPARE
lively recent developments, and from
time TO time promising veins of manga
nese have been found. Within the past
few weeks those engaged ia the develop
ment have been mining and shipping the
manganese ore, and In doing so have dis
covered that II exists in large quantities
and richest quality over a considerable
area. AS the ore sells at from SIG to $50
per ton. It pays TO haul il in wagons
over the eight miles between the ore-beds
and the Norfolk and Western railroad de-
pot at Marion. II isn't much TO be won
dered at that we Southwest Virginians
wax enthusiastic upon the subject OF the
wonderful resources OF our richly-endow-
Cd country. Up every mountain stream
and along every ridge valuable and varied
mineral deposits turn up wherever the
pick goes in, thus making even our
toughest and otherwise most worthless
lands hidden mines OF wealth. while val
leys and undulsting uplands yield hun
dred-fold harvests 10 the industrious hus-
bandman.
THE APPLE CROP.
All the hands that could be found were
employed last week in picking and pack
Ing apples, OF which there Is fine and
most abundant crop this fall.
Among the popular varieties Of apples
RAISED in this section is the Virginia
Beauty" priced by many as highly as
the Albemarle Piprln and the Winesap.
1t was first raised from a Seeding In
Carroll county, and so is In a special
eeuso uroaurt ~ this part OF the State.
II Is not generally known to nurserymen,
LUr IL TIA northern markets. and most
OK the trees have been obtained from
crafts from the first trees, given one
ne!ghbor 10 another. 1t is among the
darkest OF red apples. IL shaped somewhat
Ike n "Sheepsnose" apple, has a very
smooth skin. capable Of high polish,
and so is a very pretty and snowy apple.
The meat is yellow. rich, and juicy, and
It has peculiarly rich and nutty favor.
Some OF It's best points are its firmness
and keeping qualities, making 1t a fine
apple for shipping.
A SOCIAL EVENT.
The social event OF the week was the
farmer concert" on Monday night. The
Wytheville Choral Club filled in the pro-
gramme with several very pretty selec-
tons, and Mr.. II. l.. Farmer, accom-
panied by his son, rendered two very
beautiful flute solos. But the feature OF
tho concert was the piano-playing OF
Mr.. Edwin Farmer.
From 1855 to 1888 Master Edwin gave
several concerts in this part OF the
State, and attained much reputation as a
boy pianist OF great ability and promise.
He spent several summers In Wytheyille,
and made many warm friends. who have
watched his career since with interest.
He has just returned from SIX years
spent in Europe, where he has been dill
gently studying; the plano under the best
masters He was the prize pupil I'm the
ConseryatOfi un. I'm Lelpsic, Germany, be-
ing the only American who ever won a
scholarship in that institution. After
graduating there he studied under
Boun!omici, of Florence, one of the great
est Beethoven interpreters of the present
time.
MIR. Farmer played here on Monday
night selections from Chopin. Schumann.
Mosskowski, and Saint Sans. rendering
them with an ease and beauty Of eNecu-
ton, and interpreting them with an ar
tistic appreciation apparent even to the
most uncultured OF his audience.
Mrs. w. ii. Spiller. Miss Sue Spillor
and Mrs. J. S. Crockett VIII leave Sat-
urday for the Atlanta exposition.
MIR. and Mrs. James Ward and Dr.
Varney returned from Atlanta Wednes-
cay night.
Mrs. George Bowers. who has spent the
past month with friends in Wytheville,
returns to her home, in Washington, ID.
f0.HaV