Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-03
FIRE PLAYED HAVOC.
Unfortunate Results Of q King George
Hunt.
GYPSY GANGS HARVEST.
The Northern Neck Railrond-Rcctor
CaIIcd-x Sign of - Hard winter
Corn-SIucLing-Heti from Prnc-
ticc-pcrsourt.

with fences, timber wood. etc. in the
immediate vicinity of Port Conway, this
county. the early part Of this week
Some huntsmen chased a rabbit into
hollow tree, and in order 10 force their
game from its hiding place set fire to
the tree. and in 4 few minutes the flames
became unmanageable and spread rap
idly over the adjacent fields and forest
destroying everything in their pain.
Everything was as dry as powder ana the
wind was blowing at fearful rate so
that all efforts TO avert a widespread
coniagration were frutless. Mr. Henry
" Turner, one Of the wealthiest ana
most prominent citizens in the neighbor-
hood, suffered the loss Of considerable
fencing. provender. etc, on his "ooo-
lawn" farm, where the terrible IRE orlgi-
mated. The gentleman who brought uiv
news Of the fire 10 this place t'ateu
that II was impossible TO estimate the
amount of DAMAGES to timber and farm
property. -,..
gang Of about twenty-five gyps'cs
arrived in this county last week ana
pitched their tents on the grounds arodhu
old Iambs-Creek church. Their Tor
tune-tellers." bears, dogs hanJo-picNeIe
and baby dancers draw large crowns 10
the camp daily. and not a Few poor
men have already invested theT last
dollar" with the wonderful fortune
teller" Young counting characters have
had their future "unfolded and fore
to,d-ed' i'm thrilling and fclictOus phrasae-
ology-the modern fakirs stock-in-tr1de
with which 70 depete the average country
boys pocket.
Mr.. John r. Minor Of this place, the
~ Z a
Baltimore this week 10 purchase his
winter stock Of merchandise. His wife
accompanied him as far ~ Washing IN,
where she will spend some days with ieid-
tvos.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cooke. Of Evansville,
Ind. who have been visiting friends ana
relatives here for two weeks, LETT lor
home several days ago. They viii stop
a short while IN Washington TO hunt Up
and visit Mrs. Cookies kinsfoik.
RAILROAD MATTERS.
II is reported here that the contract Tor
constructing the Northern Neck railroad
was let this week. and that the Work oil
construction will begin as soon as some
little differences between the company
and several citizens of Stafford can be
satisfactorily settled.
Mr. W. Mcdonald Lee. editor of the
Virginia Citizen. and one Of the Northern
Neck's very useful citizens. attended the
Atlanta Exposition.
Misses Susie and Matte Baker. OF Shi-
loh. this county. are visiting friends in
Alexandria.
The many public political speeches made
I'm the Northern Neck since the cam
paien opened have had a very good ef-
feet. but all the public speaking combined
has not accomplished as much good for
the Democratic party as has been accom-
plished by the unceasing work OF the
Northern Neck News. published at War
saw. in Richmond county, and the Viz
gnia Citizen, published at Irvington. in
Lancaster county. These two lively
Democratic weeklies deserve the thanks
of the Democracy for the powerful iniiu-
erce they have welded during the cam
paign. They have proved a potent factor
I'm the affairs Of the Neck.
Mr. Clark Merrill. Of Bloomsbury. Pa.
arrived In King George last Tuesday 10
see after his interest in the estate Of his
brother. the late William Merrill.
Rev Thomas +. Baker, a native Of this
county. and whose parents reside here,
has been called TO the reCtOrship of St
Johns Episcopal church. in Florence. S.
&. He was assistant rector Of st. Mich
aels church. Of Charleston. S. c., at the
time Of the death OF Dr. Grinke. the rec
tor. last spring, and has retained that
position since.
WILD GEESE
Large nocks Of wild geese have bvcm
travelling southwark this week. many of
them finding winter quarters in the
marshes along the Rappahannock. By
many OF our OLD citizens this very early
movement Of wild geese Is regarded as
a sure sign" of an early and hard win
ter. Anyhow, their appearance here has
fastened constructing and the procuring
of winter wood.
Dr. William y. Jet. Of Port Conway.
the oldest physician in King George has
made known his intention Of retiring from
the active practice of medicine, and Of
locating on his magnificent Smith
Mount farm, in WestmOreland county
While the people of this county wish Or
Jet much happiness. sweet rest. and
abundant prosperity, they are 10th 10
give him up and regret eXceelingly
that he has determined to leave King
George. DR. Jett Is an ideal old Viz
glnia gentleman. and a valuable MAJ.
MT. Wesley Butler, OF Washington D.
G., who has been visiting in Fluvanna
and Louisa counties arrived here on
Monday night last having made the uip
from five mules beyond Louisa Court
house 10 this place on bicycle that day.
A portion Of the roads over which he
travelled was very rough, yet he aver
aged ten miles an hour a good part Cf
that long trip.
Judge Charles II. Ashton and the mem
bers Of the Electoral Board Of this coun-
~ met at the courthouse yesterday
and arranged the ballots for next Tues
days election. Mr.. j. +. Minor, Jr
secretary OF Tic board. took charge Of
the stamped and sealed ballots for the
purpose Of distributing them among the
vothg-I faces in the county.
Mrs AE,e Barksdale OF Washington.
ID. C.. visited her parents, Judge and
Ms. G. u. Ashton, near Alden. this
county las, week.
The sttam-grlst-mill OF Mr.. +. Il. White
house proved Godsend 10 the people
In the upper portion OF the county du-
ring the present distressing drought for
nearly every water-power mill in the
county had to suspend. partially. opera
tons some time ago on account of the
almost unprecedented scarcity OF water.
The Extraordinary capacity OF Mr.. Il. r.
Grymes's millpond has enabled that cen.
teman's grist-mill 10 accommodate its
custom greater part OF the time. while
others have been standing still
FARMERS ACTIVE.
This week has been one Of unusual
activity among many Of our farmers
II being Impossible to plow and 10 seed
small grain In many sections the farm.
ers turned their attention and enerelrs
70 shucldng and housing corn. and CON.
seQuenlly Il greater part OF the crou 4. |
IN the crib. This branch Of farm-work I
Will be completed here this season m |
least month earlier than usual. Al |
though the statement in his corrsspon- |
dence nearly two months ago mar the |
corn yield would be % per cent. below the |
average was criticised ae az, ..,,u1o...