The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-24

A County Astounding In Blne-Grass, fas
Cattle, Lumber and Minerals.

LEBANON. RUSSELL COUNTY. VA.
Now }.-Special.-YoiIr corresponding
has made a tour OF the larger part OF
Russell county, and was surprised 10 finc
il so rich I'm natural resources as 1t Is. IL
il easily one OF the finest counties In
Virginia, although in many respects just
beginning TO be developed. There Is an
enterprising spirit manifest among its
people that will speedily brng them TO
the front, and cause the county to. shine
as star OF the first magnitude.
The north side OF he county. adjacent
to Buchanan and Dickinson counties. IL
very rough, with nils piled upon hills.
from the sides OF which gush crystal
springs, and among which cattle. even
i'm mid-winter, find abundant pasturase.
This section is not so well adapted To as-
riIuture. It's coal and other minerals
constituting its chief wealth but now and
then the traveller finds beautiful valley.
adorned with handsome and contentcd
homes ana under high state OF agricul-
tural Improvement Bluegrass grows up
on the hillsides. and cattlc-raising IL
very profitable industry. even IN this sec
ton Through the southern edge Of the
rough section extends the beautiful tiiAch
Valley, along which runs the tlinth Vail
ley Division Of the Norfolk and Western
railroad. The tinlvcr among the hills
IS very fine, ana sawmills are met with
on every hand. LAUNDERING is anordlng
employment for "a larse number OF men
and is making money plentiful. Trssn-
ways have been constructed into Bucn1n-
an and Dickinson counties and a great
quantity OF lumber is being brought down
10 the railroad by meaps OF them. Coal
L.. f.4r I'M
many mines are being opened up. and
this will soon become an important
branch OF industry. The coal is Of very
fine quality.
South OF the river is "A fine agricultural
section and famous far and wide as
bluegrss region. Here is produced tho
fine cattle that bring such fancy prices
in foreign markets. In one boundary,
said to contain fifteen hundred acres. I
saw several hundred large. fat cattle
browsing lazlly on the delicious bluegrss.
The cattle do not require u be fed In
winter except when the ground II COW
cred with snow. When the snow meits
the grass is as fresh and green as In
the spring.
The farmers OF this section are very
progre ssiye and prosperous. They get
the highest prices for their cattle. which
they raise az a nominal cost: conseqncnt-
~ they always have a sufiiciency OF cir
cuiating medium The greater percentage
of the landowners always have hand
some bank account.
The pleasant little town OF Lebanon.
the county seat. has a wIde-awakc,
though young, college, In which both boys
and girls are educated.
The people OF Russell county are gem
erors ana hospitabIe and "a stranger feels
AZ home Wills he is among them. Nerriy
ali OF them are fond OF horses and are
expert and graceful riders They arr
unusually cheerful IN Their dispositions.
and have many delightful social gather
ings There Is not much class distinction
among them. although there are few
particularly exclusive ones who do not
range with the common herd. and those
az low character. OF course. do not 60
with ''the people"