Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-10

For the SPECTATOR.
FROM APPOMATTOX.

For the SPECTATOR.
FROM APPOMATTOX.
On the Fourth we went to West Appomat-
tox, the new seat of the county, on the Nor
folk and Western Railroad. and thence to old
Appomattox c. H. three miles distant. The
old Courthouse, erected in 1915, is in ruins,
having been destroyed by fire. and the other
buildings-some hitherto comfortable and
elegant, tottering to decay the owners having
abandoned them, the looks of which forcibly
recall to mind the deserted village so patheti
cally described by Oliver Goldsmith. Stand
ing on the spot on which Generals Grant and
Lee met for the first time, on April 10TH 1865,
we gazed on the vast expanse that greets the
eye on all sides, and at McLeans in the dis
lance whence Gen'l Lee rode up to meet Gen.
Grant, as above stated. With appetites whetted
by the bracing air, We ate our snack under
| branching oak near here. On that sad occa-
sion. Gen. Lee rode Traveller, his favorite
lron-grey Charger which had carried him
| through many battles to victory. Just beyond
was large crop of tobacco being titled by
| hands. Soon afterwards, we went down and
over the creek to the spot where the apple tree
| stood under which Gen. Lee rested, the day
before, awaiting the return of flag of truce
sent by him to Gen. Grant. Here we could
see the old court house plainly, though it was
far off. Here in the field crop of wheat had
been reaped; and judging by the number of
shocks, it was a very fine crop. The immortal
Lee surrendered to Grants overwhelming
forces which consisted in the main of the re-
cruits from Europe, whom the crowned SOW
ereigns were glad to get rid of. After bidding
his troops farewell, who, though doomed to
defeat, were still undaunted, Gen. Lee rode
Traveller back to Richmond. Gen. Grant,
astonished at the smallness of Lees army.
that he had so long been essaying at much
cost and sacrifice of blood, to vanquish," took
his abrupt departure for Washington. Thus
ended the bloodiest war ever fought on this
side of the Atlantic Ocean
Ragand's house, where Gen. Lee signed the
articles of surrender, was purchased by a
Northern syndicate some years ago, and torn
down. the materials were carefully put away. |
or packed preparatory to their removal to
Chicago to be rebuilt as trophy of Grants
prowess but, alas, they are still in the old
place; have been seized by the sheriff, and will
soon be sold at auction!
There YVES quite an exodus of negroes from
the surrounding country to spend the Fourth |
at Galilee church, midway between West APP |
pomattox and the Old Court house. 1t is of
interest to note that many of the negroes
firmly believe that Abe Lincoln was of negro
blood, and therefore idolize him.
West Appomattoz is thriving village of
300 inhabitants. Lawyers judges, merchants,
and insurance agents constitute the leading
elements of society, and the inhabitants have
higher advantages of culture and refinement !
than a majority of the country people. Sumac
ties, and bark are the leading industries of this
place. West Appomattox will grow steadily |
because of its juxtaposition to the Old Court
house which is visited by tourists from every
part of the U. S.
Mr. Thomas Scruggs, leading farmer of !
Appomattox, who is going to open his big
store in Concord at an early day, will be the
Wanamaker of the village. His success as
farmer is marvellous He is still young and
unmarried. Some years ago, he went south
too seek fortune, but not liking the looks
of the Southern country, and convinced that
lie COulu Iudhe IHOIe III virginia tHau tAcic,
he returned home He at once rented farm
and went to work in earnest and made large
crops. In the meantime he had to support
his aged parents. In few years, he was able
to buy large farm, and made extensive i'm
provements on it which required large ex
penditures. The farm, which, when purchas-
ed, was in sorry order, is one of the finest in
the country. 1t will readily be seen that the
means with which he made such purchases
and Improvements as astonished his less en-
ergetic neighbors, was dug out of the ground,
that is, by the sweat of the brow. Let all 9th
er young country men stay at home and do as
Mr. Scruggs did.
There is every prospect of bountiful crop
of apples. 1t is given out on what is good au-
thority that within radius of thirty miles of
Lynchburg, there are two hundred distjlleries,
and much apple brandy will as matter of
course, be made this year. Apple brandy is
favorite beverage in southside Virginia, and
has been so from time immemorial. The
Prohibitionists cannot get any recruits in this
county by reason of the fact that the drys
were showed under deep at the option cleo
ton a year or two ago.
The outlook for crops is good. but chinch-
bugs haYe appeared in many places, and I'M
less checked in their rapid multiplication by
hard rain, will do sad havoc There is an old
saying that where there is no corn, there is no
hog and hominy. H. M. G.