Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-04
TIE ALTON BREEZES.
WE'RE PARTICULARLY HIGH
DURING THE PAST WEEK.
And So Were the waters-Dnmage
from the storm--A Mennonite Mar
rIaEc-PecuI,ar customs-Propcrty
Transfers.
lcorrcspondence Of thc pispatchl


ALTON. VA. october 2.-The growing
interest in politics has subsidized with the
rising weters and the fierce rain-storms
OF this week.
Fortunately for us, the valleys below
Alton are sheltered by a rim of noun
tains that breaks the force Of the wind.
At Alton. while the wind had more force.
no actual damage was done.
Rockhsh creek, just below the tunneb
Is the head water OF RockHsh river. Along
its course much damage was done in the
lowlands. At Chestnut Ridge" the
home Of Postmaster Hays. the meadows
were washed as II by a small river, fenc-
ing and water gaps swept away, and
three bridges carried off.
The loss here in valuable land is quite
heavy, as also on the farm Of Mr.. Il. h.
Mays. adjoining. Lower down the Rock
fish valley some cattle were drowned, and
two men narrowly escaped. but no other
loss IS reported. The roads in many
places were impossible but the con-
tinucd high winds are drying them.
The protractcd meetings at Mount Ed,
conducted by Rev. Mr.. Hawthorn, were
discontinued.
Rev. James II. Robinson left Thursday
for Louisville, Ky, TO enter the theologi-
cal seminary. OF that city.
Mrs Benton LipscOmb. OF "Redlands,"
returned home from Palmyra Wednesday.
Mrs ". Leigh Burton. OF Richmond. IS
visiting her sister Mrs. J. II. Il. Jones. in
Augusta county. "over the ridge"
MENNONITE MARRIAGE.
Several of our romantic boys and girls
attended a Mennonite marriage near
Wayuesboro' the other evening. With
;he Mennonites many Of whom are scat
tered about Alton, and have meetings
in the Grove" there is no waste. either
in courship or marriage. of any super
nu0us sentimentality.
The minister OF the church. added 10
his duties. has to be the repository OF
all the love affairs. and when a brother
wants 10 marry sister be goes to the
minister and reveals the happy secret.
II the minister is pleased, he carries the
message TO the fair lady. If not-why l
suppose the marriage never eliminates.
The bride-to-be Is usually greatly sur
prise-this Is "all so sudden" as worldly
maidcns put it--and. IL she consents.
sends her message back.
l MIKE MI " ullIts > tUBdStIUtTl Ol
three days. this extends 10 three weeks,
and during that time the engaged couple
are permitted TO see each without the
presence Of a third party.
The marriage always takes place I'm
church. There are no tickets no flowers.
no bridesmaids. The bride and groom
come from opposite sides of the church,
a few questions are asked and answered,
and they go back. each TO their respective
families. After the wedding there is
dinner. but the couple remain apart for
several days. There can be no after Sc
paration or divorce. In these days Of
matrimonial iufelicities. If more people
belonged TO the Mennonite Church, the
world would be better Off.
PROPERTY EXCHANGES.
Property exchanges for this week are:
Mr.. Fred. Pannell has purchased the farm
OF Mrs. Taylor Matthews, and will move
I'm week or So Mrs. Matthews has
bought the old Dawson homestead from
Mr. Foster. and MT Hugh Foster pur-
chases "Woodlaud," the home of the late
Emily J. Coles. near Rhodes Church.
Good prices were obtained for these
places and there ia q prospect Of better
hand values ahead