Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-17
THE NORTHERN NECK.
PREPARATIONS MAKING TO CELE-
BRATE CHILDREy's-DAY.
Approaching Baptist sunday-scbooI
Conyention-Confed Veterans
Good Dog sfory-PersonaI Notes.


are making extensive preparations for
"Chiidren's-Day," which will be observed
at all the churches at some time or other
before the summer closes. DR.. j. NJ.
Pitcher. OF Petersburg, General superin-
tendent Of the Virginia Baptist Sunday
School and Bible Board, arranges the
programmes for these interesting annual
exercises. and many OF the churches en-
deaVor 10 arrange their appointments for
the popular service 10 suit the superln-
tendents engagements, In order to have
him present TO talk 10 the children on
the subject OF colportage-the cause
mainly supported in Virginia by money
raised by the children. Formerly one par
ucular Sunday in May or June was APP
pointed for "Children's-Day." and the an
nual service was held at all the churches
at the same time; bat under that plan
but one Sunday school could enjoy the
presence and address Of Or. Pitcher nor
could neghbCring Sunday schools visit
each other on that most enjoyable of all
occasions with Sunday-school folks. To
one unacquainted with the workings and
wonderful success of Children -Day" in
by this institution" every summer would
seem almost indescrible.
Another important occasion On store"
FOR the Baptist people Of this section IS
the Northern Neck Sunday-School Con-
yention," which Will convene at Lebanon
Baptist church. In Lancaster county. on
tho 50th day OF this month and continue
in session two or three days. This con-
vention has grown 10 large proportions
IL.
crowds. Besides the Baptist ministry Of
the Northern Neck, and delegates from
the many Sunday schools, a great many
visitors from the other religious denomi-
nations attend the convention every year,
and II Is not uncommon for prominent
members Of other denominations TO take
part in the exercises. The programme an
nounced by the moderator this year f.
an unusually interesting one and some OF
the most prominent pulpit orators Of the
Rappahannock Valley have been assigned
to places on It and Will deliver essays on
and discuss subjects OF interest aud i'm
portance 10 the Sunday-school cause.
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
The Collins-Garnett Confederate Vete-
ran Camp, OF this county. is steadily in
creasing in membership and interest. At
the May meeting, held several days ago.
five new members were added to the rolls,
and Commander w. A. Smith was authO-
rized to procure suitable hats and
badges for the members who contemplate
attending the reunion at Richmond. Fifty
members Of the camp signihed their In
tention 10 visit Richmond on the occasion
Of the reunion. and are already making
arrangements for the trip.
Judge w. s. Barton, OF Fredericks-
burg. has ordered a special term OF the
Circuit Court of this county, 10 be held
on Monday, the Sth OF June. Judge T.
r b. Wright. OF Essex county, VIII
preside for Judge Barton.
A number Of ''runaways' recently
very clearly demonstrates the TACT that
the horses 10 the Northern Neck do not
take kindly 20 the presence OF bicycles.
But few horses have 50 far been found
in the Neck that can be either persuaded
or coerced into close proximity to a
moving bicycle, and the advent OF the
"wheel" here has frightened hosts or
brave ladies out Of their accustomed
drives and enjoyable horseback rides.
II IS suggested by some that the horse
Is a sensible and Jealous animal and
that an occasional runaway and smash
up IS his only means Of showing his ais
approval Of the adoption. in the coun-
try, of the machine destined to super
sede him in the lighter road-service.
Dr. V. O. Caruthers, the newly
elected chairman OF the Democratic Ike
cutive Committee was authorized 10
appoint a county committee, and report
their names 20 the mass-meeting. In
June. for ratification. Although a large
majority Of the King George Democrats
are SILVER men," as heretofore stated
I'm this correspondence, DR.. Caruthers,
the new chairman. is an outspoken gold
standard man; but, as he is an earnest
Democrat-"a Democrat first, last, and
ali the time"-it is thought that his
views on the currency question will not
cause any friction or splitting what
ever.
ALREADY FAILING.
The springs and wells IN some parts
OF this county and Lower Stafford are
already failing, and II an early
drought sets in water will be scarcer
than ever before, for the sources OF
supply have never recovered from the
long drought Of last year Farmers
and ploughmon told your correspondent
this week that the earth had not been
thoroughly wet any considerable depth
since June, 1S95-eleven months ago.
Deputy-Sherir William ". Helm. OF
this county, is suffering from severe
nervous prostration, and HIS friends are
extremely solicitous about his condition.
This week about closes the fishing sea-
son on the Potomac. Up 10 last night
many Of the nets and traps had been
taken out Of the water. and the work
OF taking up the poles, stakes, etc, will
continue through next week. Vast guam
titles of fish have been caught since the
ist of April. but. owing 10 low pi;ces,
the fishermen have not been fully com
pensated for their heaVy outlays ana
hard work.
In the course Of two or three weeks
crab-season will open on the Potomac,
and then picnics and ''fish-frys" will be
In order, and the pockets or many sun
tanned waterman win Jingle with coin,
taken in exchange for the popular and
toothsome Potomac crab.
Since the moon got right for melons
last Tuesday evening, planting water
melons and cantaloupes has been the
order Of business on many farms, where
they were not planted during the warm
spell'' in April as an experiment. a ma
iority of the farmers here cannot be IN
duced TO plant melon-seed earlier than
the first light nights in May.
Careful inquiry, and a partial canvass
OF the people here have failed so far TO
md a King George Democrat who is not
"unalterably opposed TO the unit rule"
Mrs. William L. Baker. Of Shiloh. this
county, left by steamer yesterday fcF-
Alexandria, where she will spend some
time with relatives and friends.
TO GRIND AGAIN.
The large old grist-mill at the head OF
Chingoteage creek, this county, which
formerly belonged TO the Turner estate.
is being repaired. and will be completed
and ready for work some time this sum
mer. This mill Is valuable piece OF
property, and is now owned by Mrs. VIII
liam Pratt Of Camden. Caroline county.
Mr.. c. Mitchell, OF Richmond county,
has contracted to repair the immense
dam and has engaged 5000 bricks from