Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-20
THE NORTHERN NECK.
THE PROPOSED FREE MAIL DE-
LIVERY IN THE COUNTRY.
Many Oppose the Innovation, and
Nhy-W OuId Break Up Old
Customs-Other ReasOns-Improve-
ments nj Wakefield-Genera1 Notes.

CONFORM. KING GEORGE COUNTY,
VA. December 19.-(Special.)-Th free
delivery Of mails in the rural districts
IS the leading topic here just now. and
the discussion. so freely participated in
10y nearly all classes. has already demon
strated the surprising fact that great
many country people are actually opposed
20 free delivery" Strange though 1t may
seem, many of our people are 10th TO
part company with the necessity Of
trllsing to the post-Ofice 10 get their
mail. for Notwithstanding the incOnven-
fence and loss Of time in busy seasons, q
daily visit 10 the country post-ofiice af-
fords an opportunity for neighbor to meet
neghbor and chat for an hour or so on
crops farm work. and the general news
Of the noighborhood. But the main OBJ
lection urged against free delivery is
the possibility Of Uncle Sans employing
carriers. in whose hands letters and
valuable "trinkets" would not be safe
while such carriers are travelling alone
over their dark. secluded" routes from
farmhouse 10 farmhouse. OF all people
in this world, the rural citizen Is the most
particular about his mail matter. and
often the most trusted Farm hand is not
the one who is sent TO the ppst-ofiice TO
carry and bring the farmers mail. lie
may be trusted I'm all other respects, but
when IL comes 10 handling that precious
mail the boss himself, or some MEM
Der Of his family must fiji that bill. II
Is to be hoped. however. that the notions
NJ .r.fn mil IA a WAY of tho
government giving its country citizens
such q blessing as the free delivery OF
mails would be. for p judiciOus system
or free delivery would be of incalculable
value and convenience 70 hundreds and
thousands OF businessmen in the country.
IMPROVEMENTS.
Much-needed public Improvement Is go
ing on at Wakefield. In Westmoreland
county. The government is having a beau
tful roadway made from the wharf out
% the Washington monument, and wire
fence is being erected along this road, on
both sides About ten acres Of land has
been laid OF around the monument, and
This plot viii be substantially enclosed
for q public park The making and ar
ranging Of the park, however will be
postponed. IL IS said. TO some future day.
When these Improvements are completed,
Wakefield will be a beautiful place, ana
there is no doubt that IN the course OF
@ few years 10 will be one Of the most i'm
portant and attractive places in the
Northern Neck, although IL was 50 long
neglected and practically consigned TO OBJ
ivon by the government.
Among the distinguished visitors 20 the
Northern Neck are Governor w. = Wat
son Of Delaware. and Mr. Theodore Town
fcnd. Of the Milford Chronicle. who have
been enjoying a few days hunt in Rich
mond county.
Alal-lOgs have again made their APP
rcarance IN some parts Of the Neck. aud
they arc not only terror 20 the people,
bat already "a number Of cattle and hogs
have died. and ID IL believed that they
bad been bitten by these rabid dogs
Mr. w Robinson Taylor, one OF the
most prominent citizens Of this county
who went 10 Washington some weeks ago
for medical treatment. has returned home
very much improved IN health.
The ladies Of 81 Johns Episcopal
church here gave an oyster supper ana
entertainment at the Parish Han King
George Courthouse, this week. and re-
allied r. snug sum OF money for church
purposes
Mrs. Andrew Cravatt, OF Caroline coun-
Is. is visiting her sister here.
great many wells and springs IN va
rlous parts IL the Northern Neck nave
dried up Tor want or rain.
party Of King George ladies' partici-