Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-13


tho decisions Of the highest court OF Vir-
ginia, and as the editor OF the statutes
at-T.arxc" OF that prominent State. He
also built that substantial old landmark
OF Richmond. on Grace street. near Saint
Paul's church, which, from its long lone
illness and slim height. was called "fhe
Shot Tower" IL IS still there, but greatly
improved. and I'm good companionship.
AS have high respect for Mr. Hening. as
reporter and editor, have lived In "The
shot Tower" and started its amelioration.
/ feel inclined TO send you these lnes.
In one OF tho early foytics ! visited tho
old Blandford church, which was then d.
lapidatcd and deserted. have no remem-
brance OF the poetry on its walls; but
have OF the lady TO whom the best OF II
has been ascribed.
When / was a student at the University
OF Virginia used TO spend a part Of my
vacations with the family OF an uncle-in-
law at his summer residence. Green
wood" near the border line between
Orange and Spotsylvania, and not far
from the Wilderness Tavern TO get
there the route was from SpotsylVanla
Courthouse TO Charlottesville. and soon
after passing that now historic place
through tho wilderness Itself. Tor
about FIVE miles. Little did the young
traveller then dream of the mighty ana
awful trampling Of the hosts OF war that
was TO take place along that route.
Greenwood was the homestead or the
tract on which n gold mine was found
and worked. and had been converted by
It's new owner (who lived in Fredericks-
burq) into a delightful retreat. His near
neighbors were the estimable Spotswoods,
at whose hosptabe home the writer spent
whole day. whilst they were entertain
Ing Mr.. and Mrs. Schermerhorn rms
couple presented a striking contrast. she
was OF low stature and plain appearance
but very sociable. intelligent, agreeable
and fluent In conversation. lie was tan
over six feet. fine looking, dressed ana
moved well, but, whilst not lacking in in
teligence. was rather reserved and cleri-
cal: and yet he was a businessman, too.
She contributed very largely TO the plea
suro of the days visit; but her brother
in-law by her first marriage. Mr.. John
Spotswood, was a fine gentleman ana
an excellent host and he ana nus
family. including a single brother, dld
not fail in their part.
Whether Mr.. Schermerhorn looked into
gold-mning with any view OF investing
i'm il Is not remembered: but II mas been
stated that he was not only a preacher,
but a man of business because he after
Mdl0S came ana tsldNllol4'A Il N'A4'iN'N-
abe pottery. on the Mechanicsyille road,
four or FIVE miles from Richmond. What
was his success with it financially is not
known. in a few years il was discon-
tinued. There was made, in the same
neighborhood. an attempt to grow will
lows-osers. for the purpose Of manu-
featuring baskets That failed also.
During the late war between the States
I became acquainted in Boolville, Mo,
with a Rev. Mr. Hening. who was one
of the Virginia stock, as he told me. He
was a minister OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and the Federal authori-
ties required him 20 take their iron
clad" oath of loyalty, which he refused
70 do, and suspended his preaching. lie
was man Of some eccentricity but Of
sincere and exemplary piety. and highly
respected by the community. One Sunday
afternoon he took me greatly by surprise
when he came to the hotel and invited
me TO take n walk with him. on our way
he asked me what were the causes Of the
pending war. / gave him my best opinions
referring to the matters historical and
political involved in il. He replied that
he concurred in most that had been adj
duced; but contended that all such mat
ters were mere occasions, and that the
real cause was the judgment Of God
on account Of the gross violations Of the
Sabbath day throughout our country.
Boonville rs a county seat, of several
thousand Inhabitants. on the south bank
Of the Missouri river. and has two steam
boat landings The short footway TO the
upper one was across an ugly ravine
worn by rains. Where our walk led us
this ravine was spanned by a bridge.
Whilst he was on it Mr.. Hening asked
me II did not know the Rev. Or. Y,
OF the Presbyterian Church. Being an
swered yes, ne continues "Weu Dir.
y was preaching here one Sunday
evening. but he intended to take an eX-
pected steamer for some other point.
and when he heard her whistle at the
lower landing be cut short his service
and hurried to the upper one and IN
crossing that ravine Oointing TO iO he
fell down and broke his leg"
He then said he had heard that 1 in
tended 10 go up 10 Glasgow that day.
/ told him that such was my plan, If a
steamboat came by bound for that place,
as / had TO be there by certain day
and wished to make sure. He requested
me not TO carry out my plan and l
promised him I would not. Then I knew
that he had paid his unexpected visit for
the purpose OF dissuading me from travel
ling on Sunday. even under circumstances
which seemed TO me 10 justify It,
He had some attractive daughters. fond
Of literature and self-cuituTe, but l do
not know whether either Of them was
addicted 10 poetical composition. They
had a private school for girls. NJ.
1905