Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-23
PLACES OF INTEREST.
OBJECTS IN VIRGINIA THAT NEED
TO DE PRESERVED.
mrs. COLEMAN POINTS THEM OUT,
Her Paper Read Before the A. r. v.
A. mt Their Annual Meeting-sug-
gestions as to How Historic Matters
May he Kept.
May he Kept

One Of the most interesting features
of the annual meeting OF the Association
for the Preservation of Virginia Antiqui-
ties held on Wednesday night, was the
paper read by Mrs. Charles Washington
Coleman. first vlce-president and histo-
rian. on "Objects of Historic Interest in
Virginia Needing Preservation" The
paper follows:
Mistress President Ladies, and Gentle
men Of the Board OF Management for
the Association for the Preservation
OF Virginia Antiquities:
I have been asked by the Board OF
Management to call attention to the
objects Of historic interest in the State
of Virginia needing preservation" Were
1 to attempt to recount them all should
carry you far into the night. L have,
therefore. only selected few sites, some
of which are not sufficiently remote In
point of time to hold their proper place
in the memory and regard Of the pres
ent day, which is learning 70 esteem
that which is Oldest as the best. Follow
ing the motto OF the Colonial Capital
Branch. "Sunt antiquissima quae que
optima." There are other sites so well
known as to be passed over and neg
lected because OF their very familiarity.
To these two classes 1 ask your atten-
tion:
Standing one day in the past summer
in the much-neglected Galloway grave
yard, in Campbell county. my eye fell
on quite a handsome tomb, on which was
inscribed the name James Steptoe, Clerk
OF Bedford county for forty years. This
simple epitaph recalled Patrick Henry's
famous beef speech at New London
Courthouse. The circumstances OF It's de-
livery. known to many, are not known
TO all. 1 may therefore, be pardoned for
telling them.
THE NOTED BEEF CASE.
One Hook, a wealthy Scotchman, low
ing his beef more than liberty, brought
suit against a Revolutionary commissary
for feeding the American army at his
expense. Patrick Henry. I'm defence OF
The commissary, exerted the powers of
his eloquence against the action Of Hook,
new painting his lack OF patriotism in
hideous colors, and then turning him
into ridlcule, by turns evoking the indig-
nation and amusement Of his audience,
who were one moment roaring with
laughter and screaming beef, beef and
the next ready to apply tar and fea-
theirs. Jimmy Steptoe," conscious OF
the dignity OF his position as Clerk Of
the Court, and not wishing to infringe
upon it, rushed into the courtyard, and
was there found by Hook rolling on the
ground in commissions OF laughter. The
irate Hook Indignantly exclaimed, what
ffa 4rrT "a fu mo NgKrqr mind
wait till Billy Cowan gets up, he'll show
him the law" The result was that in the
tumult of invective poured by the popu-
lace upon the luckless Hook Cowan said
never word. A very dilapidated stone
chimney still standing, or more properly,
still falling, in a lot in New London is
the last remaining fragment Of the old
courthouse where this speech was
made and which was also the scene Of
many another important event. Here the
Superior Court once held its sessions.
This lot IS for sale, but at what price 1
am not informed
During the Revolution New London was
a place Of considerable Importance. Here
was an arsenal and a magazine Of sufii-
clent value TO attract the military eye
Of Tarleton. New London is now the
seat Of Bedford Springs, and is in dan
ger OF having the old name swallowed
up in the new.
SHOULD MARK THE SITE.
would suggest to the Association for
the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
to mark the site OF the historic court
house and TO enter a protest against the
abandonment of the name Of New Lon
don. From fifty to a hundred people visit
Bedford Springs in the summer season.
I-tloubt If many Of them know the facts
of history I have just recounted in con-
nection with New London. A tablet
stating the historic interest attached TO
the site of the old courthouse would be
the means Of instructing many and AVA
kening fresh interest in preserving the
antiquities of Virginia.
The railroad station for Bedford Springs
Is Forest, name doubtless derived from
the summer home Of Mr.. Jefferson not
far away. called Poplar Forest Here it
was that Mr.. Jefferson sought refuge
from the British soldiers when they
visited Charlottesville and Monticello I'M
der the ubiquitous Tarleton, and it was
at Poplar Forest that Mr.. Jefferson wrote
his valuable notes on Virginia, which were
afterwards published in Paris.
Poplar Forest is still in a good condition.
Lynchburg. who makes this his summer
retreat. The beautiful box hedges which
form quite labyrinth In approaching the
house are still well preserved, and the
glass roof remains. a tradition says Mr..
Jefferson had fish pond on the roof The
visitors at Bedford Springs make this a
fashionable drive for the sake OF the his
toric interest attached to the name Of
jefferson. Mr.. Hutler, perhaps, might not
object TO having the house marked by an
appropriate tablet similar 10 that on the
Wythe house I'm Williamsburg. These
tablets are not very expensive, and at
tract attention 10 famous spots and also
to the work Of the Association for the
Preservation OF Virginia Antiquities.
A TABLET AT HANOVER c. II.
So much for Campbell county. Let US
now turn TO Hanover and again follow
up Patrick Henry. Here he was born and
here grew to manhood. struggling with
adverse fate. IL was at Hanover Court
house in the great Parsons cause that he
first won his spurs, so 10 speak, digging
them deep into the sides OF the unfortu-
nate clergy, drawing blood from what
Bulwer calls the pocket nerve. From
that time his eloquence and power were
unduestioned. Here on this historic site
Courthouse should be placed another
tablet one should also find its place on
Old Fork church. II still standing. noted
for the eloquence and piety Of the Rev.
Samuel Davies. from whose lips II Is said
that even Patrick Henry in his youth
drank inspiration. The Rev. Mr.. Davies.
II not the founder OF Presbyterianism in
Virginia, was at least its great exponent
and teacher Hanover county was also
a.. tf..hrtaoo % IIoprr CLAW