The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-08
AFFAIRS IN BEDFORD.
Little Interest in Poiitics-Noted Chsr'
actcr Iusanc-Somc Corrections.

BEDFORD SPRINGS. VA, Nov. A.
spccial.-The coming election has been
so little discussed that / doubt IL one
half of the voters know when IL comes
off. The appointment of Coin harvey
chief engineer, and Free HHNol
Tongue Tillman az fireman TO run the
so-called Democratic machine seems 10
inspire no enthusiasm among the Dear
people. Old-tlme Democrats may wen
inquire. where they are at and where
they will finally land.
Mr.. John T. Thompson. prominent
farmer near here, has been adJucsed IN
sane and sent to the asylum at Marion
Ma Thompson was noted character
IA many respects, and few men were
better known in this section. When
in health he was fond of hunting ana
trapping and sported an overcOat made
OF coon skins which attracted attention
wherever he went. He was the son
of Mr.. James w. Thompson, 'who repre-
scented Botetourt county in the Legisla-
ture many years ago, and who died sud
denly while addressing that body.
In the Sunday Times. October 23d a
VERY interesting historical paper by Mrs.
c. W. Coleman is published In writing
Of this ancient village (New London,
she makes one or two little slips, which
] will venture TO correct. az absolute ac-
curacy in making historical statements
seems to be demanded in this age In
speaking of the old courthouse once
located here, she says an old chimney
marks the spot where IL once stood.
Every vestige OF the old building has
been gone for many years, and Slight
depression In the ground - the only
means Of Identifying the spot Inc
property came into the possession OF an
old citizen during the war, who believed
more in the useful than the ornamental
or sentimental. so he utilized the tim
bers in bridging the creek and other pur-
poses.
The house in which Johnnie Hook
lived while in this vale of
tears. still sctands, but it has
been so altered and amended.
/ doubt If Mr.. Hook would recognize
IT. were he to- revisit the scene Of his
| earthly troubles There are those who
believe that there were two sides to
| tho Hook affair" and that the old gen
| tleman was badly treated. but as 1t is
rather late to have committee Of in
| vestigatlon. IL will have TO stand as
| Patrick Henry left IT.
The Galloway (and Steptoe) Cemetery
where Jimmie" Steptoe lies buried is
| I'm Bedford county, not Campbell, as Mrs
| c. has il. 1t is a noted burying-ground
end is about an acre in extent II was
| once looked after and cared for. but
| Of late years II has been neglected, and
| now tho bushes and briaTs have full
| possession, so much so that II is almost
| as Uncomfortable as the Dismal Swamp
| Once in there. a rabbits left hind foo
would be perfectly safe from capture.
The clerks office. in which Jimmie
! Steptoe handled the goose quill. while
clerk for both Bedford and Campbell
still stands at the old Stoptoe mansion
half a mile from the village. Consider
ing its age. 1t is in a fine state Of pre-
| seTvation and bids fair TO last many
| wears TO come. When the question OF
| changing the postoflice here from New
| London to Bedford Springs was first agi
| tated there was considerable opposition
J but it was contest between alum water
and historical associations. and alum
water proved the stronger. AS I an
not engaged to write history, and fOI
| fear the History Committee may picl
! flaws in my remarks should ! venture
| too far from the shore, / will hold VI
| for the present.
We are I'm the midst OF the hunting
| season. and any one not knowing what
| was going on would imagine the siege
| of Santiago was I'm full blast. The re-
port Of guns is almost 'incessant as the
ticking Of a clock Many bird is made
To bite the dust. but the large majority
escape with only a severe fright. We
have some young sports who are making
their first season, who. if they kill one
bird I'm five shots. are as much elateC
as If they had killed a Spaniard or sunk
n Merrimac DR. W l.. Kabler is still
the champion shootist rarely missing q
shot. He bears his hOnOTs mOdestly
seldom Growing over those who waste
their ammunition (and temper.