Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-03
LITTLE MONEY IN IT.
sErNE-uAuLrNG uNPRoFITADLE TO
THE KING GEORGE FISHERMEN.
IT IS OTHERWISE WITH STAKE-kETS
Interesting Facts Abont the Water
FoIk-Covys Arc Scarce In the
County-A Fugitive Negro and an
Injured hoy.

winter fish has proven not only unsaus
factory this season, but has resulted Fl
the loss OF money TO some Of the larg
operators on the Potomac. While tn
stake-nets and traps have fairly coineC
money for a month past, some OF TIT
winter seipes have sun money at The
rate Of 500 to sS5 per day. 1t has no
been many years since the owner OF
good winter-selne fishery could clear the
sung sum Of $500 or so from the 10th OF
November 20 the 1st OF March. But when
that was the case the pounds, traps
stake-nets, etc, which now dot some long
reaches Of the Potomac, were unknown
here. and the big seines had things quite
their own way. SO numerous and In
goniously arranged are these modern fish
traps in the lower reaches, that It is
hardly possible for any considerable
quantity OF wlnter-Gsh 70 pass them and
find their way up the river where the
selnes are operated. They are so con-
structed that tho smallest fish cannot
escape when once in the pens and circles
OF the fine meshes: and they are in such
close proximity that the choice rock,
perch, and catfish which manage 70 steer
clear Of one trap are pretty sure TO
steer" into another not far of. And
so. while the "down-the-river trap fisher
men" are reaping a great harvest and
swelling their bank accounts, the "up-
the-river' seine-haulers are making
"water-hauls" and depicting their
purses-the fortune OF the one working
the misfortune Of the other. But the
advent of these stake-nets, etc. brought
an era Of prosperity TO a large area OF
country lying along the Potomac. and
has been the means OF circulating more
money among the people adjacent 70
them than all other enterprises combined.
THE PROSPEROUS SECTIONS.
The most prosperous sections Of the
Northern Neck are those nearest 20 these
fisheries. From Matthias Point, this
county. many miles down the Potomac,
all classes Of the people are III easy cir
cumstances, as a result Of the money
derived from the fish and oyster business
in recent years. The country IS thickly
settled and ornamented by hundreds Of
and modern residences, and
many Of these are surrounded by splen-
did orchards and fields Of grass Even
the energetic colored people have shared
in this prosperity, many Of them having
bought land and built very comfortable
and pretty dwellings. And this prosperity
has spread beyond those engaged in fish
ing and oystering. Merchants and others
have been made thrifty by the circulation
Of money gotten out Of the water" In
some sections a dozen stores may be
counted in a radius Of as many miles
~. =
ihis source than the mechanics. Indi- |
riduals and families who some years ago |
lived in pinched quarters and were I'M
acquainted with plenty, are to-day among |
)uT most Independent citizens, some Of |
hem having money out on interest. So |
he existence Of oysters in these waters |
# late years. and the modern methods !
Il catching fish, which have killed the |
winter seine, have proven a godsend 10 |
thousands Of people and a means of build
ng up the Potomac for many miles.
HE GOT THEIR OPINIONS.
a businessman here recently adopted |
novel plan TO ascertain what his ac-
uaintances and patrons thought Of him.
ieing an adept at changing his voice to
hat Of a foreigner, he procured false
and otherwise Disgusting him.
elf, circulated among his people. Man
ging to turn conversation and comment
pom his real self, he found no trouble in
earning just how he stood in the estima-
ion of his fellow-citiZens.
The rainfalls this week are pronounced,
q some parts Of this and Westmoreland
ounties. tho heaviest since a memorable
ownpour in May, 1884, The low-lands
ave been under water since Tuesday, |
nd the highways in some neighborhoOds
re said to be well-nigh impossible. Farm
ng operations, hauling. etc, have been
I a standstill most Of the week
Mr.. II. S. Jones, one Of the prominent
merchants of this county, has decided to
ell his large stock Of merchandise at
sosita and retire from business next
Month. Failing health forces him to this
Mr.. James O. stin has announced his
ltention to erect a steam grist-min, at
hatterton, near here, on the Potomac.
Mr.. E. j. Whitehouse, q widely-known
ling Georgian, has procured the position
( travelling salesman for the Davis
taking Powder Company
Mr.. G. Smith, OF Pennsylvania, was
ere several days ago. looking after the
lrge plantation purchased by him year
r so since. He seeded a very large area
4 wheat and grass here last fall and is
leased with the appearances Of this Sec
on as a promising agricultural commu-
ity.
Mrs. J. A Billingsley and little son. OF
D. c., are visiting relatives
! this county.
Mt. W. T. Baker. Jr., principal Of tho
ewiand High School, in Richmond coun-
:. is the guest Of his parents, at Shiloh,
IFS county. having just returned from
Nd, whittier he went imme-
ately after closing his school, about
go weeks ago.
COWS ARE SCARCE.
Owing TO the high prices Of cattle last
ar. and the fact that several thousand
,ad were carried from this section by
,alers. COWS are scarcer here this spring
ian at any former time since 1865 The
irchase OF q milch-cow or a yoke OF
ork-oxen in some parts Of this and
sar-by counties Is quite an impossibility. {
attic that were valued at $40 and s12 per
,ad eighteen months ago cannot now be
'ught for s3 per head. I
The citizens here seem 20 realize now, ;
r the first time. the magnitude of the 9
rained relations between the United s
etes and Spain. The people all along {
Ia Potomac cannot forget their war ex-
'riences Of thirty-odd years ago. and Of :
men we have the least craving for
'stilites. Yet our people, whose calm
'ss and comparative reticence and pa
ence through the past six weeks have
zen mistaken for indifference and a lack r
patriotism, now express themselves as
ady 20 respond 10 their countrys cali. 2
I'd willing 10 turn their backs upon I
me. loved ones, and business and 20 Il
herever tho defence or their country's I
NOR and safety may demand Many !
old hattln.sca Pred ..Inhnr.. d., - | S