Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-06
THREE DRY MONTHS.
THERE HAS BEEN A BACK OF RAIN
IN RoCKBRIDGE RECENTLY.
BUT LAST FEW DAYS WERE BETTER.
April May Mike n Good showing for
jupiter Piuyius-NaturnI bridge
Property Not soId-Thc Horse
Market Very Poor.

ff'ffN AANNA 4 NaNs y 49, Ablll h-lSUffldll
Professor Harry ID. Campbell, of the
Washington and Lee University, VINO has
charge OF the weather bureau and gov
eminent observations here. reports that
only two-thirds OF the usual rainfall fen
during the first three months Of the year.
Most OF the deficiency was in the month
OF February, which was remarkably dry,
and only 1910 inches fell during that
month. The usual rainfall in this Sec
ton for the month OF February is 1886
inches. The rainfall for the month Of
March was a little above the average;
about 9.t7 inches fen. Contrasting the
past month Of February with the same
month of last year there is a difference
Of 500 inches.
The last few days have been a season
Of frosts and showers; the thermometer
at times registered as low as &c degrees,
and thin ice formed The frost killed
vegetation. which was very forward for
this time Of the year Peach trees were
I'm full bloom when the cold snap came,
and the crop is reported as very much
damaged. The general opinion is that
the apple crop and other fruits were
seriously injured by the cold weather.
Tuesday there was a furry of snow and
rain all Of the morning. but during the
afternoon the sun shone with vigor.
The reservoir of the town was tho
roughly cleaned during the past wet spell,
and about six inches of sediment re-
moved from the sides and bottom by the
Superintendent OF the Water-Works.
THE HORSE MARKET.
County-Court-day passed off very quiet
Is. there being a large crowd in town.
Many fine horses were on exhibition.
There were many buyers present, but
all offered small prices. About twenty
head of horses were bought by them at
figures ranging from $50 TO $50. There
were many high-priced animals offered
but no buyers: all that were sold were
Of the cheap variety.
The April grand jury was in session
for several days and many witnesses
were summoned before them in regard
TO the violation Of liquor laws such as
selling to minors, selling on Sunday ana
selling bv retail while holding license to
sell by the gallon. The grand jury eN1
amined in all forty-five witnesses, ana
consumed two days investigating them.
Presentments were found in twelve cases
against barkeepers and seven other cases
4
were presented
NIessrs. Waitman F. Tolley and Hal
| Dixon, of this place, have recently en-
liste| I'm the United states marines al
| Newport News. and are now on Doaru OF
| the warship Brooklyn. .,
Walter l.. Wilson son Of Hon VIII
| liam l.. Wilson. president of the WASH
/ ineton and Lee University, Past Assistant
Pavmaster i'm the United states navy IS
| the guest Of his father. He was for three
wears on board of the ship Machias, and
/ Stotioned i'm the Chinese squadron. He
/ has received a telegram ordering him 10
renort for duty. to be assigned TO an
| other vessel.
4 7-year-old son of Mr.. John Benson,
Of Prowusburg. was bitten by a rabid
| dog some time ago. Several days ago the
little fellow was seized with hydrophoDla
and died in the greatest agony
THE NATURAL-BRIDGE PROPERTY.
The statement in your columns of the
1st instant that the sale of the Natural
/ bridge property had been made 10 MI
| Carruth. a gentleman from Boston, nalu-
rally interested the people of this com
/ munitv. who had heard nothing OF H.
| Your correspondent at once saw a gen
! ueman here, who is familiar with the
| AFFAIRS Of the bridge company, and IN
| n0E1tl0n
| He denied that the property had changed
hands. but stated that some negotiations
have been pending with Mr.. Carruth'
| though nothing definite has resulted.
Mr.. John Melin. who has been connect
| "a with tie Virginia Military Institute
for several years. in the capacity OF
musician for the band with his family
left this afternoon for Washington. Later
Mr.. Melin. accompanied by his uncle
will go to Klondike. Mr.. Melin has been
the instructor Of the Lee-Jackson Band
| Of Lexington, and was accorded a parting
! ecrenade this afternoon when he left on
| the train. The musicians, in full uni
form and headed by their drum major
marched TO the Union Depot, where seve-
! raj appropriate airs were rendered at
! the parting .,o..o,
| Mr. r. W. Withers. has been elected
,reeident of the Graham-Lee Literary So
| rietv of the Washington and Lee Uni
versitv. and Mr.. J. +. Stuart Of Ken
lucky, as vice-president, for the ensuing
| term. W.. 1-f.ut,i, rae
been elected associate editor of the Col
1ogian from the Graham-Lee Society Tor
| Inc session of 1859.