Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-27
LOOKING FOR WORK.
MANY IDLE MEN IN THE COUNTY or
KING GEORGE.
An Interesting Little Blind Girl
The state Board of Ffsheries-Gos-
sip About Crops-The Roads h'ser-
nbTc--Marringes.
Correspondence OF the Dispatch.)
nbTe--Marringes.

Correspondence OF the Dispatch)
CONFORM, KING GEORGE COUNTY,
VA, February 26.-There are more un-
avoidably idle men in this county this
winter than ever before, this being the
first season since the war when the cord
wood and timber business have not ar
forded employment for a majority OF
those who are willing to work The forests
here having been depleted OF all the mar
ketable wood and timber. fishing is the
only winter work now going on, and this
enterprise, though Of no inconsiderable
magnitude. does not afford work for one
| fourth of the laborers who are not needed
by the farmers. The situation is regarded
very seriously-all the more serious, In
Decd because there Is nothing sin sight
at present which promises better times In
the near future for this army OF uDem-
ployed men and boys. 1t is hardly possible
| to visit or pass a country store, or other
public place, without seeing a number OF
able-bodied men sitting about in idleness,
and some Of the merchants say that
these people arrive at the stores early in
fhe morning and remain there throughout
the day, and this, too day after day,
week in and week out" For some years
past, since the wood and timber has been
gradually diminishing, and this business
requiring less labor, great many OF
our laboring men have gone North and
| found lucrative employment at the lum-
ber-mills, factories, &C, but these men
are here now, having returned just before
Christmas, and claim that work is as
scarce, wages as low, and times as hard
up North at present as they ar here
a sad commentary on the -.lfIiis-. Ion
which, II w s.o.dised, during the last
prfhidenetial campaign, would open new
era of prosperity for the labOring class. 1t
should be said in this connection that the
agricultural interests here would need and
give employment 70 every laboring man in
the county but for the low prices Of all
farm-produce.
BOARD OF FISHERIES.
The people of the Northern Neck have
felt and manifested a very deep interest
In Mr.. w. Med. Lees candidacy for a
position on the Board Of Fisheries. Mr.
Lee is potent factor i'm politics, and has
not only given freely of his time and
means to, and accomplished great things
for, Democracy, but few men have done
more in recent years to attract attention
of the Northern Neck.
One of the most interesting little girls
In this county is Miss Bessie Staples. a
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs Charles r. Sta
pies, at "Office Hail." From the effects
Of an accidental shot by a little PLAYMATE
few years ago, she lost both eyes, and
is totally blind for life. After the terrible
accident occurred, she was taken 10
Washington, d. c., for treatment. Re-
hut hr..
In Washington and studied music. and
now she is back to her native county.
where she is organst Of one of our
cnulches and a musician of recognized
talent. This modest little blind girl is not
only church organist, but is now teaching
music with the confidence and accuracy
OF those not deprived Of eyesight.
Mrs. John +. Mason. wife Of State
senator Mason. Of this neighborhood. who
has been visiting relatives I'm Fredericks.
burg, has returned home.
Miss Lucy Lewis of Marmion. this
county, who has been visiting in Wash
lngton and Fredericksburg for some time
has returned home, and has as her guest
MISS Mary Gordon Wallace of Freder-
icksburg.
PEACH CROP INJURED.
1t Is the opinion Of some of our farm
ers, and generally feared. that the peach
crop has been seriously Injured bv the
freezes which came so suddenly after the
continued high temperature of some
weeks ago, and especially by the snow
TINS week which chung so tenaciousy to
the tender buds
Mr.. Matthew Dent, Of this county. who
has been selling out and making other
arrangements to leave for South Dakota
went to Stafford county this week TO
visit his daughter, with whom he will
spend some time before starting for his
= ar-Off future home.
With favorable weather at the proper
time, a greater area will be planted I'm
Irish potatoes in the Northern Neck this
spring than any former season for twelve
years past. A number Of farmers who
have never paid attention to raising truck
will cultivate but little corn, and will
make a speciality Of potatoes and melons
for market. Melon culture has been
gaining favor here for several years the
soil in many parts of this and adjoining
counties being peculiarly adapted to this
crop, and it is believed that 1t will yield
more clear money from the acre and cost
of labor than any other crop
Northumberland county paid out for
last year one hundred and ninety-odd dol
lars in premiums on hawk-scalps, so says
an entirely reliable gentleman from that
county. The county pays a premium of
40 cents per scalp, and this resulted in
the "premeditated murder" Of nearly
two hundred hawks there in 1897.
Mr.. William Yeatman, of Westmore-
land county, left some days ago for Rock
Island, H., where he will hereafter re-
side.
Notwithstanding mild weather greater
part of this winter so far, more ice has
been housed here than for a number of
years, and the quality is above the ave-
rage.
The indications are, that a great many
spring oats will be seeded in this county |
and in Stafford next month.
MISERABLE ROADS.
The condition of the roads here is |
worse than 1t has been at any time since |
the early spring of 1893. and the system |
OF keeping the county highways In order |
does not appear TO be at fault The |
trouble arises from the fact that our |
roads are low (roughed) in the centre |
and high on the sides, hence bottom |
less"(0 in wet seasons.
Mr.. Isaac p. Rogers and Miss Linda Il. |
jenkins Of this county, entered the bonds |
of holy wedlock on Wednesday. The |
ceremony look place at Montague chapel, /
and was performed by Rev. ii. III. Zones.
Of the Baptist church.
The marriage of Mr. John w. billiard
and Miss Lena =. Harrison, which was
some time ago postponed on account OF
the protracted illness and death OF the
groom's father took place
on Thursday, at Shiloh, Rev. Mr.. Zones
The bride and groom are