Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-16
IS STILL SHAKING
THE EARTH NEAR OTTER HILL,
BEDFORD COUNTY.
no Explanation of the Phenomenon
So Far-Two Old Citizens Dead-So-
ciaI Affairs In Bedford Cfty-Club
Meetings..
Meetings.

BEDFORD CITY, VA, January 10
(snecial)-Th peculiar tremor Of IN
earth on the farm Of Mr.. Henry Greasy
near otter Hill. about eight miles dis
tant. reported some time ago in this cor
respondence. still continues, and the area
seems steadily increasing. Mr.. Greasy
now states that it is felt quite distinctly
within a radius OF a half mile Of The
tobacco barn. where it was first observed
and has been felt very forcibly two miles
from that spot. and there has been nc
abatement of the quaking sensations
AS vet no one Of scientific experience
has visited the spot to investigate the
remarkable phenomenon, but letter ad-
dressed this week to Professor Nicholas
knight. of the Woman's College, at
Iynchburg. elected the following re-
Spouse:
1.-THE oscillations referred to do not
affirm or deny the existence of oil under
meath. The phenomena could just as
easily be due to water. could not offer
an explanation without first witnessing
what takes place. There may be a sub
terranean explosion or disturbance, above
which happen TO be elastic layers OF rock
for limited area, which transmit the
shock. Adjacent 10 the elastic layers,
if the rock should be inelastic. no shock
would be felt"
There is much speculation on and in
terest in the subject, but the distance
from town has prevented any visitor OF
scientific knowledge from going to the
spot simply from curiosity, and there Is
no pecuniary inducement thus far TO in
wife investigation.
At the meeting Of the Board Of Super
yisors of the county this week Judge
Galloway Brown appeared and proposed
that two bills, the drafts Of which ne
read, be presented 10 the Legislature Tor
confirmation. one for empowering the
board 10 borrow money 10 buy farm
upon which TO locate the county aims
house. and the other for the improve
ment of certain roads Of the county.
The board did not determine whether
Or not the question Of borrowing these
sums should be submitted 10 vote OF
the people, but will do so later. TWO or
the most venerable citizens of the coun-
ty have Just passed away, both of whom
were highly respected in their neighbor-
hoods. Mr.. William zimmerman died at
the home Of j. l.. zimmerman, near
Mount Olivet, in the Goth year of his age.
lie WAS the VI SAAANth NN-AN-N A
ten OF whom survive him.
Mr.. Lance Noel. of Lone Pine, died
from a stroke Of paralysis, at the age Of
IS years.
Rev. w. S. Royal, pastor of the Bap-
fist church, announced to his congrega-
tion last Sunday that he had received
call TO a charge in Southwest Virginia,
and had taken the matter into consider
alton. There was unanimous protest,
not only from the members OF the church,
but from the entire congregation, that
air. Royal remain here.
In the most gentle unobtrusiye man
ner Mr.. Royal has impressed himself
upon the entire community, and Yields
a strong power for good among all who
have come within the radius OF his in
nuence. AS an earnest preacher, faithful
pastor, and Christian gentleman, Mr..
Royals usefulness cannot be overesti-
mated, and his departure would be pub
He loss.
The transition from the unusually cold
weather TO the damp warm temperature
now prevailing has resulted in colds of
ali sorts and conditions Of violence, from
pneumonia 10 the weeping phase Of pink
eye"
Thursday afternoon was gala-day in
Bedford's capital. Mrs. James L. Nichols I
entertained the 1lltCc0 OluD very QellElt- /
fully at her handsome home, on Ashland 4
avenue The chief feature OF the occa- /
sion was guessing the names of literary /
celebrities from their pictures, which /
were Unfortunately mixed In a large 4
punch-bowl. Mrs. o. c. Bell won the /
prize for distinguishing the largest num-
Der.
At the same hour the Thursday Club
was most agreeably entertained by Mrs.
j. w. Hopkins who presented a number
OF literary conundrums. the answers TO
which were names OF authors. There
was tie FOR the prize between Mrs. A.
M Hughlett and Mrs. O. c. Rucker,
which fell TO the latter
The Helping Circle Of Kings Daugh-
tiers, on the same day, and also in tha
evening, held an artists entertainment.
the proceeds Of which will be used In
behalf OF the poor OF the town.
Mrs W. s. Graves was summoned TO
Richmond by the announcement OF the
death Of her uncle. Colonel John b. Cary.
Mr. j. II. Berry left to-day for a BUSH
ness trip 70 Boston. h
Master Jack Johnston. son Of Mr.. J.. w.
Johnston, is quite ill with pneumonia, ,
from falling through the ice
sliile skating
s1sssrs. Samuel Kohen. David Kohen.