Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-07
THREE DRY MONTHS.
THERE HAS BEEN 4 BACK OF RAIN
BUT LAST FEW DAYS WERE BETTER.
April May Mnkc n Good showing for
jupiter piuNius-NaturnI BrIdgc
Market Very Poor.

LEXINGTON. VA, April 6-(Special)
Professor Harry u. 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 1000 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 So inches fen. Contrasting the
past month OF February with the same
month of last year there is a difference
of 5.02 inches.
The last few days have been a season
Of frosts and showers; the thermometer
at times registered as low as % 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 WaterWorks.
THE HORSE MARKET.
County-Court-day passed off very quiet
ly. 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 $65 There
were many high-priced animals oitered'
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 by retail while holding license 10
sell by the gallon. The grand jury eN-
amined i'm all forty-five witnesses anu
| consumed two days investigating them
| Presentments were found in twelve cases
against DdrktepeIS anu 9CNN" "''
were presented
Dixon. of this place, have recently en-
liste| I'm the United states marines at
| Newport News. and are now on board oil
! 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
thu Guest Of his father. He was for three
wears on board of the ship Machias' ana
stationed i'm the Chinese squadron. lie
/ has received a telegram ordering him TO
report 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 hydrophoold
and died in the greatest agony
THE NATIrRAL-BRIDGE PROPERTY.
The statement in your columns Of the
LET instant that the sale Of the Natural
Rri5ge property had been made 10 Mr..
| Carruth. a gentleman from Boston, natu-
rally interested the people of this com
/ munitv. who had heard nothing OF II.
| Your correspondent at once saw a gen
! ueman here. who is familiar with the
/ affairs Of the bridge company, and IN
! pOeitiOn to know IL a sale had Deeh Hldue'
| 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. i'm the capacity OF
musician for the band with his family
left this afternoon for Washington. Later
AIR 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
! eorenade 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
nresident Of the Graham-Lee Literary So
| riotv of the Washington and Lee Uni
,,ersitv and Mr.. J. +. Stuart. Of Ken
tucltv as vice-president, for the ensuing
Nv 4 T. White. of West Virginia. has
beon elected associate editor of the Col
LIEN from the Graham-Lee Society Tor
| tbe session of 1859.
IInAX