Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-27
NATURES GRANDEUR
A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET PHENOMENON
IN BEDFORD COUNTY.

MISS ibomas, for Years an Invalid
A Very Mia Winter, with Benign
| Frosts.
BEDFORD CITY. VA, February 2e.-
Vspecial)-On Wednesday afternoon a
very unusual and beautiful phenomenon
was witnessed by those who CHANGED TO
'urn their gaze toward the setting sun.
Just above the solar orb long shaft Of
nimy white rays appeared extending up
ward toward the zenith, while on either
side broad bands Of prismatc colors
representing the bases Of the arc OF a
rainbow, were seen. and were pictured
upon the sky for some time, gradually
fading as the sun sank lower toward the
horizon. The evening was fair and
bright with no clouds. except a few
light, heecy ones against the deep blue
Of the sky. These columns Of light were
called "sun-dogs' by old-time people
and are thought to prognosticate very
cold weather.
AS the time approaches when the no.
fence law will go into effect. the people
Of Central District. in which this town
is situated, are revolving the question Of
how, under that law, they will be able
to keep their COWS. which hitherto have
been wont to find pasturage upon the
/ grass of the commons outside the town.
These commons are not fenced in, or
otherwise protected The premises Of
most of the town people are too small
for them to keep the animals confined.
TO meet the emergency, the voters OF
the district have forwarded a well-signed
petition TO the Legislature, praying that
body to enact a law permitting the dis
trict to vote as TO whether such law
shall prevail.
Washingtons natal anniversary was
not celebrated here, except that Sunday
hours were observed at the post and
telegraph offices, and the bank was
closed.
The season Of Lent was inaugurated
by service at st. Johns Protestant
I Episcopal church on Ash-Wednesday by
the rector, Rev. Dallas Tucker which
was largely attended. There will be a
service every day, except Saturday, Of
each week during the season.
MISS THOMAS IMPROVING.
The reports Of the improvement in the
condition Of Miss Frank Thomas, a young
lady of this place, Of whose remarkable
case OF invalidism mention has hitherto
been made seem little less than miracu-
Ious TO her friends. Less than a year
ago. at the request Of the Charity Circle
of Kings Daughters. Or. T. r. Marshall,
a professor in the Virginia Medical Col
Iege. applied for her admission in the
Sheltering-Arms Hospital, Of Richmond
which was generously granted By the
Board Of Lady Managers.
Miss Thomas had for more than fifteen
years been a helpless invalid, lying on
her couch without the power TO move
any part of her body. She could not bear
TO have even a pillow beneath her head
TO raise her even slightly from fiat po-
sition. More utter and pathetic helpless
ness could not be imagined.
Her resignation and submission to her
fate were perfect she had even lost the
desire TO become well. fearing that she
would not retain the same measure OF
divine grace. She was suffering from a
stroke of hysterical paralysis caused by
the shock of the death Of brother from
q railroad accident. A few years ago
her mother was taken from her, and she
was left alone. almost penniless, with no
neor relatives upon whom she had
claims but she had many friends, VINO
ministered to her needs, her helplessness
keaning ever alive the interest. DR.. j.
PAGE Massie. of Richmond, became In
terested i'm her, assumed charge or the
case ana by his unfagging perseverance
and skilful treatment has worked mar
vellous change. She now has acquired
ina use of her hands, except OF one
thnrb which remains paralyzed. Foi
como time she has used rolling inNahu
chair. and the last and most Wohuerlu u u
news Is that she is now able 10 VAIN
mon crutches. and as the muscles as
sume more of a normal conduon' there
&c q likelihood that she may walk WIN
o,,t the aid of the crutch She has been
t,ootod both at the Sheltering Arms ano
o,d Dominion hospitals. and when thell
f,,nds wore exhausted DR.. Massie gained
admission for her into the Retreat 1oI
the Sick. where she now is
N-oble indeed. is the charity these IN
etitutions have extended 10 her' Whlcn
has only been equalled by that OF "
Massie who has freely given MS tiiiie
and skill to her restoration
WELCOMING FROSTS.
Tho frosts that lie on the ground SO
wbite and cold each morning are Wei
a,,,,d NV all those who are interested
- the fruit crop, as they serve TO keeI
dov,n the aspiring sap of the trees aho
,,,a,,ent the buds from forming. The WIN
tor has been a very fine one, except thal
there has been 50 little snow 10 pro'eS'
the wheat. There has been unusuaiv
little suffering among the poor ana th'
demands upon the charity OF the toWI
49, been less than for several years
past. ,....so,+ 90 tbe
pubuc Graded School, has recelVeo
tidinps of the death of his sister, miss
Annie T. Guy. which occurred last sun
da,, ot Deerfeld. Augusta county, whithel
she had been summonei on account OF
the illness and subsequent death OF mel
brother. Mr. John Guy which occurred
not more than two weeks ago. she ule'
froro the effects of pneumonia, AFTER al
illness of only four days.
Mr. paul Bargamin left wednesday ioi
. ,,ieit 70 relatives in Richmond
Mr. and Mrs. Hill, of Blueneid WI,
,ave been the guests of Rev. Or. II. II
Halves, the father OF MIS- NM iei' ''A0''
day for their home. e. ,,o,ao,, 20 AZ
Mrs Grace Tunstall left Monday 10 at
tond the national celebration oil th'
,Naugbters of the American heVoiulioi
i'm Washington. ~. eo,,h.
- Nv y r.. Gilman, editor of the South
-, Hone. who was a delegate 10 the Ma
81 Convention Of the Women sur
tlOii'I - washington, has returned