Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-14
THE NORTHERN NECK.
REVIVAL OF THE STORY or "A
MYSTERIOUS PICTURE.
IT is STILL UNEXPLAINED.
The Recent Rains and the Crops
Recovering from Hurt-Do MOI
Like BicycIes-PersonaI and Gene
raj Notes.
Correspondence of the Dlspatch)

.COMCRN, KING GEORGE COUNTY,
VA. May 13.-The Dispatches account Of
the strange photograph, or face" on the
window-pane Of a Grace-street residence
recalls TO the minds of our people mys-
ferrous image which appeared on a pane
Of glass in one of the most prominent
residences Of this county in 1854, and
which remained and attracted most un-
usual and widespread attention. The room
Of the residence TO which the window be-
longed had for years been occupied by
gentleman prominently known through
out Virginia and other States, who spend
much i'm his life in meditation at this
window, looking out through the pane OF
glass, towards the Rappahannock Valley.
In August 1882, this gentleman died, not
long AFTER his return from trip to Eu-
rope. About two years after his death
this peculiar image, not unlike the mega
tive OF d photograph, Was discovered Oh
the Niadow-pane through which the gen.
tlelnan had so long gazed. The reports
OF it were al first ridiculed and criticised
as being "imagination,' superstition
&C., &c; but the scene was visited py
prominent citizens from all parts of the
county. and from Fredericksburg, Stat
ford. and other sections, and all who
saw the Image" not only declared that
IL was the outlines Of a PERSONS face, but
that il was "A photograph Of the man who
died there some two years before. A full
account written by King George cor
respondent, was published in the Freder-
icksburg Star. and the affair was SO Sc
verely criticised that the widow-sash was
removed from the house, the pane OF
glass thoroughly washed. secured, and
exposed 10 the sun and winds for days,
ia order to remove what was believed 0y
some 10 he "a common weather STAIN"
but all efforts failed 10 obliterate the
image. and when replaced 10 the window
there was the photograph still-a striking
picture of the late occupant OF the room,
showing not only the outlines OF the race,
but the eyes, nose, ears, beard, ana all
the features and the expression of that
particular individual. That photograph
remained on that pane Of glass for
years-in fact wae intact when last heard
from, and may ain TO this day the
first published report of ii brought out
reference TO an account OF a similar phe-
nomenon, contained in the Rlcnmond
State. March q, 1884 The States ac-
count was Of an image on wlnuoW-pane
In a residence on Fourth street, in Rich
mond city, and that paper stated that
DR.. Taylor regarded the figure as the
Image of a nuns face" and though
that IL was IA weather stain produced py
the exercise of light and air, evolved by
the assistance of imagination" &c. The
King George phenomenon Of 1884 has never
been accounted for or satisfactorily ex-
Dlained. Various theories have been ac-
vanced and scientific men have been con-
suited concerning it. but IT is as much VI
a mystery now as when first discovered,
fifteen years ago.
In the midst of the present spirited
contest here for the county Offices, as
pirants for election TO the. Legislature the
coming fan are bobbing up in various
quarters of the county, and 1t is already
known that several leading Democ. as
will be candidates for the nomination. -
is taken for granted That Stafford VIII
concede to King George the right a
furnish the Democratic candidate this
wear. and this has very much encouraged
hose of this county who aspire 10 the
coveted position of law-maker for King
George and Stafford counties.
THE RAINS.
The rains. though not heavy, the early
mart of this week, have proven TO be
eodsend 10 this section The grass crop
Snd pastures had suffered very much for
rain and the fields had become so dry
and hard that the farmers in some neigh
horhoods had to discontinue plowing.
The drought set in before the following
foy corn had been finished and conse-
ouently corn planting in some sections
he's been very much delayed. Flowing
and nlanting were resumed on Wednes-
dav and ali farm work Is now progress
inc fairly well. The corn, melons, and
such other truck as were planted In due
time. are growing satisfactorily, and pres
ent a healthy appearance.
Plums and some other varieties OF fruit
are falling from the trees in large guam
titles. In some places trees That were
laden with young fruit ten days ago are
now bare Of everything but the leaves.
This premature dropping Is supposed TO
be due TO the three weeks or airy wea-
Their and cool nights.
The locust-bloom Is the heaviest IN
several years, and Is regarded Dy many
of the farmers and 'old folks as most
encouraging "sign." II has long been
held by many rural citizens-and not alone
by unlearned. superstitious folk-that
fun locust-bloom Is the best OF all indi-
cations OF good crop year" and very
observant and aged tiller OF the soil said
the other day that he had never known
hut one poor crop season or crop failure
20 follow a heavy locust-bloom in forty
wears, while a meagre locust-bioom has