The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1900-02-09
Rochelle Restored.

u readers Will remember that ROchell
o was the home of the late Rev. ID,
= Leach. 1t is now the property Of hi
1 grandson, the Rev. James Lancaster
! Of Perth Amboy, n. j., and is preside,
. over by his mother, Mrs. John Lancas
ter 1t is situated in the county o
Cumberland, about two miles Nortl
= Of FarmyilIe, and was in the Older
day noted as centre Of social cultured
and Christian excellence.
The Rev. Mr.. Lancaster, with 10y
atty for bygone most commendable
some years ago purchased the place,
and determined to restore Its ancient
glory, and right well has he kept bis
promise.
1t had suffered in the hands Of ten
ants, and many scars were left on it,
but they are all healed now, and the
old home shines out in new dress, and
the farm is being brought to the high
est state Of cultivation.
New barns, large and convenient,
have been built on different portions Of
the farm, a commodious shed for farm
ing implements, fences high and
strong, gates well hung, while the
fields give evidence Of thoughtful cul-
ture. The growing wheat well-nigh
encircles the dwelling aud is Of unusual
promise
] regret that Mr. Lancaster was not
present, so that / might have gotten
in detail account Of his operations for
last gear, but from what a neighbor
told me- am quite confident that even
our very best stay-at-home farmers
will have to look well to ther'laurels
when his figures are given, and these
| hope to get from him IN the near fu-
ture as he is expected about this time |
to visit Virginia. am prepared now
to say that with the liberal use Of peas |
and bone he has revolutionized some
hitherto broom sedge fields, and made
them yield "some ten, some thirty,
and Others even sixty fold" And all
this while preaching the gospel to a
large and influential congregation in a
distant city and State. Of course he
has been fortunate in selecting and
securing good and true agents. Mr..
Baltimore is in command of the out
door forces and deserves a large share
Of credit for the good work going on
at Rochelle.
1t was a perfect February afternoon
when your correspondent visited this
ancient but renovated Virginia home
stead, and as he drew in sight the scene
was inspiring and captivating The
house itself, now more than "three
score and ten," stood out with its
,potless dress of white in bold relief
and in real beauty that unclouded
winters afternoon, guarded by prime
val oaks, with lone sentinel of ever
green just i'm front, while in the back
ground q aceful and towering shafts,
marking the graves OF hOnored dead,
pierced the blue and pointed to the
heaven to which the souls of the sleep
RS had gone. Just here | am remind
ID that the last and only time l had
listed Rochelle, was IN company with
he mourners who followed the remains
# the late DR.. Spencer to their last
esting place. Above all that was NOR
al Of the "beloved physician" stands an
IMPOSING shaft, spotless and pure, ele-
'ated and elevating, typical of the
nan 50 many Of US knew, honored
nd loved
Mrs. Lancaster received your cor
as only a Virginia matron
f the old school could, and with her
remission and under her guidance he ,
inspected with some care that house, :
uit of wood, and though more than
evenly years old, stands today mon
ment to the goodness Of the Virginia
imber Of those old days, and the skill
nd honesty Of the builders. Those
linds were "hand made" and neither
tress Of weather nor shock Of storm
ave yet moved them from place Of
uty or made them creak on their
inges. The inlaid decorations are as
erfect as though wrought on yester-
ay, and the floors as smooth as though
he planes had just gone oyer them,
nd as clean as though that day was
day. The open fire places
with stately brass andirons
nd enclosed with Furnished tenders
f like material would stir the envy Of
Vanderbilt, while the convenient
osets and capacious back porch would
harm the world Of housekeepers.
ut more Of Rochelle when | have
liked with its owner.
On THE Go.
A Visit TO Crowe.