The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-09-15
WESTMORELAND
Successful Season at Colonial Beach The
Forest Fire other Notes.
Correspondence of The Free Lance }
Colonial Beach, Va Sept 18th.

Colonial Beach, Va Sept 18Th.
Not since Colonial Beach has been es-
tablished has it had so prOpiti0us
season in every way as this year. The
cottages and hotels have been full TO
OVERLOOKING ell summer, and 10 has IN
every way been a pay ing season All
the boarding houses have had their full
quota OF guests. and If all have. not
cleared money it must be the fault Of
management, certainly not because OPP
portunity wia lacking The largest
MOTEL az this place has not been open
all summer, or. indeed, for several sum
meIs The owner seems 70 prefer 20
let it remain closed 20 renting at rea'
sonAble rate. but the guests from dis
lance find comfortable quarters.
The new Baptist church Is quite an
ornaments to the town and Is well OF
tended. The Other churches, too, have
good congregations.
The continued warm weather tempts
many Washingtonians 90 liuger at this
pleasant spot, and the town still pre-
sents very lively appearance, though
there are many departures each day
The Bell Fresh Air Home for poor
children from Washington is carrying
on a fiae work here, though the season
is drawing 70 a close It Is interesting
10 all who are interested IN charitable
work 10 visit this Home made 80 happy
for many little ones who otherwise
would know nothing Of the refreshing
bree zes and cool shades Of country life
on the water were it not for the kind
charity 50 freely given by earnest
christian hearts Here the weak, sick
children. who come from the crowded
districts Of the city soon gain strength,
and in \ short time show the glow
If heslth which good diet. pure air
and happiness usually give. The
kind and efficient matTon OF the home
gives a motherly oversight to each one,
and too much praise cannot be given
her for the effective manner in which
she directs everything In connection
with the institution.
Mr. George Mason. who has had { o
management Of the piviliOns this sea
son. has shown himself equal to the oc.
casion, and everything has been con
Quoted In most satisfactory manner.
Along the river above Colonial Beach,
Sheffield =" owned by Hon. g. Jesse
Gouldman, and "Wilkerson's own.
ed by the j0vial and well. known Mr..
Wilkerson. havs both become quite
formidable rivals Of the Beach. They
are attractive and pleasant resorts and
have been crowded TO the uttermost all
season. But the city cousins are leav
ing and quiet will soon take the place
Of mirth and gaiety till another season
comes round.
A most destructive forest fire has been
raging for several days past along Pope's
Greek, advancing towards Maddox
Greek. Large amounts OF valuable tim.
Der have been burned and many hun
dreds Of dollars worth Of property de.
stroyed. A large barn and ice house,
belonging 20 Mr. Laurence Washington.
at "Blenheim. " have been burned, and
his dwelling-house narrowly escaped
destruction. Many other parties have
lost out-buildings. etc. etc but We
have not been able so far 10 learn names
or exact amount Of property burned.
The fire has extended over many miles,
and the prevailing high winds OF yes
terday, combined with the very dry and
parched condition Of all vegetation, have
caused 1t to sweep like a fiery torrent,
carrying everything before it