The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-06

the village and IO3n RlNeF, lnCluilllS lHS
faI1n known as Springfield" and the
store occupied at the time by Hender-
sou. Ferguson and Gibson, Scotch mer-
charts of Dumfries.
IN 1897 an act was passed by the Leg
islsture chartering the town under the
| llanc Of Heathsyille. and appointing its
| trustees as follows: Thomas Gas1ins,
Waiter Jones, John Heath, Cateshy Jones,
| Thomas w. lIughlett and T. D. Downing.
The trustee for whom the place was
named removed few years later 10
| Richmond, where he rendered long and
efficient service and where his memory
Yet fragrantly abides.
Duling March. 1907, {. criminal trial in
HeathsVillo attracted great interest, the
Hen. William Writ being counsel for the
accused. The case was tried at the time
when the government at Washington de-
cided to prosecute Aaron Burr for trea-
son It was a testimony to HI. Wits
standing as a lawyer that two messengers
We're dispatched at the same time to
secure his services in the coming trial,
one by the United States. the plaintiff
and the other by Burr. the defendant.
Rulrs message reached him too late and
Mr.. Writ went hence to Richmond to the
trial.
In 1855 the first church edifce in
IIeathsville was erected by the Metho-
dist Protestant congregation It was a
large and handsome structure Of b,ick
containing beneath the congregalio
room a basement for Sunday-scnool
uses, and other smaller rooms, which
were long used as offices. The building
stood on the ground now occip.eI in
part by the Confederate soldiers monu-
ment, and was torn down about tie
year 1850 when the present church,
which stands near by, vas built
A NEW COURTHOUSE.
On court day. April g. 1850. a largo
meeting of the justices decided to crevt
a new building for the uses of the court,
as The wear and tear OF log a.e
had begun to tell on the old courthouse.
The court asked and received from TIE
Legislature authority to borro" SUN
os money not exceeding $500, and in
1851 the present edi1ice was completed.
The building committee who superlntend-
ed its building were James Al Smith,
William Harding, Thomas S. Sydnor.
Richard A. Claybrool, Ferdinand Black
well, and John D. Belts. Their names
are preserved on a marble tablet inserted
in the front wall OF the building, ana
also that OF the architect. John Donahoe.
With the order 10 build the new court
house accompanied decree to tear
down the old one. But few of the resi-
dents Oh tiiS \iAiei9S c. u
former courthouse. Messrs. z. Weiis'
John Hall and r. S. Hogan hold II,
however, in vivid recollection. as well
as many other scenes and persons as
ISOLATED with It. They recall the Old
time magistrates who flourished IN Their
day and the ante-bellum colonies ana
the general rnusters which We're wont
to bring the militia companies together
at the courthouse for the annual parade
Those were gala days IN IlaathsEiile.
when the regimental officers adorned
with uniform and epaulets on their
shoulders, and pompoons and metallic
eagles on their shining hats. rode Their
steeds. while the place resollced with
martial strains and the companies
marched beneath the smiles d rair
maidens from all parts Of the county.
who came in force to witness the parade.
EARLY WATER SUPPLY.
It is said but a single spring supplied
the villagers with water in those days.
1t was located beneath the hill on the
road leading at present to Coan wharf
and was protected by a neat canopy or
roof.
No records have been preserved of the
many Joyous meetings and incidents as
ISOLATED with the old spring in the days
of its prosperity The merry-makings
which it once knew are gone like the
canopy that once sheltered it and sweet
memories of these incidents are held in
recollection by only q. few of the Wiz
layers.
The small brick building lonk,Iscd as