The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-16
The GERMANS
ARE THRIFTY
Success of New Settlers in
Lunenburg-A New NJ.
Registration.
Special to The Tlmes-Dispatch.)

Il MEIIERRIN, VA, August 15.-A ques-
ton that Is often asked By the average
stranger, who chances to pass through
this section, and comes in contact with
so many German people, IS what kind
Of citizens do they make and what sue
cess do they have at farmlng?
Something over ten years ago these
people began slowly to emigratc and set
tic around this place on small tracts
Sof land, and through the influence Of
several real estate agencies, and one set
tier after another writing his friends In
other parts large numbers Of this class
were Induced to come here and buy prop
erty. IS
A large majority of these people have
only limited amount Of capital to start
with, and in many instances they nre
forced to draw a deed Of trust against
their real estute IN order to take possess
sion. Generally these settlers buy small
parcels OF land that are improved very Ut
tile, and In many cases they will purchase
a parcel that Is standing, In heavy tim
Der, with no dwelling upon 1t, and Will
bring their families down aud live with
their neighbors until they can erect q
place suitable to protect them from the
clements, and In some instances they
have erected an entire dwelling from
goods boxes. Hi
Those who have settled here are all
good, honest law-abidlng citizens and
while unrefined somewhat In their man
.ncr. they are neighborly and truthful az
a rule; work closely together for the
benefit of each. They settle as closely
together as possible. and as result each
one knows what the others does.
On Sundays large numbers will gather
at one of the homes where they will
discuss the various subjects of interest
that confronts them and various books
pertaining to farming are read by them.
and in this way they get the better part
Of their knowledge OF what farmer
should do to be successful.
1t is noticeable fact that none of
them raise any more tobacco than they
themselves use, but their whole attention
is given to the raising of corn, wheat,
oats rye, cabbage, potatoes and grass
and each year these crops, among thern
steadily increase.
They are also greatly interested In the
producing Of manure in order that they
may improve their land as very few Of
them use any fertilizer whatever, and
cannot be induced to do so by the various
agents which cover this territory.
These people work from early morn
until late In the evening, and 1t is a very
rare thing to find one idle. They are
small contractors Of debts, and they
have gained the confidence of the people
at large, and they always make 1t
point to meet their obligations prompt
ly.
They have opened up q large scope of
country through here, and lands that
few years ago were standing In large
trees have been opened up and are now
under cultivation, and rs a result the
lands have increased In value from four
to eight dollars per acre.
Tho women are also hard workers, as
they do all OF the homework, and when
this Is completed they can be found In the
fields with their husbands, blowing, dig
ging up brush and doing all kinds Of hard
work. @
Their religion Is about divided between
tho Catholic and Lutheran, and while
they have no Catholic church In their
midst Il priest occasionally comes here
and holds services for them. An effort IS
being made by them to erect such a
church, and It is expected that the re-
uuircd amount will be very soon sub
scribed.
They care nothing for dress, and as a
general thing are casygoing people, who
attend only to their own affairs. A few
OF them are making some money by rails
Ing grass and grain, and the majority
Of them are contented and using every
effort available to succeed.
The supervisors Of Lunenhurg have de-
clded to replace all wooden bridges over
the most important streams with Iron
bridges. Several have been erected,
Rev. w. II, Dunnway, OF GAINESVILLE.
Ohio, was here this week visiting his
people, He Is very popular Presbyte-
ran minister.
Messrs, W. Y. Fowlkes. w c, VIM
and j. a. shackelton, registrars for this
district, have posted notices OF reglstra-
ton here on the 18th, sth, 9th and 10th
OF September, Only about half OF the cit
iyens of this district have registered. and
pmong them only three negroes have been
phi, on tho books, It Is expected that
many names will be added to the list
in order to vote In tho county election In
November.
.r.. l.s. paopIa in Rrietol