The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-31
PEANUT CROP
SHORT one
Wet Weather and Scarcity Of
Labor Are the Causes.
PLANT BEING ENLARGED
PLANT BEING ENLARGED
Petersburg Wood Supply Company lns
creasing It's Facilit'es-A Negro
Woman 9tranged to Death on
Corn-Quarters for Grays.
Especial to The rimes-Dispatch.)

Especial to The Times-Dispatch)
PETERSBURG, VA. July Bo-Reports
from the farmers in tho peanut districts
seem to indicate that the crop this year
will be exceedingly short. The acreage
planted was not In excess OF that OF last
year, and the prevailing wet weather IN
many localities has rendered 1t impossi-
bic for the farmers to keep their crop
free from grass with the existing scarcity
OF labor. Many farmers are compelled
to pay dollar a day and board for labor
to weed the crop, and even at this unus-
ually high price 1t is impossible in some
places to get help. Children nine and ten
years Of age arc often paid prices IN
excess OF those paid men two or three
years ago.
The stock on hand in Petersburg at
present Is about 1900 bags, smaller
amount than has been on hand at this
time OF tho year for many seasons. Tho
prices arc firm at ninety cents. with every
Indication that these prices will be In
creased before the coming crop Is ready
for the market.
The tobacco outlook Is somewhat bright
err. The season seems to have been more
favorable to its cultivation, and many OF
the leading farmers report that the crop
this year will be an average one. just
what success has been made towards In
duc1ng farmers to raise flue-cured tobacco
cannot DO known definitely at this time
There are doubtless many farmers who
have given the matter a trial this year.
ENHANCING ITS PLANT.
The Petersburg Wood Supply Company
Ia enlarg1ng Its plant and Installing new
machinery. This company under the man
agement existing since the purchase from
the Bradshaw estate has built up bnsi-
ness that necessitatcs enlarging It's facili-
ties. The plant manufactures mainly BAR
rel heads.
A large force OF a hundred men or more
is now at work widening the two-path
bank from Ferndale Park to the head OF
the canal. preparatory to the building OF
a railroad along this bank for the purpose
OF carrying materials to be used IN the
construction OF tho inmcnse dam to be
built by the Virginia Passenger and
Power Company. The dam will probably
require two years in its building and when
completed will make n storage reservoir,
or pond about forty miles long. varying
in width from three hundred feet to
eight miles. Work on this dam will be-
gin as soon as the railroad has been
completed and connected with the Fern
dale Park Line which is expected to be
done In three or four weeks.
When work on the dam begins the water
will be turned out Of the berme-bank
side sufficiently to make the width, forty
feet. Tho stone blasted from the canal
will be utilized IN the construction OF the
dam.
The two negroes, Dock Bacon AID Alex
ander Finch, who attempted to crimipally
assault Mrs. Geoghegan, a highly re-
spected lady of Boydton, Va, and who
were convicted in the County Court OF
Mecklenburg county by Judge Holmes
| /. 49, Oh oP Qanfn phop
we're brought to Petersburg last evening
and lodged In jail for safekeeping.
sTRANGLDD ON CORN.
Marian Moody, a colored woman. living
on Jefferson Street in this city, was
strangl1d last night. She was eating roast
| ing ear corn, when some OF the grains got
into her windpipe. A physician was sum-
| moned, but the woman was dead "hen
he reached her.
Judge Mullen rendered verdict to-
day in the case OF tho National Cash
Register Company against w. P. Al
ridge for sos. the balance claimed by the
company to be due. Alridge claimed that
| the register delivered to him was not
made according to contract. The COM
pany denied this and held notes for the
balance due, signed by Alridge after
the register had been received by him
The company was represented by Bartlett
Roper. Jr., and Alridge by c. T. Lassiter.
| The committee from the Common Coun-
ell to look into the feasibility OF appro-
pratlng money to aid the new military
| company In this city, received delega-
ton from the Petersburg Grays yesterday
afternoon. The committee will recon-
mend 10 the Council that suitable quar-.
| tiers be provided at once for the Peters
burg Grays, and Library Hall will prob
ably be the place selected. A resolution
will also probably be offered to be re-
ferred to the Finance COMMITTEE. recon-.
mending that an arnory hall be built
over Centre market house. The cost OF
The hall il estimated at about $4,000.
PERSONAL NEWS.
Mr.. C. C. Alley has just returned from
delightful visit In the Adirondack
mountains and other places In New York
and Canada.
Mr.. Waverly w. Townes, Jr.. returned
last night to Charlestown, w. Va. after
o visit of several weeks to his home IN
| this city.
Miss Lee Booth who has been spend
Ing few weeks at Virginia Beach, re-
turned home last evening.
Mrs Frances r. Roper celebrated her
eighty fourth birthday to-day.
Mrs A. j. Fristoe, wife OF Rev A. ].
Frlstoe, is visiting In Petersburg, Mr..
Fristoe, who was Mt one time the pas
tor of Second Baptist Church. IN this
city, is now tho pastor OF tho baptist
Church at Portsmouth. Va
Mrs, Noltenius, who has been III for
moro than a week, Is very little I'M
| proved, and her condition is stu critical.
| Tho largest excursion that Inns left
Petersburg this season was carried to
/ Norfolk and Cape Henry to-day by West
END Baptist Church. under the manage
| ment OF Mr. ". NJ, Rucker. ~The train
! consisted OF sixteen full coaches and Il
baggage car. carrying about nine hum
dred people.