The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-01
Starting Point Of Survey Of
Yorktown.
A VERY REMARKABLE MAP
Ancient Engineering That Would Be
Valuable if the Starting Point Was
Known Primaries Much-
Discussed Question.
Especial to The Times-pIspatcb.,

latter part Of the seventeenth century.
In nearly its closing years, this hamlet
en- the York was first laid OF by an Eng
lish engineer, at the express command Of
his most illustrious British sovereign. The
ancient plat now on record In the clerks
office shows quite a piece OF professional
skill for those days in the line Of engi-
neering. with the exception OF one great.
grand mistake. the starting point
And what an awful blunder, horrible
mistake. reason-defying conception, that
ainstaking surveyor made when he Sc
ected an old poplar tree as the initial
point OF his work. Starting from pop
lar tree" 80 reads .e plat, but at this
time, for years and years back. even be-
yond the past century. the poplar tree
has never been discovered More than
one man Of modern times has puzzled his
tired brain in attempting Its discovery,
and with the same unvarying failure.
The streets seem singularly crooked and
irregular; the Oldest buildings, ancient
landmarks, appear to face them at every
conceivable angle. and the whole town
has an appearance of chaos and confu-
sion when It's conformation is consulted.
SEVERAL SURVEYS.
Several surveys have been made In re-
have been anything near alike, owing. of
course to the lmpossibility of obtaining
a correct start. Property holders are con-
sequently very uneasy as to their lines,
not knowing In case Of a rapid advance in
lue. not a all improbable In these pro-
gressiye times. where they might find
their real estate. Where the patron saint
of progress watts his wand of resurrec-
ton over the ancient village, bidding its
pudse beat attune to the modern method
OF civilization, there will be a rafting of
dry bones second to none In the nation.
Mr.. T. T. Hudgins, the clerk of courts,
has just completed a copy OF this remark
able map for Mr.. Thomas Ball, of Phila-
delphia a cotton broker Of the Quaker
City. and possibly a, lineal descendant of
the family OF our first President Mr..
Ball is trying to trace a. genealogical tree
Of his ancestry.
PRIMARIES.
The opinion OF the people Of York coun-
ty on the question OF primary elections
is a much talked OF matter just at pres
ent. Nearly every sovereign in the county
has an opinion of his own. and he seldom
fails to air 1t when the occasion presents
itself. The ideas vary as much as the se-
lections OF candidate for office. and a
| stupendous task would be the result OF
| an attempt to tally the sentiment on the
subject. The preponderance Of opinion
seems to be in favor OF the present prl-
mary plan, with the elimination OF the
viva voce idea. - 2 s.tif&
Tonight Is Fallow Fen, and as one
stands here In the shadow OF the great
and grand obelisk of American independ-
ence and human liberty. 1t seems as II
you can behold the shades OF the patron
saints OF freedom glide in and out the
shadows. chanting TIE Deum Of praise
| for relief from the CALLING yoke Of mon
1 - oel4 1e~1n
bearing in his sturdy talons the luminous
lily OF France. tenderly twines the beau
tiful blossom in the golden tresses of the
| Goddess OF Liberty whilst from the as
sembled host of heroes OF the past come
loud amens. and softly whisper Liberty
or Death" Washington and Rochambeau.
Lincoln and De Grasse, Lafayette and
| lis-doff their hats in. recognition OF the
| birth OF the new republic.
vEXED SITUATIONS.
The vexed situation in the public schools
| still exists, Grafton District being the
| greatest sufferer. Not single teacher
has as yet begun the school term In that
| district while in Poquoson. several Of the
schools are still without teachers Super
intendent Phlopps explains the Grafton
| situation Is due entirely to lack of sutfl-
cient funds to defray cost Of first grade
teachers. the absence OF even one first
grade teacher In the county. and his
| seeming inability to obtain others else
where. Mr.. Philips is strongly in favor
II combining several of the schools In one.
reducing the expense within bounds Of
the means at hand Tho Grafton Board OF
Trustees seem rather inclined to employ
home talent OF a lower grade and run
all the schools at the available salary.
The solution of the enigma Is as far dis
tant as ever.
Miss Matte NJ Crockett. OF Hampton.
who, while visiting here few weeks
ago, was the victim of an unfortunate
accident, It Is now learned Is at one of
the Norfolk hospitals. The injury to her
eye has proven more serious than sus-
pected with the probable loss of sight.
The accident was caused by double 3.
B tshot fired from a toy rifle.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank G. Dxson. CT
Montelia, and Mr. Moses Wolf, of Ker-
buokson, Ulster county. N. Y. have re-
turned to their homes. Mr.. Dixson will
probably purchase several tracts OF tim
Der land and engage In the saw-mill bus-
ness. He stated to your correspondent
that pine, which sells readily here at
$40 per thousand. brings S25 In central
and northern New York, owing to the de-
pleton of timber In that State.
Rev. John f, White. the Prohibition
candidate for the State Senate, Is maxi
Ing quite an active canvass. The Prohl-
bition party is squarely In favor Of the
Mann bill In Its entirety and are making
1t a campaign issue.
Both the Democratic and independent
nominees are Numerically opposed to
the bill Mr.. White was hustling for votes
and making all the fight he know how. He
is n well known local preacher of Metho-
dist persuasion. and has good many
friends here In the county.
EOp TOIIkNAMENT