The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-08-31
fARMVILLE THEN AND NOW.
Remembrance Of Rip Van Wrinkle.

VI mp fuh "ihhic'
e. THEN-Sixty years ago Miss /
= nom Farmyille visited Petersburg. A
u a reception she was introduced TO
y bachelor Of no certain age who aske,
'e her where she was from, and wheI
j. she said Farmyille he appeared as
e tonished asked where is Farmyille
10 Her quick reply was sit was not OF
e the map when you went to school,
r About this time George Bagby tn,
e waggishland witty lecturer on "Ba
: con and Green's writing under the
3 non de plume OF "Moses Adams a
/ series Of letters 10 his cousin "Bnly
D WINS" back TO Farmyille from Rich.
mond describing the big mill in Rich
mond telling him it had more bricks
~ II than all Farmville together.
NOW-Ihe normal school is larger
than the big mill, not mentioning the
b many large brick factories, residences
and other Improvements.
THEN-This town was small but
quite live one in trades, settled in the
center Of fourishing section of good
agricultural land, owned and cultiyat-
ell by well 10 do farmers who were
thrifty and prosperous. The greatest
trouble was access 10 larger markets
TO dispose Of the productions Of to-
bacco, wheat, &c., ofwhich this section
ebounded al that time, the most aces.
sible Of which was Petersburg.
Railroads had not been promoted,
therefore the only thing which nature
had provided, was the noble Apo
mattoX river.
The ways and means 10 utilize this
little stream upon whose bosom this
produce had 10 be borne were largely
due to and raised by the enterprising
merchants, and wealthy planters near
here, which was met by the citizens of
Petersburg. a canal was cut at the
eastern end 10 get around the falls Of
the AppOmattoX, and system
Of locks and dams in the rough
est part Of the river thus continuing
TO Farmyille. This was considered an
achievement almost equal to the one
now projected by "Uncle Sam across
the lsthmus, aud the money for its
construction though not 50 large in
amount, was more difficult TO obtain.
To show the idea Of these old pioneers
and promoters, they had it IN contem-
plati0n 10 extend il as far west as
Brookneal and draw the waters Of the
stanton river. This great project was
supplanted in 1850 by the promotion
Of the "Southside" Railroad and the
Iron Horse which will be spoken Of
later. While this water navigation
lasted It was the pride Of many mer-
chants here to own boat that would
carry 5 10 10 hOgsheads Of tobacco safe
ly TO the basin at Petersburg and re-
turn with cargo Of merchandise for
their stores. Just in the rear of the
old Randolph Tobacco Warehouse
was the wharf where the casks Of to-
oacco were rolled down the hill to save
drayage, instead of hauling them
around on the level. Some times they
would get away from the strong men
and roll into the river.
These boats were manned bya conn
mad0re. or captain, and two other
ieck hands each, then loaded with
'ull cargo, the captain would guide
he helm, while the other two with
ong poles would propel the craft by
showing and walking up and down on
/ plank each side Of tie craft.
Behold that river now, how would
he immense tonnage be moving now2
The writer remembers many Of those
I'D commanders, long since out ofcom-
mission and passed away. They were
II proud Of their command as many OF
he great captains Of steamers Of pres
mt day. They hailed mostly from
lsreal HIP which was prolific In
hat day Of many good free negroes
who were settled there and set free
~ Randolph, OF Bazaare. have only
pace TO mention few Of them; Phil
Iohn aud Curtis White, much respect
d and trusted for their ability as Of
icers and integrity, Alfred Booker and
Billy BallOu, these were all colored
men, but very much respected and
rusted 10y all classes Of citizens here.
The writer remembers Of shipping
cargo Of tobacco by his boat in
august 1919 a very dry year, it was
tranded on the shoals some where
.ear the middle Of the voyage, no
nails or wires could reach IL, and 1t
emained on a sand bank for month,
My heard from after heavy rain
aised the river and il came safely into
.ort. As good luck attends i'll luck
the dry weather shortened
he crop so much the produce advanced
bout fifty percent by time II came To
market.
These were the difficulties Of trans
THEN. In next letter will
peak Of some Of the great benefits
'armvile has in her railroads NOW,
With rccollections Of the old men,
lerchants and land marks -C0ntinu-
d.