The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-01
THRIFTY FARMERS
SEEK WORK HERE
Entire Families Come from Eng
land and Scotland to Settle
in Virginia.
WEALTHY vIsINs ARRIVE
Take Trip Up James River and
May Purchase Homes.
Capitol Notes.

Thirty-fivc immigrants from Ing
land and Scotland were directed to
various places in the Commonwealth
yesterday by Commissioners of Agricul-
ture KoIner They arrived here from
Philadelphia and when the commits
sioncr reached his Office at any early
hour they were awaiting him, anxious
to find pleasant and profitable employ
.mcnt. More than 1000 applications
from farmers and others are on file.
and though the commissioner en-
,deavors to supply those who sent In the
first petitions he has to be governed
by circumstances to an extent. In one
family arriving yesterday, were six
boys. and in another were six girls.
These have been located In Northern
Virginia. The others We're scattered
over Southwest Virginia.
The newcomers are thrifty. They
will work on tho farms, and they In
formed the commissioner that they
have friends at home who will come
here If the advance guard is satisfied
with conditions. Some of them desire
to purchase land. and this is accepted
as conclusive evidence that they did
not drift to the United States on a
rambling expedition.
Seeking Farm Labor Only.
while abroad said Commissioner
Koiner, II met these people and gave
them an Idea Of life In Virginia, but
had 1t understood that I was not
seeking skilled labor for the mills and
factories What wanted was more
help for the farms, men and women
willing to work and capable OF per-.
forming duties in the agricultural line.
Industrial experts have shown that an
immigrant is worth $1,000 to State
and $4O0 to the railroad system on
which he locates. The English espc-
cially feel very kindly toward Virginia.
They were much interested when I
told them Of the number OF counties
named for towns in England. and
naturally that brought them closer to-
ward u.s. The settlers who arrived to-
day are of excellent stock. have
already called attention to the fact that
the immigrants brought to Virginia
| since the department received It's ap-
ptopriation,- have invested $4,000 In
| Virginia banks This does not repre-
| sent their savings here. but Is The
money, which they brought along and
which had been saved in their former
homes.
Asked About Chicago Brother.
| = ] ~ a.
Commissioner Koiner made a number
i OF speeches in England and Scotland
and one night after he had painted the
picture Of tho Old Dominion in glowing
terms, an old woman rushed to the
platform with the request that she BIZ
peRnlitted to shake his hand. II have
four sons In Virginia. she said
do you know them?'' The com.
! missioner wanted more specific infor.
nation. and the mother anwered that
! they We're working at Newport News
I've got brother in Chicago sai6
another. Hes been there about sa
1 months, and I think he has fine job
Z Do you know him?" Mr.. Koiner hac
to admit that he did not, whereupor
lie proceeded to tell them that tn,
) United States was very big place.
! Hunting Homes on the James.
! Mr.. Galloway and Mr.. McComb, two
! wealthy visitors from Scotland. who
! called at the department several day
:, ago, have gone on an extended tril
: up the James River with a view t
purchasing homes. They want to 10
cate in Virginia, and with them 1t Il
merely a question of being properl!
Z satisfied Mr.. Ballard, an Englishman
y came with the party, but he Is inves
Q tigaing cond tions in Tidewater Vir
:, ginia. Mr.. Koiner met Mr.. Ballar'
Q while In England, and induced him t
: look around here before going to an
t IEother section. The foreigners will
o bring their families over after secur
$ ing possession of their new properties
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