The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-06-25
VIEWS OF FREDERICKSBURG
Some Of the Things That Impressed u. 3. H."
on Recent Visit Here.

dane say some oiSouthern hospitality
II due To the climate. la country where
doors are doubled tu keep out the wind
and where shutters have To be closed To
prevent ircezlng-intO such houses Access
II slow and difficult. But in our South
land doors stand wide open in most
cases the windows are so arranged that
they let IN sunlight and warmth, and the
latchs tring hangs always out; and where.
as | said In another letter, your host
does not seem satisfied Il you do not
take something To eat in the old days
something 10 drink )-in a word, with
people who make you at home, and
whose sincerity is manifest in so many
ways that one cannot doubt it, Such Is
fredericksburg alter broke the shell.
The drummer with whom ! talked on
the boat would never know the truth
about fredericksburg did he only visit
the business part of the city. for the
long rows OF ancient houses that stand
ON the main street, houses probably
erected many Of them in Colonial DAYS
with their queer shapes and old-=ty le
hip-rOois, convey no idea of the better
part of the town. But let him climb to
the top Of the slope southwark and
westward and he comes on beautifully
shaded streets, Old-iashiOned houses OF
the Colonial sty le, wide pUrches. 1ar
dens on side and front full OF blooming
roses and other fragrance, and here is
seen comfort and elegance not to be
found Ia crowded city of modern con
structl0n. This is "old" Fredericksburg.
and still further reaching towards the
falls and out towards Marye's Heights
are many dozens OF cottages of modern
style, set on the borders of wide parks,
with spacious grounds about them, and
constructed with an airiness Of effect
that is quite charming. | am told that
much OF this Improvement is due to the
energy and public spirit of Colonel +.
ID. Cole, sometimes humorOusly styied
the king of fredericksburg. And
possibly he deserves the title, as he has
been continuously President of the Coun-
ell of the city for years, and a man must
have something IN him more than the
ordinary to hold the good opinion of his
fellows that long time. A plain man
OF the people, with no pretentiOus ways,
he nevertheless has - hold on the good
will and the Affections OF every one who
comes In touch with him. This writer
knew him when, coming poor boy
from the county oi Prince William, after
having served rs faithful p service a. apv
of Virginia sons I'm defence oi a q old DO |
miniOn The was n courier Of J.. L. 4.
Stuart, and has many a pleasant tale
10 relate OF that gallant soldier and de-
lightful companion, and also served with |
Mcsby for time, he came to Fredar- |
icksburg penniiess but full of energy. |
which he has displayed all these years. |
Always ready to help in any enterprise !
that tended to the development of the re-
sources OF the city, and indeed the leader
ia most OF them. the Colonel is unique IL /
his way.
fredericksburg has fine drinking watt r. /
When | saw the Rappahannoek tufb.d
with the mud of Fauquier aud Orane
and was told that the hmpid water We
had Tor drinking was the aame. altered I
and transparent, IL was hardly believe \
able. FlteriDg plants do the work. 4
Now they are harnessing the river. build 1
igg dams at intervals along It's course
aud will use white coal" as electricity /
is called. to propel mills, factory machin. /
cry. and what not. -
The Rappahannoek Valley has a great /
destiny. With Fredericksburg al tie 4
head OF tidewater and the hrosd Chesa-
peake at the other, one day it will bios
som all along It's banks as a rose. and fts
now scarcely touched lands be productive
as garden fields. Once IN a while a Vir-
ginia farmer breaks loose from "the ira
ditions OF the elders" and starts out to
find the hidden wealth that lies stored |
inert in our wellnigh abandoned fields
finds IL aud grows rich. Truly, as has
been written, we have an almost undls-
covered country full Of great possibilities
Tor the reward Of the dIiigent and intolll-
gent.--J. *. II. m Virginia Citizen.