The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-07-09
ALONG THE RAPPAHANN0Ck

A recent trip down the Rappahan-
mock river emphasized more than ever
before the wonderful possibilities and
the rapid progress of that highly
favored section Of Virginia lying on
both sides Of the Rappahannock river
between Fredericksburg and Chesa-
peake bay. Thrifty crops are seen on
both sides of the river in the counties
of Spotsylvania, Caroline, Essex, and
Middlesex on the Southside, and Stafford,
King George, Westmoreland. Richmond
and Lancaster on the Northern Neck
side, giving evidence Of improved
methods of farming, and the houses,
barns. fences and fields present an at
tractive appearance.
At Port Conway, where Capt. Jack,
who has given an object lesson to the
world of the fortune to be made IN
growing alfalfa when properly cultlva-
ted on suitable soil, a new wharf has
been erected. A large roomy warehouse
has been built for the convenience OF
shippers and an ornamental lake pro-
vided. These improvements were all
made by Capt. Jack, who bought the
wharf property, from which point he
ships his alfalfa which is grown on the
beautiful Belle Grove and Walsingham
farms lying along the Rappahannock
river above and below Port Conway.
Among other thrifty up-to-date
farmers in this immediate section are
Mr.. Allen Smith on the King George
side of the river, DR.. c. u. Gravatt,
Messrs. A. +. Turner and j. Taylor
Thornton on the Caroline side. Lower
down on the Essex side are the fine
farms of Messrs. J. II. c. Beverley and
Robt. Beverley, II. l.. Baylor. B. B.
Brock enbrough and many other thrifty
agriculturists, while the Sabine Hail.
and Mount Airy" estates are nearby
on the opposite side Of the river.
As the steamer proceeds down the
river, shipments increase in numbers as
well as variety. The people of the Rap
pahannock valley are beginning to
realize the value of the double resources
they have in the products of that fertile
soil and in the fish, oysters and crabs
which the water yields. As a conse-
auence they are giving more attention
than heretofore to trucking and to the
more thorough cultivation OF their
| farms.
AS the river widens, and the salt
water becomes evident, the quality and
quantity Of the shipments improve. AT
numbers of the wharves there were
large shipments in cases of ripe toma-
toes from the fields, and many barrels
of roasting ears. This was on July LIST.
Expressing surprise at the early ship
ments of these products from that sec
ton, the writer was informed that these
articles had been going TO the Baltl-
more and other markets from the Rap
pahannock for two weeks previous.
Among other large shipments noticed
were apples. peaches, potatoes, berries
new wheat. hay, lambs, veals, mich
cows, fish, crabs, and other products
too numerous to mention and all oil
superior quality.
The steamers go out Of the Kappa
hammock river into the bay loaded down
even in this summer season with fresh
products for the markets which COM
mand the highest prices.
Just above Nelson's wharf in Middle
sex DR.. Kilmer, Of Swamproot fame,
has his fine bungalow. where he enter
tains friends, who enjoy boating, bath
ing and fishing.
Just below the thriving town OF Ur-
hanna is "Rosegill," the handsome es-
tate purchased some years ago by Mr..
Cochran, a wealthy Pennsylvania, who
spends much of his time there and en-
tains extensively. Ii is one of the show
places for Urbanna visitors.
On Curritoman river, a short tribu-
tary of the Rappahannock, extending
into Lancaster county, are four wharves
and many shipments are made from
that thrifty section.
Carter's creek is the most beautiful
place on the river. There are two
wharves, close together, lrvington anc
Weems, both large shipping points
Irvington is full of life and activity. lts
hospitality is far famed and II is noted
for its pretty women. More boats are
owned there than at any other point or
the river. The Carriers creek manufac
turing plant of which Capt. w. L.
Messick is the head is located at Irving
ton and there are many other enter
prises there. To go into detail woult
I'm many columns. Suffice it to say tha
trip along the Rappahannock IS on'
of the most charming imaginable ant
, nowhere can there be found more
pleasant surroundings for a sojourn.
The people of the Rappahannocl
valley are fortunate in living in suci
locality. They are prosperous, con
tented, live on the fat of the land an'
enjoy life.