The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-23
The UPPER JAMES
AND ITS BEAUTIES
An Enthusiast Tells What One
May See on Short
Journey.

&.
Valley as one might catch il from the
deck OF an ucroplane or from the back
seat of al automobile would be en-
trancing and cheering. The latter en-
pcrienec would perhaps be tile more
interesting and trile safer. But IN
any way the trip would be interest
Ing.
We FIRST strike beautiful Forest Hill
with It's modern homes and grounds,
showing an idpal spot for the We'll TO-
do city business man.
We next catch a glimpse OF Granite
With Its busy people, developing some
of this sections natural resources. AS
we leave Granite, Bon Air comes into
view with its lovely loca ton and happy
homes of some OF Richmond's most sub
stHntia1 and prosperous business men,
giving the most of the comforts OF tho
city. With tho country life and all Of
its advantages over the crampcd city
homes
Then we notice to our right the de-
yelopinE OF the country between Bon
Air and Wcsthanpton. OIL the north
bank of tho James. This section is
fairly alive with saw mills. and other
business enterprises springing UP every
where.
Then we catch sight OF the men at
work on the new bridge approaches.
for a modern structure connecting
htSltIilllplOH Will lHG points on the
south James. Leaving this busy scene
,, we take in with delight the beautiful
farms on each side Of the river. We
are now approaching our state Farm.
with its beautiful fields. tcemng with
the different colored Birds for which
the place Is noted. Every thing here
is kept In the hest of order. Just
across the river here, is another fine
farm. that Is under new management.
and some new blood, which feel will
make q show. They will have to
catch the spirit OF progress, shown on
the north bank
Rock Castle is now coming Into view
with its efforts to Improve not only
the land and buildings, but TO benent
and uplift the colored man. We hope
the Efforts may succeed. Anything
that can make him better citizen will
be of lasting help 10 him and the COM
munnity.
We are now q Cartcrsvillc on the
James. which is said to he older than
Chicago, though not quite so large
Here. there are also signs of pro-
gross several new buildings just finish
ed. and Just little way out we can
see the splendid high school just COM
plcted and nearing tile end of sue
ccssfu first session. lust west OF the
village we come upon Il new enter
prise. which is DR.. Snead's beautiful
farm turned into pony ranch. Its
fields of alfalfa and other grasses dot.
ted over with the attractive little ami
mails imported from the Shetland Is
lands and other points, present TO the
eye a pleasing picture.
Nc now cross TO the old historic
Ampthill or Harrison farm. whore VIII
lis River emptics into the James JUST
across on the north bank. we have Elk
Island farm, said 10 be the most pro-
ductiyo 100 acres of land in Virginia
Great quantities OF hay and corn nre
shipped from here, and the owners
have what I consider better proposi-
ton than a gold mine We will now
stop for dinner and supplies for our
motor. and will give account OF the
other end of our trip next time
The James River Valley Telephone
Company seems TO have caught the
progress and spirit of this section AS
we passed through this productive vail
ley, We could sec its new poles and inn
proNed lines everywhere, connecting
with the Bell Company. at Manchester
II has numerous lines running into Bon
Air and Midlothian. with night and
day service unlimited They have built
metallic long distance lines from Rich
mond mp the river to Cartersville and
from there TO Ashby and Cumberland.
with no local phones and giving good
long distance connection with tho
farmers lines at this point. and the
Virginia Central Company. which covers
Buckingham county. understand they
have ordered material to run another
long distance line from the Central at
Cartersville. Virginia, up on the north
ern side of the river via Pemberton 70
Columbia, connecting with tho new and
enterprising Palmyra Telephone Com
pany, thereby giving good commercial
long distance service to all points along
this beautiful valley. which is nowhere
surpa sscd for health and progress.
The writer has just returned from an
extended Southern trip, and declares he
saw nothing to compare with his own
home county.
VIRGINIA ENTHUSIAST.