USA > Virginia > Charlotte County > Charlotte County > Charlotte County, Virginia : historical, statistical, and present attractions > Part 3
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
rocks belong to the archaean or igneous formations, consist- ing of granites, gneisses, hornblends, etc., which contain abundance of silica, potash, soda, magnesia, lime, iron and phosphoric acid in the form of apatite, in combination with these substances. They present every variety of character, both in regard to their chemical composition and physical properties. The surface soil contains, in addition, more or less humous or vegetable matter mixed with animal remains; these are classed generally as sandy, loams or clay, according to the preponderance of one or the other of their elementary constituents.
The soils of transport and drift embrace all the coves and bottom lands upon our rivers, creeks and branches, and also form a considerable part of the hills bordering Staunton river and some of its tributaries.
The natural soil of this county, in which the different species of oak predominate, interspersed with hickory, walnut, wild cherry, etc., must contain abundant supply of every essential mineral ingredient. This is demonstrated by the analysis of the ashes of these plants. That the supply of them is inex- haustible, is proven by the fact, that when the surface soil has been exhausted of its carbon and nitrogen, which gives rise to further and rapid disintegration, we find these same plants growing from the bottom of our deepest gulleys.
The celebrated Dr. W. H. Ruffner, writing from the Valley of Virginia, said about Charlotte lands :
You well know that a Valley man, when consulted about the improvement of soil, at once says "grass and cattle." My travel through your county has satisfied me that it may be made a good grass, grain and live stock section. When you get your lands to a certain point of fertility you can raise more corn and wheat than we can on lands of like quality, and in the vegetable and fruit crop you can greatly surpass us. In tobacco you can of course excel us, your soil being so much better adapted to this plant than ours, and I suppose that with proper management you can get more immediate profit out of this crop than any other, and more than we usually do out of our crop. Charlotte has more than the usual share of transported soils, which are generally very good. Outside of the strips of transported soils your lands are the product of the underlying rocks. As to potash, there can be no doubt, and that phosphoric acid does largely exist in
" High Hill "-Residence of L. R. Ford, Madisonville, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
the rocks is sufficiently proved by the forests and successive crops which the land has heretofore produced. Your lands have the advan- tage of being based on readily decomposing rocks, whereby fresh soils can be formed to almost any depth. Of course the different strata differ in their composition. In one line of outcrop you may find more of one fertilizing element, and in another close by more of another, while, the combination of the two might result in the increased fertility. Certainly you have phosphoric acid in your rocks in some form, and, if hunted for by the mineralogist or chemist, I doubt not it would be found as it has been somewhat abundantly in Amelia county, but whether discovered or not, you may safely proceed upon the assumption that it exists in the soil, and still more in the sub soil.
Since the above was written by Dr. Ruffner, large and inexhaustible deposits of phosphates have been discovered in Florida and Tennessee, which, with the return of all bone material to the soil, will supply all deficiencies in phosphates.
SOIL IMPROVEMENT BY THE USE OF FERTILIZER.
Stable and farm pen manures excel all others in the perma- nent improvement of lands. Commercial fertilizers stimu- late lands and cause large returns in crops, but a proper rota- tion of crops should be observed, always looking to a sod fallow, or some leguminous crop, as clover, peas or beans turned into the land.
A GOOD SYSTEM OF ROTATION IS-
On highland-first, tobacco; second, wheat; third and fourth, grass; fifth and sixth, pasture. On low-grounds- two years, corn; third, oats; fourth, fifth and sixth, grass, which is pastured during fall and winter.
Col. Thomas Whitehead, late Commissioner of Agriculture of Virginia, in writing on this subject said:
The conformation of Charlotte makes it a most admirable location for general farming, as well as planting. Across the county from northeast to southwest is a vein of peculiar rich formation, along which grows naturally tobacco; peculiar because of this formation,
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Residence of W. S. Pugh, Madisonville, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
the most exhausted land, if supplied with a reasonable amount of ferti- lizers, will produce a full crop of tobacco of a texture, color and fra- grance most valuable and found only in special localities.
The Staunton river, which makes the wonderful valley that has produced more grain than any other river valley of its dimensions in the State, runs on its southwestern boundary for many miles, furnishing broad, low grounds for those princely estates that made this, before the war, one of the richest, most hospitable and refined sections of the State. Into the river, from the. northeast bearing southwest, run a number of large creeks with broad rich bottoms, dividing the county like an irrigated garden. These large farms, under the intelligent rotation and cultivation of well-informed farmers and educated owners, were their boast and pride. It was a part of the famous "race horse region," and fine, throughbred racers, roadsters and thoroughbred cattle were to be found in every section.
All that is needed to make this county an agricultural paradise; to fill it with orchards, sheep walks and cattle farms, rolling fields of waving grain, and golden hills of yellow tobacco, is to cut up these large farms, bring into cultivation these unturned unfallowed acres, put into the county one thousand families of honest, intelligent, respectable people, free from debt and used to agricultural pursuits, believing in our institutions and respecting our laws. -
Hon. G. W. Koiner, present Commissioner of Agriculture and Immigration of Virginia, writes:
Virginia is now a great agricultural State, and her importance as such is increasing year by year. She is now the richest Southern State except Texas. Charlotte county is exceptionally well located in the State of Virginia. Her soil was originally fertile and strong, and is blessed with a good, tenacious clay sub-soil. The lands in Charlotte. county are susceptible of the highest state of improvement. There are now many farms in the county highly improved. She has good trans- portation facilities by rail, and has numerous springs of purest water- many of them contain lithia. All kinds of fruit, grasses and grains grow well in Charlotte county. She is accessible to the best markets, and her climate is salubrious and delightful. Her people are known far and wide for their hospitality and intelligence. Nature has given Charlotte county all of the essentials for a happy and prosperous abid- ing place for man.
Scene at Test Farm, Saxe, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
CLIMATE.
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Whether we have regard to general salubrity-exemption from storms, cyclones and tornadoes-the equable distribution of rain throughout the year-the abscence of extremes of heat and cold-the long periods adapted to seed time, cultivation and harvest, or the peculiarly favorable conditions which affect every kind of agricultural operation and production, no portion of the United States can offer its inhabitants climatic conditions superior to this county. The great Appa- lachian chain of mountains, extending across the State from northeast to southwest, and rising from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the level of the sea, affords an effectual barrier against the blizzards and storms which sweep across the continent from the north and northwest, whilst our proximity to the Atlantic ocean, tempered as it is by the Gulf stream, softens and mollifies the frosts of winter.
SHORT WINTERS.
Our winters do not exceed two months; the cold spells rarely last more than two or three days, and it is only in exposed situations that the thermometer has been known to reach zero for a few hours.
SNOWS
Rarely fall to a greater depth than six inches, and are gen- erally of short duration. Yet we have never known a winter when ample supplies of ice could not be gathered from properly-constructed ponds for summer use. The general range of thermometer during these spells is from 15° to 35º Fahrenheit-very rarely lower.
THE HEAT OF SUMMER
Is equally modified by the same genial influences. The high- est hills are generally selected for residences, from many of which the Blue Ridge mountains are plainly visible, and which always enjoy, during the heat of the day, refreshing breezes.
Plowing January 10, 1907, on Farm of G. W. Watson, Caro, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
THE WINDS,
Which are nature's great agents in equalizing temperature and distributing moisture, rarely remain more than one or two days at the same point. The prevailing movement of the wind during the cold season is from the north and west, which is always dry. From the northeast, coming down the coast, we have during the spring and fall more or less wind and rain, which makes the most disagreeable weather to which we are subject. We are also under the influence of the great atmos- pheric movements, which come from the tropics along the Atlantic coast, extending across Middle Virginia to the foot of the Blue Ridge. From this source we have the prevailing winds and rains of summer, as they follow the general direc- tion of our water courses. They are sometimes attended by freshets.
TEMPERATURE.
Charlotte is located (latitude, 37'; longitude, 78') in Mid- dle Virginia. The elevation of Charlotte ranges from 669 feet on the highest hills to 300 on the lowest levels. The thermometer falls one degree for 300 feet of elevation above sea level. The rainfall also diminishes from the seacoast inland.
The mean elevation of the surface of Charlotte county is about 486 feet, calculated from about twenty observations, taken in different places, including some of the highest and lowest levels:
Keysville
625 feet above sea level.
Drake's Branch
375 feet above sea level.
Mossingford 357 feet above sea level.
Randolph 331 feet above sea level.
Charlotte Courthouse 560 feet above sea level.
Mosaic Temple 545 feet above sea level.
Rough Creek Road
459 feet above sea level.
Roanoke Creek .350 feet above sea level.
Wardsfork Creek 376 feet above sea level.
Cub Creek
355 feet above sea level.
Farm Scene-S. C. Daniel's January 11, 1907, Hillcroft, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
The records, as furnished by the weather bureau for seven- teen years, from 1889 to 1905 inclusive, make the mean annual temperature 56°, 6. The mean annual rainfall for same period, 42.40 inches. Highest average temperature during said period 81.33, and lowest 29.34, and the greatest precipita- tion in any twenty-four consecutive hours, .10.
The mean temperature of the respective months of the year for the same period (seventeen years) was-
January
36.4
July
75.6
February
38.1
August
74.1
March
48.0
September
69.8
April
56.0
October
55.6
May
65.8
November
47.3
June
73.6
December
39.0
i
Rainfall .- Mean monthly precipitation for same time:
January
3.02
July
5.22
February
3.86
August
3.82
March
4.14
September 2.83
April
2.88
October
3.11
May
5.08
November
2.30
June
3.57
December
2.57
The heaviest rainfall in any one month during this period was 11.74-in July, 1889; next, 7.95-in March, 1891. In only five months during this period was the rainfall less than one inch, the lightest being 0.20-in November, 1890, while the mean temperature of this month was 48.03°.
The highest mean temperature for any month during these seventeen years was 77.06-for July, 1905. The lowest mean temperature of any month during same time was 31-for Feb- ruary, 1905. The lowest minimum temperature recorded was 0.5-for February, 1905. The highest maximum temperature noted was 101°-for August, 1903.
The mean temperature for the three summer months cor- responds with that of New York, Madrid, Constantinople and Jerusalem.
" Merry Oaks "-Residence of G. W. Berkley, Rough Creek, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
Guyot, in his Physical Geography, a standard authority, says :
In the eastern half of the United States the southwesterly winds which prevail in the summer spread over the interior and Atlantic plains an abundant supply of vapors from the waters of the Gulf. Frequent and copious showers refresh the soil during the month of greatest heat; which show a maximum of rain. Thus the dry sum- mers of the warm temperature region disappear, and with them the periodical character of the rains so well marked in this belt elsewhere.
Commodore M. F. Maury, in his Physical Survey of Vir- ginia, says:
Virginia answers geographically to the southern half of Spain, Portugal, Sicily, Greece and Turkey as to climate. The chief difference between theirs, and the climate of Virginia is in favor of Virginia. She is better watered than they, and cultivation is carried on without artificial irrigation.
Captain John Smith, the founder of the colony, says:
Heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitation.
What the owner of " Roanoke " says:
RANDOLPH, VA., January 4, 1907.
DEAR SIR: Enclosed are two photographs, one showing our resi- dence, comparatively modern, on the " Roanoke " plantation, and one showing John Randolph's office and a dwelling of same date, all situated in a grove on what is known as Randolph mountain, where this dis- tinguished man once lived.
This plantation is located at Randolph, Va., on the north bank of the Staunton river.
The low lands are noted for their fertility, producing the superior white corn. The climate and soil is especially gifted for the growth of all kinds of grain, tobacco, fruits, flowers and trees, and mild enough for live stock to thrive in all seasons. These conditions assist in making the place a "paying farm," so that season by season, with variety of crops, the revenue is sufficient to net a fair income on the value of the plantation.
These conditions apply to most places upon this river, where the work upon them is done under energetic management, with intelligent system.
Very truly yours, CLARENCE C. CHENEY.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
" Arcadia "-Residence of E. F. Daniel, Charlotte Courthouse, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
A NEW YORKER'S TESTIMONY AFTER MANY YEARS' EXPERIENCE.
WYLLIESBURG, VA., December 27, 1906.
DEAR SIR: Replying to your inquiry as to my impressions of southern life, and the opportunities offered for industrious settlers, will say, I was born in Otsego, N. Y., and moved with my father to Charlotte county when a mere boy. It gives me pleasure to say that I have found the people kind and hospitable and the climate salubrious and delightful. My opinion is there is no county in the United States that offers as many inducements to industrious settlers. Lands are cheap and farming is very profitable, especially to the man of moderate means. I know of many instances of farmers who purchased farms a few years back, and have paid for them from the earnings of the farms, and are independent citizens. Indeed, there is one instance in my neighborhood of a man who made enough tobacco the first year to more than twice pay for his place. Taxes are low, communities are well governed and everything seems to conspire to make it a most desirable country to live in.
Yours truly, D. C. JACKSON.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
HEALTHFULNESS.
As might be expected from such climatic conditions in health, the most essential element to comfort and all the pleas- ures of life, Charlotte stands among the most favored portions of the globe. It's comparative exemption from sudden and violent storms, from extremes of heat and cold, renders all those who use adequate food and clothing, free from those diseases which result from sudden and violent changes of weather.
The average daily run of thermometer between extremes of heat and cold is about ten degrees, making changes of weather very gradual, extending usually over two or three days.
A run here of twenty degrees in twenty-four hours is very rare; whereas a run of forty degrees in a few hours, which is not uncommon in New England, along the Gulf States and throughout the Mississippi Valley, is unknown in this county.
When we consider that the entire area of the county is tho- roughly drained by the Staunton and its tributaries, that the
Landscape From State Test Farm, Saxe, Va
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
dip of land from west to east is fully 150 ieet, while that from north to south is double that amount, it is impossible that any undrained land should exist except by a contravention of the laws of nature.
Charlotte county has never had a case of yellow fever or cholera, nor is it subject to disease of a violent or malignant type.
Virginia not being a registration State, the mortality rate cannot be given, but a letter from the secretary of the county board of health is herewith published as the best evidence obtainable.
LETTER FROM SECRETARY OF COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTHI.
CHARLOTTE C. H., VA., January 7, 1907.
DEAR SIR: In reply to your request for report of sanitary condi- tions of Charlotte county, I beg leave to submit briefly as follows:
I consider the health conditions in this county as good as any in the State. From the standpoint of a general practitioner, and member of County Board of Health, I assert that we have no endemics, or mild ones if at all. Epidemics touch us lightly. Pneumonia is rare and typhiod fever is unknown in many sections of county. These two last are the most serious diseases in this belt of the Old Dominion.
Will be glad to answer any question pertinent to this matter you wish to submit. I am,
Very truly and hastily, C. H. GIBBS, M. D.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE VALLEY OF THE STAUNTON.
BY HON. H. C. RICE,
As requested, I write of some attractions of the Valley of the Staunton river within the boundaries of Charlotte county.
Before they had railway facilities, the large planters of this valley, owning from 500 to over 5,000 acres of land, lived in large, commodious, in some cases elegant and imposing resi- dences, overlooking broad acres of fertile soil, reaching out into magnificent distances.
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"Staunton Hill "-Residence of Mrs. Charles Bruce, Clarkton, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
Skillful managers directed well-trained laborers on these plantations, and all necessary mechanics lived upon them.
The planters were attended by accomplished servants, and had carriages and horses always at command. They lived in lavish abundance and with the independence of barons. Their leisure hours were devoted to the best literature and to the study of public affairs. From this class naturally sprang leaders and statesmen of the South and of the nation.
Patrick Henry, of Red Hill, and John Randolph, of Roanoke, resided here upon their large landed estates. The basis of the prosperity of these planters was the ownership of labor, skillful management and inexhaustible fertility of soil. The one factor lacking was transportation facility. Sydney Smith said that his living in Yorkshire was "actually twelve miles from a lemon."
This fully expresses the isolation of these land owners of a former generation.
Now the Southern railway crosses this valley at Randolph, the Norfolk and Western at Brookneal, and the Tidewater, soon to be finished, a few miles off will almost parallel it for a considerable distance. The last will be one of the finest roads in the South, both in grade and equipment. Besides, the Staunton is navigable for small steamboats. The land can still produce thirty-five bushels of wheat, seventy-five or eighty bushels of corn and two tons of hay per acre. Dark tobacco has sold for $160 per acre, and bright, the "golden leaf," for $50 per hundred pounds. Besides, the soil is specially adapted to horticulture. Marvellous results may be expected under these favorable conditions.
New developments have already begun. At Brookneal, a thriving progressive town just beyond the Charlotte boundary, now the junction of the Norfolk and Western and the Tide- water railways, a new steel bridge and a number of buildings are being erected. Steps have been taken to utilize one of the finest unimproved water powers of the State.
Other falls along the river can furnish ample water power. Another steel bridge at Clarkton, a few miles below Brook-
" The Oaks "-Residence of Hon. H. C. Rice, Cole's Ferry, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
neal, shows the Staunton and lands, all rapidly appreciating in value. These are some of the business attractions of this valley.
MINERAL WATERS.
In recent years health-giving waters have been discovered . within or adjacent to the valley. Users of these waters en- dorse them in the strongest terms, and analyses seem to indi- cate special value for many human ailments. They contain sulphur, magnesium, calcium, lithium and other valuable minerals, some of these in large quantities.
GAME.
You find here also extended fields intersected by ditches and hedge-rows. This is the home of the partridge and the para- dise of the sportsman. Here the wild goose and the duck and Mallard come from their northern-rearing winter grounds to winter. During a morning, from a single point, as many as nineteen flocks of geese have been seen winging their way across the valley. They feed upon wheat fields and meadows, and when weary of wing alight upon waters to enjoy a swim. Space does not furnish a description of the wild turkey rang- ing through forest and field, of the pheasant of our woods, of the snipe, whose haunts are the small streams and marshes, and of the beautiful woodcock.
FISHING.
I cannot picture the delights of the anglers on the banks of the Staunton, in which, among many other varieties, are found the round fish-sometimes a six-pounder-and the silver and red-eye perch. All of these are game to the last.
The hauling of seines has been engaged in, not only as a source of pleasure, but of profit. I cannot dwell upon the pleasures of boating on its waters, whose current requires a vigorous oar.
" Ridgeway Plantation "-Residence of W. G. Kittredge, Cole's Ferry, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
These are some of the rare opportunities for pleasure, healthfulness and profit which the Valley of the Staunton affords. It would be hard to equal them in any part of our much-favored land.
CHANTILLY SPRINGS.
ASPENWALL, VA., January 17, 1907.
DEAR SIR: Replying to your letter, recently received, will say the Chantilly dyspepsia mineral water on my place is attracting a great deal of attention, and is highly recommended by physicians. The well is forty feet deep, with seven feet of water. I have drawn as much as 150 gallons of water per day, and could have drawn much more. Distance from Tidewater railroad and depot, about 100 yards. Name of my place is Chantilly. Yours truly, J. E. TALLY.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
JUSTICE BALDWIN WRITES OF THE GIANT PETER FRANCISCO.
ASPENWALL, VA., January 30, 1907.
DEAR SIR: Replying to your inquiry, will say the people of our section have been very prosperous of late years. They have gone to work, and in every instance the success has been wonderful. Our climate is fine, and people hospitable, and our lands are very produc- tive. We have fine springs of free stone water, and the celebrated "Chantilly" mineral springs are in the neighborhood. The famous giant, Peter Francisco, lived at Aspenwall, and upon his place is a spring of refreshing water, with a rock across the top (more than one horse can pull), carried there on his shoulders by this wonderful giant. The logs of his house, now standing were also carried there by him. I might add that among the most successful of our farmers are the William Bros., who moved in from Halifax county some years since. They rented at first, but now own good farms, well-stocked, and are independent. The same can be said of Messrs. A. J. Middleton, Deaner, Jennings and others.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
SAM'L BALDWIN.
NATURAL PRODUCTS.
FORESTRY.
More than half of the surface of the county is yet covered with forest, much of which is second growth, which springs up spontaneously on lands left out of cultivation.
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" Woodburn "-Residence of Joseph L. Edmunds, Cole's Ferry, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
Adjacent to the railway lines, which furnish both a market and cheap transportation, the forests have been very much pillaged; but there still remain many large bodies of very valuable timber in various parts of the county.
The chief varieties are white oak, post oak, turkey oak, poplar, heart pine, hickory, dogwood, persimmon, cedar, wal- nut, ash, wild cherry, beach, birch, maple and locust, which are regarded the most valuable; but there are also, used for in- ferior purposes, the black, red, spanish and willow oaks, honey locust, sweet and black gum, sycamore, sassafras, old field pine and some half dozen varieties of the elm.
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