Historical Sketch 
 
 Bedford County 
 Virginia 
 
 ■W 
 
 1755 :: 1907 
 
Historical Sketch 
 
 
 
 Bedford County 
 
 Virginia 
 
 1753 
 
 1907 
 
F-^ 
 
 V 
 
 JA2Ct90P 
 
Historical Sketch of Bedford County 
 
 MAY 13, 1907 
 
 On this day, three hundred years ago, the first English settler 
 set foot on Virginia soil at Jamestown. At this spot, appropriate 
 ceremonies are now in process of execution by our Governor and 
 other oiFicials. 
 
 Virginia extends greetings to her sons and daughters wherever 
 located, to her sister States, and to all foreign countries, who unite 
 m celebrating this, her tercentennial year. 
 
 Though scarce of territory, depopulated by cruel wars, scorched 
 by the torch of invading armies, and despoiled of accumulatino- ^ 
 values she invites a careful s,mi^,.of what she was, what she 
 1^ and what she will be, under the developing hand of modern 
 thrift, and the touch of thai^M^lizmg force, which is character- 
 istic ot the American people of to-day. 
 
 Bedford County is no exception to this result: We now pro- 
 pose to give an approximately accurate picture of its history 
 location, climate, altitude, soil, products, water, scenery, markets' 
 and undeveloped water power, in order to convev a description of 
 this part of Piedmont Virginia. 
 
 We desire to induce good citizens from all sections to settle in 
 our midst, to become identified with our people, and to be in 
 immediate touch with the traditions, attractions, and prosperity 
 ol this richly endowed region. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 OUR HISTORIC HERITAGE 
 
 In 1652 Surry County, adjoining Isle of Wight, was formed, 
 and from portions of these two, the County of Brunswick was set 
 apart in 1720. Lunenburg County was formed from Brunswick 
 in 1746, and seven years later, Bedford County was formed out 
 of Lunenburg. Bedford County was named in honor of John 
 Eussell, the fourth Duke of Bedford, who was Secretary of State 
 of Great Britain from February 13th. 1748, to June 26th, 1757. 
 Bedford County was formed 'from Lunenburg County by act of 
 the House of Burgesses November, 1753, to take effect the 10th of 
 May, 1754. To pursue the landed relationship of Bedford in 
 connection. Campbell County was formed from Bedford, and 
 Franklin from Bedford and a part of Henry, in 1784. In October, 
 1782, the General Assembly of Virginia passed an act establishing 
 the town of Liberty, which in 1890 was changed to Bedford City. 
 
 Bedford, like her mother, gave her territory to adjoining 
 counties (embracing thousands of acres), her county seat, Xew 
 Ijondon, and a location for Lynchburg, now one of the wealthiest 
 cities in the Union. A site of one hundred acres, to be called 
 "Liberty,'" was donated to form the county seat of Bedford: it 
 was located in the center of the present Bedford City, and was more 
 commonly called "The Court House." This land was thickly set 
 in heavy oak timber; naturally the first public building was 
 constructed of hewn logs. In illustration of the primitive cod- 
 dition of things, we are told of a man who was summoned to go 
 security for a prisoner; in spite of wifely opposition he went. On 
 reaching the log jail at a late hour, he found his own cow on the 
 second story luxuriously Slipping on the sheriff's oats. The jail 
 had been used as a feed store in the absence of prisoners. 
 
 Bedford, in imitation of the county from which she was severed, 
 gave of her rich and productive territory to make adjoining 
 counties. Campbell County — which includes the wealthy and pro- 
 gressive City of Lynchburg with her 20,000 of population — was 
 cut from that lerritory on the southeast by Act of the General 
 Assembly in November, 1781; and subsequently — in 1784— tlie 
 county of Franklin was cut from the county of Bedford on \hr 
 south side and from Henry County on the north side. Indian 
 relics of a very marked type have been found in different seel inns 
 of this country, and are highly cherished by many of its oldest 
 mhabifants. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 5 
 
 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY COURT 
 
 At the request of a committee of the board of supervisors of 
 Bedford County. Virginia, the following sketch, which consists in 
 a great degree of copies, verhatim. of the proceedings of the count} 
 court of the said county, has been prepared : 
 
 The court was held monthly, at a stated period, and was com- 
 posed of resident citizens of the county, and appointed justices 
 of the peace for the county; usually five of them constituted a 
 court.' It had, originally, chancery, common-law and criminal 
 jurisdiction. It was well nigh a self-perpetuating body. When- 
 ever one of them resigned, died, or removed, the remaining mem- 
 bers would meet at the courthouse, at a term of the court, and 
 elect a successor, who, on being recommended by the court to 
 the Governor, was commissioned by His Excellency, and then ap- 
 j)eared in court, and, on taking the oaths required by law, took his 
 seat on the bench. This court system was, in great measure, 
 destroyed in its usefulness by the State Constitution in 3 851, 
 "vvhich, thereafter, made its members elective and required com- 
 pensation for their services. It continued, however, in a measure, 
 until the adoption of the Constitution of 1869, when it was 
 abolished and a county judge substituted. By the subsequent 
 Constitution of 1903 the county court system was obliterated. 
 
 The county court judges were as follows: 
 First, John Austin Wharton, 1870. 
 Second, Micajah Davis, 1880. 
 - Third, Calloway Brown, 1892. 
 
 The last day of the court was the 29th of January, 1904, when 
 it ceased to exist. 
 
 After the adoption of the Federal Constitution in 1788 a high 
 court of chancery was instituted and held at Richmond, one 
 judge only, elected by the General Assembly, presiding. In 1802 
 the State was divided into three chancery districts and a judge 
 elected by the General Assembly for each district, and courts were 
 held by each judge at the several designated places in the districts. 
 Subsequently the State was divided into four chancery districts, 
 and a judge elected for each by the General Assembly to hold the 
 <-ourts at the places designated in the several districts. This 
 
G msTUJilCAL tSKETCn 
 
 system continued until 18151. At an earl}' period District Courts 
 of Law were also establislicd and a judge elected by the General 
 Assembly for each district, -and the courts were held at certain 
 places designated in each district; one of tlie places was New 
 London, in Kedfoi'd County. 'J'his last mentioned system con- 
 tinued until 1809, when it was changed, and superseded by what 
 was called "Superior Court of Law," and the judge (elected by 
 the (leiieral Assembly) (\f each district was thereafter recpiired 
 10 hold a term twice a year in eaeli couiity in his district. This 
 system continued until 1831, when the two systems (chancery and 
 law) were merged into one and called "Circuit Superior Courts 
 o!' Law and Chancery." In 1851 the name was changed to "Cir- 
 cuit Courts," and the judges were required to be elected by the 
 |)eo]>le of the respective circuits; but the elective provision by th(.- 
 p(Ople was abolished by the Constitution of 18()!) and the judges 
 were made elective by the General Assembly, ami that provis on 
 v,:is iiirorpor'ated in the (Constitution of 1903. 
 
 Meiiioi'aniliini : 'That at the house of Mathmv 'I'alhot, (lent., 
 in the County of Bedford, on Monday, the '?7th day of May, in the 
 twenty-seventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King 
 George II, etc.. Anno Dotn. ITT)!. His Majesty's Commission of 
 the Peace of this Coimty, under the seal of this Colony and 
 Dominion of Virginia, bearing date on the 12th day of May, 
 Instant, directed to .lohn Pane, Mathew Talbot, ,lohn Phelps, 
 .lohn Anthony. William (^allaway, John Smith. Jiinr., Zachary 
 Isbell, liobert Page, doliii Sutton, Thomas I'nllin, Edmund 
 Manion, and Pichard Callaway, Gent., was openly read as was in 
 like manner his Majesty's Dedimus Potestatem under the said seal 
 and of the same date for administering the oaths, &c. And there- 
 upon piirsnant to the said Dedimus the said John Pane took the 
 usual oaths to his Majesty's Person and Government and took and 
 subscribed the Abjuration Oath and also subscribed the test and 
 likewise took the oath of a Justice of the Peace, and of a Justice 
 of the CJounty Court in Chancery, all which oaths were admin- 
 istered to him by Zachary Isbell and Robert Page. Then the said 
 John Pane administered all the aforesaid oaths to the said 
 William Callaway, John Smith, Junr., Zachary Isbell, Robert 
 Page, Thonuis Pullin, and Edmund Manion, who took the same 
 and subscribi'd the said Abjuration Oath and Test. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 7 
 
 At a Court held for Bedford County at the House of Mathew 
 I albot, Gent., May the 27th, 1754. 
 
 Present: John Pane, William Callaway, John Smith, Junr., 
 Zachary Isbell, liobert Page, Thomas Pullin, and Edmund 
 M anion, Gent., Justices. 
 
 Benja. Howard produced a Com. to be Clerk of this Court 
 and took the oaths to his Majesty's Person and Government and 
 the Ab.iuration Oath and subscribed the same and the Test and 
 look \ho ();ilh of his ofliee. 
 
 teaWh ^|;^7,^-^% OI«„ent Eeade, and James Cary, Gent., severally 
 iT^nl f L Government, &c., and subscribed the test, toot 
 the Oath of Attorneys and admitted to practice in this Court and 
 the said Eeade also sworn his Majesty's Atto. Genl. in this Court. 
 [No court held in June, 1754.] 
 
 Jufy 17^5?'^ ^'^^ ^°' ^^' ^^°"''^^ °^ ^''^^'"'^ '" ^^'' ^'^"^ ^^y «^ 
 
 Present: William Callaway, Zachariah Isbell, Thomas Pullin 
 and Edmond Manion, Gentl. 
 
 A commission of the Peace from the Honorable Robert Din- 
 widdle, Esq., &c., directed to Mathew Talbot and others Gent 
 Hs also a Dedimus Potestatem for administering the oaths &c" 
 were severally read. Wlhereupon the said John Sutton and Thomas 
 I ullm administered unto the said John Phelps the oaths of 
 Government ^^"d who took the same and repeated and subscribed 
 the test. And then the said John Phelps likewise took the oath 
 of a Justice of the Peace and a Justice of the Countv Court in 
 
 Uie's^i7onth f n"'"'"" ''" "'' '''''' ^'^'^^'^'^ administered 
 ihe said oaths of Government, &c., unto the said William Calla- 
 way, Zachary Isbell, John Sutton, Thomas Pullin, Edmond 
 
 anion, Riehard Callaway, Robert Ewing, and Joseph Ray, who. 
 <^ok the same and repeated and subscribed the Test. And al^o^ 
 fo(.k file oath of Justices of the County Court in Chancery 
 
 Present: John Phelps, William Callaway. Zachary" Isbell 
 
 way, and Robert Ewmg, Gent., Justices. 
 
 Joseph Ray produced a Commission from the Plonorahle the 
 Governor, ^-c, to be Sheriff of this County, wlio took the usual 
 
8 HISTORICAL miF/rVH 
 
 oaths to his Majesty's Person and Government and repeated and 
 snbscrihed the Teste, and took the oath of a Sheriff and oath 
 appointed by Tobacco Law; the said Eay having first entered 
 into bond according to law, together with Obadiah Woodson, 
 Turner Hunt Christian, Eichard Burks, John Partree Burks, Ed- 
 ward Watts, Jr., James Walker, Thomas Walker, Benjamin Orrick, 
 Joseph Mays and John Goad, his securities, and to be recorded. 
 
 Ordered that the Sheriff wait on the Printer for 14 complete 
 Bodys of the Laws for the use of the Justices of this County 
 and that he be allowed for his trouble in bringing them up at the 
 laying of the Levy. 
 
 Ordered that application be made to the Governor by the Sherift 
 for a writ of Adjournment to adjourn this Court from the House 
 of Mathew Talbot to the House of William Callaway on the main 
 road on Buffalo Eun near his mill. 
 
 Ordered that the rates of liquor for the ensuing year for the 
 County be established as follows and observed by the several 
 ordinary Keepers, viz. : 
 
 Rum by the gallon, ten shillens, if good Baibadoes, 
 
 Punch by the quart made with loaf sugar 1 3 
 
 New England rum pr. the gallon 4 
 
 Whiskie pr. the gallon 5 
 
 Bristol Strong Beer pr. the bottle 1 6 
 
 Peach Brandy pr. the gallon 6 
 
 Maderia wine pr. the gallon 10 
 
 Claret by the quart 5 
 
 French Brandy pr. the gallon 20 
 
 Arrack by the gallon '40. 
 
 Virginia cydar pr. gallon 2 
 
 English cydar {tr. the quart 1 6 
 
 A cold diet 7 1 2 
 
 A hot diet with small beer 1 
 
 Diet for a servant fl 
 
 Corn or oats pr. the gallon 6 
 
 Pasturage for a horse 24 hours 6 
 
 Stableage and fodder pr. night 6 
 
 Lodging with clean sheets 1 6 
 
 [Note: The liquor rates were fixed by the Court ,froni year 
 to year for many years and finally abolished.] ^ 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. Q 
 
 Court held August 26th. 175 Jf. 
 
 William Callaway agrees with this Court to build a Prisuu imme- 
 diately on his land near the main road twenty feet by twelve, with 
 square timbers the sides and upper and under floors, and with n 
 partition, seven feet and a half pitch upon his proper costs, if the 
 Court of this County should after being held at that place be re- 
 moved and part of Albemarle on the south side of James Eiver be 
 added to this County and in case the said Courthouse should be 
 established on the said Callaway's Land he shall be paid by the 
 County for building the said prison, and ordered that the Court- 
 house be established on the said Callaway's Land, if that part of 
 All)ermarle be added to this County and the said Callaway agrees 
 to give the County one hundred acres of land at the forks of the 
 roads whereon the prison and Courthouse are to be built, fifty acres 
 of which the said Callaway agrees to make a fee simple to the 
 Court when required, and the other fifty when he shall obtain a 
 patent for the same and the said Callaway doth agree to find a 
 rough house to hold Court in until the same be established. 
 
 Ordered that the next Court for this County be held at the 
 house of William Callaway on the road below his Mill Creek. 
 
 [Note: The houses of Messrs. Talbot and Callaway were in 
 or near New London Town.] 
 
 Cou7-t held November 25th, 175 J^. 
 
 His Majesty's Writ of Adjournment and Precept for adjourning 
 "this Court from the said Talbot's House to the Courthouse lately 
 erected in the said County were severally read and the Court 
 adjourned according to the command thereof. 
 
 Ordered that the Court' be adjourned until to-morrow 10 
 o'clock at the Courthouse at William Callaway's. 
 
 Court held November 27th. 175 Jf. 
 1754. A state of the County Levy. 
 
 Bedford County, Dr. to Tobo. 
 
 To Mr. Secretary Nelson ^ 581 
 
 To the Clerk for Ex-officio Services 1248 
 
 To the Sheriff his acct. for Public services 2693 
 
 To Clk. his acct. for sundry services 0699 
 
 To Ben Howard for Wm. Hunter for record Books 1091 
 
 To Mat. Talbot his acct., for dieting sundry prisoners 1200 
 
 Forward 7512 
 
10 UlalOlilLAL ;SK£TLM 
 
 Brought forward 7512 
 
 To James Wilsoii his acct. for a yuard over Timothy Shaw 585 
 
 I'd (Jeorge Thomas his do. for Do. over John AlcFall 260 
 
 To Daniel Rains his Do. for Do. over James Hancock 450 
 
 To John Talbot his Do. for Do. 'over James Hancock 200 
 
 To James Kay as Goaler his acct. for 20 days dieting E. Watts... 200 
 
 To Giles Williams for one old Wolfs Head 2G June 1753, Z. 1.... 100 
 To Kichard Callaway Ass. of Ambrose Bryant for 1 Do. 13 Nov. 
 
 1754, R. C 100 
 
 To ^lark Coles Ass. of Thos. Rentfro for one old Do. 10 Nov. 
 
 1754, M. C 100 
 
 To Wm. Irwin Ass. of W m. Going for 1 Do. 29 Aug. 1734, Z. 1... 100 
 
 To Do. Ass. of Henry Tealer, for 1 Do. 27 Aug. 1754, Z. 1 100 
 
 To Do. Ass. of Mathias Mounce July 3, 1754, Z. I. 6 young wolfs 
 
 lieads 300 
 
 To Do. Ass. of John Philip Weaver for 2 old Wolfs heads, Sep* 
 
 7, 1754, Z. 1 200 
 
 To Mat. Talbot Ass. of Jacob Hendrickson for 1 old Do. 25 Sept. 
 
 1754, I. P 100 
 
 To the Sheriff for his Commission for collecting, a p. et 619 
 
 To deposit to be accounted for at the next laying of the Levy 2574 
 
 13500 
 Cr. 
 
 1754 By 500 Tiths at 27 lb Tobo, pr. Poll 13500 
 
 Ordcrpd thai tlio Sheriff of thi? County collect from each of 
 
 the Tithable Persons 27 lb. Tobo. towards defraying the Levy 
 
 for this County. 
 
 [Note: The county levy w-as subsequently made annually.] 
 George White's Ear mark, a swallow fork in the left ear and a 
 
 half moon under it and a slit in the right ear, ordered to be 
 
 recorded. 
 
 [Note: Such entries appear often on ihe Minute Book.] 
 Court held March 2Jfth, 1755. 
 
 "William Callaway, John Phelps, Eobert Baber, Henry Tate, 
 I^'rancis Callaway, Benjamin Horsley, Mathew Talbot, Jr., William 
 Mead, Joseph Eay, Charles Talbot, Mark Cole, and Charles Ewing, 
 Gent., Vestrymen, came into Court and took the usual oaths to his 
 Majesty's Person and Government and repeated and subscribed 
 the Teste. 
 
 We the subscribers do subscribe to be conformable to the doctrine 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 11 
 
 and discipline of the Church of England as the same is by law 
 
 established. 
 
 William Callaway, Henry Tate, 
 
 John Phelps. Francis Callaway, 
 
 Wm. Mead, *• Benja. Horsley, 
 Mat. Talbot, Junr., Charles Talbot, 
 
 Jos. Eay, Mark Cole, 
 
 Eobt. Baber, Charles Ewing. 
 
 Court held June 2Srd, 1755. 
 Ordered that the Church Wardens of Russell Parish bind out 
 Jos. Eichardson's children according to law. 
 
 [Note : Such- orders as the above were customary.] 
 Court held November 25th, 1755. 
 
 The Grand Jury returned and presented James Eobinson for 
 swearing and not having any further presentments to make were 
 discharged. 
 
 [Xote: Prosecutions for profane swearing were not unusual 
 and tines with costs were by no means unusual.] 
 
 Eichard Callaway, Zachary Isbell and Ben. Howard are ap- 
 pointed Trustees in behalf of this County, for William Callaway 
 to make a deed in fee simple for one hundred acres of land in 
 trust to .them to be sold for the benefit of the said County accord- 
 ing to a former- agreement by the said Callaway and they are also 
 impowered by the Court to lay off and sell the one hundred acres 
 of land in lots or otherwise as this Court shall direct or order 
 upon application by the said Trustees for the use of the said 
 County upon such terms as shall be prescribed by the said Court 
 for each lot or parcel of land and to make conveyances for the 
 same, in fee simple upon the sale of any part or lot thereof, and 
 Ben Howard is appointed Treasurer to receive the money for the 
 sale of any of the said land or to take obligations for the same a^ 
 the Court shall order, and it is ordered that he be accountable 
 for such money as he shall from time to time receive for the sale 
 of the said land to the Court and pay the same according to the 
 order of the said Court. And it is further ordered that the said 
 Ben Howard be allowed by the said Court for his trouble in Draw- 
 ing the said deed of conveyance to the said Trustees and receiving 
 
12 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 13 
 
 and paving the money aforesaid; and it is ordered that in case 
 of the death or removal of any or either of the said trustees that 
 the Court shall have power to appoint other Trustee or Trustees 
 in the room of his or their death or removal to make conveyances 
 as aforesaid. 
 
 Court held March 22nd. 1756. 
 
 Michael Poor and Susannah Poor in order to prove their right 
 to take up fifty acres of land each made oath that they were im- 
 ported from Ireland about 20 years ago into this Colony and. 
 that this is the first time of their proving the same which is 
 ordered to be Cer. 
 
 Court held May 2J^th, 1756. 
 
 Paul Carrington, Gent., produced a commission to be King's 
 Attorney in this County and took the oaths to his Majesty's 
 Government, &:c., and the Abjuration Oath and subscribed the 
 Test and then took the oath to his ofiice. 
 
 [Note : Mr. Carrington became a distinguished man, was one of 
 tlie committee of safety appointed July 17th, 1775, and Judge of 
 the A'irginia Court of Appeals.] 
 
 Memorandum: That at the Courthouse of Bedford County, on 
 Monday, the twenty-fourth day of May, 1756, his Majesty's Com- 
 mission under the seal of this Colony, bearing date the 16th instant, 
 directed to Mathew Talbot, and others, or any four or more of them 
 to hear and determine all treasons, petit treasons, and murders and 
 other offences committed or done by Hampton & Sambo belonging 
 to John Payne of Goochland County, Gent, was openly read, as 
 was in like manner his Majesty's dedimus potestatem under the 
 said seal and of the same date for administering the oaths, &c., to 
 the said justice^, by virtue of which said Eichard Callaway and 
 Eobert Ewing administered oaths, appointed by Act of Parliament, 
 e^c, and Mathew Talbot, who took the said oaths and repeated and 
 subscribed the Test and also took the oath of Justice of Oyer and 
 Terminer and thereupon the said Mathew Talbot administered the 
 said oaths &c. to John PJtelps, Eichard Callaway, Eobert Ewing, 
 ]\fark Cole and Samuel Harstone, who took the said oaths and re- 
 peated and subscribed the test and then took the oaths of Justices of 
 Oyer and Terminer. 
 
 The Court being thus constituted, the said Hampton and Sambo 
 
14 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 were set to the bar under the custody of Charles Talbot, to whose 
 custody before the}^ were committed on suspicion of their being 
 guilty of the felonious preparing and administering poisonous 
 medicines to Ann Payne, and being arraigned of the premises plead- 
 ed not guilty and for their trial put themselves upon the court. 
 Whereupon, divers witnesses were charged and they heard in their 
 defence on consideration whereof, it is the opinion of the Court that 
 the said Hampton is guilty in manner and form as is the indict- 
 ment, therefore, it is considered that the said Hampton be hanged 
 by the neck till he be dead and that he be afterwards cut in quarters 
 and his quarters hung up at the Cross roads. And it is the opinion 
 of the Court that the said Sambo is guilty of a misdemeanor, there- 
 fore, it is considered that the said Sambo be burnt in the left hand, 
 and that he also receive thirty-one lashes on his bare back at the 
 whipping post; and it is ordered that the Sheriff do immediate 
 Exon thereof, and that he be then discharged. 
 
 Memorandum : That the said Hampton is adjudged to forty- 
 five pounds, which is ordered to be cer. to the Assembly. 
 
 [Note: The above judgment has been copied simply because ir 
 shows the necessity of the day. It is not supposed to have beeu 
 literally enforced further than that the prisoner, Hampton, was 
 hung. At that day negroes were ignorant, and at times, perhaps, 
 barbarous; and apparent evidence of certain, terrible punishment 
 was necessary to make and keep some of them yielding, submissive, 
 obedient, and dutiful.] 
 
 Court held March 29, 1757. 
 
 Deed from William Callaway and wife to Trustees of Bedford 
 County, ordered to be recorded. 
 
 The Court doth order that the Trustees for the County lay out 
 the land belonging to the said County in lots of half acre each, as 
 long again as wide, to be sold for £1.1.8 each lot to be paid on pur- 
 chasing the lot to the Treasurer of the County and that the said 
 Trustees make a deed in fee simple to the purchasers with proviso 
 that they build a house framed, twenty by sixteen, on such lot with- 
 in one 3^ear after purchasing the same, and a brick or stone chim- 
 ney within four years ; otherwise, the said lot of land to revert to 
 the County from the person failing to improve the same according 
 to the said convevance. And that the subscribers for the said lots 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY. VA. 
 
 15 
 
 after being numbered draw for their lots at May Court and that the 
 said Town be called by the name of New London. 
 
 [Note : The Town was beautifully located on elevated table land 
 and commanded sujaerb views of the Blue Eidge range of Mountains 
 and the long spurs stretching therefrom in various directions.] 
 Court held August 27th, 1759. 
 
 The King v. Bryant, Compt. for divulging false News. 
 
 On hearing both parties ordered that the defendant be fined one 
 thousand pounds of Tobo. and costs, and that the Sheriff take him 
 into custody until he pay the same and costs and give security for 
 his good behavior according to law. 
 
 Court held June 23rd, 1761. 
 Leave is granted the inhabitants of Bedford Countj^ to build a 
 meeting house on Sherwood Waltons land on the wagon road from 
 the Peaks of Otter to Warrick. 
 
 Court held November 27th, 176^. 
 
 Booker Smith, who was summoned to appear at this Court to 
 answer such things as should be alleged against him for speaking 
 disrespectfully of the Court, appeared and sundry witnesses beinp- 
 examined and the said Smith heard in his defence. On considera- 
 tion whereof, it is the opinion of the Court that the said Smith 
 has offered a contempt to the Court in speaking several disrespect- 
 ful words against several of the members of the said Court, where- 
 upon, it is the opinion of the Court that the said Booker Smith be 
 fined in the sum of ten pounds and costs. It is further ordered 
 that he give security for his good behavior in the sum of 100 pounds 
 with two securities in the sum of fifty pounds each. 
 
 Gross Scruggs, Paul Carrington and Booker Smith severally 
 undertook for Booker Smith's good iDehavior according to the 
 above order. 
 
 Court held March 26th, 1765. 
 The rates of liquor for this year are as follows, viz. : 
 
 Barbadoes rum p. gallon jq 
 
 Wine p. gallon jq 
 
 Bumpo with white sugar and 3 gills of rum p. quart 1 3 
 
 French brandy p. gallon 10 
 
 Virginia Brandy 3 
 
 Arrack 
 
 40 
 
IG UISrORlCAL SKETCH 
 
 Virginia cider p. irallon 1 3 
 
 Virginia strong l)eer p. gallon 2 
 
 A diet with small beer 1 
 
 Diet for a servant 6 
 
 Lodging 4d. if but 2 in one bed and where more nothing. 
 
 Corn and oats p. gallon 6 
 
 Stableage and fodder 6 
 
 Pasturage 4 
 
 Court held June 2J4.th, 17G6. 
 
 On the motion of Sundry Presbyterian Protestant Dissenters of 
 this County the Xew meeting liouse lately erected near the Six 
 Mile free is set apart for the worship of God and established 
 accordingly. 
 
 Court held July 23rd, 1766. 
 
 Ordered that a Court house be built in this County, to-wit, 
 twenty-four by thirty-six feet, 12 feet pitch, two 12 feet square 
 rooms with a brick chimney, a fire place in each room (wainscoted 
 4 feet high and plastered above the wainscoting to be well wrought 
 with six glass window*. — and Benjamin Howard, William ]\Iead. 
 William Irvine, Charles Lynch, Isham Talbot, and Guy Smith 
 are appointed to treat with a workman to build the same, on the 
 courthouse lot and that any three or more of tJiem advertise the 
 said house to be let at October court next, one-half of the money 
 to be levied at the next laying the Levy and the other at the laying 
 the Levy in 1767 ; the house to be underpinned with brick one 
 foot and a half from the ground, the bench to be built in a 
 quarter circle, with a bar and two sheriffs desks, a Clerk's table, 
 and that the floor from the bar to the bench be raised and laid 
 with plank and the other to be laid with brick and tile and any 
 other matter the trustees shall see necessary they are to treat for 
 in regard to the said house not 3'et mentioned. 
 
 [Xote: The above was the first courthouse built by the County 
 and was in New London Town. It has long since been pulled 
 down and destroyed. It was standing in 1856 and a picture of it 
 may be seen in the "Historical Collections of Virginia," published 
 by Henry Howe in 1856.] 
 
 Court held February 25th, 1772. 
 
 James Steptoe produced a commission of the honorable Thomas 
 Nelson appointing him clerk of this County and was approved 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 17 
 
 and received by the Court and thereupon took the usual oaths to 
 his Majesty's Person and Government repeated and subscribed 
 the Test and also took the oath of a County Court Clerk. 
 
 Court held June 22nd, 1112. 
 
 Mr. John Talbot is appointed to bring up from Williamsburg 
 all the necessary Acts of Assembly for which he is to be allowed 
 at the laying of the next County Levy. 
 
 Court held May 23rd, 111 If. 
 
 George Dooley produced a negro boy in Court adjudged to be 
 eight years of age also a negro girl adjudged to be twelve years 
 of age. 
 
 [Note: Why this was done the record does not explain. It 
 was of frequent occurrence about this time.] 
 
 Court held January 23rd, 1115. 
 
 A petition setting forth the inconveniences attending the giving 
 treats and entertainments at and before elections of the repre- 
 sentatives of this Colony, to the Honorable speaker and the House 
 of Burgesses that the said may be enacted, read and ordered to be 
 certified by the Court. 
 
 Be it remembered that on Monday the 22nd day of July, 1776, 
 at the Court house of the County of Bedford, William Mead and 
 John Talbot, Gent., two Justices mentioned in fomier commission 
 of the peace for the said County, administered the oath prescribed 
 by an ordinance of convention of this Colony passed the third 
 day of July, instant, to Eobert Ewing, Gent., who took the same 
 and then the said Eobert Ewing administered the said oaths i'> 
 Charles Talbot, William ]\fead, Samuel Hairston, Richard Stith, 
 John Fitzpatrick, Guy Smith, James Callaway, Charles Lynch and 
 John Talbot, Gent. The Court being thus constituted the Clerk 
 and his Deputy and the Sheriff and his Deputies qualified under 
 the recent ordinances of the convention. 
 
 Court held July 27th, 1779. 
 
 Harry Innis and Bourne Price, Gent., are appointed to inspect 
 into the Counterfeit money in circulation in this County as the 
 law directs. 
 
BISfcmiCAL SKETCH 
 
 Court held AprV 23rd, 17S2. 
 
 William Callaway, Gent., is appointed to make a survey of the 
 Count}- for the purpose of ascertaining the centre thereof where 
 to fix the Courthouse and other public buildings. It is the opinion 
 of the Court that the; said William Callaway begin at the centre 
 of tlie line dividing this County from CampiDell and thence cross- 
 ing in the centre of a line to l)e run parallel with and below the 
 Blue Eidge Mountains from James Eiver to Staunton Eiver as 
 high up as Capt. Isham Talbot's, and that he be allowed for the 
 same at the laying of the next County Levy. 
 
 Court held July 22nd, 1782. 
 
 William Mead, William Leftwicli, William Trigg, Henry Buford, 
 James Buford, and Cliarles Gwatkin. Gent., are appointed to view 
 a place on Bramblett's Eoad for the purpose of fixing the Court- 
 house and other public buildings and make their report to-morrow 
 10 o'clock. 
 
 Court held July 23rd, 1782. 
 
 The Gentlemen appointed yesterday to view a place on Bramb- 
 lett's Eoad for the purpose of erecting a Courthouse and other 
 public buildings reported as their opinion that the most proper 
 place is in a tract of one hundred acres of land on Bramblett's 
 road this day given to the County by William Downey and Joseph 
 Fuqua. Whereupon the Court is of the opinion and doth order 
 and direct the Courthouse and other public buildings to be erected 
 thereon accordingly, reserving to the said William Downey and 
 Joseph Euqua one-half acre lot each to be laid off and assigned to 
 them by the Trustees; William Mead, William Callawa^', and 
 William Leftwich, Gent., are appointed Trustees to superintend 
 and lay oti* the land in lots and make return in Court. 
 
 James Buford, Gent., is appointed to contract with some propei- 
 person to build a Courthouse, Prison and stocks. The Courthouse 
 to be of logs 20 feet by 30 in the clear with a partition across of 
 ten feet.— twelve feet pitch with a brick, stone or dirt chimney; 
 the flooi-s to be rough laid, and the house covered with pegged 
 shingles. Tlie prison to be 20 feet by 10 in the clear with a 
 partition in tlie middle, covered as the Courthouse, for which 
 he is to be allowed at (he laying of the next County Lew. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 19 
 
 It will be seen by the above oider that a courthouse was ordered 
 to be erected. It seems to have been built between the 23rd of 
 July, 1782, and the 26th of August, 1782, as the court was held 
 in it on the latter date. The logs for the structure were, no 
 doubt, cut right on the ground where the building was erected. A 
 plan for a town embracing the above one hundred acres was sur- 
 veyed and a plat made, which is recorded in Deed Book W, at 
 page 116, and in October, 1782, the General Assembly of Virginia 
 passed an act vesting the title to the said one hundred acres in 
 certain trustees for the benefit of the county, and thereby also 
 '"established a town by the name of Liberty." It was just one 
 year subsequent to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and 
 that probably inspired the name, sweet to every patriot, and the 
 first location in history to bear the name. 
 
 Court held April 28t]i, 1783. 
 Liquor rates, 
 
 Diet 1 3 
 
 " cold 8 
 
 Lodging p. night with clean sheets 8 
 
 " without 6 
 
 Rum p. gallon 10 
 
 Brandy p. " 10 
 
 Whiskey " 8 
 
 Small Beer 1 3 
 
 Cider p. Gallon 2 6 
 
 Stableage 24 hours 8 
 
 Fodder p 2 
 
 Corn p. gallon 6 
 
 Pasturage 24 hours 6 
 
 Court held Fehruary 23rd, 1789. 
 
 Whereas James Callaway by his singular services as a magistrate 
 in. this County before its division and in Campbell County — 
 services from whence he has lately removed — merits the attention 
 of the public. It is the opinion, therefore, of the Court that ho 
 be recommended as presiding Member in the County Court of 
 Bedford.* 
 
 *Unusual, and a high compliment to Mr. Callaway. 
 
20 HISTOIUCAL SKETCH 
 
 Court held March 23rd, 1789. 
 
 ^ Edmund Winston, Esq.. qualified as Judge of the District 
 Courts according to law. 
 
 Court held May 27th, 1789. 
 
 James Callaway, Gent., is unanimously appointed tlie Presiding 
 Magistrate of this Court, and the same is ordered accordingly. " 
 Court held July 27th, 1789. 
 
 On the motion of Eobert Clark, Gent., who undertook the 
 huilding of a Courthouse, he having nearly completed the work and 
 representing to this court that the same was at his risk, it is the 
 opinion of the Court that the same be received on a condition, 
 nevertheless that the said Eobert Clark finish the work according 
 to the articles of agreement, or make every necessary deduction for 
 ^any small deficiency. 
 
 Court held August 24.th, 1789. 
 
 The Honorable Edmund Winston came into Couiit and took the 
 oath prescribed by Act of Congress entitled An Act to regulate 
 the time and manner of administering certain oaths. 
 
 Court held September 22nd, 1800. 
 
 On motion of John Otey leave is granted to build a meeting 
 house on the Courthouse lot beyond the spring. 
 
 [Note : This was the first meeting house built in or near to the 
 county town called "Liberty," Col. Otey bought a lot immediately 
 north of the county land and had a Baptist meeting house built 
 (by subscription) on it of brick. It is now occupied as a private 
 dwelling, though it was used many years as a church. See deed 
 of record.] 
 
 After the Declaration of Independence was promulgated it is 
 evident from the orders of the court from time to time, reaching 
 in fact to 1790, that the whole country was in a stir. The courts 
 were kept busy in taking care of and providing for the families 
 of the soldiers that were killed, wounded, or worn out by the 
 casualties of wars with the Indians, the French and the British, 
 in all which wars Bedford County had her quotas, as the records 
 show. But it did not stop here. Soldiers from other counties 
 passing and repassing to the east and the south through the 
 county, as well as our own, had to be and were provided for to 
 the extent of the ability of the people. i 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 21 
 
 In 1789 a new courthouse was erected of brick, a much more 
 imposing, convenient, and comfortable building, and that stood 
 until the year 1834, when it was torn down and the present 
 handsome structure was erected in its place. 
 
 The plan of New London town is recorded in Deed Book A, at 
 page 434, and with it a memorandum showing the names of pur- 
 chasers of lots in the town as follows : 
 
 Colo. William Callaway .... Lot 1 
 
 James Callaway " 2 
 
 Richard Dogget " 3 
 
 Alexander Sawyers " 13 
 
 William Bumpass " 14 
 
 John Thompson " 15 
 
 Richard Dogget " 16 
 
 William Ingles " 17 
 
 William Christian " 23 
 
 Ambross Bramblett " 28 *'^ 
 
 Thomas Walker '• 26 
 
 Do. " 21 
 
 Alexander Boreland " 32 
 
 Mathew Talbot " 29 
 
 Do " 21 
 
 Patrick Henecie " 31 
 
 Colo. Rd. Callaway "30 
 
 John Thompson " 40 
 
 William Ingles " 39 
 
 Richard Doggett " 38 
 
 Alexander Sawyers "37 
 
 Do. "36 
 
 John Callaway " 35 
 
 John Payne • " 4 
 
 Howard & Mead " 5 
 
 William Mead " 6 
 
 Nattl. Gest " 8 
 
 • Gt. house " 10 
 
 James Nuil " 18 
 
 Do " 19 
 
 Colo. John Smith "11 
 
 Henry Damald " 12 
 
 Joshua Early ' " 20 
 
 Mead & Howard " 45 
 
 James Nuil " 44 
 
 Howard & Mead " 41 
 
 Nattl. Gest " 42 
 
 Howard & Mead " 43 
 
lllSTOinrA L SKETCH 
 
 LIST OF LAWYERS 
 
 The following- i^ a list of the persons tliat qualified in the County 
 Court betAveen 17 54 and 1829, inclusive, to practice as attorneys 
 at law, and the respective dates of qualification. Courthouse at 
 New London up to 1782. 
 
 John James Allen, May 25, 1819. Subsequently President 
 Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. 
 
 Christopher Anthony, Jr., February 26. 1810. 
 
 Thomas Bott. September 22, 1800. 
 
 Wm. B. Banks, June 22, 1801. 
 
 James Breckenridge, Febniary 22, 1804. 
 
 Samuel Branch, May 22, 1809. 
 
 James Benagh, May 22, 1809. Clerk, I.yncb.burg. 
 
 Thomas Brown, August 28, 1826. 
 
 Henry M. Bowyer, August 26. 1828. Bo't. 
 
 James Gary, May 27, 1754. 
 
 Charles Cupples, July 22, 1754. 
 > Paul Carrington, June 23, 1755. King's Attorney from ^Fay 
 24, 1756. 
 
 Thomas Carr, February 25, 1760. 
 
 William Cowan, September 23, 1780. 
 
 Wm. Sidney Crawford, April 28, 1780. 
 
 Christopher Henderson Clark, May 26, 1788. 
 
 Thomas M. Clark, February 27, 1797. 
 
 Samuel L. Crawford, March 24, 1800. 
 
 James Clarke, October 28, 1807. 
 
 William K. Coujiland, April 24, 1809. 
 
 William Cook, March 25, 1812. 
 
 Alexander Clements, November 23, 1812. 
 
 Jacob N. Cardozo, January 26, 1824. 
 
 Eichard K. Cralle, November 23, 1829. Lynchburg. 
 
 Ephriam Dunlop, February 27, 1771. 
 
 Walker Daniel, July 25, 1780. Settled in Danville, Kentucky, 
 killed by Indians 1784. 
 
 John Dabney, IMay 28, 1792. Judge Superior Court of Law 
 of Bedford County 1813. 
 
 Wilson Davenport, August 26, 1796. 
 
 Chiswell Dabney. July 22, 1811. Lyne]il)urg. 
 
 Samuel P. Davis, August 27, 1821. 
 
'BEDFORD COUyTY, VA. 23 
 
 Anthony Dibrell, March 26, 1827. Methodist Preacher. 
 
 John Eliot, June 27, 1769. 
 
 Powhatan Ellis. May 24, 1813. 
 
 David E. Edley, March 22, 1824. Lynchl)urg. 
 
 Edmund Fontaine, December 22, 1788. 
 
 Philip Gooch, March 27, 1792. 
 
 Edward Graham, May 25, 1801. 
 
 James B. Gilmer, August 28, 1809. 
 
 William B. -Gooch, July 24, 1815. 
 
 John Gains, November 24, 1817. 
 
 Peachy E. Gilmer, January 26, 1818. Appd. State's Attorney, 
 June 22, 1818. 
 
 Samuel Garland, March 27, 1820. Lynchburg. 
 
 Maurice H. Garland, June 26, 1826. 
 
 miliam L. Goggin, April 28, 1828. Bedford. 
 
 John Harvey, May 27, 1754. 
 
 Peter Hogg, August 25, 1760. Captain Co. Eangers, 1758. 
 
 Jojm Harvey, March 22, 1768. 
 
 George Hancock, August 26, 1782. 
 
 Andrew Hambleton, February, 1804. 
 
 Grenville Henderson, July 24. 1809. 
 
 Arthur Hopkins, March 28. 1814. Moved to Alabama and 
 became Judge. 
 
 Andrew Hamilton, Xovember 27, 1815. 
 
 Thomas A. Holcombe, July 22, 1816. Lynchburg. 
 
 Burr Harrison, March 23, 1818. ~_ 
 
 James Hendrick, February 22, 1819. 
 
 Tipton B. Harrison, February 28, 1820. -- 
 
 Tipton B. Harrison, July 22, 1821. 
 
 Peyton Harrison, July 26. 1824. 
 
 Jesse C. Harrison, May 23, 1825. 
 
 Harry Innis, October 27, 1778. Deputy State's Attorney and 
 Excheator. Eemoved to Kentucky. 
 
 Edmund Irvine, March 22, 1824. . . 
 
 Edward Johnston, May 26, 1828. Circuit Court Judge, Bo't. Cir. 
 
 Marshall Jones, June 22, 1829. 
 
 George Lyne, June 27, 1769. 
 
 Eobert Lawson, June 27, 1769. 
 John T. Leftwich,* March 27, 1826. 
 Thomas A. Latham, August 28," 1826. 
 
■ 24 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 25 
 
 IJiehmond T. Lacy, October 22, 1827. 
 
 Gideon Marr, May 23, 1757. 
 
 John May, Feb. 27, 1770. 
 
 Haynes Morgan, March 26, 1771. Sergeant-Major HOth Britisl 
 Eegiment, 1758, seven years. 
 
 Thomas Miller, September 23, 1780. 
 
 James McCampbell, N'ovember 24, 1794. 
 
 John Madison, May 23, 1797. 
 
 John Moseley, November, 1804. 
 
 James S. McAlester, August 23, 1813. 
 
 Callohill Mennis, February 23, 1818. Bedford. 
 
 Hugh Meenan, August 25. 1823. 
 
 Daniel Marr, August 25, 1828. 
 
 Charles L. Mosby, N'ovember 23, 1829. Lynchburg. 
 
 Thomas Nash, January 27. 1755. 
 
 George W. Nelson, November 27, 1822. 
 
 James Patterson, September 26, 1796. 
 
 James W. Pegram, January 23. 1826. 
 
 Clement Reade, May 27, 1754. Sworn King's Attorney, :\ray 
 27th, 1754. 
 
 Clement Read, Jr., July 25, 1757. 
 
 Isaac Read, Feb. 26, 1765. King's Attorney from Febrnarv 
 26th. 1765. 
 
 James Risque, November 25, 1794. 
 
 Archibald Robinson, July 23, 1798. 
 
 Benjamin Rice, December 28, 1801. 
 
 William Radford. November 23, 1807. Bedford. 
 
 George W. Ronald, August 27, 1810. 
 
 William R. Roane, May 23, 1814. Lynchburg. 
 
 William Rives, March 28, 1815. 
 
 Nathan Read, Jr., April 26, 1819. 
 
 Nathaniel Rives, February 23, 1824. 
 
 Ferdinand W. l?isque, June 22, 1829. Lvnchl)urg. 
 
 Alexander Stewart, March 26, 1792. 
 
 Thomas H. Spencer, November 28, 1796. 
 
 William P. Skillern, November 26, 1798. 
 
 James Stewart, March 25, 1799. 
 ..John Hill Smith, November 29, 1814. 
 Archibald Stuart, May 28, 1816. 
 
 Edmund N. Sale, February 28, 1820. 
 
26 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 John F. Sale. October 22, 1821. Bed ford. 
 
 Baldwin L. Scisson, March 24, 1823. 
 
 John Todd, June 25, 1771. 
 
 Allen Taylor, November 27, 1815. 
 
 George fownes, July 22, 1816. Pittsva. 
 
 George Tucker, February 23, 1818. Professor of Law, Univer- 
 sity of Virginia. 
 
 John I). LTrquhart, February 28, 1814. 
 
 James Verell, March 26, 1792. 
 
 Nicholas A'anstarem, August 26, 17!)0. 
 
 William AVatts. May 22, 1864. 
 
 Kdmund Winston. June 26. 1764. Judge Superior Court of 
 Law of Bedford- County, 1809. 
 
 Jolm Williams, October 22, 1765. 
 
 Jolm Walker. July 28, 1772. 
 
 Edward Watts, October, 1804. Poanoke. 
 
 Samuel AViatt, January 26, 1807. 
 
 George W. AVright, April 22, 1816. 
 
 Giles Ward. August 27, 1822. 
 
 Peter Walker, October 27, 1823. 
 
 John A. Wharton, July 24, 1826. Bedford. 
 
 George W. Wilson, November 26, 1827. Bo't. 
 
 Henry C. AVard, June 22, 1829. 
 
 The Judges of the Superior Courts of Law. of the Circuit 
 Superior Courts of Law and Chancery, and of the Circuit Courts 
 of Bedford County were as follows : 
 
 p]dmund Winston, 1809. 
 
 John Dabnt-y, 1813. 
 
 William Daniel, 1816. 
 
 Daniel A. Wilson, 1829. 
 
 Xor])orne M. Taliaferro, 1846. 
 
 George H. Gilmer, 1853. 
 
 Gustavus A. Wingfield, 186L 
 
 Lindsay M. Sliumaker, 186:). Alililary appointee. 
 
 Gustavus A. Wingfield, 1870. 
 
 John D. Horsley, 1887. 
 
 James A. Dupuy, 1892. 
 
 John Pandolph Tucker, 1901. 
 
 Henry E. Blair. 1904. 
 
 Cephas B. Moomaw. 1905. 
 
 William W. M.>t1Vt|. 1!)(h;. 
 
RKDFOIID CorXTY, YA. 27 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL STATISTICS. 
 
 The fpUoAving is a list of the ministers of the Gospel, who were 
 authorized bv The County Court between 1754: and 1829, inclusive,, 
 tj celebrate the rite of marriage, the date of the order conferring 
 the authority, and the denoraination to which they severally be- 
 I onged. 
 
 Eev. John Brander/ see Deed Book B, page 123, Deed from 
 Benjamin Arnold, of Buckingham County, to Rev. John Brander, 
 minister of Russell Parrish, dated December 28th, 1762 ; see will 
 liook A, page 310, etc., etc. 
 
 John Anthony, August 28, 1781. Baptist Society. 
 
 John Ayers, October 26, 1789. Methodist Church. 
 
 Henry Alley, June 24, 1822. Methodist Church. 
 ■ Abner Anthony, May 28, 1827. United Baptists. 
 
 William Bramblett, September 22, 1777. Baptist Preacher. 
 
 Joshua Burnett, February 28, 1803. Baptist Church. 
 
 Caleb N. Bell, May 27, 1813. Methodist Church. 
 
 Joseph Burroughs, ISTovember 23, 1819. Baptist Church. 
 
 Samuel Baker, October 22, 1798. Methodist Church, took oath 
 of Fidelity, which was ordered to be certified. 
 
 John Crumpacker, June 24, 1799. Dunkard Church. 
 
 Abraham Crumpacker, June 24, 1799. Dunkard Church. 
 
 Joel Crumpacker, November 28, 1808. Dunkard Church. 
 
 -jSTicholas H. Cobbs, July 26, 1824. Protestant Episcopal Church. 
 
 Joseph Drury, September 27, 1790. Baptist Church. 
 
 William Douglas, April 27, 1801. Church not mentioned. 
 Baptist. 
 
 James Denton, September 28, 1801. Church not mentioned. 
 
 Joseph Dunn, September 28, 1801. Church not mentioned. 
 
 Alfred Henry DeShield, November 25, 1817. Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church. 
 
 William Early, June 22. 1795. Methodist Church. 
 
 Jesse Fears, February 25, 1793. Church not mentioned. 
 
 Isham Fuqua, June 27, 1796. Baptist Church. 
 
 William Fuqua, October 23, 1815. Baptist Churdi. 
 
 John White Holt, July 25, 1785. Protestant Episcopal Church. 
 Mr. Holt took the oath of allegiance 25th of August, 1777. 
 
 Jeremiah Hatcher, June 27, 1785. Baptist Church. 
 
28 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Andrew Hunter, January 25, 1790. Methodist Church. 
 John Hall, October 2?, 1794. Baptist Church. 
 William Harris, November, 1805. Baptist Church, 
 Samuel Hunter, June 23, 1817. Methodist Church. 
 William Johnson, April 22, 1782. Baptist Society. 
 William Johnson, Sr., October 27, 1794. Baptist Church. 
 Edward Jennings, October 24, 1808. Baptist Church. 
 William Jean, June 27, 1808. Church not mentioned. 
 John Kelly, November 23, 1819. Baptist Church. 
 William Leftwich, Jr., October 24, 1808. Baptist Church. 
 Oarnett Lee, June 24, 1811. Methodist Church. 
 James Leftwich, February 27, 1826. Baptist Church. 
 Joshua Leigh, March 28, 1827. Methodist Church. 
 James Mitchell, September 26, 1783. Presbyterian Church. 
 Joseph Moon, May 27, 1799. Methodist Church. 
 William Moorman, January, 1804. Church not mentioned. 
 James H. L. Moorman, February, 1805. Church not mentioned. 
 James Morris, January 27, 1812. Methodist Church. 
 Josiah Morton, October 25, 1813. Methodist Church. 
 John Paup, November 26, 1787. Methodist Church. 
 Charles Price, July 27, 1795. Methodist Church. 
 James Pucker, August 28, 1781, Baptist Society, 
 David Eice, November 26, 1781. Presbyterian Church. 
 ■George Pucker, February 28, 1803. Baptist Church. 
 Daniel Pussell, July 27, 1829. Presbyterian Church. 
 Nathaniel Shrewsberry, March 25, 1782. Baptist Society. 
 Nathaniel Shrewsberry, September 26, 1785. Baptist Church. 
 John Sledd, October, 1805. Church not mentioned, 
 James Scott, February 22, 1808.' Methodist Church. 
 William Shands, March 28, 1808. Methodist Church. 
 Alexander Sale, May 31, 1810. Methodist Church. 
 William H. Starr, April 26, 1824. Methodist Church. 
 James Turner, January 28, 1793. Presbyterian Church. 
 Wilson Turner, February 28, 1803. Baptist Church. 
 Enoch Terry, June 25, 1810. Baptist Church. 
 Joshua Taylor, June 25, 1810. Baptist Church. 
 Peyton Welsh, November 23. 1812. Methodist Church. 
 Daniel Witt, December 27, 1824. Baptist Church. 
 Jesse Witt, Jr., October 22, 1827, United Baptists. 
 Zachariah Worley, August 25, 1828. Baptist Church. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 29 
 
 The first minister of the Grospel in Bedford County of whom 
 there is any record was the Eev. John Brander, who belonged to 
 the Established Church of Great Britain. He was a bachelor. 
 
 The first deed to him is dated the 28th of December, 1762, and 
 was made by Benjamin Arnold of Buckingham County, conveying 
 tf. "Eevd. Mr. John Brander, Minister of Eussell Parrish in the 
 County of Bedford and his successors for the use of the Parrish"^ 
 four hundred and ninety-six acres of land in Bedford County, and 
 it was paid for by the Church Wardens. It was subsequently sold 
 by the Trustees and conveyed to Eev. John White Holt, Clerk of 
 Eussell Parish, who also belonged to the Established Church. 
 
 Mr. Brander acquired lands in his own right in 1772 and 1773^ 
 two tracts in Bedford County, amounting to fourteen hundred acres., 
 and quite a number of slaves and other property. He made his 
 will, dated March 27th, 1777, which was probated 28th of July, 
 1778. He devised his whole estate to his nephew, John Brander, 
 who then resided in the county, charging it with the payment of 
 certain legacies. 
 
 January 27th, 1777, the court entered the following order: 
 
 "Ordered that it be certified to his Excelly. the Governor that 
 John Brander junior & Council & James McMurray subjects to 
 the King of Great Britain & residing in this County are Agent:> 
 for two Companies of Merchants in Great Britain, have not mani- 
 fested a friendly Disposition to the American Cause, and are bot!j 
 unconnected with Wives or Children in this State." 
 
 On 7th of October, 1779, the whole of Mr. Brander's estate was 
 escheated to the commonwealth, but the records do not show what 
 became of it further than the inquisition of escheatment made 
 by the jury and recorded in the clerk's office. 
 
 A Eemarkable Deed, of record in the Clerk's Office : Be it Known 
 to all Men that whereas the Presbyterian Congregations of Otter 
 Peaks in Bedford County found it very inconvenient to support 
 a Minister of our Denomination by yearly subscription there- 
 fore various well disposed Members of said Congregations and 
 others have contributed considerable sums of Money by which 
 Slaves were bought Viz.: Kate, Tom, Jerry, Venus and now said 
 Slaves Issue. Viz.: Fance, Ishmael, Sail, Moses, Herod, Cyrus,. 
 
30 HISTORICAL HKKTCH 
 
 Pharez, Jinney, Charles, ]\Iilly and their Issue forever are vested 
 in the Eegiilar Elders of said Congregations in Bedford Conntv, 
 A^irginia, and their Eegular Snccessors in Trust only faithfully 
 to apph' the neat profits of said Slaves and Issue forever in said 
 Congregations to supporting a Eegular ]\Iinister of said Denomina- 
 tion in said Congregations and for purchasing lands for said 
 Slaves to work on, and to keep decent Houses of Worship in Re- 
 pair and for siich other Charitable uses as said Elders and 
 
 Majority of said Congregations may agree upon 
 
 should at any time the profits of said Slaves arise to such a sur- 
 plus Know all ]\Ien therefore that we the Purchasers Heirs at 
 Law and next of kin to said Purchasers of said Slaves, Viz. : Kate, 
 Tom, Jerry, Venus, Purchased with the above contributed Mone}' 
 Do hereby each on our respective parts Warrant and forever defend 
 the above named Slaves, Kate, Tom, Jerry, Venus and their Issue 
 forever for the above ]\Ientioned Purpose from us and each of 
 our Heirs and assigns forever. Witness Whereof we hereunto set 
 our hands and affix our seals this 28th day of July One Thousand 
 Seven hundred Eighty-three. 
 
 In presence of 
 
 James Turner. Eobt. Ewing, (Seal) 
 
 Samuel Beaid. W. Ewing. (Seal) 
 
 Adam Beard. -lolni Trigg. (Seal) 
 
 George Dickson. William Trigg. (Seal) 
 
 John Ewing, David Pice. (Seal) 
 
 At a Court held for Bedford County 25rh August. 1783. 
 
 This certain Writing was acknowledged by Eobert Ewing, 
 A\'illi;uii lowing, William Trigg and .John Trigg, and 
 
 At a Court held for the said County the 2'1 day of September 
 following, the same was further proved as to David Rice and 
 ordei'cd to be recorded. 
 
 Teste. Jas. Steptoe. C. C. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY. VA. 31 
 
 MILITARY STATISTICS 
 
 Bedford furnished her quota of soldiers for the French, Indian, 
 Border, Kevolutionary, and Mexican Wars. There are records of 
 many distinguished officers from this county who commanded 
 soldiers during these wars. 
 
 The militia was drilled at stated times by the captain; occa- 
 sional musters were held a. some central point, when the whole 
 country turned out to sec the soldiers drill in their attractive 
 uniforms. The soldierly Li'aring of these farmers was remarkable, 
 and their descendants promptly responded to the call of Virginia, 
 when, in after years, she was plunged into a civil war whose equal 
 has not been recorded m the annals of nations. 
 
 Virginia, owing to her geographical position, was destined to 
 become one great battlefield. On her soil were to be marshalled 
 hosts of combating ar aies, and her mountains and valleys were to 
 be crimsoned with t-ie best blood of the nation. Within her 
 domain was to arise a new commonwealth, and both mother and 
 daughter were to reside upon the ancient estate. The year 186;l. 
 found Virginia in a ^'^ate of civil commotion unparalleled in 
 history, excepting France in the early days of the French Eevolu- 
 tion. On one hand lay the states still composing the Federal 
 Union, while on the other were those which had cast their fortunes 
 with the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 Virginia hesitated long. A majority of her people in the east 
 iavored secession, while in the Avest a large majority was opposed 
 to such action. On the 17th of April, 1861, the ordinance of 
 secession was passed by a vote of 81 to 51. Nearly all the dele- 
 gates voting against it were from the western part of the State. 
 Governor Letcher issued a proclamation declaring Virginia out 
 of the Union, and to the call for troops Bedford County responded 
 promptly. The service of these companies was the first in the 
 State tendered and accepted by the Governor, and nine companies 
 were in the field before the close of May, 1861, namely: The Eifle 
 Gtslys, Captain Thomas Leftwich: Clay Dragoons, Captain William 
 E. Terry; Old Dominion Eifles, Captain Thomas M. Bowyer; Bed- 
 ford Light Artillery, Captain T. C. Jordan; C. E. Eifle, Captain 
 William L. Wingfield; Dragoons, Captain James Wilson; Eifles, 
 
32 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Captain James McG. Ken'.; C. F. Rifle, Captain , Aug. L. Minter; 
 Ledford Rangers, Captain R. C. W. Radford. Early in these days 
 the "Association of Ladies of Bedford County for the Relief of 
 Sick and Disabled Soldiers" was formed and continued to do 
 effective work until the close of +he. war. The first officers were 
 Mrs. John A. Wharton, president; ;^l,-s. 0. P. I.ell, vice-president ^ 
 Mrs. John F. Sale, treasurer, and ^L.ss Susan Hobson, secretary. 
 The enthusiasm thus manifested in Eodford at the opening of the 
 struggle for State's sovereignty sett>'?d, down into steady work,, 
 and unfaltering self-sacrifice, on the part oi all who hold dear 
 the honor of the Old Dominion. 
 
 At all and any cost Bedford County fill. ' her quota of men ; 
 gave of her abundance and out of her distress mourned her dead 
 martyrs, encouraged her living defenders, and at last submitted 
 to the result of the war with a knowledge taat the scriptural com- 
 mendation had been well earned: "She hath done what she 
 could." At one time there were seven ho.i-itals at Bedford City 
 for the care of the side and wounded soldier'^. Of all the matrons 
 who kindly administered to the wants of ^.'le afflicted soldiers at 
 this point only one is now living, and sh'^ has in her possession 
 her commission, signed by the doctor in c- urge. Though Bedford 
 lias furnished troops for all the wars, she }ias been greatly blessed^ 
 for the despoiler's foot has not often trod upon her soil. 
 
 There was__an Indian trail that led from the southwest through 
 a gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, (subsequently known as Bu- 
 ford's Gap) into the Goose Creek Yalley; thence traversed the 
 valley northward, and recrossed the Blue Ridge at the head of 
 the valley into Augusta (now Rockbridge) County. 
 
 General Andrew Lewis, while acting in the Council of State, 
 loft the capital at Williamsburg to return to his home in Bote- 
 tourt (now Roanoke) County to recruit his health. On his way 
 he was taken ill in Bedford County, and the great soldier and 
 big-hearted patriot breathed his life away in a dwelling located 
 not far from old Mt. Zion Church, in the beautiful valley of 
 Goose Creek in Bedford County, in the neighborhood of part of 
 the gallant soldiers he commanded at the victorious battle at Point 
 Pleasant seven years before his death (which occurred September 
 •?5th. 1781), and within half a day's ride to his own home. Hi^ 
 icinains were conveved to his home, where thev wore interred. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 33 
 
 Subsequently, however, they were removed to the cemetery west 
 of and near to Salem and re-interred, and the federal govern- 
 ment has caused a handsome granite monument to be erected at 
 his grave. 
 
 The following is copied from the Bedford Sentinel^ published in 
 Liberty, Va., in 1850 : 
 
 "Mr. John Buford (contractor) a few days since, in making an 
 excavation on the Virginia and Tennessee Kailroad, near Goose 
 Creek, in this county, exhumed some half dozen human skeletons, 
 a tomahawk of stone, and some arrow-heads of the same material. 
 That these skeletons are the remains of 'Native Americans' is 
 verified by the finding of the stone tomahawk and arrow-heads 
 along with them; it being a well-known custom of the savage to 
 bury with the warrior his implements of war. We are confirmed 
 in this opinion by a tradition long prevalent in the neighborhood, 
 that an Indian fort once stood near the spot where these bones, 
 etc., were disinterred, and this tradition challenges credence from 
 the fact, that this place is literally covered with shells of different 
 kinds, collected by the savages probably from the neighboring 
 streams. 
 
 "Near by, on the lands now owned by Paschal Buford, Esq.. 
 we are told, there once stood an American block-house, erected by 
 the whites for their protection after they took possession of that 
 part of the country. It was built of logs closely fitted to each 
 other, with numerous gun holes on every side. — Several years 
 before this land came into the hands of Capt. Buford, the block- 
 house was pulled down, as we are informed, the timbers removed, 
 and a stable erected out of them! Sundry musket balls and any 
 quantity of bullets have been picked up on the lands adjacent 
 v/ithin a few years past." 
 
 Tarleton during the Revolutionary War made a dash for stores 
 at New London, which was then a part of Bedford County. Hunter 
 came into the county, marched leisurely down the old Salem Pike to 
 New London, and after spending the night near Lynchburg, re- 
 turned by the same route. A few lives were lost on b^h sides in 
 the light skirmishing. The depot at Bedford City and one of the 
 large hospitals were burned by Hunter, besides several mills and 
 residences. We had the honor on this occasion of visits from two 
 
34 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 soldiers who afterwards became presidents of the United States, 
 Kutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. A large number 
 of sick and wounded Confederate soldiers from other States died 
 here and were buried on Piedmont Hill. During the last memorial 
 exercises this year (1907) one of our speakers, a Confederate major, 
 said : "The Confederate soldier has fixed the record of the South 
 in the field of valour. It stands on the page of history matchless 
 and imperishable, and it was the soldier of the rank who did this. 
 It is no detraction to the fame of Generals Jackson, Gordon. Long- 
 street, or Stuart, that the men who followed them to battle were 
 cast in the same heroic mould, that the ragged private was the 
 instrument by which their achievements were made possible. 
 When the last impartial monimient shall be erected to the heroes 
 of the South and the last impartial epitaph shall be inscribed 
 upon it, it will rob the great names of Southern history of none 
 of their glory, that monument surmounted by the marble effigy 
 of the common soldier, and its inscription, a testimonial to the 
 South of his sublime courage and preeminence. Since we furled 
 our battle flags and stacked our guns (nearly all of which were 
 wrested from the enemy in battle) and gave our paroles, there 
 have been no more law-abiding citizens. Let it be distinctly under- 
 stood that \vv have not been going around with our fingers in 
 our mouths, pining and whining, asking pardons, and promising 
 to do so no more, but with head erect we look the world squarely 
 in the eyes and say we thought we were right in the brave old 
 days, when to do battle was sacred duty, but now in the light of 
 subsequent events we know that we were right, and with malice 
 for none and charity for all, we are asking pardon of no living 
 man." 
 
 The men that had rendered the battlefield illustrious took up 
 the plough and made the South waste blossom again as the rose. 
 They were great in peace as in war, and the victories of material 
 developmient in the last forty-seven years are as far above com- 
 parison as their valor and achievements of their four years of war. 
 The new South is greater than the old in wealth and power, and 
 the possibilities of the future but breathe the old South's un- 
 conquerable spirit and lofty pride, its bravery and independence, 
 and above all cherishes with affection the sweet memories and 
 glory of its other days. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 35 
 
 VIRGINIA 
 
 Her Advantages and Opportunities 
 
 The roses nowhere bloom so white 
 
 As in Virginia, 
 The sun nowhere shines so bright 
 
 As in Virginia. 
 The birds sing nowhere quite so sweet, 
 And nowhere hearts so lightly beat, 
 For heaven and earth both seem to meet, 
 
 Down in Virginia. 
 
 The days are never quite so long 
 
 As in Virginia, 
 Nor quite so filled with happy song 
 
 As in Virginia, 
 And when my time has come to die. 
 Just take me back and let me lie. 
 Close where the Blue Ridge mounts so high, 
 
 Do\vn in Virginia. 
 
 There is nowhere a land so fair 
 
 As in Virginia; 
 So full of song, so free of care. 
 
 As in Virginia; 
 And I believe that happy land 
 The Lord prepared for mortal man 
 Is built exactly on the plan 
 
 Of old Virginia. 
 
 Nowhere the apples grow so fine 
 
 As in Virginia; 
 Nowhere so ruby red the wine 
 
 As in Virginia; 
 Nowhere men braver stand in line. 
 Nor women fairer, more divine. 
 
 Than in Virginia; 
 So if in life your hopes grow slack, 
 Just take a nip of apple jack 
 And tell the boys to take you back 
 
 To old Virginia. 
 
 Nowhere the horses go more trappy 
 Than in Virginia; 
 
36 
 
 HISTORIC AL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 
 
 37 
 
 Nowhere the homes are more happy 
 
 Than in Virginia; 
 Nowhere the hunters are more grand 
 Than those bred on the fertile land 
 
 Of old Virginia; 
 So if you want to have the best 
 And live a life of ease and rest, 
 Come to the land that's stood the test- 
 
 That's old Virginia. 
 
 COLONIAL MILITARY ROSTER. 
 
 Below will be found a list of the soldiers of Bedford County 
 who were engaged in warfare with the Indians, French and British 
 before the Declaration of Independence, as appears from Hening's 
 Statutes at large and the records of the County Court, and a few 
 in the Eevolutionary War. The records do not contain a complete 
 list of those engaged in any war: 
 
 Captains. 
 John Phelps, 
 John Quarles, 
 Matt. Talbot, 
 Chas. Talbot. 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 John Anthony, 
 
 ^mTlrvine, 
 Wm. Meade, 
 Jeremiah Early, 
 Joseph Eentfro, 
 Sam'l Hairston. 
 
 Ensigns. 
 Sam'l Hairston, 
 Thos. Prather, 
 Thos. Gilbert, 
 BenJ. Hatcher, 
 Jeremiah Yarborough, 
 Eobt. Hairston, 
 Wm. Irvine. 
 
 Sergeants. 
 John Hunter, 
 Wm. Edwards, 
 Ambrose Bryant, 
 Wm. Simmonds, 
 • Gross Scruggs, - 
 Meshach Haile, 
 Eich. Andrews, 
 Eich. Eagsdale, 
 Eich. Callaway, 
 Joseph Eentfro, 
 Thos. Prather, 
 James Patterson, 
 Nath. Patterson, 
 John Hunter, 
 Ambrose Bramlett, 
 Wm. Bramlett, v 
 Josias Gipson, 
 Geo. Watts, 
 Edmund Fair, 
 Jacob Anderson. |i^ 
 
38 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Privates. 
 John Alston, 
 Jacob Anderson, 
 James Alcorn, 
 Sam'l Arrenton, 
 Geo. Abbott, 
 John Abston, 
 Wm. Anderson, 
 Geo. Abet, 
 Wm. Allen, 
 Barnabus Arthur, 
 Barnabus Arthur, Jr., 
 Wm. Arthur, 
 Thos. Alfred, 
 Geo. Adams, 
 John Adams, 
 John Anderson, 
 Wm. Bumpass, 
 John Brown, 
 Amhus Bramlett, 
 Isaac Butterworth, 
 Joseph Benning, 
 John Benning, 
 Zach. Burnley, 
 Ambrose Bryan, 
 Saml. Brown, 
 Chas. Bright, 
 James Board, 
 Wm. Bramlett, 
 Isaac Brown, 
 Wm. Board, 
 John Patrick Burks, 
 James Bryan, 
 Jesse Bryan, 
 Thos. Baker, 
 Edw. Bright, 
 Wm. Burks, 
 Eich. Burks. 
 Boiling Burks, 
 
 Privates. 
 James Bromlet, ^ 
 John Bush, ' 
 Leonard Ballew, 
 James Baldwin, 
 Glover Baker, 
 Jeremiah Baskam, 
 Allen Brown, 
 Peter Berry, 
 John Biggs, 
 Wm. Brown, 
 James Ball, 
 Alexander Boyd, 
 Rudolph Banner, 
 Thos. Buford, 
 John Buford, 
 Jas. Callaway. 
 Thos. Cooper. 
 Geo. Caldwell, 
 Wm. Chalmor, 
 Geo. Coldwell, 
 Arch. Campbell, 
 Wm. Calmore, 
 Sandiver Cashiah, 
 Edward Choat, 
 Augustine Choat, 
 John Casey, 
 Abraham Chandler, 
 Merry Carter, 
 Wm. Carson, 
 Chas. Cox, 
 Wm. Crabtree, 
 James Corser, 
 James Carson, 
 Hugh Crockett, 
 John Conner, 
 David Crews, 
 Bartholomew Carrill, 
 Wm. Crouch, 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 
 
 39 
 
 Privates. 
 Wm. Conner, 
 Joseph Cogswell, Sr., 
 Henry Childress, i^-' 
 Eichard Cottreal, 
 Charles Clark, 
 N"athaniel Clark, 
 Thos. Chapman, 
 Janvier Craigg, 
 Wm. Craigg, 
 Wm. Coulter, 
 John Daunn. 
 John Dixton, 
 Wm. Davis, 
 Edward Davis, 
 John Davies, 
 Wm. Dilenham, 
 Thos. Duly, 
 James Duly, 
 Thos. Daws, 
 Thos. Drigger, 
 Jonathan Dacon, 
 David Doyle, 
 Daniel Driskill, 
 Joseph Davenport, 
 Wm. Dunnaway, 
 Archibald Denton, 
 Thos. Earley, 
 Chas. English, 
 Wm. Fuqua, 
 James Fair, 
 James Fair, 
 Jesse Farmer, 
 Nathan Parmer, 
 Clarence Frank, 
 James Fitzgerald, 
 Daniel Gilbert, 
 Benj. Gilbert, 
 Acquiller Gilbert, 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Saml. Gilbert, 
 
 Josiah Gibson, ■ 
 
 Geo. Grundy, 
 
 John Gallaway, ■ 
 
 Jonathan Ginnings, 
 
 John Grymes, 
 
 Saml. Gilbert, 
 
 John Gallway, 
 
 Hugh Garvin, 
 
 Ansal Goodman, 
 
 James Graham, 
 
 Wm. Going, 
 
 John Green, 
 
 Peter Gashmire, 
 
 Nathaniel Gish, 
 
 Eobt. Hairstone, 
 
 Nicholas Hayes, 
 
 John Hardiman, 
 
 Chas. Harris, 
 
 Wm. Hinton, 
 
 Barlet Henson, 
 
 John Hardman, 
 
 Geo. Haynes, 
 
 Wm. Haynes, 
 
 Jacob Henderson, 
 
 John Handy, 
 
 Benj. Hatcher, 
 
 Patrick Halloquan, 
 
 John Haynes, 
 
 Thos. Hunt, 
 -Geo. Hackworth, 
 
 John Hall, 
 
 Wm. Handy, 
 
 Andrew Hairston, 
 
 Patrick Hensey, 
 
 John House, 
 
 Mrs. M. J. Henson^s hus- 
 band and two sonSr 
 
40 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Privates. 
 James Hurt. 
 Abram Helm, 
 Jacob Hutts, 
 John Holly, 
 David Hix, 
 Eich. Edwards, 
 "Wm. Edwards, 
 Jeremiah Earley, 
 John Edgar, 
 Gary Holland, 
 John Humphreys, 
 George Harmon, 
 William Hudson, 
 John Harris, 
 Moses Hawkins, 
 ^Eush Hudson, 
 Thos. Hill, 
 John Hogan, 
 Peter Hogan, 
 James Hogan, 
 William Hackworth, 
 David Irvine, 
 Abraham Irvine, 
 James Johnston, 
 Jonathan Jennings, 
 William Jackson, 
 Ealph Jopling, 
 John Johnson, 
 John Jackson, 
 Peter Jones, 
 Peter Jines, 
 Jonathan Jones, 
 James Jones, 
 Patrick Johnson, 
 Eobt. Jones, 
 Thos. Jones, 
 John Jones, 
 .'ohn Jenkins, 
 
 Privates. 
 Sandesur Keiser, 
 Eeuben Keif, 
 Michael Kelly, 
 David Kerr, 
 Jacob Kittinger, 
 Jos. Looney, 
 Elliott Lacy, 
 Head Lynch, 
 John Lawson, 
 John London, 
 John Loson, 
 David Loson, 
 AA'm. Lucks, 
 Wm. Layne, 
 Archibald Lamb, 
 Henry Lahorn, 
 Philip Lockhart, 
 John Lafoy. 
 William Leister, 
 John Linton, 
 Jas. McEonalds, 
 Thos, Murry, 
 James McEunnals, 
 Abraham Mitchell, 
 Luke Murphy, 
 James Morris, 
 James ^Murphy, 
 John Martin, 
 Eobt. Martin, 
 Wm. Manley, 
 Jas. McMurtry, 
 Patrick McDade, 
 Evan IVIorgan, 
 John Morgan, 
 John Mackay, Jr., 
 James Mackay, 
 Wm. Morgan, 
 Thos. Morgan, 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 
 
 41 
 
 Privates. 
 
 John Moore, 
 
 Patrick McDavid, 
 
 John Mattos, 
 
 James Mackie, 
 
 Wm. Morgan, Jr., 
 
 Joseph Murty, 
 
 John Mattocks, 
 
 John Mitchum, 
 
 John Martiam, 
 
 Wm. Morgan, 
 
 John Meade. 
 
 Abel Meade, 
 
 James Moore, 
 
 Danl. McFall, 
 
 Jas. McFall, 
 
 John Maeky, 
 
 Eoderick McKenzie, 
 
 William Moseley, 
 
 William McMinimy, 
 
 Charles Melson, 
 
 Major Merritt, 
 
 Abiel Mead, 
 
 Alexander McKenzie, 
 George Merritt, 
 James Mclntire, 
 Michael Murphy. 
 Patrick Murphy, 
 William Martin, 
 Eobt. Martin, 
 Christopher Munday, 
 James Millwood. 
 Archelus McNeale, 
 James Moore, 
 Jos. McDaniel, 
 David Motse, 
 Joseph McMurty, 
 Abraham McClelan, 
 Wm. Montgomery, 
 
 Privates. 
 Eich. Maples, 
 Thos. Maclin, 
 John Neilson, 
 Wm. N'ix, 
 Nimrod Newman, 
 William Nichols, 
 John Nichols, 
 James Noland, 
 Eobt. Oglesby, 
 Thos. Owen, 
 Thos. Overstreet, 
 Thos. Oglesby, 
 Edward Ohair, 
 John Orrack, 
 James Orchard, 
 William Oliver, 
 Math. Patterson, 
 John Pratt, 
 James Patterson, 
 Eich. Phillips, 
 Thos. Pharman, 
 David Preston, 
 John Pyburn, 
 Eobt. Peper, 
 Saml. Peper, 
 Philip Preston, 
 Jesse Paty, 
 Jeremiah Pate, 
 John Pate, 
 Matt. Pate, 
 Jacob Pate, 
 Moses Preston, 
 Wm. Puttect, 
 James Puttect, 
 Nathan Pottlet, 
 Jonathan Prater, 
 James Presnal, 
 Wm. Phelps, 
 
42 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Eich. Pritchard, 
 
 Michael Poore, 
 
 Andrew Poore, 
 
 John Perrin, 
 
 Henry Piles, 
 
 Prewitt, 
 
 John Phillips, 
 
 John Quarles, 
 , David Eossei", 
 
 Thos. Reade, 
 
 John Robertson, 
 
 Joseph Ryan, 
 
 Pharaoh Ryley. mm 
 
 John Robertson, Jr., M 
 
 John Richardson, 
 
 Bailey Reins, 
 
 John Rock, 
 
 Thomas Rose, 
 
 William Reese, 
 
 Bon ]%iff, 
 
 George Rusher, 
 
 William Ross, 
 
 • Runyan, 
 
 Josiah Richardson, 
 
 Zach. Robertson, 
 
 Jonathan Richardson, 
 
 Peter Rawlins, 
 
 Anthony Rawlins, 
 
 Peter Ragsdale, 
 
 Joseph Ray, 
 
 Moses Rentfroe, 
 
 Joseph Richardson, 
 
 John Robinson, 
 
 Wm. Ragsdale, 
 •Josiah Ramsey, 
 
 Danl. Richardson, 
 
 Stephen Runnals, 
 
 Saml. Robertson, 
 
 Privates. 
 Danl. Richardson, 
 JSTathan Richardson, 
 Stephen Rentfroe, 
 John Riley, 
 James Rentfroe, 
 Saml. Robinson. 
 Bagdale Rice, 
 Robert Raiford, 
 George Rice, 
 Nathan Reid, • 
 William Robinson, 
 James Rowsey, 
 Francis Siver, 
 John Spurlock, 
 Christ. Sitton, 
 Robt. Shipley, 
 Robt. Shipley, Jr., 
 Wm. Simmons, 
 Geo. Smith, 
 Chas. Simmons, 
 Wm. Stone. 
 John Spenlock, 
 John Snow, 
 Abraham Smith, 
 James Spencer, 
 Thos. Sexton, 
 Chas. Suter, 
 Fortunatus Sydnor, 
 James Smith, 
 Henry Snow, 
 John Snell, 
 Robert Still, 
 John Stiff, Sr., 
 John Talbot. 
 Rich. Tiths, 
 John Thompson. 
 Wm. Twiddy. 
 Chas. Talbot, 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 
 
 43. 
 
 Privates. 
 John Thomas, 
 Eich. Taylor, 
 Nathan Tate, 
 Wm. Tate, 
 Henry Trunk, 
 
 ■ Matt. Talbot, 
 Abraham Thompson, 
 John Tinker, 
 Stephen Towns, 
 
 —James Talbot, 
 Geo. Thomas, 
 Wm. Twedey, 
 Thos. Thirman, 
 William Thorp, 
 David Turner, 
 Obadiah Turpin, 
 John Thorp, 
 Eichard Timberlake, 
 Thomas Thorp, 
 Daniel Tyler, 
 James Thomas, 
 William Thomson, 
 Patrick Vance, 
 John Vardeman, 
 Wm. Whiteside, 
 Eich. Woodward, 
 
 . John Watts, — 
 y John Wright, ^^, 
 Wm. Woodie, 
 
 Privates. 
 Saml. Woodward, 
 John Ward, 
 Wm. Walker, 
 Eich. Woodward, Sr., 
 Wm. Woodward, 
 John Woodward, 
 Edward Watts, 
 James Wine, 
 .Tnhn WaiiRy,'' , 
 
 Isaac Woodward, 
 Eobert Witt, 
 John Wright, 
 Aaron Watts, 
 Eobert Watkins, 
 James Womack, 
 Jacob Wade, 
 Henry Woody, 
 Justinian Wills, 
 Thomas Eose Walton, 
 Thomas Eose^Wharton 
 Isaac Wade, 
 Matthew Whorley, 
 John Williams, 
 James Weare, 
 James Wade, 
 Wm. Yates, 
 John Yates, 
 Israel Yoimg. 
 
 The foregoing seven pages copied in part from "Virginia Colo- 
 nial Militia," edited by William Armstrong Crozier. 1651-1776, 
 Bedford County, 1758. 
 
 Source: Hening, Vol. 8. 
 
44 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 CAPTAIN BUFORD'S VOLUNTEEF^ IN 1774 
 
 List of Captain Thomas Buford's Volunteer Company, raised in 
 Bedford County, who formed part of the army under General 
 Andrew Lewis at the battle with the Indians at Point Pleasant, 
 the 10th of October, 1774. 
 
 r 
 
 rhomas Buford, Captain. 
 
 Nicholas Meade, ") 
 William Kenedy, V Sergea 
 Thomas Fliping, 
 
 
 Thomas Dooley, Lieutenant. 
 
 
 Jonathan Cundiff, Ensign. 
 
 1. 
 
 Abraham Sharp, 
 
 24. 
 
 Adam Lin. 
 
 2. 
 
 Absolam McClanahan, 
 
 25. 
 
 Thomas Stephens, 
 
 3. 
 
 William Bryant, 
 
 26. 
 
 William Keer, 
 
 4. 
 
 William McColister. 
 
 27. 
 
 Gerrott Kelley. 
 
 5. 
 
 James Scarbara, 
 
 28. 
 
 James Ard, 
 
 6. 
 
 John McClanahan. 
 
 29. 
 
 A\^illiam Deal, 
 
 7. 
 
 James McBride, 
 
 30. 
 
 John Bozel, 
 
 8. 
 
 John Carter. 
 
 31. 
 
 John Welch, 
 
 9. 
 
 William Overstreet. 
 
 32. 
 
 Eobert Boyd, 
 
 10. 
 
 Robert Hill, 
 
 33. 
 
 Thomas Hamrick, 
 
 11. 
 
 Samuel Davis, 
 
 34. 
 
 James Boyd, 
 
 1-2. 
 
 Zachariah Kennot, 
 
 35. 
 
 James Dale, 
 
 i;!. 
 
 Augustine Hackworth, 
 
 36. 
 
 Eobert Ewing, 
 
 14. 
 
 William Cook, 
 
 37. 
 
 Francis Seed. 
 
 15. 
 
 LTriah Squires, 
 
 38. 
 
 William Hackworth, 
 
 16. 
 
 Thomas Hall, 
 
 39. 
 
 John Roberts, 
 
 17. 
 
 William Hamrick, 
 
 40. 
 
 Joseph White, 
 
 18. 
 
 Nathaniel Cooper, 
 
 n. 
 
 Joseph Bunch, 
 
 19. 
 
 John Cook, 
 
 42. 
 
 Jacob Dooley, 
 
 20. 
 
 Mr. Waugh, 
 
 43. 
 
 Thomas Owen, 
 
 21. 
 
 John McGlahlen, 
 
 44. 
 
 John Read, 
 
 22. 
 
 John Campbell. 
 
 45. 
 
 John Wood. 
 
 23. 
 
 William Campbell. 
 
 
 
 ants. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 45 
 
 VIRGINIA DAY 
 
 June 12, 1907 
 
 BEDFORD'S GREETING 
 
 The Commomvealtli of A^irginia and the Eepublic of the United 
 States of America have united to celebrate this, the third century 
 of their beginning. Jamestown is the joint cradle of this State and 
 this nation. Thus, as we participate in these commemorative exer- 
 cises, our hearts flame alike with State and national patriotism. 
 This day of the Exposition has been designated as "Virginia Day." 
 To-day, the children and the descendants of the children of Virginia 
 gather at this birthday party to pay loyal, loving devotion to their 
 glorious mother for her three hundred years of brave endeavor and 
 splendid achievement. Virginia extends to all of you a cordial, 
 v/arm and loving welcome. To her chidren who have come from 
 afar she gives her blessings and benediction. She places her loving 
 hands on their heads and wishes them all measures of prosperity 
 and happiness. She salutes her many fair daughters in state- 
 hood with maternal pride and joy; she rejoices at their career and 
 feels that their glories add to her a dearer majesty. To her sister 
 State, who so generously rejoices and celebrates with her, she gives 
 an affectionate greeting, while she thrills anew with that love which 
 cements them into a perpetual union. To her foreign friends and 
 nations who have graced this occasion by their presence and ap- 
 proval she extends the hand of true friendship and hospitality. To 
 this nation, to whose growth and power she has made such vast 
 contribution, her heart goes out in abounding and abiding love. 
 
46 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL 
 
 The Piedmont division of Virginia, which lies on the eastern 
 slope of the Blue Eidge Mountains, comprises fourteen counties, 
 of which Bedford is one of the largest and most fertile. It con- 
 tains 490,732 acres of land, assessed in 1906 at $3,556,373.03. 
 In 1900 its population was 30,356, of whom 20,617 were white 
 and 9,739 colored. It is bounded on the north by James Eiver, for 
 the distance of eighteen miles; on the south by Staunton Eiver, for 
 the distance of twenty miles; on the east by Campbell County, for 
 the distance of twenty-one miles, and on the west by the Counties 
 of Eoanoke, Botetourt, and Eockbridge, for the distance of thirty- 
 cne miles. This western boundary line is in the Blue Eidge Moun- 
 tains, from a point just below Balcony Falls on the James Eiver 
 tL- Horn's Ford on Staunton Eiver. This elevated western boun- 
 dary forms a barrier against the western winds, varying in ele- 
 vation from 712 feet at Balcony Falls to 4,246 feet at Apple Or- 
 chard. Headforemost Mountain, 3,779 feet; Flat Top (near Peaks 
 of Otter), 4,001 feet; Peaks of Otter, 3,875 feet; thence with Blue 
 Eidge Mountain crossing N. & W. E. E. near Blue Eidge Springs, 
 J, 281 feet; Foster Knob (Porters Mountain). 2,576 feet; Weavers 
 Knob, 2,615 feet; Greens Knob. 2,563 feet; Stewart's Knob, 2.472 
 feet, crossing road at Blue Eidge Church, within five miles of 
 Eoanoke City, to Horn's Ford, 1,000 feet. 
 
 BEDFORD COUNTY IN PIEDMONT VIRGINIA 
 
 The map of Virginia by Maj. Jed Hotchkiss will give the home- 
 seeker a comprehensive view of the whole Piedmont section of Vir- 
 ginia, extending from the Potomac Eiver on the northeast along 
 the eastern side of the Blue Eidge Mountains in a southerly direc- 
 tion to the North Carolina line on the southwest, over 200 miles 
 long, and from 20 to 40 miles wide. From the point where the 
 James Eiver breaks through the Blue Eidge to Lynchburg, Bed- 
 ford's northern boundary line begins, following the Piedmont belt, 
 within parallel lines, until you strike Staunton Eiver as it comes 
 through the mountains just south of Eoanoke City, which forms the 
 southeast boundary line for some thirty-odd miles. The James 
 empties its waters into the Chesapeake Bay near Norfolk, and 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 47 
 
 Staunton or Eoanoke goes into x\lbemarle Sound in Korth Carolina, 
 both giving ample facilities for an abundance of fine fish of many 
 varieties, in season, which find shelter in the numerous large and 
 small rivers and creeks that head in Bedford County. Some of 
 them extending back into the interior of the county a distance of 
 more than twenty miles, thus distribute the natural and artificial 
 products of the waters at every man's door without price. With 
 only ordinary care in selecting a location for a fish pond, one's 
 family could have this most excellent food at its command, with 
 less cash than is expended on spring chicken. 
 
 IRRIGATION 
 
 By referring to the map of Bedford County and its altitudes, 
 you can readily see that there is no section of the country better 
 adapted to modern methods of irrigation. All the waters that flow 
 through the county have their origin in the hills, mountains and 
 peaks that are dotted here and there and everywhere over the 
 entire surface of the county ; from the Peaks of Otter, Flat Top, 
 Apple Orchard, Big and Little Otters and Terrapin Mountain on 
 the northwest to the Blue Eidge, Porters Mountains, Weavers Knob, 
 Green Knob and Stewart's Knob on the southwest. The highest 
 of these mountains has an elevation of 4,246 feet above the sea 
 level, and all of them are abundantly supplied with never-failing 
 streams of pure freestone water, which flows during the entire 
 year, with very few exceptions. With these waters perpetually in 
 your midst what is to prevent the progressive, up-to-date farmer 
 from fortifying himself against the contingencies of an unfavor- 
 able season. 
 
 The longitude, latitude, altitude, and water-tude being fixed 
 ■quantities, nothing is left for man but to put forth the latent 
 energy which he should naturally inherit from the Anglo-Saxon 
 race, and bring forth abundant crops. 
 
 SOIL 
 
 The soil of Bedford County, like its topography, is somewhat 
 varied, and for the sake of convenience the following arbitrary 
 elassification may be adopted : 
 
 First. The mouij^tain soil, of a dark chocolate color, rich in vege- 
 table matter, the result of the disintegration of the granitic and 
 
48 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 49 
 
 syenitic rock. This character of soil will be found mainly on and 
 adjacent to the spurs of the Blue Eidge Mountains, which defend 
 the north and northwestern borders of this county and is to a large 
 extent covered by luxuriant forest growth. 
 
 Whenever cleared it spontaneously produces blue grass very luxu- 
 riantly; and it is customary for the farmers in the adjacent low- 
 lands to send their sheep and cattle to summer on these verdant 
 mountain pastures. 
 
 Under cultivation, this mountain soil produces successfully the 
 cereal crops, but seems even better adapted to such crops as cabbage 
 or Irish potatoes, and is unsurpassed for apples. These mountain 
 slopes, which overlook the County of Bedford from the James to 
 Staunton Elvers for a distance of some thirty-one miles, with their 
 light, naturally drained, rich, dark soil exposed to the rays of the 
 sun summer and winter, would sustain vineyards that would be 
 unsurpassed in abundance, beauty and quality by any other section 
 of the State. 
 
 Second. The next grade of sol] is a heavy red clay and may be 
 called the Piedmont soil, as it lies adjacent to the mountain land 
 of our first classification. This land is well known throughout 
 Virginia for its general adaptability to crops of every kind, cereals, 
 grasses, shipping tobacco, fruits and vegetables. It constitutes the 
 best and most generally productive soil east of the great lime- 
 stone lands of the Shenandoah Valley, and in some respects sur- 
 passes even those. It is very warm and encourages early vegetation, 
 and when well set in grass forms a vivid green in early spring. 
 Much of this soil would be greatly benefited by an intelligent 
 system of tile drainage, especially where it is nearly level, and 
 therefore retains a surplus of moisture, which by surface evapora- 
 tion chills the soil and retards vegetation. Heavy crops of corn 
 are grown on these lands, in many cases surpassing in yield the rich 
 alluvium of the river and creek bottoms. The tendency of this 
 land, where it is not left naked or exposed on steep hillsides to 
 washing by heavy rainfall, is to clothe itself with grass, generally 
 Kentucky blue grass, known to our northern brethren as June 
 grass. For this reason cattle-growing, dairying and sheep-raising 
 all prove very profitable on lands of this character. Most of thia 
 land lies on the north side of the county, between the mountains 
 and the N. & W. E. E.,- though in several noted instances it crosses 
 
50 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 the railroad at different points and extends irregularly into the 
 '•'South Side." 
 
 Third. The next order as to quantity is the lighter gray of the 
 south side of the county. Most of this land is underlaid by a red 
 clay soil, which gives it a "bottom" and renders it susceptible and 
 rententive of high improvements. The crops usually grown on this 
 land are corn, wheat, oats, rye, clover, and very fine tobacco. Fruit 
 succeeds well on this land also, especially peaches, which attain a 
 large size and rich flavor. 
 
 Be careful to get a good soil, properly located, well drained and 
 supplied with pure freestone water, and all things else can be added 
 unto it. 
 
 TIMBER 
 
 Originally Bedford County was one of the best-tunbered sections 
 of the State. It was nothing unusual during the time of slavery 
 to see the best and finest timbered lands cleared for tobacco; rails 
 enough to fence in the land cleared would be split from the best 
 of the timber, and the rest would be rolled up into large log heaps, 
 awaiting a favorable day when the whole of this fine lot of valuable 
 saw timber would be reduced to ashes. The same process of destruc- 
 tion has been repeated since the close of the war, but not to such 
 an extent as before. The negro, as a slave, had to be employed, 
 though he might be destroying more than he was making. There 
 are still standing some very fine areas of timber in this 
 county, but they are mostly remote from transportation lines, ex- 
 cept those sections recently opened up by the extension of the 
 Tidewater Eailroad through this county. For the distance of 
 some thirty-two miles, along tlic southern tier jmralleling the X. 
 & W. E. E., some fifteen miles to the south, these timbers are valu- 
 able and are much sought after by the local and foreign saw-mill 
 men. There are several large areas of fine timber lands 
 located on the mountains, quite remote from the railroads, which 
 would furnish many years' work for mills of large capacity and 
 would be a source of much revenue if properly handled. The prin- 
 cipal growth of this county is the oak in the numerous varieties 
 of red. S|)anish, chestnut, black and white: hickory, yellow poplar, 
 yellow pine, yellow locust. l)nsh chestnut, gum, dogwood, maple, 
 sassafras, birds-eye maple, black walnut, cherry, willow, and the 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 51 
 
 old-field pine. An exhibit prepared carefully for the purpose of 
 displaying the forest resources of Bedford County was taken to the 
 State Exposition at Eichmond in October, 1893, and was awarded 
 the first premium for excellence and variety. Probably some of the 
 finest locust in the State could be found in this county. A pulp 
 mill properly located could find material enough to keep it running 
 for generations to come. The demand for timber is steadily on the 
 increase and it is only a matter of time before all the available 
 tiniber properties will be taken up. 
 
 CLIMATE 
 
 It would be well-nigh impossible within the brief space at our 
 command to give any adequate description of the climate of this 
 county, which, above all others, is its chief charm and attraction. 
 As its elevation and partly mountainous surface would indicate, 
 the atmosphere is very dry and bracing, while the range of the 
 mercury is comparatively short. The mean annual temperature 
 at Lynchburg for 33 years was 56.40. The mean annual rainfall at 
 Lynchburg for 25 years was 42.85. The topography of this county 
 and the extreme purity of its atmosphere make this climate singu- 
 larly healthful and beneficial to invalids. There are no marshes 
 and stagnant pools, and the neighborhood is entirely free from 
 malarial disorders. The winters are short and mild, seldom of 
 more than three months duration, and generally dry and pleasant; 
 snow scarcely lies here for more than a few days, and there is but 
 little interruption to agricultural pursuits during the entire winter. 
 The heat of summer is never extreme, as it is tempered by the 
 delightful southwest breezes, and cool, sweet air from the neighbor- 
 ijig mountains. On the official map of Virginia, Bedford will be 
 found within the belt which enjoys the minimum heat in summer 
 and the minimum cold in winter. During the summer months, 
 near the eastern bases of the Blue Eidge Mountains, there are more 
 frequent showers than in any other part of Virginia. The ex- 
 planation of this is to be found in the fact that the prevailing wind 
 a I' that season comes direct from the sea, and its moisture, when 
 driven against the mountain barrier, meets with a colder stratum of 
 air and becomes condensed, thus producing welcome showers which 
 refresh and invigorate the growing crops. In less favored sections 
 the grounds remain parched and dry. The sheltered eastern slopes 
 
52 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 of these mountain ranges, above the line of 1.000 feet of elevation 
 above the sea level and under that of 2.500, offer hundreds of locali- 
 ties for health resorts, especial!}^ for people afflicted with pulmonary 
 diseases. If any one is sceptical about the efficacy of the Blue 
 Ridge air, water and exercises for lung troubles, let him spend a 
 few months at some point in the belt, and we will make him a re- 
 feree to sustain the opinion here advanced. A man with his wife 
 and children from the far distant west, a supposed victim of thi5 
 fearful disease, spent several winters on the Apple Orchard in a 
 log cabin. The thjird year he returned to the flat woods, restored 
 to health and strength. That portion of Bedford County which 
 lies nearest to the Blue Eidge, which is protected from the gales 
 and blizzards of the northwest, and has the best of winter exposures, 
 is a southeastern slope. Snow falling in this section disappears 
 before the ardent rays of the sun in a few hours; frequently every 
 vestige melts within twenty-four hours from the cessation of its 
 falling. The advantage of such a climate is no less great to the 
 grazier and stock grower than to the searcher for health, for it 
 greatly lessons both the expense and risk of maintaining live stock 
 during the winter months. 
 
 The mild winters and the long delightful autumns seem to me 
 [the author] the chief charm from a climatic standpoint. I have 
 never had kinder or more considerate treatment anywhere in the 
 world. With a warm welcome, productive and cheap lands, a superb 
 climate, a picturesque country, churches, Sunday-schools, public 
 free-schools, academies of high grade for both sexes, unsurpassed 
 railroad facilities making close and speedy connection with the great 
 centers of population upon this continent, endless opportunities 
 for success await the immigrant ! Can the earth elsewhere offer 
 more? Come and see. 
 
 ADJACENT CITIES 
 
 The City of Eoanoke, on the banks of the Roanoke and Staunton 
 River, five miles above the county line of Bedford County, has 
 about 35,000 inhabitants; it is a well-built and Substantial town. 
 The N", & W. Railway shops located at this place have a monthly 
 pay-roll of over $100,000.00, and should the Tidewater Railway 
 have its shops here, which is more than probable, the pay-roll will 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 53 
 
 bo largely increased, and the already inviting market for all farm 
 products will be much increased. The nearby Bedford farmers 
 are taking advantage of their oiDportunity to dispose of their surplus 
 products at good prices. The same can be said of Lynchburg, on 
 the James Eiver, three miles from our county line, as a fine mar- 
 ket for all farm products. Lynchburg has more money per capita 
 than any city in the Union, and is soon destined to be- the leading 
 shoe market of the South. The monthly pay-roll for all industries 
 is quite a large one. 
 
 ACCESSIBILITY 
 
 The accompanying map will show that Bedford County is within 
 short and easy access of the great eastern centers of population. 
 Within five miles of the southeastern boundary line is the City of 
 Eoanoke, a great railroad center, with a monthly pay-roll of over 
 $100,000.00, and from which railroads radiate in every direction, 
 viz. : To Winston-Salem, N. C. ; Hagerstown, Md. ; Bristol, Tenn. ; 
 Columbus, Ohio; and in a few months the great Tidewater system 
 of railroads will connect Eoanoke and Bedford County with the 
 great coal field of West Virginia. Within three and a half miles 
 of the northeastern boundary line is Lynchburg, the coming center 
 of shoe factories of the South, with more money per capita than 
 any city in the United States, and as much energy and push as 
 can be found on the same area in the world. Eailroads radiating 
 from Lynchburg are the Southern, to Washington and Danville; 
 C. & 0., to Eichmond and Norfolk and the West Virginia coal 
 fields ; N. & W., to Durham, N. C, Petersburg, Norfolk, and Eich- 
 mond. An hour's ride from Bedford City over the well -equipped 
 double track of the N. & W. will put you either in Eoanoke or 
 Lynchburg, where close connections are made with trains for all 
 parts of the country. The C. & 0. skirts the county along the 
 James for eighteen miles on the north. The Tidewater passes 
 diagonally across the county in a southeasterly direction from 
 Staunton Eiver to Goose Creek, thence to Staunton Eiver again, 
 giving the entire south side of Bedford County easy railroad facili- 
 ties for its rich undeveloped resources for a distance of 32 miles; 
 is close to Eoanoke and double-tracked down grade to Norfolk 
 and other cities east. 
 
-54 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 PURE WATER 
 
 At a glance it must be patent to the most casual observer that 
 the waters of Bedford County must be absolutely pure, with the 
 exception of such materials as are dissolved from its own soils. 
 The following rivers and creeks have their heads or sources entirely 
 within the limits of Bedford County, viz: Goose Creek has its 
 head some eight miles west of Montvale (N. & W. E. E., 1,004 
 feet altitude), its water floAving south through the rich "Goose Creek 
 Valley," then in a southeasterly direction for twenty-five miles, 
 emptying into the Staunton near Leesville in Campbell County. 
 Along its journey it gathers water from Enoch's Creek, Wolf Creek, 
 Stony Creek, Body Camp Creek, Hunting Creek, Bold Branch, 
 Difficult Eun, Eockcastle Creek, Crab Orchard Creek, Clover Creek, 
 and many others. Big Otter Eiver runs in a southeasterly direction 
 through the center of the county a distance of twenty miles to the 
 Campbell County line, thence into Staunton Eiver. The various 
 and numerous headwaters of this pure and beautiful stream can 
 be likened to ribs of a palm-leaf fan reaching out in every di- 
 rection so as to enable the gurgling spring waters, from the moun • 
 tain tops and valleys, to have a sure channel for an outlet. Slieep 
 Creek heads north of the Peaks of Otter; Stony Eun and Stony 
 Creek get their waters off the Peaks, Flat Top and Headforemost. 
 Korth Fork of Otter drains Suck Mountain, Headforemost. Big 
 and Little Onion Mountains and Terrapin Mountain. Add to these 
 Little Otter with its North, Middle and South Forks, Eoaring Eun, 
 Elk Creek, Island Creek. Lick Creek, Orrick Creek, Buffalo Creek, 
 and many others too numerous to mention, you have a network of 
 springs, branches, creeks, and rivers extending from the tops of the 
 mountains. 4,001 feet high, to the county line near Leesville, 700 
 feet. Battery Creek, Hunting Creek, and Eead Creek flow into 
 James Eiver above, at and below Big Island; Cove Creek, near 
 Coleman's Falls. Judith Creek rises in Walnut Hollow, 
 Fleming Mountain, and flows into James Eiver near the 
 county line. Ivy Creek rises in Jackson Mountain near 
 Coffee; after flowing in a lioop-shaped direction for a distance of 
 14 miles it unites with Blackwater Creek and empties into the 
 James Eiver at Lynchburg. Falling Creek and Beaver-Dam Creek 
 rise between Green's Knob and Weaver's Knob Mountains, and 
 
BEDFORD COTJlSiTY, VA. 55 
 
 flow southeast into the Staunton Eiver. Jumping Run^ Stony- 
 Creek, Hales Creek, Harris Branch and Craddock Creek all flow 
 into Staunton Elver before it passes through the mountains at 
 Smith's Gap, 2,443 feet, a scene beautiful to behold. The last 
 stream to flow into the river from Bedford County is Terrapin 
 Creek. The vast amount of fine water power that is annually going 
 for naught is appalling when you come to consider the amount of 
 raw material at hand ready for the factory. 
 
 LAND VALUES 
 
 During the five-year period from 1900 to 1905 land values in the 
 United States have advanced to the extent of 33.5 per cent. This 
 is equivalent to an increase in value of $7.31 per acre. This in- 
 crease represents something substantial. It is not a mere inflation 
 of value. On the other hand it represents to a large extent the 
 accumulated earnings of farmers which have been put into per- 
 manent improvements, such as buildings and other general im- 
 provements. This at least we infer from the fact that in 1900, 21 
 per cent, of the acre value of farm land was represented by money 
 invested in buildings and other permanent improvements. Those 
 who are looking for a reaction in the price of land will not be able 
 to find figures in reliable tables of statistics that will aid them in 
 substantiating or finding ground for such expectations. There 
 are many reasons why we are not looking for a decline in land 
 values. Immigration is increasing from year to year. Over a 
 million foreigners come to our shores every twelve months. Our 
 population has been doubling itself every thirty years for the past 
 century or more. If this continue, our population will soon reach 
 the one hundred and fifty million mark. A very conservative es- 
 timate made by the Bureau of Statistics shows that in 1930 our 
 population will approximately reach the one hundred and thirty 
 million mark, perhaps more. With this enormous increase in 
 population and with practically no more land open to settlement, it 
 seems to be self-evident that instead of land values going back, they 
 must necessarily advance, and advance materially. The cheaper 
 land of good quality will increase in commercial value more rapidly 
 than will those that are now worth from $100 to $150 per acre, and 
 those farmers or investors who are fortunate enough to secure farm 
 real estate in the Southern States during the next few years will 
 unquestionably make the most profitable investment of their lives. 
 
56 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 FACTS ABOUT VIRGINIA 
 
 Area, 42,450 square miles, or in acres 52,680,000 
 
 Assessed value of real estate $378,977,069 
 
 Mineral lands (not in above) 7,776,995 
 
 Value personal property 137,763,474 
 
 Manufactured products sold in 1905 156,867,625 
 
 Value of all crops in 1905 54,900,000 
 
 Pupils in public nehools 391,040 
 
 Annually spent on schools 2,350,000 
 
 Banking capital 19,000,000 
 
 Population 1,985,322 
 
 Miles of railroad 3,228 
 
 A wise philosopher has well said that a great people is one who 
 knows the past, lives in the present and looks forward to the future. 
 Considered from the past, present and future, Virginia is a great 
 commonwealth. No people in the same length of time has pro- 
 duced more illustrious men or performed greater achievements. The 
 old Virginia extending from Jamestown to Appomattox is the 
 history of a glorious people replete with great deeds. The history 
 of the new Virginia, from Appomattox to the present day, is one 
 of which any people may well be proud, and which points to great 
 success for the future. At the conclusion of the war the people 
 of Virginia found their homes desolated, their fields devastated, 
 fences in ruin, implements of agriculture gone, labor disorganized, 
 financial credit destroyed, and every family in mourning. No 
 people had greater difficulties to solve, greater obstacles to over- 
 come, than the Virginians in 1865. The stoiy of the rehabilitation 
 of Virginia is one in which every Virginian can feel a pardonable 
 pride. The banking capital of Virginia, in proportion to popula- 
 tion, is larger than that of any other Southern State, and wc are 
 fortunate now in having our own capital largely to aid our develop- 
 ment. Industrially Virginia is richer, more progressive, and has 
 greater possibility than ever before in history. There are bright 
 prospects for great wealth in this State in every direction. 
 
 ASSESSED VALUES OF BEDFORD COUNTY 
 
 Value of real estate in the County $3,556,373.03 
 
 Tax on real estate for 1906 43,807.77 
 
 Value of personal property 1,252,634.00 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 57 
 
 Tax on personal property for 1906 $16,603.23 
 
 Poll tax for 1906 9,030.00 
 
 Dog tax for 1906 1,435.00 
 
 Tax on merchants, lawyers, doctors, etc., in Central District, 
 
 which includes Bedford City, for 1906 3,607.02 
 
 Retail liquor license tax in Central District for 1906 1,750.00 
 
 Tax on N. & W. R. R., 37 miles 5,446.00 
 
 Tax on C. & 0. R. R., 18 miles 2,934.00 
 
 Tax on Tidewater R. R., 32 miles, not assessed yet. 
 
 UNEARNED INCREMENT MULTIPLIES 
 
 Any part of the County of Bedford can be taken for the purpose 
 of making comparison of the enhancement of real estate values., 
 but perhaps no more striking example showing the multiplication 
 of the "unearned increment" and a concrete idea of how vast values 
 have risen in the past decade in the rural and municipal districts 
 of this county can be given than by citing actual prices that have 
 been obtained for properties sold. The records show that 600 acres 
 of good rich red soil sold for $16,000. In a few years the same 
 property brought $23,000 and the owner has refused an offer of 
 $100 per acre for 250 acres. This property is assessed at $11,000. 
 building at $1,000, tax is $140,00. Another place, 431 acres, sold 
 for $900, and in less than twelve months it brought $1,500; a 
 third sale has recently been made for $2,500, taxes $20. Six 
 hundred and seven acres sold for $4,700 less than two years ago, 
 .assessed at $3,400, taxes $40 ; refused $10,000 ; could not be bought 
 for less than $15,000. Seven hundred and seventy-five acres sold 
 for $8,000, resold two hundred acres for $4,000, total assessment 
 $3,800, taxes $50. Five hundred and thirty acres sold for $6,500, 
 assessed at $3,800, taxes $50; has repeatedly refused $11,000; build- 
 ing assessed at $800. Forty-eight acres sold at $450, in less than two 
 years sold for $700, in 1907 offered $1,000, assessed at $400, taxes 
 $5, building $200. One hundred and sixty acres assessed at 
 $3,700, taxes $46, buildings assessed at $2,000 ; offers at $60, $100, 
 $150 and $200 per acre have been refused. These instances of in- 
 ci'eased valuations are selected at random and could be augmented 
 by hundreds of others of equal interest. The all-absorbing topic 
 of the present is the possession of real estate, and the enjoyment 
 ■ of prosperity, in comparison with the impoverished past. 
 
58 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 MINERALS 
 
 In Bedford County chief among the metallic ores may be 
 mentioned iron, which occurs in this county in the form of 
 magnetic, brown hematite and red hematite or specular ore3. 
 The only one of these three varieties worthy of mention is the 
 brown hematite, a very large bed of which extends through the 
 mountains bordering the county on the western and northwestern 
 extremity and is mined and smelted by the Crozier Steel and Iron 
 Company of Eoanoke, Va. The other varieties have merely been 
 prospected suflBciently to confirm the surface evidence of their 
 existence in quantity. Among the other metallic ores known to 
 exist in the county are copper, zinc, galena and magnesia. Asbestos 
 is found upon Staunton Eiver, Goose Creek, Big Otter Eiver, and 
 i)' many other sections of the county in inexhaustible quantities. 
 The Tidewater Railroad passes directly through the mineral section, 
 affording transjiortation to N'orfolk. and then by water to the great 
 commerce. These mines can furnish a car load per day for the 
 next two generations to come. Kaolin is found in different 
 localities but has never been mined to any extent. Some of the 
 largest and finest beds of soapstone, free from grit, can be found 
 ir great volumes in different sections of the county. Mica, lime- 
 stone, cement, ocher, umber and graphite can be found scattered 
 all over the county: slate flagging-stone of exact rectangular 
 cleavage and of almost any dimensions, can be obtained along 
 Goose Creek, and Big Otter River, in sufficient quantities to 
 justify the establishment of quarries of great magnitude, which 
 could employ a large force of hands profitably, as slabs of immense 
 proportions could be easil}'' obtained. This material is impervious 
 to heat or cold, though soft and easy to dress, when fresh from 
 the quarry; yet when exposed it becomes very hard, and, speci- 
 mens that have been used for front door steps for over a century, 
 show no wear, though exposed to the elements and to the constant 
 tread of man. Feldspar in large quantities can be obtained on 
 Big Otter River and is now being mined. Fire-clay, barytes, 
 plumbago, yellow ocher, and other minerals have been found and 
 samples of many of these minerals are exhibited -at Jamestown. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 59 
 
 Our mineral products alone should, when fully developed, put 
 this county on a financial basis with the rich coal counties of the 
 southwest. This will be in the near future, as we shall have three ' 
 well-equipped railroads passing through our county from west 
 to east, over easy grades. Many engineers and contractors of Jong 
 experience will testify to the hardness of this Bedford County 
 granite, with which they have come in contact along the lines of 
 the new routes through the county. 
 
 MINERAL WATERS 
 
 Bedford County is within that area of Virginia which has 
 achieved world-wide fame for the abundance and varied character 
 of its mineral waters. It abounds in mineral springs, most of 
 them are of strong chalybeate character, while many of them are 
 more or less impregnated with sulphur, alum, carbonate, and 
 sulphur of lime, carbonate of magnesia and other mineral elements. 
 Some have a very marked effect upon cutaneous and eruptive 
 diseases and all contain strong tonic properties. In some sections 
 these springs are especially numerous, some of them maintain a 
 temperature of from 72 to 74 degrees throughout the entire year. 
 Adjacent to these springs there is an eminence that commands a 
 fine view of the surrounding country, the railroads and the Blue 
 Eidge Mountains for many miles. A hotel or sanatorium located 
 at this point could be supplied with a never-failing stream of this 
 health-giving water, that has yet its first case of eczema, itch, scald 
 head, piles, etc., to turn away unhealed. 
 
 For sporting characters a race track could be here constructed, 
 v/hich would entirely encircle the sanatorium on a level grade 
 and at the same time be in plain view of an observer from the 
 hotel porch for the distance of more than one mile. Nature has 
 done everything to make this one of the greatest health resorts 
 on the continent. Who will be the first to provide a shelter and 
 make it known to the afflicted thousands? 
 
60 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 61 
 
 MANUFACTURES 
 
 Tobacco manufactures, grist and patent roller process flouring 
 mills, cigar factories, woolen mills, pulp and paper mills, aluminum 
 mills, paint mills, cement mills, tomato canning factories, saw 
 mills, stave mills, box factories; in fact, all kinds of manufactures 
 thus far attempted in Bedford have met with success. The ex- 
 perience of the woolen mill is a striking illustration of the truth 
 of this statement. In competition with the mills of this entire 
 country, it has repeatedly secured government orders for thousands 
 of yards of goods for the U. S. Marine Corps. The Government 
 purchasing agents say that the peculiar merit of the goods is in 
 the uniformity and permanence of the coloring ; merits attributable 
 to the absolute chemical purity of the water used in dyeing, scour- 
 ing, and fulling purposes ; so that the manufacture of woolen goods, 
 mdeed, of any goods involving the use of dyes, finds here a specially 
 favorable condition, in addition to those of good climate, cheap 
 labor, cheap fuel, low taxes, 'easy accessibility, cheap raw material, 
 etc., etc. As exhibiting another inducement to the grazier and 
 stock raiser, it may be said, incidentally, that of the amount of wool 
 required by the mill, only a very small percentage can be ob- 
 tained in Bedford County, although the full market price can 
 be obtained without the charges of freight, commission on sale, 
 or any cost of sale. The same inducement holds good in the 
 case of the tobacco planter. Ten times the amount of the present 
 sales of tobacco could be bought and handled with ease at Bedford 
 City, and as we have a large area of the best dark tobacco land that 
 can be found anywhere in the country, there is no reason why 
 the crops should not be increased many fold in the next few years, 
 if the present price for tobacco continues to be obtained. Thp 
 outlook for the tobacco raiser is encouraging in this section; 
 ready buyers, with ample capital are at your door to take every 
 plant that is raised. In fact everything that can be spared by the 
 farmer Oi- the good housewife, will sell readily at good prices. 
 Our facilities for reaching nearby markets are unsurpassed. There 
 are now residents in the county from many of the northern, north- 
 western and western States, who will bear cheerful, conclusive 
 testiLiony to the good will and neighborly treatment they have 
 
62 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 ever experienced from the natives of Bedford. A settler from a 
 western state sa^-s : "In a long life spent in many |)arts of the 
 world I have never been among a more kindly and hospitable 
 people. The moral tone of the community is unusually high, 
 Bedford County is a good place to live in and raise a family. Any 
 one may make a comfortable living here, at the minimum of effort. 
 The soil will produce under proper care and management all the 
 products of the temperate zone. I have lived in this county a 
 number of years, and find the climate healthful and in^dgorating." 
 
 CEMENT WORKS 
 
 The Eidgemont Manufacturing Co., located at Ironville, Bed- 
 ford County, Va., is the seat of the first cement works established 
 in Virginia. The James Eiver cement was made here 60 or 70 
 years back. Present works have a capacity of 500 bbls. daily of 
 natural rock cement. Brands: "Standard Eosendalt," and "Eidge- 
 mont Hydraulic." This cement has an extensive sale throughout 
 different sections of the county. 
 
 PAINT WORKS 
 
 A few years ago a gentleman from Detroit, Michigan, was 
 visiting a friend who had located in this county. Many drives were 
 made in and around Bedford City, when all at once he became 
 very much infatuated with an old hilly homestead that had been 
 the victim of very rough treatment at the hands of careless, in- 
 different tenants, though the legatees were descendants of one of 
 the most learned and distinguished jurists of ante-bellum days. 
 The old mansion house was admirably located and commanded a 
 fine view of the noble Peaks of Otter and the Blue Eidge Mountains 
 for many miles. As soon as tlie man from the Lake shore beheld 
 this magnificent view from the front porch and from under the 
 thick shade in the yard, he was spellbound and turning to his 
 
 friend said emphatically : "I , if I do not want this farm. 
 
 I will give $6,000 cash for the 400 acres." It was bought. He 
 moved down. A modern dwelling was built in an adjoining grove 
 to the old mansion yard. One day strolling over the many hills, 
 he was struck with the extremely rich red soil. Samples were pro- 
 cured, analysis was made. Chemist and export had their say. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 63 
 
 Eesult : A $30,000 paint factory is established with modern 
 machinery, thousands of barrels of the dry pigment manufactured. 
 and the mixed paint is now being sold in all sections of the Union. 
 On brick, iron and tin it has few equals. One could hardly imagine 
 what a wonderful change could be wrought by a coat of this paint 
 on old brick dwellings. Old Bedford has many such hidden 
 treasures, only waiting for the practical man of energ}^, push, and 
 means to develop them. 
 
 ALUMINUM MILLS 
 
 This is located in this county on the James Eiver division of the 
 Chesapeake & Ohio Eailway, and is a manufacturing plant of won- 
 derful power and capacity. The magnificent water power of the 
 James river is augmented by an electrical plant of wonderful force. 
 Some of the mineral used in this factory comes all the way from 
 Asia Minor. The products are said to be used by the Govern- 
 ment in the manufacture of projectiles, and also for the protection 
 of armored cruisers. The great intensity of the heat generated 
 at this plant is wonderful to observe. The rapid iiow of an abun- 
 dant supply of water on one side of the mill and the C. & 0. Eail- 
 road on the other, with its never-ceasing chain of coal cars pass- 
 ing all hours of the day and night, make these locations for 
 factories something to be considered by future industries seeking 
 new fields of enterprise. Cheap lands, cheap pawners, cheap coal, 
 and low taxes are points to be considered when a new site is desired 
 for any enterprise. Nearby and up the river are two large pulp 
 and paper mills referred to on another page in this pamphlet, and 
 there are many others at different points along this river about and 
 below our county's line. Should pure fresh water be needed, it 
 can be obtained where the numerous streams from this county 
 empty into the rivers both on the James and on the Staunton, the 
 fall in both rivers being about the same. Ample water power for 
 large mills could be obtained if desired at low prices. 
 
 PULP AND PAPER MILLS 
 
 These mills are located on James Eiver and front on the C. 
 & 0. Eailroad at Big Island and Coleman's Falls in Bedford 
 County. The machines are operated by water and steam power 
 
64 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 and have the capacity of from twenty-five to thirty tons of pulp 
 every twenty-four hours. The paper mill at Big Island is run by the 
 same powers and has the capacity of about thirty to forty tons of 
 paper every twenty-four hours. Papers manufactured are manila, 
 news, hanging, drawing, pattern, fiber, and porter. This com- 
 pany is operated by Eichmond capital, employs a large number 
 of hands, and consumes thousands of cords of poplar and pine 
 wood annually. 
 
 With the vast amount of undeveloped water power in every 
 section of this county, but more especially on the north and south 
 sides and through the centres, Bedford should have a dozen such 
 paper mills, with the raw material right at its doors, and ample 
 transportation facilities. Many natural locations could be 
 selected where a short high dam could be easily constructed and a 
 tremendous water power obtained at a nominal cost. Sand and 
 rock being on the ground or nearby, cement and labor would be the 
 only costly items in the construction of the dam and foundation. 
 
 The demand for paper is great and increasing, the old fields are 
 burdened with rapid-growing pine and the undeveloped water 
 power is gently gliding by, never to be recalled. -.Who will be the 
 next to harness these restless waters and turn them into money? 
 
 ASBESTOS 
 
 The American Asbestos Company has in operation at Bedford 
 City, Virginia, a large manufacturing plant, equipped with the 
 best and most improved machinery, which can turn out from 
 thirty to fifty tons of the manufactured article daily, ready for 
 commercial use. These ores are obtained from the company^s 
 mines, which are located some fifteen miles south of Bedford City, 
 and are now being mined and hauled by wagons to the mills. The 
 new Tidewater Eailroad passes directly through a portion of 
 these valuable mines, which will lessen the cost of hauling. This 
 is one of the few industries that have been established in our 
 midst in the last few years, almost entirely by outside capital, 
 and it is destined to be a great success, if pushed to its full capacity 
 under proper and judicious management and supervision. The 
 ores are here in inexhaustible quantities and should be mined at 
 a minimum cost to the company. The constantly increasing de- 
 mand for this commercial article should make these properties 
 
BEDFORD COU^'TY, VA. 65 
 
 one of the best investments in this section of the country. It 
 is an interesting sight to see the ponderous machinery pounding 
 away on the tenacious fibres for a considerable time, which are then 
 taken through the various processes of reducing and refining, and 
 finally to observe the powdered article ready for commercial 
 use. The shipments are usually made in car load lots. These fields 
 of development and industry have hardly been touched, and 
 thousands of acres still remain in the hands of the original owners, 
 which can be bought at reasonable figures. 
 
66 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 AGRICULTURE 
 
 CENSUS FIEPORT BEDFORD COUNTY. VIRGINIA. 1900 
 
 Statements of number of acres in farms; number of acres im- 
 proved; total number of farms; number of horses, cattle and 
 other live stock, and acreage and yield of principal farm products, 
 as reported for the census of 1900 : 
 
 Total farm acreage 432,479 
 
 Total acres improved 249,956 
 
 Population of County 1900. 30.356 
 
 Total number of farms. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Corn 35,127 
 
 Wheat 23,005 
 
 Oats 15,975 
 
 Irish potatoes . . . 
 Sweet potatoes. . 
 Beans and peas. . 
 
 Onions 
 
 Clover and grass 
 
 Clover 
 
 Alfalfa 
 
 642 
 
 474 
 
 637 
 
 22 
 
 seed. 
 
 Tobacco 9,162 
 
 Honey 
 
 Eggs , 
 
 All other vegetables 2,513 
 
 Orchard fruit, etc 
 
 Small fruits 
 
 Enumeration of live stock on farms, 1900: 
 
 . 4,030 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 735,000 
 
 181,030 
 
 187,760 
 
 35,513 
 
 28,027 
 
 5,983 
 
 3,243 
 
 1,930 
 
 Pounds. 
 6,910,260 
 
 Rounk 
 acreage. 
 11 
 10 
 1 
 13 
 13 
 
 Value. 
 $104,226 
 
 Number. 
 7,733 
 
 Horses and colts 
 
 Colts under one j'ear 
 
 Colts one and under 2 years 
 
 Colts 2 years and over 
 
 Cows 7,218 
 
 Dairy cows 2 years and over 
 
 All other cattle 9,297 
 
 Sheep and lambs 5,806 
 
 Swine 15,869 
 
 Calves under 1 year 
 
 Value of forest products 
 
 Prod. 
 
 I 
 10 
 
 1 
 16 
 20 
 
 1 
 6 
 
 4 
 1 
 6 
 Values. 
 
 5 
 16 
 
 Rank. 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 16 
 5 
 
 $96,563 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 67 
 
 TOBACCO 
 
 In 1900, Bedford County produced 6,910,260 pounds of tobacco, 
 an average of about 7,501 pounds per acre, at $7.00 per 100 pounds. 
 This would be $53.50 per acre or $483,718.20 for the whole crop. 
 Samples taken from all grades sold at public auction on the ware- 
 house floors at Bedford City during the month of March, 1907, 
 will show that some farmers can raise dark tobaccos that will 
 weigh from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds per acre, and that will bring 
 from $125 to $175 per acre. These samples, with the prices 
 attached, will be on exhibition at Jamestown, Virginia, this year; 
 235 pounds at $5.00; 265 pounds at $5.50; 200 pounds at $8.00; 
 210 pounds at $8.50 ; 100 pounds at $10.25 ; 140 pounds at $12.50 ; 
 235 pounds at $15.50; 285 pounds at $18.00; 175 pounds at 
 $22.50; 315 pounds at $25.00, making a total of 2,155 pounds 
 of tobacco from 7,000 hills planted, or an average of 1,530 pounds 
 per acre. The total amoi.nt of money received was $292.64, an 
 average of $13.57 per hundred pounds, or an average of $209.00 
 per acre. This land was a part of an estimate of over 500 acres 
 that had been run down by negro labor, before the war ; tobacco and 
 tenants, since the war. The present owner bought off 1821/2 acres 
 in 18 — at $5.50 per acre. This land is assessed at $1,002.38, 
 taxes $13.03. The owner has built houses, ma^e fences, and im- 
 proved the land generally ; he considers his. real estate richly worth 
 $5,000. This section of the county located along Stony Fork Creek, 
 ia especially adapted to the growth of that fine, dark, tough, silky, 
 wrapper, that always commands a very high price on our local 
 markets. A good man and a boy can cultivate four acres in tobacco, 
 i.e, about 20,000 plants, and have time to look after the stock and a 
 small crop of corn, wheat, oats and hay. The Bedford City ware- 
 houses commense selling tobacco on the first of September in each 
 year, and stop the last day of July; the amount of tobacco sold at 
 these warehouses for the year ending July 31, 1906, was 1,837,595 
 pounds, and brought $127,290.11, an average of $6.92 per 100 
 pounds. For seven months, ending the 3l8t of March, 1907, the 
 same warehouses sold 2, 105,547 pounds for $147,553.94, an average 
 of $7.00 per 100 pounds. At least two-thirds of tlie crops of tobacco 
 
68 HLSTOIUVAL SKETCH 
 
 raised in Bedford County are sold in Lynchl)urg and some little in 
 Danville, Ya. With a good tobacco market right in the center of the 
 county, Bedford should be the first county in the State instead 
 of the fourth, as she was in 1900. Tobacco from this county 
 stands at the top in Lynchburg and Richmond. In 1892, when 
 the whole State of Virginia, had a competitive exposition of farm 
 products at Richmond, the State Capital, Bedford had the honor 
 of carrying off the first prize on dark tol)acco and the first prize 
 on light tobacco. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 
 
 The principal agricultural products of Bedford Countv are to- 
 bacco, wheat, corn and oats. Besides which there are products in 
 smaller quantities, hut of most excellent quality: rye, buckwheat, 
 sorghum, clover, alfalfa, soja beans, peas, and timothy hay. All the 
 vegetables come to great perfection. A])ples, pears, peaches, grapes, 
 strawberries, cherries, melons and otlier fruits, cannot be surposed. 
 The rank that Bedford County holds in these respects among the 
 counties of Virginia, is shown T)y the award received by her exhibits 
 at the State Exhibition held in Richmond in 1892. In competi- 
 tion with the other counties, her awards were as follows : 
 
 First premium: Second ])reinium : 
 Wlheat, Pease, 
 
 Corn, Fruits, 
 
 Mineral, Root crops, 
 
 Dark tobacco. Light tobacco, 
 
 Oats, Irish potatoes, 
 
 •^ ' Third premium: 
 
 SM'eet potatoes. ^,, , , , 
 
 ^ ^ ^ , Other vegetables. 
 Uood and timber. 
 
 Agricultural products. 
 
 DARK TOBACCO EXHIBITS 
 
 Jamestown, Virginia, 1907 
 
 This leaf tobacco exhibit was selected by Mr. John T. Edwards 
 and Messrs. Alberta & Company from toliacco that had been 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 69 
 
 bought on the warehouse floors at Bedford City, Virginia, without 
 any picking or culling, but just as the tobacco came from the Bed- 
 ford County farmers. These commercial samples will represent 
 the domestic, German, Austrian and Italian types of tol)acco raised 
 in this county, and the rich, dark, tough, silky wrappers, for 
 A\ hich this section is so famous, and for which fancy prices are al- 
 ways obtained. Great credit is due these experienced dealers in 
 dark tobacco for this excellent exhibition, which they procured on 
 such a short notice, after the l)ulk of the crop had been sold. 
 .May the honors of 1892 be again bestowed upon our dark "weed." 
 
 ALFALFA 
 
 The soil of Bedford County is admirably adapted to the growth 
 of alfalfa, as has been shown by its successful cultivation in differ- 
 ent sections of the county. If cut at the right time, properly 
 cured and cared for, it has few equals as a hay. It can be raised 
 at a cost of from $3.00 to $5.00 a ton. A ton and a half of alfalfa 
 hay, that has as much protein as a ton of bran, will cost you from 
 $23.00 to $25.00 per ton. Horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and fowls 
 will eat it in the dry state almost as readily as they will in the green 
 state, and do well. It is a great improver of the soil and when 
 unobstructed its roots will penetrate the soil for 10 or 20 feet. Its 
 value is so great as a feed that some claim that an acre well set in 
 alfalfa is worth $100.00, and a hundred acres well set in alfalfa 
 is worth $10,000.00. As a mortgage lifter, at the present price 
 of hay, alfalfa could not possibly have an equal. Although it is 
 necessary to go to some expense in order to put the soil in proper 
 condition for alfalfa, yet the meadow is so valuable when established, 
 and should yield profitable results for so many years, that extra 
 time and expense are amply repaid. Nine-tenths of the alfalfa 
 lands in Bedford County, that are not producing a ton of hay to the 
 acre, could easily produce from four to five tons of alfalfa hay, under 
 proper culture and care, and at the same time be a great source of 
 income to the owner. The following statement will show what 
 three-fourths of an acre of Bedford's stiff, tough, red soil has done 
 in alfalfa during the past three years. This land was carefully 
 prepared and seeded dow^, on the third of May, 1903, without 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 inoculation of any kiiid. The third cutting in September was cured 
 for hay, the other two cuttings going to the land : 
 
 Cuttings 
 
 190 J,. 
 
 
 1905. 
 
 
 1906. 
 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 1. May ... 
 
 .. 1,^00 
 
 May . . 
 
 .. 1,800 
 
 May 15. . 
 
 .. 2,000 
 
 2. June . . 
 
 .. 2,000 
 
 June. . 
 
 .. 2,200 
 
 June 19. . 
 
 . . 2,500 
 
 3. July . . 
 
 . . 1,500 
 
 July . . 
 
 . . 1,800 
 
 July 26.. 
 
 . . 2,000 
 
 4. Sept. . . 
 
 .. 1.600 
 
 Sept. . 
 
 .. 1,800 
 
 Sept. 1 . . 
 
 . . 2,000 
 
 Totals 
 
 .. 6,600 
 
 7,600 
 
 8,500 
 
 Averages . , 
 
 . .. 8,800 
 
 
 10,113 
 
 
 11,333 per acre 
 
 The fifth crop during the fall of 1906 attained to the height of 
 20 inches, but was cured as a pasture until late in the winter, and, 
 at this writing, the 15th of April, 1907, the alfalfa on this three- 
 fourths of an acre will average over 15 inches. A sample of this 
 alfalfa hay crop for 1906 will be on exhibition at Jamestown, Va. 
 Had the owner sold his 8,500 pounds of hay on the Bedford City 
 market at the price now prevailing for hay, i. e., $1.25 per 100 
 pounds, his three-fourths of an acre of land would have brought 
 him the nice little sum of $106.25. As a soil feeder, alfalfa has 
 few if any equals. Set apart such an acre as you think will carry 
 your cow for a month, and you can cut morning, noon and night 
 for thirty days, then start where you began and continue to repeat 
 the cutting process until the close of the season. The tobacco lots 
 are good places to grow alfalfa. To get a good stand of alfalfa is 
 worth any farmer's most persistent efforts, for it will enable him 
 to cut down very materially his. feed bills. It is a good substitute 
 for bran, offal and other mill feeds. It is the best feed for the 
 dairy, and for all kinds of young stock. Hogs winter well on it, 
 with very little grain. There is nothing better for sheep. Chickens 
 relish it green or dry. Let every farmer in the county, old and 
 new-comers, put forth strenuous efforts to try to secure a good stand 
 0"'' alfalfa on a well selected flat of his farm, and if he succeed, then 
 try to keep hoof of every kind off for three or four years. 
 
 CRIMSON CLOVER 
 
 All thin land planted in corn should be seeded to German clover 
 in July and August, using a little bone meal. Should this process 
 be continued for six or eight vears, the vield of corn will wraduallv 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 71 
 
 increase, the crop of hay will be larger and the amount of nitrogen 
 taken in, will so enrich the land that it can be set in grass or al- 
 falfa. This clover cut at the right time, securely housed, and pro- 
 tected from the damp weather, will make a safe, rich food for any 
 kind of stock, and at the same time return to the soil nitrogen 
 enough to more than pay for the seed and culture. Why is it that 
 our farmers do not adopt these cheap methods of surely enriching 
 their lands, instead of mortgaging their crops, before they are 
 planted for fertilizing, which often does not improve their lands? 
 Take a poor, well-drained lot of our Bedford red sub-soil land and 
 treat it to corn, crimson clover, and pure bone process, for seven 
 years, and see if your corn will not go from two to eight barrels per 
 acre and your land increase in value tenfold. By taking a new piece 
 of poor land each year and going through the treatment, and after 
 each acre has taken in from $15.00 to $20.00 worth of nitrogen, it 
 should be seeded to alfalfa, which will yield from four to five crops 
 annually for a mumber of years. By this means Bedford County 
 would soon move up from sixth county in the State in the pro- 
 duct of alfalfa to the first, as she now is in clover. 
 
 PEAS AND SOY BEANS 
 
 The pea, before the war, was planted on thin land, sowed in rows 
 alternating with corn, and was relished as a vegetable in the green 
 state ; later it was sown in the corn at the last planting and used as 
 a fertilizer. Now great fields of peas can be found in all sections 
 of the county and is used as a great land improver, and a hay crop. 
 A mixture of a bushel of peas and a peck of sorghum seed to the 
 acre, makes one of the finest feeds for stock that can be raised. 
 Take a stack pole eleven feet long, plant it one foot in the 
 ground at convenient intervals around the field, and, after the peas 
 have been cut by the mower, place six five-foot braces at equal 
 intervals around the eleven-foot pole, with one end on the ground 
 and the other tacked to the pole one and a half feet from the earth. 
 As soon after the mowing as it takes to set a pole and brace it as 
 ahove described, you can commence to stack the green pease and sor 
 ghum hay around these poles, carrying the moulds up perpendicu- 
 larly, capping off with a slope and a big fork full right on the top 
 of the pole, so as to keep the rain from following down the pole. 
 
72 
 
 HLSTOh'ICAL SKI:T( 'H 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 73 
 
 Don't allow any one to get on the shock while stacking. The air 
 will pass under and up the pole, curing the whole shock sweet, and 
 green in color. Though the season of 1906 was extremely dark 
 and rainy, this method was followed to a successful conclusion. At 
 no time were more pease cut than could be promptly gotten up be- 
 fore they wilted. As house room was scarce, this entire field 
 of hay stood out all winter; the last shock was taken in on the 
 fourth week in April, sound, sweet and of a bright green color. 
 N"o waste in feeding, as it was eagerly consumed by both horses and 
 cattle. The same will be tried again this season; the yield last 
 season was about two tons of dry hay per acre. The soy bean has 
 not been as extensively cultivated in this county as the different 
 kinds of peas, yet it has given good satisfaction as a land improver. 
 The yield of green forage has been large, and much easier to cure 
 and save than the peas; as an entire feed for milch cows it hasn't 
 an equal in anything that has ever come under my observation, and 
 tliey seem to prefer it above all other rations. The same methods of 
 curing peas have been tried with the soy beans with fine results. 
 The high price for seed will curtail the acreage for this season, but 
 v,-ith better preparations and a sure planting of every seed sown, the 
 crops will be equally good, if not better, for light culture will surely 
 increase the yield and a less number of seed can be used. 
 
 MILK, CREAM AND BUTTER 
 
 There are a good many small private dairies in this county, which 
 have been run successfully, and the local demands for these products 
 at Bedford City, Lynchburg and Koanoke, have made these indus- 
 tries a continuous source of income. The demand is greater than 
 the supply, and hundreds of such establishments could be main- 
 tained in this section, and all could be making money at the prices 
 tliat are now demanded. Buttermilk, 16 cents per gallon ; sweet milk 
 30 cents per gallon; cream, $1.25 per gallon; butter, 35 cents per 
 pound. The general custom is to make yearly contracts with pri- 
 vate families to furnish so much each week, at stated prices; thus 
 your market does not fluctuate with the seasons, but you know when 
 your products are measured or weighed, before you leave home for 
 the city, what you are going to get. Those most distant only mar- 
 ket butter and cream. The hand separators are much in use and 
 facilitate the handling of sweet cream. The number of cows in 
 each herd could be kept at the minimum if we had a few like "Black 
 
74 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Bess" from "^'Wheats Valley/' who has been known to give ten gal- 
 lons per day for ninety consecutive days, on clover, grass and a peck 
 of wheat bran. The owner has recently declined $150.00 for her, 
 though she is in her ninth year. She is a black poll — mongrel. 
 
 At the prices at which hay, soja beans, sorghum, etc., can be 
 raised in this county, Bedford should have many coooperative cream- 
 eries and cheese factories. 
 
 BEES 
 
 Bedford being one of the banner fruit counties of the State, it 
 would naturally follow that the honey bee would flourish where 
 flowers and fruits come to great perfection. There are tons and tons 
 of nectar going to waste, that could be safely housed in little one- 
 pound cases and turned into money, if the farmer, and even the busi- 
 ness men in the town, would only procure a few colonies and make a 
 start in bees. We get our honey from a very great variety of flowers 
 white and red clovers, some wood fruit and berries, sour wood and 
 honey dew on the pine and some other trees, buckwheat, chickweed, 
 maple, fruit blossoms, salad, kale, clover, holly, Spanish needles, 
 purple boneset, and a host of others. The average yield per colony 
 is about 48 to 72 pounds and upward. Bedford County is an 
 ideal honey section. Our honey is classed as "fancy" and number 
 one, and commands good prices in all our towns and cities; the de- 
 mand cannot be supplied ; one farmer in the county has been known 
 to gather as much as fourteen tons of honey in one season. Bedford 
 County stands at the top round for honey in the State of Virginia, 
 as shown by the census returns for 1900. Beginners should pro- 
 cure a few modern hives, buy the A B C of Bee Culture, published 
 by the Root Company, of Medina, Ohio; get a good smoker and 
 veil, and then you will be ready for business. The 8-frame dove- 
 tailed movable frame hive is the one mostly used here and they come 
 cheap. An invalid can obtain health, recreation, and nice income, 
 on a small space in this vocation, 
 
 APPLES 
 
 The altitude, soil and climate of Bedford County ma:ke it the 
 natural home of the apple. No country in the State offers better 
 advantages to the fruit grower than Bedford. The possession of 
 an apple orchard, well located, planted with the best varieties and 
 properly cared for, is almost a perpetual investment. There are 
 apple trees in this county one hundred years old, still bearing fruit. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 75 
 
 An agent paid a fanner $500.00 for the apples of five-sixths of an 
 acre, and before the sale was made apples to the amount of $100.00 
 had been taken from this orchard. 
 
 The trees live longer here and produce a better quality of fruit 
 than elsewhere. The excellent quality of the apples grown in this 
 county, as shown at the World's Fair in St. Louis, proved to the 
 satisfaction of a great many fruit growers that this is one of the 
 best apple counties in the State. Of the forty-nine medals obtained 
 at this Fair by the State of Virginia, six are accredited to Bedford 
 County — one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. 
 
 Apples through this section are as nearly perfect as fruit can 
 grow, and the color and flavor cannot be surpassed by any county or 
 State in the Union. In orchard products of every variety, the Coun- 
 ty of Bedford stood fifth in value as compared with all of the coun- 
 ties of the State in 1900, and a competitive exhibition by all the 
 counties in the State in 1892, on all kinds of fruit raised in the 
 State, Bedford stood second. 
 
 The county inspectors report that the San Jose scale has made 
 its appearance in many of the orchards in this county, and it is 
 apprehended that the injury will be great, if not eradicated at an 
 early date. The authorized remedies for the destruction of this dis- 
 ease are being applied and favorable results are reported. 
 
 GRAPES 
 
 All varieties of these wild fruits can be found in every section 
 of the county, growing in the woods and along the banks of the 
 streams, and it is nothing uncommon to see large grape vines swing- 
 ing from tree to tree, some of them 20 inches or more in circum- 
 ference. To the intelligent observer this luxuriant growth of the 
 vine indicates the adaptability of the soil to the culture of this 
 particular fruit, and on testing the wild grapes he is thoroughly 
 convinced of what this section could do for them under proper 
 culture. The improved grapes have been planted by many on a 
 small scale and success was beyond expectations. At the Horticul- 
 ture Exhibits held at Bedford City for a number of years nothing 
 surpassed the grapes. So close was the competition for the prizes 
 that the judges had to resort to the scale to determine the first 
 from- the second and the second from the third. All of the bunches 
 weighed over 17 ounces apiece, and the prize winner was offered 
 25 cents a pound for his entire crop, which he refused. 
 
76 HISTORICAL HKETCH 
 
 LABOR 
 
 There has hitherto heen an abundance of accessible labor at prices 
 varying according to the character of employment, but the unusual 
 occurrence of having two railroads luiilt throvigh the county at the 
 some time has made good, desirable labor scarce and high ; our hired 
 farm help is mainly of the negro race and if well managed is excel- 
 lent, Init requires firmness and watchful superintendence. Our 
 experience of negro labor varies exactly in proportion to the skill 
 and good management displayed b}^ the employers themselves. 
 The negro as a land owner is tenacious, and seldom lets loose; 
 there are numerous instances where they have been quite success- 
 ful as farmers on a small scale, and command the confidence and 
 esteem of their neighbors. 
 
 The white laborer usually works independently, finding it either 
 m.ore profitable or more in agreement with a natural spirit of free- 
 dom, where land is so cheap, not to enter the service of another ; in 
 such instances, however, Avhen they do depart from their usual prac- 
 tice, the hired white laborers are generally steady and reliable. 
 Labor-saving appliances are coming more generally into use on the 
 farm, and under the intelligent super^dsion of the owners the crop 
 will be largely increased and expense of labor greatly reduced. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 11 
 
 DOMESTIC ANIMALS 
 CATTLE 
 
 Bedford Comity Ijeiiig an elevated rolling section of Piedmont 
 Virginia, with an abundance of pure free-stone water at all seasons 
 oi: the year, and a great variety of appetizing herbs and grasses, in- 
 cluding the early bud of the familiar sassafras bush, can furnish 
 very nutritious food for cattle and other stock. The pea-vine that 
 grows wild in the woods and mountains is very fattening and much 
 sought after. With these natural pastures to tempt the appetite 
 it is not strange that Bedford was fourth in rank in 1900 in "dairy 
 cows two years and over" and "fifth in calves under one year." It 
 is not uncommon for a farmer to run stock cattle on these natural 
 pastures the entire season, and turn the whole herd over to a valley 
 stock man at the first frost, which comes early in November, and 
 make 100% on the spring nurchase (jl two- and three-year-olds. 
 Some of our most successful and prosperous farmers confine their 
 stock operations to this method exclusively, and it is seldom that 
 they hold a steer longer than six or eight months. The demand 
 for this grade of stock cattle is very great, and no trouble is found 
 in selling all that you can graze on these farms to buyers, who 
 take them off in car-load lots each fall. There is no reason why 
 Bedford should not be one of the greatest stock-raising counties 
 in the State, with all these natural advantages and protected on 
 the entire western border by mountains extending from James to 
 Staunton Eiver, a distance of 31 miles. 
 
 SHEEP, WOOL AND LAMBS 
 
 Bedford County is especially adapted to sheep culture. Climate, 
 native grasses, pure water, and hills all contribute to the health 
 and rapid growth of as good mutton as is found anywhere. Our 
 lambs are from two to four weeks earlier than those west of the Blue 
 Eidge Mountains. We are nearer markets, and we have the ad- 
 vantage of several competing lines of railroads. Should our supply 
 be greater than the local demand, Eoanoke and Lynchburg could 
 be reached by freight in less than ninety minutes. Eichmond, 
 
78 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Norfolk, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York are 
 all within twenty-four hours time. From the following statements 
 made by a Bedford stock raiser of long experience you will readily 
 see that there is more profit in raising sheep than any other stock : 
 "My stock of thirty Shropshire ewes have produced an average of 
 $7 per head for the last three years. I got thirty-two lambs, which 
 I sold to the butchers in LjTichburg at 5y2 cts. per lb. These lambs 
 weighed 102 lbs., delivered the 15th June, amounting to $5.60 per 
 head. The clip averaged 6 lbs. per old sheep, sold to the Woolen 
 Mills at Bedford City for 25 cts. per lb., amounting to $1.50 per 
 sheep, making an average of $7.47 from each ewe. The next year 
 I got thirty-three lambs; sold at $5.00 per lamb, wool $1.50, an aver- 
 age of $7.00 for each ewe. The next year I got thirty-one lambs ; 
 sold at $4.50 per head, wool 25 cts. per lb., 6 lbs. per old sheep, an 
 average of $6.81 for each ewe." 
 
 These prices were obtained on the farm and from our home buy- 
 ers. Stock men take advantage of the fine grazing on the Apple 
 Orchard during the hoi simimer months and it is astonishing to see 
 how rapidly an old sheep will recuperate, and in from six to eight 
 v/eeks will be ready for the butcher. 
 
 HOGS 
 
 With a soil and climate well adapted to the growth of rye, cow 
 peas, soy-beans, artichokes, fruits, and corn, which are all fine food 
 for hog-raising, and with such railroad facilities and local markets, 
 there is no reason why Bedford County should not stand near the 
 top as a pork producer. AVith proper care and attention, hogs are 
 the greatest "mortgage lifter" the farmer can raise, and at the 
 same time convert an old, poor, worn-out field into green pasture at 
 small cost, if any. All these conditions are here and only need to 
 be rightly handled to obtain proper results. Brood sows can be 
 wintered at a minimum cost; their litters come in by the first of 
 April. Crimson clover will feed them until the cow peas are ripe 
 enough to turn them on, which can be fed in succession until you wish 
 to harden the flesh with soy-beans and chestnuts in November. By 
 this time your April pigs will be ready to draw the scales at about 
 200 pounds; no com is consumed, and at a cost not exceeding Si/o 
 cents per pound, the summer and fall pigs can readily be sold at 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 79 
 
 good prices, if desired. The fields that have been pastured by the 
 hogs should be seeded to grass or small grain at the proper time. 
 Pork at this writing, April 1st, 1907, is worth $9.00 per hundred 
 pounds. With your capacity to handle stock of this kind you can 
 readily estimate your income from this source on a Bedford farm, 
 be it rich or poor. 
 
 ANGORA GOATS 
 
 There is no better location for an Angora goat farm or ranch 
 than in Bedford County. Thousands of acres of land are covered 
 thickly with brush of every variety, briers and weeds, and all well 
 watered by never-failing springs, branches, and creeks. 
 
 Angora goats are not only the cheapest and best weed and brush 
 cleaners but the most profitable stock on the farms and ranches, 
 as they only need salting and rain-proof sheds and average care to 
 turn their silvery fleeces and brush-fat carcasses into Uncle Sam's 
 golden eagles. They have the greatest and grandest possibility in 
 this section of any live stock on record. Let any thorough-going 
 business farmer try 100 Angora goats on one of these grown-up 
 farms in this county and see if he cannot double his money each 
 year, while he is getting the farm in grand condition for the plough, 
 and at the same time spreading a coat of rich good manure uni- 
 formly over the lands pastured. They will eat cedar, pines, spruces, 
 oak, black-berries, sassafras, hickory, dogwood, ash, poplar, poison 
 oak, briers, and weeds of all kinds. Ten Angora goats to an acre 
 will clean up the densest thickets of brush and briers, pick the leaves 
 and twigs off, and turn them into money for their owners. No land 
 in the world is better adapted to the raising of the "Angora Goat" 
 than our old grown-up plantations in Bedford County, Va. The 
 fleece from a fine Angora goat will readily sell for from $8 to 813, 
 according to the length and firmness of the fiber. The fleece from 
 the doe usually sells for from 30 to 40 cents per pound. 
 
 POULTRY 
 
 This word is a comprehensive term, meaning domestic birds or 
 barnyard fowls, which includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, 
 taken singly or collectively ; this industry has a fine opportunity to 
 be successfully conducted in this section of Virginia. The local 
 
80 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 buyer is at your door paying city prices, or you can ship to far-off 
 markets in t'\vent3^-four hours after leaving your home station. 
 This industry is in its infancy in Bedford County, though many 
 people are devoting much time and attention to the furtherance of 
 this most profitable business; and nearly all the breeds known to 
 the fancier can be found here. A few years ago, to say that you 
 paid $5.00 for male birds would have made some of the natives 
 pronounce the buyer a lunatic : now they will admire a $25.00 
 "bird" and intelligently discuss his "fine points" and "praise the 
 bridge tliat carries them over,"' for without the "hen" what would 
 our currency have been when times were harder than they are now ? 
 One dollar for a pair of geese was common. A gosling last fall that 
 weighed 17 pounds sold for $3.40. Formerly, $1.00 for turkey hens 
 and $1.50 for gobblers; from 15 to 20 cents per pound gross is now 
 standard price. An old "dungle" hen did pot dare put a higher 
 price on her head than 25 cents, but now when dressed she would 
 call for (SO cents to $1.50, just- according to the amount of flesh 
 she had taken on. 
 
 The ])oultry product of this county is no smaller factor when 
 you compute the annual income from this source. Of the one 
 hundred counties in the State of Virginia, Bedford took the sixth 
 stand in the production of eggs in 1900. Starting on a small scale, 
 r profitable industry could be establislied in a few seasons, which 
 could l)e carried to big proportion in coming years. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 81 
 
 GAME 
 
 The mountain streams of Bedford County are well supplied with 
 beautiful spotted trout. The water being clear and in many places 
 quite rapid in its descent, it is most difficult for an expert angler to 
 land any number of these toothsome mountain fish. James Eiver 
 on the north, Staunton Eiver on the south, Big Otter and Little 
 Otter Elvers and Goose Creek running diagonally across the county, 
 all these large streams and their numerous tributaries combined, 
 furnish every section of the county with ample facilities for an- 
 gling at the proper seasons of the year for suckers, white, silver and 
 sun perch, carp, pike, horned and southern chub, mullet, eel, black 
 bass, cat-fish and many other varieties. 
 
 The configuration of the surface and the abundance of the free- 
 stone springs and branches make it quite a simple matter for farmers 
 to have their own ponds stocked with fish from the government 
 hatcheries, which are located only a short distance west of the county 
 on the main line of the Norfolk & Western Eailroad. Many farm- 
 ers have availed themselves of the privilege, and own ponds 
 stocked with fine fish. 
 
 Of M'ild animals, there are found in the county, rarely, bear and 
 deer; frequently lynx, mink, weasel, beaver, muskrat and others; 
 in great abundance the fox, red, and grey squirrel, raccoon, opos- 
 sum, and hare. The last named is a conspicuous and abundant arti- 
 cle of local commerce in winter and furnishes a large portion of the 
 negroes' meat diet. Eabbits found ready sale last season at fifteen 
 cents each, and large shipments were made to the western coal fields 
 in Virginia and West Virginia. The wild fowls consist, in their 
 seasons, of wild geese and ducks along the numerous water courses 
 in the county, and cranes near the branches and low 
 wet places; snipe and woodcock in almost every section of the 
 county, and wild turkeys, which are sometimes seen in large flockr 
 in the early fall. It takes an expert hunter to bag a wild turkey 
 after he is in his second year, though some men have the art of 
 imitating so perfectly these most watchful of wild fowls that they 
 can "scatter" the whole flock for miles apart, and then "call" each 
 one up singly to his hastily constructed "blind" and often bag eight 
 
82 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 or ten at a "setting." The "blind" must always be promyjtly con- 
 structed right on, or very near, the spot where the turkeys were 
 "flushed" or "scattered," which is usually made of pine brush and 
 leaves. The pheasant is found in the mountains or dead-wooded 
 hollows and is difficult to shoot. Throughout the entire county 
 that most beautiful and appetizing of all game birds, the partridge, 
 is found. The law protecting the quail is quite rigid and is en- 
 forced by the "game warden" in each county; no trapping is 
 allowed and no birds can be shot until after November in each 
 year, and then only for a short period. The individual farmer 
 •can "post" his land, and keep off all hunters, trappers and fishers, 
 if he so desires. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 83 
 
 BEDFORD CITY 
 
 This town lies in Bedford County, Virginia, of which it is the 
 seat of' justice. It is beautifully situated on the main line of the 
 Norfolk & Western Eailway, nearly midway between the cities of 
 Lynchburg and Eoanoke, being twenty-five miles from the former 
 and twenty-eight miles from the latter. Viewed from any of the 
 eminences by -which it is surrounded, the town appears to nestle 
 peacefully among the richly wooded hills and fruitful valleys which 
 characterize this lovely region and render it almost unique in its 
 picturesque beauty. So dense is the foliage, by which the streets 
 and houses are sheltered from the ardent rays of the summer sun, 
 that it is difficult to find a spot from which a fair view of the town 
 can be obtained, or to realize that beneath the grateful shade thou- 
 sands of busy lives are daily running their appointed course of toil 
 and love and duty. The area within the corporate limits of the 
 town is about six hundred acres, and its population is estimated at 
 3.500. 
 
 Bedford City is the seat of important industrial and commercial 
 interests ; in the manufacture of tobacco it holds a high rank among 
 the towns and cities of Virginia; it possesses a large woolen mill, 
 whose perfect equipment and large capacity are hardly equal to the 
 demand for its excellent products ; two secure and prosperous bank- 
 ing institutions, with ample resources for all possible requirements 
 of the local trade; two flour and grist mills; numerous mercantile 
 houses representing all branches of business; two weekly news- 
 papers, each having a large and wide circulation; "the American 
 Asbestos" factory with its powerful machinery and capacity for 
 30 tons of the common and 15 tons of the finer fiber daily; three 
 large wood yards ; two coal yards ; two ice plants ; one Baptist, one 
 Presbyterian, one Episcopal, one Methodist, and one Roman Cath- 
 olic Church. A large brick court-house was built in 1834; the 
 heavy iron railing and the porch and steps and the massive hinges 
 to the large window blinds were forged by hand by the noted smith 
 of the day, Solomon Lindsay. Some of his relations now living 
 in this county still adhere to his early teachings and their hand- 
 made wagons have such a reputation for durability that orders have 
 even been received from Australia. This neat and flourishing town 
 
84 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 85 
 
 i^ the admiration of travelers, being surrounded by a beautiful roll- 
 ing, fertile country, bounded by a background of great sublimity. 
 T'he Blue Eidge Mountains running to the right and left across the 
 horizon for many miles, here tower to the height of 3,875 feet. The 
 Peaks of Otter, which although ten miles distant, appear in the 
 immediate vicinity. These peaks, knobs, and mountain ranges 
 which form the western boundary line of Bedford County are, with 
 a few exceptions, the loftiest mountains in the Southern States. 
 Bedford City is fair to look upon, presenting an air of health, com- 
 fort, and cleanliness, which is well sustained by statistical facts. 
 Two hotels and more than a dozen private boarding houses and res- 
 taurants are taxed to their utmost capacity to accommodate the trav- 
 eling public and railroad employees. Merchants' have been un- 
 usually successful ; not a failure has occurred for a number of years. 
 Handsome brick and frame residences, models of architectural 
 beauty, are numerous, while others of an earlier date are suggestive 
 of that perfect, though secluded, comfort which proclaim the happy 
 home. The large and conveniently arranged new brick opera house 
 is the pride of its owners; the dense shade and expensive grounds 
 make it an attractive location. The four large, well equipped 
 livery stables are rarely able to accommodate the demands made 
 upon them by the traveling public and pleasure seekers. Our 
 large eight-room graded school and the two flourishing private 
 schools will be treated under separate heads. The two large to- 
 hacco warehouses have done a flourishing business this season, some 
 high prices for the "weed" having been obtained. The numerous 
 leaf and plug dealers employ a number of hands, and have facili- 
 ties for handling millions of pounds more than the Bedford farmers 
 are now raising. The cigar interests are well represented by local 
 factories, and Bedford's tine plug and fragrant cigars are being 
 cfEered to the markets in most of the states of the Union. The 
 Bedford Mill Company when in full operation employs about seventy- 
 five operatives. They manufacture a variety of cloths, principally 
 indigo blue, cadet greys, and prison goods; they also manufacture 
 iDlankets, skirts, and knitting yarns. Our natural advantages sur- 
 pass those of manv other milling districts, for the water is quite soft 
 and comparatively free from chemicals. The present superm- 
 tendent says: "Having travelled Hlinois in the capacity of Govern- 
 ment Textile Inspector, I am convinced that we have the finest 
 water for dveing, scouring, and fulling purposes that can be had." 
 
86 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 SCENERY 
 
 A place of much resort, one-half mile south of Bedford City, is 
 Wingfield's Mountain, altitude 1,299 feet above the sea level. 
 Eeservoir Hill, a lower knob of Wingfield's Mountain, commands a 
 fine view of tliree-fourths of the county. The surrounding country 
 presents every form of romantic and picturesque scenery. The 
 view of the far-distant southeast, where Staunton River abruptly 
 breaks through Smith's Mountain. 2,043 feet high, running north 
 and south, and the almost perpendicular break, where the water 
 rushes through, presents a scene of remarkable grandeur. To the 
 north and west the view is bounded by the crest, saddles and knoljs 
 of the Blue Eidge Mountains, which appear to terminate within 
 six miles of the town in the lofty and majestic Peaks of Otter. The 
 v/estern horizon is closed in by the bold spurs and broad valleys 
 of the Blue Eidge and Alleghany Mountains, while to the south 
 and east an undulating sweep of hill and dale seems to lose itself 
 in the purple distance where it blends with the sky. As the eye 
 v/anders beyond the immediate surroundings, and rests upon a 
 sketch of cultivated plantations, or rich meadow, or upon a rem- 
 nant of primeval forest, or travelling upward lights upon the soft 
 blue summits of the everlasting hills, which like stepping stones 
 lead into the mysteries of space, there is nothing left for the poet 
 painter's loftiest aspirations. 
 
 The roads radiating from Bedford City are intersected by cross 
 roads in such a manner as to enable the pleasure seeker to take eight 
 01 ten different drives from ten to twenty miles in length, each 
 one varying in scenery until the circle is complete by returning to 
 the starting point. During these numerous drives over the improved 
 thoroughfares that are being constantly worked by the convicts 
 one can get friiit in season growing wild along the roadside in the 
 fence corners and in shady spots, such as cherries, strawberries, 
 raspberries, dewberries, blackberries, peaches, and apples. 
 
 There are several large streams and many small ones near enough 
 to Bedford City to enable a whole family to spend the day fishing 
 or seining, and return to the city before night, a little tired out, 
 but much improved in health, strength and vigor. After you have 
 once tried this altitude you long to come back again, and again, 
 until finally you become one of us, for with continued health there 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 87 
 
 is contentment, which begets love and happiness under your own 
 vine and fig tree. The scenery attracts the eye, the water and 
 atmosphere invigorate the body and gives an appetite ; food assimi- 
 lated gives strength, and fresh, rosy cheeks bespeak health ; a drive 
 0;' walk develops and hardens the muscles. Such a combination 
 means prolonged life. 
 
 HYGIENE 
 
 All of Piedmont Virginia (except in limited localities in and 
 near certain water courses, where malarial diseases prevail to some 
 e^tent) is an especially healthful region, perhaps as favorable to 
 longevity as any part of America. To this statement may be added 
 the singular and important fact that on no occasion have infectious 
 or contagious diseases of any kind gained a foothold or assumed an 
 epidemic form in Bedford City or its vicinity; sporadic cases have, 
 of course, appeared from time to time, but they have never been 
 known to spread; indeed it would seem that the climate of this 
 favored region is fatal to nothing save only disease and pestilence, 
 while to all else its effects are eminently stimulating and wholesome. 
 
 A lady from Illinois with her satchel full of medicine and ex- 
 plicit directions from her doctor how and when to take these drugs 
 came to visit her daughter who had only been here for a year or 
 more, and had reported to her home people the improved condition 
 of her general health. The mother after a while bought property 
 in town, though unable to walk as much as two squares at a time; 
 in less than twelve months time she had ceased to use drugs of any 
 kind, can now walk anywhere without fatigue, and says she hasn't 
 a pain or an ache. 
 
 ELKS' NATIONAL HOME 
 
 The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was first organized 
 in the City of New York in the winter, 1867, with a membership 
 of thirteen names. It now has about one thousand lodges and over 
 two hundred thousand members. The principles of "charity, jus- 
 tice, brotherly love, and fidelity," upon which it was based, have been 
 firm foundation for a magnificent structure. The order is purely 
 American; every Elk must believe in God, and be an American 
 citizen; there is no preference of wealtli, rank or distinction. The 
 
88 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 primary object of the order is to sviccor those in distress and to 
 help the weak and unfortunate. Resolutions were adopted setting 
 forth the desirability of establishing a National Home for the aged 
 and moneyless members of the order at a meeting of the Grand 
 Lodge in New Orleans, in 1898, and a committee appointed to con- 
 sider its feasibility. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge 
 held at St. Louis, in 1899, the committee was reappointed, being 
 authorized to work in conjunction with other prominent members 
 of the order and to negotiate for and secure a site suitable for a 
 National Home. At Atlantic City, N. J., in 1900. they reported 
 that they found it impossible in the short time to personally visit 
 all of the numerous sites offered. A new special committee with 
 Past Grand Exalted Ruler, Meade D. Detwiler, of Harrisburg, Pa., 
 ■chairman, was appointed. His activity was marvelous, and it is to 
 his indomitable perseverance and energy that the National Home 
 owes its existence; numerous sites located at the most noted health 
 .resorts in different sections of the United States were visited and 
 -considered, but no selection was made at the Grand Lodge held at 
 Milwaukee, in 1901. The committee with addition was continued. 
 Shortly after the adjournment of the Grand Lodge the attention 
 of the committee was called to the Hotel Bedford property in the 
 town of Bedford City, Va. This offer was investigated, and appear- 
 ing to possess all of the requirements, was finally purchased at a 
 public sale June 16, 1902, which was reported to the Grand Lodge 
 of Salt Tjake City, in August of that year. This property was 
 originally built at a cost of about $120,000, which included the fur 
 niture and carpeting, but was bought by the committee at a ridi- 
 culously low figure, $12,500. with all improvements, additions and 
 refitting, which were made immediately after the purchase. The 
 total cost to the order was less than $50,000, giving a commodious 
 home of ample size, elegantly equipped throughout, which could not 
 hv duplicated for three times the amount expended. The Elks Na- 
 tional Home was dedicated May 21st, 1903. Elks from all parts of 
 the nation and their friends attended and over five thousand people 
 were given a free dinner after the exercises were brought to a close. 
 The home is situated in the western suburbs of the town of Bedford 
 City, Va.. in the center of a plat of eight acres with a wide sloping 
 lawn in front, which extends to the N. & W. E. R,, and a beautiful 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 89 
 
 grove as an immediate background. The building itself is of cres- 
 cent shape, graceful and massive, of special school of architecture. 
 It is two hundred feet long and three stories high. From the ob- 
 servatory a fine view of the surrounding country can be obtained. 
 There are three wings, the rooms on each floor opening on wide halls, 
 being large and airy, capable of accomodating easily two hundred 
 people. The offices and lobbies have tile fioors, and open upon a 
 wide corridor extending over nearly the entire front. The whole 
 building is wired for electric lighting, and water is furnished from 
 the town system, fresh from springs in the mountains. There are 
 bath rooms on every floor, and two hydrants for hose connection 
 in case of flre. The furnishing of the home originally cost nearly 
 $30,000. . It is carpeted throughout and all the rooms are hand- 
 somely furnished. 
 
 The management of the home is in the hands of a board of three 
 governors appointed by the Grand Exalted Euler, who has complete 
 power and supervision over the property, appoints the resident su- 
 perintendents and all other officials and fixes their salaries. The in- 
 mates of the magnificent institution have every care and attention 
 that an honored guest could have in one of the best equipped private 
 houses. Each one has his own private sleeping room and can enjoy 
 the luxury of a palace costing thousands of dollars, with the same 
 freedom as if he. were the sole owner. The table is furnished with the 
 best that the market can afford, and the inmates are fed, clothed, 
 and treated like gentlemen, and the only rule of their governance 
 is that they shall conduct themselves as such. When the weather is 
 not suitable for a walk over town or out in the country one can find 
 exercise at the billiard tables, or amusements in other forms. The 
 library is supplied with two thousand volumes ; daily papers, periodi- 
 cals, and all current literature are regularly received. The many 
 instruments donated are a source of great pleasure. Nothing is 
 lacking which could contribute to the comfort, pleasure, and 
 welfare of the residents. In health they live as in the comfort of 
 a private home. In sickness, they are cared for as if surrounded by 
 friends and family. The resident physician makes daily visits, and 
 oftener if necessary. Man in his palmiest days could hardly wish to 
 pass his declining years in more ease and comfort than is offered 
 the Brother Elk at the haven of rest beneath the shady Peaks of 
 Otter. 
 
00 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 POST OFFICE 
 It i> gratifying to note the great progress made in the Bedford 
 City post office in the last few years. Six years ago 
 the postmaster, one man, and a hoy, did all of the work 
 and only got $20.80 ; now the office employs fourteen men and a boy, 
 who receive salaries amounting to $13,555. Through the untiring 
 efforts of the present postmaster, Bedford City is far ahead of other 
 towns of the same size in Virginia, in small facilities. The post- 
 master is now at work for a public building at Bedford City and has 
 every prospect of procuring a $50,000.00 building. The growth of 
 the office in this short time is phenonenal, and has passed to a second 
 class office. There are three city carriers, who deliver the mail 
 tW' ice a day and gather it the same number of times ; each one goes 
 over his entire route twice a day, traveling every day from twelve to 
 fifteen miles. The two trains that pass the town at 8 a. m. bring 
 mail, which is delivered by a carrier while the mail is being collect- 
 ed, thus making the third daily delivery of mail ; this is purely an 
 accommodation by the polite and courteous carriers, and serves to 
 lighten the evening^'s delivery. Six rural free delivery routes ra- 
 diate in every direction. The carriers leave the office about 6 :30 
 a. m., travel about 22 miles each, and get back in time for the 2 :25 
 p. m. train; these carriers serve 697 families and will soon receivj 
 $5,400, or $900.00 a year each. In addition there are thirty-five 
 rural free delivery routes in this county, which radiate from dif- 
 ferent points, and one-half of the mail for this county passes 
 through the Bedford City office ; it has only been three years since 
 free delivery was started in this county. There is one star rout'j 
 man, who travels twenty odd miles daily. 
 
 A casual glance at the following figures will give some idea of the 
 enormous amount of business that is transacted at the Bedford City 
 ]K)st office. The actual figures taken from the record show that 
 over $13,000 worth of stamps were sold in twelve months. In six 
 months money orders to the amount of $55,122 were issued, or $110- 
 244 for one year : and 1.060 registered letters in six months. Most of 
 these were large amounts, but for the sake of an annual estimate 
 place them at $25 each, and we have an annual business of about 
 $176,244. Can any city in the United States of like population 
 make a similar showing? Throe thonsanfl five hundred people live 
 in tlie town, and 30.000 in the county, which embraces the town. 
 Ki'^Hit passenger trains pass Bedford City in twenty-four hours, 
 fovr cost and fonr west, and each one carries mail. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 91 
 
 BANKING 
 
 In no city in tliis State can be found a better banking system than 
 that of Bedford City. The bank officers are some of the keenest 
 business men and ablest financiers of the State, while the directors 
 are men, who have nuade a success financially, in whatever busi- 
 ness or profession they may be engaged. Bedford City has two 
 banking institutions, the Bedford City branch of the Lynchburg 
 Trust and Savings Bank, and the Peoples Bank of Bedford City. 
 
 Statements 
 
 A condensed statement of the condition of the Bedford City 
 branch of the Lynchburg Trust & Savings Bank at the close of busi- 
 ness December 31st, 1906 : 
 
 Resources 
 
 Loans and discounts $324,804.50 
 
 Bank building, etc 14,939.19 
 
 Cash in vault 18,690.62 
 
 Due from banks 88,336.38 
 
 $446,770.69 
 Liabilities. 
 
 Surplus fund $ 40,000.00 
 
 Undivided profits 6,347.97 
 
 Due to other banks 324.28 
 
 Deposits 400,098.44 
 
 $446,770.69 
 
 The Lynchburg Trust and Savings Bank of Lynchburg, Va. : 
 
 Capital $150,000.00 
 
 Surplus fund 150,000.00 
 
 Undivided profits 15,000.00 
 
 Total deposits Dec. 31, 1906 $1,239,861.64 
 
 A condensed statement of The Peoples Bank of Bedford City, 
 Virginia, January 26th, 1907 : 
 
 Resources 
 
 Loans and discounts $180,871.05 
 
 Over drafts 182.19 
 
 Furniture and fixtures 946.04 
 
 Cash 10,493.60 
 
 Due from banks 86.891.65 
 
 $279,384.53 
 
92 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Liabilities. 
 
 Capital stock .$ 20,000.00 
 
 Surplus and undivided prolits 1!),810. 55 
 
 Deposits 236,880.81 
 
 Resei-ve to pay interest on certificates... 2,687.17 
 
 $279,384.53 
 
 Practically all of the stock of this bank is owucd by the citizens 
 of the town and county of Bedford. 
 
 VINTON AND ROANOKE WATER COMPANY 
 
 Pure Freestone Water for Roanoke City, Va. 
 
 Enterprising citizens of Eoanoke City, recognizing the fact that 
 pure freestone water is one of the greatest blessings that a town 
 or city can possess, came into Bedford County and bought 8471/2 
 acres of land on the head waters of Falling Creek. I'oustructed a 
 very high dam, which holds the waters from many bold springs 
 and forms a reservoir covering some 15 acres and holding 
 90,000,000 gallons, or more. It is valued at $28,792,321, and 
 is a source of revenue to Bedford County, from taxation. Thi^. 
 water, like the Bedford City water comes to the town by gravity, 
 and is a great luxury. This dam is located some 22 miles from 
 Bedford City, and about 71/2 miles from Eoanoke City, and 5 
 miles from Vinton. Eoanoke has a very fine supply of limestone 
 A\ater from a very large and bold spring just across the Eoanoke 
 liiver. l)ut the freestone water is preferred for cooking, washing, 
 and for use in the numerous boilers which are used in the many 
 shops that are located at Eoanoke. The Bedford waters are much 
 used by the Norfolk & Western Eailway in the hundreds of loco- 
 motive engines, which go over the main line every day in the 
 year, Sundays partially excluded. 
 
 Parties, who have travelled all over the United States and in 
 the old country, say they rarely find such pure and harmless water 
 anywhere as they get in Bedford; one can drink just as much 
 of these pure spring Avaters as he can swallow, and no bad effects 
 follow. The best drink in the world is pure freestone water, 
 taken from the east side of tlie Bl\ie Ridge Mountains in Bedford 
 Count V. N'irffinia. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, YA. 93 
 
 DOUBLE WATER SUPPLY 
 
 Bedford City owns her own water works, which were constructed 
 iu 1885 at a cost of $100,000. The water is drawn from a spring 
 in the mountains some ten miles away, on the side of the Southern 
 Peak. At an elevation of 310 feet above the highest point in the 
 toAvn, a dam is thrown across the ravine down which the cool, clear 
 water of the Big Spring and other natural fountains pursue their 
 noisy way to the valley below. In 1898 another dam was built 
 across Stony Creek, which drains the Big Survey, near the Apple- 
 Orchard. The two pipes from these dams unite near Kelso Mill, 
 and furnish the town with a constant and never-failing supply 
 of good water. The danger from fire is reduced to the minimum. 
 as the pressure stands at 80 pounds to the square inch, and a stream 
 of water can be readily thrown over a four story building' at the 
 most elevated part of the town. So abundant is the supply of 
 Avater that the town furnishes water power for variou^^ 
 iiidustrial enterprises, which greatly lessens the cost of theii- 
 operating expenses. The water works are self-sustaining, and 
 each quarterly statement shows an increased rental. A large 
 storage reservoir was constructed on Wingfield Mountain, just 
 south of the town, which furnishes water for the town, should 
 there be a break in the line of supply. A gravity system of water 
 supply once well installed, can be perpetuated at a minimum cos*-. 
 The present rental value of water supplied to consumers is about 
 $6,500.00 annually. 
 
94 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY. VA. 95 
 
 VIRGINIA SANATORIUM 
 
 The Virginia Sanatorium for Consumptives is located at Iron- 
 ville, Bedford. County, Virginia, on the main line of the Norfolk 
 <&: Western Eailway, twelve miles east of Eoanoke. It has an 
 elevation of one thousand, three hundred and fifty feet, is well 
 protected by mountains on all sides, and receives an abundance 
 of sunlight throughout the day. It embraces well-tested climatic 
 advantages, and all essentials for effective treatment of tuberculosis. 
 This institution was granted an eleemos^'nary charter by the 
 State Corporation Commission in April, 1905. for the following 
 purposes : 
 
 1. The treatment of incipient consumptives in sanatoria. 
 
 2. The treatment of ambulant tubercular cases in dispensary. 
 
 3. Procurement of suitable employment for patients after 
 
 treatment. 
 
 4. The distribution of preventive and educational information. 
 
 5. The inducement of preventive legislation. 
 
 Inasmuch as it is the aim of the organization to do the greatest 
 amount of good to the largest number its means will permit, it 
 perforce must confine itself to the admission of early cases only. 
 Accommodation for about thirty-five patients can be furnished. 
 After careful investigation this has been selected as the most 
 liealth-giving section of the State. 
 
96 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 A HEALTH RESORT 
 
 Taking the elevation above the sea level along the line of the 
 Norfolk & Western Eailway through Bedford County, beginning 
 at Forest Depot near the Campbell County line on the east, and 
 adopting the new grade figures, we have at Forest Depot 851 feet 
 elevation, at Bellevue 809 feet, at Goode 784 feet, at Lowry 767 
 feet, at Bedford City 931 feet, at Elk 915 feet, at Thaxton 948 
 feet, at Irving 968 feet, at Montvale 996 feet, at the Summit east 
 of the Blue Ridge Station 1,281 feet. At and near all of these 
 stations, persons who will can have all their spare room tilled 
 with summer boarders for the entire season, at remunerative prices. 
 These, who have prepared themselves for this business, are 
 generally overrun and have to turn down applications each season. 
 Many city people have bought farms contiguous to the railroad, 
 and spend the summers with their families in the country. The 
 man of business returns to the city in the morning and back to 
 the farm in the evening. A constant cool breeze from over the 
 western mountains generally requires a double blanket at night. 
 Pure freestone water from the springs, ripe juicy fruits, fresh 
 vegetables, home comforts in country dress, with relaxation of 
 all restraints, generally carry the mother and children back to the 
 city in renewed health, strength and vigor. Camping parties have 
 become quite fashionable in recent years, abd it is nothing un- 
 common to see forty persons, men, women, and children, in one 
 camp, on a grassy plat near a bold, cool spring, right at the top 
 of the celebrated Apple Orchard Mountains, some eighteen miles 
 distant from Bedford City. The scenery is grand and inspiring. 
 The sportsman can find employment if he will seek it in the recesses 
 of the rugged mountains beyond the ridges, where bears, wild- 
 cats, and wild turkeys can be found. The numerous cataracts 
 and falls down "Sugar Land Hollow" are often visited by the 
 younger members of the party, after they, have seasoned their 
 muscles for the trying ordeal l)y climbing some of the smaller 
 hills near the camp, and accustoming their tender feet to the rugged 
 pathways around the steep cliffs. After spending several weeks 
 in. one of these camps and taking daily sight-seeing tramps over 
 the rough country, your white skin becomes a dark brown, from 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 97 
 
 exposure to tlie sun and wind ; your muscles harden, your appetite 
 sharpens, and your thirst for the pure tempting water cannot be 
 quenched, though you may gulp down, without any unpleasant 
 effect, as much as a pint or a quart at a time, many times during 
 the day. When the order is given to break camp all are loth to 
 leave the spot that has given them so much sweet sleep, and re- 
 newed vitality. These camping grounds can be had on any of the 
 mountains or knobs, where space enough to pitch your tent can 
 be found. A log cabin with an open covered porch located near 
 one of these elevated springs, is all that a person wants, who has 
 weak lungs. He craves some healing power before reaching that 
 stage when altitude, water, honey, and sweet milk will avail 
 nothing. These four requisites can be found in ample proportions 
 for many .thousand sufferers, who can avail themselves of them at 
 prime costs. To emphasize what has already been said of Bedford 
 County, as a health resort, mention should be made of a young 
 man from Nebraska, who came post haste to Bedford for relief, 
 and got it. This young man and his wife left Virginia for the 
 West some time during 1897, and after engaging in an active and 
 successful cattle business on the plains, he contracted a fever, 
 which reduced his avoirdupois from 185 pounds to less than 100 
 pounds. His vitality was at such a low ebb that his loving wife 
 had to lift him from bed to lounge. After having a severe spell 
 of pneumonia, there were apprehensions of complications. So 
 his physician, Dr. Thomas Bass, advised him to flee to the 
 mountains of old Bedford at once, if he hoped to live two years 
 longer. He and his family arrived at Bedford City, December,. 
 1900, and by February, 1901, they were comfortably housed in a 
 new log cabin located on an elevation of 3,000 feet above the sea 
 level, near a cool freestone spring, which would keep a three- 
 inch pipe constantly full. He followed his doctor's instructions to 
 throw away all medicine and in due season by the help of a few 
 laborers he raised the finest crop of Irish potatoes, cabbage, rye 
 and oats. By the middle of the summer he had partly regained 
 his health, and by February,- 1902, he left his mountain home for 
 the flat woods, a well and hearty man, and now weighs 187 pounds. 
 1 will never forget the cheerful, happy smile on the young wife's 
 face when she greeted me one autumn evening in front of her 
 cabin home, and told me of her loved one's wonderful recovery. 
 His wife was a Bedford teacher before marriage, and had taught 
 on Porter's Mountain near "Cool Spring." 
 
98 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS 
 
 With a population composed of such elements, it will be easily 
 comprehended that the social and religious features of Bedford 
 County are strongly marked. Through generations of inter- 
 marriage with each other, the feeling of a community of interest 
 has been accentuated; and that hospitality, for which the owners 
 of Virginia's generous soil have become renowned the world over, 
 reaches its highest development within sight of Bedford's blue 
 peaks. 
 
 Here, the stranger will be "taken in," not in the popular sense 
 of that much-abused expression, but in true Scriptural manner, 
 and will always find the fatted calf, and the best chamber in the 
 dwelling at his service. Indeed, the rites of hospitality are sacred, 
 and may be said to be a part of the religion of a Virginian, its 
 laws are handed down from father to son, and their observance is 
 regarded with punctilious exactness ; deliberate disregard, a 
 refusal on application for entertainment, being a thing nlinott 
 unheard of, and an act which would meet with general j'.iid un- 
 sparing condemnation. Eeligion composes a large and vital 
 element in the lives of most of these people, the four leading ortho- 
 dox denominations having all a large membership. As might be 
 inferred from the simple earnest lives which they live, ch-efly as 
 tillers of the soil, religion to them must be a practical, useful 
 and simple faith. We find that the Methodist and Baptist churches 
 have the largest following, in the order named. Then come the 
 Presbyterian and Episcopalian, and after them Vririous other de- 
 nominations representing fewer members. In some portions of the 
 county the Tunker or Dunkard faith is represented, and its mem- 
 bers here, as elsewhere, exhibit that thrift, neatness, and simplicitv 
 of life, in which they so nearly resemble the Quakers. I^he Melho- 
 dists have some thirty odd churches dotted all over the couTity; 
 under the law of the church no pastor can remain on a charge 
 longer than four years ; the membership will aggregate about three 
 thousand. The Baptists have as many churches and lack only a 
 few hundred of having as many members. The Presbyteriaus and 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 99 
 
 the Episcopalians are nearly equal in church propeity and mem- 
 bership, with a slight difference in favor of the former, which 
 have some ten churches and about four hundred members. Each 
 church of the last named denominations reserves the right to call 
 or dismiss a minister at the pleasure of the congregation, and a 
 reciprocal right is accorded to the preacher. There is a flourishing 
 Eonian Catholic Church at Bedford City, with a strong member- 
 ship. Of course this is a general statement, including the statistics 
 of the white and black races; the temperament of the latter, and 
 other reasons, making all of them member-; of some religious 
 organization. The two races have their church property and their 
 religious gatherings independently of each other, both as to 
 church government and worship; the Protestant Episcopal prob- 
 ably being the only exception as to church government and as to 
 ownership of church property. The Christian church has 
 recently built a neat, nice little church at Bedford City, and has a 
 small membership. This church has a large college in Lynchburg. 
 The Eandolph-Macon Academy at Bedford City, one of the best and 
 largest schools conducted for boys, belongs to the Virginia Con- 
 ference of the M. E. Church, South, and is the only school in the 
 county that has to report to any church organization. Boys pre- 
 pared here readily enter higher institutions of learning in this 
 or any other state. 
 
100 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 RAILROADS 
 
 Few sections of the South have better railroad facilities than 
 Bedford County. The Norfolk & Western Eailway with its ex- 
 cellent double track passes diagonally through the county from 
 southwest to northeast, over an easy grade, carrying an immense 
 amount of through freight and coal. 
 
 The C. & 0. Eailway follows a water grade along the James 
 River all through the county, and is a great coal bearing road. 
 The now Tidewater Eailway enters the county near Staunton Eiver, 
 some five miles below the City of Roanoke, thence crossing the 
 great mineral section to Goose Creek, and down said creek to 
 Staunton River. Preparations for double tracking this road are 
 being made. With these three excellent railways paralleling each 
 other on their way to the seas, from rich coal fields of the west, 
 there is no reason why farmers should not obtain the highest 
 prices for all their surplus products; at present the demand is 
 far greater than the supply, as numbers of the best farm hands 
 are working on the public works, thus cutting down the annual 
 output from the farm. It would be hard to buy a farm in Bed- 
 ford County that is not within a few hours' ride of a railroad. 
 Should the railroad from Big Island via Bedford City to Rocky 
 Mount. Va., ever be built, it will add materially to the present 
 railroad facilities. People living near the Campbell County line 
 are in easy reach of the Southern Railroad, and parties residing 
 on the Blue Ridge Mountains of Bedford County can go to the 
 Shenandoah Division of the ?»r. & W. Railway. From Smith 
 IMountain you reach the Rock Mountain branch of the Southern, 
 eight miles distant. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 101 
 
 PUBLIC ROADS 
 
 The Lynchburg and Salem Rock Turnpike enters Bedford County 
 a mile west of New London, and within a few yards of the cele- 
 brated Bedford Iron and Alum Springs, so widely known for their 
 medicinal qualities; a mile further west it passes by New London 
 Academy, one of the oldest endowed institutions of learning in 
 the State — it is now run as a joint High School for Bedford and 
 Campbell counties. Thence the Eock Pike passes from ridge to 
 lidge until it reaches Bedford City; thence, parallel with the 
 N. & W. Eailway, to Montvale, Vinton, etc. This pike is much 
 nsed in muddy weather east of Bedford City. ' It was built for a 
 ■stage road long before the time of railroads, and if not disturbed 
 will endure forever. The dirt roads radiate from Bedford City 
 .as a center to every nook and corner of the county and would 
 aggregate 1,500 miles. Two forces of convicts from the Virginia 
 state penitentiary are constantly at work on these roads, grading, 
 vvidening, and building new ones. This system of working the 
 roads has been in operation for a number of years. Each force is 
 ■equipped with teams, scrapers, road ploughs, etc. The manager 
 ]"!as charge of the force, under the supervision of the supervisor 
 ■oi the district in which he is working, and is assisted by a 
 teamster, machine man, two day guards and one night guard. 
 The annual expenditure for roads amounts to something like $18- 
 000. AAHien the farmers contiguous to the main thoroughfares 
 are encouraged to utilize the surface stone on their fields, in 
 macadamizing a section of road, the mud will disappear, travel will 
 be easier, land will advance, farm life be more pleasant, distance 
 will vanish, and rock crushers and rollers will be much in evidence. 
 
102 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 A MODEL ROAD 
 
 Some enterprising men, who own farms along the line of the 
 public road leading from Boonsboro in this county to the City of 
 Ijynchburg have secured permission from the Board of Super- 
 visors of Bedford County to regrade and build a macadam road 
 10 the county line, and for this purpose have raised a private 
 subscription, which will be supplemented by an extra force of con- 
 victs from the state penitentiai'y. The necessary preliminary survey 
 has been made under the supervision of the State Highway commis- 
 sioner, and at an early date we hope to see the realization of this ef- 
 fort. At the proper time a force of some forty-five or fifty convicts 
 from the state penitentiary, under the supervision of the State 
 highway commissioner, with his guards and necessary supplies and 
 camp equipment, will begin work on this model highway. The 
 location is a most excellent one, along a ridge with no hills, ravines, 
 or streams : the grade and width will be established first, and then 
 the process of putting down the macadam from the best stone, that 
 can be obtained in less than 800 yards of the road. All of the 
 building stones along the line of this road have been tested by the 
 government experts at A^'ashington, and none but the best road 
 material will be used in making the road bed. The most improved 
 machinery, and the best methods of road making will be put 
 forth on these macadam roads, so that when this system is fully 
 installed in this county, we shall never go back to the old plan of 
 piling up dirt in the dry season to be washed away in the wet. 
 This has been done every year since the county was organized, and 
 recently to the tune of $18,000 annually. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 103 
 
 GOVERNMENT 
 
 COUNTY 
 
 For the convenience of its people the county of Bedford is 
 divided into eight townships or magisterial districts. Each district 
 elects its own. supervisors, overseer of the poor, constable, and 
 three justices of the peace. The eight supervisors elected, con- 
 stitute the board of supervisors for the whole county, who meet 
 monthly at the court house to look after the business and welfare 
 of the county, locate new roads, build new bridges and repair the 
 old ones; in fact, transact all business operations of the county; 
 assess the different levies for county, roads and school purposes. 
 
 The sheriff, treasurer, commonwealth attorney, and clerk of the 
 court are elected by the people. The commissioners of revenue 
 and the land assessors are appointed by the Judge of the circuit 
 court, who is elected by the legislature, and holds four regular 
 terms of his court at Bedford City during the year. There are 
 nine school districts in the county and twenty-seven school teachers, 
 who are elected by the school teachers' Elective Board, each district 
 having three trustees, who have charge of the free schools in their 
 respective districts. They elect the teachers, fix the salaries, build 
 and repair school houses, etc. The overseer of the poor house for 
 the county is elected by the board of supervisors, as is also the 
 county surveyor and the road commissioner, or engineer, who 
 has charge of the public roads of the county, under direction of 
 the board of siijiervisors. The duties of the clerk of the court 
 and the justice of the peace have been greatly enlarged since the 
 county court system was abolished. 
 
 TOWN 
 
 The town of Bedford City, Virginia, is incorporated and under 
 its charter elects its own officers, viz. : A mayor, eight councillors, 
 a recorder, and town sergeant. The superintendent of the electric 
 plant, policemen, and the superintendent of the water and street 
 forces are elected by the council. The council fixes the tax rate 
 and license fees. 
 
104 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 105 
 
 INTERESTING REMINISCENCES 
 
 New London, eleven miles southwest of Lynchburg, at first the 
 county seat of Lunenburg County, on the formation of Bedford 
 County, in 1753, was made the county seat of the latter. Still 
 later, under the old district system, the supreme court was held 
 here. Here it was that the orator, Patrick Henry, delivered his 
 celebrated speech in the John Hook case. Through the inimitable 
 delineation of Wirt, the ludicrous refrain of Henry, "Beef, beef, 
 beef," is almost borne to the ears of the present generation, as are 
 counsel and plaintiff thus immortalized, to their mental vision. 
 "^'Hook was a Scotchman, a man of wealth, and suspected of being 
 unfriendly to the American cause.'" During the distress of the 
 American army, consequent on the joint invasion of the armies 
 of Cornwallis and Phillips in 1781, a Mr. Venable, an army 
 commissary, had taken two of Hook's steers for the use of the 
 troops. This act had not been strictly legal, and on the establish- 
 ment of peace, Hook, under the advice of Mr. Cowan, a gentle- 
 man of some distinction in the law. thought proper to bring an 
 action of trespass against Mr. Venable in the district court of 
 ISTew London. Mr. Henry appeared for the defendant, and is 
 said to have disported himself in this cause to the infinite enjoy- 
 ment of his hearers, the unfortunate Hook always excepted. After 
 Mr. Henry became animated in the cause, says a cori-espondent 
 (Judge Archibald Stuart), he appeared to have complete control over 
 the pa^ions of his audience. At one time he excited their indigna- 
 tion against Hook; vengeance was visible in every countenance. 
 Again, when he chose to relax and ridicule him, the whole audience 
 was in a roar of laughter. He painted the distress of the American 
 army, exposed almost naked to the rigor of a winter's sky, and 
 marking the frozen ground over which they marched with the 
 blood of their unshod feet. "Where was the man," said he, "who 
 had an Amierican heart in his bosom, who would not have thrown 
 open his fields, his barns, his cellars, the doors of his house, the 
 portals of his breast, to have received with open arms the meanest 
 soldier in that little band of famished heroes? Where is the 
 
106 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 man? There he stands! Whether the heart of an American 
 beats in his bosom, you, gentlemen, are to judge." He then carried 
 the jury by the power of his imagination to the plains around 
 York, the surrender of which followed shortly after the act com- 
 plained of; he depicted the surrender in glowing and noble colors 
 by his eloquence. The audience saw before their eyes the humilia- 
 tion and dejection of the British as they marched out of their 
 trenches: they saw the triumph which lighted up every patriot's 
 face, and heard the shouts of victory and the cry of "Washington 
 and 'liberty!" as it rang and echoed through the American ranks, 
 and reverberated from the hills and shores of our neighboring 
 river. But. hark, hark, what notes of discord are those, which 
 disturb the general joy, and silence the acclamations of victory? 
 They are the notes of John Hook hoarsely bawling through the 
 American camp, "beef, beef, beef." The whole audience was con- 
 vulsed. A particular incident will give a better idea of the effect 
 than any general description. The Clerk of the Court, unable 
 to command himself, and unwilling to commit any breach of 
 decorum in his place, rushed out of the courthouse and threw 
 himself on the grass in the most violent paroxysms of laughter, 
 where he was rolling, when Hook, with very different feelings, came 
 out for relief into the yard also. "Jemmy Steptoe," said he to the 
 clerk, "AVhat the devil ails you now?" Mr. Steptoe was only able 
 to say that he could not help it. "Never mind ye," said Hook, 
 "wait 'till Billv Cowan gets up, he'll show him the law." Mr. 
 Cowan, however, was so completely overwhelmed by the torrent 
 which bore upon his client that when he rose to reply to Mr. Henry, 
 he was scarcely able to make an intelligent or audible remark. The 
 case was decided almost by acclamation. The jury retif-ed for 
 form's sake, and instantly returned with a verdict for the defend- 
 ant. Nor did the effect of Mr. Henry's speech stop here. The 
 people were so highly excited by the audacity of such a suit that 
 Hook began to hear around him a cry more terrible than that of 
 beef; it was the cry of tar and feathers; from the application 
 of which it is said that nothing saved him but a precipitate flight 
 and the speed of his horse. The legal record, which is still preserved 
 in the clerk's office of the circuit court of Franklin County, Vir- 
 oinia and of which we have a copy, exhibits that Wirt was some- 
 v-hat in error in his report of the result of the case. The origmal 
 
BEDFORD COU'NTY, VA. 107 
 
 verdict appears to have been "for the plaintiff, one penny damages '^ 
 vrhich was confirmed by the general court, to which he appealed, 
 ihe record is as follows : "The Commonwealth of Virginia to the 
 Sheriff of Campbell County, greeting : You are hereby commanded 
 to take John Tenable, if he be found within your bailiwick, and him 
 safely keep, so that you have his body before the judges of the 
 general court, at the Court-Honse in the City of Eichmond, on the 
 ■.^3rd day of the Court now sitting, to answer John Hook of a plea 
 of trespass on the case. Damage, forty pounds. And have there 
 this writ. Witness, Paul Carrington, Esq., chief justice of our 
 said Court of Eichmond, the 5th day of April, 1783. 
 In the seventh year of Commonwealth. 
 
 John Brown, C. G. C. 
 Hook ^ Capias executed. 
 
 ^- f Charles Moorman, Bail. 
 
 ^""^^^^- J D. Talbot." 
 
 Then follows this complaint of John Hook, reciting the facts as 
 deposed, giving the date of his despoilment as October 10 1781 
 and fixing the value of the oxen at fifteen pounds. His counsel 
 before the general court was "Baker/' presumably German Baker 
 a distinguished lawyer of the period. The original verdict is given 
 as follows: "We, the jury find our plaintiff one penny damages. 
 
 "John Patrick." 
 
 The case appears to have been continued in the general court 
 until September. 1789, when-"Cl. v. Deft, and Charles Moorman 
 his surety, confirmed." "The costs in General Court 310 lbs. tob.' 
 and 50 pounds tobacco, or 500 lbs. 
 
 J. Brown, C. G. C. 
 "Issue for plaintiff for one penny damages. 
 "Issue ch'd. New London. r_ Eife." 
 
 John Hook, the plaintiff, from various accounts which we have 
 gleaned, was a prosperous merchant and farmer, from which fact 
 an inference may be dravm as to the estimation in which he was 
 held by his fellow citizens. 
 
 His descendants are now among the most respectable residents of 
 Cainpl)e]l County and other sections of fhe State. 
 
108 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 SCHOOLS 
 
 The progress of educational gro\\ th, though slow, has been sure. 
 Space does not permit us to follow its footsteps, but merely to sup- 
 ply some leading statistics. The school system, before the Civil 
 War, was a neighborhood affair. Usually a few enterprising farmers, 
 who were ambitious for the education of their children, would com- 
 bine to build a school house, and employ a teacher, who was expect- 
 ed to remain there from day dawn to sunset. A sketch of its 
 equipment may convey some idea of the primitive condition of 
 tilings We see^a big log house ; an open fireplace, wide and deep (fed 
 twice daily by wood sawed by the older boys) ; andirons formed of 
 rocks, three or four feet long ; space left in one corner for coal ashes 
 on which to roast potatoes, eggs, etc.; a long stick nearer the box 
 •coals, on which to warm bread, pies, etc. To the right of the fire- 
 place stands a chair for the teacher's sole use; nearby is a window, 
 cut out of part of two logs in the wall, and filled with glass; three 
 chestnut slabs constitute long benches for the scholars, forming a 
 serai-circle in front of the teacher; on the other side of the room 
 is another window, and against the wall a long wooden slab, as 
 writing desk. The door stands open, to give additional light to the 
 pupils" its hinges are of wood, and a few nails wrought by the 
 blacksmith. The flooring is of solid wood, impervious to heat or 
 fire. A thatched roof carries the gable ends to the top of the dwell- 
 ing, giving a high-pitched, conical ceiling, well ventilated except 
 where the cracks are securely daubed with red mud. A pole, axe, 
 auger and saw. are the only tools employed in making this build- 
 
 ing- . - 
 
 Many of the greatest scholars and statesmen of the age received 
 their primary education in just such an edifice as this, and then- 
 future wives swept the floors during re^-ess. After completing a 
 course of English and Latin, many of the pupils attended acad- 
 emies, preparatory to entering college or the University of Ya. Th > 
 girls attended village boarding schools, or studied aecomplisbments 
 at home under a tutor. Many boys continued the strenuous life 
 of h.mie duties, strengthened by the exercise of mental develop- 
 ment. 
 
BEDFORD C0U1\'TY, VA. 109 
 
 In IT!)!), a very .substantial four-roomed frame building was 
 erected in Liberty, combining school house, Masonic temple, sur- 
 geon's room, and drug store. So dense was the forest and under- 
 growth of this locality (it is now ■'the site of Bedford City) that 
 small children were not allowed to go far from the house lest they 
 should be lost in the woods. 
 
 In 1800, Jonas Irvine taught school in a small house, later known 
 as Oakwood. In 1812 Miss Nancy Thomas began a very successful 
 career as teacher; and about 1810 Mrs. Leftwich established a 
 fxourishing school at the old "Beal floor' near the Pike. 
 
 PRIVATE SCHOOLS 
 
 In 1827 Eev. Y. Smith and his wife opened a private school in 
 "Liberty." He was a Presbyterian and successful in his vocation. 
 Eev. Joel Flood lived in a log cabin, two miles west from Bedford 
 City, planted a little school house in a grove near the "Granville 
 Sanatorium." His reputation as a thorough instructor was great, 
 his discipline was rigid; the hickory law applied to both boy and 
 girl ; the chivalry however of the genus homo often averted the im- 
 pending fate of the feminine victim, and some noble boy became 
 the scapegoat. The offence was never repeated. 
 
 Mr. John A. Estes, who taught in Campbell, Prince Edward and 
 Bedford Counties, understood something of political economy , he 
 contracted with some prominent farmers for his entira salarv, 
 board and laundry, during a nine months' session ; had consequently 
 no unpaid tuition, and was able to lend money on good security. 
 He died at a ripe old age, unmarried, and rich. 
 
 Mr. Lewis Campbell was another fine and successful tutor. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sidney L. Dunton, conducted a flourishing school 
 in the old Campbell House. Mr. William A. Claytor also took 
 charge of large schools in Ephesus, Piedmont and Bedford City ; he 
 lived to see many of his pupils follow his footsteps. His keen 
 sense of humor and appropriate jokes were always an inspiration 
 and refreshment to pupil and friend. Capt. James Gr. Boards 
 another prominent leader, was a graduate of Columbia College, 
 "Washington, D. C. ; for four years was county superintendent of 
 Bedford CV)unty : resumed his former profession, and now lives on 
 his faini near Staunton Iiiver. In spite of the loss of a leg 
 
110 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. Ill 
 
 donated to his country's cause, he is as energetic and vigorous as 
 ever. Kev. J. A. Davis came here from Washington County, Vir- 
 ginia, with many years" experience as a teacher. He was elected 
 superintendent of schools for the county; energy and push charac- 
 terized his administration. Capt. A. D. Hawkins taught the same 
 school for seven consecutive sessions, served as clerk of district 
 school, trustee for seven years, was elected superintendent of 
 county schools for three terms, and for eighteen years has been in 
 the real estate business in Bedford City. Prof. Charles B. Tate, 
 a graduate of V. M. I., taught private schools at various points, and 
 a teachers' training school at Montreal, Va., which turned out some 
 of the best teachers in the county. His noble wife was a great 
 help to him, both here and at Pulaski City, where they are now 
 actively engaged. 
 
 Mr. Eoy B. Smith, a graduate of Lynchburg High School, taught 
 in this county for several sessions, took his B. L. degree at the 
 University of Virginia, practiced law in Lynchburg and Eoanoke, 
 was Commonwealth Attorney in that city, and a member of the 
 council. Mr. 0. C. Pucker, graduate from Eoanoke College, taught 
 in our schools for several sessions and has practiced law for many 
 years in the county. 
 
 Mr. Graham Claytor. a student of private schools, taught for 
 several terms, studied law, practiced in Bedford City, was elected 
 ■commonwealth attorney, and state senator, ran for Congress, and 
 was an author and gifted orator. 
 
 In 1849 the "Mountain View Seminary" for girls was established. 
 Mrs. E. T. Smith was principal; in 1852 Eev. V. Smith bought 
 the school, was assisted by Eev. H. S. Osborne and others. In 
 1854 the property was sold to Prof. S. L. Dinton, who taught here 
 iintil 1857, when he bought the Campbell House, of which previous 
 mention has been made. In a few years the seminary was moved 
 to the present building. 
 
 Eev. James Cofer taught in the old Baptist Church, now occu- 
 pied by Dr. J. W. Sale. '-'Piedmont Institute" was built in 1850 
 by stockholders. Some of the first principals were Mrs. H. L. 
 Davis, W. C. Claytor, William E. Peters, Col. James Allen. Lyman 
 Wharton, H. S. Osborne, Eoy E. Allen, Prof. Eiders, Prof. Wythe, 
 Shoane, Stoat, Clayborne, L. Douglas, W. Douglas, Lowry, and 
 
112 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 others. There were once one hundred and forty boys and girls. 
 This property was afterwards sold to the ]\Innicipal School Board 
 for a colored school building, which is largely attended. Bedford 
 Female Seminary, located on Bridge Street was built by stock- 
 holders in 1835. Eev. V. Smith, Jacob Mitchell, Edward Johnston, 
 Mesdames F. Smith, Henruquey (a Dane) and N". P. Gladding, 
 taught successfully large schools. In 1852 Mrs. L. L. Lomae and 
 seven daughters took charge. In 1852 while Mr. H. L. Davis was 
 principal, the whole structure was burned down. 
 
 NEW LONDON ACADEMY 
 
 This school Avas chartered in 1795. We select extracts from 
 the constitution: 
 
 "Be it enacted by the General Assembly that the following 
 gentlemen (here follow names of thirteen leading men) are hereby 
 constituted a body politic and corporate to have perpetual continu- 
 ance by the name of Trustees of the Kew London Academy." "Any 
 seven of these trustees can constitute a board." "An act to raise 
 by Lottery a sum of money passed December 13, 1796." "It shall 
 be lawful for the trustees to raise by lottery the sum of ten thousand 
 pounds to defray expenses of erecting buildings, and establishing 
 permanent fund for the support of said Academy." "Ordered that 
 all funds be deposited in the Virginia Bank at Lynchburg." "On 
 October, 1826, ordered that a committee confer with Eev. Nicholas 
 H. Cobb to ascertain upon what terms he would be willing to take 
 charge of the Academy as Tutor." 
 
 From Secretary's Minutes. 
 
 "On October 19th, 1826, Prof. J. McConnell resigned. Eev. N. 
 H. Cobbs accepted the tutorship under promise of twenty students. 
 On September 28th, 1830, Mr. Cobbs resigned, Mr. H. L. Davis 
 succeeded him. There were twenty-two rules and regulations for 
 the tutor's guidance. At the end of the session there shall be a 
 rigid examination in public of all the students, which will be pub- 
 lished in the Lynchburg newspapers. In Jul}^, 1831, Harrison 
 Chilton was elected trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the <h'ath 
 of Samuel Eead. George E. Dabney, Alex. P. Campbell, and Eev. 
 Thomas Brown succeeded each other as principals. March 5th, 
 1846, a committee was appointed to see that the will of the late 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 113 
 
 Harrison Chilton was probated. June 30th, 1849, ordered that 
 Judge Fleming Saunders arrange with the council in the Chilton 
 will suit." 
 
 Copy of the Will of Harrison Chilton, dec'd. 
 
 "I, J. H. Chilton, considering the uncertainty of life, and the 
 fluty of being prepared for death, do make and ordain this my 
 last will and testament, hereby revoking all my former wills and 
 codicils. 
 
 1st. I desire that all my just debts be paid, and for this purpose 
 and purposes hereafter declared, I desire my executors to sell all 
 my land now owned by me, or which I may own at the time of my 
 death. 
 
 2nd. I desire my executors to sell all the slaves I may own at 
 the time of my death, at public auction, for ready money, and to 
 sell all of my personal property of every description. 
 
 3rd. The money arising from the sale of lands, negroes, and per- 
 sonal property with all my debts that may be owing me (after the 
 payment of my just debts) I give to the Trustees of New London 
 Academy, to be put out at interest on substantial land security or 
 vested in some good and safe stock ; the annual interest to be used 
 for the benefit of New London Academy. 
 
 4th. I appoint Nathaniel Manson, and Eobert E. Manson, Exe- 
 cutors of this, my last will and testament, and earnestly desire 
 they will execute my will as declared." October 15th, 1845. 
 
 "In 1851, E. W. Horsley was principal, and succeeded in 1854 by 
 Castor J. Harris. August, 1854, Edward Sextus Hutter was elect- 
 ed trustee." 
 
 "April 3rd, 1857, E. G. H. Kean delivered an address at com- 
 mencement, a band of music engaged not to cost more than $50.00." 
 
 No minutes are recorded between 1863 and 1867. The princi- 
 paFs house was burnt down, and the Federal troops destroyed all 
 documents and papers in the desk of the secretary. E. S. Hutter, 
 Secretary, resided at Poplar Grove, the once beautiful home (near 
 Forest) of President Thomas Jefferson; it is still in the family 
 and owned by his son, C. S. Hutter. 
 
 In June, 1871, an effort was made to open the Academy as a free 
 school, but it was found impracticable. 
 
114 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA, 116 
 
 In June, 1884, however, the committee reported favorably on the 
 joint running of the Academy with the public schools, and in 
 August^ 1880, Mr. D. W. Eead, M. A., University Va., was elected 
 principal at a fixed salary and tuition free. It is now one of the 
 foremost schools in the State as a trainer of students and teachers. 
 One hundred and fifty names were enrolled the first session, and 
 forty in the Teachers' Training School. 
 
 CO-OPERATIVE SCHOOL FOR FEMALES 
 
 This school will enter its tenth session in September next. It 
 boards girls at exact cost, giving a liberal education for a session 
 of nine months at a cost of $135.00. This includes board and tui- 
 tion. It has now one hundred pupils and ten teachers. Its stand- 
 ard of instruction is high, and discipline good. Its most enthusi- 
 astic advocates are found among its pupils. 
 
 RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY 
 Bedford City, Va. 
 
 Value of Plant, $100,000. 
 
 Prepares boys and young men for college, university, or business 
 life. The Academy has been in successful operation for seventeen 
 years and has, in that time, trained about one thousand and five 
 hundred students. Its work has been endorsed by over thirty col- 
 leges and universities. Two hundred and eighty degrees, classical 
 and professional, have been conferred by these colleges and uni- 
 versities on students trained at the Academy since 1895. 
 
 The list of those applying for degrees, this year, numbers twenty- 
 four. The applicants are to be found at such well-known insti- 
 tutions as: 
 
 Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, University of 
 Virginia, Eandolph-Macon College, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 
 University College of Medicine, University of Maryland, etc. 
 
no 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Growth. 
 
 Enrollment of students: 
 
 
 Session 
 
 Students 
 
 1901-1902, 
 
 99 
 
 1902-1903, 
 
 111 
 
 1903-1904, 
 
 141 
 
 1904-1905, 
 
 179 
 
 1905-1906, 
 
 181 
 
 1906-1907, 
 
 ?15 
 
 E. Sumter Smith, Principal, 
 Bedford City, Va. 
 
 BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL 
 
 This school has won for several generations too wide a reputation 
 to need words of recommendation. Its thorougli (Mjuipment, 
 natural surroundings, menage, and possibilities for physical, in- 
 tellectual, and moral advancement cannot be exceeded. Its 
 Principal, Prof. W. E. Abbott, Sr., is richly endowed with brilliant 
 mental capacity, an inspiration which cannot fail to gain its reward 
 in an ambitious student. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 117 
 
 FREE-SCHOOL SYSTEM 
 
 The Constitution of Virginia was formed by the Convention of 
 December Srd, 1867, and ratified by the people in July, 1869. In 
 Section III, it provides by law a uniform system of public free 
 schools. In 1870 the Legislature of Virginia passed an act "to 
 establish and maintain a uniform system of Public Free Schools, 
 as required by the Constitution." 
 
 THE FIRST STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 
 
 Hon. Gilbert C. Walker, Governor and ex-officio President of 
 Board. 
 
 Hon. William H. Rufl'ner, Superintendent Public Instruction. 
 Hon. R. T. Daniel, Attorney General. 
 
 THE FIRST COUNTY|ELECTORAL BOARD 
 
 Hon. John A. Wharton, Judge, Bedford County Court. 
 
 Hon. Lauriston A. Sale, Attorney for the Commonwealth, Bed- 
 ford. 
 
 Hon. Sidney L. Dunton, County Superintendent Schools, Bed- 
 ford County. 
 
 Names of persons who have been appointed superintendents of 
 public free schools of the County of Bedford, Virginia, by the 
 State Board of Education from the organization of the system to 
 the present date. May, 1907 : 
 
 Name of Supt. Date of Ajpyointment. Constitutional Term. 
 
 Hon. Sidney L. Dunton, Sept. 17, 1870 
 
 Hon. Sidney L. Dunton, Jan. 9th, 1874, Jan. 1st, 187 o. 
 Eev. James A. Davis, Feb. 26th, 1878, July 1st. 1878. 
 Capt. James G. Board, Feb. 2nd, 1882, July 1st, 1882. 
 Capt. A. D. Hawkins, 1886, July 1st, 1886. 
 
 " " " " 1890, July 1st, 1890. 
 
 " " " " 1894, July 1st, 1894. 
 
 Mr. John S. Riley, 1897, July 1st, 1897. 
 
 " " " " 1901, July 1st, 1901. 
 
 Prof. James R. Guy, June 24, 1904, appointed Acting Superin- 
 tendent. 
 
 Mr. W. R. Abbott, Jr., Oct. 5, 1904. 
 
118 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 1. Liberty. 
 
 2. Lisbon. 
 
 NAMES OF DISTRICTS AND TRUSTEES 
 
 The county was divided into seven school districts and school 
 trustees elected as follows : 
 
 Col. William Graves, James S. Woolfolk. 
 W. W. Jopling. 
 Henry C. Lowry. 
 
 Maj. Cornelius Pate. 
 
 Albert W, Ewing, Capt. James H. Buford. 
 
 Capt. N. C. Lick. 
 
 Fielding H. Jeter, Chas. 0. Graham. 
 
 3. Chamblissburg. Dr. John W. Ferguson. 
 
 Dr. Edmond Sale. 
 
 Capt. E. C. Cundiff, W. D. Ashwell. 
 
 4. Staunton. Maj. W. F. Graves, J. Whit Johnson. 
 
 Capt. C. C. Peters, M. P. Pucker. 
 
 Ambrose C. Pucker, C. T. Andrews. 
 
 5. Otter. Thomas Jefferson Phelps, A. G. Hillsman 
 
 Dr. Granville L. Brown, W. G. Claytor. 
 
 Paul Penn, H. D. Poindexter. 
 
 6. Chiirleniont. Thomas N. Turpin, William P. Burks. 
 
 John Milton White. 
 
 Edward Sextus Hutter. N. D. Hawkins. 
 
 7. Forest. James W. Harris, F. H. Harris, Capt. E. N. 
 
 Wise. 
 Samuel McDaniel, Henry Hubbard. 
 
 In 1872, the Municipal School District was formed, including the 
 corporate limits of Tviberty (now Bedford City) and a certain 
 belt of territory encircling the corporate limits. 
 Dr. C. A. Board. 
 Dr. John W. Sale. 
 
 Col. William Graves, Maj. John W. John- 
 ston. 
 In 18 — Bellevue Magisterial and School District was formed 
 from Charlemont, Forest and Otter Districts. 
 C. M. Gibbs. 
 9. Bellevue. E. R. Talbot. 
 
 E. C. Burnett. 
 
 8. Municipal. 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 119 
 
 NUMERICAL CONDITION IN 1905-6 
 
 One hundred and sixty free schools, counting each room as a 
 school. 
 
 Twenty graded schools, with a total of fifty-one rooms. 
 
 Pupils Enrolled 
 
 White 4,630 
 
 Colored 1,703 
 
 Total 6,323 
 
 The figures for this year have not been compiled, but will 
 show an improvement. 
 
 BEDFORD'S CONTRIBUTION 
 
 Bedford is the Mother County of many of its school teachers. 
 We record from memory some of their names: Messrs. J. E. 
 Lazenby, Marcellus Traylor, B. W. Shelton, J. C. W. Phelps, J. 
 A. Douglas, S. H. Dooley, J. P. Scott, W. Lazenby, W. F. Hurt, 
 T. C. Spain. B. W. Perkins, C. E. Goode, A. L. Miritown, F. E. 
 Guy, Sr., J. E. Witt, W. J. Brodie, J. M. Steptoe, A. D. Haw- 
 kins, William Chalmers, J. G. Board, J. W. Wilson, H. D. Poin- 
 dexter, J. B. Feathers, J. A. Dinwiddle, W. L. Coleman, G. W. 
 Scott, C. H. Wilkerson, E. A. Thurman, L. L. Brown, A. L. 
 Dickerson, Hon. W. A. Goode, P. L. Huddleston, William G. 
 Claytor, J. D. Lowry, A. B. Claytor, Eev. J. A. Davis, Maj. J. E. 
 Eobertson; Mesdames Mollie Claggette, S. L. Danton, Bettie 
 Kirkpatrick, F. D. Poindexter, M. B. Eucker, T. Board, C. B. 
 Tate, Bettie Wilkerson, Mary V. Walker; Misses Susan Thomp- 
 kins, Alice M. Board, Annie C. Aunspaugh, Mollie B. Grant, Sue 
 L. Turpin, Georgia T. Snead, Edmonia Eowry, Fannie Tj. Bell, 
 Sallie M. Campbell, Charlotte Sale, Eoberta McManaway, Bettie 
 H. Davis, Eleanor C. Hubbard, Sallie Lindsay, Bettie Collins, 
 Abbie Wright, Helen Jones, Annie Jones, Lily M. Bailey, Lucy 
 W. Claytor, Julia Claytor, Mary Triddie Stone, Blanche L. Talley, 
 Nannie Burton. 
 
1:^0 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 SUMMARY 
 
 We have now attempted to give the reader a general view of 
 Bedford County, its location, boundary, soil, agricultural products, 
 abundant water supply, altitudes, roads, banks, papers, post-office 
 system, telephone, assessed values, taxes, scenery, climate, hygiene, 
 ['opulation, social, domestic, and industrial life, government, fruits, 
 vegetables, minerals, game, aninaals, timber, its capacities of develop- 
 ment as shown by what has been done, etc., etc. Of course, there is 
 much in the way of detailed information upon specific points that 
 must be omitted from this pamphlet. In the body of this pub- 
 lication, no mention has been made of towns or villages, except the 
 county seat, Bedford City, partly because the villages are imusually 
 small. They are, as a rule, composed of one or two groceries and 
 general supply stores, blacksmith and wheelwright shops, church, 
 school and a few dwelling houses ; some of these villages however 
 are of considerable dimensions, particularly those lying along the 
 line of the railroad; thus, Montvale, and Forest Depot, are villages 
 of quite ambitious pretensions. Big Island, on the C. & 0. R. R.. 
 by reason of its magnificent water power and the establishment of 
 a large pulp mill, is beginning to reach beyond the village stage of 
 existence. Moneta, on the Tidewater Railway, is destined to be a 
 village of no small proportions in the neai- future. Goode, Law- 
 yers, and Thaxtons, on the N". & "W. R. R., ai-e thriving villages. Of 
 course, as the country becomes more thickly populated (it has now 
 about 16 acres to each inhabitant) these villages will grow and be- 
 come the seats of manufacturing and commercial industries. The 
 great number and size of the streams in the county are a source of 
 considerable water power, a small portion of which has been utili- 
 zed for the establishment of saw. grit, pulp, and flouring mills. In 
 some few instances they are equipped with modern improved machin- 
 ery, but there are many thousands of available 'Tiorse power" 
 that could be obtained for a mere trifle, and made the basis of 
 some profitable manufacturing enterprise. Along the lines of the 
 three railroads, C. & 0., N". & W. and Tidewater, the cheapness of 
 the steam coal, the nearness of the Pocahontas and West Virginia 
 
BEDFORD COUNTY, VA. 121 
 
 coal fields^ and the abundance of raw material, iron, lumber, asbes- 
 tos, soapstone, feldspar, paint, mica, etc, offer special inducements 
 to manufactories. Coal will be delivered at any point upon these 
 railroads within the county limits, at a low rate per ton; run-of- 
 mine in car-load lots. After selecting the location, the rate can be 
 obtained and comparisons with other points made. The disposi- 
 tion of the towns and villages is to afford every encouragement to 
 newcomers and especially to such as come for the purpose of es- 
 tablishing manufactories. The proof of the merits of Bedford as 
 a location for manufactures, is the success of those already estab- 
 lished. 
 
//■ 
 
 966 
 
 
 
 E S '08 
 
 ii