An incident which I recall to memory was: There was a Mrs. R. C.
Cabell, a sister of old General Wingfield Scott, one of the leaders of
society in her day in Richmond. She drove to her carriage a fine pair
of slick brown mules, well reached. It was swung on "C" shaped leather
springs, and had steps which were unfolded for the occupants to
descend or ascend. The seat of the coachman was perched high up in
front, and altogether it was a truly unique turnout, which always
attracted much notice. In general appearance it was quite similar to
the vehicle exhibited in the wild west show of Buffalo Bill.
A significant evidence of the great commercial development and advance
in importance is proven by the establishment in Richmond of the office
of Winston and Company, engineers and contractors. This eminent firm
is composed of native Virginians, "to the manor-born," and their
thorough knowledge of the profession places them in the front rank in
this country, and by means of their skill and experience are able to
handle the most intricate problems that may be submitted to them in
both civil and mechanical engineering line. This distinguished firm of
native Virginians now has under construction the contract with the
City of New York, involving several millions of dollars, to
concentrate and dam-up the waters of several streams in the Catskills,
and then to convey by means of tunnels and aqueducts under the Hudson
River many miles, for the purpose of adding to the supply of water for
that centre of population.
This is indeed a gigantic undertaking and is almost equal in
importance to the country at large as is that of the Panama Canal, now
being built by the United States government. This firm of Southern men
has built important works for Boston, as well as that celebrated piece
of work, the settling basins, for Richmond, which gives us such fine,
clear water as we now enjoy.
The prominent firm, the Messrs. T. W. Wood and Sons, seedsmen, is a
business of large proportions. Its products are thus distributed
throughout this State and the other Southern ones. Mr. Henry W. Wood,
the head of the house, is a merchant of great capacity, who through
his fine methods has built up the largest and most important seed
business in his city, and furnishes the farmers of this State and
elsewhere with a most important article of agriculture, to-wit: pure
and well selected seeds. This eminent concern bears a striking
evidence of the improvement which the evolution of the wheel of time
has wrought.
On the Ashland accommodation train one day there were seated two
persons, whom we shall designate as Mr. T. and Mr. S. They were
sitting on opposite sides of the aisle of the car and the latter had a
horse that Mr. T. knew, and the conversation ranged on the subject of
horseflesh, or rather their knowledge of the same, and incidentally
Mr. S. said that he would take twenty-five dollars for his animal. Mr.
T. at once produced the sum and handed it over to Mr. S., who took the
money and dashed it down to the floor, exclaiming that he was only
jesting and did not desire to sell his horse for the price stated. In
reply Mr. T. said that it was a plain transaction with him, and that
he claimed a delivery of the horse, to which demand Mr. S. demurred.
The case was finally carried to the court of Hanover county, and was
at last settled by awarding Mr. T. fifty dollars in lieu of the nag,
which belonged to the firm of S. and H. This was one of the most
remarkable cases ever on the docket of the Circuit Court of Hanover
for many years.
In the good old county of Goochland there lived two men who were
neighbors and great friends, and as a matter of course took an
interest in each other's welfare. They were in one respect totally
different in character: The one was very neat and tidy in his attire;
but his friend was quite the opposite, being careless in his dress and
rather untidy in his appearance. As he was about to move to Richmond
to reside, his friend kindly offered him some good advice. Said he:
"Since you are going to a city to reside, where one's dress is more
scrutinized than in the country, the first thing on reaching town go
to O. H. Berry's Clothing House, corner Eleventh and Main Streets, and
buy a fashionable cutaway suit of clothes. And then I would advise
with your white shirt you wear a white necktie whenever an occasion
offers, as it is the proper thing to do." He accordingly adopted his
good friend's advice and then wrote as follows:
"I have done as you suggested; went to O. H. Berry's elegant
establishment, where I procured the latest shape in cutaway suits, but
in regard to that white necktie, dear boy! I am constrained to say
that from my observation here, they are, except by preachers, worn
mostly by the barbers and colored waiters in the restaurants. Still,
to please my good friend, I shall decorate my neck with one when
occasion offers."
Edward S. McCarthy was elected captain of the 1st Company of Richmond
Howitzers at the reorganization on the Peninsular in 1862. He was
possessed of a most decided personality; he was rather stout in
figure, with a large, full face, piercing eyes, and in manner rather
inclined to be reticent in speech; but he had a heart as large as a
barn door, was sympathetic with all who needed a friend and as brave
as Marshall Ney. Careful of his men under fire, never seeking his own
protection, even under the most trying ordeal of a very severe fire
from the enemy's guns, such was the character of Captain Edward S.
McCarthy, the gallant commander of the 1st Company Richmond Howitzers,
who was struck, at the second battle of Cold Harbor, by a minnie ball
from the rifle of a sharp-shooter. The brave and noble soldier never
uttered a word after the fatal ball entered his body. I was within
three feet of him when he fell. No more gallant soul, no finer
Virginian gentleman ever yielded up the ghost on the field of
patriotism and duty than this Confederate warrior. What an awful thing
is war; when such specimens of manhood may be immolated upon the red,
gory altar of the God of War.