March 16, 2020 / Joanne Yeck

1901: Letter From Glenmore, Part I

Glenmore Methodist Church. Photo by Jeremy Winfrey.

In February of 1901, the Appomattox and Buckingham Times featured a new correspondent from Buckingham County. Signing his lengthy letter “Observer,” he covered a wide range of topics, from lumber to politics. It began:

Glenmore.

INTERESTING LETTER BY A NEW CORRESPONDENT.

About 42 years since I moved to this neighborhood; by Glenmore I did not mean the little village only but the neighborhood for fully five miles around it, including the James river people. It has occurred to me that a letter from this locality might not be without interest. The neighborhood includes three classes — the rich, the middle class and the poor. It is one of the most quiet, most intelligent and among the very best neighborhoods in Virginia. Crime of any kind, even among the colored people, is very rare; indeed, it is so rare that it excites unusual comment when it occurs.

Recently we have had a great deal of sickness which is very unusual, as the health of our people generally speaking is phenomenally good. Mr. J. Bryant, commonly styled “Boss Bryant,” is getting well from a very serious attack of blood poisoning caused by an accidental cut of his foot by an ax. He lingered for weeks on the very eve, it seemed, passing away, and was saved only by the heroic remedies of his physician, Dr. H. A. Nash, who has become a permanent resident of this neighborhood, having bought the former home of Mrs. Ellen Goolsby, where he now resides.

Another very ill man is young Mr. Beazley, the son of the plasterer, Mr. Richard Beazley, whose condition is extremely unfavorable from erysipelas. Captain Camm Patteson, who has the friendship, the respect, and the good will of the entire community, those something better than he has been, is still an invalid.

Coming next: 1901: Letter From Glenmore, Part II