Sale of Wheatland; Land Values

The sale of this beautiful estate, (advertised in the columns of the Free Press,) containing 341 acres of land, belonging to the heirs of the late George W. Turner, who was killed by the John Brown party, was sold on Saturday last at public sale in this town. The occasion brought forth a large number of persons, many of them from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, &c. This tract was part of the “Homestead” (about 1000 acres) of the late Henry S. Turner, Esq., a gentleman well known by the older portion of our citizens. Wm. F. Turner, Esq., became the purchaser, at $73.50 per acre– not within, perhaps, ten dollars per acre of its value, when it is recollected that it is in one of the best sections of the county, — a county justly termed the “Garden Spot of Virginia.”

At the last census, Jefferson county lands were valued at $10 per acre more than any other land in the State. More wheat has been produced in this county, than any other, in proportion to acres, more taxes paid; and no county surpasses it in the intelligence of its people. We have improvements like lattice work, such as Railroads, Turnpikes, Canal, &c. Besides our county abounds in Mills, Churches, and everything else which will make a people happy. With the Potomac River on the North and East, the Shenandoah River on the South, and the Opequon Creek on the West, with Bullskin, Evetts, Cat-tail, and innumerable small streams, why should not those, blessed with such an heritage, cling to it?