III. THE END OF THE FARMING ERA: MICHAEL STRAIGHT (1942-1969)
John Mosby Beattie, March 1969 interview. Annie Beattie, afflicted with arthritis, died in 1916, after she and family had moved into Alexandria to a house on Peyton Street owned by her husband, Fountain Beattie, and Walton Moore.
Fairfax County Deed Book C-8, p. 446.
Fairfax County Deed Book Y-8, p. 50; J-9, p. 23; X-10, p. 413; V-11, p. 586; C-12, p. 509.
Fairfax County Deed Book P-15, p. 145.
Michael and Belinda Straight, interview December 8, 1968. During the remodeling, the Straights lived in the spring house, which they called “The Cottage.”
Ibid. Aberdeens were also brought to the farm, but did not thrive as well as Herefords. The Straights’ herd ranged from 15 to 25 at any one time. Bought at weights of about 500 pounds, these cattle were held until they weighed 1,100 to 1,200 pounds and then were sold for beef.
Ibid. The fondness of the Straight children for animals drew pets from field and pond, including rabbits, birds, snakes, spiders, and the like. These were housed mainly in the enclosed side porch.
Ibid. The gift goat was the subject of one of Mr. Sevareid’s columns entitled “It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive.” During his stay at Green Spring Farm, the goat established a reputation for eating various valuable articles (such as a canvas automobile top) and ringing a number of the fruit trees.
Ibid. The flock of Canada geese started from a pair that was attracted to one of the farm ponds, which in earlier times had been used to furnish ice for the farm. As the flock of geese grew, it ceased to migrate, and frequented the Straights’ pond and nearby Lake Barcroft.
Who’s Who in America, 1966-1967, contains the following information on Mr. Straight: In 1943, he wrote Make This the Last War; in 1954, Trial by Television; in 1960, Carrington; and in 1963, A Very Small Remnant. In 1943, he also served as Vice President of the Fight for Freedom; and in 1946-1947 as Secretary of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists.
Michael and Belinda Straight, interview December 8, 1968. This visit occurred when Mr. Straight was actively engaged in editing and publishing The New Republic and had occasion, from time to time, for journalistic contacts in the Soviet Embassy. From one of these contacts the suggestion was made that a group of Soviet Russian journalists touring the United States might be interested in visiting Green Spring Farm.
Fairfax County Division of Planning, August 1969.
Fairfax County Tax Books, 1943, 1960. The 1968 evaluation, at 40 percent of market value, was $93,415, and the total tax was $4,016.85. In 1923, when the property consisted of 332 acres and was owned by J. M. Duncan, it was valued at $8,240, and the taxes were $20.60.
Resident Engineer, Virginia Department of Highways, Fairfax, Virginia. August 1969.