Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-07-26
ron THE srAvNToN SPECTATOR.
THE wEST-MOUNTAIN SCENERY g..

k.lz
pense only three dollars.
What astonishing revolution has the ;n,,o.
ducton OF steam effected on these western w,,.r.
IN the last thirty years. Before it was adopted. for
me navigation OF the rivers, the passage to New
orleans and returning consumed an entire season.
lhe boatmen were only known as boatmsn and
not as citizens; they formed distinct class and
'her associations were Of all others the most demo-
Ia,'zln. and degrading. And the principal
whai'es along the rivers, was constantly 10 b
heard language the most profane and reyoltipp.-
But now western steamboat lands and receives
It's passengers with the order and decorum of = ctv
stage coach.
The introduction of steam alone has poured civil
lization into the western country more than n
hundred years IN advance of what it would or could
have been withoutit.
The race of stern and hardy pioneers is r,p;dlv
passing away, and is succeeded by another ambi-
ious TO carry the arts and sciences of civilized life
to their highest elevations, and all the instrument
taitles for the Improvement and refinement Of hu-
man society, found our Atlantic shores, arc
now in active and successful OPERATION and are ra-
pldly making their impress on the western commu-
nifty. IT we have been able to trace out the parti-
cular characteristics that distinguish western
manners, they are independence Of thought, and
expression. with equal independence and prompt
ness of action.
When western man has fixed upon his course.
whether duty, interest, or inclination has prepon-
dcrated in determining it, he does not waste his
time to feel the public pulse, but goes ahead, and
is disposed TO award to others the same privilege
he claims for himself. And though the courtesies
and rehnements practced in our commercial ci.
lies IN the Atlantic States not considered so in
dspensable TO their social intercourse vet they aro
by no means destitute of friendships equally as sin
cere, or of moral feelings of equally as high an or
der Among the European emig1ants, The most
numerous and promising is the patient and labori-
Gus German, and though, with few exceptions, he
adds but little to the renements of social life vet
he adds much to the products of the fertile soil
which is annually making additions to his stock Of
wealth, and though the present race may carry
most OF their natural peculiarities and prejudcea
through life, these will gradually disappear in the
succeeding generations.
And from many ilustrious examples furnished
IN our older States, we have abundant evidence
mat the German character possesses all tho ele-
ments on which may be engrafied every thing that
elevaes and ennobes our common humanity.
Parkersburg, the seat of justice for Wood coun-
ty, contains about 1900 inhabitants and is situated
on fertile point of land formed by the junction Of
the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers. Immediate.
y on the opposite bank of the river in the State of
Ohio, spreads out the beautiful and highly cultiya-
ted plain of Belfree, and little below but in full
view OF Parkersburg, lies the celebrated and far
famed Blannerhassett's Island, containing ,bou.
oOo acres This gentleman emigrated from Ire
land, and settled on this spot about the year 1901
on which he erected spacious and elegant man.
SON. and laid out the greater part of the Island in
gardens, combining the finest models of European
aste and to which he transferred every thing that
could add enchantment to the scene. But having
identified himself with the plots of the talented bnt
visionary and ill-starred Col. Aaron Burr. hi,
scene of surprising magnfcence and alluring en-
chantment was soon TO become abandoned and des.
olate.
When passed here in the autumn of 1916. the
naked chimneys alone pointed out the SPOT where
the princely mansion had once stood the encbsnt-
ing sound of music with which it had once been
vocal was heard there more. The varied scen.s
and associations that had once drawn thither men
OF letters of science and of refined taste had fed
all were soon TO be numbered among the things
that had passed away. The name Of Blapnerhas
sett alone remains to distinguish the once favored
spot, and as the passing traveller casts his ewes
upon it, he is only reminded of the ruin that treada
IN The footsteps OF unsanctied and i'll timed ambi.
ton.
From PaIkersburg TO Weston, distance of 81
miles, large proportion Of the country over which
the road passes is too uneven and sterile ever
to be advantageOusly improved. 1t is, however.
inerspersed with some fertile valleys, which are
being brought under cultivation, and though some
OF the more ancient habitatons are Of the rudest ar
chilecture, many OF those Of more modern date
have the appearance of neatness and comfort
But from the general face of the country in this part
of Western Virginia, it must forever remain but a
sparsely populated country.
From Weston to Buckhannon, distance of l8
miles, it is much better adapted to cultivation u
From Buckhannon TO Beverly, the seat of justics
for Randolph county, distance of about 80 miles.
we had tor the greater part of the way, high hills
and higher mountains. On this route | saw in ga
vera, DiacpS ctrota nf
long the excavations of the road. This article is
found in abundance from the Allegheny mountains
to the Ohio river.
Beverly is situated in Tygarts Valley, which
extends for some fifty miles in length between tho
Rich and Cheat mountains, and is from two to
four IN breadth. Much Of the land here exhibits
sufficient fertility for advantageous cultivation. but
from its elevation is very subject to frosts, and
therefore better adapted to grazing than TO aprcul-
ture, though the latter is carried on TO a consider
able extent.
Thriy-two miles from Beverly we commenced
ascending the mountains proper and here calcu
lated on meeting old and familiar acquaintances.
having crossed the entire group number of times
and III different places. But here they rise in
WIG Iude; ana majestic grandeur, surprising any
thing had ever seen. Though our ascent was
by no means an unpleasant one, the road being,
quite smooth and the grade regular one Of about
80 degrees, and we were ascending with very lit
tie variation in the grade for twelve miles in suc-
cesslon. This is what is here called the Cheat
mountain. 1t is much the largest of the entire
group, being twenty-five miles from base to base,
following the snuostes Of the road. 1t is much
more abrupt on the eastern than on the western
side, and is penetrated by deep ravines, along
which the road passes, and in descent, we
were often on the verge Of high and even awful
precipices, while yawning gufs were gaping hun
dreds of feet beneath us. Near the summit Of this
mountain The Cheat river runs for distance OF