Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-05-24
THE SOURCES OF THE PoToMAc.-No. III.


be accompanied by couple of venturesome friends.
THE SOURCES OF THE POTOMAC.-No III.
MOUTH OF SENECA CREEK,
PESDLETos COUNTY, (VA.) MAr 8, 1851.
My ride from Moor6ed this place, distance of thirty
miles, has been quite interesting The ten miles of road
lying between that place and Petersburg nearly all the
way through rich bottom land with nothing in particular
however, vet the attention but picturesque bluff the
summit of which the rocks have been curous piled up
to resemble two pieces Of stauary representing couchng
panther and running deer At the base Of this bluff is
foding place. in crossing which thrown from
his horse and having been drowned his body subse
queny found in neghborng pool Of the South Potomac,
standing erect with both extended if in application
spent night with my companions in the dingyooking
hamlet of Petersburg. where picked up the following par
cuars respecting almost obsolete custom peculiar to this
section of the country. II is termed running for the bottle,
and is kind Of nteruds episode in marriage celebra
ton. When buIom lady about to be married. every body
Is invited the wedding, and entire days devoted
easng and dancing, when the time arrives that she TO be
taken the residence Of her lord and MASTER This change
of location accomplished horseback and the groom and
bride invariably accompanied by their guests, who
bine to form, they journey in pairs truly imposing cava
cade, varying according to circumstances from to two
hundred PERSONS The day of the march is Of
pleasant and the journey to be accomplished perhaps
five miles, At the residence Of the groom every thing Of
in state Of preparation for the reception Of the pary
and with especial bottle Of choice liquor richly decked
with bands has been prepared and placed upon high
post at the front gate Of the dwelling While the cavacade
on the move and have arrived within one mile of the
desired haven the master Of ceremonies steps aside upon his
horse and extends invitation to all the gentlemen present
join in for the bottle, which is known to be in wait
ing for the winner Of the race, whose privilege will be to
drink the health of the bride her arrival Fifty of the
younger in the party have perhaps accepted the invitation
extended to hem and leaving the procession they make
ready and start off full speed for the muchdesred bottle
The road is winding and perhaps stony, and stumpy, and
muddy but what matter Away they fly like party of
Indians after bufaloes while along the road, may be,
cattle believing, sheep bleatng, dogs barking, hens
cacklng, and crows eawing. The goal in sight
effort more and the foremost horseman is at the gate and
has received into his hands from the hands of the grooms
sister the much bottle and then ascend the huzzas
and shoutngs Of that portion Of the people assembled to well
come the bride. Meanwhile the cavacade in sight,
headed before by the groom and BRIDE and they APP
proach the gae the winner of the bottle steps forth upon his
horse, and pouring portion Of liquor into goblet presents
il to the brde and has the satisfaction of being the first to
j
hzzas and shoutngs continue when in the midst Of the
des confusion, the ladies' assisted into the house. the
horses stabbed and regular siege Of three days
dancing and feasng and caousng succeeds with which the
wedding is terminated. But to continue my journey.
The road from Petersburg to this place along the north
fork Of the South Poomsc wild and roaring but very beau
full mountain The river itself exceedingly serpen
tine, but the road is vastly and had to ford the
former at least thirty times often too exposed considerable
danger. The scenery throughout the entire route is truly
superb fully equal in fact in many particulars to that Of the
White and Adrondac mountains The hills covered with
forests of uxurant growth rise in many places to the height
Of least three thousand feet and for many miles present.
ing perpendicular walls from five hundred TO fifteen hundred
feet high The three most imposing Of the natural structures
here known the Golding Gorge, the Fire Cliff
and the Seneca Chas. They all Of such character
to be upantab by words they indeed magnificent and
wonderful to remarkable degree The frst for example,
located ten miles from the mouth Of the north fork
massive and narrow opening through which the stream forces
ITSELF with stupendous bluff tie left hand hanging or
topping the The second four miles further off
on the left is perpendicular but narrow, and perfectly bare
ridge of slate and sandstone towers and tuets looming
against the sky to the height Of than thousand feet
and, at the time beheld it, the mountain Of which it forms
part was fire. that the picture which the whole pre-
ssned was magnificent beyond comparison. The third which
Is directly at the mouth Of Seneca creek resembles the second
in its general formaon but is more lofty and fary-ke
gorgeous in the blended coo Of the rainbow, and more
frowning and overhanging in some Of its phases.
Delighted, however, and deeply impressed, as have been
by the scenery Of this Alpine land have been far more in
tested in old woman whom have had the pleasure Of
seeing Her name is Elizabeth Golding or Goldizon and
she resides in log cabin, entirely aone directly at the foot
of the gorge which has taken her NAME She is of German
origin and represents herself hundred and ceue
years Of age She born, according her own words
" within days ride Of Philadelphia in Pennsy vania,
and her father soldier in the revolution under ASH
ngop and she herself in the immediate vicinity of the
American camp at the defeat Of Gen. 3raddock, of which
she habuay recouns great number Of interesting
and thrilling Incidents closing each paragraph with the
mark that the battle field wet, very vet with blood
She has been hu.bandess and chdess for nearly half
ury and for many years has lived now, in the solitude
the mountains utterly alone. Indeed, every thing about the
old peculiar and strange. In stature she quite
small, and her hair (Which is white snow very long
when engaged in conversation, her countenance fires
exceedingly and she accompanies each with The
animated Of gestures, her voos though still strong
is altogether beyond her coutrc having unnatural tone
and the wrinkles running entirely her face and neck
deep might imagine them to be after having beer
urrowed by the Of heart for so long time
IL havin