Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-26
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WrrHKyiLLx, Va, April cad, 1854.
had hoped that the weather would have remained
pleasant until after Roanoke Court which took place on
the 18th, but from the l4h to the 18th Il raiued and
showed almost continually the consequence of which was
that had the misfortune 10 be In nearly the whole Of
tearing delayed on my journey that the numerous
mountain streams would rise and prevent my reaching S
lem In due time And even after getting there instead
OF clearing up the weather continued more threatening
and on the evening OF the 10th violent snow storm
menced which did cease until the ground was cover
ell to the depth Of ten twelve inches Had there been
no rain previously, tho snow would doubtless have re-
named many days on the mountains. Nv route from
D'nSe to Salem across tho mountains was by tho way q
Franklin u H., at which place spent very pleasantly the
greater part OF one day. at the excellent Hotel Of Naban
o. Claiborne, Esq formerly member Of the Virginia Ie
gsaure, and gentleman widely known as any In the
State II is not my intention this time to attempt
description Of the Roanoke country no, having fsvor.-
BILE opportunity of judging its merits in consequence OF
the ncemency Of the season. That portion of the Stale
from Salem to Pulaski one of the most beautiful and
romantic sections that eyes rested upon On the
morning OF my departure from the neghborhood Of the
d g LICK the weather commenced breaking and before
IL o'clock tie sun shone forth in all his briarcy The
ascent up the Allegheny well graded that sue
c.edsd in reaching the summit ofthe mountain amos, be-
fore was aware Of the TACT Here the view was most
commanding and extensive On every side as TAR a, the
eye could reach nought be seen but the snow
capped hills stretching in boundle majesty IN In. far
thest verge Of the horizon. Hundreds Of feet below
oeheld the distant valleys wr.pt inthe white Mantle of
mid winter while here and there could ut times be seen
the curling smoke issued from the chimney of som
peasants humble dome The inhabitants who ~e in the
mountains have been told, much accustomed 10
their manner OF living that they seldom leave il to mnsle
in the busy scene aud turmoil and city life Far
down in those peaceful vales the hardy and industrious
mountaneer spends his days in trsnq al Enjoyment:
Far from the maddening Gro d. ignobe strife,
His sober wishes never learn to stray
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
lie keeps the noiseless tenor of his way"
The roads in this section much better than those
IN Old Virginia las the people here our part of the
Siate being either well graded Turnpkes or McAsm zed
roads, upon which horse can travel almost far as on
plank road must say however, that the toll gates
upon them decidedly too near to each other
aud that the tolls most e1orbitantly high
Christansburg, 20 miles from Salem, and situated
upon the very top Of the Allegheny mountains is a
very fourshing place containing about 500
The Virginia aud Tennessee Railroad has been compe,ed
TO that place, and will in short time run up to the
village passing through portion of the Tunnel The
Farmers in this section say that they will hereafter
pay more attention to their crops of corn and wheat as
the Railroad will enable them transport their produce
with very little expense TO Lynchburg and Richmond
where they get much higher price for IL than they
could before The price of wheat OF the Blue Ridge
was never over rs cents buhe with the exception pe
maps oil last years crop which brought 81 co. and farther
down towards the Tennessee ne it is much cheaper The
crops IN the mountains look decidedly more ourshipg
than in Eastern Virginia and the lands are infinitely sumo
ror to our The Farmers OF the West saw that the
Eastern farmers ipjue their lands very great degree
oy not leaving enough shade upon them that shade ia as
beneficial TO land the manures In tho
county of Pulaski the cattle raisers are preparing in
earnest to be well represented the next State
Hundreds Of the finest cattle will be sent down TO Rich
thav NJ
vembe.. In the county Of Pulaski a very fine Alum,
Spring has been discovered whose waters are said TO
tain more strength than those of Bath Rockbrdge-
The gentleman upon whose land the spring located in
tends erecting substantial and extensive buildings for the
accommodation oil invalds during the watering season.
Near The sprEg Is the Peak Knob very prominent pro
lection in Diapers mountains, rising about loco
feet, and presenting from its summit a very fue land
scape.
In this mountain are quantities of Deer and other game
ana u the Spring should receive favor from the public
Peak Knob will afford fac opportunity to hunters E,,
port Iron exists great abundance there and coal
mas also been found upon the mountain Of fine quality
must not fail 10 mention of the greatest
n the county, called the Class Hndsr consisting of yer
teal rocks nearly FIVE hundred feet high and forming the
immediate ba Of New Riyer, for a distance Of four
niles The face Of the rocks ia perforated by vast mum
ner OF cavities which, doubtless lead caves or cells
within the mountains Some of these cells have been ex
pIoTed, ana found to contain "Sapetre Stalaces And
other concretions Wyheville found be of the
Ieatest and handsomest villages in the South West IL
contains, understand about 200 souls and carries on
extensive trade with surrounding country There
re IN The town SIX Hotels, and twelve fifteen
stores The Tavern OF Col Thos j. Boyd at which place
am at present. s suppose about the best kept hou e in
Western Virginia, End infinitely superior TO many first
Glass houses in your part of the State. Here Editors
hoaIders, ard ba heors just as many eggs for
breakfast as they choose. The Lead Mines about thr
cen miles east OF this place. Nsw River Of late wears
nave been very profitable, and Informed by Colonel
BOYD, that last year the proprieoIs sold from to 9Ou
'ons at 81 per hundred TO merchants in Pniladeph.-
Inc Mines were formerly Owned jointly by Moses and
stephen Austin. the last the father Of the celebrated Ste
hen r. AUSTIN who was so long confined in the Dun
geons OF Mexico by the order ofhe present Dictator San
- Anna. General \. born and reared at the Mines
Formerly in getting TO the ore shfs sunk perpen
icuiary at the top OF the hill from so TO $50 feet unit,
he lead struck when the excavation was nearly hor
zants From the bottom Of the Shaft the ore was raised
ny ~indlisses, al lately alton was commerce
d at the level OF the PLAIN New River aud runs IN at
hr present time 1000 feet in solid limestone rock
would like very much to make visit the Mines, bu,
eng anxious 10 reach Abingdon By the 24th cannol
make it convenient. JES