The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-06-20
SOUTH WESTERN VIRGINIA,
no. ".

raf at Wytheriile -Snmmerson, Kent &.
Co. stdges-A Vtsit to a Model Farm
Ire Lead Mines of JTythe.
SATURDAY, June 9.-We had good nights
rest at the Lick-a night of sweet sleen, in
auced without rocking, and continue ed without
interruption, until the golden light of the
sun m had tinged the sky of the beautiful valley.
Inc charming songs of the birds and the
cnceriui chatter of the feathered domestics
Oh tne homestead, were peculiarly delightful
rapidly to dissipate the lingering drows;nsss ~ "a
OF sleep. We arose refreshed and invioora.
ted, feeling ready for another day of active
observation
Immediately after breakfast, our whole
party mustered, and ACCOMPANIED by our
KIND host, Col. PRESTON, and Mr.. RoRrRr.
SON. we started on our route hemeward. We
ascended Little Walkers mountain-wb;cb
rlses Immediately behind the mansion of the
Inch-wnlie the stages proceeded without
oblique road on the mountain side We tool
last view OF the Salt Valley Oh, how love
~ IL was! 1t was one of those enchanting
scenes In nature which one always wants bis
dearest friend to be at his side and with him
10 ADMIRE. 1t was such an one as we see not
often in our pilgrimage, and is not soon to be
iofgouen. l could talk of it longer; but well
know that the beauties which never could
ee tlreseme to my eyes are very different
aoM my description of them, and will take
leave of the Salt Valley simply advising
everybody who happens to have the chance
OF visiting it to do SO.
20 Vale, within your mountain nm
SSLninng 20 TRANQUILITY, and set so deepi
ooiI doth your dreanly lovsliness return,
ColouIinE the tender shadows of NV plsen
With light Elysan."
IN q lew miles we crossed both the Walk er
mountains-neither of which is large-see.
Jug some very pretty farms, and travelling
through fertile lands all the way. Our road
ran within few hundred yards of the Chill
howe Sulphur Springs, which we visited
Ihey are about four miles from Seven Mile
Ford, and perhaps two from the line of the
Va. and Tenn. Rail Road We found them
remarkably strong with sulphur-an ana
lysis making them as strong as the White
Sulphur of Greenbrier. They have not how
ever, the elevation and bold flow of that vet
| unparalleled fountain. But the Chilhows is
very strong sulphur and might become a
| much frequented watering place. 1t is un.
derstood to be in market, and with reason
able expenditure and some trees, which have
to be planted to supply the place of those
| the needless axeman has cut down, might be
made very pretty place.
Here we parted with Col PRESTON, sim
| hospitality. The brief sojourn under his
| root, and the ramble over his princely estate.
| were hours of satisfaction and pleasure, that
Will be cherished in the recollection of his
guests.
We entered the Abingdon Road about two
miles from Seven Mile Ford, and there we
bade adieu to our kind friend Mr.. ROBERT.
SON, who had treated us so Hospitality, and
had contributed so much to promote the plea
sure Ct the South Western tourists. The cor
dial manifestations and attentions of that no.
bic hearted gentleman, were such as to com
mand our warmest gratitude.
At last we turned our horses heads direct.
ly homewards, and soon reached Seven Mile
Ford, where we swapped the rough and rug
ged mud pike for the excellent Macadamsed
Road. Getting our dinners at somewhat
early hour, and taking last look at the grand
valley of the Holston, we were again on our
journey, and re-traced our way over the road
already described-by the Three Culuerts,
not before spoken off, which are under
the embankment of the Railroad, through
which gush the cool, pure waters of noun
tain stream and where our company on the
outward voyage, with the aid of spirit-rap
perS, took the mysterious third degree
thence by Marion, Mt. Airy, and our good old
friend Aker's, to Wytheville. AS we passed
his house. Jonathan Aker was ready to greet
US. "Where is our butterF' cried fourteen
gentlemen. Couldn't save a bit-had to
send it all way" ''How could you serve us
so?" Couldn't help it." "Where is my
maple sugar?" cried a councilman. "Oh,
you shall have that" Ten gentlemen Jump
ed out of the stages and besieged the doors
of Rural Retreat. The Landlord appeared
with three large cakes of the sugar, and a
hammer to break it up-the ten gentlemen
seized him-he scuffied his way to the block
before the house, and there laying down two
cakes, they were Immediately seized upon
by two of the ten. who fed and others after
them, while the third cake was broker up by
our host and distributed among those who
remained. Never did school boys show such
avidity for maple sugar.
The two cakes were cribbed by the two
gentlemen, and to console those whose long
faces showed they had none, the kind heart
ed old gentleman said, "Never mind poys,
you can get blenty at store three miles
from here" Where? Where? What's the
name? Whose store? roared out eleven stout
voices. Getting the needed information and
exchanging hearty good wishes with the
landlord of Rural Retreat, we hurried on to
the aforesaid store, where stood forth sign
upon which was writ the long name of some
of the numerous family of kisers, and where
trade in sugar was wound up by exhausting
mllill5SI 3, VI CtEdChBIScE y, VI SUIu6-udu
ot-that sorts stock. Every body, however,
got enough, and it was swept off before the
retailer had time to advance the price! which
was entirely unjust to him-a perfect swim
die. People were amazed to see such run
on maple sugar 1t is but just, however, in
| this truthful and just history, to state that
| there was nothing selfish in this episode in
| the journey of the honorable company. 1t
| is generally believed that no other number
| of gentlemen, picked up promiscuously,
| could boast of as many children as they could;
| and it was to crafty the dear little ones at
| home that this skrimmage, so honorable to
| all who participated, was ndulged. Long
ere this their glowing little hands have
clutched the coveted Jumps, and more than
| once, with cloyed appetites and smeared
faces, bless their little souls, have their ma.
mas been asked to put it way till to-mor-
row."
We arrived at Wytheville Saturday night
about o'clock. after week of as much
| activity and real enjoyment as ever it fell to
the lot of company of gentlemen. In thus
ending our staging, it is but just to speak OF
| the kindness of Messrs. SummersOn, Kent
Co in placing two of their fine teams and
stages at our command. To them, and their
| obiiging and efficient agent, Mr.. VIM. M.