Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-08-01
Central Road Open TO Jack sons River,

! In company with our friend Alexander
of the J,Bersoaian, we made flying triE
this week to Jackson's River, in Allegheny
county, the present terminus of the Virgin.
ia Central Railroad
This being our first trip on the Railroad
west OF Stanton, We entered, as may he
supposed, into most enthusiastic admra-
ton Of the grand and picturesque mountain
scenery presented to our view on every side
We scarcely know which to admire most,
the deep rayines and high peaks of the in
termnable mountains, or the successful
manner in which the Engineers in their
skill aaye surmounted the mighty barriers
which nature had thrown across their way.
A few miles beyond Staunton the road pass
es Into wild, mountainous country, dotted
here and there with small farln-hous in
the narrow valley. The mountains are toe
craggy and uninyiting for man TO seek an
abode upon their sides or summit Here
the bear and deer hold their orgies, where,
in many places, they are never disturbed
by the sharp crack Of the rifle or the .hrill
blast of the huntsmaa's horn.
The road west Of stanton with its fine
lines and safe curves reflects the highest
credit upon the skill Of Col Elicit, Mr.
Whitaomb and tier assistants
Millboro-4o miles beyond Staunton- is
the point at which the passengers are Ian
ded for the Healing, Warm, Hot, Rock
bridge and Bath Alum Springs The
Rockbridge Alum is 6 miles, and the Bath
Alum l D miles from Millboro. The eura-
tive powers of these waters are very celcbra-
ted, as thousands of inyalds from every
portion OF the country can testify. Not
having received, this season. tickets of in
vitation with the compliments of the gem
tlemanly proprietors of the Rockbridge Al
UNI, We did not find it Convenient to call mp
on them. Expect to have some little lei
sure about the time this ticket comes to
hand, and viii endeayor to make up for loss
time.
The work on the Railroad from Millboro
to Juckson's River was very heavy and
eostly-including temporary track, three
tunnels, (whoso combined length is rather
over 900 feet,) and many deep cuts aud
high embellishments One of these cmbank-
ments, near Millboro is 100 feet high, or
will be when completed a cplycrt, over
which one of these embankments is thrown
up, Mr.. G, r. Mason uses as an ice house
This is, We venture to say, the most conve-
nient ice house in the United States, as it is
both self filling and perpetual. This cul-
cert is located just beyond the Millboro
Tunnel, and a fine spring of excellent wa
ter rises in it, which freezes in the winter
and retains the ice throughout the summer
Amongst the many curiosities to be found
in Western Virginia, we can now group to-
gether with the Warm, Hot aud Geld
Springs, Mr.. c, r. Mason's Ice Spring,
the very thought of which is quite refresh
ing during this hot weather
At ,aillboro there is T,nnel 800 feet
long, and temporary track of one mile and
halfin length. with an average grade of
500 feet to the mile. Here there exists a
necessity for the 'mountain climbers, = now
used on the temporary track across the Blue
Ridge. But such is the condition of things
in regard to the Blue Ridge Tunnel. that is
very difficult to determine whether they can
be spared from this track for / > or s
months TO come. In this event the Rail
road Company may find it necessary to 60
to the heavy expense of procuring other
mountain climbers" to work this track
successfully. This Blue Ridge Tunnel has
aoen prolific source of annoyance both to
the Railroad Company and everybody else.