American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
THE DLAcK WATER.

Berkshire, and Drs. Hank and Gladden.
left our town on fishing and hunting
expedition to tho "Black Water Re-
gion," of tho Allegheny Mountains
They took with them, we understand,
good two-horsc spring wagon, well
laden with provisions ofall sorts, things
edible and otherwise, intending to make
q stay of some weeks. Sixteen miles
out, at MIR. Heidelburg's, they spent
the first night, and report tells us that
they had very good time, there be-
ing several Young ladies present on a
visit to Miss H., one of them being
being from our place.
The second night was spent at West
Union, and the third the party camp,
ed in the woods three or four miles be-
yond the house of Conway the celebra-
ted guide of that region. One Of the
horses which had proved false several
times before, absolutely refused to pull
when he saw the steep hill which rose
upon the Virginia side Of the "North
Branch" of the Potomac. Here they
were compelled to "pack," all the bag
gage, boxes, bales, skillets stew-pans,
&C., up the hill, on their shoulders,
leaving the wagon at the bottom till
morning. AS the evening was now
fast closing in, the tent was pitched and
a fire lit. Tho guide brought water
from the North Branch, and Mr.. B.
declares, that he never drank better
tea, in all his life, than that which was
served up on that memorable night, at
the Scamp in the Wilderness" Not
intending to remain hero for even ga
few days." they pushed on early next
morning for Scamp Dobbin" so called
from the proprietor of a large extent
of the mountain range, lying on the
Black Water. This camp was still
nine miles distant and our sight-seers
felt that they would be heartily glad
if they could only get over this seem,
ingly insignificant distance before
night-fall. The road was of the most
horrible description; in fact it was on,
ly an opening in the wood, Of cigh,
feet in width, made by cutting down
the trees, tho stumps of which remain.
cd in all their original hardihood.-
Great rocks and huge roots of the tall
hemlocks on either side, assisted ma
terlally in the rartety and softness Of
the bed
But they were "bound for the land
of Canaan" and might have expected
to find "Jordan hard road to travel !!
At last, about six o'clock, P. M,
Camp Dobbin hove in sight, and at"IIo
tel Conway" our tired travellers fount
that rest and comfort for the inner ant
outer man, which always proves Sc
grateful after hard days Journey
Not yet content, and late though il
was, two or three of the party soram
bled through the laurel for half mile
down to the waters of the North Prong
where they fshod o short while ant
brought back thirty-two nice trout fol
supper. They say the fish always
seemed to come by teOos; for the mex
day they caught ninety >taOo, and al
another timo two persons in ta0O hours
caught sixty.two. They hooked as
many of these delightful fish as they
could possibly use, and more, as the
cook frequently had fish to throw tc
tho dogs, after meals.
"Hotel Conway" is q roomy dou
bic cabin, with large fre-places and
puncheon floors, and cold man Conway
the guide, is the presiding genius
His motto is,
"Use in welcome all you find,
SO you leave all clean behind you"
lie is described, as being little,
dricd-up sharp-faced man, with a good
humored twinkle, about the corner Of
his grey eye which makes one feel al
home with him right on the sport. He
has lived in that great wilderness fol
sixteen years; spends weeks at time
alone in the forest, and sleeps as fro
quently in the woods, in the haunts
of the panther and bear, as he does
under his own roof.
Whom outward bound, our party,
very fortunately, fell inwith two gen,
tlemen from Baltimore, Drs. B. and
S., who were trouting on Laurel
Run, mile beyond Conway's house.
AS DIR. b. happened to be an old
friend and school mate of one of our
party, we can readily imagine there
was q joyful meeting. The next day,
the B. party with Kitzmiller, Conway
son.in-law, as their guide, came along
on foot, with knapsacks and canes and
overlook our N. party, stalled at the
foot of rocky hill. Our boys were
taking things quite philosophically for
the other party found three Of them