The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-07-24

4 RscA Country sa Giles Goasnty-Hs Fe4filsfg aud
Resoarces--Fiae Timber Ren.aakalie Indirii.oi
Ente,prise-Ns0 Rifsr Sprmgs-Tae Scenery
Tse Sia fend The Raid knso Ao,satain-7 Trout.
ing, dc.
.cosnrsroSDxscs OF rHS RIcnaoSp DAILY pIspArou
NEW RIvER SPRINGS, Gn1 Co.,
July 10th, 1868.
l write you from part OF the State but little
known to the public until within the last four or
five years. and about which We still far too IL.
noraot for its many beauties and ts extensive re-
sources The magnificent country along the Yir-
gisia and Tennessee Road was itssif . terra incoo
alta. until, through the agency Of that great work
II burst suddenly upon the public aud WAS, for ths
first time appreciated. Virginisns outside Of the
ints OF that rich region then learned that II con.
stitutsd one OF the bfightest, as well ~ most
valuable jewels OF the uid Dominion. But this
district, ia which now luxuriate has no railroad
to bring it into notice; and though IL is watered
by Of the boldest aud most beautiful rivers in
the state, that river Is not navigated-i will not
say not ndrtgabie-aud therefore contributes uoth.
lug to the development Of the country. But there
are energetic men ebdeavoriDg TO improve il and
open IL up, aud from what l see, l believe they
will succeed In making II popuiar aud attractive.
The county OF Giles - very rich cnuaty none
other pass 1t Ia the fertility of its hills and
mountain sides, while it has many valleys Of un.
surpassed richness. Ii il excellent Il aZng re.
gion. The steepest hills aud rich grass aud grain
Cattle, sneep and hog, is found in the mountains
adjacent 10 the somew what famous Salt Pond wb ict
IS higher above the level of The ocean than the
Peaks Of Otteri II is wonderful to observe how
verdant and luxuriant the mountain ranges
tnereabouts. FOR long years past they have been
we'll known to extensive stock rsisers IN this and
montgomery counties, who sent thither their cat
tie to graze. few squatters, among whom were
the celebrated Lucas Iamiiy, anchored themselves
here and there along the water courses, cuitiva-
ting little patches but 1t Is oaly recently that bona
hde proprietors have undertaken TO settle them
aud bring them into better use. An Eastern Vir-
g'nian, Mr. l.. q. Booth, Of Nottoway, together
with Ar. savage, OF Philadelphia, purchased
immense survey Of more than u hundred thousand
acres near the Salt Poud. aud within the last four
or hse years wonderful change has taken place
~ the condition aud prospects of the coun-
try they own as well that which sur
rounds 1t. They have opened roads and built
houses: Mr. Booth has erected q saw mil,
planning, mortcing, and shiugle machiues, and
mas established furniture and carriage manufacto-
These are all located upon the Little Stony
Creek, never failing and beautiful stream, which
passes through the centre of that portion Of the
immense territory which he has selected for his
special use. They are also in the mdst OF forest
of the very finest timber that eau be found any
where. i never saw such magnificent white pine
as abounds along the banks of the Stony thete.
Some of them are eighteen feet in diameter, aud
many reach the great height of 190 and l95 feet,
while they are as straight an arrow Will be
beiievedI Let hose who doubt, Come and see for
themselves. There are, besides, the very beet of
oak wild cherry, birch, curled-mapie, walnut ash,
&c, in the greatest abundance. Mr. b., by manu-.
featuring this fine timber at the tniii gets rid o;
much weight in hauling it. 1he white pine be
has been saving up for some time. He bas sent
some plank to Lynchburg. which has paid him
aud last week be sent one lot to Rich
inond, which hope will turn out equally as well.
such timber, / am sure, can be found in abundance
in this part of Virginia, and am glad Mr. Booth
has set the ball in motion for it is shame that
we should be going to Maine and other Northern
states tor that which we have So abundantIy
At hoNe With such an example of sue,
cessful enterprise in this direction, there
should be others to follow. If the business
be but conducted with proper energy, great deal
# money now sent away from home, will go TO en-.
rich this part of Virginia, and aid iu developing
Iur resources at home. / may recur to this
theme in future letter.
These Springs are situated Immediately on the
pauks OF New River, and are kept by Mr.. VIM. EG
GLEsToN, an Eastern Firgnsn, "a native of Amelial
aud most intelligent and obi ging geutleman.-
fae locality is very interesting The beautiful
New River flows right ia front Of the Hotel, which
ID graced by pretty green lawn aud a row OF the
neaithiest Lombardy poplars l ever saw, which
range themselves along the edge OF the river bank,
like sentinels TO watch the rising tide The estab-
ishment is well kept the table very good aud every
hing in neat order. The water is very strong sui
phur,-secoud in strength ouly to the Old Green
prier White sulphur. 1t makes, like that, q white
surve. washing in its course the base of a series
f perpendicular rock walls about two hundred
feet high. l never cease to admire them as often
IS ] behold them. 1t is rare that we see such
rand walls aud pillars of stone. For ages they
nave deied the bold current of the New River,
which, though it has scanned and creviced the bar
7ier which stands in its way, has nevertheless
oeen forced to turn of so abruptly from it as to
'o-m whirlpool at the lower end Of the wall which,
when the river is 10 food, draws ia large trees that
isappear to rise after time long way off. In
3eyers Album Of Virginia, there is good view of
rhese remarkable rocks. The whole river scenery
Is Ut the most picturesque and beautiful kind. -
Just opposite to the Hotel is group Of fAntastica
rccks presenting arches, caves assures, having
ughIy roHantic appearance. They constantly stare
1t us and invite to an exploration. Que two
iiches have cool aud sequestered look-as much
.s to say here are fine places for game of Whist
70 this purpose the place was sOlemBly devoted by
very respectable ph yscian OF Lunenburg last year
sut dsvout Minister followed some short time
tfter and claimed it as designed for prayer! A
sitty lawyer here wrote to the Doctor that this
,ouuter claim had been set up, and offered to sus
ain his junior patent for a respec able fee-one
proportioDed to the badpess of his cause
The surrounding hllts present the boldest and
most beautiful outlines, characterized always by
he rich foliage Of ever living greeu, which meets
he eye everywhere in this country THE Springs
re eight miles from the Salt Pond, which is one
4 the most remarkable features of this region,
I'D which has no parallel that have ever read Of
'revious to lS04 the gorge or basin iC now fills.
iad no snch pond Some wafer rau from springs
. its deepest point, aud there WAS filtered down
through subterranean assures; but the debris OF
ne sides and the leaves Vt the gathered there,
nd were trampled into solid earth by the cattle
tnd animals resortiDg to the place, aud in that
scar the water rose rapidly until the gorge WAS
1iied. The lake now presented to the astonished
raveller, at the height it is supposed, of some
ave hundred feet above the Peaks of Otter, is one
4 the loveliest sheets of water l ever beheld Ii
sbaf ,r,stIa tnpu nh t.If mil
side-and the foliage of the trees that denseiy
5ro~d its margin, il extremely rich. No fish are
n it. 1t is said some New River cats, U omitted
mention them in speaking OF The Springs, but
ill pay my respects to them hereafter have
cen put Into it; but they have never been seen
nce. / am glad of 1t, for that water isn't the
,!ace for catsi l think silver perch-desr, deli
iuus fish they are-wouId live and flourish 10
his beautiful water-so would the trout of the
orihern lakes, and think our chub l think
hey would all live where frogs can, and saw
bout the shore number OF tadpoles, which. an
Id tradition Informs turn to frogs Oh, If there
we're some of these f.h in the Salt Pond, Il wish
hey would give il n better name,) what glorious
port the angler would erjoy there! So cool is
be locality--so beautiful is the seeneso pure the
tmospherel Can't some fish be put in the ponds
What say the anglers!
There 10 an hotel at the Pond, aud the fare is
sood-the traveller enjoying it always with PEE
uiar zest after journey mp the mountain aud
,nhaling the pure bracing air. This hotel was
Quilt by the joint subscriptions OF some wealthy
Gentlemen who bought some three hundred acres
Il land, including the Pond. The keeper, at pre-
.eot, has the house without rent.
have been to the Bald Knob, the highest point
~ Virginia, oIly half mile from the Salt Pond,
nd there beiield the most magnificent OF views
have also been troutin2, aud have giorions
tsh story concerning those trout, and deacrfp
ion Of the rare beauties ofthe Little Stony, where
my dear little friends the tout like fish OF poetry
.ud taste, as they are, DO congrfgaie in large
,umbers. They always choose the ciearest aud
oyeliest streams, and ia this creek they have the
rettiest pools and most picturesque falls that ever
delighted the eve of trout. But i must speak OF
,hese things in another letter. Yours DC
A. Il. c.
PSI add, for the benefit Of the traveller, that
TO reach this place, you leave the virginia ana
Tennessee Railroad, at the Montgomery White
Suiuhur. aud af1ar niphi,a rpat at that pleA6ant