The Montana post., 1868-09-18
THE "PARsON,s,, TOUR.
NUMBER ONE.

Virginia, Notwithstanding the DeaublSll
divide of Prickly Pear and Boulder, and
the long reach at the foot of the noun
tains. is quite a common place affair in
the Territory, and all one may say about
IL in point is supcrhuous. Suffice it,
am here at the Capital, and have had
day to circulate among the magnates.
Virginia of 1868 is not the Virginia of
1865. Where all was hustle, hum and
noise then, all is quiet now. The peoe
ple are not here, and of anon with them,
have disappeared the lighter and more
showy elements of a successful mining
camp. The Hurdy Gurdys have gone
entirely, and the few saloons left have
settled down into absolute respectable
ty. There is an expression OF satlsiac-
tion apparent in the countenapce of the
Virginia citizen, and with all its evil
dences of decay, he at least thinks Fir-
pinia the best place under the sun, and
tells you that as soon as the big ditch is
brought in or the Summit quartz devel-
oped, Virginia will spring like Ph6nix
from it's ashes, and become more beautl-
ful and more permanent than ever. L
like the Capital and her people. The
town is literally built with wide streets,
and the people are generous, social, fun
loving and kind: fond of social gathers
had hardly seated myself in '"Tom
Whites" preparatory to a shave, before
heard of picnic of Knights Templar
among the lakes near Summit,on Satur-
day last Nestled away under one of the
sharp escarpments of Bald mountain. is
a magnificent sheet OF pure deep water,
resembling a large emerald in its setting
from its color, and as cold as the winter
SHOWS, which supply it from the numer-
Gus assures and peaks of old Baldie. L
is beautiful basin of virgin loveliness,
having never yet been approached by
road; bounded on one side by precipi~
tous mountain which to a height of 600
feet is covered with pines, and on the
others by an ample esplanade of grass,
dotted here and there with little patches
of cottonwood. There is not, perhaps, a
more picturesque spot TO be found in this
most picturesque of all countries. Here
the Sir Knights of Virginia commanderY
assembled; some sixteen in number, and
spent the day hilariously-the noun
tains alone re-echoing their songs and
laughter, and the beautiful lake reflects
ing for the first time, upon the mirror
like surface, the actions of an assem- bly,
of civilized men. The lake after a fitting
speech by Eminent Commander Hos~
mer, was named De MoLdy Water, in
memory OF the great G.. NJ. who suffered
for Templarism, under the Court edict
of Pope Clement V and Phillip the Fair
1t was then navigated from end to end
by dozen Templars on raft. Songs
were sung and the good cheer which en-
livened the occasion, continued until the
shades ot evening began to gather over
the landscape, and the cavalcade re-
turned TO the city, making the mountain
passes vocal with their songs, shouts
and merriment. This is but one of the
gay and festive gatherings for which
Virginia is celebrated, and which, it
seems to me, realizes TO its full extent,
the oft repeated scriptural injunction, to
be cheerful and be happy. While list
ening to this detail of mountain party,
another friend came by, who informed
mo that his honor II. L. Warren, the
new Chief Justice of the Territory, had
just opened the District Court, and been
introduced by Judge Hosmer to the
members of the bar. Judge w. made
neat address. He impresses one very
favorably, both as a gentleman and iur-
list, and / doubt not, will discharge the
duties Of his high office with ability and
integrity. The oar very properly passed
the following resolution, complimentary
to the retiring Chief Justice, which was
placed upon the records of the Court
"Resolved, That it Is due both to the bar
of this District and the retiring Judge, who
has so faithfully endeavored 20 execute and
fully carry out the behests of Government,
under an act of Congress approved May 10Th,
1864, and by virtue of which said act our Terri
tory and now is part of the great confede-
racy of free people-therefore we tender
to Hezakiah l.. Hosmer, first Chief Justice
of the Territory of Montana, our esteem of
him as Judge, jurist, and citizen worthy of
our esteem"
The above resolution was unanimous
ly adopted, aud by the Court ordered OF
record
Judge Hosmer leaves the bench with
the good wishes of all, and has engaged
in practice with the we'll known firm OF
Davis & Thoroughman, one of the lead
ing law firms in the Territory l have
said that the Capital is quiet. In busi@
ness matters this is not to be disguised
but Virginia is in the midst of a rich
quartz country and will sooner or later
revive. Alder Guleh. by far the richest
ever discovered on the continent, has
been hut half developed. 1T the waters
of the Madison can be poured into it,
millions, for years, may be taken from
1t. The very hill sides to their summit
| need nothing but this improvement to
convert them into the means of sustain.
ing large population. / am told that
an outlay of $4,000 will effect this OBJ
ject. Mr.. Corbet, the surveyor, has
made a working survey of the ditch
and il seems to me that few better op-
portunities for capitalists now offer in
The Territory than that of bringing the
waters of the Madison into Alder Gulch
The Virpinians cOnseious of tlfis fact
are not disturbed at the present quiet
state of their city. They only laugh
when any person leaves their town
through dissatisfaction, and say, signif
cantly, 'he will be glad to return in q
year or two" Major Bruce, the veteran
conductor of the Democrat, has removed
his office to a convenient building OF
Wallace street, where he seems to be
1 doing q fair business. For one xxhn- al