Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-10-12
LETTER FROm VIRGINIA.
RED Su1rHRR STRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA I
October 9th, 1S80

| /. )
October 9th, 1868. !
HENRY EcKEL-Dear Sir Having been
considerably over this portion of the old Stale
of Virginia the past few weeks. and having
| visited several OF the mineral springs with
which ii is blessed, concluded a short de-
scription of what / saw and experienced
might be OF interest TO many Of the readers
of your popular journal, as well as of future
reference 10 those who seek pleasant sum-
mer resort; but more particularly 10 The in-
valid, who wishes 10 regain his health.
AT many OF the places where stopped |
found the familiar names of many of our own
citizens resstered, and as was travelling
alone they recalled many pleasant home asso
Citations. The evening reached this place. on
looking over the register, counted no less
than forty names of persons from our city,
among them General s. and daughters
Mr.. @ and family, Mr.. land family,
Mrs. b and sons, Mr.. and Mrs. T,
and DR.. H. 1t being late in the season
all had departed but Mr.. L. and family,
| and they left the following morning.
The accommodations at this place are not
so good as at some of the other Springs, but
the kind attentions of the proprietor, Capt,
Adair and his sons, make up in great mca.
sure for them.
The virtues of the waters here are not sur
passed in the mountains for diseases of the
throat and lungs they are superior TO all
Others have not met single case OF these
diseases, II not too lar advanced, that was
not much benefited, if not cured. AsIre-
mained five weeks hore last year, can speak
from personal observation and experience of
the great virtues of these waters.
The White Snlpher Springs, The present
tcrmina OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
road, formerly tbe Virginia Central Road. is
a place OF great resort, upwarde OF Two thou
sand persons were there at one time during
the present season. II is beautiful place.
and OF greater altitude than any OF the other
Springs. Tho hotels, cottages, &C., form
quite a town. These waters are unsurpassed
for dyspepsia and liver complaints, but in
cases of lung and throat affections they are
injurious. The Salt Sulphur, midway be-
tween the White and Red, Is charming
place, and the waters possess considerable
virtues. The table is excellent, one of
the beet in the mountains, and the
gallant host, Col. Peylon, seems 10 antici-
rate the wants of all his guests. Many other
Springs are within the circuit of fifty miles.
The Red, and Red Sweet, fine tonic waters;
the Hot, for rheumatism; anc Warm and
Healing Springs, for cutaneous or skin dis
eases. The climate Is excellent, and cannot
be surpassed from the first of June to the
18th ot November. The soil in many por-
tions OF the mountains is itch; in this vicini-
ty no fertilizers are used they alternate the
crops with tobacco, wheat and corn. There
is some fine grazing land, and the mountain
sides are excellent for sheep. wish you
could breakfast OH the mutton chops. When
left home could not cat this meat, and
now | can almost live on it. I am afraid
will be covered with wool If l remain much
longer. Several Pennsylvania firms are
purchasing iron furnaces along the route of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. The
ore Ia much superior to that found in Penn
sylVania.
The scenery along the route, through val.
leys and over mountain slopes, is very ami
mating. The ascent on portions Of the rail
road is very great, as much as $50 feet 10
mile; II. times two and three locomotives are
used 10 convey you up. 1t would be well If
our people were better acquainted with these
resorts Of health and pleasure. Many poor
invalid would be restored 10 health and Ygor
by visit TO them.
An election will take place 10 this Stale,
on the 2Slh of the present month, for mem
bers of the legislature. One question, the
enfranchisement of the late Confederates.
will be an issue; now they are not allowed
to vote, neither can they bring a suil in
Court, no matter how just their claims may
be. A rather pretty state of affairs.
AS the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad is
continued, il will bring all the Springs with
in easy staging distance TO it;now we have up
wards of forty miles over the mountains, two
days ride, 10 reach 1t. There is no doubt of
this great public improvement being a sue
cess, as New York capitalists, with the
President of the Union Pacific Railroad at
their head, are negotiating for it,
There are many little incidents of interest
might relate, bat they would extend this
letter 10 an unusual length. will therefore
conclude with hoping many of your readers
may be induced 10 visit these favorable places
of resort, for either health or pleasure
and remain, with much respect,
Yours, &C., DELAwAREAN.