The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-16
correspondence OF INC KIcNHOHu I5ISTH0V'I'
pARKERSRrRG. August II, 1865.

Eeftcr from West Virginia.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
PARKERsBuRG, August II, 1869.
We have Just shaken of the dust of three
States, and while resting from the fatigue
of tedious journey will fulfil promise &c
tell You something of our trip and tho
country. -,
The route from Richmond to Washing
ton vid AQUA creek is familiar one tc
YOUR readers, but few OF them have had ar
opportunity of witnessing an eclipse o. the
sun from the Potomac boat. Our view OF II
was excellent but the scene which was
TRANSFERRING ninety-fve million miles away
did not attract as much attention as the
nearer landscape. The greatest obscura-
ton occurred just as we were passing Mount
Vernon, and there was scarcely enough
lirht to render the house visible from tho
boat. The skies were intensely blue, anG
the few clouds in the horizon of dull
leaden color. Objects, whether near o.
distant, appeared as if seen in bright moon
light, As the hour for. the eclipse arrived,
every one began to prepare cards IN accord
ance with instructions contained III inc
DISPATCH OF the morning.
These instructions, you will remember
supcested that a "small hole be made IN
card" etc. We were much amused at see
ING men making holes from the size OF .
cambria needle to that Of a walnut, accord
ing to their ideas Of "small." Did you
ever have anybody to tell you that thing
was about as big as piece OF chalk = But
this was not half as amusing as discus
sion which took place, as VIC ncared wash
ington, between two old gentlemen as &c
what was the cause Of an eclipse. They
both agreed that the sun and moon were at
the Same distance from the earth, and only
differed as to how they passed each other.
Some Of their theories would have startled
La Place and Newton, as for instance, that
on which they finally agreed that one
switched off for the other-a IN railroad.
Baltimore was more quiet than we ever
saw it; probably it is the calm before the
storm, for We were informed that larger
southern trade is expected this fall than at
anv time since the war. The markets arc
filled TO overlooking with all sorts Of yegc-
tables and fruits, which sell more cheaply
than they have done for thirty years.
Rev.. A. Duncan preached twice in the
city on Sunday, and at night made an ap-
neal to n crowded audience in behalf OF
Randolph Macon College, which, it is to he
hoped, will be responded to by liberal sub
scriptions.
But enough of Baltimore. Goodbye to
monuments, clcanly-swcpt streets, palatlal
warehouses, and the fairy forms which
throng Charles and Baltimore streets, and
westward no. On from Camden station up
the bright, ripping Patap sco-through teldS
of harvested wheat or growing corn-through
the gates of the Blue Ridge ut Harpcr's
Fcrrv-through the fair meadows and green
forests of the Valley--miles and miles up the
foaminc Potomac-past Cumberland and the
innumerable coal mincs-up the Allegheny
and down the Cheat like a whrlwind gust
through unbrokcn forests Of virgin timber
over bridges and viaGucts--through tun-
ncls without numbcr-down the corn-clad
banks Of the Little Kanawha-on, on, on,
thinking of mans victories over nature,
and dreaming Of another railroad whose
triumphs arc yet to be won, whcn-' Far
kcrsburg, gentlemen change cars for Gin
cinnati ~ and here we are.
When we were last in this place there was
great activity i'll the oil business and con-
siderable fever for speculation. The city
itself was built on rough ground, and the
greater portion presented an appearance OF
newncss Since then the oil fever has sub
sided, and business OF u more hcaithlul
nature has taken its place. The town has
been rcmodcllcd," so to speak, streets
having been graded and buildings raised OF
lowered to correspond.
We accompanied several gentlemen OF
the town this morning to the site OF the
projected bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad over the Ohio river. Several Oh
the piers have been erected, and hundreds
Of laborcrs are at work upon the others,
exhibiting an energy and industry which,
with the vast proportions Of the structure,
may well surprise a Richmondcr. When
completed, this bridge will be far longer
and higher than that of the Petersburg
railroad over James river at Richmond.
Gentlemen whose intelligence and politi-
cal forecast make their opinions worthy of
respect assure us that the Legislature Of
West Virginia will without doubt call a con-
vention to enfranchise the large number OF
citizens who have been unable to take the
iron-clad oath.
We have been assured that nearly all the
influential Republican journals in the
State, including the Wheeling lntelltgencer
and Parkersburg Times, have taken ground
IN favor OF this, ana that they are sup
ported III this by very large number OF
the most distinguished members of their
party. Among those who are becoming
prominent in this movement is Mr.. L. III.
Hutchinson, talented young lawyer of
this city. Who knows but what he may
he the Walker of West Virginia
Mr.. W. +. Atkinson and Lieutenant Da-
Wis (son of Colonel J. L. Davis), formerly
of Richmond, are engaged in business here.
Rev. j. b. HGrdwickc, late of Petersburg,
is now General Agent of the Baptist State
Mission Board, and makes his headquarters
i'll this city.
We are going to sec an oil distillery, and
then down the Ohio. Maybe you'll hear
again from ALBATRosS.
A Proposition TO General Candy.
FRANKLIN COURTHOUSE, August y.