The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-07-30
TiflD Tribune.
LEXINGTON. July 16. 1869.

are thrifty and active with business In
Jefferson and Berkley counties, land
is much higher than in Ohio. An
acquaintance of mine bought at S32
per acre in 1865, and sold last month
at S81, and adjoining him is Mr..
Ichelberger, who has refused $3.50
per acre for his. These coan ties are
ia West Virginia. Elsewhere, land
rates about as in Seneca county
Many farms are still unfenced, though
cultivated, bnt no stock is allowed to
run at large. Farms are being divi-
ded, and new cottages in many field
indicate the presence OF the new
comers. The waste Of timber during
the war is a serious drawback to the
country. 1t was one vast camp and
battlefield. Staunton is a flourish
ing place, as large as FostOria, and
active with business. 1t will be the
best point in this region. The Asy-
lums for the insane and deaf and
dumb, are located there, and under
good management. The location of
the town is on undulating ground,
and the hills and mountains "gird it
about.' 1t is op the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railroad, now finished ninety
miles west, and the early completion
of the Valley line will give it con-
nection with Harper's Ferry and by
way of the Manassas Gap road, and
other outlets to Washington. Most
of the mills destroyed are rebuilt
By the way, not one-third of the
mills in the Valley were burnt by
Sheridan. In this, as in some other
things during the war, there was
much humbug. The field of Farley
last contest was Waynesboro, where
little "Phil" cleaned him out, captur-
ing his trains, and scores of citizens,
aud wagons were sent to the rear
for safety, the latter Of which
the "wild Irishman" burnt. In the
fraeas, Farley sent shot through
the gables of an old church. Reluct-
ant as these people were to go into
the war, few sections suffered so
much in property or lost so many
men. The grave yards are full of
Confederate dead, and manned sol
diers. with widows and orphans,
abound. 1t is a sad reflection that
such sacrifices were made in such a
cause, and that now there is no pow-
er to compensate or reward. But
time is rapidly repairing the material
waste. Emigration, diversified in
dustries and the division and skillful
cultivation of the land, will soon ren-
der the Valley richer aud more popu
GUS than ever it has been.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.
From Staunton, it is ninety miles
by rail to the White Sulpur Springs,
the great Summer resort for the South
before the war. The hotels and cot
tages are fine, and the surrounding
country romantic and charming
Judge Chase has a cottage there,
where he hopes to fix matters for
1872 but he is now absent. In
stead Of 1900, as In olden times,
there are now but 400 guests. The
price, $50 per month, is rather too
much for the reduced Southern bloods,
and then it is in West Virginia, a
State which Gov. Wise, in recent
speech, denounced as the "bastard
offspring of bold, political rape. >
The water is not as strong as Green
Springs. 1 remained but two hours,
but was charmed by the romantic
scenery. Returning fifty seven miles
to Gorham, [ left the railroad and
came here twenty-five miles By stage.
LEXINGTON AND VICINITY.
This place was settled in IVA, and
named in honor of the first battle of
the revolution. Its population is
5000, living on narrow streets, with
rusty dwellings tandiug out on the
pave ents. There is scarcely a green
door-yard. Its Court House is di-
lapidated, and in the Jail yard there
are still standing the weather-beaten
pillOry and whipping-pOst, relics of
that barbarism which it is the mis-
sion of this age to drive from among
men. The town is a mile west of
North River, a branch of the James,
upon ground crossed by ridges and
ravines, whilst in the background,
wooded hills and mountains rear their
broken crests, and far to the South
the speaks of Otter" pierce the clouds
like giant sentinels, highest among
all the lofty mountains of Virginia
Near Gorham are the ruins of three
furnaces, built during the Revolution.
The mountains are pregnant with
iron, and a Yankee is now preparing
to manufacture steel at Buffalo Gap.
A new and vigorous life awaits this
section. Capital is searching for
hidden wealth, and free labor with
its brawny arms and skiIlful energies
will soon illuminate these valleys
with the blaze of a thousand furnace
fires, and crowd them with a popula-
ton distinguished alike for intelli-
gence and wealth.
NORTH RIVER AND MOUNTAIN ScE-
merry.
The stage road follows North Riy-
er, and after a drive Of three miles
enters the mountains, which rise alb
ruptly from the waters edge to the
height of 800 feet. Hanging on