South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-09-23
Letter from West Virginia.

RoMSEY West Virginia Sept. 10.
The Mountains as Seen Through City Eyes
Waking Jp-Mneral Springs-Railroad AID
Other Enterprises-S asylum for he Degf,
| Dumb and Blind-Bass FIshing-S,mmer Re-
| tread Public Need-He Crops, &c.
| To one used only to the sights and sounds of
great city, a trip to this beautiful and romantic
region is at once treat and luxury, TO be en-
\ joyed only with ample leisure and the society of
a single companion. From your hotel door You
can look upon as much Of natures lavish beauty
as probably can be seen from any other spot in
! West Virginia. Upon every hand you have an
ever varying picture of mountain and valley, Of
! charming river and green forest, just now as
fresh and lovely as when the leaves put forth in
royal June, and air so pure and rare that it is
real luxury to breathe it.
! This section Of West Virginia is rapidly re-
covering from the ravages and destruction of the
| late war, although it probably suffered as much
rs any other of the same extent of territory in
] the State There is scarcely a mark of the late
! "unpleasantneSs' to be seen, the patience and
/ industry of the people having hid them out Of
| sight-let us hope forever.
Romney and Springfield, the first named the
county seat of Hampshire county, and the latter
pleasant little village nesting in the IMP Of
circle of lovely hills, have in their vicinity quite
"A number Of valuable mineral springs which
may some day prove very attractive to the seek
er after health, or to the fugitive from the heat
and toll Of the city, who Graves the privilege Of
feasting his eyes upon the gorgeous glOries of
the mountains, or of repOsing in the inviting
shade Of the quiet woods. Capt. talists might
here find an ample field for the investment Of
surplus funds for there is little doubt but that
some future time the mineral springs Of this re-
gion will be the attraction for countless num-
bers Of people IL may not be amiss TO mention,
while on the subject OF mineral waters, that the
Alum, Sulphur and Frecstone Springs, on what
is known as the Donaldson property, only four
Np.NNs Al.
said to be as valuable for their medicinal prop
\ critics any others in the State. The Pancake
/ White Sulphur Springs, five miles from Romney,
are also noted in this section For their health
restoring qualities, besides very large number
/ Of fine chal ybeate and alum springs.
The citizens Of this place are just now agi-
tating the question OF building tram railway
to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a distance
Of some sixteen miles. The thing seems en-
tireIy practicable, and with proper energy the
work may lie accom- plished. The vast produc-
tiCns Of this region, which consist Of horses.
cattle hogs grain, lumber, coal aud iron ore il
is thought, will give il ample traffic and pa y
handsome dividends to the stockholders Just
here il may not be out Of place TO mention that
recent discoveries would seem 90 indicate that
very valuable coal and iron ore deposits are i'm
close proximity 10 the proposed line Of the road
An effort is also making to open here a ma
uonal bank. Under present circumstances it
seems an obvious necessity, and doubtless AN JIM
stiiution Of the kind would be of vast benefit 20
this section.
a steam tannery on large scale Is IN process
Of rapid construction al Paw Paw ON the line of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and a few miles
below the South Branch Of the Potomac. u i-
under the control Of q Northern company. ] am
informed, and IS probably only the f0rc5unuer
Of other and varied establishments Of industry
now that the capabilities and advantages of West
Virginia have been brought so prominently Co
the attention Of capitalists through the enter
prise Of The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
p1uy.
The State Of West Virginia has lately cstb
lisbcd here an asylum for The deaf, dumb and
blind. and cT0-'s ore making by thc citizens o.
build up a superior male and female school
The season for bass fishing in The waters adj
j4ccut to ihis place is just now 40 its height
The sport is fine, and the disciples of lsaak Wal.
ton aye lurng from their quiet hooks and hiding
places some fine specimens of the 6unv tribe IS
friend Of 'hc writer ON Saturday caught fellow
That weighed "a pounds. besides several Of lesser
size. Deer and partridge hunting, later in tI.
season, are also among the cnIOymens of this
section CO. those who can shake OF ihe lctharrr
Of everyday life and bctake themselves Co lie
woods and fields iu the early hours Of Che morn
ing
This place would afford those who can afford
. and desire quiet Iifc pleasant retreat dur.n.
the hot months of thc year. 10 is cnsy of access
|ouIy day s ride from your city. healthy. and
possessing Rll the advantages and comforts u..-
ads found in mountain villages. Property 4.
cheap. and The expense Of maintaining here .
cottage like those found at watering places wu..I
De moderate in the extreme
/ large. comfortable and attractive ho..
would De of great service 90 this place and
would probably De good investment At aH
events, 10 BE- one 0f Che needs Of ihe village
The crops Boa this vicinity are unusually H1ua-
Gant The corn crop specially viii be- cuor-
nous. O.
re- Recent experiments iu opium culti-
walton have resulted successfully, and Iu