The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-31
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.
BATH ALUM SPRINGS, VA.,}

AS your valuable paper is recognized as
the friend of Virginia springs, will give
YOUR readers all account OF this delightful
watering-place, which for fine buildings,
comfortable sleeping arrangements. excel
lent fare, beautiful scenery, &C., should
rank among the leading resorts in the Nir-
ginia mountains. All the arrangements at
this fountain of health reflect great credit
upon the taste and talents Of the lamented
John w. Frazier, whose keen, fnr-seeing
mind saw the immense value of these medl-
cnal waters.
The buildings are of brick, consisting of
four-story main hotel containing about
forty rooms, connecting with Il large brick
dining-room, capable Of seating four hum
dred guests. On either side of the main
hotel is hotel for families, most conve-
niently arranged, containing sixteen rooms
each. The beautiful brick cottages are on
each side of the latter hotels, and forming
with them semi-circle. The buildings are
all planned with handsome decorated por-
ticos. which imparta air of great comfort
to the establishment.
The scenery is very bold and beautiful.
An amphitheatre of mountains enclose the
valley Of ThompSon's run, on which the
Springs are situated, on every side. The
Warm Springs Mountain lies to the south
and west. On this mountain is the celebra-
ted Flag Rock, SO much resorted to by visit
ors from all the Virginia Springs.
There are several caves in the vicinity,
atfording opportunities to those who are dis
posed TO make subterranean explorations.
lhompson's Cave, Kincaid's Cave, and
Clarke's Cave, are all IN easy reach OF our
| uotel. Clarke's Cave bears the marks OF
| lncessapt operations during the war. The
walls, with their beautiful stalactites, are
blackened with the smoke of a hundred
furnaces, constantly engaged in the manu-
| facture of saltpetre for the brave "boys in
gray" Several streams around us abound
IN fine brook trout, and our breakfast table
| has often exhibited strong evidences of the
skill of Colonel B, Of Richmond.
| These streams are minus one hundred and
| titty-live fine large trout, which the Colonel
and our accomplished book-keeper, Mr..
c., brought in from two excursions.
There are nine springs now In opera
| tion-magnesia, alum, chalybeate, and
sulphur. Three very strong chaly beate
springs are now opened at the mouth of
Thompson's Cave, which, in my judgement,
are unsurpassed in Virginia, if not LII the
world. The water is very limpid and cold,
| and after walk to the cave and hearts
draft OF these "iron waters" you have an
appetite sufficient to frighten even our
large-hearted proprietor.
We have charming company mere.
Colonel B. and family, Mrs. Colonel
j and family, and Mrs. 8 and party,
represent your city. AL are very sociable
and agreeable, and all vie with each other
in efforts to contribute to the enjoyment of
the others. Of course we are happy and
having charming time.
The young folks here last night gave us q
most beautiful series Of tableauX, splen-
fdidly gotten up under che skiful manage
ment of Miss w, of Leesburg-quite
| too beautiful to be omitted in this sketch.
The first scene was "Blue Beard" re-
presented by MIR. II. P. c., of the Bath Alum,
who, to my utter surprise, made a magniti.
cent rutfian. He is such pleasant gentle
man that no one supposed him capable Of
such bloody deeds. But there hung by
their hair, "stark and cold" his seven
dead wives, represented by Miss W.. OF
Kentucky; Miss B., Of Richmond; Miss
Carrie g., of Alabama Miss May T., OF
Massachusetts and the Misses H., of Geor.
gia. His eight h and living wife was repre-.
sented by Che lovely Miss Minnie B., Of
Richmond, In q kneeling posture with the
ahorrid savage clutching her by the hair and