The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-05


and al the News Depot of w. A. EDWARDS, 22s
East Broad Street.
Yesterday, and Ho,c We Spent LITTLE
Huntington House Vest Pont-O,u Re
Rushing at 2:40 speed through a
country covered with luxuriant second
growth of timber, the iron horse of the
York River road carried us on our way to-
ward West Point. We passed several
large fields of small corn, and great many
patches of sickly-looking oats.
AT Fish Haul, we saw evidence of thrift in
the shape of farm well cultivated, fine
growing crops, new buildings and fences !;
the land well ditched, which serves the dou-
BILE purpose of conveying off surface water
and chills. Enough such settlers as the one
here, will ''make the land blossom as the
rose," and what Virginia ought to be.
On the way, one of our party lost nice
linen hat, and authorizes us to say that if
the finder thereof will return it to the
JOURNAL office he will receive the thanks
of "Christian.'' Upon the right of the
road about four or five miles from our des-
tination, we came into view of a marsh,
stretching away into the distance as far as
the eye could reach /; it was beautiful to
look upon, but contains chills enough to
supply two day to each person in the
country for four thousand years, allowing
one hundred and fifty inhabitants to each
square acre of land. Arrived at our desti-
nation we disembarked, and wended our
way across a marsh where excavation had
been made for the foundation Of bridge,
in lieu of which we crossed the ditch upon
three railroad ties, laid side by
side. A short walk brought us to the
Huntington House, which is presided over
by Mr.. 4. w. Massey, who is prince of
good fellows, and knotcs how to keep ahotel--
a sufficient recommendation to the travel
selves of some of the dirt and cindcrs, of
which our engine furnished constant and
unlimited supply, we started out for a
stroll around the place. The town consists
of about twenty houses scattered about on
a dozen different streets. We should never
have suspected the town of having but two
streets had we not seen map of the place
at the hotel said map represented thirty
eight streets, numbered from one to twenty
four, and across the town lettered from A
to l.; the length of the streets appeared to
vary from about ten yards to three-fourths
of mile. The old burying-place, wherein
repose the ashes of some of Virginia's
bravest, is sadly neglected, the fences all
down, and the ground grown up with
weeds. We saw several Virginia pine
rooters plying their trade therein. The
most desirable looking property in the
place, consisting of store and dwelling,
newly repaired and whitewashed, was
labelled 'slIor Sale."f We did not wonder
thereat, for West Point must certainly be
a desirable place to emigrate from. Areal
estate agent taking advantage of there being
a crowd there, was trying to sell build
ing lots, but met with poor success. Re-
firing to the hotel to dinner, we did ample
Justice to the viands set before us, which
were served up in Massey's best style.
After dinner we took a stroll around the
hotel grounds which are ample and splen-
didly shaded-one portion Of which was
occupied by a platform upon which the
younger and some of the older members of
the party were tripping the light fantastic toe
to the music of French fiddle and two vio-
Inns. We noticed one ofo,n party had his lady
at his left as they took their place in a cotil-
lon. We didn't stay to see how he man
aged to get through the figures. In the
garden connected with the establishment,
were an abundance of fruit and vegetables.
On the whole everything connected with the
Huntington House, seemed to be in pros
porous condition. AT o'clock, we started
for the depot, when smart shower catch
ing us on the way there, and some of us
without umbrellas, our plumage was some-
what dampened, but not our ardor. The
trip home was enlivened by songs and jokes,
and all seemed well pleased with their trip
to West Point. The ladies of the party
complained Of the want of lights on the
train, there being but one, and that the lamp
of the conductor. Every pain having its
pleasure, arare opportunity was given the
sentimental portion to breathe words of
love into willing ears, without having to
hide the blush upon the cheeks. Altogether
the day was happily spent, and the entire
party returned satisfied with the efforts of
Capt. Bragg and Mr.. Massey, which rem
dered the excursion success.
For ourselves, and those connected with
our paper, we have returned our thanks for
courtesies shown us, in series of reselu-
tons, which we publish elsewhere.
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