Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-29
letter from W. arren o.. Va.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Wing. |

RGyERToN, WARREN Co., Va. Sept. -. -
This is the incpient city ut the meeting OF the
waters of the north and south branches OF the
Shenandoah. 1t is about 4 mile and 4 halt due
north from Front Royal The Manassas rail-
road crosses the south branch just above the
Junction and within the corporate limits: Ihc
Shenandoah railroad when completed will cross
below the Junction and skirt the southern Dor
ders of the town The city. when it attalns lis
growth, will spread over all the sides OF both
branches, and below on both sides OF the unit
ed streams. On the south side Of the south
branch and the north side of the north branch,
the lands are elevated and rolling and will con-
stitute beautiful building sites for future pa!a-
ces;-the Messapotamla or space between the
two rivers is wide and fertile plaln-thc prop
erty and residence OF Mr.. RicharIs-now co..
cred with magnificent crop otcorn the future
Campus Martius ard seat OF Commerce and
Empire. The country all around Is beautiful
mountains, some robcd IN green and some TIT
cd to the submits, and fertile plains. The
Massanutten projects in the distance between
the two rivers, near y to the North river. The
founder of this city displayed more taste IN the
selection Of the site than III tie choice OF thc
name The name OF ''Rlvcrton IS unworthy
of the future rival Of Rimmon' s delightful seat.
Fair Damascus, on Ille lclLllf fIlihH
OF ALBANIA and Pharphar, lucid $tr'1'Inr.
was attracted to this charming region ~
the renown of the Belmont vineyard. wh!c!!
lies upon southern slope OF spur OF the Blue
Ridge. 4 mile south Of Front Royal. But Of
that tH hereafter Being ut Riverton, began to
contemplate its natural advantages and spccl!-
late on its future grandeur. While thus en-
raerl was admoni<hcH that the clear trails
paren, waters of the Shenandoah wrrr cruw'i-
cd with bass and afforded rare aud abundant
snort 10 the angler. The bass in the ShcnandOah,
which have come into that river from The 70
tomac within the last two years. give new lie
and attraction to the banks Of that lovely stream.
Rivcrtou. on account OF its accessibility By rail,
will be il commanding point. and the brethren
OF the gentle art will iloc!; there from al quar-
tiers. and constitute the Teal founders ri the
infant city, At present there are on y some
half q dozen houses in the town, 4 large Hour
ing mil--thc one Of two OF the river that sur
yiycd the great food of last Superintendent
sundry lime-kilns in the vicinity. y good inn
is greatly needed for the accommodation OF
anglers. At present, am ers are Indebted to
the old Virginia hospitality OF Mr.. +. for en-
teranmcnt.
The Rivcrtnn mill is owned by: company Ul'
entcrprising Pcnnsylvanlans, who grind the
wheat of all the surrounding country on both
sides of the Ridge. and turn out Il flour which
stands high in all the Northern marts.
The fresh Of last year is sti'l familiarl: spoken
Of as the flood 1t exceeded anything OF the
kind of which history or tradition makes mel-
ton. The water rose forty live feet IN lev
hours. and many houses, never before reached
BY the water, were swept away. and several
lives were lost The destruction Of crops and
houses along the stream was quite equal to that
on the James at the same time. The rain
Which caused the food in both rivers fell along
the Blue Ridge, and mainly in Rockhridgc.
Amherst, Nelson, Augusta and Abemarle
The Valley hcreabouts complains greatly ot
the drouth But the crops look to me is prom
sing fair yield Of corn. Lower down, in
Clarke and Frederick hear, the damage has
been much more serious.
The fall in the price OF cattle, which Is
leading staple on both sides Of the Ridge, has
had very depressing effect. The cattle for
fattening we're bought at too high a figure last
Fall, and many are willing to dispose OF those
on hand at cost With high taxes this causes
much grumblng.
As this is the point where work was begun
on the Shenandoah Valley railroad, and from
which westward nearly II miles of the track
have heea prepared for the rail. | was in hopes
If obtaining some authentic information in re-
Spect to the future, But nothing satisfactory
could be obtained.
CuRIous.-Recent reports from New Or
leans state that shoals Of dead fish have been
floating along the coast Of the Gull Of Mexico.
from Sabine Pass to lialvcstom ana dead and
diving fish arc 10 be seen stranded aong the
Florida coast about Tampa. The motality
among the fish is very great. and no cause oil
this singular phenomenon has rs get been dis
covered.
CTOCk l. d ERS EETl y G.
\ meeting of the stockholders ui thu MID
DLEBURG and PLAINS TURNPIKE co.
I II N;511,bprr th,. otlinr n NJ ri