The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-26
OUR VISIT TO WEST POINT.
Scenery on the Route--The Huntington Houses
Col. Bragg and his Railroad, &c.

Scenery on the R0ute--The Huntington Heuse--
Col. Bragg and his Railroad, &c.
Provided with an invitation from the
sterling and efficient superintendent of the
York River road, VIM. Bragg, ESQ.,, we
took the cars, yesterday morning at
O'Clock, in company with about twenty
we had heard much and seen but little.-
Passing through country, with viewing
which the eye never wearies, as its scenes
are ever changing from hill to vale, from
forest to field, from land to water scenery,
we reached ''Dispatch" station, where the
company has recently erected a neat, new
depot-house, sufficient for the demands of
the neghborhood.
AT the "White House, Historical in
the days Of Washington, and more recently
rendered so by the occurrences Of our late
revolution, we first beheld the waters of
the Pamunley, spreading out on each side
of us, which we crossed upon substantial
wooden bridge; striking out again into the
open country, dotted by farm-houses and
other improvements. We paid considera-
BILE attention to the appearance of the crops
growing and harvested--the wheat was
standing in shocks much thicker than
we expected; while the growing
oats, now nearly ready for the
sickle, were decidedly short. Corn was
looking well, it having that lively green ap-
pearance so indicative of an abundant yield.
Much of it was shorter than we expected,
but even this was full Of life.
For the first time, we noticed many of
the fields covered with fourishing pea vines,
; which, we learn, were to be turned under
as fertilizers. The entire country through
whih we passed needs only proper culture
and northern enterprise to make it yield
probably, and to render it one Of the most
delightful portions Of the State. We dare
notcompare the section through which we
passed to that portion of Virginia where
we passed our childhood hours for we
missed the smiling red clover, the waving
timthy, and rich blue grass, which, to a
peron from the western part of the State,
seems indispensable to good living and pros
perty. Dashng through thick forests,
thet hurrying into the open country, where
wewere surprised by the great expanse of
waters suddenly thurlst upon us, we
reched West Point at 81 o'clock.
| While the crowd seemed eager to visit the
steamer estate of Virginia." lying at her
wlarf, as if to keep holy the Sabbath, we,
urged by an appetite sharpened by three
holrs' ride, imagined we saw peeping from
amidst beaut; Ill grove a place more in
vihlg, and which seemed to say ssIlere's
yoar fresh oysters, crabs" &c. Fastening
ousteps we were suddenly confronted with
a huge 'cock" painted upon canvass, de-
cliring himself to be the "Cock of tie
Nalk.' Passinghis chickenship, we found
something to cheer the inner man, and inn
nrdiately called for the caudel appendage
ofthe rooster, which was served to us in
file style.
Leaving him to crow over the crowd soon
t6 follow, we wended our way amid flowers
aid trees to the spot where sleep the bones
q crabs and fish Of all kinds. We were
net by Mr.. Massie, the proprietor of the
Huntington House, in his usual happy style,
who furnished us breakfast fit for King.
| The man so lost to truth as to intimate that
he would be turned away from the Hunt
ington House, empty, is a slanderer. All
that fierce appetite could demand was
served IN elegant style, and partaken of to
our entire satisfaction.
| There was even enough left to satisfy the
craving demands of representative Of the
". 'g-which is simply saying there was a
bountiful supply.
| For the first time this summer we were
permitted to roll upon the grass and defy
the police and owners of private property,
which we enjoyed hugely.
| A new and comfortable bath-house has
been erected by Mr.. Massie, where all the
| pleasures of sea-bathing can be enjoyed
without fearing the monsters of the deep.
A new ten-pm alley has been added for the
pleasure of the guests. Altogether, West
| Point and the accommodations of the
Huntington House, present attractions suf-
ficient to induce crowdins of the place,
provided cheap and comfortable facilities
are furnished. A want of stock prevents
Mr.. Bragg from doing what he otherwise
would. The dinner furnished the party
was magnificent one, and all for the small
sum Of fifty cents. Every individual pre-
sent was charmed with the entertainment,
consisting, as it did, of food not furnished
! by our home markets.
At ten minutes to four O'Clock the whis-
tie of the engine warned us to get aboard.
Gathering a number Of cat-o-nme-tails, we
hurried aboard, leaving the WMg, with
canvass stretched, far out upon the bosom
of the Pamunly, waving goodbye with
his red bandana. Toot! toot and away
we speed for Richmond, soon to be choked
and heated by the oppressive atmosphere
of city life.
The York River road is in first-rate
condition, while its officers are polite and
attentive to the wants of its patrons. Mr..
Bragg, who, for fifteen or twenty years,
was connected with the Fredericksburg
road, knows show to keep railroad" in
good repair, and pays such attention to the
'YorlS River" as to ensure safe and speedy
transportation to freight and passengers.
While West Point, in point of attractions,
fails to present such numbers as do our
more fashionable watering places, there is a
quiet comfort about it which will be appre-
ciated by persons not desiring the noise
hustle and excitement of more pretentiol.s
places, rendering it a most desirable coul.
try retreat.
Seriously Hmt.--Yesterday afternoon
while car No. was passing the corner o
Twenty-filth and Main streets, about I
o'clock, an old man, who was crippled, at
tempted to jump from the car while ii
motion. Although the car was going at
slow rate, the driver attempting to stop i
for other passengers, the man fell, striking