New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-07
OLD-DOMINION SPRINGS.

| SOUTHERN sARATOGAs-WHITE, BLACK, YELLOW
! AND BLUE SULPHUR SPRINGS PEAKS OF
| OTTER-MPROYED FARM MACHINERY AND
FARMS-RAILROADS IN PROhRESs
MONTGOMERY WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, July
1l-In previous letters from this part Of Virginia its
pecuar geological characteristics have been described
The same disturbances which have upheaved so much
mineral matter have opened assures through which gsh
numerous springs Of water impregnated with chemical
salts. The mineral springs of Virginia scattered
over the entire width of the State west of the Blue
Ridge. To give brief catalogue Of them
and mention q few OF their virtues would re-
Ouire a volume; they numbered by hun
drcds hence propose only brief allusiOn to those on
this line OF railroad. There certain general charac
terstics TO nearly all; they come through mag
nesiaD limestone and sulphate Of lime Gypsum, or pas
teri hence they contain carbOnic and sulphuric
acids and hold in solution carbOnatcs OF lime and mag
nesia and sulphate of lime. They generally throw off
some free carbOnc acid and frequently contain chloride
sulphate OF Soda also sulphate of magnefa. In some
these arc very noticeable quantity. One or two con
tain iodine. All the sulphur waters have the odor or
taste Of suphureted hydrogen There is strange want
OF enterprise about the management OF these Watering
places with exception, have been able TO get
neither record Of location &C. other than badly printed
circulars even written analysis OF the waters When
say this refer particularly the springs this rail
road, but the remark is applicable TO many valuable
waters higher up the Valley.
Bedford Alum, at which new establishment has been
built east the Blue Ridge These alum springs obtain
their mineral matter by passing through alumnOus
shaes states containing sulphur usually suphuret
OF iron They are said to be especially valuable for
dyspepcs. Next, and west of the Blue Ridge Coy
ners Sulphur Springs. This is the only watering place
directly on the railroad line. The springs are white
sulphur and three black blue sulphur The first the
usual waters Of their class not very strong and rather
warm The hotel and other buildings pleasantly
situated in semcircuar glen about 800 yards from the
railroad An energetic Northern man keeping that place
could have full Summer and Winter. Its convenience
Of situation wOuld make it great restngplace for
travelling statesmen and Others. BOnsacks Station,
Coyners is connected by stage via Natural Bridge and
Rockhridge Alum Springs with Lexington and the rail
road 10 Greenbrier White Sulphur distance 90 miles.
The scenery along this route is among the finest in the
country and the road itself smooth Macadamzcd turn
pike.
The next spring OF note, going from Lynchburg, is Al
leghany. This formerly the exclusive resort of the
old-stye Virginia arstOcracy and their particular
friends; now il has become less exclusive and
popular. | informed that the waters contained
small quantity Of arsenic but in the absence OF any
analysis am disposed TO doubt it, The road from Coy
ners this spring passes the town of Salem place OF
considerable importance the key to the lower or
Southern Valley of Virginia, and great cattle market
1t is high, healthy town the head-waters OF the
Roanoke and has good hotels. Near the place Big
Lick Springs The Montgomery White Sulphur Springs
are half miles from the railroad. Leaving the
road at the western portal Of the g Big Tunnel found
myself az II D. m, seated IN establishment little
larger than extra sized dry goods box and
0ltng along rough tram road down the banks of
roaring mountain stream while the grand tall slopes
wild cliffs either hand shOne ont In perfectness Of
scenic grandeur in the Pickering light OF a setting moon
anon the hills would recede and leave the tired
10 smoothly In quiet through valley from which
the cool breeze brought the refreshing Odor OF the
timothy and clover quick turn in the road where the
sparkling stream at our side leaped angry little
ledge Of limestone and was lost In silence, brought
into one Of those valleys, from which the lights
cleaned invitngy and the moons last rays showed the
white houses nesting mid the dark of trees. I
have never seen place capable Of being made
Grst-cdss wacrngplace In every respect, than this
Mont oln,ry White sulphur yet II il now. except its
table, hardly tc.oni-r1t,, though much better than
many ot,r at the south. The situation perfect, the
section %, country fertile AMI ciDabo Of furnishing