The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-09-01
5afllefhaa Geaister.
Touring Through West Virginia.

Touring Through West Virginia.
Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.
FALLS OF KANAwHA, August "a, 1871.
When it was suggested to US to try {
rough jolt over the high and rocky
mountains Of Western Virginia, insteac
OF lingering and languishiag at some
famous springs, it never occurred to oul
mind that we would pass through such
a delightful country. However, We
started, and here we are. 1t was
pretty rough steamboating from Gin
cincinnati to Charleston. The water
was very shallow, and the river still
falling, with cousohng reports from
above that it was stationary, with two
feet in the channel and no indications
of rain. You may rest assured oul
fellow passengers felt in an anxious
state over the dull news, and many and
loud were the curses Of a few Cincinnati
drummers who had started out under
very fair prospects. After our GOOD
steamer had grounded some dozen
times, and spent several hours In spar
ring off and then would unfortunately
dig into the sand and remain for several
hours more. she finally got into gooC
water and soon landed us safely il
Charleston. This place has so otter
received complimentary notices through
your columns that | vii not attempt tc
say much, otherwise than the people
are complaining about the present con
dition of crops. There has been nc
rain for over month, and the wheat
corn and products are being completely
burnt up for want of rain The people
OF Charleston at present are greatly ex
ercised over the new Chesapeake ant
Ohio railroad, the State Convention
question, and as well, over the discus
sion of the Cincinnati Sunday question
As to the railroad, the contractors
are pushing it through with all possible
speed, and from the Falls, the rumblinG
sound OF blasting is heard throughout
the day. | was couversing with ont
of the contractors recently, and he in
formed me that he had two hundred
and fifty men constantly at work, clear
ing the brush and blasting, and that hi
time of contract would be up in eigh
teen months. He expressed his doubts
as to the completion Of his portion o
the contract in less than two years
The road will run through the mos
picturesque portion OF this country, anC
is built on q rocky bed from point t
point. In some places the road runs
Immediately on the verge OF the noun
tains, and the least accident would hur
cars and all down distance Of from
eight hundred TO nine hundred feet, in
to the Kanawha river below. 1t is q
wonder to me that there has not beer
more accidents, considering the grea
amount OF blasting going on from da.
to day. But three or four persons hav'
been disabled or killed thus far
Speaking OF the Kanawha River it il
one OF the prettiest streams on which
have ever travelled Upon either sid,
for miles, the high mountains will
their gay foliage, loom up grandly, re
minding one of the Hudson Rive
scenery. The river in itself is study
very long, narrow and winding, and it
waters are as clear as a crystal. Arriv
ing at Charleston you take the stage
at 2 A. NJ, and are driven at gait tina
makes one shudder. Up mountains
through valleys, over bridges ant
creeks, you are jolted until your supply
of breath is nearly exhausted. Th,
scenery along the route, is, however
grand beyond description. At the Ia
nawha Falls the weary traveller re
ceives miserable dinner, thrown upol
the table in any manner, while TIVE
lazy, dirty negroes stand behind, brush
ing flies from the table in ones face
by way OF variety. Finishing the meal
which by the way is served to one il
the cellar, you rush to the high rock il
the rear of the hotel in order to view
the falls. While looking upon the en-
chanting scene below, and viewing TIT
dashing of the great volumes OF water
as it Kisses and loans in its agonizinl
attempt to break the rock asunder
the dinner is forgotten, and the ialI'
seem to be a place where one could lin
ger forever.
This is a great resort for fishing par
ties. The river above and below thu
falls abounds in trout, bass, cat ant
turtle. Parties of thirty are frequently
noticed sitting along the rocks, watch
ing their lines, or upon the water IL
boats, trolling for trout. In September
there is said to be excellent deer hunt
ing. This place, previous to the war
was a great resort to lovers OF the finn!
tribe, and the hotel was kept in excel
lent style. Since then it has run down
and more owing to the meager atten
ton paid to the house by the presen
propretors. The distance is thirty-sl'
miles from Charleston and two mlle
from Gauley Bridge. MARITIME.