The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-15
WHAT OUR EDITORIAL VISITORS THINK
OF VIRGINIA,
From the Wyoming County Democrat, N, VI
GRAND EDITORIAL. EXCURSION.

dhAND EipllOhlAlg ENCURSION.
My last brought us through. Richmond,
which place our party left about eight
o'clock Friday morning in a special train
for Staunton and White Sulphur Springs.
The Chesapeake and Ohio, on which we
now ride, is a grand monument to Virginia
industry. Mountains have been built and
tunnels pierced through solid rock, until
this great railway, which crosses the Blue
Ridge and Allegheny, rivals the great Pacific
railroads of the West. About fifty miles
north Of Richmond are situated valuable
iron and copper mines, known as the Vic
toria. Two car loads day arc shipped for
New York on the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad, and in time, this valuable ore will
be demanded in large quantities. Running
through the State northeast and southwest,
and dipping obliquely to the east, are rock
formations, in which is Virginia gold as well
rs other valuable ores. Numerous mines
are worked, and yield valuable RETURN
In the heart of this district we stop
at Travilian station, where our sol
diers under Sheridan had a severe brush
with Wade Hampton. Majors Knapp,
and Robinson and others will recollect
wildly the severe engagement at this point.
Sheridan came up from Hanover upon raid
and was driven back. On for few miles
and near Charlottesville is Jefforson's Mon
ticello an unpretending brick building upon
a very high hill, looking desolate from age
and distance. Charlottesville is well known
to our boys in blue who were with Sher-
dan, and it and the country about is as
charming farming country as any in the
world. 1t is called by English travellers the
Lombardy of the West.
The long tunnels and first ones through.
and we find ourselves in the Shenandoah
valley. Nothing can compare thes richness
of soil and hourishing look of this region.
If a farmer desires the society and refine
ment of the thickly populated North; its
rich Genesee farming and fruit-country, we
have it here, as many soldiers well remem-
Der, with the addition of as genial cir
mate as the world affords.
STAUNTON.
Rising like planet in the beautiful lands
at the head of the Shenandoah is the beau
tiful city of Staunton, the seat of learning
and beneyolence.
A hearty welcome is here extended lis
by the city authorities of whom Editor w.
I'll. Lynn is one and to whom we feel espe-
cially indebted for information and polite
attentions. One of the evenings enjoy
ments was visit to three female seminar
ries for which Staunton is noted. From all
the South as well as the North these insti-
tutions draw young ladies of the best socie-
ty, and nothing could be better to give our
children good idea Of the refinement, in
telligence and beauty of Southern life than
sending them to such institutions. 1t would
be to them what the german Universities
are to our young men, The Virginia Fee
male Institute we especially commend for
its finished teachers.
Here too are located two State institu-
tons which gave us warm greetings and
which are noted for being the best of the
kind. The State Lunatic ASYLUM is
very large building comprising many sepe-
rate and numerous additions. Under charge
of Professor S. e. Stribbing an enthusiast
upon the subject and agentleman'of finished
culture, we could confidently expect Vir-
ginia to rank with the first in the care of
those unfortuates. Billiards, bowling
and other amtlsements are provided.
The State Institution for the dumb and
deaf III care of j. G. Covell, professor in
charge, is the noblest of its Kind in this
country. A fine brass band, piano, colos-
sal pipe organ and other elements serve to
give character and occupation to the large
number of blind of both sexes and their
wonderful skill was exhibited by the pro-
iessors in charge in happy and satisfactory
manner to the editors and authorities pre-
sent. With the ten fingers and thumbs the
blind read as readily and fast as any one,
with finger on each raised letter. In
algebraic equasions they exhibit wonderful
familiarity for their powers so also of
French. The institution has fine and
complete printing office, manufacturing and
other branches of industry, and is one of
Az Il ott ~,
must not forget in the OVERLOOKING hospi-
Of the best kept and most hospitable houses
we have yet visited. Every door was
thrown open free of charge and attentions
so polite and generous by Messrs. Frazier
& Sale, the proprietors, and Superintendent
d. G.. McDuffin, cannot fail to leave last
ing impression upon our memories. The
chairman of the Council, w. A. Burte,
ESQ.,, was uremitng in his efforts to
please, and we all feel indebted greatly to
numerous citizens who did for us all in their
power.
The country about Stanton resembles
New York strongly. 1t is aGcnesee valley
fully as rich and prosperous. The advisa-
bic way to locate is for two or three to Join
and divide the large farms. Land in the
Shenandoah valley is valued at $50 for first
class farms. Yet remember the great adj
vantage. Long seasons, fully two months
longer than in the Genesee valley by which
the enormous loss of winter is gained by the
farmer. Cattle with the long seasons be-
sides being much more easily kept come out
spring fat. Then too long seasons give
ample time to prepare crops and fully or
ganize the land. An intelligent. Syracuse
gentleman has purchased an adjoining farm
to Monticello. He finds large profits and
great success growing from a three years
work, but advises a joining of hands to pur-
chase, as the farms generally are very large.
Negro labor is to be had from 40 to rs
cents day.
Railway communication via the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railway is good, and mar
kets of easy access. This grand road will
soon give Yirginians an Ohio outlet, and
the Baltimore and Ohio will give, by new
road now building, direct connection with
the Shenandoah and Piedmont regions.
Nothing can exceed the fruit prospects.
Peach trees hung loaded with green fruit;
strawberries this 26th of May are in their
prime, green peas as plenty as with us a
month LATER corn I'm fnr n first hOeinu