The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-03-18
Written for the Spirit.)

Red House Rock, West Virginia.
Mr.. EDITOR: Having recently been
near Rad House, West Virginia, l deter
mined to visit that noted and far famed
rock, or promontory bearing that name.
This rock is, indeed, an object Of curios-
ity and Sublime grandeur. A view from
the summit of this conspicuous eminence
OF the grand and picturesque scenery,
visible from this point, will we'll repay
any one for the labor and fatigue that
they will necessarily endure in laboring
up the winding and steep ascent. over
rugged aud steep detiles, that leads to
the top Of this mighty tower Of nat ure's
own construction. This noted rock is
situated on the north bank and at the
vortex of an obtuse angle formed by the
bend of the river opposite, and raises
abruptly to great height, and nearly
vertical from the base to the apex, which
to the eye above appears to overhang
the base At this giddy height it requires
one with a considerable of the adventu-
rous and steady nerve to approach to
the edge of the rock and survey the
mighty precipice and awful depths be
low, far, far down, where the crystal and
sparkling waters Of the Great Kanawha.
roll over the rapids beneath your ieet.
{ These are familiarIy known as Red
House Shoals.) Looking to the left, or
eastward, the great valley is beheld
stretching away To great distance be.
tween the lofty and rugged hills on
either side, and the winding and serpen-
tine river loses itself ia The distance az q
mere silvery thread; while below, or q
little to the right, situated upon beau
tiful slope on the opposite side Of the
river is the thriving little town of Win.
field, the county seat of Putnam County,
with the visible remains Of the rife pits
hastily constructed for its deteuse du-
ring the late rebellion. Yet to the right,
and still below to acunsiderable distance
can be distinctly seen the place of en-.
eampment of George Washington dur.
ing the time of making the survey of
the lands granted to him in Virginia, by
the Government, in which he was per-
sonaliy engaged. A bar opposite the
encampment slill retains the name Of the
iilustrious hero, known as Washington's
Bar. Turning attention to the few square
yards Of surface on the top of the rock
we are lead irresistibly to tie conciusinn,
from the scuipturing or carving in the
rock of those mystical symbols, or hier.
oglyphic like expressions, OF various
forms and devices, some Of them resem
bling arrow beads, darts, bows and quiv.
ers, horses heads, elk horns. and the
forms Of various animals, that this rock
has been the frequent haunt OF the red
man, in all probability, many centuries
ago; as some of the designs and outlines
OF various figures can be but diinly de.
ciphered, being much defaced though NO,
wholly oblitersted by the ravages Of
time. At what time this rude .sculptur
ing was done, or for what purpose, is
beyond our conjecture or province to::de-
termine; only this we know, that they
remain, and the clear and limpid waters
of thesriver that roll beneath, now. a.
then, still glide forever on in their eter
nal course.
If you should ever visit Winfield, GO
up and look out from Red House Rock
O. S. SLOAN.