The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-14
erenina State 5ouvnal.
SATURDAY EVENING. JUNE14, 1873.
Augusta County-Natural Curioslties.
From our Travelling Correspondent
STAUNToN, June 13, 1873.

embraces within its limits, so many objects
Of interest, curiosity, and wonder-both
natural and artiicial--as Augusta. 1t is
an old county, having been formed from
Orange in 1873. According to the old re-
cords. it was very large, comprising about
half of all the state and territory of Vir-
ginia, west of the Blue Ridge; but the
population having largely increased, in
1900 the county was reduced to its limits |
of about 30 by 30 miles; embracing with
in its boundaries, mountains, valleys, and
rolling lands, much of it rich and fertile,
aftording excellent farms while other
portions are rich in minerals, timber, and
valuable springs, together with the curious
pulsating fountains, called "ebbing and
flowing springs" Population about
2S,S00.
Among the natural curiosties are the
Cyclopean Towers, formerly known as 1.-THE
chimneys," from their tall, slim, straight
form; there are seven different columns
which compose the group of various heights,
the tallest two being from GO to 20 feet.
Howe quotes from q traveller the following
remarks: "These rocks in formation re-
semble the palisades on the Hudson river,
but are more regular in their strata"
They are about twelve miles from Staun-
ton, near the Augusta Springs and are
truly an attractive curiosity. worth some
trouble to see them. But the transcendent
natural curiosities of this county are the
wonderful caves, known as MEYERS" and.
''Madson's' caves; they contain many
extensive and magnificent apartments;
some Of them two hundred and fifty feet in
length, and have been compared with the
wonderful grotto of Antiporas, in the beau
ty and brilEance Of the forms and crystals
and stalantites aud spar formations Of hun
dreds of shapes and hues.
Staunton, the county-seat, is an elegant,
thriving city, about one hundred and six
teen miles northwest of Richmond. 1t is
place of large business and very general
resort; with large advantages for church
and educational enjoyments with popu-
lation of near six thousand.
The state benevolent institutions are
located here; such as the lunatic asylum
and the asylum for the deaf, dumb, and
blind. They are all we'll built and are or
naments to the locality.
Staunton is handsomely located at the
head waters of one branch of the Shenan-
doah river in beautiful valley, formed by
the North mountain and the Blue Ridge
few places that | have visited, produce
10 pleasant residences and prospe GUS bust
ness than this; it is surrounded by fine
farms, and overlooked by romantic hills
it is supplied by a neat and ample market,
so that wlthal, the people can be supplied
with excellent living, and visitors may be
sure of substantial and delicious fare The
stores appear attractive and the shops are
lively. There are four newspapers, all of
which show the evidence of ability, work.
manshlp and prosperity; from all of which
received the most cordial polteness; one
is daily, the others are weekly the first
is The Daily Times, the others are The
Valley Virginian, The Spectator and The
Vindicater.
Staunton is situated on the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad. and since the completion
of that great work to here, the city has ex-
perienced increased life and progress. The
place just now is unusually lively and plea
SAINT, from being commencement season,
with the several excellent female semina-
ries located here, which bring together
many hundreds of girls and young ladies,
from all parts of the country, and their
ady-lke presence and air gives cheerful
ness to the community: and it is "dress
parade" with them. The Virginia Female
Institute (EpiscopaD, closed its exercises
and distributed the prizes last evening.
The indicator says, in regard to this
Institute: On cold New Years morning
twenty-nine years ago, several prominent
citizens of Staunton had a meeting with the
object of establishing female school, called
= the g Virginia Female Institute" which
should be in the interest of the Episcopal
Church. Among them were Hon. A. Fl.
II. Stuart, DR.. r. 7. Stribling, the late
Judge Thompson, John B. Breckenridge,
Thos. j. Niche and others, whose names,
living or dead, are household words in the
communitv."
The achievements of this institute are
spoken of in the highest terms.
The Baptist institute is the next in order,
Of which The Yindicator says: 'Thc Bap-
fist female institute, under Rev. John A.
Hart, A. M, had Its birth in Chariottes-
vile in 1867, where the proximity of the
University Of Virginia is not favorable to
building up school for girls. In 1871 it
was removed to this city and Immediately
commenced rapid growth.
Last night, Thursday, the commence
ment exercises began at the Baptist church
with very fine musical exhibition. 70.
night it will close with the delivery OF
prizes and diplomas"
/ shall report the proceedings of to-
night. This institute is also highly es-
= teemed.
Next week will follow the commence
ment exercises of the Lutheran and Meth
odist institutes or schools-both OF which
enjoy high reputation.
AT the office of valley Virginian" /
had a pleasant interview with the editor,
Mr.. Yost, who takes a deep interest in i'm
proved farming, and is curious in exhibit
ing specimens of valuable minerals found
in this county, of which saw several in
his Office mostly good iron.
Another Richmond" The editor Of
the Spectator" is publishing an interest
ing series of historical sketches of Virginia,
and makes the following announcement to
ante-date the Mecklenburg declaration:
"OLD AUGUSTA IN 1775.--This issue
brings our sketch of Augusta down to the
opening Of the Revolution. Next we will
give the famous resolutions of l775, that
preceded those of Mecklenburg, North
Carolina, and which have never received
the attention from historians they deserve. y
The Daily Times says Major Hartman
will soon erect . row OF fine buildings on
New street. And it also says, the iron
works of Major Mcmahon are doing on i'm
nense business, and to those who under
rate the go-ahead spirit Of Stanton, it is
well worth visit to their shops, at the