New-York tribune., 1873-08-02
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.

THE MARCH OF IMPROVEMENT ARREsTED-cAUsE
OF THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF RENEWED
ACTIVITY.
IFRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.I
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Va, July 1S.-In
these very early days of the season. when the visitors
few and far between, when the ballroom is closed,
and the dinngr0om chiefly occupied by terrible chey
aux-defrse made Of chairs reversed and piled the
tables, when the officiating minister can number his
flock with and the propretOrs their gains with the
slightest amount of trouble-there are two subjects
which daily occupy the visitors time here One is the
arrival the by the coming train, piquant
of wild hopes and hazardous specuations the
other is sempiterna not exciting; it is to
about, to rdieule, and to offer suggestions upon the
extraordinary development of How not TO do it,"
hbed in the establishment As the quality Of the visi
tors here its central and now easily accessible situation,
It's beauty the health of its climate, the power of its
one we'll of water with It's high and it really i'm
pregnabe renown notwithstanding all it has had TO con-
tend with, make the condition of the White Sulphur
Springs matter OF national importance, shall try to
do what think correspondent has yet seen fit to do
to give your readers idea Of the extraordinary cond
ton of things here as far careful observer dis
cover it.
There are two sets Of authorities, the company which
owns the property and the lessees. The property
sists OF to 1000 of land, of which several
hundred are bottom gently soping land OF various
degrees Of excellence; the rest rough mountain tract,
WITH they say. iron upon IT, but which has al
ready lost much Of its timber There is large hotel
with bedrooms for 800 So and dining, drawing, and
bathrooms for the whole crowd Of visitors who fill the
hotel, and the hundred little cottages which are set
around the flowing lawns. There is a rough bowling
alley, bath and washhOuses and dry, rough stable.
There are few drives and walks about the grounds.
am not aware that there any other improvements,
unless billiard room, bar, and licensed gambling den
pan he so
run debt to the little tune Of 100000 there
The meager rent paid by the lessees gives inter
est on of the earlier bonds probably some s2O0
while for the rest principal and interest so
latng with placid fow until some day some good Mr.
Co1coran shall step in and improve things"
Meanwhile diapidation and decay advance apace;
neither company temporary essees doing anything
more than the slightest possible amount of work 10
prevent them and the purchasers don't come. The
present lease expires this year. they say; and then
something must be DONE" What that something
ought to be- none who know the place appear ques
ton. Unfortunately it is the exact opposite of what
the company has determined to do While inert
monopoly has brought the place to its present impover
ished condition; while everything calls out for the new
life of healthy competition, these amable gentlemen
and they truly amiable aud courteoushave sworn
a royal oath" that they will sell the whole concern or
none at all That at leastis said all Sides and never
denied And yet there admirable sites which might
be sold off without any interference with the existing
buildings where Of enterprise might establish ho-
tells Of varied prices with charming gardens and grounds
attached One OF the odd mistakes of the present hotel
is that has been carefully placed IN one Of the worst
sites that could have been chosen In close and wind
less little hollow commanding the minimum amount of
view and the maximum Of midday heat, while IL Is at
least 200 yards from the spring And this in face OF the
fact that there is at half the distance from
that fountain a most charming site on eminence
called the Turks Hill. where there are shade trees
commanding prospect. and an ever present breeze.
am certain that II the Springs Company were to sell of
this hill to who would put up house Of 200 BEDS
and put in good management, that not only would he
succeed but the value Of :he remaining property would
be vastly enhanced What needed Is vigorous start,
and good example in the right direction OF course
every ought 70 have free access 10 the spring for use
in the neghborhood. individuals who fond Of what
they call sport" sangune the success of
track if made in the-evel meadows. suppose
that they are right but as detest the horsey man
cause horsey, think Of the great pleasures OF the
White Sulphur is in the refinement and breeding to be
found there and should be very sorry TO see 1t contain
mated by the agrag and bobtail Of race course can
not say that wish they may ever have one There is
| plenty Of fast life here now.
Next TO the management OF the place 1t boots not
much 10 talk about administration which win end,
every one says with this year especially as the said ad-
does make one think Of the military canon that ad-
mirabe colonel does not always make gOOu general
They expect great company n1s year - T e
| of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad The slides on
that road ended for the season. and for new
and mountain road the trains keep admirable time. OF
the beauty and grandeur OF the new river gorge. this
6ponent would rather not speak It needs painter.
| Of' fhe wonderful Quaintness OF the West Vir-
| Sinja character, he would say that the study OF
| IL s one OF the treats OF soj0urn In these noun
| tsins Such q mixture OF the Yankee and the Ital-
| ian cannot be described in few words.
The lease OF these premises we are told expires this
wear What 70 happen then no one knows Of course,
certain persons trying buy up the bonds at very
low rate and thus control the property But Il has not
Indicated what would make of the place the great Sum
mer resort which its glorious air and ove scenery NJ IL
Tor heing AT present Notwithstanding the adin irtble
att4ndance which most noticeable and pc ce ins r-
INC fact, The White Sulphur is about the only place winch
have ever known 10 the patient and muehe hdar-
INC into grumbet after the lhe-
ness of his cousin, the yIaRgiatOTy Bull. Let hoGIe
Northern man with the intellect OF great general or
mannacturer and thirsng for career, fortune, and
name come down here ana DC the making bOth OF Nun
| self and OF The White sulphur