The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-26

al ars ssaiHf bI June "a, 1913. -
So much has, from time to time, beer
printed in The JOURNAL. and other pa
pers that but little more can be said ir
regard to the wild, grand and picturesque
scenes and scenery along the line Of tic
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad in the val
leys OF New and Kanawha rivers. IL OBJ
servers are in raptures with the first hall
of the line they will be in ecstacy with the
western portion. The canyons and falls Ct
New river, between Hinton and kanawha,
are truly wonderful. To see that large
volume of clear, sparkling water pressed
into narrow passage Of only rod or two in
width, dashng and roaring between and
over huge rocks, is sight of thrilling IN
iercst with rugged mountains thousand
feat high overlooking them.
When we reached the confluence of the
Gsuley with it, the Kanawha co mmenceS,
which is only few miles above the great
falls of the latter.
Considerable improvements and evi-
dences Of civilization begin to appear,
relieving the widness of its scenery !;
and improvements in the track of this sub
stantial line are rapidly progressing. IL
greatly needs double track for the in
creasing business. - 1890
From the falls the character of the river
entirely changes, being smoother and of
more even depth, and the waters much
less clear. The valley grows wider, and
presents many fine, rich farms covered with
luxuriant grass and grain crops and
orchards. r. sa
Corn and oats are very forward while
most of the wheat Is already cut and in
H. I1I
done. 11a as Hra'
We now reach the coal and salt regions,
and saw them in operation, turning out
and loading cars with their thousands of
wealth. Above Charlestown we noticed sew
eral steamers in the Kanawha, pushing
their way up the river, laden with mer-
chandize and supplies, TO be loaded back
with coal and salt.
We noticed several neat little towns at
the coal and salt works, built for and oc-
cupied by the operatives in those establish
ments, surrounded with flowers and fruit
FIJI gardens. sR
There had been an accident-rare on this
road--.to the eastern portion of the line,
which made the train some hours late; but
the engineer, old Fuller, who understands
his "biz," determined TO do what he
could toward making up the time lost and
to arrive here as nearly as possible on
time and he did brayey. for he whirled
us along at fearful rate, though safely.
lie made the train fly on this solid and sub
stantial track the tlmid held their hair
and boots on, gazing blankly at the seats
before them, while the enterprising and 70.
mantle were exhlarated, delighted, and
cried "bravo!o to Fuller and his lightning
train.
And safe we are in Huntington in time
for seasonable supper. The place is go
ing ahead, pretty much as our train came
here. 3 "a.
We had little sprinkle this afternoon.
The weather is very warm, but among
the mountains the nights were cool, and
we slept splendidly with reasonable
quantity of covering.
Captain Ii. Chester Parsons drove me in
his carriage about this well spread-out
and spreading CITY, to see many points
Of interest, and the considerable fine
tracts of land and numerous lots which
the company have for sale. They, with
others, have erected many very elegant
buildings. We can say of this place as
used to be said of Washington, it is "a
city OF magnificent distances - but, like
that. is fast filling up the vacant lots.
One of the state normal schools is loca-
ted here, under the control of Prof. James
f. Morrow, as principal. They are just
now having their summer examination, in
the presence of the state board Of regents,
who gave me an invitation to be present.
1t is doing good work.
The Congregational society are building
fine new church. of brick and hewn
stone. -.,
There are two handsomely and
wide-awake newspapers published here
The Argus and The Independent
Democratic. and apparently well support
ed. The people tell me they wish
Republican journal to be printed here, and
are making efforts i'll b t direction. They
assure me it would be literally supported.
There are three hotels here, the most
popular of which is the Merchants hotel,
kept. by George Scranage. courteous and
obliging host, who furnishes good meals
and pleasant rooms.
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