The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-17

wv hi''N'hi't SVtitSIOuutnI-Ia
CONVICTION, June IA.
After enjoying good dinner, at Tn,
elegant residence of Major Edward Nc.
Mahon, one of the most beautiful location,
IN Stanton, we entered the cars of The
Chesapeake and Ohio road, for this pleas.
ant place and had swift and safe ride.
through most attractive country, passing
many rich farms, herds of short horns. and
tlocks OF fine sheep; the hill sides and
slopes were glowing with the bloom of
laurels, the mountain ivy, rhododendron.
and azalas, and forest in full foliage. We
saw many fields of rye and wheat and
grass, all looking well, besides. BLOOMING
clover fields, that filled the air with plea.
SAINT perfume.
We passed many objects of attraction.
as Buffalo Gap, Elliot's Knob, Aveey's
Point, Cow Pasture river, Variety Servings.
Goshen, and many others, reaching jack
sons river, the valley of which we follow
ed TO this place.
The q. 4 O. road has done great work for
all this country, which is being settled and
developed as il would never have been but
for this splendid enterprise and has given
TO the travelling public delightful routes
they would never have enjoyed; we pass
through several tunnels on this line.
i am not a travelled man." and have
never, with Byron, rushed er the Jura
nor through the Swiss-land, nor across the
Alps, nor made love in Venice, with the
beautiful Mariana, the old Jews Young
wife, like him but lave travelled little
whenever went from home; and sean
declare to goodness" that it never was nv
pleasure to travel through or over more
attractive and picturesque short range of
country, than that seen between here and
Staunton; and yet, people tell me it is
equally SO as we 90 west to the White
Sulphur Springs, and beyond it; but
will soon test the fact-and then tell the ta'e
Allegheny county is comparatively new
one, having been, in 1922, formed off of
Bath, Bottetourt and Monroe counties in
extent IT is about thilty by twenty-four
miles. 1t is very mountainous, having the
Rich-patch, the Mills, Griflins and other
spurs on the east and southeast; the Ale
ghany on the west, and the Warm Springs
and Peters mountains, with others, lying
in the centre, nearly north and south and
Whites mount on the south; with many A
fine stream and fertile valley between;
where are found numbers of the popular |
mineral springs of the state; and vast |
quantities OF rich iron and other ores. nor |
tons OF which have been developed. While I
the county is one of the most mountainous.
it is one Of the richest in waters and min.
erals. which offer splendid inducements To |
industry and capital; and those owning
these valuable possessions will be wise to |
make them widely known in other states.
The county is we'll waterei by the Cow
Pasture and jackson rivers, and some other
lesser streams. These two rivers mite
Just south OF this county, in the corner of
Bottetourt, and form the head of James
river. Population of county about 5000,
the larger portion whites.
Covington, the county-seat, is romantic
little village, of some business and more
situated on Jackson river. two
hundred and five miles from Richmond. and
two hundred and fifteen from Huntington.
by mountains of more or less
height and grandeur, among which consider
able iron has been discovered, tracts of
which have recently been purchased by
capitalists from Pennsylvania, with view
Of building furnaces and developing their
as soon as may be.
Inc place contains the county buildings,
several stores, shops and two hotels and
Two churches. There is diversity of
oplnlon as to the prospects Of this point.
One gentleman at the hotel predicted that |
his would become the Pittsbug of Vir-
slnia; while the gentleman who keeps the
said to met don't amount {,
nuch-before the railroad went by here, it
ised to do right smart of business; but its
III dead now !; such is the diversity of sem /
iment; yet it is right pretty place for !
short summer residence; while the !.
treams afford good fishing.
An old citizen informed me that the =
'riginal name in the Indian language of the :
liver now called " Cow Pasture y was | {
Vallatoola, signifying. very crooked, and
is very appropriate name; for it would
axe skillful engineer to find place to i
make another bend in it.
On Friday evening the train which t
rought me to this place had on board the +
ompany of Maryland editors, to the mum. t
er Of about fifty, of as jolly and intelli-
ent company of good fellows, as will be s
ound from any section; they were west
yard bound, and all took supper at the b
icCurdy House; and handsome stump. '
uous meal it was, hard to beat anywhere;
is new house and admirably kept by D
lr. G. P. Persinger. with elegant accom- n
lodations for both families and individuals
rho desire a neat mountain home during
ummer.
Next from the White Sulphur. a
ID, S. G.