The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-04
Gpeming State gnnrnal.
From our Special Correspondent
JANUARY 81, 1873.


JANUARY 81, 1873.
This is the last day of the first month,
and the brightest day Of the season. After
a nice breakfast, at the popular "Duvall,,'
we took the train for Christiansburg, Mont
gomery county, end running along up the
valley of the famous Roanoke river, we
gradually ascend the Allegheny mountains,
passing "Big Springs" the white Sui
phur." and the Allegheny" Springs;
getting views, at different points. OF much
magnificent scenery, as the valleys and
mountain peaks glitter IN the bright morn
ing sun several fine orchards and patches
Of crane vines were seen almost up to the
summit. All in all, this has been the
brightest day of the month, and the snow
rapidly melted away, and ran down the
roads and mountain sides in lively streams.
Among other trees we saw many sugar
trees (6ard maple) along this route. Oak,
chestnut, hickory, and other timoer-m-
Guiding pine and cedar-abounds on the
mountains and in the valley, with occa-
sional farms. :,
Arriving at Christiansburg, we found
the railroad station some W miles from
the ancient village, which IS perched on a
hillock. somewhat lower than the noun
tain range, and occupying a handsome,
healthy location, with numerous springs
and brooks all around it. 1t is a place OF
about /. 500 population, and contains sew
eral churches. schools, courthouse, stores,
shops, n weekly newspaper, the wont,
gomery Messenger" published by Conrad
& Carper, and in appearance and spirit
compares favorably with most OF the coun-
try papers OF the state. There
is here q f1ourishing female seminary, q
fine building and grounds, occupying an
elevated and handsome situation.
The county court is in session, Judge
Lysle presiding; no very important cases
seem to be on the tapis. | was told thai
the session of court at this time accounts
for the number of intoxicated young and
old men, which presented a sad sight in the
streets.
There are q goodly number of the STATE
JOURNAL taken and read here, and it is
decidedly popular and a confessed favorite
with even some of the Conservatives and
! Democrats ; two of them paid me for il
| to-day, and said they ''like it because it is
earnest in promoting our material in, er.
csts. and seems to be sincerely the friend
| Of harmony, union and industry" This is
| the general remark made to me.
Within five to eight miles of this village
and the railroad station, there is plenty o.
| good coal, and which is dug at small ex'
| pense; much of it is used by the people
| here, and | am now sitting by a very nice
| fire made of it, in this hotel, and j. A,
| Martin, the landlord, has rented and is
| working one of the extensive banks, ant
hauling it to the village and station. There
| is no question that large capital-thousands
Of money and labor might be very profta
| bly invested in mining these coal bank
and putting the coal On the market; it il
much easier of access than many of thu
mines in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and car
be worked with more ease and profit thar
many Of them.
To-day, while / was conversing with SOM
of the substantial farmers of the county
who also subscribed for the JoURNAL,t hey
informed me that they are about forming
an earnest and efficient farmers club, Ii
the county, to cooperate with, or be aux
iliary to, the Southwestern Virginia Asso
ciation,D recently organized ut Wythevllle
And here, as in many other places, tn
farmers say they would like to see a larg
portion of the JOURNAL devoted to agrl
culture and horticulture.
Mr.. Barnett, the postmaster, and others
have aided much in getting up clubs for tn
STATE JOURNAL throughout the county
d. S. G.