Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-07-04


ley. tits a noticeable fact tn t the lands ly-
ing nearest to the Blue Ridge are less broken,
and more fertile than those on the opposite
side of the Valley
Jefferson county is unsurpassable both in
its natural beauty, aud in its produeiiveness.
The lands lie in gentle slopes, which allow a
perfect drainage, while it is rare thing 20
fnd field steep enough 20 suffer from wash
ing. The soil is mostly red or chocolaie-eolor-
ed clay, resting on foundation Of the fnest
limestone, and its productivenes is abundant
y evidenced by the fact that fields which have
been cultivated fof nearly century, some Of
them without ever having had a particle OF
manure pct upon them, now promise to yield
not less than twenty bushels Of wheat to the
acre. Lends which have been better cared for
will 90 far beyond that this season, and we
heard one farmer, who has over two hundred
acres 70 cut and who is not anxious to sell, de-
clare that he expected to gather full crop CT
twenty five bushels 10 the acre. The crops o!
oats and grass are proportionately hne while
corn gives abundant promise. We sa" plen-
ty of wheat, roughly putin upon corn ground,
which promised yield of twenty bushels 10
the acre. and we know no portion Of penpsyl-
vania which would give SO good a return for
such imperfect tllase Here and there
farmer can be found who has resorted to the
use Of quick lime with decided advantage,
but most of them ignore the best and most
natural fertilizer Of the soils Little ma
nure Of any kind is applied, and the mag
nidceut crop which is now seen growing IS
the enforced product Of sill whose nat
ural capacity has not been seriously af-
fected by almost century Of imperfect tillaee
There is no land in Lancaster county which
would make such a showing after receiving
similar treatment.
A large portion Of Jefferson county was iu-
cluded in the original grant made by his King
to Lord Fairfax, aud General Washington,
when quite young, surveyed the boundaries Of
of this then princely domain. The place
where he boarded while thus engaged is still
pointed ont. aud until recently old people lived
in the vicinity who remembered TO have seen
him wien engaged in this business. While
attending faithfully to the interests Of his en-
ployer he displayed proper regard for bis
own interests, and took up valuable tract Of
land which his survey showed to be vacant
Charles Washington, brother # the General,
came on, and settled near the county-Seat Of
what is now Jefferson county, and the town
was called Charlestown IN honor Of him. He
lies buried near the town with no stone or
other monument to mark bis resting place. bis
remains having been deposited in family
burying ground up one Of bis farms, which
has since been abandoned. In the Episcopal
church yard at CharIestown, aud in one Of the
family grave yards near the town, nun erlu'
members Of the Washington family are buried
There are a number Of them still living in the
county aud wearing the proudest name known
to our country.
If had time to write il up and you had
room to printit, could give you columns Of
interesting revolutionary incidents aud curious
gossip in regard to notable residents Of Jcifer-
son County. It is rich in such lore. No less
than four revolutionary commanders, Generals
/ Gntes. Dart, Stevens and lee, were residents OF
this county. When the forces marched from
( this section to the all Of Boston, meeting Of
| the officers was held at place near Charles
town, and resolution was passed that the
survivors should reassemble there after the
lapso of half-a-century. When the time came
only four ont Of forty were left, but they all
put in their appearance and passed day TO-
cether. General Lee resided here long after
the revolution and many stories are still cur
rent in relation 10 his excentricities. One
time. when Washington was in Jefferson on a
visit be desired to become recouciled to Lee,
and sent him word that be would visit him on
a certain day. When tho day came Lee
mounted his horse. called together his large
pack Of hounds aud rode out to hunt, after
] building high fence across the avenue leading
to bis residence and posting up placari bear
ing the inhospi,abe inscription. " No dinner
cooked here to-day" Quite a number Of iami-
ly portraits among others, likenesses Of Sam
uel Washington, brother Of the General, and
also one Of his wife, are to be seen at Hare
wood Mansion, which is still iohabited BY
members Of tie Washington family. Near
Charlestown is a cave having two large cham
bers. in one Of which General Washington Il
reported to have presided over a meeting o.
Masons
/ Charlestovn, The counly-seat Of jefferson
county, is beautifully located, with command
irg views Of the beautiful landscapes by whicl
it is envroued. 7, has fue Dew Court House
an admirably Constructed new Jail and hand
some Town Hall and Market House Just com
pleted. In the old Jail John Brown was con
fined and he was executed on a beautiful ele
vation nearly in. front Of the handsome resi-
dence Of Mr.. John W. MeCardy. coul! not
secure you chip Of the gallows, but
send instead one Of the bricks out Of the cell II
which Brown was confined. You neel no
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