Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-22
LEXINGTON, VA.

EEOLn AZ OCEAAlOLAdl ODEEbsppAAcLi-t
LEXINGTON, November Ito one
whose life has been spent in the AEissis-
sippi valley, accustomed to the monoto-
oy of broad plantations aud level
plains, there is much to fasciHats in this
region of hills and dsles, mountains and
valleys. The scenery around this place
is at all times besutiful, but at this sea-
son is stTiFiugly so; and the town itself
is 30 old fashioned, has so many inter-
L estiBg associations clustered about il,
and hes such beautiful surroundings that
1t is a fit subject for an interesting
sketch. It's situation is peculiar. Had
/ its founders searched everywhere east Of
the Mississippi for place most isolated
from the world they could not have dis
covered a location more inaccessible,
sud more likely TO continue SO. Not
only is il hemmed in on the east and
the west by be Allegheny and the Blue
Ridge mountains, but it is entirely sur
rounded by mountain chains, for
fifteen miles north Of town the
Allegheny stretches out an arm TO the
Blue Ridge and twenty-five miles
south Of town the ridge, with out
stretched arms, seems to say to the Allie
ghaBy: "We viii cut of from the world,
this dear old town; and while sin ana
corruption are daily increasing around
US, this sacred spot shielded by our
arms and bodies, shall remain uncon-
yaminated and fTee.n It is indeed re-
msTk8bl5 how little OF the degeneracy
Of this age is to be found here; yet it is
easily accounted for. There is no rail
road within twenty miles OF the place,
hence no theatrical or minstrel troops
ever visit US: the citizens are mostly
Old-schOol Virginia gentlemen who can
not, aud do Tot, tolerate the innovations
OF fashion; fOOlishness il speech and
dress are alike disc0untenapeed; the
cultivation Of manly virtues is encour-
aged by old men and young ladies, and
the consequences is the pristine virtues
and gentlemanly characteristics of our
ancestors are preserved and practieed
Within the square formed by the noun
tain chains Lexington Is the only town.
Shortly after the close of the revolution
airy war, the State Of Virginia presented
General Washington with about sixty
thousand dollars worth OF stock in the
James river and Kenawha canal. de
accepted the gift only on condition that
be be allowed 20 appropriate the money
70 the establishment OF a college in this
valley, near the headwaters Ofthe James,
where the youth OF Virginia might, a.
il were, withdraw from the world, and
devote some time TO mental develop
ment. This college was, about the year
1876, located in the suburbs OF the viii |
age OF Lexington, near the natural
BRIDGE and was called Liberty hall |
Admirable judgment was displayed in |
the choice of a situation. On a large
hill, in this isolated valley, twelve hun |
bred feet above the se2-level, the air !
braeing and invigOrating, beautiful |
river Eear by, and amidst sceEery not |
merely beautiful, but grand, was located |
this "hall." It is now a mass |
OF ruins, OveTgrOwn by fern aud |
cedars, and affords shelter only to bats /
and swallows. Upon the death of its /
founder its name was changed TO Wash |
ingt.n college. Near the old hall, new |
aud commOdious buildings were erected,
snd upon the death of General Lee, its |
late president, its name was again /
changed, and what was first cslIed Lib
erty hall, is now Washington aud Lee /
university. This college brought Lex
ingtOn into public mott e. TIE advan-
tages Of its situation, for study and men,
tai work, We're 50 apparent, that when
the State of Virgins established 8 mil
itaTy school, Lexington was selected as
the location most suitable; both these
institutions are furnishing. There are
about thirty-five professors in the two,
who, with their families constitute the
society of Lexington and live ia !
beautiful homes near town. Quite
3 number of Virginis's great men
have been connected with one or
the other of these institutions. General
Washington, OF whom most of the
Memphis people have heard some mem
ton, was the founder Of our university.
Governor KempeT is an dllin2lllts thereof.
"BigfOOt Wallace, - who not merely
lived In dime novels but in reality, was
porn and raised in Lexington, and took
occasional dTaughts from our fountain
OF knowledge. Before the war General
II. J. jackson was professor 10 the
military institute. He is buried in the
town cemetery. His grave is kept al
ways covered with fresh flowers. At its
head, on e scroll OF Italian marble, is
inscrihe General T. J. Jacksonn-
nothing more; but is there need Of any
thing mOTe2 At the close Of the war
General Lee was elected president of
ouf college, which position he accepted
and filled TO the satisfaction of all. Ii
was customary with him, as with former
presidents, when he heard OF q student
leading too "fast" a life, to send
lRi uiAAi anu III HIS pflYdt6
office, to talk with him in
a fatberly, but firm manner. 1t is re-
lsted that he was once entertaining 8
student in this manner, and his Ian
gusge-ususlly foTcibIe and persuasive j
was so kind, yet strong; his csDsure {
was so cutting, and his appeals affected /
the poor fellow so much, that, no longer :
able to restrain himself, he interrupted Z
him in the middle Of a sentence by say I
ing, general, 1 can siaud this no lon
feel Ike dog; you may whip me I t
20 desth and / will not cay word; you !
may order me to jump out Of this win I
dow on the street below, and will I
Jump, but ] will not, and cannot lie en- !
to such talk any longer.n The \
general let him 90 his Way-a diff ! (
ferent man. IN the basement of /
our college chapel in the center of /
B room about thirty-fve feet square ;
Lee is buried. The tomb Is 7
about six feet square, walled I'D with
solid masonry; within it are the collins =
d General Lee and his WIFE, Over the t
tomb ars laid two beautifully polished Y
but plain Siahs OF marble, there is in.
soribed on them but the name and age.
Around these is q railing Of walnut, I
Ihs room is barren, with the exception d
IF life-aize oil portrait Of General Lee. e
IN the rear OF this large room are two q
mall ones, about seventeen feet square; n