Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-26
THE SUMNER RESORTS.
Especial Correspondence for the Evening 8
JORDAN ALUM SPRINGS. VA. Aug Isl

n.
JORDAN ALUM SPRINGS, VA, Aug, 1874.
Editor Star: This delightful place is accessi-
bic via the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and its
branch TO Staunton through Harper's Ferry, or
as we came, by Alexandria, Manassas and the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. The point OF
departure from the cars is Goshen, about eighty
miles from GordonsvIlle, thence by stage over
the mountain eight miles. The Chesspeake
and Ohio road from Gordonsville passes through
one of the most fertile and luxurisnt sections of
Virginia. Entering the valley of the Rapidsn,
and passing Monticello, we see among the thick
foliage at the top of the hill
The HOME OF THE IMMORTAL JEFFERSON.
We are soon at Charlottesville; the seat of tn e
University of Virginia, whose picturesque build
ing presents fine appearance. Here also are
extensive and highly celebrated wooden mills, a
visit TO which will not be rewarded by much
that is novel and interesting. Thence to Staun-
ton the view to the left is enchanting; rich farms
and beautiful green pastures stretching away in
passed, while to the right the Blus Ridge looms
up prominently, its dense shrubbery yelled BY
what seems an azure mist.
Leaving Charlottesville, the road runs throug oh
some heavy cuttings in the solid rock and sew
eral tunnels, by means of which, and easy grs-
dients, we ascend the mountain. At Alton sta
tiCn passengers leave for
THE TIP TOP HOUSE.
Here the scenery is grand in the extreme. The
base of the valley is far beneath us, and, ex-
tending as far as the eye can reach, Is covered
with rich vegetation, while mountain on noun.
tain rise, one after the other, until one wesries
in vain endeavor to define the outlines OF the
most distant peak. Leaving Alton, we soon
enter a tunnel, seven-eights of a mile long, by
means of which the Blue Ridge is oyercome
and begin the descent to
THR FAMOUS VALLEY OF VIRGINIA,
whose rich fields show no trace OF Sheridan's
tramp. Some 20 miles, and we are at Staunton,
lively, thriving town, where one will be well
repaid by visit to the state asylums Of the
deaf, dumb, blind and insane. To the left, 40
miles, is Lexington, the seat OF the Virginia
military institute, where are buried Lee, Stone
vail jackson, and other confederate leaders Of
renown.
AT STANTON
are numerous shops OF the Il. & o. X. r. COM
peny, as well as one of the principal depots for
the rolling stock of the road. StauntOn has
Justly been named the Mountain City"
Sixteen miles further on and we pass Elliot's
Knob. the highest mountain in this state.
Twenty miles beyond, and alter the train has
threaded its serpentine course along a ridge of
Mill mountain, we are at Goshen, where we
meet the stage for the Jordan Alum.
These stages are Of eve ancient" kind, and
are large, roomy, and very heavy, to prevent
their turning over in passing the many short
curves along the road. Each is provided with
brake, and is drawn by four splendid horses.
The drivers are skilled reinsmen, while for
dexterity in the use OF the whip they have no
superioIs. To snap horse-fly from the ear OF
the leaders at the first stroke of the lash is sot
considered by them an extraordinary feat.
The coaches are hung on stout leather springs,
and are as easy riding as a cradle. The wheels
The route from Goshen to the Jordan Alum
les over Mill mountain, which Is overcome By
gentle inclines. Now we curve gracefully, and
though to the eye the road Is level, yet we are
gradually ascending higher and higher. Now
We descend as we wind about to overcome some
gorge or spur. Here for mile or so we pass
through dense forest whose thick leaved
branches, tapping across the road, render it tun-
nel-hke. Now a running stream is crossed
whose clear, ripping waters have perhaps
dreaded their way many miles over mountain
n al itotjO
g seen nestled in some quiet glen far up on the
dill eide. In spots, the road is romantic, while
the pure air lie brscing and redOlent of sassafrss
anc winter green.
TIE ARRIVAL OF THE COACHES
forms the principal and most exciting event OF
he day, and one feels ut home the moment he
reaches the portico and hears the Virginia well
come, IL am glad to see you"
These springs are situate between Brushy
mountain to tbs west. aud Moth mouatain TO
The east, in the beautiful little Goshen valley.
Mountain peaks are visible on every hand
while just over Brushy hill Is the extensiy 10
Gorth mountain range.
THE PRINCIPAL HOTEL
IS the "Grand," which we can say with truth is
cot msnOmer. 1t is not saying too much that
this establishment in all its appointments is
superior to majority OF the sO-csiied hTst-c
hotels in tue cities. Besides the hotel, there are
several handsome cottages The grounds are
handsomely laid out. Some forty yards off the
Naval Academy band plays twice a day; the
music floating away over the still atmosphers IL
often returned by echo from the LII side. The
billiard-room, bsr-room and ten. in alley are
yet forty yards further away. pond at tbs foot
If the grounds is we'll stocked with mountain
trout Crossing the pond by bridge, we reach
the alum spring, cut in the rock, its clear water
resully revealing its depth. This water has ef-
tected some wonderful cures in stubborn scrof-
ula, bronchitis, and other diseases. Farther on,
few yards, is the chaiybeste spring. These
waters have been analysed aud highly Endorsed
by Profs. Aiken and Mallett. The temperature
pf the chalybeate spring is about $50 the year
round. 1t rises from q dark colored shale OF
haunn ian lla 49,
mountain ridge. A basin OF slate, about two
eet by fifteen inches, serves to incloss the
spring, and in this the water rises about
eighteen inches. A roof with open sides,
and furnished with seats, provides shelter
rom sun and rain. The bottom of the basin is
clearly seen through the Lmpid, transparent
IN which there continuously forms fine, light
yellow ochreous deposit or sediment. The water
clear, coorless, and has no smell, but has a
distinct chalybeate taste. The most important
Ingredient is, Of course, carbonate OF IRON val
liable in endemic debility and arrangement of
uterine functions.
NERVOUS AFFECTIONS.
Besides the waters mentioned, Iodine water is
brought seven miles from a spring 800 feet in
he lucy Salina iron ore mine, in the rear of
Esushy mountain. We visited this spring, en-
eriDg the tunnel and cropping our way OF thu
aid Of Pickering candles. Its in the solid rock
about quarter way up the main heading of the
mine. The water percoiates through the rock
and IA caught in q basin followed out in the Side
Of the tunnel. The mine itself is being worked.
and yields nifty per cent. of splendid iron.
stronger Iodine water, however, will be sup
piled on the grounds next year, indications
being undoubted of its presence in quantity
near the Alum Spring. Some OF tue little
already caught from drippings have tasted.
rhe effect on ones mouth quite similar TO that
produced by unripe persimmons.
All these waters are on draft at the hotel The
faucets, silver plated, are labeled; the waters
are ice-cold. Many prefer them. hoWever, from
the natural fountain. Sulphur water is also
kept ON hand, being brought several miles.
But the table is the main feature of every
hotel, ard especially Is it the case here. Major
q. B. Luck, however, OF the Spottswo God, is
here, and j. B. Tineley, whe has earned an en-
viabie reputation at the White Sulphur, is also
On hand, and hence everything goes we'll and
smoothly. The Yank. and Johnny Reb. meet
here on common ground. All around are partic-
ipants in the late struggle. OF course I have
talked with many of them, from the general to
The private, and indeed. have got to nnd one
who desires another war. We have among us
General Pickett, whose remarkably quiet dis
position Ii hardly In keeping with hts impetuous
dash as Q soldier. His charming and pleasant
wife L. with him most Of the time. The general
ts certainly not such q looking man q would
have looked for in the hero be provad hamaaJf