Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-29
Press Excursion.

FfeSS EXCURSION.
Having accepted the invitation extended by
the Rawley Springs Company, through our
former townsman, Mr.. Geo. G. Wedderburn, TO
the Press Of Virginia, Maryland and the Dis
trict Of Columbia, the Gazette's correspondent
was on hand 10 due time, on Wednesday last,
at the b. 4 Q. depot in Washington. Mr.. w.
met US there and introduced US to Major Geo.
5. Koontz of the B. & 0. r. R., "a satisfactory
little man with cured hair and fishing rod"
(Vlde CapitaD who received and took charge of
US on behalf of his road, accompanied US on the
trip, and contributed in great measure to the
enjoyment Of all.
A special train of palace cars had been pro-
ylded tor US, and at $50 a. m. we started for
Rawley Springs, via Harper's Ferry, Winches-
Ter and Harrsonburg. At Winchester we we're
allowed sufficient time for sight seeing, and
many OF our party accepted the kind invitation
ofJ. ID. AverI, esq.,, of the B. & o. r r., 10
view the country from the top OF his fne resi-
Leaving Winchester, We reached Harrison
burg, after an exceedingly pleasant ride
up the Valley at 2.40 p. m. where Major g.
b: Luck met us and relieved Major kooptz
OF bis charge. Major Luck, formerly Of
the Spotswood in Richmond, now pro-
prietor OF the Spotswood Hotel in Harrison
burg. and also General Superintendent of
Rawley Springs, is we'll known throughout the
State, and is highly esteemed by the travelling
public. We did all the justice we could to the
dinner ne had prepared for us at the Spots
WOOD, eating and drinking to the music of
band, but as We had been teastog all day on
beet, ham, tongue, deviled crabs, ice cream.
trult and pound cake, &c. furnished by the B.
y v. Il. h., we were not very hungry. Judge
Kenney, on behalf Of Major Luck, welcomed
US to the Valley in ap Old Virginia speech,
which was responded to by MIR. L. A. Gobright,
Of the Associated Press, in his usual happy
style.
We LETT Harrisonburg at 80 p. m. in stages
and carriages, and after an agreeable drive OF
eleven miles through beautiful country, reach
ed our destination, where We found Maj. Luck,
who had passed US on the road, ready 10 re-
ceive US! and judging by the beaming smiles
upon his handsome face he was really glad
to entertain us. The officers of the company,
President Trick, Treasurer Lowenback and Sec
retary Partlow NJ. Y. also met us like old
friends, with cordial greetings.
The waters of Rawley are strongly chalybeate,
the strongest in Virginia, and are very efica-
cious in variety of diseases: There are FIVE
springs, each Of which has name and they
differ one from another in medicinal properties.
The crooked spout spring seems possessed
of miraculous powers, and many marvellous
tales are told of wonderful effects caused by
the free drinking of its waters Some regard
1t with fear and trembling, while others quatf
its water with delight. There are three
large hotels, the Virginia, the Baltimore
and the Washington, all connected by covered
porches, and 600 guests can be taken care Of
comfortably. The fare is good, we'll cooked
aud well served, and the dining-rooms are 10
charge OF MIR. Graves, who understands his
duties thoroughly and is anxious to please
lnvalids have every attention given them by
the resident physicians, Drs Gordon and Will
liams, while the pleasure-seekers can amuse
themselves in q variety of ways, ample ar
rangements having been made to please all
tastes.
We remained at Rawley until Saturday
morning eating, drinking, sleeping, trout fish
ipg climbing the mountains, playing billiards
and en-pins, dancing, &c. and then returned
to Harsisonburg to breakfast with Judge John
I. Harris, M. g., who entertained US at the
Spotswood.
After doing full justice to the good things
spread before us, we reoccuped the palace
cars, which had been kept waiting for us, and
returned to Washington, where We arrived at
7.05 p. m.
The, excursion was grand success, and while
our party. represented every shade of political
opinion, there was not word uttered calcu-
lated to disturb harmony or make the most
sensitive feel unpleasaDtly.
We were indebted to sundry persons for at
teDtions, invitations, &C., which will be duly
acknowledged by committees appointed for
that purpose. i.
P. S.-Our friend Robert Portner sent US a
large keg of lager, !''in furtherance of the tie M
perance cause. " - ~