Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-08-26
Berkeley Syringe.
AN OLD VIRGINIA REsoRr-HnToRlcAL REMiNfs-
cENCFs OF THE FLACB-rTs LOCATION, ApvAN-
TAaEs, &c.--THE HOME OF FORTH caAyoN.

After very pleasant ride over the Phllads.
Wilmington i Baltimore II. r., and Baltimore Il
hio R. r., afrording rare views CT beautiful
nd picturesque sceue,y, found myself at Sir
ohn's station, on the latter road, ready to be
onveyed TO Berkeley Springs. situated abont two
nd half miles distant. The hack which
aakes close connection with NIL trsins WAS |
ound to be waiting and soon all were aboard
nj in readiness Tor the start tn our destination.
he road leading to the Springs wirH1t over high
ridges ai.d is made up OF stsep decliv-
ties, but is in good condition., and
Constitutes an agreeable drive. The
'prings were reached in about |
lAlf an hour after leaving tho Station,
nd alightus FROM tho hack, hero l
I'm at the famous Berkeley Springs. on
Dying tho good cheer provided, tho magnif-
'ent views OF the far ont-rtreichlpg landscape,
he cool invigocating breezes from the noun.
aims, the luxury OF tho mineral baths, and lend
ng willing ear to the recorded fact and tradi-
ion which couple this romantic spot with some
u the greatest names in our country's history.
BERKELEY SPRINGS IS LOCATED
At Bath the county seat of Morgan county,
West Virginia, town OF about four hundred in
llsbtants. The surrounding country is noun
famous and tho soil lacking in fertility. Tho i'll
habitants seem to pay little attention to farming
and depend for most part for their livelihood
upon the timber growth of tho mountains. from
which they obtain crossties for the railroad,
tan bark and hoop poles, these staples being
readily converted into money. The country ID
well adapted for grazing purposes, but strange
to say Few sheep arc found to benefit by the lux
uriaut mountain pastulage. The principal i'll
dustrial establishment of the town is Il large
tannery, and there ID also woollen factory in
operation about mile distant. There IL one
newspaper, the Morgan Mercury. The town is
regularly laid out, and contains number Of fine
residences, and presents bright and rather
bu, i,aro Jpr,. a.,
Methodist, Episcopal, United Brethren, and
Catholic churches within its limits. in which SER
vices nre held regularly every Sunday.
Bath lis tho -
HOME OF GENERAL d. IL. sTRoTHER,
{" Porto Crayon,") author Of "yirginia Illus
trated." "a Winter in the South" Personal
Recolections of the War;" and other adj
been published from time to time in
Hdrpers Magazine. The General for
merly occupied = modest frame cottage, an
illustration Of which some OF your readers have
doubtless seen, but now he lives in more pre-
teatious edifce built of brick, adjoining tho
old house, and situated on one OF the principal
streets OK the town, n short distance above tho
Hotel. "Porte Crayon' is thoroughly convers-
ant with the numerous interesting historical
facts and equsy versed in the legendary lore
relating to Berkeley, and to him am indebted
for the most part OF what Immediately follows.
The history Of Beraeley Springs is intimately
connected with the names OF the immortal
Washington, and other distinguished men OF the
Revolutionary period, and with important events
in our annals that invest it with peculiar
Interest, especially during the Centennial era,
when "reminiscences OF colonial timcs are being
revived. The place was originally called swarm
Springs" by reason Of the thermal character of
tho waters, then Frederick Springs from Fred
erick county, in the limits of which it was COM
prsel, previous to l772 and finally at that date
took the prpHnnt rEalp ~
which was then formed.
TIE SPRINGS WE'RE rREoUENTEp BY THE INDIANA
| long before the wilderness of the Western
World WAS invaded by the white man, and the
waters are saidto have been highly priced by
| them as specific FOR rheumatism, to which the
Indians, as tradition has it, were subject. Berk-
eley became Watering place for white settlers
! rs early as Ills. and three years afterwa ards
| George Washington, then youth about sixteen,
who was engaged with nephew OF Baron
| Fairfax in surveying lands through this region
| made the following entry in his diary
''March Is, l7i3. We this day called TO sec the
famous warm springs. We camped out in the
| fields, this night"
In 1865, Braddock's army, on its fatal expedi
| ton against Fort Duiuesne marched over tho
road which PASSES withir Ii few miles of Berkeie,
Springs, and Sir Johns Run, the stream which
gives It's name tn the nearest station, was named
in honor of captain John Sinclair. chief quarter
MASTER Of the British forces. The property
comprised III the Springs was somo.ine prior tC
the Revolution granted to Thomas, Lord Fair
fax, Baron of Cameron aud proprietor of the
Northern Neck OF Virginia. Soon after the com
mencement of the war, Lord Fairfax decided
tue Springs, with fifty acres of land adjacent in
trust for the benefit of tho public. In October,
| lI76, an act of the Legislature was passed, in.
cooperating town at Warm Springs, in the
| county of Berkeley, and providing for laying il
off in lots and for the sale of the GAME it having
been represented TO that body thst it would s'be
of great utility, by encouraging the purchasers
thereof to build convenient h0uses for accommo,
| dating numbers of intirm persons who frequent
| these Springs yearly for tho recovery OF theiI
| health" Among the incorporators were Byran
| Fairfax, of Lord Fairfax, Samuel Washing.
ton, Warner Washington, Philip Perlleton, ant
| other early Residents. The lots were oil
| uniform size and were al acre and q
| took place according to tho provisions OF
| the above act, General George Washington,
| General Horatio Gates, Charles Carroll Of Car
| rolltOn, and other distinguished mon became
purchasers.
DURING THE REVOLUTION,
Berkeley was favofite resort for wearod states,
| men and disabled officers, and Madame de lei.
DIESEL, Il German lady,wife OF Baron de lleidesel,
who commanded tho Brunswlckers in the British
army and WHO surrendered with Burgoyne at
Saratoga, and afterwards went to the Springs to
| recover from the effects Of IL suustroAe, states
| al Washngton's family and Of Mrs. Carroll and
| her husband. In the spring of 1854, there came
to Berkeley from Shopherletown, yirgiuis,s man
| named james Rumsey. who published in the old
| Maryland 'Gazetie' the following announce
ment in the quaint style OF those times
ToTng PUBLIC.
Warm Springs at Bath County, Virginia Iunc
| 18th, lisl. James Rumsey and Robert Thprkmor.
| ton propose ope ming very coninodcns boarding..
| house for the residence OF Ladies' and Gentlemen
| who honour Balm the g .
| Pole ami Flag
Every possible attention VIII be pad to rende,
the situation OF those who honour tlieu VISA tuelr
! commands perfectly agreeable.
Isumsey and his PARTNER accordingly tool
charge of the place, and made several notable
| improvements. liumsey, being of an inventive
turn o! mind, end concoiYing the idea Of
PRorEIL.vSd noATs BY sTEAM,
constructed a model which was practically test.
cd IN Sir Johns Run the September following
his arrival at Berkeley. The result of this OK.
perimental trial we learn from a certificate OF
General Washington to the inventor, and which
is as follows
II have seen the mcdol of Mr.. Rumsey's
boat constructed to work against the stream, eX
amiued the powers upon which it acts, beer
eye witness to an actual experiment in running
waters of some rapidity, and give it US IN,
opinion (although had lutte faith before tina,
he has discovered Tie art Of working
boats by mechanism and email Inanua
assistance against rapid currents whcl,
may be OF the greatest usefulness in our inland
navigation and il it succeeds, OF which have
no doubt. that the value of ii IL greatly eu
HANGED by the simplicity of the work, which
when explained may ba executed Ivy the mos
common mechanic.
:. Given under my hand in the tow, of Bath
County OF Berkeley in the State of Virginia. TIL,
18Th OF September, 1854.
GEORGE WAamSoroN"
After further exhibition of his working mode
Ia Virginia, Rumsey sailed with it for England
where he hoped to obtain the requisite patron
age for perfecting his work. He had almost ac
complained the object of his visit and intended
to try his boat on the Thames when death GU
short his career. In letters written from Lon
don to friends in Shepheldstown, and whicl
have been preserved, Rumsey mentions til,
fact that Robert Fulton, young American,
student Of engineering in England, had fire.
quently visited him and manifested an interes
IN his labors. Fulton speaks of Runisey il
some of his letters aud of his cnthl
eiarm on the subject of pro
pelling beats by machinery. Rutnse,
died in 1913, and fifteen yesrs subsequently Rob
Ell Fulton's steamboat was pronounced src
cess. From all Of which 1t may reasonably b,
inferred that tho experiments Of the former 10,
to the final triumph of the latter.
~ 1912 BERTELLY WAS THGoSdEp
with refugees from the seaboard who fed from
their homes on tho appearance OF the Britlrl
ignt in the Chesapeake.
In 1920 tho county of Morgan was formed ant
tho county seat established ut Bath. From tina
date until 1913 when the Baltimore and OH,
Railroad was opened TO Hancock, six miles dis
taut, little of interest occurred MT tho Springs
Tho old buildings were destroyed by fire in 1914