The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-08-06
FROM the Rockbridge Baths.



pocxsv,nas BArms, VA, August 2, 1875.
This de.eryedly popular mountain resort T
has tcen filling up rapidly during the past I
ten days. and the pros,pect Of having auc- {
cessiui season Is yc..y encouraging. IL
All who visit Ibis place 90 away charmem
with "its br''.,iant aud refreshing wa'els,
which, ar,,rt from the delightful bath Wh'ei
they aF,ord. are Of high tonic and s'lm;4la-
tip character. For cutancous d'serder they
.sre held in high repute. The un"oT ~ tefn-
perature Is "A degrees, summer an'i "lutel'
and hath taken during the SHOWS OF 1ahN-
ary II e inyiyoratiDg as in.the burning ne"'s
OF JulS or August s-,,,-
The hath Is sufficiently capscious for SWIM.
,o;nr nurn,ses. being about sixty teet 10
inns;h hv forty IN width. The ladies' Is wen
as the eenr,cyaen fully appreciate us aa'an-
fapes in This respect, many Oh ,hesS, l 'h'
to!d. being expert Swimmers anu 'H'ers.
II ia amusing to watch tue oatue,s III ane,I
eyolut$ens. old snd young patNN'fs.lue WIZ
cons, delight from the siicA yoHtiSstef, VINO
iamps from the platform wt!n pound ano
10 Nv, minute is clearing the water with
-an;d strokes, 10 the portly CID gentleman,
s-r,so lets himself down into its crystal depths;
-r;tb becoming sense Of his dignity and i'm
-r,crta,rce. his jovial face teaning all the
awbile with the most intense satisfaction,
while shouts Of laughter are ringing all
around, and every one exhibiting the utnsst
hiarity and good hunor.
The ynaior domo Of the establishment Is
the very courteous and gentlemaniy Major
Peter Woodward, whose attentions 70 his
guests require 90 eulogy.
FIis .pe,.,' as be calls It, Is "the bath.
TO It be gives his unremitting attention
might and day. "Rave you seen sbe bath
shis morning, sir.% 1t looks beautaea, SIT
sbeautitul!" And then the Major wsnders
off into an exhubcrsnt discussion OF the vir,
tines of his pet,1 until you feellfke rush
ing over at once and embracing Its shining
waters.
The resident physician, as well as proprie
xor. DR.. Samuel s. Morrison, who is sc
widely known In this region and elsewhere
has attracted many persons to piace them
selves under his care, his genial and gen
.erous qualities rendering him a. once mos
popular and beloved.
In full view from this place stands out in
bold relief the Jump mountain" trip to
the lofty crest OF which will amply repa!
abe epterprisipg visitor. On Seachlpg us
summit magnificent view bursts upon tne
vision. Far down the valley appears otaun
ton, while towards the south loom up IN the
distance Lexington and the House noun.
yica meadow lands and fields bedecked with
3uxuriant crops, while the mountains, clad
in their forest garb, look down grim and
.hoary like giant seDtinels, whose DUTY II
Ia to keen watch and ward over their sisters
of the plain.
Quite romantic story is connected with
this mountain. which takes its name from
the following ancient legend- Long before
the denizens of the old world had ever
dreamed of the existence Of another and
mighty continent beyond The seas, there was
an Indian maiden who had lover, just as
many other madens have had before or
since. A war breaking out her lover had TO
don bis warrior garb aud hasten to the fray.
A desperate and decisive battle was fought
between the conending parties. From the
top of the mountain the Iudian girl watched
its progress, and when at last she beheld his
eagle plume waving no longer amidst the
foremost Of the fight, and the braves of her
people scattered in flight, ip 40 agony OF de-
spair she cast herself down from the bold
crest of the mountain, and her spirit, with
that of her lover, entered the happy hunt
ing.grounds Of the splrt.land.
II is not perhaps, generally known to the
outside world that there exists waterfall IN
the celebrated Goshen Pass, about two miles
hence, called the "ShoWer Bath" Located
In cool, slquesteTeu spun shoiI o's'onSe
above the road, its sur oundings are OF
most romantic character, and tits just suffi-
clently high and wide to give most delight.
fully refreshing bath. The stream which
forms this miniature Niagara takes its rise
somewhere near the top Of the mountain,
and after forcing its way through heavy
forest growth and among huge boulders OF
rock, is precipitated over ledge OF rock
some fifteen feet in height and thirty in
width, tina'lv finding its way into the North
river which flows through the Pass.
A person OF a contempatve turn or dis
carded lover would here fnd a csngenial
spot wherein 10 chew the cud of sweet and
bitter fancies. But fear I am intruding too
far upon your valuable columns, and must
bring this ep;stle to u hasty close, remarking,
in conclusion, that we have now scjourning
with US about eighty visitors. including not
q few from Florida, Texas, Colorado, NC,
and more are hourly expected. It.