The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-10-14

whose foliage has begun to assume all
the rich and variegated hues of autumn
At times the air is oppressiyely calm
and still; at other times the autumn
breezes make mournful, solemn music in
the myriad foliage of the trees. The
surroundings of the Springs at this time
are very agreeable and no more pleasant
place can be found where to spend
short time in September or October.
Mr.. Salisbury has sold one-half inter
est in the Springs to Mr.. Alex. Renick,
OF Chillicothe, and large improvements
are contemplated during the winter and
next summer. The Springs are in Meigs
Township, Adams county, on the head
waters of Dry Run, tributary of Tur-
key Creek, Tin Adams county, which
empties into Scioto Brush Creek. Hence
the surplus spring water finds its way in
to the Ohio River at Portsmouth. The
Springs are surrounded by high hills, or
rather brevet mountains, on every side
except the south east, where the turn
pike leads to Rome and Portsmouth.
Going to the Springs from Portsmouth,
one can and does follow the valleys; but
approaching;from Hillsboro, West Union,
Manchester or Ripley one must cross the
mountain or mountains \. n. W. of the
springs. We crossed from the Springs
to jacksonville, and are satisfied with
our experience. The mountain has new
er been named, but we named it for Sails
bury, Mount Ebal, on account of the
curses pronounced upon it. The ascent
begins about 40 rods from the hotel, and
we had supposed from what we had
heard that though the ascent was long
and tedious, as soon as it was complete
we began to descend, and continued to
descend until we reached the plateau on
which Jacksonville and Locust Grove
when we found, on reaching the summit,
that we had to wander two miles over
the back bone of chain of mountains.
where the road is very rough and only
wide enough for single carriage, with
the forest on each side, and the under
growth so thick that one could see into
the same not more than ten feet. The
descent was very laborious and long, and
here another surprise awaited us; we
had supposed that when we reached the
emerge at once on the plain, but instead
of that, before coming on to the plain
we found we had to wind about over and
amongst some of the toughest foot trails
ever made. for fully mile or more. We
came to the level country near the old
Steam Furnace. two miles south of jack
sonville. We were three hours in going
the seven miles from the Springs to
Jacksonville. At the latter place we re-
manned over night, and the next day
went on horseback to Locust Grove sew
en- miles north. The scenery between
Jacksonville and Locust Grove is very
fine. One mile south of Locust Grove,
situate on shapely hill standing out
away above the surro unding country, is
the cemetery of the pioneers of the vi
cinity. We climbed this hill of the
dead, and had a view of the surrounding
country The view was unobstructed on
every side for miles From the north,
around by the east to the south, was an
unbroken chain of forest, covered noun
tain standing in an apparent semi-circle.
Between Us and the mountain lay belt
of farms with their pleasant fields and
refreshing patches of forest To the
west. from the north around to the
south the landscape was dotted with
field and forest A finer view, and one
more calculated to impress itself upon
ones memory, can seldom be seen. The
country between Jacksonville and Locust
Grove, and in the vicinity, is good for
farming, but the farms, fences and build
ings, wear an air of neglect and dilapi-
dation. The corn we saw was very fine,
and the tillable land seemed to have
produced well, but the population need
more life and energy, if we are to judge
by the appearance of things. Farming
products in this vicinity are worth about
one-half their price in Portsmouth, and
what the people need is turnpikes to let
them out toward Hillsboro, Manchester
and Portsmouth
After leaving Locust Grove we proceed
ed to West Union, where the September
term of the Adams County Common
Pleas is in session. The first four days
of the term there was very little to do,
and after holding court short time, in
forenoon and. afternoon, it would ad-
1a hon IF har
spend their time in playing croquet in
the Court House yard. Judge David
Tarbell is presiding The new Court
House is built up nearly to the cornice,
and will present very fine appearance