Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-06
Letter from Page County.

correspondence of the Alex sndria Gazette
LURAY, PAGE Co., Va, Dec. 3.-Leaviny
the foot Of Cedar Mountain after an earIv
breakfast, yesterday morning, we mounted our
charger and started for this mountain village.
The morning being frosty and the air very
cold, we rode rapidly, not, however, too fast to
enjoy glimpse of the beautiful Blue Ridge at
every high point Oh our route. Passing through
the village of Woodvie, in Rappahannock
county, We noticed evidences OF thrift and en-.
terprlsc on every hand. There being quite
large administrator sale ofcattle, horses, sheen
hogs, &c., going on 10 the ueghborhood, a
large number Of the itzans of Woodvillc and
adjacent country were IN attendance thereon.
aud as long credits are still at Il premium in
llrg lnla, everything brought high prices
Passing on we next came to SperryviIle, vii
lage III the same county, and about five miles
northwest OF Woodvle. This place at the
close OF the war was noted for nothing in par
tlcuar but its one street and bad whiskev
Sloce that time good hotel has been oueped
with Mr.. John MILAN as mine host" where
weary traveller is always cheertully received
and hospitality entertained. This place aud
surrounding country within an area of at least
ten miles have been, are now, aud for mapy
years to come, will be, Indebted to the enter
prisng firm of Z. G.. Smoot & Sons, of Alex
andrla, for the amount of money they weekly
aud monthly distribute hereabouts in carving
90 their very extensive taunery. Spending
the night 10 Sperryvlle we again mount and
Immediately commence the ascent of the noun
tain. We ride rapidly, and as We ascend tie
wind becomes more piercing and stronger uu-
til we reach the top, the birthplace and burial
ground of Barbee, Virgnla's Sculptor. We
dlsmount for comfort sake, and with our horse
double quick down the northwest side for
mile or two in full view OF the beautiful and
fertile valley of the Hawksbill, and the grew
ground Massauutten aud Fort Mountains in
the background. 1t may not be uninterestiog to
some OF your readers to know that between
these two mountains lies very productive
small valley Just occupied by one Powell, who
lived and cultivated while 10 the poor In
dian Was still hereabouls, and wherever they
became aggressive he, together with the few
the time being within the walls of natural
fort 10 the mountain hence Puwelrs Valley
and Fort Mountain.
failed earlier to mention that uotwithstand
ing the cold aud ice Rev. Aldridge GrimsIev
baptized u lady candidate, yesterday afternoon.
iu TEorntou's River at Sperryvle.
also learned while there that yonny man |
named Dodson was wayIaid and shot at about
two miles from town, few nights since. The |
bail passed through his hat without iniu,ipq |
him, however. His assailants failing to sheet |
hun, gave chase, but be outran them, al d |
reached neighbours house safely. He had r. |
ce;veu some money that afternoon in town, |
and it is supposed he Was waylaid to be ROBBED, |
as be Is known as remarkably inoffensve aud |
straightforward young man.
About the same time 40 elderly gentleman, |
Mr.. Posey Whalen, Superintendent of the |
Pour, living about four miles from Sperryville, |
was brutaIly assaulted by unknown men armed |
with clubs, &C., and very badly beaten, so |
am informed.
The case Of Minard Harmon and son, which |
occurred 10 Shenandoah County short tim. |
ago, has created considerable excitement AZ
they are both believed to have been Innocent, |
aud the citizens are determined to bring the |
Offenders to justice You remember an ac |
count OF their beiug tied aud whipped bv |
party Of huotcrs because suspected of sbootino
one Of their dogs appeared in the Gazette a
few days ago.
The corn crop, a fine one, has nearly all been
housed, excepting what went to fateu ye pork.
ers, and they are now daily paying the penalty
for getting fat, as is fully evidenced by the con.
slant squeezing going on ali along the route
from Culpeper to Page counties.
The farmers in this and other sections being
much encouraged by the foe yield of wheat
the present year have seeded very large acre
age, aud though the crop as a general thing is
not looking as we'll as at corresponding Pc