Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-03-18

LYNciiBURG, Va, o.. |
March 18th, 1876. 1

March 18th, 1876.
Mr.. Editor-Escaping from the hands
of the Doctor with wounded side
fortunate escape, say you,) l lief. home,
not without some misgirings, on my
anticipated trip South. Nine hours
ride brought me from Alexandria to
this city. Though somewhat tedious,
yet it was not altogether devoid of
pleasure, as all along the route there are
points OF interest passirg.over as you
do number of the battle-fields of the
late war, made memorable by the deeds
OF valor performed by the coEiending
forces in that unnatural struggle. Bull
Run, Manassas, Bristoe, and Catletts
are names familiar to all, so that / need
no: attempt description, however in
teresting to one passing over them tor
the first time, and calling up as they do
scenes connected with those trying
times / am here on the occasion of
the assembling of the Maryland Annu-
al Conference, of the NJ. p Church,
now holding its session in this city, and
which is being handsomely entertained
in good old Virginia style. Its sessions
are held in the NJ. p. Church, recently
remodeled aud beautifully fitted up at
an expense Of $1,000. They have a
splendid organ and the choir occupies
the platform in the rear Of the preacher
and facing the audience. A good ar
raugement, and would be a suitable pc
sitiou for some choirs / know of on
more accounts than one. Lynchburg
is literally "city set upon hill, or
rather succession of hills, and can lay
claim to more hills as its foundation
than old Rome, and equally as ancient
i mean the hills. 1t is abont 40
miles from Washington on the James
River with population of $4,000. the
scenery around reminds me very much
of that on the Potomac between your
town and Harpers Ferry. | assembled
the hills on the East side of the James
from which point the city presents a
fine appearance. On the West the ia
nous peaks of Otter, some rs miles dis
tant, stand cut in bold relief, seemingly
piercing the clouds with their beauti-
fully rounded tops.
The ground being uneven and billy,
the streets are irregular and steep, so
steep indeed are some of them that you
and your readers, living among hills as
you do, would be puzzled to know how
horses with wagons could possibly go
mp and down them, or pedestrian nav
igate them in wintry weather. Yet
scattered all over these hills are large
and beautiful residences and public bull
dings, indicating culture and wealth.
1t is great tobacco mart, this being
the chief manufacturing business. l
cannot give you an idea approximating
the amount of the weed that is brought
here from the surrounding country and
manufactured in its various forms. There
are about fifty establishments employ
ing a vast amount OF capital and hun
dreds of hands. 1t is quite an interest
ing sight to see hundreds of darby girls
and boys as they cheerily ply their
work, and ring out their melodies as
only they can. AT certain seasons long
lines of small covered wagons, drawn
by horses, mules, oxen, &c, may be
seen winding their way over these hills
loaded with their precious freight which
in little while is converted into green
backs.
There are three dailies published here,
the Lynchburg Virginian, News and
Evening Star. The two former also
publish a tri-weekly and weekly,
Their are other industries here
in connection with those named, all OF
which 60 to make this live and pros
porous city. wish / had time to give
you a full description OF this place and
its beautiful surroundings. / will not
at present trespass upon your valuable
space. The weather is fine, the atmos-
phere soft and balmy and very congo
NAL to my feelings. Already l feel the
better for my trip.