The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-09-21

DIC At TIE NAME-MAKERS-THE TOWN
oy McDOWELL-wAR "REMINISCENCES
nrn FRIENDS AND MISUNDERSTANDING
TIE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES.
FRANKLIN, PENDLEToN COUNTY, W. Va,
September IS, 1876. !
! have inst made an interesting journey
~ horseback from Millboro' Springs, in
Ra,b. along the Cowpasture and the Bull
ng>turr rivers tia Wiiliamsyille, Mcdowell,
and Doe-Hitl 10 this county-Scat OF Pendle-
ton-a distance OF about seventy miles.
The patient and exemplary animal that
bore me through the valleys and over the
sharp hills OF my grapevine route was loaned
me hv an estimable gentleman who re.
sides in the vicinity OF Miliboro', Mr.. Robert
Dickinson, son OF the late John Dickinson,
who was so fayorably known as the pro-
nrictor OF Millboro' Springs, so remarkable
for his quiet and kind disposition, and his
uuricht character. am thus particular,
hacallse the favor extended to me was gra-
cious and grateful.
TIE HORSE.
The journey was reformed with no tray.
cllinc companion save the submissive ami.
NAL who bore me, and who thus, as we'll as
Ly her gentleness and her constancy in the
nir>uit OF her daily "walk," won my
especial regard. All! who knows so
well the merits of the noble horse as
he who finds in him both companion
and transporter: The man who could
maItrcat or even neglect an animal
bearing this relation to him, deserves, as
retribution. to experience some sharp les
sons OF hardship and want. Upon reaching
this place my docile friend enjoyed her oats
and a few DAYS OF the rich pastures and
sweet waters OF the South Branch Valley
blessings fully appreciated by all horse-kind
that ever knew them. How they would fe-
lcitate those hapleSS animals whose feet
daily clatter upon the cobble-stones OF the
streets of Richmond rs they drag the cars
along her ungraded thoroughfares.
II was a bright morning when departed
from Millboro' to thread the valleys Of the
rivers ! have named. AS the day advanced
the sun grew hot, and that days ride made
the cool springs OF Bath delicious founts to
thirsty lips. Now and then interyened a
shady forest, which was a most refreshing
relief from the hot sun.
THE ROUTE.
The route was, as are all the roads OF Bath.
in the midst Of mountain scenes and their
bold and grand views. Following the val
ley Of Stuart's creek-a tributary to the Cow
pasture-and whose course Is tolerably
Straight, eight miles brought me to Green
Valley, which was once stage hotel on the
route from Buffalo Gap to the Warm
Springs-once a scene Of busy life, now a
picture OF quiet and serenity. could but
think how the railroad had changed the ap-
pearance OF the place, and it is but speci-
mcu OF the sad change which followed the
introduction OF the railroad at a thousand
places once animated and bright, once
thrifty and happy, where traveller and citi-
zen were content and happy, now the pic.
lures OF loneliness and Stagnatlon, and too
often OF dilapidation and ruin. But Green
Valley looks pleasant as well rs peaceful,
and is occupied by the family OF the late
Samuel Lewis, a near descendant OF Charles
Lewis, and a well-known and estlmaDle cltl-
zen OF Bath. What q sad day has come
upon the land since his day OF life and pros
perity!
CLovERDALE.
Green Valley is seven miles from ''Clo-
verdae," the once famous home Of the tray
eIler known to all men who prior to "rail'
road days" visited the Virginia springs
"The Wilderness" upon which the old inn
Is located, is one OF the most noted farms OF
Bath. 1t was the home Of General Blackburn,
one OF the ablest men Of Virginia in bis day
This estate is now owned by Mr.. Robert
J. Glendyc, the well-known cattle-dealel
and grazier of this section OF the cattle re-
gl0n. These matters will be interesting to
many Eirginians who have not forgotten
the days with their joys that are past never
10 return.
CRAVE OF RURAL REPUTATIoNS.
The name Of Blackburn is household
word In the homes OF Bath. The distin-
sulshed man who bore it was one OF the
llrst lawyers as we'll as statesmen OF his
times. He figured prominently in the Legls-
lature Of Virginia and in the constitutional
convention OF 80, and was especially noted
ioF the vlgor OF his rhetoric and the keen.
ness OF his satire. When aroused by the
course OF debate to deal in that in which he
.[lumphed his adversaries were made to
ieei bis power. He spoke very much as
1unlls wrote. Being assailed once with
some freedom by new member, he
commenced reply with the re-
marx: "Mr. Speaker, this hall has
neeh the grave OF many rural reputa-
ei i OO
supposed to the succeeding ceremony OF
Tue legislative entombment. On another
occasion ne had handled an ambitious and
inexperienced member who had crossed his
path with 80 much severity that the member
AFORESAID deemed it proper to cali for some
sympathy, and with emotion declared that
he he, was not the beneficiary Of any fortuitous
nielp IN youth; that he was left to bis own
,,haependent energies--aal, indeed, that his
.a.ler gave him was the plain education
WIN mitA Which he set out in life. When the
cn reteran satirist came to reply he said: :" Mr..
,itaSer, the gentleman says that all that his
la.uer lett him was plain education. am
S;i SS4;iry 70 say that he has added nothing to
us patrimony.' 5I5 -
H0SPITALITIEs.
any Old citizen of Bath will tell you
'9s"iuething about General Blackburn. He
"a "ss The most famous man that lived in the
t,sy trahsy alter the Revolution. and was the
s,sslest notability in the grand society that
sssa;ered ss~;ed at the Warm Springs when the
soniS Ss Of the land inspired the spirit OF per-
era,l S, independence and kindled in the gem
ueat the fire OF heroism.
yanu feturn TO my Journey: From Green
ths h hy-after enjoying the hospitalities OF
od lnt home 9Ia there, which were bestowed with
mil. Virginia eordiality-I travelled three
rix"s n.es n9rthwestwardiy to the CowIsasture
snraaa rss " Fort Lewis. Here che Cowpasture
Is Iovss..s OUT one OF her richest aud most
rlav views. There WAS q fort ilpon the