Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-07-30
LIFE IN TIIE UIRGTNIi SPRINGS
REGION.
DAGGFR'S SPRINGS.

BoTEroURT Co, VA, July u, 1877.
Dear Sdr:-FrOm all the hotels in the
springs region of Virginia there arises the
doleful cry, "NO guests! No uests. No
guests!" The landlord, with long face,
gazes mOurnfully at his neglected mineral
water and mountain mutton and longs for a
spell OF weather that shall make tue Their
mOIneter jump as the mercury ascends, and
shall send HIM countless victims from the
heated cities But when the exodus from
Washington does take place, it is hardly
probable that il Will be turned in this direc
tlOn. These resorts are entirely too near
home TO be thoroughly appreciated. y single
cay or night brings the hot and dusty Wash
ingtoniau into this wonderful reg ION, with
Its varied waters and its unsurpassed natural
scenery, but il is an observed fact that men
pass over neighbOring attractions in order tn
spend the summer at some distant place of
inferior interest. So the typical Landlord OF
this section will perhaps look in vain for the
linen-dustered host that his fancy p,ints.
FROM WASHINGTON TO THE SPRINGS.
The journey here from Warrington is fI,i
of interest The scenery along the line OF the
Orange and Alexandria railroad can har lily
be called striking, since the view from the
car windows, OF the sand and clay and
gravel of the railro ad ennba' kments Is only
eDllveEed by glinpSes OF level stretches OF
exhausted land, or by your entrance into
some sic py village, through which the train
passes with appropriate aud fuuereal slow
ness; but historic associations take the place
OF attractive and varied views. The road
cuts through tile northern part of that section
OF Virginia which in "tnc late unpleasant
ness" acquired rational importance as the
main theaier OF military operations. Cor
responding to T'rkry in Asia and Flanders
In Europe, II is our continental battle
ground-the great chess board on which the
desperate game OF civil war was pla yed. For
four years the army of the Potomac and the
army Of Northern Virginia swayed back
wards and forwards over tide-water and
ing It's own capital aud threatening that of
its adversary.
THESE UNINTEREsrING FIELDS
have felt the tread of armies marching to
battle. Each of these sleepy villages is IN aae
attractive by the fascination OF stirring as
sOciations. The railroad itself was used
more than once by the Union forces as line
OF manGuvre for offensive operations south
ward. a few miles from Fairfax the cars
rumble over bridge, and, looking Careless
~ down you see Bull Ran, an Insignificant
stream, but what recollectiOns of disaster to
the Union cause are aroused by the name
Through the successive stations you trace
the surgings OF tie contest and imagine the
stirring events OF the past. In the midst of
your imaginations You pass through the
town which boasts the euphonious name of
Brandy, you interrupt them 10 discuss the
inevitable fried chicken legs at GorionsvilIe
and finally dismiss them near Charlottes-
Vile, where you change TO the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad. On your journey
HISTORIC ASSOCIATIONS AND FINE SCENERY
seem to be in inverse ratio. Near and beyond
Charlottesville the views begin TO be striking,
while the military operations over this sec
ton were comparatively unimpOrtant. The
mountains which for some miles back are
dimly outlined against the sky seem to close
In UPON GU. About a mile from CharlOttes-
Vile you get glimpse OF the red dome and
numerous pillars OF the University OF Viz
ginia. Just before reaching WaynesbOrO'
the train dives into tunnel penetrating the
Blue Ridge and Is soon shooting along on a
table land, looking down on the varied green
OF field and forest stretching on either side 10
the mountains, which, wooded 10 their sum
mits and covered with a deep-b blue haze, are
hemmiDg you in. Beyond Stanton the
scenery becomes more rugged. For long dis
you wind your way among the tops of trees
whose roofs are FAR below; you see white cot
tages distinct In the green Of the valleys and
deep shadows falling on the mountains.
Soon you are In the famous springs region,
and at almost every station ''easy convey
apce" is a. hand TO carry tavalids to the
fountains OF health" and their "healing
waters" II your steps are turned towards
DAGGERs SPRINGS
your own specimen OF "easy conveyance"
will be found at Clifton Forge. Here levers of
mountain scenery will have occasion to use
their eyes aud To rejoice in the faculty of
sight. Reaching CLIFTON Forge in the after
Ryalls, about half mile from the station
| for the night, and would leave for the springs
next morning. Whoever stops at Mr.. Ryall's
| front OF the house even though he "falter an d
grow sick at heart" for the view will repay
him. He will see The Jackson river winding
It's silver stream through the gorge that here
cuts through the gloomy mountains, while
the rising ground beyond touched by the
sunlight forms pleasing background. Toe
| crossing of the Jackson river at Clifton
! Forge is effected by means of q ha:boat
| which, In Imitation of the practice on many
| western rivers, is, pulled across by hand
| through The agency OF a rope stretched from
shore to shore. The long stage ride OF ten
| miles over q road which skirts the jackson
| river until its confluence with the Cow Pas
ture RIVER to form the James and then
| plunges boldly inland, is as far as invalids
are concerned, the one objection to Dagger's
, Springs, but Mr.. Shirley who plo.s the
''easy conveyance" can on occasion &c il
| eaid drive his vehicle with an attention as
| painsta king, and . motion as smooth as
though he were carrying . cargo OF eggs.
THE BUCHANAN AND CLIFTON FORGE
RAILROAD,
which ID now In process Of grading, will,
/ ~hnu norv,pleSad hiring Oaas>u~>-. -ssl,. :.