The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-12
NOTES BIZ THE WAY.
Editerial lettings. .
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
GRKENBRIER CO., w. VA,
March g 1876.

March y, 1876.
A trip by night over the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad from Wheeling to Hsrpers
Ferry does not impress the average traV.
eler as being of particular interest, I'M
less it be to lie awake for an hour or two
while crossing the summit OF the Allie
ghsnies and looking from the window
of your sleeping car, gaze out upon
beautiful starlight and watch the fog
rising from the valleys and rsvines be.
low, curling up into all sorts OF weird
and fantastic shapes, vividly recalling
some story of mountain sprites, learned
in childhoods days.
HARPER'S FERRY.
But Harper's Ferry presents objects OF
interest, both natural and historical, the
study of which the four or five hours
delay while waiting for the Stanton
train gives ample time. Our party-and
what would travelling be without par
ty?-stsr.ed out to take in all that was
OF interest about the Ferry. 1t was no
difficult matter to find guide, as a
half dozen boys-and all of them well
posted on llsrper's Ferry curiosities-
stood ready, willing and eager to lead US.
.iut what was a little remarkable, IN this
business among the boys, was that there
was no competition In the way OF re-
dIced rates, each one wanting all be
cDuid get for mis- services. Selecting the
one we regarded as the most intelli-
gent we babe hun lead and we
wouid follow. The first point of inter-
est To be visited was "Jefierson's Rock"
standing on the brow of height over
looking the Shenandoah river, and from
which q splendid view is had. This Is
the rock upon which Thomas Jefferson
sat during the long summer days when
writing his "Notes on Virginia" al
though our youthful guide informed US
that he supposed the rock took its name
from an Old man by the name OF Jeffer-
son who was buried in cemetery near
by, and who, according to his informa-
ton, was the discoverer of Jefferson
county. 1t happened that an Innocent
Abroad OF rather speculative mind, de-
sired to join our party. but upon recelv.
ing negative reply to the inquiry
whether Mr.. Jefferson desired to sell his
rock, declined ascending the hill, as he ex-
pressed it, he guessed it would hardly be
worth while to look at it unless it was
for sale. This same Innocent" when
shown the engine house from which
John Brown WAS taken At the time OF
The Harpers Ferry instruction, ex-
pressed great anxiety to SEQ the spot
where the Apostle of Emancipation was
ex, cuted. and let his anxiety betray him
rs easy prey into the hands OF the youth
iul guide, who promised for and in con-
sideration of one dollar in hand paid to
pilot him to the consecrated ground. Our
Innocent, rs eager to do homage at the
shrine OF Ossa wattomie rs ever Mussul-
man was At the tomb of Mahomet, was
lod n half.mie up the Shenandoah to
black walnut tree, where his boy guide
pointed ont the very limb from which
John Browns soul took flight to the un-
known regions, and after spending some
time in silent alteration of Whist seemed
to him, the place of cructiXion, he re-
turned to the village to be chagrined and
mortified with the information that John
Brown did not die in that heiglh 'rhood,
but was hung at Charlestown, eight
miles distant.
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA..
The ride up the great valley of Vir-
ginia from Harper's Ferry to Staunton,
i, over one of the most lovely countries
o. the world. The landscape Is unrivsl-
Ell in beauty, while on either hand are
Evidences OF thrift ar d agricultural pros
perity. The unusually mid February
had given the farmers fine opportunity
t. pillow their lands for the spring crops,
and they seemed to have universally
awaited themselves of it. The produc-
tive soil and the high state OF cultlva-
ton of the lands of this valley made 1t
the granery for the South In the late
war, hence it became famous battle
ground, rs each side sought to possess it.
To-day IN It's beauty and its tranquil
prosperity, there is little to suggest that
battling armies had once desolated it, or
that every foot of its soil had been
ploughed by shot and shell, and the
earth saturated with the blood of foe.
men. Yet it is rich in historic
memories, and will be rs long
as Winchester, Cedar Greek,
Cross Keys, Ker1stown and Port
Republic are remembered, or the fame
of Stonewall Jackson, or Banks, or Ash
Icy, or Fremont, or Roper, or Early, or
Sheridan, abides.
Croissng Narrow Passage we are re-
minded by the conductor OF the train that
lust one year ago today the frightful &C
cident occurred, when a train was precip-
i.ated over the bridge distance Of SO
feet into the creek below. We pass on
and feel thankful that such accidents do
not recur annually. Stau2ton, the city
of schools and asylums, is the terminus of
The valley road, and junction is here
formed with the Chesapeake and Ohio
road. The Valley division is under::th
superintendent of Capt Averill, ono of
the most efficient, as well as obliging Off
GERS of the Baltimore and Ohio Company.
After leaving Staunton going west,
the next point of interest is the famous
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
where the weary traveller can fad rest,
and the invalid health. The new hotel,
the "Peyton House." stands right at the
depot, and is undoubtedly, in architec-
tural beauty and convenience, superior to
sny hotel IN either of the Virginlas. This
house has been furnished in elegant style,
and is kept open all the year. Busy pre-
psrations sre going on here for heavy
season during the comirg summer, and
the fact that the proprietors have re-
duced the rates of board for the next
season. will ensure a fulfllnent of their
expectations.
The effect of President Hayes southern
policy is being felt in this locality, as was
prciblv illustrated in little business
transaction between two colored boys
a, this place to-day. One of the parties
had sold the other one knife payable