Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-03-20
,Harper's Ferry and the Valley.

From recent editorial correspondence" of the
Wheeling Register, we take the following cS>
tracts in reference tn Uarper's Ferry and the
VALLEY of Virginia
Harpers Ferry presents objects of interest,
both natural and historical, the study of which
the four or five hours delays while waiting
tor the Ssauntun train gives ample time.
Our party -and what would travelling be-
without party ?-stnrted out to tnke IN ali
that was OF interest about the Ferry. 1t w"s
no difficult matter to 6ud guide, az half
dozen boys-and all of them we'll posted
Harper's Ferry curIosities-stood ready. will
log aud eager 10 lead US. But what was
little remarkable, in this business among the
boys. was that there was no competition 10
the way of reduced rates, each one wanting
all he could get for his services. Selecting
the one we regarded a. the most intelligent,
we babe him lead and we would follow. The
first point of interest TO be visited was "Jef-
ferson's Rock" standing the brow Of
height overlooking the Shenandoah river and
from which splendid view is had. This is
the rock upon which Thomas Jefferson sat
during the long summer days when writing
his "Notes on Virginia, although our youth
tul guide in tormed US that he supposed the
rock TOOK its nsme from an old man by the
name OF Jefferson who was buried in a Gem
etery near by and who, according TO his in
formation was the dscoverer Of Jefferson
county. I. happened that an innocent
Abroad Of rather speculative mind, desired
to join our party, but upon receiving Mega
tive reply to the inquiry whether Mr.. Jefer>
son desired to sell his rock, declined ascend
ing the hill, as he expressed it, he guessed it
would hardly be worth while to look at it uu>
less it was for sale. This same "Innocent,"
when shown the engine house from which
John Brown was taken at the time of the
Harper's Ferry Instruction, expressed ereat
anxiety to SEQ the spot where the Apostle of
Emancipation was executed. and let his anx>
iety be,ray him as easy prey into the hands
Of the youthful guide, who promised for and
in consideration Of one dollar in hand paid TO
pilot him to the consecrated ground Our
Innocent as eager to do homage at the shrine
of Ossawattomie as ever Mussulman was at
the tomb of Mahomet, was led a half mile
up the Shenandoah to black walnut tree,
where his boy guide pointed out the very
limb from which John Browns soul took
fight to the unknown regions, and after
spending some time in silent alteration of.
what seemed to him, the place Of cruciix ion.
he returned to the village to be chagrined
and mortified with the information that John
Brown did no. die in that ne'ghborhood, hut
was hung at Charlestown, eight miles distant.
The ride up the great Valley of Virginia
from Harper's Ferry to Staunton, is over
one the most lovely countries of the world.
The landscape is unrivaled in beauty. while
on either hand are evidences Of thrift and
agricultural prosperity The unusually mild
February had given tho farmer fine oppor-
tunisy to pillow their lands for the spring
crops. and they seemed to have universally
nvailed themselves of il. The productive
soil and the high state of cultivation of the
lands "f this Valley made it the grnuery for
the South u the late war, hence it became
famous battle ground, each side sought to
possess it. To>day in its beauty and its tran.
quill prosperity. there is little to suggest that
battling armies had once des"lsted it, or that
every foo. of its soil had been ploughed by
shot aud she'll and the earth saturated with
rhe blood of foemen. Yet it is rich in his
toric memories, and will be lonr Win
chester Gedsr Creek Cross Keys, Kernstnwn
-ud Port Republic are remembered or the
same of Stonewnll jackson, or Banks.
Ashley, or Fremont, or Roper, or Early, or
Sheridan, abides.