The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-12-06
Correspondence of the Press.
AMONG THE HILLS.
SOUTH VALLEY, OTsEGo Co., N. Y.
NOyember 25th 1871

NOVVu4OOA &OSA13 AOsss
After an absence of many days, ]
send you greeting from the rocks and
hills of the old Empire State. Six
weeks ago, one dark and windy eve
ming, we boarded the New, York Elk.
press and came shooting through for
est and field, and in the morning found
ourselves near Hornersville, N. Y.
After q half days ride in the easy
chairs OF the Pullman palace car, we
reached Binghampton, where we
changed to the Albany s. Susquehanna
road, and at p. M, reached our des-
tination-a little village nestled among
the hills, where one can almost imag-
inc they had been dropped down
from the skies. One lovely day in
October 1 climbed to the top of the
highest hill, and as gazed into the
quiet village below and out over the
other hills, could only think eds the
hills are round about Jerusalem" The
trees cleaned gloriously in their Au.
tumnal robes when we fret came, but
the cold chilling winds of November
have stolen away their beauty, and
now they are bare and chcerless. In
dian Summer 1 think, has. forgotten to
come this way. for we have not seen a
glimpse of the golden days, veiled with
. mist of beauty. The pleasant days
have been rare. 1t is a much colder
climate here than Ohio, and l think ii
would compare favorably with Iowa.
Apples are scarce, but plnms were a
bountiful crop and sold very cheap
Hops are the staple product. and many
who have their last years crop holding
as we'll as this years. will at the prices.
realize very little money. Old hops
which last year could have been sold
for 80, now cannot command price
over 3 cents, and hardly that.
Last week took journey through
portion of Otsego and Montgomery
counties. i was shown the hill near
Cherry Valley where, over hundred
years ago, the In dams stole stealthily
down in the gray dawn and massa-
cred the sleeping victims who lived at
the foot Of the mountain, and then,
not content, passed on and burned the
town of Cherry Valley and killed
many of the people. No grass grows
in the path down which they marched
to their bloody work of death. There
is soon to be a monument erected to
the memory of those who were mas
sacred at Cherry Valley. Leaving the
latter place with the pleasant homes
behind us, we pass on and at last pause
1t the foot of Prospect Hill, the high
est land in Otsego. From this point
we have q fine view of the Mohawk
valley stretching out in the distance.
We could trace the winding of the
river by the line of fog above it. To
the right, many miles away, we could
zee dimly outlined the highest peaks
Of the cloud capped Adirondacks, and
lar away to the northward, gleam-
ing through the blue mist, we can
Iaintly see far off Canada. After few
lays sojourn with friends here ard
here, and q delightful ride through a
portion of the Mohawk Valley, we
reached Fort Plain, on the Mohawk
.iyer, q nice business place. The de-
'cendants of the Hollanders still live
n the valley, and are wealthy farmers
living in fine houses, with immense
,arns in which their grain and hay is
III put. saw no hay stacked in the |
ield. The hospitality of the New
Yorkers is universal, and they extend
O the stranger a warm welcome, but |
.mong the good things they give US |
annot agree with them that saur kraut
! delicious. Courtesy forbids my dis
,uting upon the point, but oh! my |
,asal organ does not lie to me. Curl
'sity impelled me TO taste it, and
will say it does not seem so very bad
{ tine fragrance were a little more
weet but no, it is not.
visited the popular summer resort |
# Sharon Springs, while in that vicin-
ty, although rather unreasonable
lime Of year. 1t is a pleasant place
lestled in a valley, with many fine no
els for summer boarders' The most |
among these is the Pavilion
where many hundreds may be furnish
ID with rooms and is connected with |
he eating house by a covered passage.
rhe background of the springs il q fine
ark on the hillside. The scene must |
,e lively in Summer, when so many |
Ome to taste the healing waters. ] |
lope 10 visit COoperstown soon and |
zee the home where James Fennimore |
Cooper lived, and TO stand by his |
omb and look over the waters of the |
AXE he loved so well, and whose mem
'ry he has perpetuated in his works |
From your paper l learn that an.
'ther of my friends has gone home
fter much suffering. She lived among
ny friends of earliest memory and
vas the fret who guided my steps and
aimed my mind in the humble temple |
# learning. Then, and in all the
ears which have intervened she ever
lad pleasant word for her sometime
'upil. Farewell, teacher, friend and
thine is the better part-the
'attle fought, the victory won. Fare.
veil, farewell. EMBURY.
Governor Bishops staff.
The Ohio Statesman gives the ap.
as far as decided upon by
Governor Bishop elect, for members