Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-11
From the Spirit of Jefferson
The Upper Valley.

We had occasion last week to make q
brief visit to Augusta county, in the up
per or central portion of the magnificent
Valley of Virginia, of which our own
rich county forms the northern gateway.
We felt most fortunate that our visit and
the lawn party at Waynesboro occurred,
so OPPORTUNITY for US, at the same time,
and in little while after reaching Way
nesboro we were numbered among the
large throng entering the grounds where
the party was in progress.
The Rev. Mr.. McCutchen is pastor of
the Presbyterian Church, for the benefit
of which the party was held, and none
worked more faithfully than he in MAX
ing it a success. A music stand occupi-
ed the centre, and here the "Stonewall
Band" discoursed en!iveing music dur
ing the evening. The party was kept
up until midnight, AMI even then the
assemblage seemed 10th to leave the al
most enchanting scene. A handsome
boquet was voted to the "ugliest man"
of the "Stcnewall Band" and Ned
Cushing, the President of the Band and
Staunton's noted auctioneer, was awar-
ded it by the audience without dissen-
ting voice. We tried hard to electioneer
for Strausbrg, of the Spectator, but it
was no go Cushing had the "inside
track" on him, and if he had not got it,
Sam Baskins would have been brought
in as compromise candidate" and
carried the field.
Leaving Waynesboro we passed
through StauntOn on our return, and
spent few hours there. Thos. d. Ran
son, Esq, formerly of Charlestown,
lives in Staunton and practices law in
partnership with the Hon. A. H. III.
Stuart; Capt. Jno.N .Opie, also native
of Jefferson, is farming near the city,
and Mr.. Charles e. Haines, at one time
a resident of Charlestown, has in Staun-
ton the largest and most complete cigar
the best newspapers in the State-the
Spectator, Vandicdtor and Trginian-
are published in Staunton. Her female
institutes-a source of great pride and
prOfit-being closed for the summer va
cation, rob the city for short space of
Its wonted busy appearance, but these
will be soon opened again. On Wednes-
day afternoon the "West Augusta
Guards" and "Staunton Artillery, hea-
ded by their Drum Corps, marched from
the city for Stribling Springs, to spend
q few days there, and the 'Stonewa1l
Band" followed on Thursday evening. |
The camp of the military was named
Camp Holiday, lin honor of the nomi-
nee tor Governor of the State, who is |
endorsed by old Augusta. |
In conversation with a friend who is q |
city officer in Staunton we were inform
ed that the tax on property in that city |
is $1.50 on the hundred dollars. With |
us it is 25 cents. And yet Staunton |
seems rather to be benefited than other
wise by heavy taxation. She has mag
nfdcent water works and other convent
ences, and the large amount of revenue |
derived from these heavy taxes is dis |
bursed among mechanics and 1aborers |
at home, giving work to thoes who
would otherwise be unemployed. 1t is
a live town at any rate, and its streets
wear business aspect which
cannot fail to attract the attention of the
visitor or traveller passing through en-
route for some other point. /
On his next visit to Staunton if our
ofthe Spirit should observe
a squad of organized, spirited ladies,
looking rather ferocious, he had better
tell his friends good bye, saying ''my
names Haines," and make tracks for
parts unknown, as our wives have held
indignation meetings on the subject of
good looks, and have declared HIM to
be the uglist mortal man in the Valley
of Virginia, and have determined to as
sail him On sight, and require retrac-
ton of all he says about that boquet
business. That thing was not intended
for publication and it was not expected
that it would appear in the public prints
especially the facts in regard to the
candidates. It is a pity
that the Spirit editor was ruled off tine
track as he would undoubtedly have
gotten the boquet if he had been allowed
to complete for it.