The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-20

wealth and population, and his long sojouy
in Europe has given him knowledge of til
overcrowded regions of the continent, an
especially of Great Britain. He thinks tt
climate and central position of Virginia pa
ticularly likely TO attract foreign immigra
ton, and has proved his faith by his worl
in making considerable investments abou
Staunton, which is, he believes, destined
become tlourishing inland city and railroa
centre at no distant day.
The morning after reaching Staunton
took the Baltimore e Ohio train for Harri
onburg, and drank in with delight the pur
balmY atmosphere CT my native valley
while my eyes devoured the beautiful fami
lar scenes of my youth. The twenty-fiv
miles of road between Staunton and Harri
sonburg is almost succession OF villages
or settlements" as the mountain felix's say
while the rich farms with their comfortabl
dwellings, orchards laden with fruit and lux
uriant crops OF grass and corn, show Ian
OF comfort and abundance, was much SUI
prised at the number of new houses. of WOO
and brick, and sometimes rooted with Stat
and often OF tasteful design, which ar
springing up all along the railroad. Ever.
mile of the road is historic ground But
INV ySoAo nS,O i1oG pbllCl VI lCtlCC was "
be seen, while everywhere the ruins an,
burnt buildings, the debris of camps ant
hospitals met the eye. The scene of man,
skirmish lay before me; more than on
battlefield but lately watered with such pre-
cious blood, was in sight OF the train. On yon
der hillside, now waving with stately corn
the gallant Ashby, the hero without fear ant
without reproach, fell while rallying Mary
land regiment to the charge. On chat dis
tant hill, the accomplished young Meigs me
his fate from the coward foe, who IN either
dress, crept on the unsuspecting soldier
Over that winding road Jackson led hi
dauntless troops to fields of victory. Or
yonder height Sheridan's white tents looked
down to the beautiful green valley which he
was ordered to desolate, so that the bird;
of the air would have need to carry their ra-
tons when passing over it," Behind yon
der cluster of trees nestles the little village
OF Dayton, saved from the flames by the in
tercessfon Of General, now President Hayes
when Sheridan's fierce wrath ordered the
destruction OF every building within five
miles OF the spot where Neigs was slain
Thank heaven 1t is all over now; the barns
rebuilt are bursting with plenty, the SWORD
has been turned into the plowshare, the
spear into the prooning-hook. Not trace
OF war remains; nought speaks of that end
OF carnage and destruction, save where a
simple headstone marks the spot where some
hero fell, or little enclosure by the way
side tells OF the s'soldiers' cemetery where
friend and foe, far from home and loved
ones here met their last enemy, here mingled
together their dust, together await the sound
Of the last trumpet. ORA LANGHoRNE.
Mr.. D. C. Gallaher, formerly of this coun.
ty and now member of the corps of cor.
of the Cincinnati Commercial,
writes an interesting letter from this city to
that paper, from which we take the follow
ing extract:
Prior to the war, and for some time after.
it was almost as difficult to obtain copy OF
the Commercial in this place as it would be
in China. Some few old-line Wings sub
scribed for the weekly, and those who did
''swOre by it," to use common phrase of
confidence and appreciation. But since the
and Ohio Railroad was complet-
ed to the Ohio river, and communication
opened with the West, all has been changed.
A trip from here to Cincinnati, which used
to consume by stage and boat about ten
days, now requires but about thirty hours,
Or at the farthest day and half. Cincin-
natl is represented here not by her newspa-
pers alone, but by her manufactures, especi-
ally in furniture, mattresses, &C., all of
which commands a premium even at this
distance over all others for cheapness, style
and beauty OF finish. Until The gates of the
and of New River were unlock
ed to the people here by the Chesapeake &
OHIO Railroad, all tribute went East and
nrfoo NJ, NJ
only unused, but unknown. Another change
wrought by this railroad, which has poured
its benefits into the lap of these people has
been that coal from West Virginia is sold for
almost song, whereas formerly it all came
from Pennsylvania, and was bad and dear
ut that.
A DESCRIPTION OF iSTAUNTON
Itself may not be out of place. With popu-
lation of about six thousand thrifty people,
situated in the heart of the Valley Of Virgin
a,and surrounded by the wealthiest agricul-
5ural district of Virginia, it is no wonder it
is one OF the first young cities of Virginia.
Besides being the county seat, where the
Courts of Appeal of the old State have al
ways set, as we'll as the Federal Courts, it is
The Southern terminus of the Valley Rail-
road, branch of the Baltimore and Ohio
which here connects with the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. This Valley
Railroad runs the entire length of the VAL
ley, from Harper's Ferry, on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, to Staunton. 1t has
been built since General Phil. Sheridan ia :
nous exploits around Winchester, and up
and down the valley in 1S64-5. When the
war ceased there was not mile of fencing
to be seen from the macadamized turnpike,
from Staunton to Harper's Ferry, q distance
of about one hundred and twenty miles. But
now there are no traces Of the hard fought
battles except here and there hill top, bears
sears OF embrasnres and trenches. But TeOe-
nous a nos n0ut0ns. Staunton is the cen
tire Of female education of the South, there
being no less than five extensive female SEM
inaries located here, aggregating an atten-
dance at about seven hundred young ladies,
from the Rio Grande to Baltimore, and in
deed many from the West and North as far
as New York. The bulk of the students are
from Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana, OK
certing Virginia, Of course. AS these stu
dents expend hundreds of thousands of dol
lars yearly, it is no wonder that their foster
ing care is looked after by the rapidly grow
ing rich people of the city. The education
al advantages are excellent, there being a
Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist
aHO LutiiCAdu OcIuludry HcTos UeSitSo biie
Mozart Institute, where young ladies re-
ceive an advanced system Of musical instruc.
ton. The Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institu-
ton of the State is here, as is also the Luna
tic Asylum, both being among the largest
and finest in the United States. sold fog
yism'' has released its blighting grasp and
mildew from this town so much more for
tunate than the majority Of Virginia towns
The people are plucky, enterprising and
The recent selection Of candi-
dates upon the Democratic State ticket had
much of its origin in this town. 1t is the
central figure OF the "Valley," and Holli
days nomination for Governor is owing in g
great measure to his 'sleader" from this
county, who brought thirty-five votes to his
support in the Convention at Richmond
Out of forty Governors that Virginia has had
but three ever came from the ''Valley, ,
with its poulation of over quarter of a
million. Her time had come, and by a brave
fight she has got the Governor, and Lieu
tenant Governor also.
Hon. James v. Brooke, Of Fauquier.
As the position Of Hon. James v. Brooke, o
Fauquier. who is a candidate for the State Senat
in that district. has been criticised by cores
pondents, and the purported report of discus
sion between him and his competitor, ex-Gov
Smith, published in this portion OF the State AM