The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-25
For the vIRGISrAS.l
Trim TO the Highlands.

Tuesday, the 10th instant, being the reg
ularly appointed day for holding the session
OF the Grand Council of the Sons OF Jona
dab. which this year met at Doe Hill. High
land county. pursuant to adjournment OF
last Grand Council. the Grand Officers liv
ing in Staunton, and some OF the private
members OF Excelsior Council, might have
been seen at $50 a. m. mounted in and OIL
top of Ned Burke's large stage, "Maid OF
Oreans,' for trip to the Highlands. The
drive was a delightful one. Taking the mail
route, we passed through jennings Gap,
and On to Vance's at the foot of the Shenan-
doah mountain, where we dined, indulging
in sort of basket-picnic. Man and beast
having rested, we started for long pull up
the mountain, but were fully repaid for our
labor by the grand display OF the wonderful
and majestic works OF nature, which here
spread out before us. On the very top OF
the mountain could still be seen traces of
breastworks thrown up. by ''Jackson's men,
to hurl back the invader from the sacred
soil. Some of the party had given their
mite in making this historic ground, and the
old fire seemed stirred within them as they
looked upon the now lifeless scene, where
once the activity of military life prevailed.
And now we start down the western slope
of the s'Shenandoah.' The road is singu-
larry smooth and even, but winds and twists
around sharp projecting mountain peaks,
making it one of the most tortuous ways we
have ever passed over. Thanks to the emf
nent skill Of Jno. Showalter, the master of
the reins,' we went safely down, at the
rapid rate of about ten miles an hour. Cross
ing very narrow valley we passed over
''Shaw's Fork,'' and then up and over the
bull Pasture mountain" which is the east
ern boundary of the succession of lovely val
leys formed in this Highland country.
At the foot of Bull Pasture lies the thriv-
ing village of Mcdowell, and eight miles
distant, at the upper end of this Valley. is
Doe Hill, the objective point OF our visit,
where We arrived about p. m. Our jaded
spirits were greatly refreshed by the hearty
reception we met with at the hands of our
friends, who entertained us with generous
hospitality.
Tuesday night at o'clock D. M, Stone
wall Council, of Doe Hill, held their regu-
lar meeting. 1t was largely attended by an
enthusiastic membership, and, | fancy, the
Staunton Jonadabs learned something great
ly to their profit from this meeting Of the
Jonadabs of the mountains. This Council
numbers over 90 active members. and near
ly all OF them are members of the church,
many having been brought to the church
through the influence of Stonewall Council.
Past Grand Chief and Deputy Sovereign
Patriarch. j. W. Newton, of Staunton, was
appointed Grand Marshal of the exercises of
the next day, which consisted OF process
sion of the members of the Order from the
Lodge Room of Stonewall Council to the
Church, where speeches appropriate to the
occasion were made by Grand Chief, Prof.
A. j. Turner, Rev. J. X. Gilbert, r. J. Irv-
uoh T[or n
Quite large number of people came in
from the country, who, after the adjourn
ment of the morning meeting, entertained
themselves and friends and visitors with a
basket picnic. Another meeting was held
in the afternoon, when persons were invited
to join the Order. Three were initiated, and
the names of five or six others secured, who
will be initiated at some future tine-the
lateness of the hour preventing their atten-
dance at the Lodge Room at this time.
The night of the 18th the Grand Council
was called to order by Grand Chief, Prof.
A. J. Turner, the Grand Council degree
conferred on those entitled to receive the
same, but owing to the absence of the Grand
Secretary, no regular business could be
transacted, when the Grand Council adj
journed to meet in Staunton Wednesday
night, July 3lst.
The next morning we bid adieu to our
kind friends of Doe Hill, and took up our
line of march for home. Thus ended a most
enjoyable visit, which will long be remem-
bered by those who took part in it, and
which we believe will do much toward adj
vanclng the Order Of Sons of Jonadab.
We can not speak too highly of the valua-
BILE assistance at the public meeting, rem
dered by Prof. Butcher and his well-trained
choir, who varied the exercises of the day
by some beautiful music, as well rendered as
any we have ever heard. K.