Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-09-03
Letter from ROchbridge Alum Springs

s.etter from ROcHbridge Alum springs
]Cor-espondenco Of the A|ezardrla Gazette.
RoCa5RIDsE ALUM SPRINGS. Aug. |, 1878.
Things here have been moving on 10 their
usual upintere=tiDg gait to the outside world,
and until this week there has been absolutely
nothing that would furnish readable matter.
| This has been rather above 40 average season
! s!ncc The begirniDg of hard times, there being
now about one hundred aud seventy Eve guests
here aud the waters have gained moro laurc!s
| by their wonderful corrective properties than
they have 10 any season for the last twenty
| odd as learn from close observer, who has
| been regular visitor here for that length Of
time. The Jordan Alum, in close Proximity,
furnishes Us the variety OF seeing strange faces,
aud an opportunity OF enjoying an exchange OF
courtesles As to Germans, balls, readings, &c.
| On Monday there vas full dress bali here, 90
| "Wednesday there vas 8 masque ball at the
! Jordan, and the same here friday night, tur-
nishug an abundance OF dissipation for those
Who desire to indulge in such smusenentS, and
that, too, under the most favorable circunstsu.
ces such as first class music, 10 the finest ball
rooms snd aoors to be found 10 the mountains.
| q
quests Of the two springs as to the virtue Ct tie
waters. The springs are not fifty yards apart.
and out of the same bill side flow waters that
nearly all agree are not Of the same taste.
We had first class sensation here CD Mon.
| day night just after serving refreshments to
the ball. The walters being alone 10 the dining
room dispute arose among some OF them, re.
sultipg in promi5cuous throwing OF cups and
eobIets winding up very suddenly by one OF
the attacked parties opening ire with r..
1ol,er, clearing the dLlng rooIn in eblick time.
One OF the fleeing parties FELL doubled up,
into the readiog room, feeling himself 10 see
8hers be was bit, but could not fad the place,
much to bis relief Five shots were fired, but
% one was hit The next morning, jus. as the
bell started TO ring for breakfast, moro OF the
beIiigercnt spirit found vent in an eZcbaope Ct
blows between several Of the same party. This
disturbance was quickly ended By 90, OF the
maugers with big stick, ana DOVE tie Tar
spirit seems to have subsidized.
The rain Of Thursday and Friday Caused
quite disappointment, 10! only to a., bu; the
whole surrounding cou1try. MIR. Frazier had
Determined to give Us two gaia days to Wind Up
the sea=oo. According to the programme
Thursday and Friday were to be taken up With
Scotch games, sack races, pig races, bobtlng
for saussagcs aud apples, carra!c aud apple
ripping. climbing greszed poles and other:
too numerous to mention. Thursday evening,
az the rain held up about dark, the carnival
procession feature was carried cut, the iaTr
circle embracing savcra! aces, surrounded b.
brick cottages, being all tastctuliy deceFa:
cd Tor the occasion by the occupants and va,
lighted BY two thousand Chinese lanterns, and
at the call Of the bugIc the masked procession
formed, consisting OF every conceivable mask
with noticed trarapsTa5c;e3, and Dasan It;
march along the G0ute, headed by band.
Durog the march there Was q very handsome
display Of fire w5Iks. Juat az everything wa:
ct liz height, the grounds and porches being
full Of people FROM the Jordan and ncighbor
hood, down came the rain 10 parttc. torrents
without warning drop, ard sc:nc OF great
beauty, abouadng with lie, was egtingulshed
in twinkng. The Lanterns, which looked SC
, beautiful last night, were rakcd together and
removed, as lisiRuriDg the lawn, this morning.
Not 10 make the disappointment too great, quite
late Friday afternoon, as the rain held up tor 4
time, part of tho programme (some of the
games) was gone through WITH much to the
amusement OF every one except the unsuccessful
contestants. B0bhing for apples afforded the
most crioyncnt, which, rs some OF your reader:
may never have seen, | will describe {: Several
i | large apples WCTG plaCeu III luz luli VI HotI'
the contestant to take the apple out CT the va
ter ia his mouth, with bis hands tied behind
him. One fellow followed The apple he wa:
after round under the water I'll! lie vas abou
, half dr0Wlcd.
Capt. j. A. Jones is stopping at the Jordaa
lookiog after The interests of the Virginia Mid
land railroad both there and here.
T We hope much for clear day. Such weather
az We have been having will soon clear tht
springs OF pleasure seekers.
Mayor } Ohm w. Walker, Of Augusta, Ga.
died At the Jordan Saturday morning at elgh
ccck. lie had been confined to his bed ever
succ he arrived there, some two or three
weeks ago.
Two buggy rides were brought to a sudden
but fortunately not serious termination, las
Saturday morniug, from the jordan. O1e 81
thea upset-buggy aud horse-bctorr gettIoS
hall out Of the grounds Catching the lady ana
gentleman both under the buggy the Other
soon alter leaving the grounds upset, but a:
before, 10 6Gc was hurt
The mask bali attracted d crowd /: s. Friday
night Nloxlcy, from Washington, Is here as
o0stumer.