The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-19
BEDFORD ALUM AND IRON
SPRINGS. 49, .---.------

SPRINGS. $780, re-
AUGUST 16, 1872
| Editors Dispa.ch: From the yeranda Of
this delightful resort, 1900 feet above TIDE,
with the thermometer at Geo, and bracing
breeze around, the majestic Peaks OF Otter
before and $500 feet above, me, / wait you
La few lines. *; ..t..rs"l1 --:'at% ,:i'iA,'& 6 +
| a, This Is a spot classic with. memories oil
the past, and alive and active With the de.
YeIopipg, energies Of the present. At an
Eearlyf period not many years after the SET
Element at Williamsburg this section" was
settled by colony Of Scotcbmen, who at
the time Of the Revolution had grown to
Substantial prosperity, and withsit retain
ed all their loyalty to the crown. 1t was
here some ninety-fve years ago that Pat
rick Henry, in the memorable cause OF
Hook Us. Venable, roared out, "Beef
Beefi Beef!" and Cowan, in vigorous
English, concluded his reply in defence,
"God save the King and On the popu-
lace" The scales OF justice meted out
" one cent damages to the plaintiff" in ei-
feet, saying, "Johnny Hook, you were
right in law but wrong in spirit"
The old courthouse is gone, and the ST.
lent corn waves above its ruins, and the
sward OF the lawn grows where Hooks
storehouse stood. The tombstone Of the
| old clerk, who seldom smiled, but who al
most split with laughter ut Patrick lIcnry's
| iulmitable humor, is seen in the old private
| battle-ground near by, and at no great dis
lance away is the grave OF the sturdy
Scotchman, who, when twitted By some
comrade upon having taken the oath OF Co
| lonial allegiance, replied that he had ":ulher
trust his conscience to the mercy OF 4 for
giving Creator than his property to the God
| 1orsaken rebelS.'
Governor Jefferson used to figure in this
section. His residence, Poplar Forest, is 4
short distance away. Mr.. Jefferson, while
| a heroic, historical figure, is said 10 have
been not very intense in physical courage,
and it is stated that when he LETT Monticello
| in hot haste with the British cavalry close
upon him and rested at Poplar Forest, that
he again sought cover upon hearing the
rife shots at beef match, and ima-
gined that Tarleton and his terrible
| horse was again approaching. Ii this
voice and pen OF the Republic could
revisit these scenes OF their stirring man
hood and see the present status OF the
Mother OF Statesmen. and, indeed, OF the
whole South, would they uphold the repub.
| Ican idea or admit, with Macaulay and Bull
| wer. hat it was all "koom posh" and " clek
nas"? Success is a great seducer; failure
| a mournful prophet-n nothing brlghtcns like
the first, nor saddcns like the latter. have
| known the defeat OF Legislative candidate
to destroy his faith in republican institu-
| tons. and see in his failure the spade that
was to dig the grave Of the Republic, albeit
the same man had done the spread-eagle for
| the Goddess Of Liberty beneath Il Fourt h-of-
July sun with the Declaration Of Independ-
| Ill Il nj nd
| But It's too early TO discuss governmental
destnicS; wait till 1880, and we shall have
enough for all human patience.
The longevity OF the people Of this section
| is remarkable nothing uncommon for men
to attain almost their centennial, and women
reach the nineties. Pulmonary complaints
very rare, owing to the pure, hcalthful at
mosphere OF this region.
These springs have wonderful curative
record, and their waters, from results, are
unsurpassed in medicinal virtue in the line
of diseases to which they are adapted. Their
tonic power is very great. It is nothing I'M
usual for guests here to fattcn one pound a
day, and in some instances two pounds per
diem increase has been recorded by the
scales. Almost every southern State Is
represented here, and the company is
charming; the fare is unequalled, and the
guests have free access without charge to
all the amusemcntS OF the placc-trom
boats 10 billiards. The band is superb
pure Italan-at home in everything from
Wagner to Oifenbach.
A legend wild and weird is connected
with these springs. A colonial colonel
brave aud noble-aitcr the surrender at
Yorktown, returned home to claim his be-
trothcd. He found her false to her plighted
vows and welded TO a rival. The shock
crushed him. For long time life and death
bad contest over him, and when he was
able to ride he mounted his war-stecd and
LETT his native home, with his heart sick and
his hopes dead, never to return. After Il
long travel, worn out with fatigue, ne dis
mounted near nighlfall and lay down 10
die. 4 little girl saw his sad face and
weary form, and in pity brought him cup
OF water from these springs. 1t revived
bis sinking spirit, and restored his cbb-
ing strength. He resolved 10 live. lie
did live, and won honors rs worthy
in civil as in military life. He never mar
ried, and now It is said by the superstltous
rat periodically at midnight the spirit form
of this warrior, mounted on his white war
steed, rcvsits the spot where his life was
renewed. quatfs 4 cup OF water, mutters
with clcnchcd hand an imprrcaton to his
false fair lady love, and yanishes Ak lie came,
on the wings OF the wind. Anaged darky,
who told me OF having seen him. narrated
how frightened he was, how straight his
hair stood upon his head Git was awful
kinky, too), at this fearful phantom.
Balls, hops, charades, theatricalS, read
ings, reciutions. opcrettas, hunting, boat
ing, shooting, riding, rolling ten-pns, ere
quet, tennis, archery. billiards, Nc, are
among the amuspments here. tlrtatioh
now is lovely, and timber plentiful.
More anon. hEA'
RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.