The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-09
IN THE UPPER REGIONS


Editors Dispatch One Of the most de-
ligh1ful, picturesque, and unvsited portions
OF Virginia is the Valley OF Sinking Creek,
in the county OF Craig. 1t is valley on a
mountain top, twenty-five miles long and
with IN average width of two miles. 1t re-
poses, at q height OF 1900 feet above the
sea, on the summit OF the broad mountain
range that stretches thirty miles in line
nearly straight from New Castle, the court
house Of Craig, to Newport, in Giles. 1t
is 1,T00Heet above the level of New Castle.
Ascending the ridges that form it OH either
side, the visitor will see on the one side, far
below, the Valley Of Craig's Creek, and on
the other side, equally low, the Valley OF
Johns Creek. The contrast. however, be-
tween these two valleys and that Of Sinking
creek is very great-the former being poor,
sandy, and tbiny scttled-the latter with
its limestone soil, rich and well-peopled.
1t takes its name from the fact that its
creeks and spring. branches generally have
the unhappy faculty OF sinking. Meadow
creek, which energies from the eastern end
OF the valley, and in its progress down the
mountain tumbles over il precipice seventy
five feet high, forming beautiful cascade
we'll worth a visit, is made up Of tributaries
in the valley above, with which sinking and
rising is all the fashion. Sinking creek,
which heads near the source of Meadow
creek, but runs the other way, does not
emerge anywhere, but goes bodily down
into the earth about mile from New river,
in whose rocky bed it is charitably sup
posed to rise again. To this popularity OF
limestone regions may be ascribed. perhaps,
the fact that New river through much the
greater part of its long course increases but
| little in size. Much Of its water doubtless
| escapes into the earth.
The Valley OF Sinking Creek offers many
attractions to the summer visitor and tour
lst. The kind hospitality Of its people, the
mountain rambles, the wild game, including
many deer, an occasional bear, and semi
occasional wolf; the Meadow-VaIey
Springs. OF unquestioned medicinal vir-
tues; the Chimney Rock, an immense boul-
der from which IN immense view may be
obtained, &c, &c, will abundantly COM
pensate the pleasurc-seekcr. TO the unro-
mantle. the many wellkept farms, the
fences thigh and strong(, the innumerablc
hav-stacks, the fine and well.fcd horses and
cattle. and the general appearances OF thrift
and industry, will afford a pleasure no less
profound. While few Of the landholders
here own large plantations, there are per-
haps fewer poor people than will be found
IN any region Of similar size in the State.
4 good turnpikc.road runs through the
entire length Of the valley. But the most
delightful feature Of this region in summer
is the climate. Who would think OF being
comfortable by Il fire at II a. NJ. or the 3lst
OF July? Yet such was our experience
here. Entering the valley on the New Cas-
tie side, after steady ascent OF four or five |
miles, the change from summer heat to au.
tumn GOODNESS is at once apparent, and puts
,.to tl,n II in Il
STAY the beat was never oppressive to us. |
Even at midday the requisite temperature
nav always be obtained by seeking The
bade. .....
The only village Of which this valley can /
BOAST is Gravel Hill, about eighteen miles
rom New Castle, and the only thing OF
which Gravel Hill can boast over villages OF
be same size is brass band. Not so win I
u idway, a "forks OF the road !" aud store
lear Gravel Hill. Midway is the centre OF
he world. In proof OF this assertion note
he fact that Midway is Just exactly thirty
wo miles from Giles Courthouse and from
just fifteen miles from Newport
md New Castle, and just tRenty-eight miles
rom Salem, Union, and ChristiaBsburg.
Being thus very near the centre as well as
be top OF the world, Midway is the proper
,laee TO hold Mn agricultural fair, and this
$ what is going to be done here on the 4th
nd 5tf, days OF September next: Prepare
ions for this event are now in progress,
nd a great time is expected. One man told |
IS that there would not be five men left in
be adjoining county OF Monroe on these
lays. -'-f'''i r. z. .Z,. ~
The moral aspects Of Sinking Greek Val
ey. are encouraging. We met With fMr.
stokes, prepossessing young Engfisman,
pho ssact1agsas Isetnref, &c.s FOL. the tent 4
,eraisees efder Df Good rTepaphrs I'D sQtith,ii
vest Virginia, and be Informed us that ne I
meeting with great success In this val |