The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-19


.f uf f-..fonf -- ftti
| All large cities have adjacent to them, on
the line OF railway, summer resorts to
which the great masses OF the people may
run and take breath OF country air al
moderate expense and return without In
ltertuptiop from their busintss. And that
Richmond should bsve been until recently
Ian exception 10 the above assertion Is
rather matter OF surprise when we reflect
.lupon The pleasures and benefits which are 10
be derived from such institutions; and
Richmond Is certainly a sufficiently large
fcity 1.-THE recent census TO the contrary not.
wIthstanding) to have more than one ada.
cent public resort to which her citizens
generally might from time TO time lind
change OF scene and momeDtary immunity
from the heat which radiates from brick and
mortar piled up on all sides, even after Old
Sol has turned cold shoulder 10 US 10 be-
stow his calori6c fsvors upon other re.
Igions.
That the gentlemen who recently estab-
!ished "Bon Air" on the Richmond and
Dan,iIle railroad wisely estimated the pub
tlic waneiD this fegard + clearly eroyed by
two significant f1cts, which have fallen with.
In the observation OF this writer.
The last regular
FRIDAY AFTERXOOS-RxCURsION
train carried, with Z" Bon Air" as its obiec-
tive point. over four hundred passengers,
numbering among them many Of RicbmOnd's
best people. Then, too, the large number OF
regular guests who have until recently filled
the Bon Air Hotel TO lis utmost capacity are
evidences of success which speak louder
than words. The excursion train which
bore us TO our future Richmond Saratoga
consisted OF TWO regulsr passenger coaches
and five fat-cars iauntiy fitted up with
benches and canvas coverin: for these sum-
mer excursions. Long before the time OF
starting crowds OF excursionists be-
gan To pour In at the DaDyille
depot. The fact that this spot Is the hottest
place in creation, when taken with the
equally evident fact that each and every
member OF that great throng had consti-
tuted himself or herself committee Of one
10 secure the best seat on toe train, aroused
serious misgiyings lest this cargo OF quasi
incaBdescent humanity would prove an
auxiis"y to the iron works which glared
| forth near by, or we would all he reduced
| to spontaneous combustion. Once seated.
however, and The cars moving easily over
the noble Jeems, all such fears were alayed,
as the breeze came over the waters" ana
the young people began their merry and
happy chat.
Mid all the complaceney which settled
! down upon the eXcursiOnists as they
whirled along by "Granite" and the de-
vious way above, to none had 1t come with
such a muniiicent hand as to the lawyer and
author, Hon. George Dabney Wootton. He
was the most gorgeously- and cool
esI-lookiny man on board, IL he did wear 4
bright-red cravat; but refraiuing from en-
tering into personalities, the lady readers
will have to deny themselves description
OF the costume worn by the beau par en-
ceILance Of the OCCASION.
A pleasant run OF some twenty-five min'
utes brought the excursion 10
BON AIR,
which is picturesquely situated on promi.
nence three hundred and seventeen feet
above Iide-water. To those who have pic
tursd to themselves prettily-aid-oF place
with smooth and symmetricaIly-a
walks, a disappointment awaits them; for
the approaches to the hotel from the depot
are yet rude and uncOuth, being but imper'
fectly constructed over what is familarly
termed 'new-grounds." When il is con-
sidered that only last fall the grounds were
all but a wilderness, covered with dense
underground, Just appreciation may be
formed OF the work that has been accom-
plished.
The time at which the excursion arrived
was calculated to give anything but favor
bic impression. The evening was as hot as
hot could be, with the sun Just taking its
last fiery sweep over a soutnwesternly eX'
posed rocky hillside that must be climbed
TO reach first the pavilion and then the ho-
! fnt Dpf nj In assist
ture IN carrying out such enterprises, and
rapid strides have already been made to.
wards the completion OF this well-selected
resort, which is destined TO become noted IN
the history Of our city.
Arriving at the pavilion, which sits on
the hill north OF the deI0t some one hun.
dred yards. The band, consisting Of four un'
tutored, beayen.inspred (y musicians, who
had been engaged in the absence OF Kess-
mich, sounded forth their choicest lays.
These being interpreted "a walIZ, many
OF the Young ladies and gentlemen, nothing
daunted bv the weather. fell to the work ol
pleasure with sweltering pertinacity.
THE HOTEL
occupies The highest point OF the ground:
east Of the pavilion. and is a commodiOus
well-arranged building, with a spacious
outlook from the roof, whence an extended
view is presented, and Richmond dis
tinclly visible. There are many charm
ing people residing here for the summer
and all express themselves delighted with
the place. Among them may be mentioned
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel s. Cottrell, Miss Cot
trell, Mr.. and Mrs. Edgar b. Taylor, Mr.
Orrin l.. Cotirell, Mr. and Mrs. w. NJ. Cary
and family, Mr.. and Mrs. Felix j. Moses
and family, Mr. and Mrs. William +. Jen'
kins and family, Mr.. aud Mrs. Julien Bin
ford and family, DR.. and Mrs. George b.
Steel and family, Mrs. Garnett. Miss Gar
nett, Miss Steel, Mr.. and Mrs. George Glib
son, Jr.. and family. Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz-
child, Miss Lowell; Mrs. Tully, from Ken
tucky; Mr. and Mrs. Haas, OF Savannah,
Ga; Mrs. Haas. Of Savannah, Ga. j. Ii.
Puliam; c. G. McRae, Of Manchester; {,
c. McPbaiI; Mr.. and Mrs. John ". Grin
gaa and family.
There is not much original growth on the
place, but just around the hotel there are
some respectable trees, which afford shelter
and from which hang tempting swings
There are some pleasant walks through the
woods, especially west OF the pavilion
through well-shaded and picturesque val
lev. Here are rustic seats and pleasant
little stream.
AS it may afford some interest to know
who are the enterprisng gentlemen who
compose
THE BON AIR LAND AND IMPROVEMENT CON
PANY,
the following is the complete list o.
stockholders Colonel T.. NJ. r. Talcott, DIR
+. II. Willis, z. w. Grubbs, c. G. McRae
r. III. Talcott OF New York, Samuel tx