Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-05-28

that Ward, the famous milk merchant, en-
joys such envied celebrity when he has sucf
luxurient pastures frem which he daily de
rives large portion of his supplies. There
are two or three other farms adjoining thii
station enjoying high state of cultivation
and with improvements which we would
like to mention, but our railroad speed GU
off all further inquiries.
We were forcibly struck with the grea
improvement near and around Dickerson'i
Station. These high rolling lands which fol
SO many years presented weird, sterile ant
monotonous appearance are now blooming
under the ceaseless strokes of an industrious
yeomanry The farms are well laid out and
nicely and clearly cultivated. Large mum
bers of cattle could be seen grazing along
the hillsides and in the ravines, one of the
most striking indications of progressive i'm
proving and remunerative husbandry. We
also noticed at this point as well as at two
or three other places along the line before
reaching Frederick county, the heavy in.
PRODUCTION of lime. The experience of such
Of our farmers as have used this fertilizer
has fully shown that our lands require the
application of lime, and that as a permanent
and productive system of improvement II
must be adopted. Notwithstanding the dry
season the wheat crop gave promising indi-
cations, whilst the grass was sparse and
short.
As we crossed the Monocacy we were
very favorably impressed with the idea that
the line of the Metropolitan Branch, extend
ing from the District to that point, would at
no distant day be skirted with handsome
summer residences The almost endless
number of beautiful sites, the healthy eli
mate, the invigorating atmosphere, the pure
water, the fertility Of the soil, the safe, easy,
rapid and delightful mode of transportation,
offer to the citizens of the District and Balti-
more strong and rare inducements.
Outside Of the bold, rugged and romantic
scenery, which Mr.. Jefferson declared to be
worth a trip across the ocean, together with
the thrilling incidents which have from time
to time transpired, Harpers Ferry presents
but little ofinterest to the visitor. Situated at
the confluence of the Potomac and Shanan-
doah river, its great water power has never
been utilized since the destruction of the Gov
eminent armory which went down with the
ravages of the late war. The town itself
has dull, sleepy and lifeless appearance,
its crumbling and dilapidated buildings doze
under hot summer sun and rattle and
shake under the fury of winters storm
1t went TO sleep at the close of the late war
and its people are only aroused at the snorl
of the iron horse, the thunder of his hoofs Of
steel, rushing forward with the speed of the
wind, shaking the ground as he moves
At such times they congregate in small
groups and gaze at the restless tide Of hui
manity, few dirty and ragged boys offel
for sale "apples, pies and hard-boiled eggs
The old "Round House." now designated a,
"The John Brown Fort" in which JOIN
Brown and his confederates toslx refuge, re
fusing to surrender to the legal authoritiei
of the State, remains an object of curiosity
1t may be truly said that that feeling o.
hatred which exists up to this day to very
great extent in the Northern mind TOWARD
the people Of Virginia, had its origin in tn
fact that Virginia punished this miserable
fanatic as she would have done any one 0
her own citizens, for violation Of her SOY
ereign law. The splendid iron bridge, con
T sisting of several large spans, built over tn
/ Potomac river by the Baltimore and Obi
/ company, is one of commanding interest ]
+ was constructed upon the celebrated Boil
man patent, a gentleman who was for man
5 years in the employ of this company.
Having taken our seats in the "Valle
Train" and as we go winding around tn
3 hills of Harper's Ferry, we are reminds
that this grand old commonwealth, III
mother Of states and statesmen, of patriot
and heroes, has to- greater extent tina
| most Of her sister States, sacrificed her mate
, rial wealth in our late struggle for politica
: freedom, but she has lost nothing in honol
! dignity and self-respect. Her social system
, was shocked from centre to circumference
The torch was applied to her cities; tn
: dwellings of her people were pillaged an
! their fields laid waste. But whatever ma
J have been her trials and sufferings, it can
truly said that her men were brave and he
women were virtuous. Every blue hill is
J living and impcrishable witness to tn
valor and heroism of her sons, whilst tn
graves of her brave defenders tell of the dc
votion of her matrons. When the poets @
England sing the praises Of Florence Night
engale, the incense of million of greatfu
hearts rises in homage to the daughters @
Virginia, each of whom was Florenc
: Nightingale in the dark death struggle d
the South in the support of their confederacy
With character and moral worth untar
nished, with courage still left to rise abov
misfortunes, with their physical energie
developed and strengthened by the hard
ships and self-dcnials imposed upon then
during that terrible ordeal, with so man,
elements Of strength in her productive field
and above all in the devotion of her sons L
their fond old mothers honor and integrity
|. Virginia, we fondly believe, is destined t,
carve out splendid future, to attain posi-.
ton of wealth, honor and influence hithert,
unknown in her history.
A few moments ride brought Us to Charles
town, the county seat Of jefferson county
West Virginia, a neat, healthy, imposing an,
substantial inland town Of some fifteen hun
dred inhabitants. II was conspcuou
place during the late war, and the man,
sharp and terrific scenes which occurred il
and around It's suburbs give 1t much roman
tic interest. II was here that John Brow
was tried, convicted and executed, and hi
; soul started ON that endless march. Tb
/ town is situated in rich and thickly popu
: lated country. The soil is of limestone for
nation, and we were told by an old farmer
who resides In the county, that the land II
good seasons readily produces thirty bushcl