Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-04-10
From the Baltimore Methodist.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
BY REV. pURBIN G. MILLER.

lev has been connected with thrilling
incidents that have done much toward
making up the history ofour country.
In that formative period, the pioneer
DAYS of our national life, the most cele-
brated OF our country's sires and heroes
were familiar with aud appreciated Its
picturesque scenery, agricultural and
mineral worth and heallhtul climate.
But, dark days came. This fair land,
with all lis resources, was almost for
gotten, whilst other portions made won
derful progress. Providence, however,
has changed all this, and now her peo
pie are rising from their lethargy and
looking for repetition Of the fame of
former years. A baptism of blood and
fire has awakened them; a new inspira-
tiou is given TO their latent energies,
and the wheels of progress move steadi-
ly onward. The brightest promise for
better days is found in the construction
of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad,
which when finished will begin at Ha-
gerstown, and running southwest, crosses
the Il. & o. II. r. near Harper's Ferry,
connects with the Manassas Gap Rail
road near Front Royal, and has for its
southern terminus place called Waynes
boro; Oh the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail
road.
This is one of the richest sections of
Virginia in every resepct. Shenandoah
Valley is the garden spot of.he State.
Counties adjacent 10 the S. V. II. X.
will produce about four million bushels
of wheat for transportation, and corn
and other products in proportion. The
mineral wealth is unlimited. Nearly
every foot of this vast extent Of country
up the valley will reveal immense de-
posts OF iron ore. Mr.. Mines, an en-
terprisiug Methodist, and President of
the 5. V. R.R., has large iron works IN
operation up tie valley, that have been
paying profit continually since the
close of the war, and have not been idle
during the business depression just past,
though he had to pay SIS per ton for
transportation 10 the nearest railroad.
-Four new companies are now organized
for mining ore and manufacturing iron,
and have applied to the Virginia Legis-
lature tor charters At least three of
these will locate on the Shenandoah
Valley Railroad This line is near the
vast coal fields OF West Virginia. The
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal transports
coal to this road al a cost Of about 80
cents per ton, and water power is album
daut. So We may safely say it is one OF
the most advantageous locations for
manufacturing facilities. The Is. & o..
X. Il. and the &. d o. Canal furnish
transportation for freight east and west,
and the Shenandoah Valley Railroad
north and south. There is stream Of
water passing through Shepherdstown
that has fall OF one hundred feet in a
few hundred yards, and the Potomac,
in front OF the town, supplies an almost
aulimited water power.
This valley is rich in natural scenery,
every foot Of the line Of The Shenandoah
Valley Railroad presents monumental
marks of The historic past. Leaving
uagorstown the fist place Of special in
terest is the Antietam battle field, and
the town OF Sharpsburg, with It's large
national cemetery aud monuments.
South Mountain, aud theheights around
ilarper's Ferry, can be sceh in the dis
lance Three miles south Of Sharps-
burg the road crosses the Potomac at
Shephcrdstown. Here the first steam
boat made trial trip, with satisfactory
results. The inventor was James Rum
sey. lie commenced the contemplation
of his work about 1888, experimental
in 1888 and 1856, but finally succeeded
in 1887. The first effort was made at
ter night in September, 1887, in the
presence of few friends. \ public eN-
hibition Of his strange craft was made
December Cd, 1857. This fact is well
known 10y the people OF this town. !
have received an account OF this novel
affair from an elli%nt gentleman now
now living, who got his information
from eye-witnesSes. Some called it
"Rumscy's new-taneled fire boat" She
was fifty feet long, aud "her machinery
did not occupy more space than the
bulk Of four flour barrels The "boiler
had no more than five gallons capacity,
and needed only one pint of water at a
time" Her "machlnery weighed about
500 pounds, and the fire required from
four 10 six bushels of coal in twelve
hours" The people of the town, and
many from 4 distance, stood upon the
cliffs and shores o. the river TO witness
the trial.
Gen. Hora,io Gates, of Revolution
AIRY fame, stood at the landing when tho
boat steamed out into the stream, and
being near-sighted, he peered intently
at her till she rounded to, and moved
up the stream against the current at the
rate of about four miles All hour, when
he removed bis bat and exclaimed, Sine
moves.
The next successful steamboat trial
was made by John Fitch, on the Della
ware, in October, 1888.
The practicabilty OF the invention
was proven by Fulton on the Hudson
in 1907, but Rumsey should have the
honor of making the first successful ex-
pertinent in steam navigation. (See Pop
ular Science Monthly, February 9TH,
1879
Proceeding south the whole valley
becomes q continuous panorama OF
scenes and incidents connected with our
early history and the civil war. Charles
town, Berryville, Front Royal, Port
Republic are all historic names.
The "Luray Caves" are Cd this road.
Many tourists have already visited this
great natural phenomenon, and 1t will