The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-08-20
The Land of Canaan.

The Land of Canaan.
Up in the mountains of Tucker
county, this State, on one of the
highest crests of the Alleghanies,
there stands beautiful little cottage
in the midst of what seems to be an
unbroken and interminable forest.
No other sign of civilization is
visible or, in fact, exists within
limit of fifteen or twenty miles. 1t
is the home of the wild beast and the
majestic trees which run their mag
nificent plumage up int the very
clouds.
The cottage is Familiarity known
in that section as "Dobbin's Cabin"
taking its name from the architect
and owner, who is. and has been for
many years, Judge of one of the
courts of Baltimore. 1t was built
by Judge Dobbin some years ago
with the romantic idea of taking his
family there during a part of the
summer season to enjoy the grandeur
of the surrounding scenery and quaff
the heavenly atmosphere which en-
velopes the spot.
Accordingly he cleared out a quar-
ter of an acre of the dense forest, and
set his cottage upon spot within the
forks of "BIack Water" or what is
usually called the ''Black Forks of
Cheat" One branch of the river
sweeps down upon the north side of
the cabin, the other from the east,
and unite Immediately in front of
the cabin in one of the widest and
deepest ravines the eye ever looked
upon. A few steps from the south
front of the cabin brings one to the
verge of precipice which is said to
be perpendiclar mile from its crest
down to the edge Of the Black Water.
On all sides of the cabin there is a
view of the vast forest surrounding
it which is one of the most inspiring
nature ever produced.
Standing upon the south piazza OF
the cottage and looking beyond the
great gorge in which Cheat pursues
it's tortuous course the cite overlooks
what is familiarity known by the peo-
pie of Tucker county as the "Land
of Canaan" The spot thus designa-
ted is perhaps fifteen or twenty miles
distant from the lo"ality of Dobbin's
Cabin, and appears to the observer a.
% continuation of the unbroken char.
acter of the forest, but a little group
of settlers have nestled down there
and made themselves a mountain
home at once picturesque and ro.
mantle. They have cleared the land
built themselves comfortable homes
and live generously and happy, un.
disturbed by the hum of industry OF
the march of civilization. 1t is one
of the most unique little settlements
within the bounds of West Virginia,
and does no discredit to its adopted
name, 1.-THE Land of Canaan"
Dobbin's Cabin is now the main
resort for the eXcursionist and eX-
plorer of those grand old mountains.
1t is unoccupied save by an OCCASION
al excursion party. Artists from all
parts of the world have visited il
and sketches of the spot and sur.
rounding country can be seen hang
ing in a thousand picture galleries
throughout the world.
Some day, not distant, the sordid
ambition of the Spectator will enter
these forests and fell the magnificent
timber and despoil the scene of its
unriyalled grandeur and beauty
Perhaps the iron horse will go snort
ing around the cliffs and gorges oil
these mountains where now the wild
beasts skip and play in almost un'
disturbed security. But those wha
have never done so, should not fail
to sec the West Virginia "Land Of
Canaan" p Wheeling Register.