Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-07-19

paper, under the above caption, an Interest,"
ing report of his recent trip over the Sben>
andOah Valley Railroad. We regret that
our space prevents reprinting it entire, but
copy therefrom the following paragraphs
pertaining to Charlestown contractors and
localities hereabouts:
/ The building of this road has opened nm
the finest wheat country in the two yir.
ginias, and the county of Jefferson through
which it runs from one end to the other. As
shown by the last report was the largest
wheat growing county in the United States
Tor Its size. Tho county contains 126, 600
acres, including mountains and streams, saw
about 100, 600 acres of arabic land. It pros
duced 100000 bushels of wheat or six
bushels TO the acre of arabic land.
We reached Luray in time for dinner.
alter two and half hours ride from Waynes.
boro, and hero began to see some of the pri.
yate enterprise of tie Shenandoah Valley
Railroad Company. They have built near
the depot fine eating house, with iiuingS
room largo enough to seat several hundred
people. 1t is not only roomy, but elaborate.
iy finished with splendidly appointed
kitchen attached. There are over so. OOD
feet oflumber in the building and IL was mt
up in fifteen days, by Mr. j. @. Holmes. a
most energetic contractor, who has done
great deal of work for this company. The
tin roofing on this long building was quite a
job. Messrs. Duke & Gallsher, of Charles
town, had il done in ten days. They have
also put the tin roofs on thirty>two depot
buildings along this line.
The public feel especially Interested in
the new hotel here which Mr. Holmes is
building for tho company. 1t is two or three
hundred yards from the depot aud is rapid
ly advancing to completion. Tho situatiop
on pretty rounded hill, commands ono of
the most magnificent views ever imagined
by tho most enthusiastic tourist and though
the hotei will be elegant and NIL its appoint.
ments complete, the feast of soul here Offer
ed to visitors will keep the house crowded.
it there is nothing but corn dodgers and fat
bacon on the bill of fare. The hotel will
have some seventy rooms. The first story
Is built OF the native lime. stone, the balance
frame with long porticos running around
the building and mansard roof. It will be
very handsome.
Striking the river again at Rivertop. a
pretty place where the Manassas Gap road
crosses the Shenandoah, we baye two rail-
road bridges near together, the large lime
kilns of Carson & Son, where the finest lime
in the world is made, Git took the premium
at the CentenniaI,) big spoke factory and
famous water for bass fishing. Then speed
ing along another go miles, we como to the
old but not sleepy town of Charlestown,
nesting among the trees in one Of the richs
est sections of West Virginia. This town
has some Interesting old memories attached
to it and some interesting memories rot so
old. The visitor is shown the old bome-
stead of the Washingtons, the ancient Epis>
copsl church which is known to have been
standing ITO years. aud how much longer
tradition does not tell. It has besn rooaess
more than half century, and still the cedar.
window sills and carvings on them. and the
thick white plastering. covered over with
many name and initial eliDgs fast TO its
walls of rough hsWn stone. Thanks-to the