Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-05-07

County seat, all of which as far as
we saw, bears the appearance of
neatness, and the country resi-
dsnces generally of q. good order
and some of them most magni6-
cent.
We cannot discontinue our short
description OF the county of Lou
don without reference to our old
friend and uncle, VIM Gilmore
Furr, who resides near the east
ern base of the Blue Ridge, whom
we had not had the pleasure of
meeting with for a good number
ofysars. Age has dealt with him
as it will with all of US If We live,
yet we found him quite active for
one 80 old, and his hospitality as
well as every member Of his fami-
ly, we never shall forget. We
found the old gentleman engaged
in stock raising, but in some meas
urs having abandoned his cid
business of stock dealing, having
been in his earlier years one of the
heaviest and most successful deal
ers in that line that operated in
the county of Loudon.
Our route across the Blue Ridge
was through Smokers Gap, and
when we arrived at its summit
and looking over in the great Val
ley of Virginia we were constrain-
ed to make the remark to our trav-
cling companion, and adopting
the language of Gen. MuIligan, q
Federal general, who was en-
camped during our late unpleas-
antries at this very spot, and who
wrote from here q responding let
ter to his wife; in which he states
that he was then encamped on the
top Of the Blue Ridge overlook
ing on every side as good a coun-
try as God ever made. Gen Null
ligan was afterwards killed and his
papers captured in the battle of
Winchester, and among them this
letter was found. This point tru-
ly presents an opportunity, uns-
qUallsd to look over the beautiful
country on either side of the Blue
Ridge.
On our homeward route on ap.
preaching the beautiful Shenan-
doah river, our mind was carried
back to the time when that stream
rose to unprecedented height, but
now within banks, where so much
suffering was caused to the people
living along its now beautiful
banks; the green fields too along
the borders Of that beautiful
stream presenting an appearance,
almost uneaquelled, in point of
beautiful scenery. We thought of
the contrast between then and
now, and hoped that such misery
as was caused by that memorable
freshet, might never occur again
to its inhabitants. We were shown
the ruins and seats of many build
ings, that had been washed away
on the banks of the Shenandoah.
We crossed at Castleman's Ferry
in Ferry boat. A large boat
load of men, women and chill
dren crossed over with US, among
these were several Italians with
musical instruments, who struck
up tune while crossing and en-
livended the occasion and dispsll-
ed the fears of the more timid
ones, belonging to our boat load
of passengers.
Our homeward route continued
through Clark county via. Berry
vile, which town we found very
much improved since We
last visited there. A lapse of
nearly fifteen years has TRANSFERRED
since we visited Berryvile; since
then the changes have been many,
and now the chances are that the
improvements will be more rapid
ly made, as the Shenandoah Rail-
road runs through the town, and
the people have more or less re-
covered from the effects of the late
war.
From the river to BerryviIle
and from Berryvilie five miles
northwest towards Winchester,
the scenery cannot be excslled in
point of fine and fertile lands,
beautiful buildings and home
steads, particularly along the
turnpike broad beautiful level
fields abound and on them are
now growing wheat and grass not
to be surpassed at this season of
the year. We cannot close this
hasty sketch of our trip without
noticing particularly it the kind
manner which were we treated by
by Harrison l., Coyd, Esq. lin pilot
ing us through unknown sections
through which we passed, and for
Inequalities extended to us by
Mr.. VIM. Lloyd, Esq. and lady,
though strangers to US, we were
entertained by them as though
our acquaintance had continued