The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-14
LETTER from Alton.
LCIlGt IEUIN AHNVH'
CORRESPONDENCE OF the Richmond Dispatch
AFrnN RY THE TUNNEIl.


AFTON BY TIE TUNNEL
NELSON COUNTY, Va, July II. 1881. }
The Valley here, which skirts the base OF
the Blue Ridge from the Crozet tunnel fur
Their than the eye can reach eastwardly, eX-
tends some twenty-three miles to Charlotes-
vile, is beautiful valley spread out between
the Ridge and the succession OF spurs that
lie in a parallel line with 1t to the south.
An hundred forms in view map to the sight
their varied hues OF green and harvest yell
low and the observer from Alton or the
"Humpback," very high poiat OF the
Blue Ridge about four miles west, may be-
hold these rural habitatiOns in great beauty
and apparent plenty. Among these farms
is that of Mr.. &. w. Purcell, about five miles
from Alton. From the "Humpback
Charlottesville, the University, Staunton,
and other places at great distance are plainly
within view. On this great elevation the
United States Coast Survey Company en-
camped last summer, making ALTON their
headquarters. They constructed to the
Humpback good mountain road, which is
now a great comfort TO those who visit 1t.
TIE CROzET TUNNEL.
The Crozet or Blue-Ridge tunnel is in
sight Of this place, and we occasionally
walk up the railroad track for half mile
to its mouth, and some pass on through 1t
on foot, exploring its dark path with guide
aud lantern. Ii is a masterpiece OF work,
and is almost an evenly shaped arch, made
| By skilfully blasting the hard rock through
which il is tFaYersed almost without artifi-
cal arching $50 to speak, Of any other mate
rial. Some short sections OF masonry were
found necessary. Through il, Doth ways
and on each side OF the track, flow contin-
ual streams Of pure freestone waterfall have
proved to be OF great value to the road.
Here at Alton is great tank that receives
an uniaiing supply by pipes from the tun-
mel following the grade OF the road, that in
half q mile gives il suitable elevation
without other force than the natural flow.
Nearly all TIE numerous trains take water
here. The tunnel will remain an imperish-
able monument to the memory of Claude
Crozet, whose scholarship and great civil
engineering ability is so widely known.
The county road from Nelson to Au.
gusta crosses the railroad over bridge at
Alton, and passes along the side OF the
Blue Ridge mountain somewhat parallel to
the railroad, but climbing the side OF the
mountain till it reaches Rockfish gap, which
is Immediately over the tunnel, and through
this gap 1t passes into Augusta. 1t was
through this gap that the railroad at one
time actually passed before the tunnel was
constructed, and the bed Of the old grade,
high up on the side Of the mountain, still
remains. II bears evidence OF a sur
prisngly-heavy grade, that must have occa.
stoned great expense 10 overcome It,
as we'll as constant danger IN the
performance. Along this old track we
came upon the crude buts of some old col.
ored people who said they knew Mas Gro
yet mighty we'll, and that they lived there
when the tunnel was built. From one oil
them we bought gallon Of wild raspber
ries. They had little gardens, from which
they seemed to derive a slender support
Several had a patch Of corn and horse,
but more doubtless get work on the rail.
road TO make out living.
THE VISITORS.
Among the visitors now here are Mr.. j.
j. Montague and family, Miss Warren, Mrs
} William Woodward and three children
Dir. and Mrs. j. B. Lacy and child, Mr.. ant
, Mrs. w. l.. Cowardin and two children, o.
: Richmond; Mr.. Eugene HELEN, lady, anC
J three children, OF New York; Mrs. Var
; Lear, OF Baltimore; and Mr.. Edward b
Smith, of Richmond, G.,