Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-08-13
"Tlse Land of Canaan
From the Wheeling Register.


Up in the mountains of Tucker
county, this State, on one OF the
highest crests of the Alleghanies.
/ there stands beautiful little cot
tage in the midst of what seems to
be unbroken interminable forest.
No other sign Of civilization Is
visible or, in fact, exists within 8
limit OF fifteen or twenty miles.
1t is the home of the wild beast
and the majestic forest trees, which
run their magnificent plumage up
into the very clouds.
This cottage is Familiarity known
in that section as ''Dobbin's Cab
in" taking its name from the
architect and owner, who Is. and
has been for many years, Il
Judge Of one of the courts of Bal
timore. 1t was built by Judge
Doobin some years ago with the
romantic idea OF taking his tamil
~ there during part of the sum-
mer season 10 enjoy the grandeur
of the surrounding scenery, and
quaf the heavenly atmo>p here
nHtAb Nh NAA0Ro NilG SitOhs
Accordingly he cleared cut a
quarter Of an acre of the dense ial-
est, and set his cottage upon spot
within the forks Of BLACK Wa
ter" 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 caoin brings one 10 the
verge OF precipice which II said
10 be "a perpendicular mJle fsom its
crest down 10 the edge OF the Black
Water. Ga all Sides OF the cabin
there is view OF the vast forest
surrounding II, which il 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 its tortuous course, the
site overlooks what ii familinrly
known by the people OF Tucker
county as the Land Of Canaan
The spot thus designated is per
haps fifteen OF twenty miles dis
tant from the locality of Dobbin's
cabin, appears TO the observer as
a continuation of the unbroken
character OF the forest, but lit
tie group Of settlers have nestled
down there and made themselves
a mountain home at once pictur-
esque and romantic. They have
cleared the land, built themselves
comfortable homes, and live gen.
erously and happily, undisturDed
by the hum OF industry or the
march OF civilization. 1t Is one of
the most unique little settlements
within the bounds of West Vir-
ginia, and does no discredit to its
adopted name, 1.-THE Land OF Ca
man,
Dobbin's Cabin Is now the main
resort for the excursionist and ex-
plorer of these grand old noun
tains. 1t is unoccupied save by
an occasional excursion party.
Artists from all parts OF the world
have visited it, and sketches of
the spot and surrounding country
can be seen hanging in thousand
picture galleries throughout the
world.
Some day not long distant, the
sOrdid ambition of the speculator
will enter these forest and fell the
magnificent timber and despoil
the scene of its unrivaled graf
deur and beauty. Perhaps the
iron horse willgo snortiDg around
the cliffs and gorges ofthese noun
tains where now the wild beasts
skip and play in almost undisturb-
ed security. But those who have
never done so, should not fail to
see the West Virginia LAND of
Canaan"