Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-06-06
OF .aRoa SPRING."

DEDICATION OF "3ROG SPRING.
There is spring on the Parkcrsburg Road be-
tween Staunton and Ramsey's Draft that ii
especially appreciated by all travellers and all
sportsmen. who travel over that road. Last
year about this time a party Of returning fish
ernnan from Ramsey's Draft whilst quenching
their thirstswith its cool refreshing waters con-
ceived the idea Of erecting q fountain in memo.
ry Of those who had drunk from the spring. A
correspondent, ASA" of the Chicago Field
wrote from Staunton at that time, q glowing
description Of the said springs health and
''grog" giving qualities, and we take the liberty
to quote as follows:-
"The Parkersburg pike, which leads from
StauntOn to Ramsey's Draft, ID in many re-
spects. an excellent road. the grades are not
one thing it lacks sadly, and that Is plenty OF
good drinking water. KnOw of but one spring
Of any note that lies near it. between staunton
and Ramsey's, and that is the famous 6rog
Spring. Where the name came from ia some
thing mo TELLER can find out" although the
derivation is obvious enough to strike the
meanest capacity. Old men who have travel
ed this road forty years say that the name was
an old one when they were boys. The spring
Itself is very small one triekling out Of the
pool that holds. maybe. quart. Then it soaks
acrO%s the roadway, dripping over the high
wall on the northern side. furnishing moisture
brightest green moss that know Of in the
mountains The water is freestone. bright and
clear unfailing in volume (small though it be.)
and always cold. Many weary wagner and
cattle-driver from the mountains to the west
has slaked his thirst at this little way-side
eps
ed away of in the Businesses Of the Alleghanies
where no excise officer 10 ever seen, and where
many thirsty parties Of returning fishermen
and hunters have drawn rein here to refresh
themselves after the long, dry drive from
ing the late war, many q stout soldier tired
from the dusty march. loosened his belt here,
stretched his weary limbs along the moss
Of the sparkling fountain; thinking. mayhap,
Of some other clear water that was baboltng
idly near his old homestead. while the master
was thirstins for its sweet GOODNESS far away
The 'sportsmen's Club" Of staunton quickly
responded to the suggestion, and 1t was de-
termined to erect memorial according to the
following description
"a cube of white Portland stone (No. 81 eigh-
teen inches on the edge, with q circular basin
abont nine inches across and SIX inches deep
hen
BILE four inches thick. two feet long. and sui.
1ciently wide was procured at marble yard.
masonry. Which is to rise s' some inches above
the basin; and along its edge, which projects
over the wall. Is to be cut the name Grog
well is to be constructed q reservoir, from
which Will lead an iron pipe through the wall
allowing the water to trickle into the basin be-
low. On three sides of the basin to be chisel-
led the following inscriptions: On the eastern
face, Erected A. ID. 1881 :" on the western. by
the sportsmen Of staunton p on the northern,
I'm memory of those who have drunk of IT,
On the top, around the basin. is to be carved
the CHEEKY legend, Drink Hearty Then,
moss. ferns, and mint are to be set thickly
around; willow treeis to be brought from the
valley at theentrance to Buffalo Gap and plant
ed near, toasts are to be given and replied to-
and the work will be DONE"
On last Saturday this purpose was carried
out. and in the presence and with the assist
ance of forty or fifty persons. including large
number Of the club. as well as other citizens
ofstannton. the mason and other employees
did the work, and as the shades OF evening fell
had completed a beautiful fountain, which will
attract tho attention and draw the admiration
Of all who. ever travel the road from Staunton
to Parkersburg.
At the completion Of the work the following
address was delivered by Capt. T. s. Doyle to
an enthusiastic and appreciative audience:
This marble basin and the brick work above
it, with the marble slab for q capstone,- were
erected on this third day Of June. 1882, A. D.,
ITO the memory OF those who have drunk at
this famous spring." by number Of Staunton
Sportsmen. The idea Of making the improve
ments at the spring originated with party of
three, VINO were reCurnlng-1n the month OF
May, 188l-from trouting expedition at Ram
sey's Draft, and upon its being suggested to
spOrtsmen in Staunton. was heartily adopted.
"Those who have drunk at it, includes the
names OF many who were dear to those who
have helped to erect this humbIe monument to
their memory-especially, that Of DR.. B. B.
Donaghe. It also includes the name Of
many gallant soldier whose brave heart has
long since mouldered into dust OF many affair
dame or damsel whose part and lot on earth
has long since ceased. It includes (doubtless)
the name of that bulwark Of Virginia and of
the Confederacy, Stonewall Jackson, for along
this road he passed at the head of his conquer
ing legions in the glorious Spring of 1852 on his
way to McDowell-in the spring time of the
year and the spring time of his fame. Against
this bank once and again rested the staffs of
many Of those blood red banners chat were af-
forwards borne from the gates of Richmond to
the fiery heights of Gettysburg, that afterwards
floated proudly In the tangles of puttsy lvania,
in the swamps of the Chickahominy. along The
lines of Petersburg; that led the way at Monoc
ary, that we're f1aunte in the very face of the
proud enemy at the ramparts OF his own capi-
tai city; and that. at the last. were furled for
ever at ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. tattered and
torn, but with no stain or breath of dishonour
upon their brave folds. Such crowds of men,
cries as these made it but proper, we thought
to set some mark by this sweet fountain to
show that we still hold dear the remem brance
of "thOse who have drunk Oft.