Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-25
Trip Through the Valley.

Correspondence of the Alexandria GAZETTE.
ORLEAN, Aug. 22.-Leaving our home
near this place, on the 18th inst. we passed
through the Dixon Valley. which for gen
eral agricultural purposes is not cXccllcd in
the State of Virginia, and for beauty has no
superior anywhere. We pass first "Ranncy
Meade" and "Hickoryville" the well kept
farms of Geo. W. Davis, then "Bleakhousc''
the farm of B. F. Skinner, esq, who has but
few equals, and has deservedy acquired the
title OLA good farmer" Next in rotation
is Vermont" the house of Hon. +. +. RiXcy,
which was recently sold to Col. Jones This
lovely valley is bounded on the East by the
Free State mountain, and OH the West by
'''.a A''''- "~hll~.s. rassmg on
through one of the best grazing and farming
sections, we come to Delaplane a neat vii
lage containing two stores and several dwell
ings, on the Manassas branch of the Va. NJ.
r. w. At this point we enter the Crooked
run valley, and at every turn of the road
new scenes of beauty burst upon the en-
chanted beholder. The crops of corn all
along the route gives promise of an album
dant yield. At the head Of this valley we
found the historic Paris, which name will
De handed down to coming generations as
the place that was showed under" One TO
see the town with its present thrift and in
dustry, would hardly be convinced that
once upon time it was hid from mortal eve,
few minutes drive and we were on ton of
the Blue Ridge overlooking the Valley of
Virginia. Just below us ut the base of the
mountain, moving majestically along. is the
historic Shenandoah, 4 little beyond is Mill
wood, and still further on is the CITY ofWin-
chester with its towering steples. Looking
to the left we take in at glance kcarns-
town, Newtown, White Post, and other
towns and villages of lesser note. TO the
right we see Berryville, the county scat of
Clarke. Facing about, the scenery . that
bursts upon our view surpasses description,
Looking along the eastern slope of the
mountain with its cattle upon u thousand
hills, Its lovely wales, and we'll titled farms
makes one feel proud that he lives in Uppcr
Fauquler. Two hours drive brings us to
Boycevllle station on the Shenandoah
valley II. K. Forty seven minutes ride on
the lightning express, dashing along be-
tween many rich wheat and clover field.
we come to the beautiful but somewhat
quaint Charlestown-nott the Charlestown of
tne eventful I'll to IS. Quite another order
of things now prevail Instead of the clnt.
ter and clash of the war-horse the rattle of
musketry and the roar of the artillery rs il
came re-echoed from historic Antietam or
bloody inchester-instead of this, peace
and quiet reign supreme. We still see the
field where the i'll fated Brown met his
doom, but they no longer harrow the feel
lngs of either North or South, for now they
have extended the hand of fellowship across
the bloody chasm, and those who once
fought face to face are now working side
oy SIDE IN trying to build up the material
interest and welfare of ourcommon country,
The scaffold on which John Brown was
hung, was built in the Baptist church, in
CharlestoWn as the church was in course of
erection at that time, and the plank of
winch the scaffold was built is now the floor
OF the front porch Of one of the inhabitants
of the town.
n,''