West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-08-04
HARRER'S FERRY.
The Historic Town and Places of
General Interest near
1t, as Seen by
Kingwood
Boy

toric town Of HarPer's Ferry on the
morning Of JuOe %, it being the day
on which the Union Fire Company
of Winchester held their fourth an
uusl picnic at Island Park. which is
about a half mile above the town OF
Hsrper's Ferry. The B. Il o, runs
along the Shenandoah river from
Chsrlestown to Harpers Ferry, the
defiance being eight miles. The first
five miles is through one Of the IA
est agricultural sections this side OF
the Blue Ridge-the beautiful Shen-
andosh Valley. As we near the
Ferry however, the scene chaneee
and we get foIetaste of the mag
nihcent sceueIy before us. The pla-
cid Shenandoah becomes turbulent
high and precepious HILLS hem it in
on either side, and before we are a
ware Of it we are whirled onto the
network OF bridges which span the
Shenandoah and Potomac at their
JUNCTION, and we are in Harper
Ferry.
The first place Of interest to which
we bent our steps is Jefferson Rock,
which is situated on sn eminence OF
Bolivar Heights, Iust south Of the
village. Tlii rock ia on one Of the
highest parts OF Bolivar Hsie his, and
received its nams from the fact that
it was on this rock that Thomas Jea-
ierson sat while he composed an ode
dedicated to the 'Winling Shsnau-
doab.' At one time the rock clipped
lIom it's original resting place, bu:
since then 1t has been replaced and
nov rests on four iron pilas, and
seems 10 hang most directly over
the town. From he rock the seen
cry is the most magnificent in the
United States outside OF tue Rocky
Mountains. One can get splendid
view OF the Shenandoah Valley, and
eau see lar over into Virginia, aud
down the Potomac river almost to
Washington. Tue rock ~ cut so iuli
Of names and dates that il TAX close
scrutiny 10 observe place that il
not 30 occupied, aud IL has beer chip
ped of by relic hunters until it is 30
smooth aad polished the it ia almost
impossible to detach the smallest
piece. This rock weighs about eight
lone, and bids fair to remain az one
OF the attractions Of HsrPer'e Ferry
for many years TO come.
We next inspected old John
Browns Fort, which is indeed an
object Of interest, being as it is the
place where John Browns short cam
palgn was ended, and where that old
hero Was compelled TO surrender his
person and his cause to the troops ol
the United States. Him they took
TO Chsriestown and hanged, but for
bis cause it may be truly said his
spirit went marching along. The
fort is a small brick building about
l5x20 feet, and stands near the rail
road. Itisthe property Of the Uni
ted States, and IT ia 20 be hoped il
will long be preserved as a monu-
ment TO the vsIor Of John Brown.
We also visited the cite OF the old
U. $. srmory, many OF the buildisgs
Of which are still standing, though a
great many Of them have tumbled 10
the grouad, giving TO The town a very
dilspidated aud neglected appear
ance. The palmiest days Of Harper's
Ferry were while the u s. works
we're here, there being at that time q
population Of near FIVE thousand peo.
pie 10 The town But since their re-
removal, the town bas dainded down
TO a population Of scarcely 800, and
has, seemingly, lost all its former en-.
ergy and activity, and its people
seem discouraged aBd dependent,
though il does seem that. with the
finest water power in the United
States, ard It's many other advauta-
ges, that HarPer's Ferry should not
lie dormant aud inactive. Here the
Harper's Ferry & Valley Branch oI
The p. & o. leaves the main line and
traverses the rich and beautiful
! Shenandoah Valley. In walking ur
tie mainstreet Of the town, one seem,