The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-08-02
The Rockbridge Alum Springs.
IT'S NATURAL BEAUTY AND RARE AT
TRACTION--TIIE PLEASURES AND THE
PEOPLE VICTORIA FURNACE-I 4 S
PRESENT AND FUTURE.
Editorial Correspondence.l
RoCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS.
AupuSt 1St. 1883.

| PRESENT AND FUTURE
Editorial Correspondence
RoCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS.
August 1st, 1888.
The season at this noted summer resort
thus far, has been unusually good, but
nothing like it would be were its attrac.
tions and advantages more widely known.
There is no place III the Virginia noun
tains which embraces SO many sanitary
and esthetic surroundings, and where both
the health-Seeker and pleasure deyotee can
be more satisfactorily accommodated-not
the So-called pleasure that emanates from
dissipation of every kind, but that which
finds its source in the rugged beauties OF
nature and the softening influence OF con-
trast as presented in varied landscape
scenery, embellshed by artistic improve
ment and taste. Nestled in a lovely little
valley, hedged in by towering hills and
mountain spurs, it is a safe retreat from
the storm currents, while the summer
sun s rays are tempered by the perpetual
breezes which gently sweep down the
mountains and distil their yitalizing infiu-
ence through the valleys.
All the appointments of the Rockbrldge
Alum are of the most attractive and sat
isfying character. The buildings are OF
excellent arrangement and finish. There
are three large notes.-the main structure
of the old Rocllbridge Alum, with COM
Portable brick cottages, ranging in half cir
Gle on either side, and encircling a beautl-
full lawn, shaded by stately forest growths
the Brook House, the central building OF
| the Jordan Alum, and the Grand Hotel,
which is located upon an eminence over
! looking the entire grounds and command
ing a splendid view of the surrounding
country, where nature has layishly eX-
pended her richest tastes for the gratifica-
/ ton of the human senses. NeatneSS and
order are the predominant features in the
management of all the establishments, and
so near perfection are these that he must
indeed be crooked piece of humanity who
could reasonably utter complaint OF find
fault The President of the company, Mr..
J. Fred Eflmger, and the General Mana
ger of the Springs, Mr.. Eugene Peyton,
with their assistants, are ever on the alert
to consult and accommodate the wishes OF
their guests and administer to their COM
fort. The servants are the best trained
corps have ever seen. Not a note of dis
cord is heard. In the dining room and at
| the hotels each one seems to know his
place and everything moves along with
the regularity of clock work. The table
! is most eXcellently and abundantly fur
nished with the varieties of meats and
vegetables peculiar to this mountain re-
| gion, and the delicacies appropriate to the
season and the occasion.
There are now over 400 visitors here and
the arrivals number 25 or 80 daily
! The company is one of the most orderly
and intelligent | have ever seen. Mis-
sissippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Geor-
gia Missouri. Ohio. Kentucky, West
Virginia, Virginia. Maryland, the Dis
trict of Columbia, and probably other
States, are well represented. Many of
the visitors are here for the curative quail
tiles of the waters-others to find a retreat
from the cares of business and the sum-
mer heat of the cities and loWlands. All
seem to be enjoying themselves to the full
/ est measure. in quiet, rational way-the
invalid in the assurance OF improved con-
dition, and those seeking relaxation from
labor, in the refreshing atmosphere and
congenial associations which are here Of
| fered.
The amusements are all that could be
asked by a company that seems to have
come here for rational pleasure and en-
! ioyment. The Marine Band, from Anap-
oils, discourses excellent music, each day
at noon and evening, alternating from the
stand in the lawn, at the old Rockbridge
Alum. to the grounds Of the Grand Ho-
tel. At night the bali room is opened and
the young folks trip the light fantastic toe,
until reasonable hour, when, without
| exhaustion from excuses in this exercise,
they cheerily break up and depart for their
respective abodes.
On Sabbath last, religious services were
conducted in the Parlor of the old hotel by
the Rev. Mr.. Packard. of Eastern Vir-
ginia, giving a modest discourse, based on
the story of Hagar and the promise of the
Lord to her, on her return to her people.
1t was practical and impressive, and the
music on the occasion most excellent. AT
night there was a Union Prayer Meeting,
conducted by Nh. ChisOlm, of Savannah,
| Georgia. w. II. Peyton, of Augusta, led
in prayer. Then followed the reading of the
parable of the rich young man, who was
required to give all that he had, asa means
| to inherit eternal life. Prof. Nelson, OF
Washington and Lee University, addressed
| sis Of his remarks, and compressed within
| fifteen minutes time as much solid sense
and practical instruction as | have heard
OIL read. Prayer was offered by Mr.. J. w.
Barclay, of Rockbridge then reading of the
parable of the talents, and then some sen
sible and practical remarks by Mr..
Powers, one of the visitors at the Springs.
The entire services were interSperSed with
vocal and instrumental music, Mrs. Fox
of st. Louis, leading an improyised choil
one of the richest and most inspiring
voices have heard, and peculiarly adapted
for church music. These services were
well attended, and this incident may be
taken as an indication Of the conservative
andirational character of the very intelli-
gent company present at this place.
The capacity of the springs is equal to
the comfortable accommodation of about
seven hundred visitors. There is not
much over one half of this number now
here, but q considerable increase is eX-
pected by the first week in August, unless
the weather should take an unfavorable
turn and keep persons from the noun
tains. Mr.. Eugene Peyton, the manager
informs me that his correspondence as
sures large increase in the attendance
unless weather prognostics are unfayora-
BILE. Were the nature of the waters and
the comforts and attractions Of the place
more widely known, there would be nc
difficulty in filling every available room
and then not supply the demand. A prom.
inent gentlemen, of large acquaintance
and influence in Washington city, was here
when | arrived. 1t was the first time he
| 1ad hoan i'm this norton of VIRGINIA am