Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-08-19
UNION SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER

great floed of 1912. Here, about 1881, a
foundry was established, working the We
suvius metal, and introduced the Living.
ston plow in the Valley. The iron pipes
for the Lexington water-works were cast
there. The proprietors were the Messrs,
Avery & Bradley. One of the first-named
and his sons, now conduct extensive agri.
cultural works in Louisville, Ky. After the
disastrous floods of 1912, the foundry was
re-established at Vesuvius by Mr.. Bradley,
and for twenty has been conducted lby
Hugh F. Lyle & Co.
At and about Raphine are many subjects
OF interest which, in reference thereto, ap-
propriately have place along with the
progress of the present time.
It is but one mile east of the station to
the old mansion home of the cCormicks.
The farm comprises 600 acres of elevated
land, just sufficiently undulating to secure
good drainage. Fountains of cold water
burst forth, and many little streams mean.
der through the meadowy plains. The old
brick mansion and its surrounding park OF
native growth and extensive farm buildings.
are SO many evidences of the taste and good
Judgment which laid out this historic
place. There is the shop and the time.
worn FORCES and workbench where father
and son planned and labored on the inven-
ton which places the son longside Of
Henry, Morse, Howe, Hoe, and others, in
the class of progressive men-the inventors
of the age. From that quiet Rockbridge
home went forth one, whose name has gone
to distant lands and is sung in many tongues.
The click of the reaper and the mower is
heard wherever progressive cultivation is
known-all over our own fair land, in Aus
tralia, in India, and on the Continent;
wherever grain waves and grass grows.
Beside the same station was reared anoth
er, who still lives to reap the comforts and
the pleasure of his own good works. Aching
eyes and weary fingers from time imme-
mortal have been the lot of woman as she
piled the needle in meeting the daily press
ing demand for clothing by those whose
care was assigned to her. The sewing ma
chine has lightened burdens and made glad
hearts all over the world. AS others fol-
lowed Mccormick in contributions of in.
genuity and skill, so Howe found a young
mana native and his home still on the
elevated lands of the Valley-a valuable
auxiliary in perfecting the busy needle
worker in its missions of generous relief
and quick in bestowing comforts. An in
quiring, searching mind, laboring in the
fields of knowledge and ingenious works,
directed by good, practical Judgment, has
with the most commendable industry in
terwoven the name of J. E. A. Gibbs with
the progressive and leading men Of our
day.
At Fairfield station, looking to the east
skirt of forest partially obstructs the view
which otherwise would fall on the village,
located in a charming amphitheatre of
green fields, and little south of it
Cherry Grove, the family scat of the
McDowells of Colonial and after his
tory. There in the long past were
reunions and entertainments in which
VIM. G. Preston, Thomas H. Benton, and
other distinguished men, were guests. The
old farm is now in the course of the high
est grade of improvement under the skill
full management of the proprietor, Mr..
Fultz.
A few miles farther south, aud just af-
ter passing Timber Ridge station, the eye
catches view taking in the church of that
name and other points of interest around
the old Colonial sanctuary. The congrega-
ton was organized in 1743; the edifce was
erected in 1856. A school was established.
From it sprang Liberty Hall Academy
from that Washington College, which has
become Washington and Lee University. 1t
was under the old oaks which surround the
church that Graham formed his Company
for the purpose of interoepting Tarleton at
Rockfsh Gap when planning his raid into
the Valley.
Under the shadows of the old church,
Gen. Samuel Houston was born and reared
in boyhood.
AS the passing trains pause, and Timber
Ridge station is called, what an amount Of
thought rapidly forces its way into the re-
Elections of the passenger?
GRAND MOUNTAIN SCENERY, CRAB-TREE
FALLS, AND PEAKS OF OTTER.
Travellers along the old Valley road
have dwelt upon the grand mountain see
merry which rivets the eye when glancing
eastward. The railroad being on an eleva
ton still higher renders the scenery still
more attractive and presents it in bolde,
grandeur. Leaving Staunton, Folly Mills
and Mint Spring stations are not passed
before long, broad-topped mountains are
noticed in the east. From the southern enc
of Massanutton and the opposite point Of
the main range, the unbroken line is fol
lowed south till lost in the horizon. Pass
ing Greenville and on to Raphine the sum-
nit is reached, where is to be obtained the
longest continuous mountain view to be
had from any railway in Virginia, or,
doubtless, elsewhere. Away southwark,
beyond the great, broad SUBMITS overhang-
ing the James river valley, are the waving
elevations piled one against the other fol
eighty miles or more in length. Along the
base of this range flows north the South
river of Augusta, draining a valley which
in fruitfulness crowns one of the choicest
districts of the rich county of Augusta.
In the opposite direction flows through
its trough-ltlxe valley the South river OF
Rockbridge, sweeping on to it's destination
with the James.
From the borders of Rockingham away
to the plains of James river the eye beholds
the land which contains the unestimated
wealth in iron resources, classed by geolo.
gists as the ''Cambrian" system, and at nc
part of the extensive range is its richness
in valuable metals more conspicuous thar
the section noy under view.