The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-12-04
Rambles in Virginia.
Editor Midland Journal.

Editor Midland journal.
On Nov. 18th left Baltimore ut o A.
NJ. arrived in Washington in 45 min
utes Took in the Capitol buildings &c.
from the dome, had a fine view of
Penn Ave. and the Potomac. Visited
tine 9Th st. depot, and was shown the
spot where President Garfield was kill
ed, star marking the spot where his
head laid. There is a monument, and
contribution box in the opposite wall,
in which the following inscription
reads II was sick, and ye visited me-"
This is the origin of the Garfield hos
pitaI. I then took the 5 o'clock train
for Herr don, Va situated 20 miles w.
of Washington, the w. & Leesburg r.
r. Went rect to Mr.. Ayres where
stayed all night, next morning went
to his former home Buena Vista,
which I found beautiful farm owned
by his son-in-law Mr.. r. DORSEY. In
the midst of grove of fine aspen trees
stands the mansion, built in the shape
of an L. surrounded on three sides by
porch with % pillars, and surmounted
by portcio on the fourth. Being used
as hospital daring the war, the house
had one side covered with soldiers
names written in pencil; and in an ad
joining field numerous soldiers graves
are still visible. There is an unusually
complete dairy and other buildings of
red sand stone, two spring OF two
diff rent waters, close together. empty
ing into Rock Run This stream runs
through a heavy body of timber OF $50
acres. In this timber found large
beech, on which are clearly deciphered
at least 20 names of soldiers souv-
enirs of their bivouac on their way
from the battle of Chantelly. Next day
| visited Belleview, the adj dining
farm of Mr.. Geo. Harrison, another
son-in-law of MIR. Ayre. Next took in
the Chantelly farm, (the most noted
property in this part OF the state) which
consists of some Is hundred acres. Two
grim gate posts alone, stand to mark
the spot where once stood the old
homestead destroyed in the war and
the soldiers encampments close by,
all still to be seen. Spent four days
taking a general look around the
neighborhood, which / found smooth,
level, rolling, and naturally productive.
Visited several noted people, among
whom was Mrs. Roherdelu, an act
i've olo lady of 81. former belle of the
county, also DR.. Rush, one of the not
ed county physicians. and formerly of
with the intelligent, hospitable people.
Find them open and free, ready to re-
ceive strangers, regardless of religion
or politics. Found the largest peach
trees / have eyer seen an abundance
of fruits and vegetables of all kinds,
especially a large crop of apples. 1 was
then taken by Mr.. Dorsey from his
place, Buena Vista, to Clifton, passing
through a fine timbered country of ten
miles, but sparely settled, awaiting the
enterprising man. 1 had time enough
upon arriving at the station, to note
all the surroundings. viz the new
buildings going up. formed the ac-
quaintance of a Mr.. Ayre brother-in-
law to Mr.. DORSEY who said here's a
fine opportunity for an energetic man.
Now that the Fredericksburg Branch
of the Va. Midland passes through it.
Took the train at O'Clock P. NJ. for the
far famed old city Alexandria stopped
there long enough to come to thescon.
clusion 1T is sleepy unprogressive
place." Left for Washington, the first
thing that attracted my attention was
that mighty shaft ''The National Mon
ument" looming up in the distance
500 feet in height, which appeared at
great advantage from that side, but
from no other. / think it was great
mistake to build such a structure on
the low grounds of the Potomac when
there is such fine elevation near by.
Stopped again in Washington, on my