The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-02-05


Ice HARVEsT1NG.-1ast Thursday
evening and Friday afternoon the Fair
grounds presented lively scene. An
army of ice harvesters was at work, and
Mr.. Tannehill's large house was three
fourths filled. Several times previously
the hands were at work, but the finest ice
of the season was gathered on Thursday
last. 1t was between three and four
inches thick, clear as crystal and very
firm. The lake from which it was taken
covers seven acres, and is the largest
near the city. 1t is deep, measuring from
to Is feet. There are numerous springs
on the bottom, so that the water is always
fresh and pure, and the ice as transparent
as glass. At the east end OF the lake, last.
across the track. Mr. Tannehill has erected
an ice house, thirty by ninety feet and
capable of storing 1900 tons. An elevator,
operated by steam engine, extends from
the waters edge to the top OF the ice house,
from which an inclined plane descends.
The machine is the first introduced in this
section, and is marvel of completeness.
In an instant, almost, great blocks OF ice
weighing several hundred pounds are
taken up from the lake and landed at the
farther end of the ice house, one hundred
and fifty feet distant. Some idea OF the
capacity of the machine may be formed
from the fact, that it takes thirteen men
inside of the house to pack the ice as fast
as it is delivered. Last year for the work
now done by the elevator thirty-three men
we're required. The Ice is cut in great
squares, weighing from one to two thou
sand pounds. A channel having been
cleared to the elevator, these blocks of ice
are foated down by men and boys. When
within twenty yards of the elevator, the
work of reducing them to proper size COM
mences. A line of axmen and hoOkers,
stationed alternately stretches to the ele-
vator The axes have handles six or eight
feet long. The first axman strikes the
great block and halves it as it passes; the
hooker next to him gives the pieces a
shove and sends them to the next aXman,
who still further reduces them, and so OF.
After passing through half dozen sets
the blocks diminished to two or three foot
squares. are showed to the feeders. two of
whom are kept as busy as bees supplying
the elevator. The elevator operates pretty
much on the principle of mill elevator,
only there are no buckets. Two endless
cables extend from within six feet of the
house to the waters edge. They are about
five feet apart and connected by stout
wooden bars, three inches square. These
cables run on two sets of 80 inch wheels,
Que set at the bottom and one at the top
of the incline. As the block of ice is
showed between the wheels in the water it
is caught on the cross beam between the
cables. and pushed upward in the twinkling
of an eye. Reaching the upper end of the
incline, it drops by gravitation and goes
whizzing into the house.
Mr.. Tannehill thinks this the finest crop
of ice he ever gathered, and one more good
freeze will be sufficient to fill his large
house to the caves. Whatever may be the
condition of tine ace crop North, our people
may feel reasonably certain of being able
to keep cool this summer.
DEATH OF MRS. ELIZABETH BOWLING.
On Sunday last at the residence of her
son. Andrew Bowling, on Middle River,
Mrs. Elizabeth Bowling, widow of the late
A. w. Bowling. died in the SD year of her
age. She was born in Front Royal, April
%. 1903, and during her long life exempli-
fed the graces of a true christian character.
In her girlhood days she united with the
Methodist Church, and remained consist
ent and devout member thereof until
called to join the church triumphant.
Hers was a christianity that entered into
the daily life; that ''soothed the sad and
the yexed - that extended
helping hand to the needy; that brushed
away the tear of sorrow. land pointed the dis
consulate to God. Its gentle, softening
influence pervaded the home she made
happy, and drew to her the love and reyer-
ence of those about her. And when tie
summons.came when the long pilgrimage
had well nigh ended, and the weary feet
were yearning for the rest of the Farther
Shore, that simple faith and trust in Christ
that had upheld and sustained her in the
years agone, transformed the terrors of
thegrave into the smiling welcome of the
Gates Ajar. Her life was beautiful, and it's
closing scene revealed its inmost spring.
AS the loved ones gathered about the dying
bed, gently the life tide ebbed away and
the spirit took its flight. us this death, y
she asked as the shadows closed around.
''Then, welcome DEATH" she answered to
herself. And then in firm, confident
voice she repeated those comforting words
"Jesus can make dying bed
Feel softas downy pillows are,
While on His breast lean my head
And breathe my life out sweetly there"
Four of Mrs. BOwling's children survive
her, viz: Andrew Bowling, of Augusta
Mills Mrs. J. F. Tannehill, of this city
VIM. Bowling, of Rappahannock, and Mrs.
VIM. Hughes, of Missouri. The funeral
took place from Augusta Church, on
Tuesday. the pastor, Rev. Alex. Sprunt,
an impressive and appropriate
sermon.
Observation-Disclosures last February
p is known as Candlemas Day. and is a
festival in the Catholic Church in COM
memoration of the publication of the |
Blessed Virgin Mary, being the fortieth |
day after Christmas. All the candles
used in the ceremonies of the church dur
ing the wear following were blessed on that |