The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-09
Illustrated Historical Atlas
OF AUGUSTA COUNTY. wATERAfAN,w WAT
LINs & co. IS NEW WORK.

BY far the most valuable work to the
people of Augusta ever published, is the
recently completed Atlas of Waterman,
Watkins & Co., which the agent is now
delivering to subscribers. 1t is book
l5xls inchese elegantly bound and printed
on heavy-toned paper of superior quality.
The mechanical part of the work. its
Typography and general get-up is inviting
to the eye and satisfying to the most ex-
acting taste. Its chief merits, however.
are an admirable historical sketch of the
county by Mr.. j. Addison lyaddell and the
superb maps by Maj. jed Hotchkiss. In
addition the book is profusely illustrated
with engravings of the residences Of some
OF the more prominent farmers, the whole
making work which for historical accur-
acy and everyday value is indispensable to
every progressive man of the county.
Mr.. NaddeIl1s sketch commences with
the first settlement of the county in 1882.
! and comprises an interesting and succinct
narrative OF the principal events in the
eounty's history down to the close of the
year 1884. The period covering the four
years OF the war is particularly interest
ing, the account being made up from the
private diary of Mr. Waddell, bringing
back to the memory of the people here
many incidents of that trying time that
were merely OF local interest and have
conseqently not previously found their
way into permanent record. They how
ever givea realistic idea of what our peo
pie were called upon to endure and the way
they lived.
Under date Of October Is, 1864 Mr..
Waddell tells of a suit of clothes that cost
from $3.50 to $50, the buttons of which
were manufactured by the I4ushbaughs
from maple wood. On the 18th of Janu-
airy, 1860. pins sold in town at $l2 per
paper and needles at $40. Flour in Rich
mond was worth ST cooper barrel.
! Following the annals. Maj. led. Hotch-
KISS contributes valuable physiograph-
zeal sketch, embracing the position of the
county and its general relations the ex-
tent and character of it's surface: its
waters and TIER distribution its geology
the condition Of its rocky skeleton in
| GLIDING it's soil and minerals the nature
OF It's climate; its animal and vegetable
productions its people. their origin. con-
dition, occupations, &c.
Then comes biographical sketches of
prominent citizens of the county, to-
gether with handsomely executed engray
lngs OF many county residences, and the
work closes with a series of splendid maps
which are alone worth double the sub
scription price. First there is a double
page map of the United States, and SIM
liar sized map of Virginia. and West Vir-
ginia. Then follows ap outline map of
the county, from recent notes, with the
subdivisions into Magisterial districts. A
two page map of Beverly Manor district
then comes. in which the election dis
trlcts are shown in different colors. TO-
gether with every road, and the location
and owner Of every farm. Similar maps
OF each district of the county are then
given, together with accurate plates of
each village, from surveys made in 1854 by
Mr.. Sew. L. Ker, Maj. Hotchkiss' accom-
plished assistant. The last of the series
is new and elegant map of Staunton.
showing all of the Improvements up to the
commencement Of 1885, giving the list and
corresponding number Of each property
owner in the city and suburbs
Wehave not the space to-day to notice
this excellent production as it deserves.
and shall reserve for future occasion
more extended reference. In the mean
time we advise all who have rot already /
subscribed for the work to secure a COPY.
1t will repay the outlay in hundred ways
and be perpetual source of pleasure and
information to the owner