The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-09-24

dustrial enterprise that might be inaugur-
ated. But it is useless to discuss this
feature, as nothing Of the kind will be
seriously thought Of, much less underta-
ken, until the land titles are settled A
gentleman who has recently visited this
coal and iron region, and is fresh from
Europe, where he resides, remarked the
othersday, that with the assurance of clear
titles, foreign capital could be easily COM
manded to make the little North River
Valley the seat Of busy industries, as he
regarded it as an unusually promising and
inviting field for enterprise but that no
one would touch it, in its present tangled
condition.
In the valley where these Goals and iron
ores are found. is as fine growth of tim
Der as can be found in the whole Allegha-
ny range. Ash, poplar, hickory. pine, red
and white oak, cucumber, &C., of immense
growth, stand well on the ground, and
there it will remain until decay overtakes
it, unless there is some adjustment of the
rival claims Of the speculative organiza-
tions which have, unfortunately, gotten
their fingers into the matter.
Wooddell Springs. one Of the strongest
chalybeates in the mountains, and the an
nual resort Of many for health and recre-
alton, are in the vicinity of Dora. Moth
ing but a few shanties indicate that they
are used. About forty visitors, bringing
with them rations and beds and necessary
articles of subsistence and rustic comfort,
attended this year, but the apologies for
houses are all,vacant now. Yet the crys-
tai waters of the spring are none the less
inviting. 1t is a.bold flow. of water, and
lif not SO inaccessible, could be made a
popular and remunerative investment.
A charming feature of this mountain
fastness is the unaffected hospitality and
kindness of those who have made their
homen some of them for generations, be-
neaM The shadows Of the mountain spurs.
There is none of the formality and ETH
quette, such as too frequently expose the
| weakness and pretension Of more favored
people, needed or observed. The houses
are unpretentious, comfortable sand even
attractive, by reason of the taste and care
| manifested in the arrangement"of shrubs
and vines, the prevailing cleanliness, and
above all, the generous welcome. Nestled
and nurtured in these primitive abodes are
found much Of the true manhood and
courage of our race, the vigorous health
| which lengthens out the days beyond three
score and ten, and.crowns the close Of life
with honest contentment and peaceful as
surance in the life to come.
| An enormous apple crop has been grown
| in the mountain section of the county,
and now every one is engaged in securing
| it, in the various ways which the condition
of the fruit suggests. Dried fruits. apple
butter, vinegar, cider, consume the ear
lier species, swhile the winter apple will be
laid away for it's uses In the advancing sea-
son. Grapes are cultivated. and the yield
this season has been abundant. Half-doz-
ell varieties may be found, in some in
stances, at one place, and as they ripen are
converted into wines Of fine flavor. Dis
lance from market makes it necessary for
all surplus fruits to be utilized where
grown, and it is done in the manner ABOVE
| indicated.
| Another birthday anniversary was OBJ
served at the Springs during the past
week. This time. it was that Of Mrs. A.
R. Yarbrough, of Richmond. who with
her children, has been spending the season
here. 1t was celebrated by profusion of
cake and fruits, tastefully arran ged in the
dining room. and the entire company con-
vening to participate in the feast. Mr..
| Yarbrough had arrived OPPORTUNITY. to
form one of the gathering, and all enjoyed
the occasion in testimony of their esteem
for the estimate lady who was the subject
of the offering.
| DR.. w. I'll. Belt, whose arrival was noted
last week, is still here with his accom-
plished wife and sister. He is an eminent
surgeon, a Marylander by birth, a nephew
of the late Judge Roger B. fancy and for
! anumber Of years was a resident of Paris,
where he practiced his profession with
distinguished success. His travels have
| been extensive, embracing continental
Europe, and the entire United States, and
consequently he is an instructive and in
teresting companion, with a fund Of in
formation rarely possessed by any one
man. His stay is indefinite as yet, as he
! is much pleased with the Springs, the ap-
pointments, and scenery and attractions
| of this section. Especially was his Won
der excited by the evidence Of mineral de-
posits in North River Gap, and the prom
| Use they give of future wealth and impor-
lance to that favored region.
DR.. G. Tompkins reached here on Fri
day last, from fan attendance at the an
nual session of the Virginia Medical So
ciety, at Allegheny Springs. He remained
! until Monday, when, with his lovely wife
and bright little children, who have been
here for several months, he left for his
home in Richmond, much to the re-
greet of the remaining visitors.
Mrs. Ward, Of Warrenton. Va, has
been here for several months for her health,
which she finds much benefited by the
waters and mountain air.
Among the arrivals at the Springs yes
terday were J. S. McCorkle, Mrs. J. S.
McCorkle, Miss Maggie G. McCorkle. Of
Middlebrook, and Messrs. j. M. II. Ran
dolph, Augusta, E. I. Jones and E. G..
Kinney, Staunton. The family of Rev.
J. W. Rosebro is expected from Peters
burg.
This season is destined to prove prof