Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-03
DIR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

DIR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Not only during the session, but espe-
cially at the closing exercises OF our schools,
the public interest demands good share
of attention from the press on such occa-
sions.> This city is highly favored in the
number and the higher grades of her insti-
buttons of learning, several of which re-
ceiye patronage from other States as well
as from distant parts of our own State,
making this city distinguished as the loca-
ton of good educational institutions.
In this and the next issue of the SPEC
TAToR, our public schools, the State lnsti-
tuition for the education of the DEAL the
Dumb and the Blind, the Staunton Male
Academy, and the four long established
classical female schools, sustained respec-
lively by the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Meth
odist. and Lutheran denominations, will
receive large share of space, as we shall
chronicle the features which mark the clos
ing days of the years work.
In this connection we again make refer
ence to the Normal Institute which is to
meet in this city in July. For the especial
benefit Of our free-school system, in the
better and advancing preparation of the
teachers in all the departments, it will call
here several eminent and experienced edu-
Gators in charge of them under State AL
thority-Professors and teachers of our
colleges and high schools, who take much
interest in these Institutes and cooperate
most efficiently in advancing their objects.
Professor Charles II. Winston, Of Rich
mond College, will have charge at the
session to be held in this city. The selec-
ton is very fine one. For many years
Principal of the Richmond Female In
stitute and the subsequent twelve Proies-
sor Of Natural Sciences at Richmond Col
lege, and withal one of the most accom-
plished lecturers of the time on scientific
subjects, there will be in association with
him and other learned men four pleasant
weeks of intellectual entertainment
The Valley Railr0ad-ThrOugh Tonnage.
The Southern division Of the Valley
Railroad continues to improve, both by the
facilities the management is furnishing
the public in transportation and tie trans
action of business through its stations and
agents, as well as by the private enterprise
which is exhibited by the number Of
new buildings erected, aid under construc-
ton, along the route. 1t is said a new
station-house will be erected at Folly Mills,
which will make six handsome and con-
veniently arranged depots between the
terminal points Of Staunton and Lexington,
these two making eight in all. In addi
tion, there are five sidings, making, in the
aggregate, thirteen points for receiving ton
mage and passengers in the distance of
thirty-six miles, and telegraphing stations
at Grecnville, Raphine, Timber Ridge,
Lexington Junction, and at Lexington and
Staunton. There is certainly 10 lack Of
accommodation with such abundant means
for the promotion of travel and the trans
portation Of tonnage.
Greenville continues to enlarge and i'm
prove, and It's local government is keeping
place with the spirit of the times. AS it is
now demonstrated that narrow-gauge rail
roads can be built, complete with rails, for
something over seven thousand dollars
per mile, that fine section of Augusta and
Rockbridge counties west Of the town be-
tween the Valley road and the North
Mountains is somewhat restless, seeing
the advantages railroads furnish, and con-
trasting the situation now and what it
would be- if enc extended throuah that re
gion. Some of the public spirited men Of
Greenville and that section will probably
look into this matter.
The hamlet of Mint Spring extends over
q long stretch, but since the construction
OF the railroad, it is concentrating about
the station. At Raphine. it being wholly
a new place, there is more than ordinary
effort, and the appearances are that there
i'll soon be a prosperous and handsome
village at that point. Mr.. Gibbs will soon
have completed another frst-class store
house. Several persons have purchased
lots and are erecting residences. The old
town of Fairfield, nesting in the Valley
half mile below the railroad, has felt its
invieorating Influences, and hopes to see
the day when a handsome avenue and
Ill ho 10
slope, the town with the station.
A few miles further South, Mr.. W. NJ.
Lee is furnishing large amount Of ton
mage, for distant points, in slaves and lum-
Der by turning the giant oaks of the forest
into that trade.
Timber Ridge is following early in the
spirit of progress. The station and tele-
graph office at that point were opened the
first of April. Two large stores and
ware houses are now under construction,
and will be ready in few weeks for bust,
ness.
The mail and former stage-route from
Lexington ria Rockbridge Baths to Goshen
will probably be discontinued, as the Baths
is the only post-ofice on the line and it
will eleafter have its mail and railroad
connections at Timber Ridge, which is
nearer than Goshen OF Lexington to that
summer resort.
At the last annual meeting Of stock
holders, President Spencer's report exhib-
tied very encouraging facts in relation to
the business prospects Of the ine,-hay
ing effected Southern connections by the
Richmond and Allegheny road at Licking
ton. From the size and frequency of the
trains running in association with that line,
the through business must be Increasing.
e. The Iron Furnace at Lynchburg is large
customer for the Connelsville coke which
is all transported by these two roads.
When the fact is mentioned that this city,
through its grain merchants, is large
purchaser of Western corn, the needs
which exist for that cereal further South
and beyond the corn belt of the country,