Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-28

the valleys of the North and South
rivers, presents TO the delighted
vision of the traveller a most en-
chanting view of the country for
vast distance. The little thrifty
village of New Market, with a
great number of farms and their
various improvements, are seen IN
relief. On the east side of the
mountain, on the South river and
Hawksbill creek, are to be seen a
namber fine farms, many of them
Sudden with handsome brick build
ings. Upon the whole, the travel
er is amply rewarded, by this
gratifying sight, for his labor and
fatigue in ascending the mountain,
which is said to be two miles from
its base to its summit. There IS a
considerable depression where the
road crosses at This place, called
Masinutton gap.
From the East Fort mountain,
at point nearly opposite Wood
stock, the South River presents to
the eye precisely the appearance of
three distinct streams of water
crossing the valley from the west
ern base of the Blue Ridge to the
foot of the Fort mountain. At the
northern end Of the West Fort
mountain, from an eminence, Win
chester can be distinctly seen, at a
distance of not less than sixteen
miles, air measure, and a great
portion Of the county Of Frederick
can be,overlo0ked from this elevated
polnt. There is also an elevated
point about fve mile south OF
Front Royal, on the road leading
from thence to Luray, from which
there is a most ravishing view of
the eastern section Of the county
of Frederick, and the tops OF the
mountains bordering on the north
side of the COhongorutOn.
After leaving this eminence, and
proceeding southerly towards Lu'
ray, from the undulating form OF
the country between the South
river and Blue Ridge, for distance
of fourteen miles, it appears con
stantly to the traveller as if he were
nearly approaching the foot of a
considerable mountain, and yet
there is none to cross his way. The
South river, for seventy or eighty
miles on each side, affords large
proportions Of fine alluvial lands
lin many parts Of it frst'rate
| high lands, which are generally
finely improved, and owned by
many wealthy and highly respect
able proprietors. The new county
of Page, for its extent, contains as
much intrinsic wealth as any coun-
tv west of the Blue Ridge, with
the exception of Jefferson.
The alley of the North river,
from the West Fort mountain to
the eastern base of the Little North
mountain, is generally fine lime
stone land, undulating, and finely
watered. 1t is also highly improv
ed, with a density of population
perhaps unequalsd by any section
of Virginia and it IS believed
there is more cash in the hands o.
its citizens than in any part OF th'
| state for the same extent.
1t is hardly necessary to STATE
D that the three counties Of JeHer
D son, Berkeley and Frederick, con
/. tain a greater proportion Of fertile
j lands than any other section Of thu
G state but unfortunately, it ma,
Y with truth be affirmed that it is
T badly watered country. There ar
t many neighborhoods in whlcI
g nothing like a spring Of water
a 10 be seen. 1t is however true
d that there are many fine larg
IS limestone springs, remarkable 70
e the great quantity of water who
n is discharged from them. Bu
., nature appears to have distribute
ie her favors in this respectunequally
is The counties Of Morgan, HAM
Of shire and Hardy, are remarkabl
j, for their mountains and fine fre'
it | stone water. From the mOuI
famous character Of this section
Of it is but sparsely inhabited
re many parts of it. The South an
ut North branches of the COhong'
IT. ruton (Potomac) afford conside
re able quantities Of as fine ferti
he alluvial land as any part of Il
~ U. s. Pattersons creek also fu
Il. nishes q considerable body of fiji
a land. Capon river, Lost river, an
er Back creek, furnish much fine Ian
k, and are all thickly populated.
ks The western part of Frederic
er Berkeley and Shenandoah, inclut
he considerable portions of moul
nd famous country. The Little Mort
IT. mountain commences near u
Dis Cohongoruton, having Back cre'
ty valley on the west, which exten'
ry about thirty-fye miles into Il
in. interior, to the head waters of IL
ty. creek. This mountain runs
re southerly course, parallel with Il
,rt Great North mountain, passiI
ed through the three counties iu
to, mentioned. This tract of monnta
he land is comparatively poor al
ts unproductivs. 1t is, howev'
Y. pretty tbickly populated, by