Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-09
CONTINUED FROM FIRST rAeE)

-ior, thdo SPINS A"0 EH
and it is now fed by numerous small
springs around its head.
The author recollects seeing, Gin
a description of this place, publish
ell in a northern Magazine, some
years ago. the opinion expressed
that this wonderful work Of nature
had been formed within the memory
of man but this is doubtless a
mistake. Messrs. SnydOw and Ly-
brook both stated to the writer
that it existed when the country
was first discovered. Col. SnydOw
particularly, stated that he could
recollect it upwards of sixty years,
and that il had not increased in
length within that period, but had
risen as above described.
Near this pool of water stands a
wild cherry, which those gentlemen
described to be ninety feet high to
the first limb, perfectly straight,
and not less than five feet IN
diameter.
THE ROYAL OAK.
This grand and majestic tree is
within about one mile of Union, a
very sprightly village, the seat oil
Justice for Monroe county. 1t is OF
vast height, and is said to be eight
feet in diameter. 1t has acquired
the name from its immense size
towering over every other tree in
the iorestin that section Of country.
soPIs KNOBS.
This is a part of the mountain
contiguous to the village, Union
and is the residence of Alexander
Calder, ESQ.,, who has erected a
splendid brick dwelling house near
the summit of the mountain. 1t is
two miles from the village to Mr.
Calder's house, a continued ascent
from the village to his house, and
considerably steep in places. Of
course Mr. Callers house stands on
most elevated grodnd. Mr.. Calder
is a resident Of Charleston, South
Carolina, and has improved this
place for his summer residence
The author rode to Mr.. Calders
house for the purpose Of viewing
the splendid works of nature and
art combined at this extraordinary
place.
Col. Andrew Beirne, the repre-
sentative In Congress. resides
near Union, in Montgomery coun-
t., is SAID to be a man of great
wealth, and has erected a splendid
brick dwelling house and other
fine Improvements, on an extensive
farm.
Col. Beirne informed the author
that-a tract of country for more
than one hundred miles between
Greenbrier county and the Kena-
wha, was inhabited; that it is very
mountainous, but contains a large
proportion of fertile lands.
This gentleman also expressed
the opinion that it is one of the
healthiest regions, both for man
and beast, in all North America.
VALUABLE MINERALS.
Oar mou ntains abound in valu-
able minerals. We have three
manganese mines A1ithin about
twenty miles Of Winchester. The
price of the article is, however, so
much reduced Of late years, that
there is but little of it taken to
market. The author is Informed
that a rich copper mine has lately
been discovered, and a company
formed fer working it. tits said it
yields we'll. Several lead mines
are said to have been discovered,
but as yet, they have not been
very productive. There have been
several coal mines opened, of the
anthracite kind, one Of which
yields we'll. It's probable that on
further research, sufficient guam.
titles may be found to supply this
section of country.
The people of our Valley have
abundant cause to be humbly
thankful to the Great Author OF
our existence for the blessings he
has in his wisdom and beneyolence
provided for their happiness.
rtrv tArn