The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-06-07
Rover in the West,
THE GREAT GERMAN BAPTIST MEETING.
NORTH MANCHESTER, IND,

i, AOVCI LII tao w tbb,
THE GREAT GERMAN BAPTIST MEETING
NORTH MANCHESTER, IND,
May 25 1888. !
For several months we have looked for
ward with lively anticipation to the rich
treat that awaited those who were to be SO
fortunate as to witness this grand assem-
bling in their annual meeting of the thou
sands of Thinkers of the land; and it was
with great pleasure that on the night of
the - we stepped aboard the C. & 0.
express and began our journey hither.
We left Stanton promptly on time
I2:03) and went whizzing along at the
rate of 50 miles per hour toward our desti-
|, nation.
AS the Sabbath dawned we awoke and
found The train zizzaggipg it's way along
the rocky course of New River, and when
The orb of day peeped above the craggy
mountains through which the river winds
its tortuous course, it lighted up scene OF
such awful, sublime grandeur as that once
beheld, it remains forever imprinted upon
4 the mind of the beholder.
Pens far anler than ours have attempted
a description of this wonderful region. and
have fallen so far short of conveying an
idea of the indescribable realities that we
shall make no attempt at it; but We would
say to those of our friends who have never
made visit along the New River and Ka-
naTha sections that no matter what the
cost be to him, the visit would amply
repay any outlay. Only twenty minutes
stop at KanaWha Falls Hotel for breakfast
and we we're spinning onward. Through
the open car windows came the fragrant
odors of wild flowers and blossOming trees.
On either side the mountains from base to
summit, were covered with q garment in
all shades Of green, interspersed- here and
there with the white bloom of the dog.
wood, the purple of the iron and haw tree,
the yellow Of the poplar, and the blood red
OF some other speoies OF berry producing
tree-the whole presenting to the eye the
most pleasing and attractive appearance
In many places large sections Of the noun.
tain were of solid rock, perfectly bare.
These places were so rugged, so high, so
steep, so pr0digious, so frightful in ap-
pearance as to inspire the soul with Won
der, with awe. with deep reverence for
Him who made these things.
This stupendOus panorama continuously
changes for over hundred miles, each
moment presenting a wonder worth long
journey to see. Nor does the beauty end
when the mountains are left behind. The
whole extent of country traversed by the
great Chesapeake & Ohio, or more properly
the n. n. s. M. V. and it's connections, is
one of delight, of sublimity.
AS a matter of course. all eyes were
kept busy as we flew along the level road
bed in the far-famed "blue grass REGION
in Kentucky. This region reminds one
forcibly of south least Augusta, or of parts
of \ ork county, Pa, or Frederick, Md,
or portions along the Northern Central
railroad in N. Y. The lands are for the
most part in blue grass. and many herds
OF stock are seen grazing on this fattening
substance. In this section much attention
has been paid to improvements in build
ings. fencing, &C., and from one end
to the other of il, the evidences of thrift,
industry and energy present themselves in
all directions,
Little time was lost in making the
change from Covington, KY, to Cincin-
NATL and in As minutes from leaving the
train in KY, we were again humming
along toward Indianapolis. On our return
trip. party consisting of M. e.. Brewer
and two sens, Mr.. Gochenour and wife,
Mr.. Schumacher and sister, Rover and two
or three others, stopped three hours and
had a look at objects of interest in Indian
apolis, The State House first claimed our
attention, and the hour spent there fully
repaid US for the inconvenience and ex-
pense of the whole trip. No description
that we could give would give an idea of
this grand structure. 1t cost seven mil
lions of dollars. It is mostly of marble.
and in style presents more attractive ap
pearance than any other public building
we have seen in any of the States. A visit
to the gallery of the Senate chamber and
House of Representatives, will make any
Nirginian who ever entered the pig pen of
a gallery in our State house. feel queer as
he realizes the difference
But let us hasten on toward the end of
the journey.
% d.
pass through beautiful, level, highly inn
proved, fertile portion of Indiana, and at
10 reach the new station house at the au-
nual meeting grounds, n orth Manchester.
At every station after leaving Indianapolis,
crowds entered the train. so that before
reaching the last station, we were damned
in like sardines in box. On the train,
Rover found several delegates to the an
nual meeting from Illinois to Kansas, who
bore his family name, and were originally
from Virginia. a comparison of notes
led to the discovery of relationship. On
the ground, too, we found several relatives
on both sides OF the house.
When the train came in sight of the
grounds, sight presented itself that al
most took our breath. Wherever you cast
your eyes. they fall upon every conceivable
kind of vehicle packed and damned into
so compact body as to leave you in Won
der how they would ever be separated,
while in the grove the crowd was so dense
that it seemed you might walk over acres
on the peoples heads and not fall.
Train after train came in on the two
roads, both of which had erected depots
on the grounds, and there was continual
stream OF people pouring into the grounds
from two sides
Rover, on entering the enclosure, went
at once to Mcpherson College. Had quar-
tiers and was then cordially welcomed by
! Jas. H. Larkins, Esq, of LanarA, ILL.,, a
gentleman than whom there is no superior
in America. Mr.. Larkins was busy in
welcoming delegates and visitors, in lock-
ing after the interests of Mcpherson Col
lege. in preparing items for the Confer
5 ence Journal" and in divers and sundry
! other duties. From him we soon had the
information and assistance that secured to
US comfortable quarters for the time we
$ staid at North Manchester, and we cannot
. refrain from again thanking him, and his
good lady and through them, all those con-
!. nected with the Mcpherson College, for
/! their many courtesies extended US during
: our stay.
The day after our arrival on the grounds
!, we had the unspeakable pleasure of meet
a ing DR.. Thos. j. Nair recently of Virginia
g and his beautiful, accomplished and pop
: ular wife. formerly Miss Kindig of South
e River district.
r The world h2s used DIR. Nair kindly
. since he left Virginia, and he is one of the
wealthy men of his section, and at the
head of many large public enterprises