Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-18

PICTURESQUE DESCRIPTION OF THE TRrP-rHK WATER
POWER AT HAMPERS MANIFESTATION OF Kx-
rESsrvE ruIR xnIs-pssrRAsLks SITES FOE SUMNER
REsoRrs
To the Editor of TIE EVENING srAn:
A Government clerk seeking relief from the
routine OF once work and the oppressive sultriness
Of the city, day or two since stepped aboard the
excursion train for trip TO Island PARK, located
In the Potomac River q short distance above the
historic village OF Harpers Ferry. The number OF
excursionists was large rlling eight cars from
Washington and about the same number which
had connected here from Baltimore and later In
the day We were met at the Washington Junction
with large reinforcement from Frederick. All
the passengers appeared cleany and respectable
The atmosphere was full Of bright sunshine,
breezes. and everything seemed TO augur a day
lraught with delightful relief from the cares and
Seatnfui reaction 10 many oareWcrn mind Ta ana
weary body. The country along the route lay
smiling with fresh verdure, renewed and invigo-
portion OF the route was originally sterile and
rendered more so by exhausting demands upon It's
naturally feeble resources Yet It stu yields
abundance, which together with q surface diversi-
ned by hill. dale and intervening stream, consti-
caly is this true OF the country in the Vicinity OF
the capital, which offers many attractive and de-
slrabe sites for suburban villas and dairy farms
After two hours delightful run Harper's Ferry
was reached
BEFORE THE WAR
In ante-bellum times II Is well known that Har.
pers Ferry was the site OF the most important and
extensive small-arms factories OF the country. 1t
had then thriving population OF some 1900 peo-
pie; now 1t has lest than 900. On the Potomac,
just above the junction, was located the musket
factory, and on the Shenandoah, about half mile
above, the rifle factory. At the beginning OF the
civil war these valuable works We're abandoned,
and burned by Federal lieutenant They were
never restored by the Government, and the entire
property has passed into private hands
" rcn syndicate Oh Wiimingson DEL has recent.
Old rifle shops the products OF which are al present
shipped away to be converted into paper for print
excavating on the site OF the old musket works,
on the Potomac, with the view OF erecting add
tional pulp mills, besides extensive paper mills In
connection, utilizing for the latter the walls and
foundations OF the old Government shops The pulp
Will then all be converted on the spot instead or
being shipped.
HOW PULP Is PROD UcKD.
The process OF producing pulp Is simple and In.
teresting Logs chiefly Of poplar and d., about
six feet in length and from twelve to eighteen
inches In diameter, are noated from a reservoir
above the mill to self-feeding endless chain,
which catches up and carries them to upper
floor, where they are received by gang OF hands,
subjected to circular saw, and cut into lengths
OF IL inches. Another gang then places them In a
bark1ng-machine, which cleans the bark on thor
oughly. They are then split into pieces about the
size OF large Stove-wood, and passed down 10 a
lower floor, placed In boxes connected with hollow
cylinders revolving with wonderful velocity, and
oy mechanical process, not visible 10 the eye,
ground Into impalpable wood flour or dust. This
falls into tanks OF water beneath the cylinders
when IT is pumped back to the upper floor and
into int shallow ysts WHERE after being strained
1t passes out and Is delivered In large sheets upon
broad inclined shelf, where an operator stands
eighth OF an inch thick, and about as long and
WIDE as large-sized daily paper opened wide.
This material called pulp, is quite tough and OF
creamy color. The operator on receiving a sheet
folds II up number VI times. These folds are
then piled into bales and corded tightly and are
then ready for shipment
country Is constantly seeking investment In every
direction where there is prospect OF safe and
| itself as to why the attention OF capitalists had
not yet been attracted to some of the grandest
sites on the continent for the location OF hotels
summer resorts at and In the vicinity OF Harpers
Ferry. Locations with the prerequisites OF pure
air. mountain scenery, and accessibility, In the
midst OF CIVILIZATION yet on the verge OF nature in
poses which must IN the near future be appreciated
and sought after with rival eagerness
TWO DESIRABLE SITES.
Conspicuous among such sites is one upon the
banks Of the Shenandoah. At the summit OF a
clin which rises somewhat abruptly to an eleva-
is level plateau containing area su1cient for all
desirable purposes. The river courses close to its
base about q mile above its junction with the
Potomac 1t Is accessible from the Valley Branch
OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which runs
between the river and the Gill; and the fine valley
turnpike leading into the town passes at a suitable
distance from the plateau 1t has been appropriately
| named 'Buena VISTA" not only from the beauty OF
Its immediate surroundings but on account OF the
magnificent scenery IL offers to the view. Com
manding the course OF the river all the way
down 70 its mouth, with the lofty and rugged
heights OF Bolivar and Loudoun on either hand, the
eye reaches on through the "Gap" and beyond
until intercepted by the Maryland hills, while up
the river for many miles and westward across the
highly cultivated and famous Shenandoah Valley
the landscape extends onward until limited by
the ever deep-biue North Mountain which bounds
II on the opposite side from the Blue Ridge.
On the Virginia Side OF the Potomac and about
three-quarters OF mile above Island Park is To-
Gated 'CaStalada Park, which Is plateau OF land
containing an area OF about fifteen acres also at
an elevation OF several hundred feet above the
river This site fully equals II 1t does not In some
commands a large stretch OF view, while down
stream the view reaches not only through the
Cap but beyond to an indefinite extent into Mary
| land, while around and beyond Is presented the
| same picturesque and cultivated landscape which
| Is TO be seen from the first-described site
AT CaStalada, however. Is a feature which adds
largely its value and attractivenesS Out OF the
depths OF the mountains breast there gushes forth
o huge volume OF cold, crystal and pure free
stone water. A magnificent spring. which runs on
bold tributary TO the Potomac, having a capacity
to afford bathing facilities OF every kind TO num-
berleSS guests or to run the machinery OF q fac
tory OF the first magnitude. WAT.