Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-10

| PROPRIETARY INTERESTS.
When speaking of land titles and trans
fers, it is not safe, if accuracy is essential,
to do so without reference to the record
A general outline of ownership only will
now be attempted. The Falls and the
land for miles around were included in
what was known as the ''Big Survey" 1t
was grant from the Crown to the founder
of the Cabell family, whose home-"Union
Hlp'-was on James River, a seat known
10 all the early history and within the lines
of Nelson county established in 1909. In
tho many subdivisions made of the
"Big Survey" the Falls proper mot the
summit and the valley where the waters
c0nverge) we're acquired by the branch OF
the United States Bank at Richmond from
one of its debtors. The bank closed by
expiration of charter in 1881. The land
and other assets of the bank in that part OF
the State were sold to the late Captain
John Thompson, of Amherst, brother of
Judge Lucas P. Thompson. He was a
lawyer of large practice and long member
of the State Senate. The interests held in
the lands at the Falls by the estate of
Captain Thorn pson were sold by his repre-
seutatives to Mr.. Rittenhouse, already re-
ferred to. He also bought other interests,
Obtaining the Falls proper. The summit
tract, which is essential to any i'm
| q &C., uoAh x,M Mr.
| Walter Bowen, of Nelson county. who
purchased it of the heirs of the late MIR.
William Massie, who inherited from his
father, Major Massie, who was from the
lower Valley. After serving through the
Revolutionary War as commissioned off.
Ger, he laid out and settled the large farms
in that section of the county, many of
which are still held by his descendants to
the fifth generation.
During the fall of 1883, DR.. Weir, then
spending leisure at his country home,
was visited by his friends, DR.. Alfred
| Whelen and Mr.. Craig Lippincoit, the
present head of the long established pub
fishing house of that name. There was
nothing more natural for the Doctor to do
than to propose to his city visitors trip to
he Falls. That was taken, and 81 charmed
vas DR.. Wheen that he Immediately
opened negotiations with Mr.. Rettenhouse
and became the purchaser Of all his inter-
ssts
The lines of Mr.. Bowen, we think, take
in a portion of the upper part of the Falls,
but between these two gentlemen a suf-
ticiency Of realty is possessed to make the
locality what it should long since have at
taiued to-a great pleasure resort,
On Mr.. Bowen's possessions, about
three fourths of a mile above the head OF
the Falls, is the farmhouse which was
erected by the senior Massie about the
close of the last century. 1t is of huge
chestnut logs, and is roomy and comfort
able. Some years ago, and before the
property was sold to Mr.. Bowen, Mr.
Jacob Warwick, whore home is few miles
below Stanton on the Valley pike, resided
here, and TO him the community, and now
many visitors, are indebted for the very
good road which leads from the pike near
70 Montobello out to the summit of the
Falls about four miles. For several years
Mr. George r. Hight has resided on Mr..
Bowen's farm. He takes good care OF
visitors to the full extent of the room at his
disposal. All who meet him part from him
with pleasant remembrances. His kindly
rendered Offices, not only as to entertain.
nent but as a guide, which is absolutely
necessary, are best appreciated after the
ificulties of the situation to q stranger are
passed. He was a gallant soldier through
put the war in tho 9Th infantry, SGonewal
brigade.
| DESCRIPTIVE.
After while the topography of the tow
ering elevations between which lies the V al
ley Summit of the "Cra5 Tree farm, and
where the waters gather, will be described.
As this Valley is observed 1t is rnuud at the
Ipper eud with gentle slopes to the center
1t is principally grazing land, slough grain
is cultivated on the small cleared fields at
rbe lowest part of the depression above the
forest which intervenes between the fields
AID the head of the falls. The main spring
s at the home already described. Collect
ing its little currents, the stream enters the
'orest referred to, and there, 10 the long
,ast, it was the power TO tnrn a corn. mill,
t which small pair OF grinders is the only
clio. The elder Massie built the mill.
Amid The wood and brambles the quiet lit
10 stream gently flows along scarcely
tresming of the tortuous fate go soon await
~ it, to make the plunge il cascades and
ataracis of eighteen hundred feet perpen-
ilculsr over surface descent eff three thou
stnd feet.
From this lofty elevation we propose to
AXE the reader around by the good road
light miles, or by path not more than a
nile and half to the foot of the falls where
ur little bautiing has collected up its foam
nd mist into which it's curreat was after
ransmuted in its rapid fight. Ii
low, quietly and without murmur, loses
self as tributary of the Tye River which
as It's sources higher up. even above the
Iuntebello farm. We are not alone at the
rot, for there resides famed trout fisher
IAN and guide-tbeTe also is the turnpike
Dad already mentioned; but now for the
scent.
The space from the river to the foot Of
he first fall is covered by huge, rough,
,lack granite boudels and dense growth
Che first fall is so feet perpendicular to 4Sl
% perpendicular, As feet surface. The
lext is cataract so feet perpendicular, &C
| IF surface. The next cataract 1876 feet
,urface 10 five benches to 103 perpendicular.
,endicular. Now We are getting up very