The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-12-28
A TRIP TO VIRGINIA


EDITOR lNTELLIG ENCER: - Bristol,
with It's ten thousand inhabitants,
i5 lively, progressive little city,
IN the line between Tennessee and
Virginia. 1t has two railroads, with the
prospect OF third. The weekly apers
will compare with our own count,
papers and its spicy little dailies are
left at your door ;or the consideration
OF SIX dollars year. Northern men
have seen 1t to their interest to invest
here, and they are welcome. "Let
them come with their capital" is tie
wa:chword.
Tobacco factories, wooden mills, al
ice factory and vencering factory EN-
ploy about all of the available labor.
Fine churches lift their spires heaven
ward aud speak language of their
own, while education is not neglected,
as two good colleges bear witness.
And yet |. have something against
Bristol. It's sidewalks are bad. and
its mud is simply abominable. Slip
perry Is too mild term. 1t looks
innocent enough, "but let those who
stand beware lest they fall" To offset
this disadvantage, however, great
globes OF electric light throw soil
radiance over the town at night.
Business men are looking hopefully
forward for developments in their
natural resources. Hospitality and
culture are not wanting, and taking il
all in all Bristol is delightful place &c
visit. Here dear uncle met us and
we were conveyed "bag and baggage
to his cozy home in the country. A
warm welcome awaited us and oul
talk ran backward over twenty years
until the practical realities OF life
seemed all a dream, and for the time
we were Young again.
The soil on both the Virginia ant
Tennessee sides is thu, and fertilizer
companies are doing a thriving busi
ness. Ii their crops are not as bounte
ous as onrs the people are doing fairly
well. as their we'll laden tables attest
Most kinds of fruit, large aud small
grow finely anu furnish the thrift,
housekeeper delicious variety. Peopl,
as rule are exceedingly liberal. II
illustrate Tive greatly admired
very steep hill. Ii II could be set dowl
on some of our broad prairics it woult
add grand feature TO the landscape
We said as much, when iol the owne
| offered it as a present upon the condi
ton that il be removed. 1t was
magnanimous otter but for lack @
transportation we reluctantly left
behind.
Southwestern Virginia, where W
''first saw the light" remained TO b
visited. What a thrill it gives one t
hear the porter call ont the names c
the old familiar places. How eagerl
we scan the faces in sight with th
tremnlous hope of finding one we rec
ognize, an | finally what a joyful, ,bouy
ant feeling tP kes possession of us whe
we place our feet upon native soil an
find friends there to greet u.s.
The Norfolk IL Western II. Il. rur
through a good farming country j
this part of the state. Great ricks an
stacks of hay adorn the meadow
Corn and oats alternate, while amp
barns and commodIous farm house
hint of the hospitality that may /
found within, nor is the hint misleat
ing. Virginians stand pre- eminent iC
generous. whole hearted hospitality.
Historic old Virginia! Notwithstan,
ing the war scourge which left her in
poyerished in wealth and crushed
spirit, and political dissensions sinC
which have hindered her development
still
There is faith in her streams,
There IL hope in her hills.
There's Lille in the old land yet"
This is not merely Il poetical tanc
it Is literally true.
Iron, coal, lead, marble, together wi
various other things OF minor impol
tance, are being discovered and deve
oped. Men of enterprise are not wan
ing but they are sorely hindered f.
want of capital. Quantities OF laur
root, which abounds in the mountain
is shipped to Philadelphia, presumab
to be used in the manufacture
pipes and for veneering. Timber fro
this section finds Il direct way TO Il
sca-board, and thence TO England al
Scotland.
All OF our common fruits flouris
The mt. .t DELICIOUS v.'jenes OF IL
cherry s,osar aOGn''' with little a
te"'i%S% s,% while the .lerent kinds
berri6|s we 50 muctT>size and encou
age, fan. rlv 4orce 'hemsWes upon y
4 here, s,,nsL.ag in empNSc Ianguae
"Cannerx isught to bo\sablished
> r>~,% ,,,.,. oy one s {" %, ,s s%s %ss sssspao'
Missouri is kno,awu aud hoN