Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-01-02
sIaltnto,l $pettater.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2. 1859.
The Central Watershed of the Valley.

The Central Watershed Of the valley
II is said of the inhabitants OF the lower
,alleys of great streams in early .me',
nat the difficulty of travel and the iimileo
> venues for conducting commerce. IN
n,s.sed tbe natural anxiety to learn more
of the upper countries. The ie" W.
made the Journey, heightened that u as 49,
=. ,bev related their observation - ~
neonle in their plateau Pr ~. ns.ndanr
homes In their pursuits oonarr Iof,v ole.
OF the eVei 1ciated in the mind with the
vations large streams especially as they
source their tributaries. The central water
shed of the Valley would seem to be an ex-
ception to this rule, SO rapidly and gently
its summit reached by the primitive as
well as the present modes of travel
Nevertheless it bears that relation to
grandly flowing rivers. Its slightly coned
elevation partakes more of plateau from
mountain to mountain, interesting that
of the Valley plateau parallel with the bar
riers named. Its topography bears no re-
semblance to the great mound-shaped ele-
vations in western North Carolina, from
whose sides the New, the north prong of
the Tennessee, the Yadkin and the Dan,
have their head-springs and enrich in their
flow many of the valleys of eight States
But in the display of natures rich munifi-
cenoe, lovely attractions, and cultured
fields. they are not superior to those which
belong to the Shenandoah river and it's
tributaries or the James and its valley ad-
ditions.
OF the thousand square miles of territory
forming Augusta county, two hundred are
drained by the streams west of the North
Mountain that flow to the James, and eight
hundred are watered by the sources of the
Shenandoah river. The aggregated length
of the larger class of streams in the county
is about four hundred miles In their flow
and meanderings, enriching valleys with
great fertility, they awaken keenly relished
study aud afford the highest pleasure to
the stranger lingering in his journeyings,
and strengthen the ties of affection that
cluster around ancestral homes. Their
curving and eddying currents are remarka-
BILE and in striking contrast to the direct
ness and rapidity of those on the Southern
or Roekbridge side of the watershed. Mid
die river, the chief in length in consequence
of its many curves and changes of direction,
triples its overland distance as the crow
flies from its source to its confluence with
the North river The South river, with its
head-springs near those of the Middle
river, is about the same in volume, but
more direct in its course and more rapid
because of shorter line. The average fall
of Middle river is about fifteen feet to the
mile; that Of South river is thirty.
As remarked, high-up watersheds are
generally associated with steep declivities
and rapid currents. Not so with that OF
the Shenandoah, as the Empire county oil
the Valley collects the sources of that beau
tiful and historic stream. Its wide spla'
teaus, gently rolling hills, and moro than
six hundred miles of watered valleys ad-
ding those of the lesser to the larger
streams mentioned. The two thousand,
five hundred farms in their aggregated
acres in cultivation, numbering twenty
five thousand, delightfully."- watered, al
may be inferred from the brief description
furnished in connection with the streams
surely make a country which pleases thu
eye and charms the heart. AS Judge Graf
tan goes abroad on his high mission for Viz
ginia to speak of the grand old mother act
all her territory, his own lovely valley will
greatly aid him in inspiration and il
speech. OF our climate he can ute
golden words. and tell how the great bar
riers shut out cyclones and tornadoes. H
cau describe it's fruitfulness of soil, th
grandeur of its forests, and the boundles
richness of its minerals and the life-giyin
f5u1t fountains 't6a That burst out of the earth O
every hand. In livestock pursuits it ha
no superior, and when the new observe
makes his visit, he will declare "the ha
mad not been told him." The streams nc
already spanned with superior iron-bridge
will soon be SO at avery needed point. .
system of improved roads will be esta!
lished and nothing left undone to move tt
hand to industry, and direct mind an
action to securing the highest aims of OF
civilization-and all this for the full 81
joyment of our home people with war
welcome to the worthy stranger who wi
lsaarticipate by casting his fortune with our
DRATH OF Mr.. VIM. HENRY HAxALL.-
Mr.. VIM. Henry Haxall, son of Philip Ha'
al, the founder of the Haxall Mills, died I
pneumonia, at his residence in Richmond
at 8 o'clock last Thursday evening, in til
10Th year of his age On that afternoon
says the Dispatch" hesss greatly graf
fled to receive from the GovSrnor and Mr.
Lea bouquet, and he was raised on n
pillow to look at il : but the last enem