Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-03
An Interesting Letter.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
BEAR LITHIA sPRIN PROP.
ERTIEs- GOOD FARE-LURAY CAvERNs-
eRoTToEs OF THE sHENANDoAH-NAT.
URAL BRIDGE.
Correspondence of the SPECTATOR
In this great country of ours there are
many railroads that extend through beauti-
full valleys, along broad, foaming streams,
past romantic mountain scenery, but in our
opinion, no such road has better right to
boast of possessing these charms of land
scape for the traveller than the Shenandoah
Valley railroad, traversing as it does a
Nd, to Roanoke, Va. Valleys and valleys
their are, but in all the world only one Val
ley of the Shenandoah. There are few, il
any, who have not heard of it. Stonewall
Jackson, with his gallant men, made its
name historic-stamped it upon the banner
of fame along with his own. The broad,
tranquil river that winds itself northward
through it adds to its beauty and murmurs
blessings upon It; its far.reaching meadows
teemipg with luxuriant grains and grasses
bespeak the richness of its soil; birds OF
almost every color and voice sing sweet
lullabys to it from morning till night, and
its bracipg, balmy breezes watt health and
vigor to its people. Grand, glorious Val
ley Of the Shenandoah, Gods sun shines
not upon a lovelier land than thou
The above is something after the manner
in which our thoughts ran last Friday
morning as we rolled rapidly along through
this noted old VALLEY on the north. bound
train to the Bear Lithia Springs, where we
now are. This comparatively new, but
delightful health-resort Is situated in the
most beautiful section of the Shenandoah
Valley, on the Shenandoah Valley railroad
and near the Shenandoah rivor-Elkton its
station. The Proprietor of these Springs is
Prof Henry A. Bear, who is, and has been
for years, a member of the faculty of the
Institution for the education Of the Deaf,
Dumb and Blind at Staunton, Virginia.
Successful as teacher of the deaf, so he Is
as Proprietor of watering place; and
together with the assistance of his charm
ing wife and the genial MIR. Cloud and
wife, who manage the hotel proper, he has,
within the space of three years, made the
Bear Lithia Springs one of the most pleas
ant health-resorts in Virginia. 1t is not a
highly fashionable place where dress is
more thought of and looked after than
health; where card-playing, dancing, &C.,
ale preferred to sleep. The young and
fun-loving have their pleasures, of course,
in games and dancing, brit the happy
medium is struck; the old and delicate are
allowed to have their sleep, and thus all
are pleased.
To say that the place is beautiful and the
scenery surrounding it charming does but
poor Justice to the real truth. The site of
the hotel is upon the first "bench" from
the river, in front of which, stretching for
miles, is the rich, level valley, bounded on
either side by lofty mountains-the Massa-
mutton on the West and the Blue Ridge on
the East; trains putting up and down the
broad expanse like huge serpents; the
river silvering its winding course as it
flows silently on who would not fall in
love with the magic charms OF such place?
But, though the scenery is beautiful beyond
des cription, it does not form the principal
of the Springs. 1t is the wonder
ful health-giying water the place possesses
that fills the hotel every season with peo-
pie from all over the country.
Though Prof. Bear has for long time
known of the qualities Of this water, it was
not until about four years ago that he felt
n a condition to give this knowledge to the
world. A joint stock company was then
formed, advertising extensively done, and
now the water is shipped in hundreds of
barrels, far and wide. The shipping de-
partment is we'll managed by Mr.. J. F.
Kenney, who is kept busy answering orders.
The Spring from which the water is
dipped is the largest we ever saw. 1t covers
a space of over two thousand square feet
and easily floats boat all over its surface.
It's a soft water, clear and highly charged
with gas, and very pleasant to the TASTE
ALI become fond of it and drink it con-
tinually during the day, often from four to
six glasses at a time without inconvenience.
Though called "Lithia water" it contains
other health giving substances, the compo-
sition being especially adapted to the build
ing up of broken-down systems. 1t has a
gentle, cleansing influence upon the liver
and kidneys, gives one an appetite he
would like to hide, and we learn has pever
vet failed to cure insomnia. II cures dys-
pepsia, as we ourself can testify. 1t is in
deed a most wonderful water and .eat
blessing to humanity.
- Looking over the Springs Catalogue
we came across the names of
many prominent persons who testify that
by the use of this water they were restored
to health and vigor, called back, as some of
them felt, almost from deaths door. Were
we writing aa advertisement, we would
give the names of some and tell what they
said. The Catalogues can be had, however,
by applying to Prof. H. A. Bear, Elkton,
Virginia.
There is one other thing we have noticed
about this place, and being man, no one
will wonder at our being particularly OBJ
servant in this direction. We have noticed
that the fare is especially coed. 1t isn't
Indicated by great long bill-of.fare, full
of French bames, making it impossible for
you to tell what to order or what you are
eating after it is ordered; but fresh, de-
licious country food, just tie kind the
stomach receives with honest relish and
healthy effect to the system. We have
eaten many dinners in our time-mauy
that we have enjoyed, but the Bear Lithia
country dinner is of all dinners the dinner
for us. We have a most charming party
here at presant. Among then, we notice
the following from Staunton:-
Thos. Atkinson, Hugh Braxton Capt.
T. s. Doyle and wife, Prof. J. Ii. Lindsay
and wife, Miss Bette Faunt'eroy, Miss
Anne Cochran, Miss Lucy Marshall, Miss
Gertie Boiling, Miss Mary'Guy, Mr.. L. G.
Doyle, Masters Jno. Cochran and Cor
nelius Wholly and Mr.. E. B. Yates. The
Kew. MT. dulllnSu anu lh1uiiJ aTo W Uo
here this week. Among the company now
here we notice representatives from the
distant States of Minnesota. New York,
Texas, Ohio, &C., giving evidence of the
wide spread reputation the water has
gained. We would like to give the names
Of all the guests here, and did space permit,
we would do SO. We must not, however,
neglect to mention Miss Alice Bear, the at
tractive daughter of tie Proprietor
Though not a guest, our party would by
no means be complete without her.
We are all enjoying ourselves. We
spend the time riding, driving, fishing,
boa ing, strolling, reading, playing games,
dancing, eating and sleeping; the most of
US engaged principally in the two last
named pleasures, the fault Of the water,
not ours.
Summering here has one other ad-
vantage which we must mention before we
close. A few miles north, near the rail-
road, are the famous Luray Caverns; few
miles South, on the railroad, are the Grot-
toes, consisting of the Weyer and Fountains