The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-08-22
Gypsy Park.

uilc WOIk vigorously. "A VlSIC Uuof0 lew
days since showed a great amount of
work already done. 1t was a busy scene.
About so hands and 12 or Is double
teams were employed in making the
roadway. The drive of the roadway will
be so feet wide. The entrance nearest
town will be just north of the pump
house between it and the old Donaghe
house. There will be an ornamental
gateway, and the road following the
direction to the right, after entering the
grounds, will run with the contour Of
the hills. Curving gently to the north,
it passes in rear of the Donaghe house,
and just opposite the point where the
Fultz road enters the Churchville road,
the second entrance to the park is locat-
ed. From this point the driveway runs
to the extreme upper end of the city
along the face of the hills on the opposite
side, coming out at the starting point at
the gate near the pump house. In the
area inside the driveway, as it passes
along the face. of e.hills, is the stream
and the springs, which supply the city
with water. In this part of the grounds
large number of trees have been plant
ed mostly along the line of the stream.
The effect is very pleasing. Here and
there are dotted the spring houses, which
protect the source of the water supply,
and near by are attractive clusters of
trees beautiful in symmetry of growth
and luXuriant in foliage. These form
starting point for identifying the park,
and in addition furnish nice hooks and
resting places for visitors. A thousand
shade trees will be added to those already
in the park, and in addition to the drive
way, there will be numerous walks and
points A band stand will be located
near the entrance, where the band will
add to the beauties and pleasures of the
park, the refining and charming in
fuences of music. Here the weary may
seek rest and refreshing, after the cares
and tolls of the day are over, and sur
rounded by the natural loneliness of the
grand scenery and the added attractions
placed there by the artists hand, the
wasted energies may be restored under
the invigorating and health giving in
fiuences of natural and artistic works of
rare combination.
Capt Tams, with his usual energy and
good judgment, is giving the work his
oJ o+4 n
Kinney, a practical railroad man. is in
immediate charge, and glance over the
field of operation shows that he is the
right man in the right place. Pat Burke
is boss" OF the hands, To novice it is
a most interesting sight to see the man
ner and rapidity with which the dirt is
moved. Three or four plows go ahead
and plough up the track, which has al
ready been staked off by the engineer in
charge. Then come the 'sscrapers, y
drawn by two horses, and take up the
dirt which is hauled off and deposited as
directed. These ''scrapers' are wonders
in their line. They are simply very large
scoops, having two handles ,one on each
slUo. lie HORSES are attached DIS 10 d
pillow. One man or boy does both the
driving and managing of the scraper. By
means of the handles the driver scoops
up the ploughed dirt, and when at the
point of a deposit, he empties his load
by simply Overturning the scraper with
out ever stopping the horses. A won
derful,amount of earth is moved in this
way in very short time and at little cost.
1t is one of the contrivances, which has
railroad work. Pat Burke's
skillful eye sees just where the earth
should go to do most good, and he is
ever busy giving needed directions.
The reporter of the VIRGINIAN spent
pleasant hour in the embryo Park, and
the city upon having a
council alive to it's interest, filled with
the desire to add to it's attractions, and
to provide for theshealth and comfort of
the people. E. G. Vincent is the en-
gineer.
Let the street railway people pick up
and push on their work. Soon the park
will be ready, and then the street rail
way will prove a necessary and profitable
adjunct. We should not overlook the