Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-05-06
RAMBLEs IN VIRGINIA.
Spots OF Historical Interest Visited
During a ScjOurn in That State.

On me west il derives It's name
from the famous "Natural Bridge
OF Virginia." tits a rolling coun,
try in the valleys and is farmed
quite extensively, the principal
croSs being wheat, corn and to
bacco. ..
The crops are looking well at thi,
time. 1 noticed wheat heading out
yesterday. Virginia had a very
mild winter-too mild in fact, for in
January all the peach trees bios,
somei out and then came n frost and
nipped them. Therefore peaches
viii be very scarce this season.
The real estate men are working
up n boom in this county which
seems to he creating quite a stir
amongst the natives. At Green
Forest, a small village Of fifty peo-
pie, one year ago, a new town was
laid out and building has 50 rapidly
progressed that now the place mum
bers 1000 inhabitants. 1t was called
Buena Vista, and two railroads run
through il, viz, the Shenandoah
Valley road and the Richmond &
Allegheny, n branch OF the Chesa-
peake * Ohio; 50 that the town has
splendid facilities in this respect.
II was formerly fertile plain, de-
voted to agricultural pursuits, but i
now the scene of much activity
in the matter Of street grading, the
laying Of waterpipes, and building
Of business houses and residences,
The hotel Buena Vista is a new and
attractive structure. Its location
on hill affords n charming view OF
the new town and the North River.
Along the river numerous indus
tries are being established, such as
iron works and paper manufactures.
Industrial enterprises have been
already started by the Buena Vista
Iron Co, Wilbourn Saddle Co.,
Wise Wagon Works and Buena
Vista Fence Co. (which turns out
combination fence something like
the Burton-Gardner ut home), and
the Buena Vista Paper Manufacture
ing Co. There is also large tan
merry here, employing a great many
hands. a newspaper IS likewise
published, the Blten0 VIA Adroodte.
/ recently visited the famous
Natural Bridge which Washington,
when surveying under Lord Fair
fax, climbed and upon which he
engraved his name. This eau yet
be seen quite plainly in the solid
rock.
Taking the Shenandoah valley
route from this place, it Is run Of
thirty-five minutes TO the Natural
Bridge s;ation;Yc then had a pleas
ant walk Of two and a half miles 10
the bridge, passing through lovely
country along the bants Of the
James river and up country COW
cred with green pines and ever
greens. -Four grand hotels stand
near the bridge, and these are sur
rounded with lawns and promenades
"a delightful spot at which tospend
n portion Of the heated season. The
bridge is the principal object Of in
terest, however, 10 all visitors. tits
4 solid limestone structure, over
which runs n wagon road, and a
person unacquainted with the To-
cality can pass over it without know
ing 1t is a bridge, as trees and
shrubs grow thereon. On approach
ing the edge Of the bridge the scene
Is grand Indeed. Standing upon
Pulpit Rock one can look down the
giddy abyss n distance Of 2l5 sxt. a
man standing at the bOttOnSlooks
like child, while the trees appear
like small bushes; but TO see the
place Ia its true grandeur the visitor
must descend to the glen. 4 stream
Of water flows under the bridge,
called Cedar Creek, ani this is
crossed by rustic bridges. The water
falls up the glen, with ferns, flowers,
and trees, contribute TO
make the place fascinating In the
extreme.
Lexington Is the county seat Of
County, and is a sleepy
town Of about 5000 inhabitants,with
4 good representation Of the colored
race. Here are situated the Virginia
Institute and Washington
and Lee University. Generals
Robert T.. Lee and ''Stonewall''
Thomas ]. jackson, the Confederate
generals, have their final resting
places here. The military institute
was erected in 1889, and many Of the
generals were educated
at that Institution. 1t Is an impOs-
ing structure, built Of brick, with
Octagenal towers, and surrounded
by extensive grounds.
We applied for admission aud
were politely shown through the
by one Of the cadets. We
saw the Stonewall class room, where
Jackson occupied the chair for ten
years as professor, and the cadets
quarters, where each cadet has a
room, the furniture con-
sisting of a folding bed, chairs, a
able covered with books, uniform,
firearms, etc. They have a fine
library, although II has been collect
ID sinceThe war. The institute was |
burned on July llth, 1864, by Fed |
erals under General Morgan, and the |
library was completely destroyed. |
the walls are numer.
,us paintings Of Confederate gener-
lis, among the most notable being
hose Of Lee and Jackson. also
Observed fine sta;uette Of
General Lee on horseback, by
Volck. In 'front.' Of the institute
$ bronze statue Of General
ieOrge Washington, on n square
granite base On either side Is n
aTge ancient brass gun, wrested
rom the French by the British.
they bear date 1900. There are also
Their French guns used by the
french when fighting for the
American cause during the revOlu-
ion. The university is fine build
ng and Immediately in front Of the
anne Is n chapel erected by General
zee for the religious training Of the
tudents. Just behind the pulpit is
he monument erected to Lees
memory. 1t is fine work Of art,
eing a full length fac smile Of Lee
{ rest. II Is OF pure white Yer
lont marble and was executed by
FIR. Ed. Valentine, Of Richmond,
a, at n cost Of $4,000. The en-
re section in which the tomb and
are situated is fire proof,
OF piece Of wood being used in
8 construction
At the Lexington cemetery lies
ne body Of Stosewall jackson, with
neat marble scroll at his head,
by n neat iron fence. /
Understand that during this season
will be erected in his
1nor there by Mr.. Valentine.
To student of the great civil war,
hich cost so much blood and trea-
ire, these places cannot fail 10
ouse deep Interest, and viii well
pay visit E. J. E.
RAINED DOWN ASHES. 4