Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-08-06
For the SPECTATOR.
A Trip of Observation.

| Editor Spectator THINKING o sketcl
from notes of recent trip to the mountain
| might find room in your paper l will hant
| it in. When l learned l could get off
had not time to procure ticket to Clifton
Forge, so jumped "aboard" and WENT
The first grand panorama bursting upon
sight is from North Mountain summit. The
sun gliding every object with FURNISHED
brightness. with his declining rays set forth
every mountain crest, recess, and ridge in
bold relief, and caused meandering stream
lets and peaceful rills to reflect as mirrors
of gold. The effects of prolonged drought
were observed on the farmers interests on
every hand; but the public work seemed
going on as usual at Ferrol, Goshen, Long
dale, and Iron Gate. One has scarcely
time to think of the scenes of former days
and war Incidents hurrying so rapidly
along. When the day was nearly ended,
Clifton came IN view. Though travelled
over this route before the war, camped on
it during that period. l remember with
regret, and passing through at night going
East and West, l had never seen anything
of the place before, and was much sur
prised at its magnitude. Three thousand
where l only fonnd before only a dozen or
two.
Having taken in all could see from
where l landed, | turned a corner or two
III search of lodging, and ran across en-
Augusta friend to whose boarding house
accompanied him. Found him in the em
ploy of Mr. Frazier, Clifton's Topographic
cal Engineer, and in charge of a Transit
Supper over, we called On some other
friends, formerly of Augusta. Morning
came and together we went over the new
extension known as East Iron-Gate or
Kincaid, and thence through the rolli1g-
mills and Agricultural implement plants at
IRON Gate, proper. From the way work is
going on both will soon be known as grand
successes. The new Iron-Gate hotel ap-
pears completed, and the residence of Hon.
Jacob Yost is nearing completion. Though
not large, being the first brick building in
sight. and picturesquely located, it will be
much admired. The great variety of
mineral waters-three kinds under one
roof and lithia near by-wil make the
hotel a popular resort.
With the return trip to Clifton by r. &
A. train, another day closed, and darkness
had let its curtains closely down, but had
no star to pin them. In the morning our
party numbered three-a former Pennsyl-
vania Mining Engineer having joined US
We took the G. & o. train for Lomoor Iron
Works, where we spent the morning. We
we're hoisted to the giddy heights of the
top of the stack in the stack-cage by the
elevator, and there saw, among other
curious sights veil Of flame reminding us
of Haggard's life-giving fire, but we did
not risk its embrace. At II o'clock the
founder let out O bed of probably eighteen
tons Of gray metal. The sight would have
been much grander by night. Owing to
the stoppage of one of their three engines
to put in another heater, they were not up
to their capacity by thirty or forty tons
day. When permission was asked to "look
round the works." we were politely
answered, eco where you please, and do
what you please" We met the same
courteous attention at the mines, through
which we we're guided by Mr.. John Pearl,
formerly of Ferrol, and furnished lanterns
by the Superintendent. There we're prob
ably 16o hands employed in the mines
about (30) thirty working in the lime
quarry, which has now become tunnel
through ridge, and assumed the ap-
pearanee of a magnificent cave, with a
railroad track in the near end and place
of worship in the other.
We spent the evening at the printing
office, where we learned the "Cifton
Forge and IRON Gate Rsu,eao" will soon be
much improved and outfit enlarged.
Ex-TYPo.