Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-26
UP THE SHENANDOAH.
An Interesting Trip From Harper'a
Ferry to White Sulphur.
TWO MILITARY COLLEGES.
The Washinston ssd Lee UAivsrslsy 80 the
Virginia Military Instituts-0sns. Lee snd
Jsekson - Frofsssors-Rssults Of Their
Work-Description Of Lexington Town
sspondsncs Of The Evening Star.

L
dog days and but limited time in which to
cool OF. We shortly settled upon trip up the
valley OF the Shenandoah, already ~ fertile to
the minds eye in colonial and war memories a.
We were to find it in beauty and picturesque
ness under actual sunlight. Harper's Ferry,
with . day at Charlestown and another at
Antetam, Luray, the Grottoes, Natural Bridge
and White Sulphur formed Q deligh tful pro-
gramne. each resort adding to an ever-increas-
ing admiration Of the beauties Of cole vir-
ginie." But White Sulphur had to be our
turning post and with desire to alternate the
stopping places on our way back, chance
remark led us to decide upon this little ''city''
OF Lexington, - interesting for the honored
dust 1t now holds Is for natures bounty in its
situation and surroundings.
How TO GO.
II you are going to Lexington, let the en-
trance or exit be by the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad. as change Of cars at Balcony Falls
affords few well spent hours in catching the
nne views to be had in either direction. This
| is the beginning Of the Cumberland GAP q
place which may well match its deep-cut valley
and surrounding peaks with those Of Harper's
Feriy. Here, as there. a river, the James,
Joined by its tributary, North river, whose
green and yellow waters clearly show the point
| OF juncture. makes the first break for its pas
sage through the Blue Ridge. The bracing.
clear air, the hunting and front fishing to be
found In the neighborhood, added to the fine
scenery, raise the query why it has not become
place OF resort. An extensive but unfinished
Motel at the adjacent town of Glasgow bears
witness to an unsuccessful attempt to "boom"
the place by the so-called LAND Improve
ment Company, which has spread itself the
length Of this fair valley. The stations along
the road show us grand hotels, land offices and
the manufacturing establishments Of the
boom, but as yet the signs Of permanent
prosperity are lacking, though many sadder
and wiser men lament their vanished savings.
branch line OF twenty miles runs from Bal
cony Falls to Lexington. winding its pretty
way close to the banks of North river, now over
high tIestle, then curving slowly around the
smooth hills. passing maLy unused dams and
running alongside the empty canal, that relic
OF former activity and srnken bonds. The right
rank OF the river continues for the most part
precipitous and thickly wooded. with an occa-
slonal break OF fields, standing thick with the
tail and glistening corn, whose luxuriance
verify makes these valleys laugh and sing"
STUDENTS ON HAND.
The cars were swarming with students few
Of whom may prove host for noise and hustle
They were, like all students, sui generis. Base
ball, slang, patronage for freshies warm
greetings for last years men, but over all
hearty good-fellowship form distinguishing
traits OF the great student sect and are quite
the same at Harvard or Yale as at Washington
and Lee. Cadets Of the Virginia Military In
stitute which stands adjacent to the univer-
sity, mingled with and iilumined the throng
with the bright buttons Of their gray uniform
Coates and white duck trousers. 1t was safe to
conclude the time Of opening in both institu-
tons to be at hand, and that we should have
the advantage of visiting Lexington under it's
best aspect rather than in its deserted vacation
condition, for 1t is to these two schools its citi-
zens frankly, acknowledge that the place owes
its life and prosperity.
LEXINGTON.
A long main street, with its ends high and its
center dipping into depression through the
middle, runs north and south. At one ex-
treme is the cemetery, at the other the uri-
versity aud institute. The spires of Baptist.
Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian
churches announce religious community One
hotel accommodates the transient traveller; a
sufficient percentage OF druggists, dry goods
stores, groceries and general furnishing houses
and the entire absence of manufactures denote
a consuming rather than producing people
Narrow Streets large stepping stones at inter-
walls crosswalks and an obtrusive odor
from open cutters sum up the general impress
sion OF the simple town. but lift your ewes in
any direction and behold the circle OF hills
which surround 1t, some unique in shape and
OF great geological interest, such as House
9TH, and all taken together forming endless
pictures from horn till night.
The 5000 inhabitants dwell in comfortable
and pretty houses, fronted with large verandas
and set on spacious lawns. the whole pervaded
by feeling OF hospitality, which all the kindly
people help to keep alive. Lexington was the
home OF the south's two greatest generals.
Robert Z. Lee and 'Stonewall'' jackson, and
here their mortal remains now lie buried and
here their families still reside.
GROWTH OF THE UNIVERSITY.
In colonial days, rs the first settlers spread
themselves along the rich valley Of the Shenan-
doah. the first stop was at Winchester, then
Staunton and next Lexington, at the head of
the North river. But, with natural growth, it
| seems to have been only scattered farming
community, not gathering into village form
until the college came within its borders. 1t
has been, therefore, first and last. a college
town aud derives its local character from this
fact The colon:sts we're largely composed of
Scotch Presbyterians, who took under consid-
Grafton the education OF the youth as soon as
bodily needs were provided for, and from this
germ grew the present Washington and Lee
University. 1t began its existence as private
school, under one William Graham at the time
of the revolution. 1776, maintaining but a
feeble life for twenty years. Called Liberty
Hall Academy, it was located at Timber Ridge
Church. some ten miles from its present site,
suspended in 1850 for lack Of funds. re-
moved to within mile Of Lexington and char
tered in 1888; its first real strength came from
I its endowment by Gen. George Washington of
| 100 shares (worth $40, OOO) of the James River
canal in 1856. whence it was renamed Washing
| ton University. In 1903 it was DESTROYED ky
| fire and then ii was moved into the town and
rebuilt out OF the insurance. 1t received q
| second endowment from the Cincinnati So
| ciety in 1907. which brought it fair prosperity
| until the civil war.
AFTER THE wAP.
College life was much interrupted and did
not resume q quiet course until Gen. Lee as
sumed its presidency in the August following
his surrender, 1865. His influence upon the
fortunes Of the college was marked bya great
advancement in prosperity. The faculty was
more than doubled in number, students in
creased to hundreds. buildings arose and large
| epdowments were obtained till the institution
was placed in q secure position. His personal
SUPERVISE Of college discipline was full of
power, wholly free from the military spirit, as
he relied upon appeal to the honor OF his men.
| He adopted the elective system Of studies, the
| assignment Of individual students to the ad-
| vice Of professors in choice Of courses, and
voluntary attendance upon chapel, which was
conducted by the clergy Of all denominations
| In turn. In q word, there was anticipated ut
| Lexington twenty-five years ago many Of the
peculiar features Of the modern university
In recognition Of his service the college has
again changed its name and 10 now called
Washington and Lee University.
When Gen. Lee entered upon his position
the buildings consisted of two large pillared
structures Of red brick used for lecture halls,
L. H.