Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-07-07
The Town Of RerryviIIe.

Mr.. Editor:-I spent the most of
the glorious 4th " at the pretty
town of BerryyiIIe, the county seat of
Clarke. It is well situated, and is
built on the Winchester and Little
River turnpike, extending on both
sides for fully a mile. There are
some fine and imposing residences on
the main thoroughfare and and on the
street leading to Wildwood. The town,
it would seem, was never blocked in
squares or intersected by cross
streets to some degree announcement,
but this will be obviated in the future
enlargement of it. There are four
churches of the old orthodox denomi-
nations, good and progressive schools,
both private and public. The coun-
try around is beautiful in its scenic.
features, the land moderately undu-
lating and very fertile, while in the
distance of five miles the old Blue
Ridge mountain stands in silent gran
deur, the sentinel of the ages, its
base laved by the ripping waters of
the Shenandoah, magnificent coun-
try.Eo live in. The town is on the
grade of advancement and improve
ment. In the east and toward the
depot this is marked by new and
tasteful residences and new brick
sidewalks. The old and insufficient
depot is to be replaced by new and
more commodious one on the south
side of the town. Such an improve
ment is demanded, for L learned that
that point has the largest patronage
in passengers and freight of any other
between Roanoke and Hagerstown.
The water works, which are being
constructed at cost of $4,000, are
well under way, and when completed
the town will have an ample supply
of the purest and best mountain wa
ter from the Blue Ridge, the altitude
giving enough pressure to obviate
either reservoir or storage pipes
The boom is progressing healthily.-
No great flourish of trumpets or ado
made, but substantial exhibitions of
progress are seen. The large and
extensive buildings for the Warfield
Iron Works are nearing completion,
and many cottages are being built for
the newcomers. The land purchase
of the improvement company is laid
off in streets and lots. The location
of the new addition is north of the
town, contiguous to the railroad, and
in every way suitable for the enter
prise. May it prove grand success.
The chief object of my trip was to
visit my friend and brother, Rev. j.
Lester Shipley and family, former
popular and respected pastor of
CharlestoWn. i found them coziIy
fixed inthe parsonage, greatly pleased
with the people and work, and from
what / learned he is highly appre-
ciated in the community as minister
of superior culture and pulpit ability.
1 dined at the Virginia House, con-
Quoted by Mrs. CastIeman, whose
fame as successful cateress is far
and wide in the land. Pity il is that
she has not more suitable and COM
modious house to ply her happy art.
was pleased to learn that the owners
OF the property, who are master
builders and contractors, will erect
this year new hotel, with modern
Improvements, on the present site,
contamination most sincerely wished
and badly needed. 1 saw our former
young townsmen, Avis and Brown.
They are doing well in business,
taking on aldermanic proportions, fat
and saucy. The most pleasing incl
dent of my visit, and the result of a
seeming accident, was to meet at the
residence of DIR. Kerfoot lady friend
and acquaintance whom we knew be-
fore the war at Fairfax Court-H House,
pleasant Virginia village, where
our respective families enjoyed most
delightful associations. After lapse
of 80 years, with its great changes,
the unexpected meeting, though
somewhat tinged with sadness, was
most pleasurable. TrMorHY.