Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-22
LOUDOUN COUNTY.
The Garden Spot Of the Northeastern Section
Of Virginia.

THE PEOPLE HAVE REcovERED FROM THE DEvAs-
TArISa EFFECTS OF THE WAR AND THE FARMS
NowsHow PRosPERITY-Irs MINERAL WEALTH
ITS EARLY SETTLERS AND SOME FAMOUS PEOPLE.
Correspondents Of The Evening Star.
MELRosE. LoUDoUN COUNTY, Va, July IS, 1891.
Mosby's Confederacy, during the war. was
the name applied to the northern neck Of yir-
ginia included within the limits Of the counties
OF Loudoun and Fauquier.
No more daring raids by adventurous spirits
were made during the war than those accom-
plished in these mountain districts by the
guerrillas Elijah White and John Mosby In
the years 1861 and 1852.
To listen to the stories Of the old soldiers or
to read accounts Of the bitter strife and hair
breadth escapes seems marvellous beyond be-
lief. Yet to ride through this country now
one can hardly realize this, the valleys smiling
with harvests Of peace and abundance. and the
heavily wooded mountain sides presenting to
the eyes OF the traveller such scenes that would
never suggest war and desolation.
Lying within forty miles of the national capt.
tai, the most picturesque and entrancingly
beautiful section Of country is a. isolated as If
hidden in the Businesses Of the Scottish high
as of egress to this region has until recently
been greatly lacking, as the roads after the war
were In terrible condition and the bridges
across the Potomac at Berlin and Point OF
Rocks were destroyed by the confederates. At
present the main thoroughfares are improved
and within three years an iron bridge has been
completed at Point Of Rocks and more conven-
lent communication for the farmers is kept up
with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad on tho
Maryland shore.
In ride Of nine miles from Point Of Rocks
directly south to Waterford, along the ridge of
the Catoctin mountain which Is several hundred
feet above tide water, the varied aspect of the
country presents most charming landscapes to
the artistic eye. The Short Hill, with Loudoun
Heights beyond with the rolling valley, twenty
miles in width stretching away to the west and
south of Catoctin till it reaches Bull Run noun
tain, seventy miles away.
THE NATIONAL PIKE
From Berlin, Oh the Potomac, the National
pike passes through Lorettsville and the mid
die of the county to the southern extremity at
Aldie. Many Of the old soldiers have travelled
this route footsore and weary. for this pike was
one OF the main routes traversed by the Union
army to the interior OF Virginia and Of the con-
federacy.
Where the fences were burned and the barns
in ruins, the fields untitled and houses out of
repair by the devastation of war, the farmers
are now surrounded by the Virginia rail fence
or neat wire railing, the fine crops are housed
! In substantial stone barns and the meadows
and fields are resting in rural loneliness after
the late harvesting of an abundant wheat crop.
and every house has blinds and porches, all Civ
ing evidence of renewed prosperity and pro-
gress. The farms around Lovettsville near Ter
lin. are perfect mine of gold to the
proprietors, now that most Of the
heavy mortgages are paid off which
were contracted during the war. The farmers
still complain Of hard labor and poor prices
and the necessity for organizing and joining
the Farmers Alliance men, who have clubs in
every district, for purposes of controlling legis
lation in the interest OF the farmers.
Although no scientific geological survey of
Loudoun county, Virginia, has ever been made,
yet the outcropping OF various valuable min
erals has been sufficient to give evidence that
minerals of great value.
VALUABLE MINERAL DEPOSITS.
There not less than fourteen different
kinds Of minerals found in Loudoun county
Large deposits Of asbestos are known to be sit
uated just north of Waterford, at the base of Ca
toctin mountain. Iron ore has been mined and
smelted in the vicinity of Point OF Rocks for
forty years at the well-known Catoctin furnace
Near Middleburg lies the famous Carter marble
quarry. In present and prospective money
value there 10 nothing in this section of vir-
ginia. il in the state, that can approach it.
Among the specimens brought to light are
slabs Of the purest statuary marble, fine mar
bles OF various solid colors, very antique not
surpassed anywhere, and all these in seemingly
inexhaustibe quantities. The company has
been offered $400, 900 for the quarry, which
was refused, for, as soon - transportation IA
cilities are accomplished the works will be
worth upward of 81 ,000, 900.
Although singularly beautiful yet isolated
portion OF our country, Loudoun county, Va,
has been the home OF many persons famous in
its history. Loudoun county was separated in
1891 from Fairfax county and named in honor
OF the Earl OF Loudoun, commander Of military
anairs in America during the latter part Of the
French and Indian war.
The eastern and southern parts Of the county
were ssttled by Virginians, the north western by
Germans from Pennsylvania MANY of the
farms are large and still inhabited by descend
ants OF the original inhabitants. The central
part has been inhabited for over q century by
large body of the Society of Friends. Descend
ants Of Baron de kalb still reside upon land
spportfoned to their family for services rem
dered In the revolutionary war.
SOME FAMOUS PERSONS.
One OF the most notorious characters of Lou
doun was Sergt. John Champe the spy selected
by Light Horse" Harry Lee and sent by Gen.
Washington to capture Benedict Arnold within
the lines OF Sir Henry Clintcn's camp at New
tiers Champe was unable to accomplish his de-
sign and Arnold escaped to England
Braddocks roads are still well known here
as the routes cut by Washington when young
engineer, He accompanied Braddock to his
sore defeat at Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburg,
Pa.
VIM. Writ studied law in Leesburg and Oak
Hill, the residence Of James Monroe, fifth
President OF the United States, is situated nine
miles south of Leesburg. the judicial seat of
the county, The well-knowr families of the
Lees, Masons. Douglasses, Chichesters Beverlvs.
Dulanys, Giddings and Janneys are among
some OF the past and present residents of Lou
doun.
The estate from which I write is that of Col.
VIM. Giddings, lying upon the west side OF
Catoctin mountain, and from the front porch
an extended view can be seen all over the val
ley seventy miles distant and twenty miles
broad. ipf IA -
1t is not difficult to forecast with little aid
OF the imagination the condition OF Loudoun
county in fifty years, when these knolls win be
surmounted by villas of our wealthiest people.
who will come to appreciate this healthy noun.
tain air and the springs Of purest water found
on earth.
In that not distant time our town houses
will be protected from FIRE by the utilization
OF these neglected beds Of asbestos and our
houses will be adorned with onyx and marble as
the old House Of Representatives is now orna-
mente0 by columns of Potomac mn rblo l,,.,-,,