Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-03
For the Spectator.
In the West Virginia Hills.

| After passing through that part Of Rock.
ingham County, known SIS the Linsville
Creek Section, SO noted for its productive
ness, we soon reached Brooks Gap, which,
not like our Valley is, blessed with good
roads, and verdant fields; but is surely
crowned with all the beauties Of wild and
rugged forest and meandering brooks in
which the trou basks in the sunshine
In all his glory. Having been misdirected,
we travelled for miles up what is called
Dumplin Run, over roads, for roughnese
and heavy grade, cannot be surpassed this
side of the "Rockies;' but unfortunately
for US, your correspondent failed to find
the "dumplin;" but found the finest crop
of mint in all our travels. Our attention
was soon called to mill on the top OF
Keterman's mountain, which had the ca
pacity of grinding three grains of corn
to every five minutes, by your correspond
ent's t'turnip.' This is one of the curios-
tiles of the mountains of Amsterdam,
where the lion roareth.
After travelling for miles through this
dense and rugged forest, the beautiful
scene of the south branch Valley suddenly
breaks upon us, and the great charm of the
whole is connected with the point of sight
which is the finest imaginable. Before US
is spread a lovely valley; peaceful river
glides down it rejecting like mirror, all
the lights of heaven, and winds away into
the Moorefeld valley eastward. The green
hills rise on either hand, and all around
and give completeness and beauty to the
scene, and beyond these appears the grey
outline of the more distant mountains be-
slowing grandeur to what is supremely
beautiful.
And the traveller longs to stroll along
the margin of those sweet waters, and rest
under the shadows of those beautiful trees,
where sorrow might learn to forget her
On reaching the pleasant village of
Petersburg, we had the good fortune of
stopping at the Cunningham House, Mr..
VIM. Fulk, proprietor, and we would say
the right man in the right place, as he uses
every effort to supply the wants and pro-
mote the happiness of his guests. Mr..
Fulk and lady are of that kind and genial
nature that makes stranger feel at home
and that friends are more precious than
gold. While tere we had the pleasure of
forming the acquaintance of the gallant
Capt. Frank Breathed of the famous Brea-
thed Artillery of the Confederate Army;
also many ladies and gentlemen of this
village, whose friendship and kindness we
highly appreciate and especially the ladies,
who favored US with such delightful music
as 1.-THE West Virginia Hills" and 'sCome
where the Lilies Bloom" etc., which shall
ever live with imperishable sweetness upon
the memories of your correspondent.
A fishing party composed of ladies and
gentlemen from Petersburg, who visited
the House Rock, and natural cu.iosities in
the Gap, is we'll worthy of note, as we
were only too happy to participate in the
pleasures of the occasion. This House
Rock is covered with evergreens and flow
ers, and has in it cavity sufficient to
shelter q hundred people. In front of it
runs smoothly and quietly the south branch,
which furnishes the finest fishing grounds
in the State. On the opposite side of this
stream rises majestically ledge of rock to
the height of near three hundred feet upon
which nature has formed perfect image
Of an OK and fox, which fill the beholder
with love and admiration for the beauties
of nature in all its grandeur and magnif-
cence. The party having procured the
services of fine artist, Mr.. R. E. Done
van, who took good picture of the COM
pany and surrounding scenery, after spend
ing delightful evening, we returned to
our pleasant village with our beautiful
girls, and a..nice string of fish, being fully
convinced that for en- enjoyable trip, 10
place surpasses the South Branch Valley.
r. AND P.