Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-26
AN HISTORIC DRIVE
FROM GoRpoNsVlLLE TO WHERE
AMELlE RIVeS WoRsHlPPep.
The Blind Preachers Home--Jefrerson ON
Peters MountAin-Csstie Hin and
Its Historic Charms.

tcorespondenee Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
GoRDoSsvILLE, June 24.--Had AmGlie Rives
driven jock" to Gordonsyille instead Of
to Charlottesville he would have had q
more secluded lovcr-like drive, and IN all
probability would never have overtaken
one of the numerous family of "Buzbys,"
tosuffcr tho evil consequences therefrom.
And, too, Barbara" might have felt some
computations OF conscience at being
hckle, when she would have been con-
ttnually reminded Of consistency by the
many evergreens which stand all along
the ,wayside, from whose boughs the
English mocker carols his sweetest imita-
tive songs the whole gladstone day. The
drive from Gordonsville 10 Grace church,
where Amelie Rives worshipped when she
wrote The Quick or the Dead" is laden
with unwntten history.
LAFAYETTE.
Along this county highway La Fayette
travelled on his way 20 Washington in
ll94-his last visit to America. Cotton
cloth and table-clotbs waved him welcome
as he passed along. People thronged this
roadside then TO get glimpse Of the man
who had done so much for America and
American freedom.
HAONbNAlL JhJktONs
This road recalls war recollectiOns 10 the
veterans of the Confederacy. as Stonewall
Jackson's whole army travelled IL in their
long march from the Valley 10 the rescue
of Richmond. Ii was the most direct limo
through. Thomas Jefferson. Madison,
William G. Riyes, Alexander Campbell, and
other distinguished persOnages have ira
yelled this thoroughfare in their day.
Many places of note are located along the
margin Of this road.
THE BLIND PREACHER.
The first is near Gordonsville. the home
of the blind preacher, Hopewell, which a
great many people visited for a long time,
rs 1t contained the cOnsecrated ashes Of
that eloquent old man. who Writ immortal
lied in American literature. Since then
the marble slab and ms remains have
been removed to a church which bears
his name, "Waddell." But his home.
which he called " Hope-well" after an op-
perfume wind came and prevented its
taking fire from a kitchen, which burned
down, IS more beautiful to-day than IN
days Of yore. The house, built after the
old, old style, which was once white, with
green blinds, is rapidly going to decay, but
the grounds have been rendered more at
tractiye by the addition of large pond
with beautiful island, the work of its
present owner. III. g. Baker
PETERS MOUNTAIN.
This mountain rears its tall crest 300
feet above this road-bed. IL is the highest
knob of the southwest range. A signal
point was once located there. Thomas
jefferson said it was worth trip across
the ocean TO behold the scenery from this
mountain. 1t is grand. 1t is n regular
paradise for huntsmen until il suffers from
excess. The first day IL is lawful to hunt
NIL ftr1 hot oil 20 oh
other up behind trees and logs tor wild
turkeys. Wild varmlnts are sometimes
heard there. The most of the clouds
which water this section strike old Peters
first.
PALATIAL HOME.
Castle Hill, which the talented Vir-
Cinia authoress has thrown so much
charm around, is palatIal home
with beautiful surroundings. 1t has
CT. Colonel Alfred Rives. II has been
for years the home of an Illustrious ances-
try. Wit and humor from home and
abroad have sparkled there for generations
past William G. Rives, Minister TO the
courts OF France, was noted for his NT-
gnia hospitality and French polish The
lamonted Mrs. Sigourney, who was lost at
sea, aunt of our Amelie was reared there.
1t is a fit home to cradle such immortal ge-
MUS.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Grace church is a modest country house
of worship where the Rives family attend
Divine services when in Virginia. 1t is
said that it was there that conscientious
convictions convinced " Barbara that
she could no longer feel for the man she
had so cruelty Tilted. 1t was sacrilege TO
break consecrated VOWS in such halowed
walls. l was told that this church was
built at the expense of one of the ladies
Of the Rives family. There are tablets on
the wall 10 the memory Of Mrs. Sigourney
and her family, who were lost at sea GA
that Inflated steamer which went down
freighted with such q precious cargo.
When we left the wind was singing
reuuim through the forest trees over the
departed who are sleeping their last sleep
in this quiet churcE-yard.