The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-03
MOUNTAIN AND SEASIDE.
SEASON OPENING AT THE RESORTS.
The Rockbrideo Alum-D siightful Rcminis-
censes-These Old Springs Before the
War-Other Watering Places.

kocKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS. July Ii do
not want to trespass on the preserves OF Il
II. j. Wilderness" but he will allow me TO
catch breath Of the inspiration Of his charm
ing relations Of old incidents aud use It to tell
You something Of the old Alum "beto' de
wahn
Seventy years ago the inhabitants Of Rock
bridge county commenced 10 discover such
virtue in these waters that they would bring
tents. cooking apparatus. &c. and camp
around in true gypsy style to enjoy its bene-
ITS: It was then owned by family Of Camp:
bells. whose descendants are all people OF
prominence in Virginia.
be hotel, which has been OF late years so
added 10 and moderniZed yet still bears the
marks Of good old age was soon after built.
ana lew years later the property was bought
Oy TWO brothers, Messrs. William Frazier ana
his brother John. They at once proceeded 70
ADD 70 the accommodations, and Just after tho
substantial brick cottages that encircle the
lawn were commenced Mr. Joha Frazier died,
leaving one child James A. Frazier, at
very tender age. Under the judicious man
agemeDt Of Mr.. William Frazier and with his
great popularity among all of the best people
OF the Southern States the Alum soon grew
home Of many families from Mississippi
Alabama. Louisiana and the CarOlinas
its waters having wonderful efficacy in the
dissipation OF the maiarial condition induced
by residence in these States. SO great was
its popularity and 80 valuable the efficacy of
the water that soon bottling and shipping IT
became al important adjunct to the profit
arising from Its patronage AZ hotel one
year toe proceeds from bottled water alone
amounting 10 go 000. The war interviewed,
but 80 necessary had il become that in spite
Of ali the discomforts and Inconvenience
attending any efforts 10 cater to the wants or
inya.lds and pleasure seekers Mr.. Frazier did
oil IN his power 10 accommodate his guests.
la 1863 the place was we'll filed aud several
prominent Confederate officers found It a
haven Of rest while from wounds aud other
causes temporarily absent from duty. well
remember Major Randolph Harrison, who was
there recovering from severe wound; Colonel
Graves. who brought his bride for short
honeymoon only 70 live one year afterwards
and many refugees from your city. In spite
OF AT. Frazler's most earnest efforts 20 give Us
comfortable fare. black-brOwu sugar sweet
ened raspberry-leat tea and grains OF toasted
wheat represented coffee. One of our grim
Jokes was that il was hard 10 say whether
General Debility" or General Starvation
ruled in that camp. But still we joked and
"A brave spirit of endurance la a cause so dear
10 al our hearts kept at bay any chance OF com
plant or dissatisfaction. Suddenly one day
u conntryman came in with the news that
body of Yankee raiders were close on US de-
termined b. capture all prisoners. Mr.. Fra
7Ier promised 10 do all he could. but warned
us that be could not pledge hlmsel 70 furnish
meals for us If they should get at his sup
plies, and IN four hours everything that could
be fastened on wheels was in requisition. l
was indebted 10 the kindness OF Mr.. T. Is.
White aud Mr.. Tanner. two Of your old clti-
ffar IA in
a stage that they had chartered, and we took
refuge in Lexington The ride was delight
ful one. 10 spite of our fright. and as we
started with rather a slim supply OF lunch, We
impressed IN the name of the Confederacy all
the milk aud butter Of q poor woman on the
way. who positively refused 10 give the babies
a drop. / hope the large confederate legal
tenders with which sne was remunerated dId
her AS much good as the milk did the crying
babies
The Alum was soon thereafter seized az a
Confederate hospital. and many a blessing has
been invoked for the bracing air, the health
restoring water and its comfort aud rest by
those whose health. strength and limbs had
been sacrificed IN their cOuntrys cause.
Soon after the close of the war. when the
place had besn thoroughly overhauled re-
paired and cleansed. 1t was again opened as a
saIrs- CT resort Mr.. jas A. Frazier Ia the mean
time had arrived at maturity and took pos
n.
late guardian fora whlls prevented the growth
and success that the place desired, and when
in 1872 the Jordan alum water was claimed
10 be equal 10 the ROckDrdge. on the same
grounds and a magnificent hotel built on the
top of the hill with all modern Improvements,
each became a rival so formidable 70 the
other that ii WAS soon found that neither
could succeed separately. Litigation followed
law suits and the tangle vas only unravelied
by the purchase Of the entire property, IN
Guiding both hotels. by a company OF which
Mr.. j. Fred Efiinger of Staunton, va, was
presldent This broad expansive mind ut
| once took in the idea Of refurnishing and re-
modelling 10 compete with Northern resorts
| and. although the impoverished state OF the
country aud the immense outlay requisite 10
carry on so large an enterprise prevented its
meeting with the success IL deserved, II has
| proven a great boon TO the present owners.
In 1886 tho property was purchased by It's
| present owners, Messrs PeytOn, Campbell a
| Co.. and Colonel George H. Peyton' one Oh
| the partners assumed the management.
since that time It has continued 10 DO
resort OF not only tho old habltues OF the
place. but is attracting many visitors from
the far West. For substantial comfort and
delightful recreation it has no superior,
while the great number OF refined and cui-
tured guests attracted hther by It's water
and braclng air. who mingle Ike one large
family. make il strong contrast 10 the stiu
and exclusive feature 30 Objectionable 10
| Northern resorts.
The cottages are. some of them. almostsmau
| hotels the Brooke containing forty rooms
| Lake about thirty. and the latter has been
thoroughly repaired and refurnlshed TN.
year. each Of them having water piped
! through the house
We number about seventy guests. great
many Of the regular habitues have written d
engage their old quarters. and Colonel Pey
ton, with his right of way made perpetual Iol
the train that connects with the Chesapeake
and Ohio and brings passengers 20 tho door
of the hotel. looks radiant and iuoilant over
his prospects for the season. OLD LADY.