Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-09
SOME OF BATH coUNTVs WONDERS.
Cavcrus with Extraordinary Form ntions-
Its AnrIno. nnn Daher Nntnral Ereaks.

WrITI,MsvuIE, VA, March S.-Bath is
a county lying in the western part OF Nir-
ginia. II l. IN that part OF Virginia known
as AppalAchia. and Is rich In iron ana man
canese ore and buildlng-stOne (granlte),
and in several places marble. BEAUTIFULLY
variegated, has been found. The rocks,
though, are mostly OF limestone forma-
ton, and therefore caverns are OF freduent
occurrence. Some of these contain most
beautiful formations OF various colors5-
gray, white, blue. and brown. One or the
most exquisite of these caverns ls near
Bath Alum Springs. II has been explored
for several miles. but its termination has
never been discovered. Inc walls OF tho
diff erent chambers and passages arc
covered with tho most wonderful repre-
sontatiOn or one OF nature lcYelest pro-
auctions. moss IN all shades OF grays,
browns, white. and IN some rare instances
black, looking SO natural that one Is COM
PEELED 10 touch 10 before he can belleye ~
is stone instead OF faIry-like moss. There
is in this cave " BOttomless Pit" Lots
Wife" white coumn-like pillar standing
upon the brink OF the DOttOmless TT,
The Grape Arbor,' etc.
FLOWING CAVE.
One of the most remarkable Of these
cayerns Is Windy Cove, or Blowing Cave,
situated near MlllbOro' Springs Ihis cayo
contains some beautiful stalactltes and
stalagmltes but the most wonderful tang
about II Is the constant current OF ar
blowing from its mouth. No matter IN
what direction the wlnd Is blowing u
neither increases nor dlmnishes the cur
rent blowing from II. Bath county de-
rived its name from the many mineral
springs found in it. The Warm and Hot
Sprinrs. the temperature OF the wator
ranging from IS 10 l02 degrees, are too
we'll known TO need much description.
They are celebrated for their wonderful
curative properties IN rheumatic ana O,ner
diseases. and also as pleasure resorts. Inc
air OF this section Is particularly pure
healthy. and balsamic,
But many Of Baths mineral springs are
little known. which possess virtues equal
to or greater than either the Warm or Hot
Springs possess for mauv diseases. Bolar
Spring is one of these. It's waters ara al
nlallible cure for almost all skin diseases,
sucu "a eczema, letter, salt rheun, ana tof
catarrh II IS wonderfully eihcaclOus. its
waters are marvellous beautlher or tho
complexion. These springs are about
TWENTY-FIVE miles from MlllbOro'. Inc
Lebanon White Sulphur Spring ls another
OF Baths rejuvenating springs. Several
comfortable cottages have been erected
here for visitors. The Bath Alum Springs
and Healing Springs are well known. Inc
latter has many visitors: the former has
lovely buildings and springs OF sulphur.
alum, chaly magnesla. etc., but mas
few visitors, the owner not seeming 10 de-
sire them.
CURIOUS SPRINGS.
In the valley OF the COwpasture river IS
a remarkable spring. known as the tlow-
ing Spring. inns spring ebbs and hows
AT no stated time. Sometimes 1t Will tiow
once a week, sometimes every day. 1t has
been known onco or twice to flow twice IN
the same day. Wet or dry weather affects
II not. Ii often flows more frequently IN
dry than wet weather. The tide at Its
head rises from three to four feet. An
other curious spring II tne same valley Is
the " Bottomless Spring whose depth
has never been fathOmed, though many
attempts have been made to do so. About
100 wards from this place are two ledges or
rock. running parallel up the mountain
side. WITH a narrow path between them.
The pathway is not more than ten feet
wide. and keeps this width from the top
to the bottom, about three quarters OF q
mile.
FREAKS.
This path is known az the Devils Race
Path. Tho scenery around 1t Is grand al
picturesque. Lofty mountains. q rushing
river. preclpices crowned by giant pines,
and the peaceful valley lying far away n
the distance, blue ANA haIG. Not tar from
the race-Dath > q strange freak OF nature.
4 hicknrv-tree about foot IN diameter -
seen growing upon The east bank OF tho
Mcdowell aud WIliiamsyllle road, and
plainly 10 be seen upon its Dark, Is thIs
word. MP IN white letters about 5 inches
in height. The letters are formed Of that
white substance seen frequently upon the
bark of the hickory. His Satanic Majesty
seems to have impressed his persona lty
upon natures handiwork, in this locality
at least in tho selection OF names-lmp
tree. as it is locally known. and Devils
Race Path -.