Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-08-29
Letter From Loudoun.

ed Gaylord by II. & W. r. r., where
/ was met by private conveyance and
carried TO the lospitable home of my
friend John r. Castlemsn, Esq. with+
whom spent the night. l found
my friend and his family in good
condition, the pater fa;nilias especial.
~ happy over the event OF new
conner in the hoIsehoId-a bright,
cherry, healthy girl baby-after an
interim of ten years. Nlirable dictu
The excessive drought prevailing
at Charles Town and vicinity did not
seem TO exist in that .neighborhood,
evidenced by the healthy growth of the
corn and green appearance of the
pastures. They had a good rain on
Sunday the 9th, of which we only got
a dust settler at Charles Town
Iutercepting the stage enroute
for Snickersville, as / approached
the Shenandoah I was much surpris-
ed to see such fine fields of corn, man
ifestly showing that that Immediate
section was not suffering from the
blight of drought elsewhere pre-
Vailing. On the summit of the Blue
Ridge contiguous to the pike, large,
commodious and elegant hotel struc-
ture has heen erected by Washington
City capital for the entertainment of
summer guests, and 1 was informed
that the enterprise was a success, a
large number of the denizens of the
city patronizing it and drinking the
pure mountain water and enjoying
the cool, salubrious air, as well as
looking out from its porches and
windows, on either side of the noun
tain, the West including Clarke and
Jefferson counties, tue East Loudoun
away into maryland, comprising q
panoramic view of magnificent pros
pect. Old Loudoun. grand aud sub
lime in her splendid domain, in her
large, intelligent and thrifty popula-
ton, in her peaceable, Iaw-ahiding
and christian citizenship, in all that
goes to make a community of people
strong, robust and influential, from
this high point, lies before one. She
is truly primus inter pares-the en-
pire county of the great common
weallh--the Old Dominion of our
fathers, old Sic Semper Tyrannis.-
Other large counties with their cities
to boot may pay more into the treas
ury of the State, bat in all else Lou
doun sits enthroned with queenly
sceptre among the many shires of
the mother of presidents.
Railroad facilities, which help so
much to advance land and other val
ues, nave not been possessed by the
people of the entire county-a large
portion of the northern section being
eight or ten miles from railroad
The n. & w. Road has had route
surveyed from front Royal which viii
pierce this point and enter Washing
ton City-the chief obstacle being
the opposition of the Pa. Central to
its entrance. But this, it is expect
ed, will be overcome at this session
of Congress, and the road be built in
the near future.
am enjoying the sweet association
of my kindred-the inner man that
Loudoun special menu, egg pone,
honey and milk rich with cream,
good enough for the gods-the gen
tie memories of the past, and hope
full view of the future. ! witnessed
on Monday evening, the 14Lh inst,
the baptism by immersion in Goose
Creek of my kiusman by marriage,
George Y Dodd, Esq.-Rev. Lester
ShipIey the officiating clergyman.
Though member of the NJ. t..
Church South, Mr. D. had been rear
ed in the Old School Baptist-hence
his choice of that mode.
Loudoun county has always been
a stronghold of Methodism This
denomination of christians was intro
duced and established in the early
years of the present century by the
pioneers of the church. 1t has not
only been strong numerically, but
also in wealth and intelligence, and
to-day it holds its place as the lead
ing denomination. Thirty and forty
years ago the camp meeting was a
great institution. ThitIer the clans
rallied with great enthusiasm. The
most eloquent and celebrated preach
ers were present, the tents numbered
100 and more, vast crowds of people
gathered, the religious element pure
and simple prevailed, and rose to a
high degree, great success attended
them, the worshippers were single
eyed, the preachers Numbered the
law and the gospel, the fashions.
gew2aws, vanities, worldIiness, had
not the hold they have now-hence at
those meetings a great manv were
converted and The people of God
greatly revived. am now attending
81 camp meeting in Bcnton's woods.
Thirty tents have been erected. The
congregation on Sunday was i'm
mense. Rev. I. E. Carson, of Alex
andria, preached on Sabbath morn
ing, Rev. r. Smithson, presiding Ell,
der, in the afternoon. Few preach.
ers have as yet arrived 4 number
will come this week. The meeting is
announced TO continue over two Sab.
baths. Owing TO the drought here
the dust in the road and on the
ground was becoming very unpteas-
ant, but gracious and copious show
err on Sunday evening settled It,
cooled the air and made it very
pleasant. May the meeting result in
much good. Yours, &C.,
j. w. ToNGuE.
MountviIle, Aug. 81. 1888.
, ROOT AND BRANCH