The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-20
ORIGIN OF THE LAKE.
a TRADITION CONCERNING THE BTG
SHEET or MATER IN GILES co.
How smp Life Affects Number of Young
Men with sporting ~. ciivItiss FISH
ing and Rambling through the Woods.

There are perhaps a good many res
dents In the state CT Virginia who hay
but little idea Of the many beautif'
spots that may be found within IN
borders OF the old Dominion. Among IN
places which have been adorned by natur
in the most lavish manner the fairy Tx
Mountain Lake In Giles county occupie
a prominent position. The hotel near tn
lake. which accommodates about ~
guests is rather primitive In It's appoint
rnents, but the tourist is rather inclined
10 put up with such restrictions, whei
he finds himself so fully compensated II
various other directions.
or a former occasion I have spokei
of the mysterious appearance of the lax
which fills the visitor with awe and re
calls Old legends I'm regard TO simllal
surroundings In other countries. WINE
staying in camp at the nOrtherly enc
OF t.e lake about "a week ago had ar
opportunity 10 learn something about tht
history Of Mountain LAKE. had gone
over 10 The hotel with my companions
one evening after tea 20 indulge In tht
pleasure - an informal hop and during
an interrnssion, while stepping out on tne
big piazza / met Mr.. Hines, an elderly
gentleman. who for the past hye years
has been clerk at the hotel.
HISTORY or THE LAKE.
Our conversation soon drifted into a
discussion Of the peculiarites OF the
surrounding country and, while talking
about the lake, my informant tOld me-
that the mysterious looking sheet OF
water had not been In existence longer
than about seventy years Originally
<he spot was deep valley into when
a number OF springs emptied and the
water found ready outlet through the
underlying soil. Suddenly by some I'M
known process this subterranean pas
sage-way bece -ne stopped up ana WIN
that mofHent the formation OF the iAke
began. This summer an attempt has Decn
made 10 ascertain the depth OF the lake
I'm various places and while II was pos
slble In several spots to touch bottom
at eigh' y-flve feet. I'm some other places
human Skill was unable to reach me
ground All along the shore the rem
nants OF trees may be seen in the water
sticking ny from the ground in an upright
position which fact certainly corroborates
The theory expressed by my friend, MI
Hines.
The water is everywhere Of the utmost
clearness and very palatabe 10 the taste,
thereby indicating that ii Is by no means
etagnant, yet, / have not been abe 10
discover any. spring or other feeder by
which the lake receives lts lresh suPpiy,
While camping on the border OF the lahe
we have enjoyed 10 the fullest extent
the various benefits offered by the
presence OF the lake.
At one time, however, we were uncN-
pecdedtly subjected to a scene. which
fortunately, however, did not leave any
serious results One OF our party VINO
did not know how to swim was WIN
the rest enjoying a refreshing bath. lie
was quietly walking along near the shore
when suddenly he slipped of rock on
which he had been standing. he had
ample opportunity to quench his thirst
and even to swallow more water than
he actually cared for. but he was rescued
by the one nearest TO him before any
serious accident could befall him.
FASCINATION OF CAMP LIFE.
People who have never been on a camp
ing expedition, have no idea OF the fas-
cination that lies In such life. True 1t
requires some little experience. in order
TO enjoy all the comforts of a wei regu-
lated camp. but having been through
II good school in former years while trav-
cling through the Adirondacks, | found
II comparatively easy matter TO look
after the comforts OF my companions
at Mountain Lake. We were eight In the
party besides an experienced COOK, ana
an ample supply of provisions OF various
kinds had been supplied before we started
out. Besides we expected TO set In
requisition the neighboring country for
such articles as could not well be car
ried any great distance.
We all were well provided with ire
arms and our expectation or bagglns
a liberal supply of game was fully real
tied. We killed any number of squirrels
and rabbits and some pheasants and
wild turkey. We came into the posses
sion of the latter by the rather unin-
tended assistance of an old mountaineer.
whom we met early one morning near
the lake. He told us that his services
had been engaged by some OF the guests
of the hotel, TO bait flock OF turkeys
that had been heard In the vicinity. 1t
is needless TO say that after receiving
this little bit of Information we visited |
the spot every morning bright and early, |
before the guests had rubbed their eyes, |
and shot off whatever birds happened |
to come In our reach.
Among the other kinds OF game that |
fell to the prey of our guns were four |
brought into camp by the son of Senator |
1t was a fine specimen |
with eleven rattles. but he had not been
emptied into its body. A rather lively
discussion arose when young Lovensteln
brought In his snake, as TO how TO dis
pose of him In the most advantageous
Some suggested to have the
animal fried. while others wanted 10
have 1t boiled or picked. but 1t was
finally decided 10 leave with the cook
the manner OF disposing of the serpent.
have not been able 10 ascertain what
finally did become OF him, but l have
strong suspicion that the hash next morn
ing contained some other ingredients
han corned beef and potatoes
HAUL OF MOUNTAIN TROUT.
Besides our success In hunting we were
llso fortunate in fishing for mountain
a Is lou %ndertakins for we had to
t least o Es s %sy Greeks Tie Tie
we're only four in the party, but when
ny good friend. Colonel John Bell Big
er, who Is a great fisherman himself,
ould have seen us l am afraid he would
ave become somewhat envious over
ur success We fished for "a little over
hree hours and then returned to camp
With a string, or rather four strings OF
1
ras at first some little discussion as to
he bait. some wise acres suggesting |
rtihcial flies. while others advoocated
ided to try all three kinds and Ii APP
cared that the grasshoppers were the
most effective inducement for the fish to
lite.
Among the outing trips which We un-
crtook was one 10 the Cascades of the |
he Big Stony Creek. The march was
ather t!resome, but when we finally
cached our destination we. are amply
ewarded for all our troubles. When |
he creek first came in sight we branched |
n and followed a narrow path along !
he creek. Az times II was so rough that
$ not TO slip down in the water below.
bout a half a dozen times we crossed
he winding creek over primitive bridges
pnsisting OF trunks Of trees With
e came In sight OF the Cascades which |
re formed by the creek leaping down
bout seventy feet over a gigantic pro-
'uding rock. a pathway about foot
ide. brought US below that point and
nabled US to walk across some forty |
set below the falls. The sight was a
rand one and all admitted that they had
OF had prettier view for some time
light near the creek we noticed foot
ieps OF human civilization FOR saw-mils
ave been established 20 prepare the
lateral for the railroad which Is TO be
uilt along the creek by the new owners
the surrounding property.
sOMY or OUR VISITORS