Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-19
BEAUTIFUL VALLEY.
gHE Jewels or pocaHoNTAs
COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
a Very Rich Ceuntry-Magnincent
Farms-The Wheat and the Fruit
War Memorics--A Good Apecdote
of General Averfi.


SCorrespondence or the Dispetch)
HlisLlSBoRo'. w. VA. May is-Al-
Though this pretty Pocahontas coun-
~ town IS thlrty-nve miles from
the railroad, the nearest point
being Ronceverte. on the Chesa-
peake and Ohio. you will understand
hat IL is by no means out OF the world.
when tell you that the Daily Dispatch
p read here the day after II Is printed.
though Il has to come through two coun-
Yes and across two mountains by mall
wagon.
FROM IS DEGREES TO IS
HillSboro' has just made a weather re-
cord, too. The Dispatch tells us Of %
degrees IN Richmond last Thursday That
day, Friday, and Saturday were very hot
here. the mercury climbing to 81. but a
storm of rain and wind Saturday night
made It cool Sunday and cold Monday,
the temperature falling to q. bringing
heavy frost and considerable ice.
This morning there is an inch or two OF
snow on the mountains. Some apprehen-
sion was felt Monday morning on ac-
count Of the wheat and fruit. but OBJ
servant farmers who have examined care
fully report that the wheat Is uninjured
and the fruit very little damaged They
say, however. that so large Is the pros
pect for apples that two thirds OF them
might be killed and sim there would
be an abundant crop. Nobody recollects
ever to have seen before such wealth
OF appie-bloom in Greenbrier and Poca-
hontas counties.
CLOVER or THE MOUNTAIN TOP.
This is Just about the prettiest little val
ley 1 ever saw. and l have seen Max
Meadows. In Pulaski, Crabbottom, IN
Highland; the Yadkin Valley. IN North
Carolina: the Seneca. In New York. ana
lots of others The wheat fields are me-
the bluegrass and clover pastures luNu-
q!ant and dotted over with sugar-ma-
pies. the prettiest OF trees. which don't
hurt the grass. and the mountains gradu-
ally sl0ping down 10 the lowiands' green
from the bottom 10 the 'uppest TOP,
the best clover. 1 have seen cover rlsht
on the top one Of the highest Droop
mountains. where Averill and Echols
fought that unfortunate engagement IN
1867, followed a few months later by
battle stli more disastrous to the Yankees
at the White sulphur
AVERILL AND BARBEE MEET.
Colonel Barbee, OF the Twenty-second.
who was wounded at Droop Mountain
told me a funny story connected with ms
meeting General Averill several years
after the war. on being introduced TO
Ayeriu for the first time he essayed 10
thank him for his courtesy In sending a
letter from him through the lines to ms
wife, informing her OF his real condi-
ton. and thus relieving her OF anxiety.
General Averill gracefully declined 10 con-
slider that any obligation had been IN
CURED, and laughingiy, said: But Col
onel didn't we give you fellows parucu-
lar fits at Droop Mountain Yes
said Barbee but, General, didn't we
give you fellows particular HI at White
Sulphur Eyes, yes; that's a fact, sald
Averill Lets take a drink on IT,"
This valley. called 1.-THE Levels of Po-
cahontas," was I'm those war-days a
rich granary and beef pasture, and
prize taken and retakcn by both armies.
II has, In these piping days OF peace lost
none of its fertility and wealth. l saw
a farm near here to-day which a Few
years ago brought 500 per acre, and there
are many other farms in the valley as
good. Hnlsboro' sits like gem In the
midst OF this living green. with It's -FOUR
stores. two churches, and a nourishlng
academy, conducted by a Hanover man.
Professor J. +. Wansley, graduate OF
Randolph macon College.
DEATH or a MINISTER.
A sad death Of "A young Presbyterian
minister occurred few days ago In this
county-Rev. u. r. Alexander, North |
Carolnian. lie was installed pastor OF
Liberty. Baxter. and Frost churches not
quite one year ago. 4 promising young
preacher. he seemed 10 have before him
long life OF usefulness; but. after "a
short and violent illness Of structure OF
the bowels, he died before any of his |
friends could reach him. and was buried !
ut Greerbank. w. Va, by Rev. Dr. ID. |
sydenstricker, last Monday
At Marlinton. the new county seat. |
eleven miles north Of this place, long |
and hotly-contested location for the cOun- |
" capital. has Just been completed a |
fine courthouse. and the town is look |
ing up. The old courthouse at Hunters |
VILE was bought by II. $. Turk, Esq. OF |
Staunton. and he proposes 10 establish in |
81 the coming fall "a normal school for |
the training Of teachers,