Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-06-29
BY THE HEALING SPRINGS.
Might be the Baden Baden of
America.
TO The Editor OF the Herald.

june "a, 1896
4 This old time, popular resort ha'
lost none of its charms for the love
of natural scenery. which togethef
with the bcne6cent provision made
by Nature in the pure waters for tn,
healing of the afflicted. make it now
as it has been for long period 0
years, a mecca for invalids and pleas
ure seekers.
History informs US that away bach
in the dim and misty past the noble
red men came from far and near
from the ST. Lawrence, the Great
1 Lakes, the Carolinas, and elsewhere
and encamped about these springs
and laved their swarthy forms in
these sparkling waters for the cure O
rheumatism and other diseases Il
which they were subject. History is
silent, however, as to the manner oil
communicating tie news of the heal
ing properties of the waters to these
far-distant, rude, and war-like tribes.
/ Being little in advance of the times
OF the telegraph and telephone, it was,
most probably, by pony express.
The Right Honorable Thomas Lord
Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, ETC., hav-
ing acquired from the British Crown
the right and title to all this territory,
and learning from the aborigines OF
the virtues OF these waters, and fond
| ly believing that the dream of Eu-
ropean adventures was about to lie
realized, and that the FL Dorado of
the west had been found, built him.
self a cottage on one of the hills Qhe
last vestige of which was removed
about quarter Of century ago.. and
for time, or at different times dur
ing his long, uneventful, bachelor
life resided here. Frequent plunges
in the bright spring waters, however.
failed to restore the energy and vivac-
ity of youth to his Lordship, and en-
ally the intirmities of old age, togeth-
er with the news that the colonists
had conquered their independence,
caused him to yield up his spirit and
go hence.
1t is whispered by the irreverent
anti-mossbacks around here that if
the old Baron should return, after an
absence of an hundred years or more,
he would readily recognize the place
The readers of the Herald are doubt
less familiar with the war that has
been raging, and is still on, regard
ing the leasing of the springs prop
erty to syndicate, who propose to
spend several hundred thousand dol
lars in the erection of modern hotel,
the Improvement of the grounds, etc.
1t appears to an unprejudiced onlook-
er that this place with all its natural
advantages, might be the Baden Bad
en- of America if proposed enterprises
were untrammeled and o-aheaditive-
ness was allowed to 60 ahead.
In roaming over and around this
ancient village one is constantly con-
FROM ted with visions and relics of the
olden time. The story of the plant
ing of the large Washington elm,
which still stands, in a fine state of
preservation, near the Berkeley
Springs hotel, recalls the fact that
George Washington first visited what
he termed in his diary 1.-THE famous
Warm Springs" as member of Lord
Faifax's surveying and exploring
party, in the spring of 1913, when
about 10 years old, and that many
years after this first visit he purchas-
ed lots in the town, erected houses
thereon, and with his family was
wont to spend the season here.
1t is not surprising, also, that Gen.
Horatio Gates, Charles Carroll of Car
rollton, and others known to fame
during and after the Revolutionary
period should have found peace and
solace in this quiet retreat.
There is very much in and around
Berkeley to attract and interest the
present day visitor The unrivaled,
healthful baths whether the large
swimming pools or private houses1
are, of course, source of constant
enjoyment. The light. pure. spark
ling water is a delightful beverage
All the amusements of popular. first,
class resorts are to be found here
The beautifully wooded ground term
ed 1.-THE Grove" is pleasant as loung-
ing place or for promenade. Fair
9iew," 45o feet above the plain, over
looks the county-seat of Morgan,
and affords an extensive and COM
handing view of the valleys and blue
peaks.
The several mineral springs in the
vicinity of Berkeley (some of which
are strongly inpregnated with iron
and sulphur, the Lovers Leap"
from which towering summit a
most lovely picture is presented OF
the grandest works of Nature and of
Art), "Cacapon Rock" (I,Soo feet
above sea-level and overlooking all
the country westward to the main
ridge OF the Alleghanies). and John
sons Mill (rich in historic in
terest and natural scenery are all well
worth the frequent visits of the
sojourner.
The piscatorial artist, in pursuit OF
black bass and other fine game fish.
is delighted by the short journey from
here to the Upper Potomac. at or near
the ancient town of Hancock, Sir
Johns Run, or Dam No. s.
1t is needless to sa y that "mein
host, during my stay at this charm
ing summer resort, is that veteran hotel