Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-05-21
EXPERIENCE ON
A Trip Through the Mountains
to Marion.

on horseback on a visit to Marion
to attend meeting of Lynn Com.
mandery, No. 8, X. L. Though the
sky was overcast with clouds and the
rain threatened to descend in tor.
rents at any minute, we gayIy set
forth on the trip. All wer well
until the ford on Thompson Valley
Creek was reached, where owing to
the swollen condition of the creek,
we were tempted to turn our horses
and return. But, after little hesi-
tation, we pushed on and found the
water not quite deep enough to swim
our horses On going down the South
side of Clinch Mountain we under.
took what is known in mountain
parlance, as "short cut" which
came near resulting in a serious ac-
cident to MIR. O'Keeffe and his mare
as the latter caught her hind hoof
IN some roots growing across the
path and fell, throwing her rider ov-
er her head, but as good luck would
have it, both escaped uninjured.
Continuing on our journey every
thing went smoothly until wo reach
ed the ford at Asbury's across Laurel
Fork, in Poor Valley. Here the wa.
ter was rushing along like a mill
race and was within two or threo
inches of reaching the horses back.
Our companion plunged in, and to
show our nerve. we plunged after
him, and the next minute was wish
ing we were on solid ground again,
as our head swan and all we could
do was to hold on to the horse like
grim death to n niger close our
eyes and "holler" at him "to go on.
Right here we pause to say that any
one seeking fine scenery could
do as well in that line, and at less
cost, if they would take n trip through
the mountains of Southwest Virginia
instead of spending thousands of
dollars running through foreign coun-
tries, and at the same time keep
their money in our own country,
where it is badly needed at the pres
ent time. The scenery in this Sec
ton of Virginia is grand, and would
repay anyone to take horse back
ride through the whole section.
About 6 o'clock we arrived at the
hospitable home of that genial gen.
tleman and Sir Knight, DIR. Brady,
where we received a very Cordial
greeting from the DR.. and his most
estimable lady, who did oil in their
power to make us feel at home and
in very short time we felt as if we
had known them all our lives. The
next morning we started for Marion,
where we arrived about II o'clock.
We repaired to the Asylum of Lynn
Commandery, where a lunch was
served, and after drinking several
cups of "Aunt" Mary James coffee,
we felt equal to anything that might
turn up.
AT ore o'clock Friday the lines
were formed in the commandery for
the reception of EN-. Sir J. w. Bry
aut, Grand Warden of the Grand
Commandery of Va, and V. EN-. L.
F. johnson, The former was pres
ent to inspect Lynn Commandery,
and made some very fattering re.
marks as to the condition of that
Commandery. Sir knight Johnson
Installed Hon. b. +. Buchanan, Of
Marion, Grand Capt. Gen. Of the
Grand COmmandery of Va. After
which the orders of knighthood were
conferred on six candidates. The
ceremonies of the day were brought
to close by an elegant banquet ten.
dered their guests by Lynn Com
mandery, and it is unnecessary to
say that the latter was heartily enjoy
ed by ali present.
The work of Lynn is almost per-
feet and they know how to take care
of visiting Sir Knights, aud we hope
some day to again meet with the
gallant and courteous Sir knights
and their fsir ladies across the noun
tains.
The return trip was made without
mishap, and after day spent with
our hospitable Frater, DIR. Brady, at
Chatham Hill, we arrived home Sun
day morning little sore, but much
refreshed after mingling with our
Marion fraters.
Ed. L. w.