Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-05-13
STANTON SPECTATOR AND vINDICAToR.
THROUGH THE COUNTY.

THROUGH THE COUNTY.
Big improvements at Variety Springs-It
New Hotel-Pretty scenery-Good Crop
&C., &C., &C..
Last Saturday, in company with anothe
devotee of the wheel, passed from Staur
ton, through Buffalo Gap, for run throug
our old camping grounds, the Little Cal
! Pasture Valley. At the Gap W
| took to the railroad and found riding alon
the path very good. except in cuts wher
slate and earth sliding down had covere
the path. The riding though is risky an
adds spice enough to the trip to make
enjoyable. 1t was not long till we reaches
Variety Springs, and its pretty grass plo
and delightful shade invited a stop over
So we did, for the two fold object of obtain
| ing refrestment and of noting the decided
Improvements that are being made at thi
popular old resort. For the benefit Of thos,
who have visited the place and for those whit
expect to be its guests. will give the result
of my hasty observation.
OF course the central object of attraction
is the big new hotel. And when l say big
hotel mean it-for it is a large spreading
structure, two and half stories high on the
lower side, and covering about three time;
as much ground as the Eakleton here in
Staunton. It is built fronting the cottages
and just below and back of where the old
hotel stood 1t has large double decked
veranda that runs around three sides OF the
building and from every point of view is
delightfully."- refreshing and cool. I calcu-
late that the promenade of each porch is
about 100 feet.
Messrs. Ker & Eichelberger's genial fore
man in charge, Mr.. D. E. Gabler, of Staun-
ton, is authority for most of my information
and to him is due much credit for the rapid
ity with which the work has been done.
Last Fall the foundation and some frame
work had been erected, but it was not until
the Spring broke, that the real construction
could be pushed. At one time last month
there were 26 workmen pounding away on
the big skeleton frame and now the finish
ing touches are being added. prior to the
opening on June 3. Outside on the lawn the
laying is all going on, while inside the
hotel every hall and floor has its men
painters, plasterers. whitewashers, and all
hard at it. was impressed with the big
dining room, and the little. (private) din
ing room. the double parlors and the neatly
arranged Office. Each floor has two spacious
airy halls that run the length and breadth
of the building, crossing at the center. This
am told is an excellent arrangement, as it
furnishes ventilation and current of air
for each room. And by the way there are
81 of them, bed rooms-21 of which are fur
nished with fire places, and two bath rooms.
These latter are furnished with water piped
from the All-healing spring on the monn-
tain slope above the hotel. The kitchen is
also furnished with water from the same
source. The foreman, Mr.. Gabler, inform
ed me that he expects to finish his work
within the next 10 day, and then it is ready
for the furniture to be moved in. This is
now arriving by freight in large quantities
from the east and stored in the empty ball
room on the lawn. A pretty effect to the
lawn will be produced by double terrace
now being made on the east side of the hotel.
Another improvement on the lawn is the
walkway to the new iron spring, and the
pretty spring house that is to cover it. This
spring, learn, has given the best analysis
of any water on the premises and has re-
markedly bold flow.
After several hours rest and sampling all
the varied waters of Variety, we took to the
railroad path again and went by way OF
Ferrol to Augusta Springs. Here we were
guests for the night at the home of the
famously hospitable Pattesons. There is
not more beautiful spot in all the Virgin
ia mountains than this, or private sum-
mer resort with such delightful home sur
roundings. Here made the acquaintance
Of the first guests of the season in the per-
sons Of MI. and Mrs. Il. Drummond of
Perth. Ontario, Canada. Mr.. Drummond
is banker in his town and though an Eng
lish Canadian is nevertheless bimetallist
and great admirer of VIM. j. Bryan. whom
he regards as the greatest American states
man of the present day. He fails to see how
America can be SO blinded as to play into
the hands Of England, as her Mckinley
gold standard commits her.
Next afternoon we assembled North noun
tain, crossing into the Valley at Pond Gap,
and then down the other side at rate that
we would not have dared had not thunder
storm been crashing close in our rear. At
the bottom of the grade it caught us fast
and furious, and when we reached Summer
dean. looked as if we had been to Baptist
baptizing. From this point we made our
way through mud and slush to Middlebrook,
though usually this road is in fine condi.
ton. From here back to Staunton with a
stiff west wind we enjoyed fine run and
ended most pleasant trip.
At every place stopped, either at house
or on roadside (save one) l found
the person to be an old SPECTATOR
AND INDICATOR subscriber. Now
there are two things certain. either
every home in the county takes this paper,
Or l had the most remarkable luck in
stumbling upon their subscribers every
where l went-which?
On this trip saw the finest scenery, and
what is more substantial, the finest wheat
crop that can remember. For that matter
though, have been all over the county re-
Gently, and the growing wheat crop is every
where exceptionally fine. At the present
prices of wheat our farmers may yet realize
in it profitable crop. A.sM.
Died in this city, after q lingering illness,
of heart failure, Miss Flora Switzer, third
daughter OF Abram Switzer. Deceased was
Of a lovely gentle disposition, kind and
generous. and was beloved by all. All that
kind and loving hands and hearts could do
was done to alleviate her suffering, but God
willed otherwise and her gentle spirit took
It's fight at u a. M, Wednesday, May 9TH,
1897.
The beautiful j ewish ceremony was read
by Albert Shultz.
The pall-bearers were: Messrs. Adolph and