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

f"ASN W uht' IL. w. " hceue, lelJ
on horseback on visit to Marion
to attend meeting of Lynn Com.
mandery, No. 8, X. 4. Though the
sky was overcast with clouds and the
rain threatened to descend in tor
rents at any minute, we gayfy set
forth on the trip. All wei / well
until the ford on Thompson Valley
Greek was reached, where owing to
the swollen condition of the creek,
we were tempted to turn our horses
and return. But, after n 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 serious nc.
cident to MIR. O'Keeffe and his marc
as tho latter caught her hind hoof
in some roots growing across the
path and fell, throwing her rider ov-
er her head, but ns 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 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 niger close our
eyes and "holler" at him "to go on"
Right hero we pause to say that any
one seeking fine scenery could
do as well in that line, and ut less
cost,if they would take trip through
the mountains of Southwest Virginia
instead of spending thousands of
dollars running through foreign coun.
tries, and ut the same time keep
their money in our own country,
where it is badly needed Mt tho pres
ent time. The scenery in this sec.
tion of Virginia is grand, and would
repay anyone to take n 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 very Cordial
greeting from the DIR. and his most
estimable lady, who did oil in their
power to mike us feel at home and
in a 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 IL o'clock.
We repaired to the Asylum of Lynn
Commandery, where 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
Commandory. 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.
oered their guests by Lynn Com
mandery, and it is unnecessary to
say that the latter was heartily enjoy
ed by all present.
The work of Lynn is almost per-
feet and they know how to take care
of visiting Sir Knights, and we hope
some day to again meet with the
gallant and courteous Sir Knights
and their feir 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 n little sore bnt much |