Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-10
WOODS MOUNTAIN.
Iron Mines-The Rock Spring-A His
tOrIc Grave.
Cwritten for the Dispatch.)

(Written for the Dispatch.)
New Store, Va, March 5, 1897.
buckingham Is not a mountainous
half dozen peaks, standing like sentinels,
far Off from the line OF Natures giants,
the rugged chain Of the Blue Ridge the
surface Is comparatively level; and, with
the proper agricultural development,
which is slowly. but surely, coming,
could be made as beautiful as the land
scape scenes in England or Southern
France. Among the largest and tallest
Of these mountain spurs are the we'll
known peaks OF Willis and Spears: but
by far the most attractive for its size is
Woods mountain, a small eminence on
the southern border OF the county. COW
cred yet with a primeval growth Of oak
and pine, and crowned with tall. gray
cliffs of stone that for centuries have
lifted their bare faces to sun and breeze
and looked down in silent patience upon
the valley at its base, and the Appomat-
tox, as it dashes foams, and sparkles
on it's way to the sea.
In days gone by Woods mountain was
perhaps better known to the people OF
the surrounding country than ii is to-
day. There Is now no public thorough
fare in touch with the mountain; though
there Is still to be seen the signs OF
splendidly-constructed road that i'm past
times was built, perhaps, with much ex-
pendlture Of time and labor, through the
principal gap, and around the southern
base of the mountain. This road. which
passes in some places very near the steep
banks Of the Appomattox river led to
Planterstown. a small village, Just west
OF the mountain, that ! have been told
by some Of the older inhabitants Of the
community, was long years ago quite an
important shipping point for timber. to-
bacco. and furs. the produce being shin
ped down the Appomattox on fiat-boats
and barges despite the fact that I'm
some places the stream IS very swift
and. at the same time, so filled with
letting rocks as to be exceedingly dan
gerOus. 1t is interesting 20 note that
not a vestige Of this town remains to be
seen. 1t has disappeared as completely
from the face OF the earth az Carthage.
or the stored city OF Troy
The Appomattox river. after leaving
Woods mountain. makes numerous great
cranks and bends, In consequence of pro-
iectlng ridges and lodges on both sides
of the stream. The first OF these necks
is on the side opposite the mountain
a fertile, level. and productive farm
known as the Horseshoe" The Sc
cond. which is on the side with the
mountain. is Wild, rocky tract.
heavily grown IN places with dense un-
derbrush and thickets. and altogether
weird and uncanny en- ASPECT. This
place IS known far and wide as the
Devils Elbow" and as being literally
filled with all kinds OF hobgoblins.
ghosts and witches. as well as a GER
tain unknown animal-lf animal. indeed.
II be-that pulls dogs heads from their
shoulders as easily as cook wrings the
neck OF chicken.
NOT ALTOGETHER UNCANNY.
But Woods mountain IL not altogether
uncanny. There Ia Fairyland here
where hobgoblins never come, but where
ali night long the elfs and fays dance
merrily and undlsturbed. and Ohern and
Titanla rule the happy land. This place
IL known as the Rock Spring, a beau
tlful spot upon which nature has Iavished
her choicest fayors. Around the spot
Is a glade, thick-grown with flowers
that grow both in woods and meadow.
blended here in Joyful slsterhood. on
both sides rise the mountain. not per-
pendicularly. but gradually. covered
here with gigantic forest oaks grown
over with the moss OF centuries. On