Evening star., 1898-07-26
RoCkBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS.
Much Enjoyment at That Picturesqu
and Healthful Resort.

SpeciaI Corr lespendence of The Evening Star.
ROCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, Va,
July %, 1898.
This attractive and healthful resort is
now at its best and the people here are all
wonderfully pleased. The location of these
springs is charming one, 1000 feet above
the sea level, and it is a splendid place for
rest and enjoyment. The trip up here from
Washington is delightful, the scenery being
picturesque and grand. Travelling through
Virginia, one cannot help thinking of the
last war, when everything was destroyed
and laid waste. and then of the present
condition, where all is f1ourishing and ev-
ery one seems active and happy. There
cannot be many indolent southerners when
their farms look so thriving. At Manassas
there is reminder of the war in the mon
ument erected to the soldiers killed in the
first battle there. 1t stands where 1t can
be seen as the cars pass.
The mountains did not begin to show very
much until after We had left Manassas.
Then they grew upon us, and when Cor
louisville was reached their grandeur was
fully manifest. Here it was necessary to
put on extra engine, and we began the
ascent. going up, up, until the villages
were way below and the houses looked like
toys Five distinct mountains can be count
ed, one rising behind the other. all with a
coloring so rich that no painters brush
could do 1t justice.
At nearly every station was seen the
darkey with the Virginia biscuit and fried
chicken. and generally good business was
done with the passengers.
At Goschen q change is made to mar
row-gauge road, which takes one directly
to the door of the Central Hotel, and sup
per is ready for the tired traveller, who
then retires and gets good nights rest.
There are three hotels, the Central, the
Grand and the Brooke, all of which are
we'll located, and the guests from the last
two come to the big dining room at the
of brick cottages on each side. and these
with the handsome circle and lawn in front
make very pretty picture. The right line
of cottages is called Georgia Row and the
left South Carolina Row, and these names
indicate that the bulk of the visitors here
come from the southern states.
Those from other localities, however, are
finding out the beauties and comforts of
them. Besides. the springs have remark
able curative qualities and many who have
come here invalids have gone to their
homes well and hearty.
There are all kinds of amusements, so
that the time does not hang heavily on
ones hands. Tennis, croquet, billiards and
pool bowling and dancing to the music of
an excellent orchestra. walks in shady
lanes or mountain climbing excursions and
charming drives in every direction form a
variety sufficient to satisfy every taste.
One thing is noticeable, and that is the
number of children. and the little tots all
seem to be thoroughly happy and healthy.
Among the recent arrivals at the springs
are Mrs Claude Johnson, wife OF the chief
of the bureau of engraving and printing,
and family: Mrs. Scales. widow of the for
mer governor of North Carolina: Mrs. wy
lie. Mrs. H W Cobb and Judge Waddeu
of Virginia. Miss Gilmer and Miss Buford
of Jackson. Tenn; Mrs. ]. w. Pope, Mr..
and Mrs. VIC. Long and children OF Rich
mond: r s. Cleveland. Culpeper: Mr.. ]. C.
Wise, Washington, D. c.; A p Fox. In
dianapolis: Mr.. and Mrs. F. s. Blair and
Miss Blair. Wytheville, Va; o. D. BatcheI-
der, Beuna Vista: Mrs Franklin T. Howe
and Miss Mary Helen Howe of Washing
ton, d. c.