The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-08-24
ON REAR PLATFORM.
Commercial Tribune's Rougn
Rider Breaks Away From
the Camp.
SIDE TRIP TO BIG STONE
GAP.
New Business Boom Expected &c
Result From Investments OF
the Union Steel Company.
,c,.o,u..,, Commercial Trfbune.j

|
BIG Sroxg Gar, Va, August IL, le??
The rough riders rough ride which wa'
TO have extended TO Stonega ana b'e
Stone Gan. was necessarily changed Ell
route, and was Obliged to make detou'
about the mountains below the NirG'h''
line. had anticipated much pleasure
from journey through Cumberland ""I
and up the valley Of the Powell RIVER ah'
did NOT wish TO be deferred. SO, while
the party was encampcd in Bell county, II
COMPANY with a Kentucky woman "h'
knew neither fear or fatigue, decided t'
,eaye the camp and make the journey any
how.
In order TO get the Eastern tram iro"
Pineville it was necessary to he al 'h'
station at the cherries hour OF . ciocf
in the morning. Only one train DAY ah'
only one day in which to make the journey
7, ,.s ease of necessity, dnd, after hav'
ing assured my tent mate that II SET h''
mind TO awake at certain time Ih'ar'
;.ll, d;d wake at that time, and after Sc
curing a solemn promise from one OF 'n'
mountain men to have the horses az 'h'
tent flap at o'clock promptly We i"''
ourselves down on our cots Tor lew mourn
of sumber
1t was with Il sickening sense OF chaef''
that awoke after apparently i've minutes
of peaceful dreams, consulted the ciocN
ha, huzzcd under my ear and discovered
that il was 4:20 o'clock. with iee'ine
of horror, realized that my alleged tram
al mind lad failed TO work We held d
brief council Of war, first decided that We
couldn't possibly make the tram, reversed
this decision Immediately, concluded tha'
there was nothing like trying and scramble
ed into our clothes.
In A few moments ! emerged from the
tent and galloped madly across ten-acre
lot to the stables, where the men were re-
posing in the hay loft. ! hallooed IN vain
for several minutes; moonshIne letharSy
Law over the stables, and 1t was only ny
shouting myself hoarse that finally
aroused one of the occupants, WHO ieil
down the ladder, apoogized profusely and
started on a run for the saddles.
We were ready as soon as the horses
were, and at AS we started, Two and
one-half miles to Pinevilla, and rocky
road all the way. But we goi there, with
half minute to spare, and i'll that hall
minute we learned that the train was an
hour late. We sat down on the station
platform and drew our breath, Then We
finished putting in few hair pins and ty-
ing a few strings, and thea we longed foI
breakfast. At little cottage across the
track we got some coffee, and when the
delinquent train came along we were COM
posed, clothed and in our right minds.
RIDE on REAR PLATFORM.
The car was close and stuffy, and, at
that early hour, resounded with snores in
many keys. We thought that we preferred
the fresh morning air, and a better view
of the beautiful country, and adjourned to
the rear platform of the car, where we
took seats on the steps.
The train whrled around curves and
sped out over the valleys. The mist hung
low over the mountains and gave the
appearance of hundreds Of smoudering
fires. Soon we drew near Middlesboro, a
town whose prospects in the boom days
we're believed to be limitless. Kentucky,
Tennessee and Virginia touch corners at
Cumberland Gap, near Middlesboro, the
bordering lines converging in the long
tunnel which rivets them together with
an iron grasp. We did not realize the
tunnel until we were in it, and then we
we're too late to retreat The train plung-
ed forward into the long spiral hole like a
hunted beast to cover. We pulled down
our army hats, clutched each other with
one hand and held on with the other. Our
attitude was one of prayerful solemnty,
and we maintained it stolidly, as through
darkness and smoke and flying cinders We
rushed recklessly through three states and
came out into the clear air of Cumberland
Gap. Up to our right rose the Pinnacle, a
rough elevation from whose summit one
can see seven States. The long ridges
stretched out to either side, making a
beautiful background for the pufs of white
clouds that lay against them. On we came
into the valley Of the Poor Fork of the
Powell, fertile strip of country, the
granary of Southwestern Virginia and
Eastern Tennessee.
One of the most enlightening features
of the journey was the knowledge of how
much of the world travels on foot AS we
dashed past the rocks and roads people
with their worldly goods tied up IN ban
dana, would take to the track again and
patiently plod along. | naver before
knew how many people there were who
use the railroad without the railroad train,
and the wandering Willes and their wives
and families are thick in the mountains.
Along the Powell Valley lies Penning-
ton Gap, another importunt break in the