Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-12-19
A TRIP TO HAMPSHIRE
COUNTY. WEST VIRGINIA

On a bright October morning l
boarded a n. & w. train at Berry
Vile, transferred to the B. & o. at
Shenandoah Junction, on q West
bound train, changed cars at Green
Spring to bank road going to Rom
ney. and reached Springfield, a ro-
mantle aud picturesque village of
perhaps $50 inhabitants, about 4 p
M. For one week my eyes Toasted
daily upon magnificent scenery that
perhaps ranks with any in the Unit
ed States. The cloud capped noun
tains, towering many hundreds of
feet above, aud the beautiful South
Branch, winding its way so modestly
aud gently through these everlasting
bills of old West Virginia. To ap-
proacb this variety of landscape and
mountainous beauty. one has to see it
to fully comprehend its magnitude.
Not only does the beholder stand
amazed at the great natural wonders
of nature, but is filled with a great
and more devout reverence for the
Creator as he sees the greatness Of
His handiwork in the sublime works
of nature.
Tower Hanging Rock is 700 feet
above the road bed and leans about
go feet over the road, seemingly q
most dangerous place for q road to
the casual observer, but perfectly
safe and solid. Little Hanging Rock,
Pivot Rock, aud Rawn Rock are all
exceedingly interesting places to Wis
it. Ferns grow luxuriantly, with
here and there the sweet trailing
Abutus.
The hospitality of the people is
unbounded in its generosity, aud the
good people of Springfield are royal
entertainers. Mr.. VIM. Singhsss, for
merly of Clarke county, is a promi-
nent business man of the town, con-
Quoting large store and proprietor
of the hotel, a most excellent place
to stop at His son, Mr.. Walter Sing
bass, is graduate of the West Vir-
GINA University, and is a rising and
promising young attorney at law, and
we predict for him a brilliant career
In his chosen profession.
The town has a fine graded school.
of which Prof. S. T. Tutwiler is
principal, a very pleasant and genial
gentleman. Assistant principal is
Miss Kate Scanlon, sister of Rev. d.
II. Scanlon, of Berryville.
DR.. West and DR.. Bryan, dentists,
are prominent in their professions.
The Presbyterians have a very
handsome church edi6ce, elegantly
finished. Rev. Mr.. Gillbrotzer, for
mer missionary to Brazil, is the pas
tor. Rev. H. NJ. Strickler, a very
pleasant gentleman, is pastor of the
NJ. E. Church South.
The county is a noted grazing
country, and fine stock of all kinds
abound. Wheat and Germ are raised
in small quantities, but grazing is the
principal industry. Mr.. Robert
Washington, large stock dealer, has
an immense farm and finely improv-
ed.
A pleasant drive of nine miles over
an excellent road, we reached Rom
ney, the seat of justice for Hamp-
shire county. 1t is a very pretty
town of 1900 inhabitants, with beau
tiful homes and handsome grounds,
and has good brick side walks, cleo
trio and gas lights, and a handsome
court house; also, Presbyterian Epis-
copal and Methodist churches. The
d. & B. Institute is very interesting
place to visit. The old building cost
$4,000, the new one $4,000. Every
thing is kept in perfect order, aud
the grounds are lovely, adorned with
fountains and flowers.
Wild game in great variety abounds
IN Hampshire. May the good people
of dear old Hampshire live long and
prospect "TRAvELLER."