Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-05-29
a Inn to Richmond.

Rippon, w. Va. May 10th. 1900.
Dear Mr. Hainesi
l have a desire to make known to you
and the many readers of the dear old
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON some of the things
Mr.. c. NJ. weist and myself came in con-
tact with during our hop, skip and jump
to Richmond and return. Oar route was
via the c. & o. from Basic, and can
frankly say no pilgrim ever travelled
through more desolate country than |
that from Basicto Richmond. When we
struck this region my friend Weist was
looking out of the car window with an
expression that would indicate that he |
never expected to see his wife and chill
dren again. He says Skimmerhorn let's
go back home. Skinner was blue him
self. but thought it would not do for both
to despair at once, so continued o,gaze
on the scrub oaks and pines until we ar
rived at Richmond at p. m. On the
way up Broad street we passed the Monu-
mental Church, which now stands upon
the spot where the old Monumental
Theater was burned before the war, and
III which several hundreds of Richmond's
best people were burned A handsome
monument now stands in the entrance
over their cremate ell bones.
The day after our arrival was Sunday,
and after breakfasting at St Clair Hotel
we started for the reservoir. which is about
400 it. square and in the center a stream
of water gushes into the air. 1t is a
beautiful sight. We stop on the spot
where Thomas Cluverous threw Miss
Lillian Madison into this reservoir and
drowned her. Near this spot the fence had
been nearly cut away by relic seekers
The writer was watched so closely that
he could not get piece of the fence, but
procured pebble upon which she stood
as momento of this sad tragedy. Now
we go to Mt. Holly Cemetery, which is
one of the most beautiful places one will
see in lifetime. AS we stand on a
beautiful elevation and think of our loved
ones at home our consciences are smitten
with remorse for not having brought our
families along to enjoy the scenery of
this lovely spot, of which volumes could
be Interestingly written.
is surrounded by multitude of historic
structures. Just across the street stands
a magnificent Episcopal church at which
Jefferson Davis was attending service
when he received news of Lees retreat,
On another side is located the Capitol
Square, in the center of which stands a
grand monument to the immortal George
Washington, around the base of which
stand six or eight of the old political pa
triarchs- Franklin, Lafayette, &C. Life
size upon the top. towering into the sky,
is George Washington upon mis- horse, in
a charge-two feet only resting upon
the base. The capitol looks very ancient
and is not at all on parallel with its
surroundings. We occupied seats IN tie
upper and lower state houses, but they
too did not compare with those at Wash
ington. The City Hall is monument of
magnifcence and cost two millions.
Now we go to the old soldiers home.
Here our hearts were made to bleed at
the sad pictures presented. 272 of these
old veterans. who were called from their
homes in early life to defend their coun-
try They were exposed to frost and
snow; shot and shell,-then a crushing
defeat and at last are lying upon their
beds waiting to die. Capt. ]. r. Rosser
took US through the museum, in which
we saw Gen. Jackson's old sorrel horse
which lived to see 60 years. He was in
a large glass case and looked as natural
as life. He had on the original saddle
and bride, as used by Jackson. We
also saw the femur bone of soldier which
was found on the battlefield of Cold
Harbor. 1t had petrifed and in a length
of 4 inches there were 3 minnie balls
embedded. We saw many other relics
of the war, that 'twere well worth a trip
to Richmond to see. In this department
my friend Weist mentioned the name of
Rouss, and Capt. Rosser's eyes sparkled
! as he said do you gentlemen know C.
B. Rouss?" We told him that Rouss
/ name was mouth-piece in our homes.
He said 'Rouss is my old comrade, and
I'll show you his picture, Hestepped a
cross the room and pointed out Mr. Rouss
and himself in fierce fight. Mr. Rouss
was on fine-looking horse and had his
pistol leveled on one of his antagonists,
1t is now IL o'clock, and as my friend
Weist is getting anxious about his dinner,
we make our way back to St. Clair Hotel.
have lots more I would like to tell you,
but as my letter is growing lengthy 1 will
close for this time. Hoping that may
see you at w. E. Reed & Co.'s big din
ner at Berryville on the IS inst,
am yours, &C.,
JIM SKIMMERHoRN.
The sale of the Basic City company
property took place Saturday. 1t was