The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16
A IMMATURE CASTLE.
Curious Spectacle to BE Seen in the
Virginia Mountains.
(Fr0m ST. Nici0las.)

1
While spending the summer of 1897 at
| Earlehurst, Va. amid the wild and rugged
| scenery of the Allegheny Mountains, two
| young ladies'. who were fond Of exploring
| the beautiful country, were seated one
| afternoon at the base Of waterfall. Be-
! ing deeply impressed by the beauty OF
| the spot, one exclaimed: How charm
! ingly romantic! i can almost believe that
| Flora MacIvor will any instant appear
| seated on that moss-covered rock. dis
ccursing sweet music ON her harp"
Carried away by such romantic
thoughts, they began to build an imagi-
nary castle, peopled with baron and serf,
besieged and defended, Of q captive prin-
cess and valiant warrior knights.
Lets make cnei" they cried. Accord
ingly, the next day the undertaking was
begun.
a large purplish bowlder, overgrown
with moss and lichen, on the lawn of
Earlehurst, the summer home of the
builders, was selected as the site on
which to construct this miniature castle.
Building material then became a serious
question. Rocks there were in plenty. but
sand and mortar had to be carried for
some distance. Tools We're limited, and
using 4 screwdriver in lieu of q chisel to
enlarge the slight indentat!on in the
foundation rock. which was designed to
be the dungeon. proved but slow work.
This task accomplished, square box
was placed over the excavation, in which
were cut openings for windows and a door.
The windows-eighteen in all-were put
together with greatest care. every stout
wooden frame being crossed and recrossed
with heavy wire to initiate gratings, then
built in the stone walls over the openings
They vary in style and size, from the large
easements In the projected parts of the
structure to the small windows in the
watchtoweTs. After the box had been built
over on all sides with rocks. held in place
by mortar, another smaller box was placed
on top of it, and covered in like manner.
Both were first rooted with tin 10 prevent
leaking; but this has been carefully con-
ccaled. There are also hidden drains both
In the castle and causeway. The towers are
built solid, except behind the windows
where spaces are left to give the effect of
rooms. The "workmen" experienced grea.
difficulty in finding the necessary number
Of properly shaped stones for the battle
ments, which required such exactness.
Everyone on the place was requested to
look out for small square stones, and walk
ing parties armed with baskets were often
formed for the sole purpose OF securing
building material. One Of the ''hod-car-
riers" became SO enthusiastic that she car
ried heavy load OF stones for two miles
on an August afternoon!
As the structure progressed, a keen In
terest was taken in 1t by all the reigh-
borhood. and there were many visitors to
view the unique little buildings. several
OF whom contributed bits OF rock from
different places OF interest in Virginia
One mountaineer who came to pass judg-
ment on the work could not conceal his
disdain. and blurted out: There amt no
use for you all to work on that little
house: the snow is going to melt them
chimbieys. sure!" He referred 20 the