Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-01-22

| tourists from all parls OF the couuIIy'
A natural curiosity which is invaria-
bly, overlooked by the traveller and
not generally known even among the
natives of Harper's Ferry, is strik-
ing image of the features of Washing
ton, which appear to have been cut in
the cliffs by the chisel of a sculptor at
point which has never been reached
by human hand or foot.
But the oarsmsn, the pedestrian or
the horsemau need not go so far from
Shepherdstown for entertainment, as a
few rods will put him on the beautiful
river road, which affords wild and
romantic drive for miles up and down
stream, or he may stroll along the
banks Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Ca
nal for a mile or two and then drift
down on one of the boats, with can
yon-like walls of colored stone tower
ing above him on the Maryland side,
and surprising vistas at every bend re-
vesling the cleaning river and the
West Virginia landscape on the oppo-
site shore. A trip on one of these
canal boats, with their gypsy-like
crews, in the sparkling sunshine of a
fine sutumnal day, or in the dreamy
radiance of a summer moon, with
lights and shadows vibrating upon the
placid bosom of the river below, is an
experience which produce, phantoms
of beauty in the imagination whose
effects are almost Venetian.
At Shepherd,town, the Potomac,
which makes a number of beautiful
curvatures or several miles above,
finally encounters bold promontory
of meadow and woodland and forms a
perfect horseshoe, which the local his
torian. claim was the scene of the first
experiment made in America with
steam as motive power for navlga-
ton, that found its fruition in Fulton's 8
famous boat.
One Of the most ideal homes of the
neighborhood and the seat Of much
charming hospitality, is Belle Vue, "
which overlooks the Potomac and
commands an enchanting view of the
river and that superb bastion Of tur-
quoise-the Blue Ridge-beyond. The
plan of the house and its appoint
ments the inviting veranda and park
like lawn with its magnificent oaks,
naples and poplars, where dwell
bright t-plumaged songbirds and those
gay gymnast, of the woods, the fox
squirrels the view ever varying and
beautiful, whether at dawn, high noon
or sunset the romantic terrace which
reaches to the rivers edge with its
grotesqus crags of limestone fantas-
tically festooned with wild grape,
Virginia cresper, the sweet old honey
suckle and flower. of every season ;
the fairy-like paths and mimic cas-
cades which rush over moss covered
rocks and find their way to the river
all conspire to suggest that serene
yet cheerful seclu.ion which renders
home-life in the country so rational
and Arcadian.
Belle Vue has been the scene OF
some very delightful social gatherings
and house parties, which have includ-
ed many people Of note.
A few miles beyond Belle Vue is
the splendid villa known {" wild
Goose" the summer retreat of Mr.. R.
D. Shepherd, the actor, and his wife,
that charming thespian and daughter
of General Kirkland of Confederate
fame, who is known to the theatrical
world as "Odetts Tyler" Mr.. Shep.
herd, whose stage name is Mclean, in
herited this estate from bis father
who was man Of public spirit, ele'
CANT taste and wealth. During his
life he had constructed at his own ex'
pense a magnificent boulevard from
Shepherdstown to his home, q distance
of four miles, at a cost Of $37 600
which today is one Of the model high,
way. of West Virginia.
At this point on the Potomac which
has long been rated as one of the best
ba.s-fshing grounds in the two Vir'
ginias, ex-President Cleveland for the
first time cast his line in southern
waters. Local sportsmen, who are
well posted on the haunts and idiosyn'
crasies of black bass, say that for more
than a month during the past summer
the fish gorged themselves with To-
Gusts, which made them very fat
blunted their appetites and conse-
quently made them Indifferent to for
aging. Although in some seasons ii
is necessary to "hunt" them, they
have been known to bite at green
! oorr etr;ps ~ hras fast h.non annie