The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-03-25
The Lexington Dispatch.
Wednesday, March 25,, 1908.
A Letter from Virginia.


Before leaving home I promised to
write to several friends of the church
es I served ss pastor in South Caro-
lima. In view of my present duties,
I ask how can I? If you are so kind
please publish my letter in your pa
per go that all can see it.
Some three weeks ago We left South
Carolina to make our home in Virginia.
In 1851 many brave South Carroll
mans came this way to meet the ene-
mics of the South, We came to meet
the enemy of the whole world. Like
the boys of 81 who came to, Virgil
MIA with hearts full of love for South
Carolina, yet anxious to reach the
front, 30 did We. We came faster,
perhaps, than they; but We came too
slowly. Our train was three hours
late when we reached Charlottesville,
Va, near where Thomas Jefferson
lived, died and was buried. We
travelled from early morning till s p.
IA. before reaching the above men,
toned place. The night and next
morning were spent there.
Charlottesville is place of 10000
inhabitants. It is hilly and muddy
place. There are beautiful mount
aims in sight. Barrooms! barrooms!
They are in sight, too! They made
me think of South Carolina before
The days of the Dispensary. OF
course the sale of whisky is bad
enough under any system, but I
should rather have the Dispensary
system than so many saloons. There
is some talk of adopting the Dis
pensary system in Virginia. It
would be an improvement on the
open barrooms. I have some good
friends in South Carolina who do not
agree with me in this matter.
At two o'clock the next morning,
February 9th, after reaching Char
lostsville-home of the Virginia Uni-
versity-we left over the G. and
O. r. r. for Waynesboro, Va, our
new home. 1t is only twenty seven
miles away, but it takes an hour to
make the distance, The direction is
north west and across the Blue Ridge
mountains. Had it been summer
the scenery would have been grander.
Even as it was with no green leaves
or grass, except pine needles, it was
greatly enjoyed. 1t had rained hard
all the early morning, and so the
mountain streams were ove1doWing.
Down the steep mountain sides,
dashing over great boulders, down,
down, down; foaming, twisting, curl
ing. Sometimes We were hundred
feet above them, and again, with
other streams, about on the same
level. Before one was out of sight
there was another on which to feast
the eyes. Like the Israelites with
mountains to their right and left and
Pharoah's army behind, went forward
into the Red sea; so we, not knowing
what else to do, with mountains all
around US, and great one in front,
plunged into this mountain and went
through it by means of long tun-
mel. When We came out into day
light again We could feel the train
going down, down, down. What q
magnificent valley below us! What
beautifully painted houses with green
lawns around them like pictures
with wide green frames If there be
any such. se -
The towns We see mile or so be-
low Us as We roll down the side Of
the mountain, is Basic City and
Wsycesboro. They are twin towns
with only q beautiful mountain river
between them. They say lots of fish
swim in yonder stream. Patient
fishermen are taking captive plenty
suckers these days.
As We look back, but not with the
~