Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-04-03
THE WILLOW SPOUT.
Some Traditions and Scenes Connected
with this Famous Place.

some IfauItlOnS anu SCtucS Uohhoot0"
With this Famous Place.
Perhaps there is no more noted place
in the Valley of Virginia than the one
bearing the above name. To give the
exact date and origin of the 'Willow
Spout" is the object Of this article.
But as the surroundings are preceded
by history that reaches far back into
colonial days, 1 will refer to those
worthy pioneers Of that vicinity.
If traditional history is correct, this
land was first owned by Peter Link.
who resided where James Crawford
now resides. west of the Old Stone
Church, be died and was buried there.
One of his daughters married a Mr..
Grisom, who succeeded in ownership,
and who is also buried in the old fami-
" grave yard. Another daughter OF
Mr.. Link married Peter Hanger. who
located at what is known as he"WiliOw
Spout" and there built and establish
ed what for years pa st has been known
as Hangers Tavern: Tor the s miles
house) called so because it is miles
from Staunton. There is history con-
nected with this place which perhaps
has been crowded out by passing
events or forgotten in the lapse of time.
In those days merchandise was hauled
from Baltimore to Knoxville, Tenn, on
wagons drawn by four or six horses.
and Hangers Tavern was one of the
camping places for what was known in
those days as the knox teams. 1t was
no unusual thing to see from four to
six or more teams camped on what was
called Hangers wagon stand at one
time, and the finest teams that went
over any road, the horses in weight
SURPRISING any in Virginia.
In former days the fount ain that has
for years Quenched the thirst of the
weary traveller and his horse was used
to run a distillery, the house the dis
tilling was done ina small brick
structure-is still standing, and is oc-
cupied at this time as dwelling by
A. T. Groom, the toll collector for the
Valley Turnpike Co.
In addition to this being great
camping place for wagons, and repose
for travellers generally, it was here
that the seth Va. regiment rendezvous
ed once year lin May) for the regi-
mental muster. This was a gala day
for boys, a holiday for negro slaves,
and feast for politicians. I remem-
ber we'll being there at the regimental
muster in May, 1S40, when politics
was at a higher tide than the history OF
the country has ever known it, before
or since. After the regiment had re-
turned from the feld-Augusta's ia
vorite son, the Demosthenes of Vir
ginia, Hon. A. n. H. Stuart, then iI
his palmy day, appeared on the north
east corner of the yard in defence O.
the principles of the great Wing party
of which William Henry Harrison, O.
Ohio. was the standard bearer. Al
he continued to pour bot shot into tn,
Democratic administration, and Mar
tin Van Buren it's head, that old hero
of Democracy, Col. George Baylor
could stand it no longer, SO he went t.
the southwest corner of the yard an(
defended the sinking ship of Val
Burenism with marked ability. Bot
speaking at the same time.
These were some of the scenes Q
Hangers Tavern in days gone by. Blu
the scene has charged since then. Th
old Hanger Tavern was large, con
modious house, with many chimneys
and long porch extending the entir
length of the building, surrounded b
shade trees which rendered it quite
pheasant place.
In after years it became the prope
lty of the late Col. Samuel Harnesbe
ger, and the hotel was continued to t
kept by him. l called on the colonel G
business one day in Augusta, 1S49,
have not the exact day, but have dat
showing the month and year to ce
tainty. After sitting on the porch fl
a while after dinner he told me that b
was going to plant willow post in ii
ground at the road sic Ge through whit
he proposed to carry the water whic
was piped to that place from sprir
some distance in the rear of the hous
into a trough, for the convenience
the travelling public. as we'll as himsel
and perhaps it would grow, he rath
thought that it would. The post w
a log cut from weeping willo'
about Is inches in diameter and bor
through the center, through which Il
water was conveyed by a spout in
the trough. The parties who were
! 1.-THE ground and helped to erect t
post were Col. Harnesberger, the Ia
4 Cyrus McCue, John Gregory, mys
and two negro men, Boley and il
slaves of Col. Harnesberger. I am t
only living person of the party. 7
J only one left to tell the story.
u The post, though cut off square
the ends, without roots, did put for
branches and in a few years grew
be beautiful weeping willow tree.
SIwas the admiration of the weary tray
er, and the thirsty soldier during
late war, some of whom l have met
other localities, who took delight
senquiring r about the spring rum
4 out of tree.
III Alas time defaces all things.
historic old tavern has for many We
been burned to the ground. the
planted fifty four years ago that g
name to the place, decayed and yiel
4 to the storm Another has been pl
ed and is growing in its stead Ms
livery many of the weary sojourl
land soldiers that rested under
lshade of the Willow. and quenc