Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-09-10
LETTER FROM ELKTON.


Elkton, Va, Sept. 9.--The proper
order for arranging vacation has been
followed by your correspondent in pass
ing from Atlantic City by the broad
ocean to this comfortable and beautifully
situated hotel in the far famed Valley OF
Virginia, with the noble ramparts OF
Massanutton to the west and the mystic
line of the Blue Ridge rising along the
east, and shutting us in from the ola
tide water section of the State. Before
taking up our abode here we spent few
days in the vicinity OF White Post st
"Benvenue" the hospitable home OF
Captain David Meade, situated in one of
the fairest and most fertile parts OF the
Valley. While there we had the pleas
ule of some delightful drives with the
captain through that beautiful and inter
esting country. We saw once more
Mountain View" sacred place to all
those who owe allegiance to the Episco-
pal Church, as the home of its great
bishop, the Right Rev. William Meade,
who was the restorer of the fortunes OF
that church after the revolution in the
diocese of Virginia, the defender OF Its
parity. and the founder of the Theologl-
cal Seminary in Virginia. With words
very similar to those the record OF his
noble life is summed up on his tomb
in the quiet cemetery looking towards
the east on the brow of Seminary Hill.
AS we drove along, the Sunday morning
of our stay, on our way to church, the
captain showed us the corner Of "Moun-
tain View" where once stood gate
through which the bishop so often en-
tered upon the public road on his way
to the same sacred place, Christ
Church, Millwood, whittier we were
now going, of which the bishop was
so long the venerated rector and
and pastor. We also passed "ROsDey"
the birthplace of the late DR.. Kinloch
Nelson, formerly an hOnored professor
of the Theological Seminary, we have
lust mentioned, near your city. Time
does not permit us to tell of the numer-
Gus beautiful and well-kept estates
around Millwood. We must, however,
mention Saratoga" the historic home OF
General Morgan, said to have been
built by Hessian soldiers under the gen.
erals direction. Passing from Saratoga
on one of our trips we took
most charming park-like drive, forming
a private road, shortening, however, the
distance between Millwood and Benvenue
and went by the home of Captain VIII
liam Carter, the gallant soldier during
the slorming days of civil strife and now
the poet of the valley, whose "Echoes OF
the Glen," lately published (many OF
them already known and esteemed
in yerse), will swell the tide OF
romance and song that stirs the heart OF
all who behold this land Of beauty, aud
listen to its tales of love and chivalry.
But at the home of the poet-sOldier we
could not linger, so we sped on behind
our trusty steed to the "POst'' and
"Benvenue." Another old home,
"Lucky Hit" adjoining "Benvenue, "
must be noted in our letter. This was
built by Col. Richard Kidder Meade,
one of Washington's aides and an init
mate and trusted friend of the great
leader. Like Saratoga" its massive
unadorned walls of stone reflect the solic
character and simple life Of its honorec
builder. Almost everyone knows tina
the village of White Post received
its named from the White Pos
which pointed the way to "Green
way Court the seat of that ro
manic figure and extensive landed pro
prietor, Thomas Lord Fairfax whose
remains now rest beneath the Episcopa
Church which he endowed in Winches
ter. The "White POST is carefully
preserved by the inhabitants and is al
object of interest to all visitors. While
at the Post we had the pleasure of meet
ing again, among others, DR.. Thomas
NJ. Lewis, Capt. David Meade, jr., o
the Sixth Clark Cavalry, and the vener
able Mr.. William Kennerley, with
number of visitors from King Georg
who seemed to enjoy the change fror
tide-water to the mountains.
Ekton is good-sized village on III
Norfolk and Western Railroad a
, hours di ,tance from Luray, on tn
, north, and Basic City, on the south
j and is the present terminus OF tn
: Chesapeake aud Western Railroad, COZ
: Meeting it with Harrisonburg and point
= beyond. There is fully equlppe
e modern tannery, stave factory an
II some other manufacturing establish
= ments here. We noticed the statemer
in the Gazette the other day, that aboI
half the supply of manganese now use
came from Virginia. So with that ado
ed interest in company with two frienC
we took a walk to the manglne
mines and washeries situated on Hance
Mountain near the town. The shat
" are of considerable depth and the trucl
used for bringing the ore to the surfa
n are worked by both mules and a stea
engine. A short narrow gauge track +
other trucks, pulled by mules, conve;
'r the ere from the upper washery to Il
at lower one near the Norfolk and Weste
road whence it is shipped chiefly,
Piltsburp. so we we're told. The vail
here is wide aud open and the ho'
stands on a bluff above the river aoo
- five minutes walk from the railroa
ed The situation affords an ample ProsPt p
- and beautiful views on all SIDES.
ac rooms ot The hotel are large and al
the sanitation good with all modern &C