Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-09-28
EDITORS AT WEBSTER SPRINGS.

Inc meeting OF tue w es1 VII gina
Editorial Association at Webster
Springs last week was particularly
pleasant and profitable one-indeed,
it is regarded as the most successful
session ever held by this body. The
editor of the REGISTER had the good
fortune to be among those who were
present, Mr.. S. S. Buzzerd, Of the
Morgan Messenger, being the only
other representative from the Eastern
Panhandle.
It's a beautiful and picturesque
ride along the B. & o. Railroad from
this place to Clarksburg, where one
changes from the main line east and
west ard strikes due southwark.
Passing along the Shenandoah Valley,
where now the tent-hke shocks Of corn
remind one of silent encampments,
the train makes its way through the
North Mountains and energies upon
the bank of the Potomac. For eighty
miles it winds along the lovely river,
fastening on through the mountains
that hem it in on every side. At Pied
mont the North Branch of the river
is crossed and we part company with
the stream, to begin the ascent OF the
great Allegheny mountains. A stiff
climb of seventeen miles brings the
train to the top, and then on across
the elevated plateau to Oakland,
where the descent begins. The Cheat
River country is an awe-insplrlng
sight, as the train labors upward along
a shelf on the mountain until it hangs
precariouely over great precipices
hundreds of feet high, with the Cheat
far below rushing through its rocky
gorge. Past Newburg, with its coal
mines and flaming coke ovens blazing
like an inferno, a stop at grlmy Graf
ton, and twenty-five miles of swift
running brings one to Clarksburg.
This is boom town and great devel-
opment has occurred here during the
past ten years. Clarksburg, by the
way, is the birthplace of the great
Stonewall Jackson.
After stay all night at the sump-
tuous Waldo Hotel-Judge Gof's I'M
posing monument-we took the train
on the West Virginia Central and
Pittsburg Railroad, which carried US
to Holly Junction. This is another
interesting ride through the hill coun-
try of Central West Virginia. One
interesting point passed en- route is
Jackson's Mill, where Stonewall jack
son spent his youthful days, and at
Weston the State Insane Asylum, an
excel emily managed institution with
handsome buildings. may be seen from
the train. The distance from Clarks-
burg to Holly Junction is II miles,
mostly along the West Fork river, a
sluggish and uninviting stream, with
hills upon which feed herds of fat
cattle. Near Sutton is the geograph.
ical center of the State.
At Holly Junction the most inter
esting part of the trip begins. Here
you leave the main line of railroad
and change to Col. John T. McGraw's
narrow-guage railroad, officially known
as the Holly River and Addison Rail
road. Standing on miniature track
is toy engine and several toy cars,
They don't look as if they were OF
much use, but the able superintend-
eDt of the road, Mr.. George A. Heck
mer, gives assurance that they will
do the work, ard off we start. 1t is
a beautiful ride along the limpid wa
tiers of the Holly river, a stream that
is simply enticing in its crystal beauty,
while great numbers Of holly trees
give a Christmas flavor to the land
scape. The little engine pufs brave
ly along, past rustic settlements and
busy lumber mills, where great piles
of logs are transformed into merchant
able lum Der.
Presently the railroad turns away
from the Holly and valiantly projects
itself against a mountain that stands
in its way. Grim and vast as the
mountain is, the little engine boldly
advances upon it, clinging to its flank
and putting on and up, crossing deep
gullies upon dizzy trestles and climb
ing ever higher until the passengers
feel chilly sensation as they look up
on the narrow valley far below. Up,
up, up, and finally the miniature
train has actually crossed the very
backbone of the huge mountain. And
what a sublime view spreads out upon
the other side Mountain crowding
upon mountain, peak piled upon peak.
the living green of those nearby con-
trasting in wondrous beauty with the
soft blue of the distant ranges, while
winding through the valley thou
sand feet below shine the clear waters
of the Elk rivera silver thread
through cloth of richest green-Na-
lures most satisfying combination IF
colors.
1t is said that the view from the
top Of this mountain is among the
loveliest in West Virginia, 1t is not
easy to imagine any more beautiful,
and it fingers in the eyes as a de-
lightful dream. Down the noun
tain side skins the train, up the pic
turesque Elk river, and at the end of
a thirty-mile journey is Webster
Springs. For some reason the rail-
road has not pushed its way entirely
into the village, and half mile stage
ride carries one to the Webster Springs
Hotel.
As you enter the struggling town,
which lies in little cove or nook at