The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-05

Not long since ] visited Springdale,
on the east side OF the Valley Pike,
near Bartonville. between Stephens
City and Kernstown, the historic home
of the Hites, Bartons and Hucks-the
white mans first home in our beauti-
full Valley, now the home OF the Huck
children and their mother Mrs. b. /.
Arbuckle and her present husband,
gentleman of Scotch descent
To this family am indebted for
much valuable information, us also to
Mr.. Joseph Barton, OF the same neigh
borhood. kinsman to the owners OF
Sprlngdale, of that name.
The maiden name Of Mrs. Arbuckle
was Vanineter. She is direct descend
ant of John Vanmeter, Ito whom the
grant of the land was made, and who
was much struck with the country on
the "Wappatomaka" along the South
Branch) but did not inherit her home
from him. Her great grandfather,
Isaac Nanmeter, came to Virginia in
the year 1886 and made improvements
in the old Fields" farm. where Fort
Pleasant" was afterward located. OF
the same stock are the marked Van
meters, now living in the unique
Mooretield Valley. very similar In its
open door and friendly life to that OF
the old Virginia life. 1t was John
Vanmeter who obtained grant of 49,
600 acres of land from the Governor
of Virginia. An historian remarks,
The Vanmeters are of old stock. their
ancestors having come to Virginia at
an early day"
The descendants of John Vanmetcr.
says Norris. ARE among the most re-
spected families of Virginia. There
was at first some difficulty as to the
boundary of this and that of the grant
of Lord Fairfax.
,t, ct rnI hI.
James vanmeter brother to John. who
came with Indians on the warpath
against Indians to spy out the land.
1t was a daring and in notable sense
successful adventure, and though the
party was driven back. Vanmeter's
wise business sense told him that here
was an Eden for prosperous homes
superior to anything that he had ever
known: so that on his return. ne adj
vised the securing of It. which adj
vice his brother. John Vanmeter, took.
as he got the grant first.
Thus was laid the foundation for n
settlement and development, which
going on and on, Is destined to exert
n marked influence for good upon the
civilizations of the world
Finest Body of Land.
It was John, as mentioned above.
who after noting the land, being es-
of the piece above. the trough
(thoush limited in extenD .as the
finest body of land he had ever seen
in all his travels" advised his sons IL
ever they emigrated to Virginia by all
means to get part of 1t. One of his
sons came to Virginia, put up im-
proyements, and his children are there
now. as above stated.
John Vanmeter sold to Yost (Joist)
Hite. who built the first white mans
home in the famed Valley of Virginia.
The house was built about 1880. and
is composed of rough stones and bould-
ers, as nature had carved them.
It's ruins are full of interest.
To prevent in case of attack by the
Indians the cutting off of Its water
supply (Which history tells has been
resorted to with such fatal efect).
the house was built over tho spring.
which found to be in the southwest
corner. An old dairy just outside
testifes to It's further usefulness.
The building was, when erected. the
only substantial one. the others being
log cabins. built subsequently,. and was
prepared as fort: to which In time
of danger other Inhabitants might have
repairs l found In the lower story
portfolios. On the north side of the
second story. whether because it was
the north side, or the sitting room. or
perhaps because 1t was the Kitchen.
there was huge old fashioned fire
place. With some UNCERTAINTY at first,
from Its dilapidated condition. 1 APP
preached 1t and climbed in to see its
proportions, and walked within from
end to end, and can truly say I know
of mo such anywhere else.
Colonel Hite's House.
The substantial building now stand
ing near the ruins of the old one Just
described was built by Col. John Hite
in 1853, and was considered by far the
finest dwelling house west of the Blue
Ridge. 1t is of stcne, with more OF
mans work. So eager WAS ! to see
the date OF It's building for myself, that