Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1907-12-31
JACK ASHbY AND HIS GAP


& x,
Among the hundreds OF pleasure
seekers who journey by rail or turn
pike to the delightful mountain re-
sorts in the vicinity Of Bluemont
Loudoun county, Va, situated directly
on the top of the Blue Ridge, there are
many, no doubt, who have had their
attention attracted southwark to the
well-beaten mountain road which leads
from Winchester through Clarke coun
ty across to the quaint little tucked
in village of Paris on the eastern side
and on through the rich, fertile fields
and fox-hunting grounds of Fauquier
and Loudoun counties. Upon reach
ing the summit, one can walk south
about 100 yards and arriving at a
big poplar tree, stand in the corners
Of four counties at the same time
.oudoun, Fauquier, Warren and Clarke
The road or mountain pass referred
TO is known as Ashby's Gap. The
stranger visiting that section and be-
ing told the name it bears, invaria-
bly, concludes that it was named for
Cen. Turner Ashby, the gallant plum
ed knight of the Confederacy,1 whose
brilliant record was--like that Of
'Stonewall" Jaclson-so unfortunate
ly and suddenly cut down during the
first part of the war between the
states.
Such, however, is rot the case, az
Ashby's Gap was a famous mountain
pass long before Gen. Turner Ashby
vas born, and the manner in which
{ so happened to be named is a chap
Ter of the unwritten history of the
'ar-famed and picturesque Valley Of
the Shenandoah (Which the Indians
called THE Daughter Of the Stars
AsIiby the Fearless.
1t was Captain Jack Ashby, some
ears sbefore the Revolutionary war,
lad the entire say in the naming of
Ashby's Gap, and the way in which
Ne did it would thrill the most stren-
lous of mortals. Jack Ashby's home
sas in Stafford, or that part of Prince
William now known as Fauquier coin.
3, Va, and his business was that Of
irving team of horses to large wa
3ons hauling commodities from the u
unity CT Winchester to points across
he ridge.
About the only place where he
yer experienced creeping sepsatior
IL possible danger was upon reach
ng the bent of the Blue Ridge
rear Paris 1t was an exceptionally
recipitous bent as the. teamsters
gere pleased to call it, and wagons
0 descend safely, had TO be locke,
nd then logged by fastening a hewl
rec to the rear OF the vehicle.
But Ashby-daring young and ven
uresome-was not for moment in,
lined to go to such trouble and de-
~, and as he reached the summit on
'ne side he would say, 1T is a sorry
Id team that can't outrun the wag-
m and away he would dash down
he steep gorge with no thought or
,arc for the consequences.
One fine day, however, Jack Ashby
ad wagon load of tobacco, which
lad been packed in two great hogs
reads land in the same ardent an,
,areaeyil fashion started down the hi
ghen suddenly the wagon Gid outrul
he horses, being propelled with sue
force as to hurl the tobacco hogs
leads, horses, wagon, Ashby and tn
sntire outfit through a fence, KILN
one of the animals and leaving Ash
3y 10 extricate himself from tn
wreck the best way he could Ira
iition says he locked like the indian;
who had been in the midst CT tn
Fray" This feat as the natives calle,
t, distinguished Ashby, and the bent
vas never again known. The OH
name gave way to "Ashby's Gap" ane
t SO appears today on all the roa,
maps CT Virginia
After the gap had been so well an
FIRMLY named the Indians soon start
ID to make trouble with the white.
in the vicinity OF Shawnee Spring
nd Fort Loudoun, which are now sit
uated, respectively in the southern
and northern ends of the battIe-scar
red city of Winchester
About that time Ashby became
ranger. shis business being to cur
the Indians by many OF whom he wa
known and secretly fea,
ed. Shortly after the beginning o.
aostilities he was seen saunterina
around the fort, and small party OF
+ dskins came upon his trail. They