The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1908-07-02
OF
WHITE SULPHUR; :.
HISTORIC. SKETCH

Diltr w Rlte sulphur springs, w. Va,
familiary called the "Oid White"
writes correspondent.
| Beautiful in her age as some ma
jestic matron Of Virginia, who car
ries her years lightly, from 1908 to
1908 she has reigned the queen of
J American Watering places. Presi-
! dents of the United States, orators
and soldiers, poets and wits, famous
| divines and learned doctors, beauties
and beaux, the best representatives
Of social, intellectual, professional
and diplomatic circles Of Europe and
America have paid homage at her
| shrine, and still she Yields her scep-
ter royalty
AS the colonies advanced in 1900
| the Indians were driven farther and
farther up the James and back into
the wilderness, until at last they
found rest here. and built their wig.
| vans. They heated stones and
bathed in the stream Of the sulphur
water for rheumatism. Indian ro-
nance has been woven about the ori-
| gin Of the old fountain. The legend
| was handed down and is gracefully
told by Mrs. Roger Pryor, whose
husband is a distinguished and di-
| rect descendant of Pocahontas, and
both have been annuaLguests at the
/ old White", for three-score years.
One eventful day while a brown
faced lad and Indian lassie were
| marrymaking on the green stern
old chieftam keeping watch from a
distant park, as a reproCf for idle
| ness, shot two arrows: one pierced
the heart of the youth, the other
missing aim lodged in the bosom OF
the earth, and when drawn forth the
sulphur spring was discovered.
It is the influence Of the lonely
maiden that brings us back year af-
ter year to drink Of these charmed
waters, for, as the story goes her
sip the last drop in the we'll At tn,
hour Of midnight the. winsome spirit
fits about and her footprints arc
traced by tiny white blossoms tina.
spring up in her pathway
In 1908 Mr.. james Caldwell first
established hotel at White Sui
nhur, and he caused to be erected
4 long two-story building with a YER
Inda eXtcE ding the entire length and
ANA in close proximity to the spring
This building is now occupied by the
postofice, express Office, jeWGlry, mil
iinery and Gressmaking shops, the
General store and tailor shop. IA
old landmark, the first dining hall,
which was also used as a ballroom,
has been removed.
In a secluded spot near the en-
france Of the park Mr.. Caldwell built
MS family cottage. The tcrraced
gardens surrounding this villa still
evidence the skill of the landscape
artist, and the timcworn summer
houses invite strolling lovers TO pause
beneath their wild clinSinS vines
The name GrccnbrieT White Sill
phur originated from all evergreen
vim" that grows in abundance about
the banks Of Greenbricr river, for
which the picturesque stream, the
mountains and county Of Greenbri2r
arc called.
Representative people Of wealth
and influence, attracted by the favor
able surroundings and hcalth-giviug
waters, came here from all Of the
Southern States and built the pic
turcSquc villas still scattered about
: the grounds. Accompanied by their
{ families they returned summer after
summer, with coach and four, with
| livcried attendant and rigorous ETH
quette. Each group Of cottages has
it's own name. Virginia, South Caro-
| lima, Georgia, Florida, Baltimore
;-..r
| The three-story Colonial cottages
| owned by Generals Wade Hampton
ManECring and Singleton, were built
| upon the most commanding height
and afterw lrd occupied as the hotel.
| Caldwell sold his Interests. to q
company, which later bought tho
| cottages and in 1858 erected the
Grand Genital Building. The Prince
Of Wales, now King of England, was
the guest Of honor at White Sulphur
in the season Of 1859.
The glories Of "Grcenbricr" were
dimmed for a time by the ravages
Of the war between the states, and
the brave sons Of the South used
this place for hospital headquarters
| The "White'' was favorite resort
| OF Gen. Robert r.. Ice, and his
| friends love to recall his last visi'
and affcctionate farewell, az he
! mounted his faithful war horse Old
! Traveller
There was hardly a noted man CT
! woman Of the country whose name
is not inscribed on the ancient regis
tcrs. The very atmosphere OF tho
, III 60 n OF xt.bi 4
ball room, the long galleries, the
| green lawn arc rsdolcnt Of memories
Of lovely women and chivalrous men
whose presence once cast glamour
over the place. At White Sulphur
one may meet personally the de-
sccndants Of these people in whom
their gracious manner and forccful
personalities are delightfully."- perpet-
| uatCd.
Tho old nF he T;Y,o