Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-12-31

TT is now more than ffty-two
L years since l first set foot in
Arcadia Valley. Boy as l then
was, its quiet beauty impressed
me, and each succeeding year has
enhanced the feeling of love and
admiration so long ago born to
my consciousness. AS of yes
terday is the recollection of my
first view of College street, Area
dia, as I gained the summit of the
elevation now called Fort Hill. At
that time the road between Shep-
herd Valley (later, Ironton) and
Arcadia ran where now lies the
thoroughfare leading to Frederick
town, until it crossed Stout's creek.
Then it bore to the south, over
Fort Hill, into the village, which,
that bright September morning,
lay in the tempered sun quiet and
peaceful, nestled beneath the sur
rounding mountains - seemingly
secure from the strife and hurry of
the outer world. The grounds of
the old Seminary then, as now,
terminated the street to the south,
and at one sweep the eye took in
the whole of the view. I do not
pretend to describe it, but if the
mind were reproductive camera
what pleasing picture might be
given! The wood-framed, wide
winged Seminary building has
been replaced with the massive and
elegant brick structures of the Ar
cadia College and Chapel; the viii
lage has grown into town; the
roar of trains and the screaming
signals of the iron horse, "bound
down with hoops of STEEL" awaken
the erstwhile silent echoes; but the
old air of restfulness has not de-
parted from all the Valley, nor are
it's native charms eyanished.
Its mountain landscape painted by the sun
When in the spring with verdure clad,
/ nr lao he itc IC N
Is bright with life or sweetly sad.
And clothed in winters garb of spotless snow
It's trees bowed down beneath the white
The star-lit clouds have softly sifted down,
Down through the sombre veil of night;
Through all, the scene is fair to look upon,
Exalts the soul of him who views
Its changing beauties as they come and go
With nobler thought his mind imbuesl
For tits an opened page in NATURES book,
Fair writ in Gods own loving hand
In lines of light, and dull indeed were he
Who could not read and understand!
This may be rhapsody, but it il
truth nevertheless, and for many
years | have held abiding faitE
that ultimately Arcadia Valley
must become summer resort fol
city people seeking rational enjoy
ment and recreation rather thar
the show and turmoil Of the 'fash'
ionable" watering-p place; of mer
and women with minds to under
stand and hearts to desire the bet.
ter part. That faith is being just
flied, as the number of elegant ant
costly summer homes established
here during the later years demon
strates. Among these is that of Mr.
r. D. Lewis, designated "Mountair
View" completed last spring. HI
is a prominent factor in the Amor.
ican Tobacco Company, having
charge Of the st. Louis plant O
that corporation, and is we'll pro-
vided with this worlds goods
During this first years occupancy
of his new possession, it has, with
each succeeding day, grown in the
the affections Of himself and al
the household.
1t was in 1905 that Mr.. Lewis
purchased the property known as
the Langdon Farm, situated about
one mile southeast Of Ironton. He
Immediately set about making Of il
a retreat from the cares and worries
of business when the torrid season
heats the city's brick and iron and
mortar to the verge of endurance
The tract contains 100 acres Of field
land woodland, and is amply sup :