Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-09-23
THE ARCADIA VALLEY.

The battIemented heights over
looking beautiful Arcadia Valley,
which, less than half a century
ago, resounded with the cannon
and rifle shots of the fratricidal
contest between the North and the
South, are to become the strong
hold of the prince of peace. In
stead of the roar of warfare, the
music of myriad of voices sing
ing the praises of Him who brings
peace on earth and good will to
men will re-echo through the val
ley and from height to height. Old
Fort Davidson and the opposing
earthworks of Shepherd Mountain,
with the shot-torn wreckage of the
old iron works of Pilot Knob, will
be but a reminder of that which is
past, never, it is hoped, to come
again.
Already three Protestant denom-
nations are implanted in beautl-
full spots which hitherto have been
known religiously to the outside
world only through Arcadia Col
lege, conducted by the Ursuilne
Sisters in the precincts OF the
beautiful valley since 1871
Though Arcadia Valley is known
by name to more than st. Louisans
lit has never been reckoned with al
/ it's true worth. Some few st
Louisans, it is true, have made
their homes there during the heat
ed term, but very few others have
realized the beauties Of the valley
nor it's utilitarian values.
BAPTIsrs LEAD THE WAY.
The first denomination in thu
new movement to irplant long
range batteries for the battle Will
sinful st. Louis in the heate'
term was the Baptists, led by Rev
IDr. w. j. Williamson and others
who chose site on the height
overlooking the northern end 0
the valley and Pilot Knob, Fol
Davidson and Shepherd Mountain
The selection Of fifty acres by tn
officers of the Baptist Young Peo
ple's Union, to which an additio
of three acres was made later, wa
followed by the acquisition by tn
Woman's Missionary Society Q
forty acres. This was late IN tn
past spring, but SO enthusiast
were the officers that by the tim
for the midsummer gathering /
July, an Assembly Hall had bee
: provided capable Of seating
: thousand persons, while other ia
cilities were added which made
: the grounds delightful spot K
: the Assembly. The ground OF tn
:: Baptists is mountain forest thi
has never been inhabited excel
: by the company of Baptists an
their friends who gathered thel
during the weeks of the Assembl!
Around the auditorium tents wei
= grouped, and the minor inconver
fences of camp life seemed but
: give new zest to the meetlnt
e which were held. The possessie
! Of a permanent home for the sun
4. mer work was the keynote OF Il
!, pleasure OF the session. Ia
n white canvas of the more than
hundred tents which were pitche
7. during the Assembly made
! striking picture, which was r
le mindful Of the old-time CAM
I + meeting gatherings, when on
ii tents were to be seen, including
q large one provided for the NEE
b ings. A rustic hotel, adjoinll
e the Baptist grounds, aided in ca
ne ing for the tenters last July, thou
q \, more than one party attend
ID prepared for all the features
y camp life during the session. Pf
st ple from the surrounding count
&C. came in wagons and bringi
camping outfits, and the informi
"a ity of the situation seemed
Or bring the whole Assemblage cloi
,e- together.
During the session Of the Asse
'SI bly, at one Of the meetings,
IT. audience responded to an app
sby AZ for funds with which to compl
ng the preliminary work Of impro'
q q ment with contributions aggreg
sk- ing considerably in excess OF
ae az sum required and by the COM
as season it is expected to have
nj nj grounds sand buildings in ~
/, completed condition.
ION PRESBYTERIAN ENTRY.
uo of Following the entry Of the Ba
K. lists into the valley the Presbytt
A. ans became possessed of a trac
itty acres and elaborate plans
~ under consideration for the
- provement Of the land prelimin
to meetings to be held during
next summer. The trustees he
~ ~ ing the ground for the denomi
II, IN tion are the Rev. j. Layton Ma
IA ~, 6. g. Nichols and Robert I
~ ~ ledge, all of st. Louis, the Il
u - named pastor of Central r
~ byterian Church.
The details Of the plans for
I, provement have not been wor
- out, but they include a large
sembly Hall and other provisl
~ for the needs Of such meetings
n will be held under the auspice
an,. the various church organization
\ The area selected by the T
byterians lies but short distt