Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-10-20
N|DDLEBR0OK'S
old FORT

Churchville, Oct. Ion bright
autumnal afternoon recently, an ex-
cursion party left here to visit the
famous "Old Fort on Middle River.
One of the fast declining landmarks
of the PIONEER ancestry, there is
much of interest about this hoary
old structure. High up in its cas-
ternwall of masonary is an oblong
sandstone from which was decipher-
ed the record of it's age, clearly show
ing it is now entering on the fourth
century of it's existence. The walls
are built of a beautiful blue lime
stone, the workmanship being a mar
vel of neatness in dressing the stone
and joining it.
The entrance by single door, re-
markable for it's hewn timber and
studded nail-work, was most strik-
ing, the hand forged nails serving to
typify the period of its erection. A
huge furnace-like chimney and odd
little windows seq in a sixteen inch
wall strike one as being of great
antiquity. A costly spiral stairway
leads to a roomy apartment above.
On the wall supporting dilapidated
veranda, an extensive register can
be seen, some of the ancient letter.
ing being almost completely obliter-
f- All hi
uncanny about the old place that
awakens memories of tradition con-
corning two hapless victims who at
tempted fight but fell victims to
savage fury not far from this friend
/ ly retreat.
Nearby crystal spring still flows
over it's pebbly channel as it did Gen.
, turtles ago when this republic was
little dreamed of. What interest
ing reading the lost history of this
old fort would make. The towering
cliffs could they but speak or the
: flowing river as it sings on its way
: to the sea could doubtless unfold
many interesting tales, but only the
names that were inscribed, by fing-
ers that have long since crumbled
into dust, remain. All is therefore
conjecture as to the scenes and hap
penings that occurred in the years
; that have drifted past its storm beat
en- form. 1t is fast falling prey to
the ravages of time and will soon fall
! to ruin.
! Mrs. Temple is visiting relatives at
{ the Glade.
| Postmaster Chas. Wilson lost a
fine SOW recently from apple found
er.
Mr.. and Mrs. John T. Bear have
returned from holiday excursion
to Highland.
Last Saturday Chestnut ,Ochard was
paid visit by party of young peo-
pie consisting of Misses Metallic Dud-
ley, Virginia Dudley, Nora Hamil-
ton, Virginia East, Margaret Bear
Lila Bear and Messrs. Dick Slower
Robert Bear, Harry Ashby, Walker
Dudley, Albert Bear and several
others whose names were not ascer-
tanned.
Mr.. McNeal is conducting services
nightly at the Methodist church.
Captain Joe Wilson, who has beer
confined to his home with rheumat-
ism, is somewhat improved.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Sellars, form
erly of this county, but now living in
Albemarle, are here with their chill
dren for a visit to relatives.
Mrs. Simmons, of Edinburg, is
visiting friends here.
Miss May Bear has gone to Staun.
to spend a few days with her aunt
Mrs. Smucher.
! Will T. Bear is attending the State
Fair at Richmond.
Mr.. and Mrs. Steele are in Rich
mond to attend the fair.
When man repeats the smat say
ings of his children he naturally ex-
poets you to understand that he is
responsibility Chicago News.
A man likes to feel blue over
stock-market crashes, especially if he
| isn't in them