The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-24
YEAR OLD LETTER
TELLS OF FAMOUS SPRINGS
John Van Lew Describes Mountain Four Miles High
The Hot and White Sulphur Great in Those
Days-SaW Many Wild Animals

Virginia's Warm and Hot Springs
were famous resorts when watering
places that have since become popu-
years ago yesterday John Van Lew.
father of the famous Elizabeth c. Van
Lew, of war history, wrote from Rich
mond TO his mother and sister about
the Virginia springs he had encoun-
tered on his way, quantity describing
them as highly beneficial to "billious
habits and debility
The writer OF the letter came to
Richmond from New York and opened
the first hardware store in this city
on the site now occupied by the es-
tabhshment at 1867 East Main street
He married daughter of Hilary Baker
of Philadelphia. He died in the for
ties after amassinG a large fortune
Mr.. Van Lew built the historic home
at Twenty-third Street which bore
his name. In those days 1t was one
of the most imposing mansions or the
city, and tie centre of many brilliant
entertainments. He had three chill
dren. Mrs. Knapp, of Philadelphia, a
son, and the noted Miss Elizabeth I.
master of Richmond, and who lived in
the large Grace Street house until her
death. The only descendant of Mr..
Van Lew IS granddaughter, Mrs NJ
ri. Omohundro, Of 1908 Floyd Avenue,
this city.
Mr.. Van LEWIS Letter follows:
Richmond, August %, 1913.
My Dear Mother and Sister:
have again safely returned to
(irN md
journey. and am happy to inform YOU
that my health is much benefited l
have been the Lord only knows where.
1t is impossible for me to give you n
description of my travels. for ! actually
could fill one quire of paper. | have
Travelled over nm immense number of
mountains. one of which was four
miles high When was one and a
half miles from the top 1 passed
through the clouds. We had TO pro-
cure guide to conduct us to the top;
otherwise we never would have found
the way, for there is but one narrow
path that leads to the top. The noun
tains are inhabited by bears panthers
wolves. deers and rattlesnal<es, all in
the greatest abundance have fol
curiosity brought home some rattles
which l should like to send you.
The people live in log houses, but ap-
pear to have plenty Of everythinC
| NOW, iol me give you some description
of the springs The White Sulphu,
Spring is so strongly impregnatet
with sulphur that when you get ISL
yards from it you smell the sulphu,
very plain, indeed. The water tasto:
so much of it that l could not drinl
much of 1t. You well know what 8
dreadful aversion i always had TO any
thing like birthstone. The Swee
Springs 1 was more pleased with, which
is this side of the Allegheny Noun
tain; the water is not cool. but taste
very much like soda water, which
suppose you have frequently tasted
These two springs are beneficial t,
bilious habits and debility.
At the Hot Springs the water come
out Of the earth hot. the same as /
IT had been boiled in pot. and a
the Warm Springs in the same man
ner. but not so hot: the water lis abou
blood heat. They have a large bat
there. which I consider the creates
luxury on earth.
Your next letter you will please di
rect to Lynchburg. as ! shall in tn
course Of ten days be settled there. |
Ia only 100 or 130 miles from here
am sending up large stock OF good
and am to take charge Of store Their,