The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-26
STAUNTOh COUNTRY
CLUB HOUSE WARMING
..Gaymone" Acquired BY Business
League, WIN BE Scene OF Display
Of City's Hospitality.
WILL BEAUTTFY FAMOUS HOME
Ii Was Here That Mrs. T.. ID. N.
Southworth Wrote Her Famous
Novel. The Hidden Hand" While
q Guest

I N1RSNstAa W hC tNASIkttOtlu NlEglnIan.J
| Staunton, Va, June 25.-"Gay-
mont" the Staunton Country Club,
was opened this afternoon and even
Ing. and the occasion proved to be
one of the most pleasant in Staun-
tons social history. Approximately
500 members of the club were present
/ during the afternoon and evening
and several hundred visitors from
the city and nearby communities.
AT o'clock In the afternoon the
club property was thrown open for
xhe first time, when a housewarming
and reception were held. Music was
furnished by the Beverley Orchestra.
and at o'clock the opening dance
OF the club was started. In the early
afternoon the visitors arrived and
from few minutes after o'clock
until late in the evening the members
and their visitors made merry.
The opening dance proved most
pleasant and the occasion was made
most enjoyable by the presence of
many out-of-town guests, among the
list being score or more of the
cadets from the Virginia Military In
stitute
The officers and their wives and the
board of governors of the club and
their wives formed the reception COM
mittee and the large crowd present
was enthusiastic in it's praise of the
arrangement of the club buildings nd
the beautiful grounds of "Gaymont."
Several Years OF Effort.
The opening of "Gaymont" as a
country club for Staunton marks the
elimination of several years of eff
fort on the part OF local business
people. The plan was never success
fully worked out until the local Bush
ness League took up the matter Of
forming the organization and selecting
and acquiring the site some two
months ago. Now that the property
has been acquired and 'Gaymont''
In the stanton Country Club. the city
is making extensive plans for the en-
tertainment of It's guests In the furture
at the beautiful club property.
The opening of the club property
this evening proved the triumphant
close to an effort which succeeded
only after many efforts and persistent
work
"Gaymont." the site chosen bv the
Business League for the club is one
of the most historic and beautiful
points in the entire Valley of Virginia
The old brick dwelling standing on
the crest of the hill surrounded by
many beautiful trees. and overlook
ing meadows carpeted with a beau
LiA0i Sou Va native Htut EIdSS tHfGhEI
which three deep, clear brooks flow,
is an ideal site for city's playground
The atmosphere of the entire place
breathes of romance and antiquity.
The history Of this part of the Shen-
andoah Valley is closely interviewer
into the records and associations OF
this old colonial dwelling. Looking
over the rich lands of .'Gaymont"
from their eminence off to the east
towers of the twin mountains. Betsy
Bell and Mary Gray It Is recorded
tht these names were given the noun
ts,siE by two young Scotchmen, who
settled In the valley many years ago:
each carried in his heart the in. aye
of a fair Scotch lassie left behind and
each gave 10 mountain the name
of his far-distant sweetheart. Whether
the owners of the names followed
their lovers to the new country Is
not recorded.
The first annals OF "Gaymont are
found In the court records Of 1908.
In this year John Mcdowell, promi-
|nent lawyer and recorder of the
court of that day, become possessed
of this property MIR. Mcdowell wae|
evidently man of wealth and re-
fined taste and he Immediately began
the erection of a large and hand
some residence on his property. In
those days. when the valley was pop
ulated mainly with simple religious
|Scotchmen, who were rather shocked
al the extravaEance manifested IN
Mr.. Mcdowell, especially in sending to
England to get marble for his mantle
pieces. and they prophesied tha. he
would soon be bankrupt. Their
prophecy. however. proved false. Mr..
Mcdowell was several years i'm build
ing his dwelling: the war OF 1872
coming along to Interfere with his
plans and to stop work on the house
for some time.
Finally, after finishing the hom e.
end also adding many more acres 70
the original estate. Mr. Mcdowell
Isoid the property to A. e. Henebar-
ger In 1881. Mr., Heneharger
further added TO the acreage and
then sold the entire to William W.
Boyd as trustee for Margaret 8. Cav
and her children. This transfer was
recorded In 1858. The real owner
was Charles Cav. well known ana
wealthy citizen of Richmond
Mr.. Gay gave to the estate the
name II has since horn. "Gaymont."
Seat Of Hospitality
"Gaymont" has long been famed for
its hospitality. and during the latter
:.