The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-04
WEST VIRGINIA s
SCENERY
LURES
Phil conIey Describes Trip
Through Beautiful Valleys Sur
rounded by Mountains.
By PHIL M. CONLEY.


have been impressed with the
feeling that the last place I visit
Is the most beautiful 1 have ever
seen. When one visits Colorado
there are few places he wants to
see on account of the magnificent
scenery. But when he travels over
West Virginia, as 1 have been do
Ing the past few months, he Is un-
able to determine Just what section
OF the State is most wonderful in
grandeur and scenic beauty.
1t Is impossible for me to ade-
quately describe the sublime views
| witnessed on q recent auto trip
over a large part of jackson county.
When one climbs to the top Of one
of the ridges and stops, as he Is
compelled to do on account Of the
magnificent view, he Is speechless
with wonder and awe at the pano-
rama that stretches out before him'
for many miles.
Mountain Peaks I'm Sight.
The blue haze that envelopes the
distant mountain peaks blends har-
moniously with the green grass
that intervenes, covering like a vel
vet carpet the wide plains and
rolling hills. Like indicator pins
on great map, here and there
can be seen attractive country
homes with flowers of different hue,
added to which are trellises and
fences on which cling rose bushes
with variegated blossoms that give
color and odor to the indescribable
scene.
Nearby are barns that seem to be
four or five times as large as the
farm houses, and attached to these
are large silos, where feed is stored
for the cattle that Craze con-
tentedly on the green fields. These
are indications OF the prosperity of
the folk that live in jackson coun-
ty, a section OF the State that is
primarily devoted to grazing.
The beauty, the grandeur, the
magnificence Of the ever changing
scenes as one drives mile after mile
along the ridges and through The
valleys is impressive ami awe i7-
spring. Here he comes to forest
through which the road winds, with
the view hidden by the densse under.
growth. Under the shade Of the
trees he sees thoroughbred Here
ford cattle, With sleek sides and
perfect proportions, enjoying the
cool breezes in a lazy, contented
manner.
Known as Mining State.
Most Of the citizens Of West Vir-
ginia, as well as practically all
people in other States, think about
this as q great coal mining State.
But when one travels in Jackson
county he wonders where such an
impression could have been created.
No tipples for the dumping Of coal,
no railroads carrying coal cars, no
mining towns are to be found here.
Many of the people here do not
know what a mining town looks
like. Apparently they are as far re-
moved from the mining industrySas
II they lived thousands Of miles
away.
The part Of the country over
which I drove reminds one Of the
beautiful rural sections of England
that poets have made famous. The
scenery is equal to that to be found
anywhere in the world. And one
is compelled to reflect upon the
reason why people spend vast
sums Of money and take the time
to travel through Europe when just
as magnificent scenery and just as
beautiful mountains and valleys
as can be found in the world are
right at our back doors.
When the good roads are COM
pleted through Jackson county in
two directions, because the road
commission has laid out routes two
and five to cross the county, tour
lists from every section Of the coun-
try will traverse this land of beauty.
Then Jackson county will be known
to the world as a spot of rare
beauty that is hard to excel. Using
Biblical expression the county
may thus be described: "a good
land, land Of brooks Of water, Of
fountains and depths that spring
out OF valleys and hills; a land of
wheat, and barley, and vines and
fig trees, and pomegranates; a land
OF olive Oil and honey; a lard
wherein thou shall eat bread with.
out scarceness. thou shall not lack
anything in it,"
Named for Andrew Jackson.
jackson county was formed from
parts Of Kanawha, Mason and
Wooo counties by an act of the
general assembly Of Virginia in 1881.
IT was named for Gen. Andrew
jackson. who was at that time Pres.
tueht OF the United States. Since
the formation of the county It has
grown until today it has a, popula-
ton Of 1858.
Inc county Is strictly a rural
srdHlng section. There Is not an
lhu or note to be found. Sew
eIal OF the prominent citizens with
Whom talked expressed a desire
mat some industries come to the
county They felt that industries
| would add to the wealth and pros.
perlty Of their people.
Put L round that the people at the
present time live contentedly on
| thelr magnificent farms, breathe the
pure air, enjoy the wonderful sun
shlhe' and are part of the substan-
tIal citizens Of which this country
Is justly proud. They are depend.
aole' They live close to nature
ana learn lessons from the great
OUTDOORS that are not to be learned
| Dy people living in close quarters
IN our cities.
Ripley Is County Seat.
me county seat of jackson is
| Ripley, a small town of about
ooo population, situated near the
| center or the county. 1t makes no
pretense at being a city. But the
| town has many conveniences not
| orten found in towns it's size, such
as electric lights, a water system,
gas telephone exchange, paved
streets and sidewalks. 1t has a