The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-09-22
Seneca Trail Goes Through Section
Rich In History of West Virginia

which before long will be known as
one of the greatest scenic highways
the world. Millions of people in the
eastern half of the United States ere
within easy reach of this road and
those who know of the beauty spots
hidden away until this trail is COM
pleted are anxiously awaiting the time
when motor cars can follow the foot
prints of the Indians along the route.
The Seneca Trail closely follows the
old Indian Trail, called the Warriors
road, which topped the mountains of
western Virginia and which formed
highway for the Indians from New
York to Georgia. So we'll worn was
this trail that even today at points
where no sled or wheeled vehicle has
ever passed, the narrow path is sharp
ly defined and is plainly seen. 1t con-
meets at the north with the North
western Turnpike and by Oakland
with the National Highway, while at
Princeton it joins with U. S. Highway
81. 1t touches the waters of Cheat,
Tygart, Greenbrier, New and Blue
stone Rivers, and is within reach of
the Monongahela and Shenandoah ma
tional forests.
Tucker Offers Beauty Spots.
Tucker county has many beauty
spots, most noted of which is the falls
of the Blackwater. This stream drains
the famed Canaan Valley, great
bowl of more $4,000 acres in the very
heart of the mountains, trimmed about
by ridges $500 feet high, and with
3,000-foot elevation above the sea.
"The Land of Canaan" was made
famous by "The Clerk of Oxenford"
David Hunter Strother) and later by
the same writer under the name of
"Porte Canaan" in "a Visit to the
Virginia Canaan" The State forestry
nursery is at Gladwin. The Fairfax
stone near Thomas marks the head of
the North Branch of the Potomac and
originally marked the southern and
western limits of the lands of Lord
Fairfax. The battlefield of Carrack's
Ford is near Parsons.
Randolph county, battle SCARED,
holds wealth of scenic and historic
interest. AS a frontier outpost, it
had numerous log block houses for de-
tense against the savages. The battle
fields of Laurel Hill and Rich Noun
tain are both widely known and with
in easy reach.
- Commentaries Early Battle.
Near Beverly is a monument COM
memorating the battle of Rich Noun
tain, and the deeds of early pioneers.
Earthworks thrown up by the Union
army are seen at Elkwater. At Elk
water, too, the first Fourth Camp for
boys and girls was held, the begin
ming of movement that has spread
throughout the United States. The
monument to the Mingo Indians at
Mingo Flats marks the site of the
last Indian village in the State. The
Sinks at Osceola is remarkable ma
tural phenomenon, where the Candy
river disappears into a great cavern
in the mountain.
Middle Mountain was the summer
encampment of General Robert E.
Lee. The battle of Duncan's Lane, be-
tween home guards was due to an eff
fort to prevent the first election in
West Virginia, May %, 1868.
Marlinton, named for Jacob Mar
lin, is the oldest recorded settlement
west of the Alleghenies, dating from
1749. Fort Greenbier, built to check
the numerous Indian raids, stood on
the site of the present court house.
The Charter Oak there, marked by
General Lewis in 1851, is member
of the American Hall of Fame trees
and is the oldest line tree in the Mis-
sissippi Valley.
Lee Was at Warrington.
Marlinton was fortified by the
Confederates in the Civil War and
General Lee spent the first night I'M
der canvas; here. The old Warriors
road is seen at Marlinton and also
at Buckeye. Buckeye had a powder
mill during the Revolution. Travellers
Repose is noted hostelry of early
days. The fire platform on Bald Knob,
1902 feet high, at the eastern entrance
to Cheat Valley, is the highest point
in the State, although several other
peaks in Pocahontas county break the
4,000-foot level. Minnehaha Springs
is a fine health resort. "Wylie Man
Or" home of Col. H. R. Wylie, near
these springs, tract of 1000 acres,
with private golf course, tennis courts
and deer park, is one of the finest
country estates in the east. Many
strange plants are found in Cranberry
Glades' near the head of Cranberry
River and such animals as black bear,
4 Aer and bob-cat are in abundance.
The trail passes through the bat
tlefield of Drop Mountain, important
Civil War engagement on the hill fac
ing Hillsboro. lsi;iAsjsSl
Lewisburg was mastering center
for the frontiersmen of Augusta Bote-
court and Fincastle counties from