Spirit Of Jefferson

Spirit of Jefferson

LOCAL MISCELLANY.

Our Valley Trip.

On Tuesday morning, October 5th, we left Charlestown, in company with Wm. H. Travers, Esq., to attend the railroad meeting at Harrisonburg the next day. The break in the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, caused by the heavy freshet of the preceding day, rendered necessary a buggy ride to the ancient and historic town of Winchester. As the sun rose, we entered Berryville, and by a forced march, reached Winchester about two hours later. Here we found the Hon. A. R. Boteler, who was en route up the Valley on the same mission as that which prompted our early morning ride. At the Taylor Hotel we partook of a refreshing breakfast, and at 9 o'clock renewed our journey in one of Trotter's excellent coaches, over the Valley pike to Strasburg. This ride was an exceedingly pleasant one, affording us an opportunity of viewing many of the fields made classic by the invincible prowess of Stonewall Jackson, the heroic Ashby, and their brave followers. Many of these important scenes of interest were familiar to Mr. Boteler, and we felt ourselves favored in having the company of one who could furnish us with so much information in regard to the battles of the Valley. Passing in our route, the villages of Kernstown, Newtown and Middletown—all of which present silent monuments of war's devastation—we reached the termination of our stage journey—Strasburg—a little after 12 o'clock. Here our sojourn was brief, and the more agreeable because it was brief. Our time at this station was spent at the railroad depot, waiting for the train from Alexandria to speed us on our journey to Harrisonburg. At the depot, before the arrival of the train, our party had an agreeable accession in the persons of Capt. Wm. N. Nelson and Col. O. R. Funsten, the delegates from Clarke county. When the train arrived, our party received further valuable additions, in Messrs. R. H. Turner and John R. Rust, of Warren county. The three hour's ride to Harrisonburg was rendered delightful by the most companionable interchange of views and the free discussion of the railroad project in which we were engaged. Along the route, at the different stations, we met with former friends and acquaintances, who greeted us warmly—among whom we may mention Rev. Hiram Shaull, at Edinburg, Geo. W. Murphy, at Mt. Jackson, and Eugene West, at Broadway. When we arrived at Harrisonburg, we found at the depot the elegant omnibus of the American Hotel, which under the guidance of a skillful driver, soon whirled us into the town, and unloaded us in front of the hotel, where one of the first hands that grasped ours in cordial welcome was that of mine host, the genial landlord. Fortunately for us, but unfortunately for Capt. Locke, his good lady was absent, and we were assigned quarters in her room, with the Captain himself as a room mate. The arrangement suited us to a T, and together we talked over the past until sleep asserted its claims upon us, and we were forced to yield to its embrace. And here we may just say, without any disparagement to other houses, that the American is the ne plus ultra of hotels, and that as a landlord Capt. Locke stands on the top-round of the ladder. We might say may his "shadow never grow less," but will go further and express the hope that it may continue to increase until his person becomes as portly and handsome as that of his venerable father—and that's saying a good deal.

The morning after our arrival we met with several of our former townsmen, who are now citizens of, or sojourners in Harrisonburg: Our young and modest friend, Mr. Jas. L. Avis has a beautiful drug store near the hotel, and we were glad to learn is doing well, and expects soon to do better by forming a lasting partnership with somebody's piece of calico. His brother, B. D. Avis, is an attache of the store; Jos. Brown, son of our townsman Jos. M. Brown, is assisting Capt. Locke in running the American, and the two make the machine rattle; Mr. Vorhees is keeping a provision store, and we hope doing well. Mr. Geo. W. Tabb, formerly of this county, is also a resident of this town, and is driving a flourishing trade in the hardware line. He has erected himself a handsome dwelling, on the suburbs of the town, where we hope he and his excellent family enjoy the comforts of life. While in the town, Cushen of the Old Commonwealth was our sun-beam, and we never shall forget his kindness if we live to be as old as Wartman, whose age we can only guess at by a little incident which transpired during our stay. Jimmie Avis took us down to the Register's office, where we were introduced to Mr. Devien as the junior editor. Now this junior looks to be about 90, and as we gazed upon his venerable form and frosted locks—so far as any locks were left by the ravages of time—we thought if this be the junior, ancient indeed must be the senior rooster of the establishment. Wartman was away, attending the meeting of the Virginia Legislature, and perhaps seeking a pension for his long service in journalism, which we think he merits. Dr. S. H. Moffett, Judge John T. Harris and Messrs. Hansberger and Effinger, of the Harrisonburg bar, were particularly marked in their attentions to our party, as were many others whose names do not now occur to us. Wednesday added strongly to our party, and greatly to our enjoyment by the arrival of Messrs. Milnes, Stewart, Borst, Grayson, and others from Page, and Messrs. Walker and Miller from East Rockingham. The proceedings of the railroad meeting we gave last week. After the meeting, about 10 o'clock, we had a serenade, a very good account of which we publish from the ready pen of the ever genial Cushen. On Thursday, Mr. Travers and the editor of this paper, proceeded as far as Staunton. Here we received the kind attentions of our young friend, Thos. D. Ranson, Esq., who showed us around among the public institutions that distinguish the town. We met here our old friend Major Lynn, and his son, the editor of the Vindicator, and spent half hour in the sanctum. Staunton is an improving and thrifty young city, and presents a strong contrast to the dullness which is manifest all over and around Winchester.