Historical collections of Virginia containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to its history and antiquities, together with geographical and statistical descriptions : to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia : illustrated by over 100 engravings, giving views of the principal towns, seats of eminent men, public buildings, relics of antiquity, historic localities, natural scenery, etc., etc. |
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MONROE. |
 | Historical collections of Virginia |  |
MONROE.
Monroe was formed in 1799, from Greenbrier, and named from
President Monroe; its mean length is 31 miles, mean breadth 18½
miles. New River forms its southwestern boundary, and receives
in its course the Greenbrier River, Indian Creek, and some minor
streams. Much of the county is mountainous; but as a whole, it
is a thriving agricultural section, having a large proportion of fertile
soil, well adapted to grazing. Pop., whites 7,457, slaves 868,
free colored 97; total, 8,422.
Union, the county-seat, lies 229 miles west of Richmond. It is
a beautiful little village, situated in a picturesque and fertile valley,
14 miles west of the Alleghany mountains, and contains 3 mercantile
stores, 1 Methodist, and 1 Presbyterian church, and a population
of about 400. Peterstown, named from its first settler, Christian
Peters, lies in the south angle of the county, on Rich's Creek, near
the point where New River breaks through the Alleghany, and
about 20 miles southerly from Union, in a wild, romantic country.
Its site is well adapted for machinery, and it contains about 25
dwellings. Gap Mills, 8 miles N. of the C. H., contains 1 fulling,
and a few dwellings.
This county is favored with several noted and popular mineral
springs. They are the Salt Sulphur, the Sweet, and the Red Sulphur
Springs; the improvements at all of which are extensive.
The descriptions below are from published sources:
The Red Sulphur Springs are situated on Indian creek, about 40 miles sw. of the
White Sulphur, and 16 from the Salt Sulphur. The spring is near one side of a little
triangular plain, almost buried in mountains. The water is clear and cool—its temperature
being 54° Fahrenheit—is very strongly charged with sulphureted hydrogen gas,
and contains portions of several neutral salts. The water is believed to be directly
sedative, indirectly tonic, alterative, diuretic, and diaphoretic.
The water has been found efficacious in all forms of consumption, scrofula, jaundice,
and other bilious affections, chronic dysentery and diarrhœa, dyspepsia, diseases of the
uterus, chronic rheumatism and gout, dropsy, gravel, neuralgia, tremor, syphilis, scurvy,
erysipelas, tetter, ringworm, and itch; and it has long been celebrated as a vermifuge.
The Salt Sulphur Springs are 25 miles from the White Sulphur, and 3 miles from
the village of Union, on Indian Valley creek. There are at this place three springs—
the Sweet, the Salt Sulphur, and the New Spring. The last contains a large portion
of iodine, and is highly beneficial for scrofula, and those affections for which iodine is
generally given. The two first are somewhat alike in their properties. The analysis
of the Salt Sulphur is thus given by Prof. Rogers:
Solid ingredients.—Sulphate of lime, sulphate of magnesia, sulphate of soda, carbonate
of lime, carbonate of magnesia, chloride of sodium, chloride of magnesium,
chloride of calcium, iodine, probably combined with sodium—sulpho-hydrate of sodium
and magnesium, sulphur, mingled with a peculiar organic matter—peroxide of
iron derived from proto-sulphate.
Gaseous ingredients.—Sulphureted hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbonic acid. The
bubbles of gas that are seen adhering to the sides of the spring, are composed almost
entirely of nitrogen. The temperature of this is 50° Fahrenheit.
The Salt Sulphur, like almost all the sulphurous waters, being a stimulant, should
consequently not be employed in acute or highly inflammatory affections. Nor in those
in which there exists much active determination of blood to the head, or at least not
until this determination has been guarded against by previous diet, purgation, and, if
necessary, blood-letting. But in all chronic affections of the brain, nervous system,
some diseases of the lungs, stomach, bowels, liver, spleen, kidneys, and bladder, it is
one of the most valuable of our remedial agents. In diseases of the joints (gout and
rheumatism) and skin; in mercurial sequelæ; in hæmorrhoidal affections; and in
chronic diseases of the womb, it is also a remedy of immense importance.
The Sweet Springs are situated in a wide and beautiful valley, 18 miles from the
White Sulphur, and 29 from Fincastle. The following description of the medicinal properties
of the Sweet Spring waters, is taken from Dr. Bell, on baths and mineral waters:
The water of the spring rises into a large cylindrical reservoir, from opposite sides of
which it flows out by small pipes: one conveying water to the bath for the men, the
other to that for the ladies. The men's bath is of a quadrangular form, surrounded by
a wall, and open at the top; it is of tolerable extent, and clear, the bottom being of
gravel, and the water constantly flowing in, and as constantly passing out, after it
reaches a certain height. The temperature of the spring is 73° Fahr., the same as that
which in England, by a strange blunder, is called Bristol hot wells. There is a considerable
resemblance between the two in other respects, as well in the abundant evolution
of the carbonic acid gas, as in the earthy and saline matters held in solution. In the
Virginia spring, however, iron has been detected, whereas the Bristol hot wells has none
in its composition. If we can rely on the rather crude analysis of Bouelle, one quart
of the water of the Sweet Spring contains—
Saline substances in general, 12 to 15 grains; earthy substances, 18 to 24 do.; iron,
½ to 1 do.
The saline substances are sulphate of magnesia, muriate of soda, and muriate of lime,
with a little sulphate of lime. The earthy substances consist of sulphate of lime, a
small portion of carbonate of magnesia and lime, with a small portion of silicious earth.
The name is calculated to convey erroneous impressions of their taste, which is like a
solution of a small quantity of a calcareous or magnesian carbonate. The excess of
on the palate from what an imperfect mixture of the earths would produce. The first
effects of this water, due to its temperature and gaseous contents, when drunk, are a
feeling of warmth at the stomach, with a sensation of fulness at the head and some
giddiness. Taken at stated intervals in moderate quantity, it will produce a moisture
on the skin and increase the flow of urine. If the stomach be in a good state, it gives
additional appetite and imparts fresh vigor to the system. The Sweet Spring water is
serviceable in the varieties of dyspepsia accompanied by gastrodynia or spasm, with
pains occurring at irregular intervals, and heart-burn—when the extremities are cold,
and the skin torpid. In secondary debility of the digestive canal, from the exhausting
heat of summer, or in chronic diarrhœa, and dysentery without fever, or not sustained
by hepatic inflammation, much good will be produced by the internal use of these
waters.
The harassing cough to which young persons are occasionally subject, and which
often has its origin in an enfeebled state of the stomach, or in scrofulous habits from
enlargement of the bronchial glands, as also the tussis humoralis of old people, will all
be materially benefited by the use of these waters. The relief afforded in such cases
as these has usually given Bristol hot wells its reputation in the cure of pulmonary consumption.
Females of what are termed a nervous habit of body, will find their
strength and health restored by drinking these waters, as well as bathing in the manner
to be soon mentioned. Irregularity in the uterine functions will often soon disappear
after the restoration of the digestive system to its former energy. As we should have
inferred from the excess of carbonic acid, and the presence of the earthy carbonates in
the water, it is useful in calculus and nephritic complaints.
About a mile north of the Sweet Spring, is the Red Spring of Alleghany. This
spring is a popular one, and the waters are said to be peculiarly efficacious in rheumatic
complaints.
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