Smyrna times., 1861-09-19
Persecution of Union Men in Western
Virginia.

Mr.. N. D Keneaster, a respectable merchant
of Martinsburg, Va, called upon us yesterday,
and gave melancholy picture of the results
OF the reign OF terror to which Western Virgin
ia is now subject. His own case illustrates
the state OF affairs in Berkeley county, in which
he resides.
He has been resident of Martinsburg for
several years, and is an undisgnised Union man.
lie was doing a large business, Occupying a
store some eighty feet long, and had business
enough for four clerks. His head clerk or
foreman, was Mr.. Curtis, late teller of the
MarIinsburg Bank Some week ago, fearing
an arrest, he left home, and made his head
quarters at WillIamsoort, from which point he
| attempted to conduct his business Last week,
he returned from New York, where he had
been to buy goods, and found at WilliamspOrl
the fol owing letter from confdt nipl friend :
! ION Wednesday last, Ma jor Funston, Of
Clark county, who is attached to the militia
now expressing and devastating this part ofthe
country arrested your foreman, aud demanded
the keys of your store and of your safe, &c
tie was told that your wife had the keys, when
i the Ma or closed the store and kept your fore
| nan, and compelled him to assist in taking an
inventory OF the stock, which amounted to about
! Sl4,OOO. lie also took your safes, and their
contents. On Monday they intend to take po-
secession Of your household properly. Your
wife is very much distressed, but it would not
be 'e for you to return home al present"
Vno safes contained S9l5 in money, besides
bonds, deeds, mortgages, and other valuable
papers, and, in addition to these, Their were
50 900 in small bills signed cad ready for cir
cu'Gtion; these were Virginia shin. pla sters,
issued by himself as a substitute for small
change. Having been taken from the safe,
Doubtless they have been scattered over the
country, and hereafter Mr. Koneaetet will be
called upon 10 redeem them. His wife, with
four children, was ordered by the rebels to
leave her house, ard Mr.. K. has not been able
to learn what became Of her. None of her
friends would dare to render her assistance
and she has no means of sustaining herself
Thus have these Virginia robbers not only sto
len all his property, but desolated his home, and
after beggering his wife and children, turned
them into the streets to suffer, if not &c
perish.
Another Outrdge.-Having disposed Of Mr.
Keneaster's goods, party Of rebels, under the
lead of QuArtermastar James kIlmore, who car
neither read nor write, repaired 10 a variety
store, kept by Charles Westfall, and took for
chile possession of it. Mr.. Westfall being
absent, his wife had charge of the store; sh'
resisted the robbers, whereupon the chvariC
quartermaser knocked her down, and compile
ted the robbery, by carrying off nearly tn
whole stock.
Still Gnother.-Nenr the depot. at Martins
burg, there was large store, kept by Messrs
Scherer and Martin, both Union men, whic
, also was entered by rebel banditli, and ap
proPriated to their purpose. Mr.. Scherer wa
in Washington city at the time, so that he es
capped personal danger but they tied the hand
,Gk Ill.
4 of other prisoners, took him to Winchester o
load of railroad iron. Having reached tn
outskirts of the town, the wagon was stopped
= and the roll of prisoners called, when it wa
discovered that one had been left behind. !
+, squad of men was sent for him, and the
n brought him. He proposed to buy his liberty
+ and they set the price at $25; he had but te,
) which they finally agreed to take, and release
. him Washington Republican.