Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-09-17
tFrOm Our Special Correspondent.l
Harper's Ferry.
Elitor of The Snirit.-

Iancy can paint no picture OF the future
that will claim the same interest in the breast
of man that the past does. Erected by the
cunning hands of imagination aud hope, and
ambition, the temple OF fame may rise up but
though it throw back with new splendor the
gorgeous rays of the setting sun, memory,
whether decGed in smiles, or bathed in tears,
has but to lift its finger, and every pulsation
OF the heart are hers. Prudence NAV regret
this; poetry may rail at it aud philosophy
the wisdom Of man may combat its propri>
ETY.. But instinct, which is the wisdom of
God, implanted in the breast of nun, main
tains 1t Notwithstanding. In the beginning
God created the world in which we live and
to know more about the "beginning," the
time of it, and the manner of it, is the de
sire of every mau. The bricfest particular,
the smallest item of information on the sub
ject, properly ascertained and authenticated,
ranks hrst IN the information of man. Hence
forth II is to him, fly embalmed in amber
This IS not enough. The learning of every
nation has been given to rescue from the con-
fusion that yearly becomes more confused, the
particulars of the origin and institution of
the political subdivision of the earth, to which
we owe allegiance; and a principle holy as
patriotism, and more natural, makes dearer
still, the history OF the spot where perhaps
We were born, OF where perhaps we may die,
or at all events, where we now live aud move,
and have our being" And the man even.
who having risen from youth of poverty
and care, and toll" to rank and fortune, and
fame. must be demOraiized indeed, if his
warmest emotions are not awakened by any,
thing, everything which recalls his early
days-the circumstances and associates of his
youth, and above all things of
1.-The spot where lie was bern"
Unfortunately, retrospect is not always pleas
ant. But to the impoverished residents Of
this part OF the country, and especially Of
this ruined town, 1t is Il comfortable ground
Ofhope that blessings are sometimes disguised,
and that the darkest hour is the hour before
day. Perpetual prosperity like perpetual
sunshine would he a curse. The shower is
rs necessary to fruitfulncss and health, and
happiness, as the sunshine, And there are
eXperiences-iuvnluable because clastnin". of
which we should be utterly ignurant-vir-
-sacrifceS-heroisms- it not for
the roar OF battle. which seems only to annihi-
late. the storm which seems only to destroy.
These reflections have been suggested to
me naturally enough, J. think, by commu-
nlcation which | received, and which shall
lay before your readers, most Of whom, am
sure, will be glad to hear something of the
early history of lIarper's Ferry, and its found
er. | might, with information from other
sources, make it fuller i'll some particulars;
but to Interfere in any way, with communi>
cation that is SO simple aud interesting in it.
self, would be attempting the old impossible
ity Of gliding refined gold;" so with many
thanks to the author, whose information and
ability unite to make unnecessary, the mod
o. Il 11iV in h,r I :.
just as | received it,
'E. Mas it is always plcasant to recall old as
socistiuns, many old friends aud former residents
OF larpcrs Ferry, have been pleased that the well
Te,cmoerrd stonc-sicps should be found a topic Of
su;cIent interest 20 form portion of one Of your
Letters. aud gain appear IN print In days gone
by Virginia poet wrote of them:
IL followed her up the steps of stone
To where the dead they bury;
On JetieTsOn's rock she Stood alone,
Looking ON HaTPcr's Ferry"
Since this number your letters have been looked for
hoping that other surroundings might be noticed,
As yet none have appeared. Thinking tina il once
inIcTcst'd in this subject you might like to Cuutin
it send you items OF facts that have come
my know ledge. in various ways the his tory Of
the founder Of Ilarper's Ferry Not being as is
easily seen, enough Ut an author to prepare them
for tue press, transfer them To you, thinking that
part Of thcm may be of sufficient interest to
form the subject Of future letter. While should
feel repaid tor my trouble by seeing them in print
and know that others feel the same Interest.
Respectfully, -
ROBERT HARPER.
1.-THE Harper family were of English des-
cent. Two brothers, Joseph and Robert
Harper came to America, aud lived in Phil
adclphia, where they were both merchants.
The elder brother, Joseph, died in Philadel-
phia in 1906, at an advanced age, leaving
one daughter, Sarah-previcusly married to
John Wager, Sr.
"RObert, the younger brother, also lived
in Philadelphia, where he was for some time
u prosperous merchant; but finally failed in
business owing to the misconduct of his part
ner, for whom he was security to a large
amount. lie tried to recover IA portion of his
property by suit. but failed to do so. He
felt so deeply his loss Of fortune, and the
treachery of his friends, that he determined
to leave civilized life aud to seek wealth and
forgetiulness on the frontier
The same day on which news of the unsuc
cessiul termination of his suit reached him,
he took leave of his relations, aud started to
seek new home il the West lie soon came
to the Blue-RidSe and the mouth of the
Shenandoah river. where he stopped to rest
during Sunday. But he was so much pleased
with the grandeur of the scenery, that he de.
termined to settle.
'RObert Harper purchased a grant from
the State Of Virginia, of a tract of land of
more than mile in extent, laying between
the two rivers. Here he established ferry,
which has since retained his name.
"When Robert Harper first came to Har-
per's Ferry he found two inhabitants there.
Il Pennsylvania Dutch squatter. nicknamed
Peter in the hole, and Gutterman Town, a
half breed Indian, who lived in huts on the
Island of NirginiuS, whose ground he pur-
chased of them without difficulty. as thew
were anxious, upon his coming, to 90 where
they would have more room
"RObert Harper lived principally in house
which he built on Shenandoah street near
Union street, which has long since been torn
down. He also built the house at the top of
the Stone Steps. 1t was called the Mansion
House and Is the snnne thnt ;s rntnrrni o., h.