Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-06-08
NOT SOLD.

The Court House aud Jan OF Inns S""n'
relics of the past, which were advertised 70
be sold on Saturday, June 9th, were not SOLO.
Our worthy Board Of SupervisorS,-if the
term worthy is not misnomer when applied
to such material as constitutes the Board
had decroed that this property should be dis
posed of. and that the aspirations of Charles
town, to again become the county seat, should
be squelched, and squelehed forever. But
the best laid schemes, according to Burns, are
not unffequently frustrated, and those who
concoct them, very naturally become objects
of ridicuIe and derision. We do not know
who ordered the sale of this property, or
rather what particular members of the Board
were instrumental in passing the decree. The
extent of our information is that the order
received the sarction of majority of the
Board, which is composed of five gentlemen,
one from each township. AS the sale did not
come off, however, it is not matter of any
material consequence that the people should
Know what three of the five members were
willing that this property should be sold and
the proceeds pocketed: To carry out the
purposes of the decree, Samuel Ridenour,
Esq, was appointed special agent, with in
structions to advertise and make sale, which
instructions he proceeded to comply with. he
advertised but did not sell, and thereby hangs
a tale,-and if the Board of Supervisors were
of the canine species, there would doubtless
be several caudal appendages hanging this
morning, the whole proceeding was one
unsanctioned by law,-and in opposition to
the deed conveying this property to the in>
habitants of Charlestown, as may be seen from
the following statement:
In August, 1861, Samuel Washington and
his wife, OF Spottsylvania county, conveyed to
John Kearsley, John Davenport, and others,
of Berkeley county, Va, tour half lots of
ground in Charlestown, on the corner of
Washington and - streets, in trust, that
one of the lots should enure to the inhabi
tants of said town for the purpose of erecting
thereon Market House, and the other three
for the purpose of erecting the public build
ings.
From the above it will be observed that the
grant of these lots, was specifc-and not to
the county but to said inhabitants Of Charles
town-when they ceased to be used for the
purposes designated, they were no longer
tue property of the inhabitants of Charles
town, but of the legitimate heirs Of the parties
by whom they we're first conveyed. The ad-
vertisement of these lots and the buildings
thereon, drew attention to the provisions of this
conveyance, and an injunction was applied for,
Messrs. William Grow and David Howell, rep
resenting the town as against the Board of Su-
pervisors of Jefferson.
The bill applying for this injunction was
drawn by Judge J. W. Kennedy, and by
that gentleman and Mr.. Richard B. Wash>
iugton laid before Judge Joseph A. Chapline,
on Tuesday last. After an examination of
the points raised in the bill, which were terse-
ly presented, the Judge readily granted the
application, and an order at once issued from
the Clerks Office, epjoining the sale, which
was to have taken place on Saturday.
This, we suppose, will ultimately defeat any
attempt made by the County, or its present
representatives.. the Board of Supervisors, to
sell or otherwise dispose of this valuable prop
erty and, if the County seat is ever brought
back to this place, enable the people to reft
the public buildings at much less cost than if
a sale should be made and the Supervisors
be allowed to handle the funds.
We think the inhabitants should at once
Reimburse to the parties who have been put
to the expense of initiating this proceeding,
whatever outlay they may have been, or may
hereafter be subjected to, in carrying it to a
successful issue.
01oo.m1op. on1oN