Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-10-19
GOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. SATURDAY, OCT 49, B2

COLIEGE OF ST. JAMES OMB Oh IEN-
ERAL RINGGoLD.-A few days ago We
| paid brief visit to an esteemed friend
and his family, residing but a short dis
tance from the College of st. James, and
in company with that friend spent a
pleasant hour upon the memorable and
classical grounds of this Institution. We
were gratifed to perceive that both
buildings and grounds have been con
siderably improved since we last saw
them.
But our mind instinctivcly turned to
the original owner, not only OF this
ground and its palatial building, but OF
all the land lying within a radius OF
from four or six miles, and ont OF which
probably not less than one hundred OF
our best Washington County farms have
been carved a few steps from the
mansion. which was his residence aud
from which he dispensed with muniti-
cent hand his hospitality to all alike du-
ring the greater part of his life, is loca-
ted the enclosure within which hes the
dust of this prominent mar in the early
history Of our county. Ii consists ot
some fifteen or twenty feet Of ground.
enclosed with substantial stsnc wall,
surmounted with cap-roofing III gcod
condition, and in the centre IL the tomb
built of brick, and covered with mar
bic slab Upon the latter are the IN
scriptions which tell us when Gen, Sam
uel Ringgold, and that portion of his
family buried by his side, died, and
how old they were at the time Of their
deaths.
1t seems from one Of these inscrip-
tons that Gen. Ringgold died on the
18th of October, 1929, aged 90 years.
Although not very old man, his life
was one of very great prominencem III the
political and social circles Of his day. In
the former he was omnlpotent, such
having been his popularity that ne was
elected nine times in succession 10 the
Congress OF the United States from the
counties of Frederick, Washington and
Allegany, and he probably never sus-
tanned defeat In the latter, he was
equally eminent. Hewas surround
ed bv the intellect, beauty and fashion
of his day, and WAS the intimate assocl-
ate of Monroe, Clay and other distln,
guished men of the past, who visited
him with their families during the re-
cesses of Congress, and speEtmany hap
py DAYS in the princely mansion, in
whose wide hall now very appropriate
" hangs that impressive and popular
picture, which represents Henry Clay
addressing the Senate of the United
States in favor of the Compromise mea-
sureS of 1850.
But what is the vain pomp and glory
of this world? In duration, it is not un-
ike tender flower which blossoms and
bears it's honors to-day, aud tomorrow
is gone forever. This man OF mark,
wealth and distinction, has long since
passed away, as have all or nearly all his
cotemporaries. His vast possessions
are in other hands, and he is forgotten in
the rush and turmoil of succeeding
generation after the fleeting honors and
riches which he possessed in so large a
measure. Truly, man is but shadow
pursuing shadows Even in his best
estate few feet of ground to hold his
bones comprise his whole earthly pos
sessions after his life closes, and oblivion
is too often his long labored for and ar
dently coveted immorialify.-HagHs'
torn HeroM