The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-07-16

beauty. fOr some miles the rOaQ II
bridal path) leads up Elk River, anG
then we plunge into the narrow gorge
of the mountains. And such noun
tainel For some fourteen miles ",
travelled without coming to a house
although prior to the war many excsl
lent farms were cultivated along tn,
route. The traveller in the "Indepen
dent State" should recollect that sb'
suffered more in men and means (ac-
cording to her ability in the late war
than any dozen counties inWestVirgin'
ia. Her people were about as nearly
UNANIMOUS FOR TIE ooSFEDgRACY
As it is possible for a'community to be
and double her proportion Of gallant
soldiers did she send 10 do battle for th'
Sunny South. In consequence Of this
TACT, the Federal forces did not spare
her when they occupied her territory
Another reason for this wide spread
desolstion was, that Webster was re.
garded as the line, dividing Dixie from
Yankeedom. Here was the "postoffice
department" where nearly all the letters
for Southern soldiers who lived in the
more northern counties, were received
and forwarded to the Boys in Grey
Here was the headquarters Of the
famous underground telegraph, where
information concerning the movements
of the Federals was gathered and trans
mittcd, as fast as horse-hesh could
carry it, 10 the Confederate chieftains.
Here many brave southern woman
went to meet her husband or her son,
who, being a Confederate soldier, did
not dare venture nearer the Federal
outposts. In consequence OF these
things the "Independent State" became
the scene Of many ssnguinary conflicts
and you may often stumble across lit
tie mound, denoting that there sleeps,
until the last day, some poor fellow
who gave up his life in tie struggle.
The men of Webster, being hunters and
the sons of hunters. were deadly shots
with the squirrel rifle, and they used
that terrible weapon with effect when
ever an opportunity offered. Hence
the devastation OF their country and
the solitude OF desolstion which yet
prevails in the sections where these
things occurred. But, being brave men
they are generous; and now that the
struggle is over, they have no malice
to crafty. They calmly accept the
Having done their duty as
citizens OF Virginia, they now submit,
with the best grace they can muster, 10
the yoke OF the United States" They
eat, drink and are merry, enjoy life and
mind their own business. propagate
their species and vote the Democratic
ticket, with regularity. unanimity and
precision that is more that admirable.
Arriving at the hospitable residence
OF John Mcclure, Esq, one mile from
Addison we stabbed our horses in the
building in which Judge McComas
held the fret court that ever convened
in the county.
We had put up" the night previous
with VIM. II. Hoover, Esq, on Laurel
Creek. Here we learned many curious
circumstances concerning the
HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY.
Solomon Carpenter was the first white
child born on the upper Elk River
waters. lie was born under a huge
rock, where his father and mother were
hiding from the Indians. AS usual, be
came into the world "a-bawling," and
for fear the red men should hear the
noise, and discover their whereabouts,
his mother stuffed his mouth full Of
wild honey. and kept up the
supply until the danger was
over. The Carpenters and Cogers were
pioneers Of that country.
The Oldest man now living in the
countyts named Coger. He is now llC
years old, He was married before the
war OF 1912. and was q soldier in that
struggle. He still recollects distinctly
all the events OF importance that oc-
Cured in the earlier history OF oul
country.
Here also we heard
A LITTLE STORY
Which seems almost'to much like fic-
ton, yet it is true. In 1863, q little
girl about 7 years old, a daughter oI
Cutlip Meyers, Of Laurel Creek, was
sent on an errand to neighbor's house
She arrived at her destination safely
and was on her return home when she
was picked up by a Yankee soldier ma.
med Devees. 1t afterward appeared
that Devices, who was married man
but had no children, was struck with
the rustic beauty OF the little wanderer
and he determined to carry her TO bis
home in one OF the river counties O
Ohio. Avoiding all the settlements ht
accomplished his journey through
Webster without being seen, and car
ried the child to his wife. Mr.. Meyer
and his family waited with all the pa
thence they could bring to bear, snt
the child not returning they secured
the woods aud mountain paths IL
search of her. The neighbors were
summoned, and days and nights ver'
spent in searching tor some trace Of th'
lost one, but without avail. and it wa
finally concluded that she had beer
carried of and destroyed by bear, wolf
panther, or some other OF the wild ami.
mails which were frequently seen in tb'
mountain country. Her father, strick.
en- by the loss Of his youngest and pc
child, sickened and died. The war pass
ed. Years few by; and in 1871 the
Movers family heard that q man nam
ed Devees had stolen q child from
Webster county, and then had her liv'
iug at his home in Burning Springs
A brother Of the girl, immediatel,
mounted his horse and went there
He fonnd the family and recognized
his sister, but she seemed satisfied with
her home, and refused TO regard 81
true the story her brother told her
Iu despair the poor fellow reiurnet