Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-06-17

DTltISu lTOul w aSHlug6Ou city, UuC utU uOl get
there, as the city was only occupied by the
British troops short time, and our regiment
was dsbanded.
In 1877, month of june again visited Au-
gusta county. and located near what is now
known as Willow pump. then as Hangers Tav-
ern, or Augusta church, where the Rev. DIR.
Speice was then preaching with much accep-
lance to the people of that portion of the coun-
ty. Previous to this, the Augusta church had
been served by Rev. VIM Wilson, ID. D., for
many years He was then an old and inhrm
man, but lived to a good old age. lis son,
Dr. Wilson, | recoect well.
DR.. Speice was instrumental in establishing
an excellent library. which was kept at the store
of Addison Hide, and which was of much ben
eft to the people of that community, and, if [
recolect right, Mr.. Adam Link, Jr., superin-
tended the library for many years.
During my residence in this portion Of the
county, became acquainted with many of the
best families of the community, amongst which
were VIM. and james Bell, the Crawfords,
the CANDLES, Grattans, Vanlears, Kidneys,
Robertsons, Nelson's, Charles Stuart. the An
dersons, Aliens, Hangers. Peter Hanger, ST.,
his son. DR.. John Hanger, and Peter Hanger,
Jr. The Links Greshams Frames, Mauzys,
Kempers, Samuel NJ. Woodward, long con-
nected with the Western Lunatic Asylum,
and most excellent man. also made good
ally put up at the old McGonegal Hotel. The
bill there at that day was from 2 S. 8 d. to 3 s.,
for man and horse, for dinner, aud feed with
glass of something good to drink on getting off
or on, if you desiredit There were two other
Hotels ia Stanton at that time The Cham
ber's and CAREERS both excellent Houses.
The leading mercantile Houses were those
kept by John Wayt, ST., Heiskell and John
G.. Sewers, the Swoopes, John Mcdowell,
e. no oF fho i'll
was Erasmus Stribling The Kidneys were in
the County Court Office, with Walter Tap as
Deputy. Jacob Swoope, ST.. served the Dis
trict in Congress, with Wayt and Anderson
(Robt., Sr., in the Legislature. Lewis Har-
man, the grandfather of all the Harmans, was
then young man, living in Staunton. He
was shrewd dealer in horses, and took many
fine animals to the Richmond market. He
married Miss Sallie CARRIER and kept ceIebra-
ted and line Hotel IN Waynesboro and Staun-
ton.
John Merritt also lived in Stanton at that
day, and carried on an extensive shoe factory
there. He also made the finest boots worn in
those days. They were then novelties. The
upper-ten wore the long boots, coming up to
the knee. These, with short breaches and silk
stockings were a mark of distinction. Judge
Stuart Gen. Porterfeld and Col. George Bay
lor wore them, and perhaps few Others My
first pair came to the calf Of the leg, with silk
tassels In front Merritt made them. In the
Winter Of 1878, | met at Hangers Hotel
the celebrated Gen. Samuel Houston, then
captain U. S. Army. He was In charge of seven
Cherokee Chiefs. who had been to Washington
city to see the Great Father, the President
They had left their horses here to be recruited
during their absence of month. They were
much delighted to find their horses In fine KEEL
ter, and started with war Whoop, after an ear
~ breakfast Capt. Houston was man of fine
physique, very commanding appearance, Of noble
bearing, and splendid horseman.
From Willow pump, l spent year or more
in aud about Waynesboro' where | made ma
ny acquaintances. This was rather fast place
at that day. James Hays kept the Hotel in
lower town, and Mr. Wilson in upper town.
There was good deal of liquor drank there in
those days. good deal Of fiddling and dancing,
and not little card playing. But, after
while, things got better. The Hays left, and
their places were filed by better men, Rev.
McCue preached at Thinking Spring in lSl7-lS.
Rev. j G. Wilson succeeded him, and gave
part of his time to Waynesboro. The morals
of the people improved, and as the community
around Waynesboro', as general thing, was
first class, progress was made in the right d.
rection. Down the South River lived some of
the strong men 10 the county. Gen. Ro. Por-
terfeld and the Patricks-Chares and Will
liam-the Turks and few others just around
there, gave tone to the community. A little
vest, the McCues, Prisons. Dolds, Caldwells,
Coiners and Gilkesons.. Up the South River,
Hunters, Guthries, Brooks, Stuarts Alexan'
ders. Fultons, Longs, Blacks, Davis, VanIears,
Moffetts, Tates, &c, on Christie's creek, with
many other substantial men, that cnanot now
call to mind, marde community of great
worth.
My next move was in the vicinity of Hebron
church, where | spent some of the most happy
days of my life, with some of the best men of
your county. Indeed, hardly how to make
distinction here, where all [ met with we're SO
kind to me, and appeared SO happy at that day
Mind you, this was over so years ago. The
people may have changed since that day.
don't know them so we'll now; but from such
q stock, have no doubt there are many good
people there yet. At least. hope SO. | will
speak OF some of them.
There was good old Samuel Bell, there was
John Tate, VIM. Motfett, Maj. Joseph Brown
Bony Trimble, John Trimbe, the Wilson's,
the Baylors, old father Calhoun, who I should
have put at the head of the list. the Youngs,
Valentines Eidsons, Scots, DuDlaps, Thomp-
sons. and others | cannot now recoect. H.
deed, taking all in all, [ do not recoect to have
met with more genial people in my journey
through life, which has been pretty long and
nov drawing to close
4 few parting words about Staunton and I
an done with those old recollections-at least
for the present
Judge A. Stuart was in full vigour at the
time write ola good Judge of law, little
aristoratic. dignifed in his court, and of unim-
peachable integrity.
The bar, at Stanton, was then, and ever
has since been, OF high order.
Oid General Blackburn was there. He
was hard to hear. Chapman Johnston had
just risen to emiuence. Hon. Shelley took
prominent stand about this time, and begap 10
shuttle his half dollars to good effect. Ho-eo
Peyton, a gentleman of commanding ar,ooa"
auoe, also occupied prominent place ~ tho
Stauaton Bar. levitt Tap died early. aa JUS
representing the eouaty year or tw~ Ter
memory serves. VIM. Kinney r ), If my
hehe staaa ana represent .ook proml-
years. yea Dai' 81 the county some
but made }; o.,oo ON the taris later.
D. VI" 08o ~
40 mark.
Bows and WaddeIl we're also notable men
at this early day.
Nearly all these old worthless have passed
away, bus their sons and grand-sons may ike
to see something Of their record, ana II you
think what [ have scratched down this rainy
morning worth the space it will occupy, 1t Is
at your service.
ALL SORTS.
A most wonderful thing 90 the wing is fly