Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-01-11
For The Register.
LETTER FROM CHARLEsTOWN
January 3rd. 1873.

our idst ISSUE llescHlSu ~ .Oui
readers ca ! newspaper It's con
tents afford matter for the grave, the
facetious, the moral, yea all to read and
inwardly digest, and | imagine many a
family around the Christmas hearth and
fire coned its contents and felt the Reg-
lister to be an institution. | was not
surprised to learn that your subscription
list was increasing and that the Regis
ter was prospering. So much for hav-
ing live editor. May 'your shadow
never grow less
The Holiday season in Charlestown
so far has been one of remarkable quiet
doubtless as much so as comes within
the memory Of the ''oldest inhabitant.
The various means of exploding gun
powder, such as guns, pistols, ,tolpedoes,
crackers, have been disused, being for
hidden by corporate statute. W hist
there has been little exhibition of noise
and wild hilarity, consequent upon hay-
ing little too much Christmas aboard,
have not heard of any fighting or pu-
gilistic encounters, which are too apt to
disgrace the season. The very cold
weather that has intervened may hav e
contributed to this quiet state. But l
think it more likely because We have Ell
ticient corporate authorities. Our town
presents pleasant contrast to day with
that in which it was a year ago. Then
we had no corporate law and ot course
none of the wholesome fear engendered
bv it. Now we have the whole regime
in firm, decisive operation, from Mayor
to Sergeant. Our first sergeant threw
up his commission from some cause, but
his place is supplied by an ex-Contede-
rate soldier, who lost limb III one OF
the last battles in the Valley, yet with
an artificial one makes good speed,
though in foot race he might be dis
tanced, still he is a man of bodily Wig
or, hard to handle, sober to proverb,
steering clear of the rum shops, mercl-
full withal, being christiali-a good
appointment think. His name Is that
of an honorable and lucrative business,
| in which many of our best citizens are
engaged. Guess it,
So with cold weather, stringent laws
and efficient officers we can boast OF as
good order and quiet as any OF our SIS
ter towns. Whilst the very cold wea-
tber has somewhat checked and mode
rated the spirits and movements OF the
over-ioyful, it has had the effect to cool
the zeal and ardor OF the religious por-
ton of the community as indicated IN
the very small attendance on our sane
tuaries, two of which were open for ser
vice during Christmas day.
The holiday OF your correspondent
has had new zest impaired to 1t, which
he has enjoyed hugely-that of a bret
retreat from the school-room. Not one
of his BOYS hailed the good old holiday
with more delight than he did and 1t
has been to him a period Of calm reposa
10 mind and body, from which he hopes
to have recuperated energies for the re-
newal of scholastic duties.
With the cold weather, We have had
the almost certain accompaniment, a
heavy snow,-an old time snow IN depth
and breadth,-an the sleighlng has
been very fine and of course this winter
privilege has been much used, the young
folks have had a good time of it and
the merry sound of sleigh bells Is heard
all around. The winter with It's cold and
snow is beautiful for all, good theme
for poets too, necessity for the earth
and its products, for man and his wants
but there comes with it much OF SUIT
fering and distress. This is the hard
season for the very poor, whose larder
is scantily supplied, whose pile of fuel is
low, through the crevices OF whose
homes the winter winds whistle. W hat
a time for the exercise OF that noble vlr-
tue cdarify, and what treasures may be
laid up for the future, by those who are
rich in this worlds goods, if they are so
minded. If / could have it so, | would
like lust now to be way down in Dixie.
The Industrial Association for the
physical improvement Of our town and
section, has had several meetings. Cues
tions are there discussed and intorma
ton sought to be obtained and spread
abroad relative to the resources, advan-
tages, etc, OF this part OF the Failey,for
the investment of capital, establishment
of manufactures, inducements 10 lmml-
grants. This is all very well and may
prove a successful forerunner OF the
thing desired. But in some remarks
made by Capt. David Cockeiill,a master
mechanic here, ] thought ! saw the size
qua non to its consummation. The ne
cessitv of the men of capital among us
laying hold Of the matter. putting Their
surplus funds into All enterprise, and
thus show their own faith in the re
sources Of their section. There are per.
haps a half of million Of floating capital
and FIVE millions of property TO be sd-
vartaCed within radii of ten miles from
this centre. But we refuse to set An ex-
ample and show our hand at investment,
but invite and await it from abroad. 1t
is hardly fair to call on Hercules unless
we first put our own shoulders to the
wheel The misfortune is, that capital
so invested would not turn over quick
enough for our capitalists and they pre-
fer using it on the street and IN way
that shows a return at once. With them
their own pockets are looked to and the
general good is little thought of. Until
this evil is remedied at home, We can
hardly expect help from abroad.
CAPT. Rowan, one of our old citizens,
was carried to his grave on Christmas
! Inr 10 has had some v hat q penchant