Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-08-09
For the Register.
Cross LANES, NICHOLAS Co., W. Va.
July %, 1878.

bnro Well. sir, after staying ut this
place for day or two, and putting up
some claims, we started for Nicholas
county. -,
Greenbrier county is one of the best
in the State. The land is well adapted
to grazing, and consequently the farm
ers chiefly raise cattle. These are most
" durham and grow to al immense
size. As soon as the land is cleared,
there springs up kind of grass, which
seems especially adapted to the SOIL.
Timothy grows very well, but will not
last more than three years, rs 1T IS run
out in that time by the natural blue
grass.
The inhabitants of Greenbrier are
very intelligent,a and are close bargainers.
Some of them however, at times, are
careless of what they say. For instance.
one OF them while recounting to us the
vast amount of mineral substance III his
native mountains, informed us OF the
astounding fact, that "there was q brass
mine within two miles of his fathers
farm" We were somewhat moved by
this intelligence, and concluded that he
was member OF the last West Virginia
Legislature, and of course wellintormed.
So much for Grecnbrier. Our ride to
Nicholas was pleasant one, and iraught
with much that was rare. While cross
ing the Meadow Mountains, we stopped
at a house and refreshed ourselves and
horses. Here we met little boy, who
for frankness has not his equal. Among
the many questions We asked him was,
'Do YOU 90 to school 2 'No sir. no
schools in this county" was the laconic
reply. On seeing several deer horns,
hanging by the porch, we asked him If
it was not contrary TO law to Kill deer
at that season. People don't care for
law i'll this country says the little Tel
low. This boy was fifteen years old,
and could not even rccitc the alphabet.
From this point, on into Nicholas is
the finest timber we ever behold, I'M
mcnse towering oaks and poplars that
look rs if they must have been standing
for centuries. One hollow log We mca-
sured and found it to be nine feet in di-
amctcr. On relating this to man
whom we met q few miles distant, he
told us that near his house stood hol-
low tree, in which. when boys, he and
three others, used to play seven up
whenever it ralned.
When we came to Gaulcy river we
found little girl only eight years old,
attending the Ferry. She brought over
the boat for us. aud almost got angry
when we wished to assist her back with
it. She told us that she could also swim
the river, which at that point is nearly
two hundred yards wide. Undoubtedly
this enterprising, energetic little girl
will make some lazy man good wife
Before we reached the river we killed
huge rattlcsnakc, which had at his
''smaller extremity" fifteen ''rattlcs. he
measured six feet in length, and ten
inches in circumference. We took his
hide and carried it rs n trophy TO Sum
mcrsvillc. where we arrived next day ut
noon. This town is the county seat OF
Nicholas. contains one hundred and III
" inhabitants, two stores, one black
smith shop, one hotel, and one Ing
pump" Nicholas county is not equal
to Grcenbricr in the richness Of its sod,
here the best land can be bought for
fifteen dollars per acre. The people
mostly farm, although great many
cattle and horses are raised for sale.
Timber. Goa, and iron are in abundance.
Several prominent gentlemen from
Clarke have bought lands in this coun-
ty.and moved thereon. The people here
are very hospitablc, and are mostly Dap
fists, Complexities and Southern Metho
dists Yesterday we hal the pleasure
of hearing n Campbclitc sermon i'll 4
Southern Methodist church.
The speaker spoke in an able and
earnest manner. but butchcrcd our
''mother tongue" terribly. The cOngrc
cation followed the old country style,
men seated on one side Of the church
and the women on the other Nearly
every woman had two or three babies
with her, while her husband had rs
many more. About the end of each
sentence in tho ministers discourse some
wanton baby would "squeal or skwak,
while in harmony with this would come
from some good brother in another dl-
rection, amen . tuned to the key OF Il.
One young mother, after permitting her
babe to scream during the greater por-
ton of the sermon, finally grew lmPa.
tient, and raising its ''outsidc coverings
commenced with the palm OF her hand
in tamborine fashion, to tantaIize the
little thing, on that portion of the body
which is nearest to the chair, when we
are seated thereon. This was the first
time we ever saw baby spanked IN
church. The noise for few moments
drowned the ministers voice.
"Grubb" out here in these mountains
is not of the best quality. Cold corn
bread Is considered quite dainty,while
buttermilk and fat midling, are thought
the best OF dishes, pastry and such like
is simply regarded with reycrcnce-and
the higher cookery deemed impossible.
The houses are generally built of logs
and inside are neither plastered or PAIN
ted. the floors are carpetless and made
of hewn ards,-while each bed con-
tains an independent republic of bed
bugs, which play havoc with fellow
when he inyades their don.inions. How
apt these lines
Now lay me down to sleep
Tho fhunJarip' bod l,uo,c round mo groom