Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-02-08
For The Regtstfr.
WEST Va. UNIVERSITY.
MOlgantOWn, Jan. 81. 1873.

Molgant0wn, Jan. 81. 1873.
Mr.. Editor-As Timothy" and
"Tcmplar," ike brave soldiers fighting
for Il good cause, still continue to keep
you and your readers well posted in at
fairs pertaining to their respective
towns. it occurred to me that Mary Beau
has been too long silent, although the
old lady has been absent from the coun-
ty for some time, yet she knows always
what is going on, by reading the Regis
ter. She always looks forward with ea
ger anticipation for Tuesday, as that IS
the day on which the Register arrives.
Allow me to congratulate You on seV-
eral things. First, on Your Harpers
Ferry correspondent second, on the
rapid progress of your railroad and col
ltge. And here let me say, Mr.. Editor,
that tie County owes YOU an ererlast-
inc debt i,r your labors in both Of these
enterprises and next the general pros
perity Of the County.
We have been having a very severe
winter. This morning the thermome-
ter stood sixteen degrees below zero. 1t
is very seldom that we have sleighing
here, but this winter seems to be an eN-
ception, and even now | hear the merry
shouts mingling with the .imgling bells,
as sleigh after sleigh passes by ny win
dow.
Morgantown is about rs large as
Shepherdstown. 1t is situated on the
Monongqbcla river and surrounded by
magnificent scenery. bat it needs a rail
road to make it grow. however this is
expected shortly We have fine church
es with large congregations. 1t Is also
the Connty-Seat, consequently we have
a large courthouse. School houses al
so are plenty, and with the State Uni
versity which over looks the town with
imposing grandeur, makes Mor@antown
one of the most beautiful places in the
State The University is progressing
RAPIDLY in the way Of scholars, good
work. and reputation. We are now
about the middle OF the Winter Term
All of the students work faithfully and
diligently and seem to realize their
duty. The majority OF them are from
this State, though we have some from
the adjoining States. They seem to
feel that their States need them. West
Virginia, Mr.. Editor, although she IS
making the attempt in the way OF her
free school system, is far behind some
other sister States as regards education
al enterprise. 1t seems to me that your
portion ofthc State does not take suiii-
Gent interest in their University. There
is considerable prejudice against it. But
this should not be. An institution like
this is what the people Of West Virgin
ia need They want, at least they
ought,to give their sons good classical
education, thereby fitting them for hon
orable and responsible positions
throughout the State. We want men
OF cultivated minds and staunch hearts
to guide the helm of our ship of State.
We want better legislators audsenators,
and not men that will sit ut Charleston
or wherever the capital may be, almost
an entire session, quibbing over use
less affair, such as the "Capital Qucs
ton. deceiving their constituents and
wasting the public money. as our pre-
sent legislature is or has been doing.
We want men, and such an institution
as this is designed to make men out Of
our boys. Then knowing the value Of
such ought it not to Unsupported. We
never can have az institution of any
worth in our State if the people DO not
make it so. and it would seem that State
pride ought TO induce us TO Patronisc
our own Institutions
suppose you have heard, ere this OF
the burning Of our boarding hall, known
as WOODBURY. The fire originated in
the room of student, caused it is sup
posed by the explosion Of lamp, lie
being absent at the time. Before any
one was aware OF 1t the flames had made
such progress that it was impossible to
check them, and by midnight, the fire
was first discovered 1T nine o'clock, the
entire building was consumed. About
half the loss is covered by insurance.
Fortunately no one was injured, the fire
having commenced in the early part Of
the evening. the students had not retir-
ed, thereby having ample time to escape
the fiery iiend. The State will imme.
diatelv erect another more capacious
and safe. The exercises Of the Cniver-
sity were not interrupted whatever.
The students were accommodated with