Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-09-02
LETTER FROM HEDeEsYILIR.-
-HEparsYILIE...M d. a. ;Aug. 2a 1873

Mr.lgaitor - Here L am st Hedeesyilla.
What and where is Hedgesyille {? some of
your readers may ask. 1t is aitown of about
four hundred Inhabitants located ia the
northeastern section of Berkeley county, in a
kind Of scoop or indentation that nature has
left in the North mountain; an isolated noun
tain that extends about twenty FIVE miles,
starting in Frederick county, near Green
Spring, matchmaking two miles from the
Potomac river. This mountain trayerses the
extent Of the count y save the little strip be-.
tween lis terminus and the river, separating
the rich landstot itsfeastern side from the
more lilly and less productive country north
Of II, through which Back Greek flows, hug
giDg the mountain closely. t5ez s'EsST
The town seems to be in complete stat,1
quo as and progress. Nothing
Of stir and thrift is visible. a dreamy quiet
peryades streets, stores, shops and homes, and
stranger stopping for the night might with
propriety pronounce it finished place and
its population entirely satisfied with its con-
sdition. Two small tan-y yards, five stores,
wheelsright, smith and carriage shops arethe
extent of its manufacturing and business
facilities; in the'prosecution Of which neither
of The pruprietors are likely to make a 'a,ile
very speedily. The town wears a neat APP.
fpearances its homes a comfortable phase and
its peopea 'genteel, respectable aspect. n
can 'boast'of its moral character, crown of.
honor, for it has four churches, and four res.
'ideht ministers. two public schools and two
private ones, Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges,
one hotel, where by the hardest, If then, You
can get sa.ti7e; all Of which put together is
capital showing for SO small q place. The
town. must be healthy with its bracing moun-
tain air and water, its declivities on either
side affording drainage for every thing that
could produce malaria. The town spring
located in its centre and protected by lattice
enclosure is splendid water source, clear as
crystal aud cool as need be, very gem Of the
first Dater The scenery from its east side is
magnificent. The grand old Blue Ridge lines
the distance, the opening at Harper's Ferry
being clear and distinct. at your feet rich
and beautiful farming country lies and
stretches out in serene effect right there.
half mile away, the i. e o. r. r. winds
along, its almost constant running trains break
ing the stiffness of the scene. Yonder the
beautiful Potomac pursues its sinewy course
between the sister States of Maryland and
West Virginia. While from an adjacent
height the Furnishing town of Martinsburg
with its spires and domes is distinctly seen.
The view is enhancing and once seen can
never be forgotten. The town is seven miles
from Martinsburg. on the highway known as
the Warm Spring road. over which the gentry
with coach, livery and servants, before the
days of railroads, travelled to the thermal
waters of Bath. Back Creek, mile from
town, is being SPAWNED by substantial bridge,
in partiron. at the expense ofthe county cost
ing SO, 0O0-Capt. NJ Nadenboush performs
ing the work. Some gentlemen are prospects
ing in the neighboring noun tain for coal and
iron ore, of which some elegant specimens
are obtained. There is no doubt of an abun.
dance of the latter but of the former, the
anthracite kind, it is yet in doubt whether it
exists in sufficient quantity to justify mining
1t will be great thing if it does. Something
like this discovered and properly developed,
will awaken new spirit, and Hedgesville may
yet shake off its sleep and spring into new
life.
The Winchester District Conference ofthe
NJ. Il. Church, South, has been in session
here this week, Rev. Mr.. Wheelright acting
as President, and Rev. Mr. Wade, of Charles
town, as secretary. 1T closed its work to-day
after an harmonious and pleasant transaction
of business. The good people here enter
tanned the members of the body most hospi-
tably. Mr.. Shugart was the lay delegate from
Charlestowp, aud is one of the delegates elect
to the Annual Conference.
[ spent the four years Of the war and one
year after peace was made in this mountain
town with its clever people. Somehow or
other I got the name of being an arrant rebel,
perhaps, because did not keep my lips closed
and talked too much. confess l loved the
in gray and hailed their coming cyer
10Th delight For the men in Blue had no
especial liking, but they seemed to like me
aud wanted me and took me with them when
did not want to CO. and oftener than / cared
1,,k al
the last year of the war, proved to be the
longest in duration and march, during which
1 fell in with oar worthy townsman, Andrew
Hunter, Esq, who had been snatched up at
Charlestown. The legal prisoner was more
respected than the ministerial, for the former
rode in an ambulance and the latter, footsore
and weary, had to pad it. AT Sandy Hook
he was paroled and 1 was thrown into a guard
house with a set of incarnate devils But in
his kindness, being in prison he visited me,
and through his influence got me out on
parole, and finally OLD JuJal, with ga high
hand and stretched out asm," delivered me
from the clutches of the Yankees. In the
month of August, 1864, returned to Hedge
vile, after five weeks hard campaign, as
thin as shad in June. nearly gone up, the
fare, the associations, the scenes, the whole
thing forced upon me and repulsive to my
tastes aud wishes. can never forget Hedges
vile, its peopls and its experiences.
TIMOTHY.
MARTINsBURG AND PoroMAc r. RIVE
had a visit to this place, on Saturday last,
from Thos. d. Kennedy. President. Gen.
Boyd, Superintendent and o. N. Lull. Master
of Transportation of the G. V. and NJ. & p.
Railroads. An informal meeting of the Press
ident and Directors of our Company was held
at the railroad Office on the same day, at which
the President and Messrs. Faulkner, Troxell,
Cushwa and Nadenboush, Directors, were
present. We learn that arrangements were
made for excursion trains aud half fare tickets