Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-09-12
[ Faom the NutinsJuTg Salesman
Correspondence.
MAnr.Nspure, Sep. 5, 1874.

MART.NsBURG, Sep. ., 1874.
MEssRs Editors
Ia Your paper Of last week you furnished
your readers with statement Of fact in the
life Of Ma Faulkner, which does great honor
to him as a public mar. desire pow to call
your attention 70 his conduct upon another oc
casi1n, Of which was in part an eye witness,
which does him equal honor as a private citi
zen. In the month of September 1854, that
fearful Asiatic pestilence-tho Cholera-made
It's appearance IN this town, believe one Of
the earliest victims was the lamentyd Col.
Edmund p Hunter. lie died at Berkeley
Springs, but carried the disease from this
place. AS it spread through orr town, con-
sternaton He'd every heart. Most Of those
who had the means Of flying from the terrible
Scourgc abandoned their homes and fled else
where for safety. For three weeks the pestl-
leuca ragged here with unabatel fury; and du-
ring that time one hundred and eleven OF our
citizens were carried to their graves.
There were some b'ave and humane men,
who had an the means Of flying elsewhere,
who determined TO stand by this community
in the terrible extremity; 20 contribute their
Efforts 70 the relief of those stricken down by
the pestieuce aud TO share with them in the
dangers aud labors Of that distressing calam-
ity.
Among those men was CHARLES J. FAUX
NER. lie remained in our midst. He and
his family administered relief and medicine to
the sick; helped to bury the dead; from
morning tall night could his carriage be seen
or head rolling through the streets extending
comfort and relief to the sick and dying.
LEA b I. I 1ats
every one ia the courage, humanity and pub
he spirit of Mn FAULKNER, that at a meeting
Of the Trustees of the Town, the following
resolution or ordinance was passed, vesting
in him the entire municipal powers Of this
community, for the safety and protection Of
It's people The following is a copy Of the
resolution unanimous passed 10y the Board on
the 9th day OF September, 1854.
Satisfactory evidence having been laid
before the trustees Of the town OF MartiuSburg,
that the cholera still prevails in a yiruleut
and fatal form 10 our town, and there being
good reason 10 suppose that the existence and
continued prevalence Of the disease is TO be
attributed 10 many local uuisances, situated
more especially 10 the Northern and Eastern
portion OF IT, aud 90 the want Of ample di,iu-
injecting agents And it being desirable that
some prompt, efficient and energetic proceed
Jugs be adopted, 50 far as any legal authority
is vested in this body, to remove the cause Of
disease and 90 restore the town to its former
condition Of ellth,
Rcs0lre3, That CARRIES JAMES FAULKNEa,
be and he is hereby appointed on behalf Of
the Trustees of the town, and rested lrM all
the authority which Mcy possess under their
i d hi l..t oil oh
itary regulations aud proceedings which he
mag deem proper aud eXpedient 10 accomplish
I the object set forth in the premabe to this
resolution
Mr. Faulkner, being clothed with dictatoritl
authority, proceeded at once TO the energetic
performance If the duties devolved upon him.
/ lie caused the town 30 be thoroughly cleansed ;
/ the dams near town 10 be drelged, and the
fslid carcasscs brought mp by the dredse 10
/ De promptly buried lie had di,iuiec,ants
scattered through the streets, and IN all the
alleys and back-yarls be examined miuutely
every mans premises aud had the filth re-
| novel When these sanitary regulations
were an completed and confidence began
! again % revive In our community, new at
/ tacks of cholera became more rare, and IN less
| than a week from that time the peSjllence
seemed to have taken its departure from our
/ pliice.
/ was an eve witness Of ostof the facts that
have above described. The gratitude Of ev-
cry man, woman and child in this town was
poured forth in uumeasured terms upon Mr..
Faulkner, and now ask shall services like
these be overlooked and forgotten? He then
freely ri>kcd life, health. and everything that
man ho1 3, dear 10 administer 10 the rcliefs 0l
this distressed community? Are such deeds
worthy Of remembrance For myself can
say they shall never be forgotten by at least
Que grateful citizen Of Martiusburs.
MARTNsBUEC.