Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-30
The Presidentin West virginia.

The President In West Virginia.
President, Mrs. Grant aud maid and DIR.
Norris left the White Sulphur Springs Salur-
day, and arrived at Charleston w. Va, al 3 p.
u. Among the gentlemen introduced TO the
President on the way was tx Conf, dcrate Grn-
eral NcCausand, with whose name the Presl-
dent smiling ly expressed himself rather familiar.
On the arrival of the party at Charleston
grand ovation was rendered them. A tall mu.
latto woman rushed up, seized the Presidents
baud, shook 1t violently and lavished the most
extravagant expressions OF endearment upon
HIM. As soon as the crowd became still, Col.
Smith, venerable lawyer, delivered cordia!
address Of welcome, to which the President re-
piled as follows:
Gentlemen-It affords ME pleasure to visit
my friends at Charleston. About thirty years
ago--but that makes Me older than thought,
when | was cadet at West Point, | promised
my aunt, Mrs. Tompkins, and the other rela-
tves referred to by Colonel Smith, residing in
this valley, to visit them, and not until now
have been permitted to make good the prom-
lse am sorry that cannot remain with you
longer than two days
The President aud Mrs. Grant held an iufor-
NAL reception Saturday evening at the resi-
dence of Colonel Swami. Sunday the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Grant attended the Methodist
Episcopal Church, aud next day left Charleston,
to visit Mrs. Tompkius. at Cedar Grove, one
day, when they will return to Washington.
Solemn Day at Falls Church.
Correspondence of the Washington Star.
FALLS CHURCH, juno 29-The circumstances
connected with the exercises yesterday Sunday
at the NJ. +. Church South, in this place, and
the solcmnity of the same, will make the day
and its event memorable with the mature por-
ton of the population TO the end Of life. 1t WAS
the occasion Of the funeral services of Rev. Rich
srd 5. Shrevc and his wife. No religious SER
vices were held in the Methodist, Presbyterian
or Episcopal Churches in the morning and
Mr.. Scott and Rev. ID. Fl. Riddle, of the first
named Churches, and Rev. Geo. Fl. Williams,
from abroad Were present, together with the
people from all the surrounding region. The
concourse was great. Rev l.. b Crenshaw,
cousin to the deceased otticated. The pas or
read the hymn commencing Servant of God,
well done" After singing he read from the
XVIII chapter of Corinthians concerning the res
direction invoked the Tprone of Grace, and
then read from the hymn beginning $50 Eo,
tho prisoner is released"
Rev. Benjamin Bail then rose and remarked
that possibly his place that day was among the
chie inourners, being cousin to the deceased.
He then related the circumstances of the demise
of the two whose lifee:s forms were before him.
Richard 5. Shreve was the Methodist preacher
of the Botctourt circuit, Rev. John Shrcve WAS
the Methodist preacher Gu an adjoining circuit.
On Thursday last, these brothers with the wife
of the first named, had been visiting friend,
and returned to the house Of the first named,
near night. The evening meal had been pre-
pared, and before part .king of it family prayer
| ncol hac al
children, the eldest of whom is seven. The
youngest Of hem being lrctful the mother di-
rected tho ellcst to take all of them into sn adj
joining room and to qlet them during worship.
TIc adult persons then seated themselves for
family. worship-Mr. John ,Shreve, sat by one
opposite to him, Mr.. Richard Shrcve seating
himself in front of the window, and the servant
girl was seated near q table in the centre of the
| room. The bible had but just been passed to
John Shrcve to commence the service, when the
death dealing electric stroke came. The heavens
were overcast with dark, angry cloud, and u
few large, scattering drops Of water had fallen
Is tie only pr,monitions or precursors OF that
awful electric stroke. The eldest of the children
came into the room Immediately after the report
ard surveyed the scene, and gives the only in
telligibe account. Her father and mother were
PROSTATE on the floor. Mr John Shreve WAS
stag ering about the room, uttering some lnco-
h-rent words, and soon fell to tho floor. The
servant girl was para yZrd with terror. The
little girl thought 10 place her hand over her
fathers heart, and it WAS still beating The
nearest ncigiIbur WAS half hui G distant. Tho
servant girl was unacquanted with the road,
and finally the eldest girl, leaving the other
children in that house Of death, plotted the scr.
want girl through tho storm TO the nearest neigh
Dor for aid. Rev. John Shreve recovered, bat
tho electric bolt did its perfect work with
Richard S. Shreve and his wife, furnish.
ing one Of the most startling cxamphica-
tions on record of the truth of the line in
the burial service in the Book of Common
Prayer, to wit: "In the midst of life we are in
death" That family worship began on earth,
the thoughts Of the preacher, to echo and end
in Heaven.
Mr. Ball concluded with an eulogium on the
character and services of the dead Mrs. Shreve
in her madcnhood was Miss Epps, of Nottaway
county, Va. Rev. Mr. Crenshaw concluded the
tiers Of the deceased.
Perhaps it is not for human judgment TO de-
termine whether or not the following might have
been appropriate IS the last words for the lips OF
each member Of that circle for family worship:
AT peace with all the world, dear Lord ard
thee
No fears my souls unwsvering faith csn
shake
ALPS well which ever side the grave for me
The morning light'm may break"
AN IMPORTANT ISSUE The Baltimore and
PhadeIp hia Railroad Company have notified
the Postmaster General that from and after the
lst of July they will not haul the United States
postotfice cars over their road, but will carry
the mails as formerly like other freight, charg
ing full fare for every employee OF the Post
Office Department who goes over the road.
The Postmaster General will then begin suit 10