Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-02-07
GFrom the Pittsburg LEADER
APITTSBURGHERS ACCOUNT OF
MARTINSBURG.
ON THE OLD STA MPIN G
GROUND.
4 Militiaman at Martinsburg- =
Martinsburg The Resurrection
Of the Valley

-
Of the valley
MARTINsBURG, w. VA, Janu-
airy 20. By the opening of the
Connellsviile route 10 Washington
and Baltimore. Pittsburgh has
BEEN ron9ilt I'm Communication
wiilfa region Of country compare
lively unknown to It. The local.
ity from which we write is proba-
bly, only known in name to the
vast majority of Pittsbnrghers, ex-
cept to those Of our citizens who
were connected with the Army of
the Potomac: whose recollections
of hardships and privations en-
dured in their frequent marches
up and down the Shenandoah val
ley, may not he the most pleas
ant, even if they did meet with
warm receptions by the way.
MARTINsBURG,
is situated OH the main line Of the
Baltimore road, one hundred miles
West Of Baltimore, and next to
Cumberland is the largest and
most important place on the road.
The county seat of Berkeley
county, in the midst Of the Shen-
andoah valley-one ofGod's grand
est creations. 1t is surrounded by
some OF the finest farming land in
the State, and is justly termed the
garden spot of Virginia. During
The war no place on the border suf-
fered more severely than did Mar
tinsburg, and a decade of years
will scarcely serve to efface its
ravages. Occupied one day by the
Union armies, the next by those
of the Confederacy, like a Football
it was kicked from side to side by
the contending forces until 1t was
difficult for the residents to an
swer that pertinent inquiry,
"Where are we now ~ They have
at least one blessing to be thankf full
for, in never having inflicted upon
them that scourge known as the
Pennsylvania militia, as Hagers-
town did once. Coming out Ofthe
war almost beggared and with al
most utter ruin staring them In
the face, they took hold with char
acteristic American pluck, which
| is sure to win in time, but owing
to the lack Of capital and many
branches of business being over
done, makes it uphill work with
the merchants. Martinsburg is an
Incorporated city, having popu-
| lation of about 1000 A. p.
Shut, Esq, the mayor, who has
held the position for several years,
| is a gentleman of energy and dcce-
sion, and during his administra-
ton has inaugurated many needed
| improvement i'm the municipal af-
fairs of the place. The Baltimore
and Ohio railroad has located here
very extensive shops, and the
payment of hands every month is
the means of putting large
amount of money in circulation.
Speaking of railroads reminds US
that at this place Pennsylvania
"Great Monopoly" has literally
stretched one of its arms over the
b. & O. r.. II. in the extension OF
the Cumberland Valley road from
Hagerstown to Martinsburg.
Connolly, Naylor & Co. of Pitts.
burg, have lately completed gas
works, and are supplying SUI
perior article of gas, far ahead of,
in every respect, the miserable
stuff furnished in Pittsburg. A
fine water works has just been
| furnished and tho city is being
supplied with water, by what Il
known as the "Holly system =
These works have been erected in
a very old fashioned way, for af.
ter careful inquiry, we find there
was no ENLIGHTENMENT of water
bond or other irregularities" in
dulged in, and 1t was not necessary
for their financial committee to
have frequent meetings"to probe
it to the bottom" The
SOCIAL ATTRACTIONS
of Martinsburg are worthy OF note
The people are generous and hos
pitable to fault, and one cannot
but be struck with the air o.
refinement that pervades society
The young ladies are stylish, hand
some and accomplished, possessing
every requisite to enable them tC
preside over any drawing room
in the land with becoming ease
and dignity. There Is great
dearth Of young gentlemen here
word to the wise Is sufficient
Like every other city and town
Martinsburg has its