The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-11
PRESTON COUNTY.
Interesting Remfniscences-The 20
lltical situation, &c.
PRESTON CstNTY, w. VA,
80 August 8, 1875.


PRESTON CstsTY, w. Va,
August 8, 1875.
Editors of the Register:
Atthe confluence of two streams, which
approach each other at right angles,
forming Sandy Creek, on an uneven,
arrowhead shaped plateau, sharply de-
fined by the abrupt ascent of chain OF
lofty hills which tower 10 the skies on
every hand, stands the quaint little town
of Fellowsville. The turnpike from
Winchester to Parkersburg passes
through the village, and is intersected
here by another leading to kingwood,
the county seat, fifteen miles distant.
Twenty-Five to fifty years ago the first
mentioned of these roads was the great
rou.e of travel to the Ohio river. The
"Ho! hop of the drover, the ringing
crack of his whip, the lowing and bleat-
ing and sQuealns of herds, were familiar
sounds throughout the summer to those
who lived along the road at that DAY:
Then there was the constant passing OF
wagons, some loaded to the bows with
goods for West Virginia, Kentucky and
Ohio merchants; others with the wives
and children of the hardy emigrants
on their way 10 find new homes
in the great west. And then last,
but not least, was the rumbling,
rafting, roaring old stage coach,
and the urkish rollicklng fellow who sits
on the box, his right foot on the brake
lever, his left braced against the loot
board and holding the relns in his left
hand, he guides and controls those six
plunging, laundering, flying horses,
while in his right hand he fourishes
long dashed whip which ever and anon he
cracks sharply over tine heads of his lead
horses. Now we arc off on the six mile
down grade from the summit OF
LAURAL HILL TO FELLowsvILLE,
where we change the mail and take
relay of horses. We are on the home
stretch. The coach begins to sway from
side to side, and from end to end. Timid
passengers clutch hold Of stanchions and
straps, while we sold stagers" yield our
selves to the exciting and thrilling enjoy
ment of the situation, and as We swing
furiously around short curve. the coach
gives lurch and Tor an instant we look
down, down through tree tops into
yswning chasn, and rs the wheels rat
tie sharply over the coping stones we
arc fully aware of the TACT that had the
stones been loose or rolling we should
have gone to the bottom or been
lodgsi in the tree tops. Thus we
dash on, our jolly driver playiully
exposing us to all manner of danger
that he may display his skill in averting
it. A winding blast from the drivers
horn announces our near approach to the
Fcllowsvillians, and moment later we
dash up to tie hotel and stage office, the
wheels missing row Of posts by just the
sixteenth part OF an inch, and come to u
halt The passengers hasten to get out,
and as they do so, each examines to see 1t
he or she is all there. This WAS the mode,
and these the common incidents to travel
At the time of which | write. Fellows
Vile then was new and fourishing
town, and could boast. among other
things, of its too weekly newspapers, and
the best hotel on the stage line. But its
elories have long since departed; the
grass grows green in its principal streets,
and the stage drivers horn is heard no
more.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
What is peculiarly noticeable to a
stranger is the marked reticence of the
people of Preston county on the subject
of politics. | have been ut some pains 10
discover the cause Of this, and find that
it is the result of the predatory kind of
warfare waged here during the re-
bellion, and the system OF political
prescription by the Republican party
since. The county, since the war, has
gone uniformly Republican, owing to
the wholesale DISTINGUISHING of Demo-
Gratis; but an entire revolution in the po-
htical sentiment of the people is silently
taking place. Even here in this remote
region the bightng effect of the mis-.
management and corruption Of the Re
publican party are also felt, crushing to
death our numbering and other interests
by which We and our families live. The
silent mills and shops. and the great
plies of lumber rottlng for want OF mar
ket attest the presence OF the dread
paralysis which has settled down like
hideous night. mare upon the whole land,
and with its giant clutch is strangllng
every business and financial interest of
the people-save that of the bond holder.
But these evils, like most others, are
working their own cure; they are, as l
have already intimsted, working An
entire revolution in the political senti-
ment Of hepeople, not only OF the peo-
ple of this county, nor of the state, but
all over the broad national domain.
THE WANTS OF THE DEMOCRACY.
What the Democratic party OF this
countv-and | doubt not the same may
apply to other counties-nceds is aVigor-
Gus and thorough organization, by
which, the strength of the party, and the
widespread dissi!ection and disgust OF
honest well-thinklng Republicans may
alike be utilized. As yet, the Democratic
committee of this county, has issued no
call for convention. This, think, is
mistake, AS the result will be- to leave
too little time tor working upa vigorous
campaign, and for securing an effective
party organization, before the election.
DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.
l shall be greatly disappointed if Pres
ton county does not on the second Tues
day in October give n good round Demo
cratic maiority for the state and county
ticket, which will mean an increased one
in November for TIlden, Honesty and