Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-06-24
VIRGINIA FREE PRESS.
{. 4. &T.F. I. GALLAHER. EDITORS.
Charlestown, Jefferson Co., w. Va
OFFICE ty "JErrzRsox DUILpIyG."
Saturday, Juno "a, 1876.
From the Huntington Commercial.
Editorial Trip.

Editorial Trip.
On the morning Of the 2nd, friday we left
Washington TO attend the annual meeting OF
the Press Association of West Virginia, which
was announced to convene at Cbarlestown,
jefferson county. Tic day was deli ght!ul
charming, and but for the intense heat OF the
sun, who poured down bis rays unobStrucied
in n cloud'cSS sky, the precursor OF disturbed
magnetic forces ia tie elements, and which
toward evening WAS practically demonstrated
in the lightning flash and down pouring rain,
our visit would have been one Of unalioyed
pleasure and euiymert We reached the vii
lace precisely at 1890 O'clock, deposited onr
baggage in the hotel, and turning about, made
inquiry Of an aged gentleman, slightly deaf,
but of most respectful bearing, whom we found
scanning the register, IN what pat Of the town
the convention WAS in session. Sharply eye
ing Us. aud believing he had mistaken our
meaning as 10 the kind ut a convention, we a.
pologetically explained that we we're 10 search
of information as to the whereabouts OF the
room in which the editors Of West Virginia
were TO meet. We now, to our chagtin, learn
ed that the meeting bad been postponed,
which precious piece of information had cool
ing effect upon our nervous system, consider
ing the extreme heat which prevailed, aud ta-
king into account that we bad traTeled some
500 miles to reach this point. Wiping the
gathered pcrspiration from our brow, and seiz-
ing with a firm grasp our cane, VIC sailed
forth in quest of printing Office. On the cor
ner of the square we found the office of the
d.. o1 lan N 4
editors the information we sought and quietly
awaiting results, determined 10 make the esss
of the situation The Messrs. Gallaher Of Che
Tree Press, to whom we wish to express our
obligations, kindly sympathized at our dlsap-
pointment, and with true, genuine Nirgiuian
hospitality, pressed rs TO remain over TILL the
next day, and participate with them ~ the
ceremony Of decorating the graves of The Con-
federale soldiers, some three hundred OF whom
are inferred at Elge Hill Cemetery and other
places in town. Pre-arrangements, however,
forbade us the pleasure, both of this and the
concert of the Musical Association that night !
but fearing duties elsewhere might prevent our
attendance on another occasion Ot the Press
Association, and learning we had few hours
margin before the train would arrive, we were
desirouS of making the hest OF it in seeing what
was to be seen, and learning what was - be
learned Of the town famous as the place where
John Brown was executed, and for the natural
beauties Of It's situation in one of the mos;
charming of valleys. Nowhere, at this season
of the year, had we seen fields that promised
so bountiful a crop to reward the !abors OF the
hustanlman. Wheat, grass clover, in patch
cs Of emerald beauty studded the landscape,
forming a combination Of natures tiutS, and
making a picture Of the rarest lJveliness.
In company with the venerable father oi
the Messrs. Gallaher, we visited the residence
Of Mrs. Ella B. Washington, widow Of the la!o
Col. Lewis " Washington, who at present
occupies the beautiful mansion MordiDgton,
which is admirably situated, and commands a
very fiue view of the surrounding county
The estate, we believe, embraces about ninety
acres Of unexceIled land, aud was formerly
owned by Judge l. r. Douglas, who for many
wears was at the head Of jefferson Circuit
Court. Mrs W. is greatly respected 10 the
community for her many excellent qualities OF
character, and with the blood Of both sides the
Washington family coursing in her veins, The
nearest living relative Of the great General, she
is iustly proud of her distinguished ancestor.
This lady is at present engaged in writing a
history Of General Washington, IN which she
promises to give many original anecdotes OF
this remarkable man which the public hereto
fore have not seen. Mrs. Washington seemed
quite disappointed to learn the editors had not
arrived, but expressed great pleasure when in-
formed they would meet there at some future
day. The mansion contains some line old
paintings, mostly portraits, Of the Washing
ton family, and the visitor has but to listen to
description Of them by Mrs. W.-who, by
the way, is gifted with extraordinary conveF-
sationa powers-to become interested in the
history Of each one.
Charestown, we should judge, contains a
bout fifteen or sixteen hundred inhabitants
several churches, two hotels, two newspapers
and fair representation Of commercial enter
prise. \ prominent druggist, Mr.. C. E. Bel
Ter. we found TO be a relative Of our townsman,
Mr. n. W. Haines, and a most courteous gen.
tleman. as also Messrs. Duke & Gallaher, hard
ware dealers in fact, we were never IN
place before where we found so many warm
hearted people There was one gentleman
with whose Acquaintance we were most pleas
ed. that deserves notice, namely: Col. Clement
March, formerly Of New hampshire, but fol
many years resident OF Jefferson county. Al
one time the Colonel was one Of the most To-
fuential friends Of President franklin Pierce
He now owns the noted Washington estate
lClaymoutl, the mansion upon which original
ly cost thiriy-eisht thousand dollars. Col
March is a well preserved man Of perhaps fifty
years, and is bachelor.
HID we space, we might speak Of some Of
tie preparations this kind people had made
for the newspaper men, and Of great many
other things that then escaped our obser7a-
ton. or IL seen forgotten, during our brief stay
of few hours. The neat public hall, prepa
rations for concert, country, public spirit, anC
thrift of the people-tokens Of substantial
wealth, &c.,-must be passed over Until w'
vis:s this be4utiful yillage again.