Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-08-23
A CARD.

LDliOkS VI II REE i
MEN: Knowing well your spirit of fair
ness, ! request the insertion of the fol-
lowing in your valuable paper. The
author of ''Harper's Ferry Happenings"
of the 9th instant, gnores the command
"Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbour" and seeks by
false statements to cast reflection on me
for trying to clear the community of
the vilest creatures that have infested
it since the Vigilance Committee was
organized in 1876 to rid the town OF
thieves, murderers, monte men, &c. |
have no objection TO the writer's asso
citation with such people, or to their be-
coming his especial :proteges, but shall
take good care to see that they keep
clear of the property so long as the
Government instructs me TO try TO save
it.
Mrs Ann Foreman, the head OF these
interesting martyrs, was incarcerated in
the Cumberland City Jail, in Maryland,
for keeping "Bagnio." She was re-
leased from Jail on the promise that she
would gather her interesting family to-
gether-her husband (James) being
wanted in the "chain gang"-and leave
the town under escort of policeman
for place more congenial with their
calling (See enclosed letter from the
Hon. Mayor Of Cumberland.) They
found, it seems, place Of refuge near
III oh NJ fur
and driving a man from the "Squatter
House" he had paid, or partially paid
for, on the U. S. lands, took possession,
and commenced their operations by SET
ting fire to, and burning up about 400
acres of U. S. Timber-it is believed to
get dry winter wood. Farmers and their
families along the survey, with fences
and buildings, were in danger of being
burned; men were on the mountain
fighting the fire day and night to save
life and property, but the Foremans
were getting powder and shot ready to
shoot any one who tried to disturb them
aud especially me, if I came South Of
the Shenandoah river on the U. S.
lands.
The Government paid Ferdinand
Fairfax ct al S20,S60.62 for this prop
erty Qaad the house occupied by Fore
mans sits on, and the balance of the
1895 5-S acres August 30th. 1913, so |
must be pardoned for carrying out my
instructions in trying to save the pub
lie property.
1t is strongly hinted that these elegant
people came here TO find their banker,
who lately followed mules on the canal
for a living, and their inventor, to get
! a machine that would protect them
while stealing, and selling or using
other peoples property. Certain it is
money was furnished them, and their
legal friend advised them TO stay. Va
grants and beggars from birth, too lazy
To work, the Foreman's have become a
scourge wherever they have stopped.
They are wanted in Old Virginia for
crimes committed not long since. And
the fact that my tastes do not run IN
! the direction of the writer of "Happen-
ings' TO protect and shield such crea-
lures in crime,) and a desire TO save
enough OF the Mountain Timber that
was not sacrificed by their mule driving
friend some time since, to make re-
/ spectacle showing at the L. S. sale OF
lands this Fall, and a love for decency
and virtue must be my apology FOR my
action.
There will be speedy investigation
and in it | do not envy the position of
the friends of Migrants, thieves and
worse criminals, who seek to make a
very Sodom out of all the most roman
tic, historical and poetical towns 10
America, for the sake of petty spite and
! penny gain. g. w. GRAHAM.
Aug II, 1S10-lt.