Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-02
Letter from Missouri.
CLINTON, HENRY COUNTY, Mo.
INV 18th 1891

CLINTON, HENRY COUNTY, Mo-, |
July 10th, 1881. !
EDS. SPECTATOR Not long since q
copy of the STAUNTON SPECTATOR fell
into my hands. The name of Staunton
brought up a train of reflections, of a
mingled character, as the writer was
carried back in Imagination to the End
of June, when he left that muoh-loved
and beautiful city en- route for this
place. After passing the White Sul>
phur Spring, everything saw was new
to me. The mountain scenery was nov
ell and grand; the queer little cabins,
with wooden chimneys, all kept up an
untiring interest. It would fill columns
of your paper to describe tho beautiful
country we saw, or to recall the hum
dred and one interesting and amusing
incidents that occurred until we reached
this place. Now all is reality, what has
heretofors been imagination, as regards
this beautiful country. At this season
of the gear, when you see the broad
acres of waving corn and the fine herds
of cattle grazing on the prairies, it is
indescribably beautiful. A few weeks
ago you could see reapers in every di-
rection, moving along as if by magic,
cutting down the beautiful golden grain,
which appeSringly seemed abundant,
but am told it is like great many
things in this world, "most all chaff."
One gentleman told me he thfashed
straw enough for l 900 bushels of wheat
and only obSained 1876 bushels. It was
our privilege to attend the 4th of, July
celebration in Clinton. This il place
of some three or four thousand inhabi-
tants, and quite an imposing little town !;
at any rate celebrates the Nations
al hid xr,ikl 70 hn I,roi
tated by some of our dear old Virginia
cities. From daylight until ten o'clock
might be seen men, women, children,
and dogs pouring into town, until the
courtyard, sidewalks, and business
houses were filled to OVERLOOKING. The
crowd was estimated at from six to ten
thousand-ldogs aid all I suppose.
The programme was varied-civic pro-
cession, music, speaking, &c.
In the court yard was to be seen
platform, fitted up and decorated with
hickory and oak boughs, for the accom-
mediation of those who indulge in the
pleasure of dancing. And all day long
could be seen different sets moving to
the inspiring music of an old violin that
few would be ashamed of. Such galaxy
of beauty and refinement as was there
assembled cannot be seen every day.
Won d that some painting Of that scene,
worthy of the occasion, could be made.
The next thing on the programme
here is the hanging of a man on the
22nd for the crime of numbering q man
in this county twelve years ago. It was
a cold ble1ded murder, and I suppose
he deservesthis cruel death yet we can
not help pity the fallen wretch, for
believe that of all people who need pity,
it is those who have done evil deeds
Until we can read the heart of another
without doubt, and know all the cir
cumstances of his life, we should not
blame him too much; for many who
doubtless set out in life meaning to be
as good as the best, sometimes seem to
have been victims of demons bound on
their eternal destruction. A moment of
wrath may turn the feet upon the down.
ward road, 30 hard to retrace. Human
life is made up of light and darkness.
There are those whose lives look at
times as though all the light of this
world had fed. suppose 1t seemed SO
to the lady who few weeks ago was
cruelty deserted by the one who had
promised to be her stay and comfort
through life. When the Circuit Court |
of johnson county was in session last
month, she applied for a divorce. |
Among the witnesses, there was one |
gentleman who seemed to sympathize |
deeply with the woman, so lone and de
serted and after giving his evidence in
the case, left the room. While the Court /
was giving the lady her true liberty, he
was making arrangements to have a
marriage ceremony performed and in
less than forty minutes she was bound
to the kind hearted and sympathizing
witness. Truly this is fast age.
Taking every thing into considera-
ton, we can not help but like this coun-
try, and feel thankful we are permitted
to visit here, yet occasionally sigh
will escape for that loved Valley, where
the fountain murmurs, and the rills
sing. and pleasant breeze fans your
cheek. 1t is intensely warm here.
PATTIE.