Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-11-04


one time, with the intention OF
trying to regain the God will oil
General Lee, wrote to him. IN :
forming him that, trusting that it
would be agreeable, he would do
himself the honor of dining with
him u on the following day. Up
on his arrival, however, he found
the house closed, aud fastened to
the front door was this message,
"nO bread or bacon cooked TO-
day There wasn't much Of the
boosted hospitality Of the old do
minion exhibited by this, but il Is
excnsable from tbs fact that Gen
eral Lee came from England, and
had not been a resident Of the
Commonwealth long enough to
become addic ed TO the habits OF
the people.
/ The three heroes GATES, Stephen
and Lee were in the habit OF ire
quently meeting at the residence
of the latter, in the summer ana
fall of 1882, and crack jokes, drink
wine and compare notes OF their
army experience. Upon one oc-
casion, after a lengthy sitting and
free indulgence ia the spirits winch
were ardent. General Lee obtain
ed the floor and expounded some
what as follows:
"The county of Berkeley Is liz
deed to be congratulated. She can
claim as citizens three noted Ma
! ior- Generals of the Revolutionary
War. You, Stephen, distinguish
ed yourself by getting drunk,
when you should have remained
sober, and was cashicred for adj
vancing when you should have
been retreating, while your hum
BILE servant covered himself with
glory and Iaurels, and was cashlr-
ed for retreating, when he should
have been advancing.p
COLONEL CRAWFORD
Was native of Berkeley county,
and emigrated, with his family to
Pennsylvania in 1868. He was an
intimate friend of George Wash
ington, by whom he was employ
ed to survey the public lands
along the Ohio and Big Kanawha
rivers, which were ora nted TO hln
for services in the French and In
dian war. He raised a regiment
and held commission as Colonel
at the beginning of the Revolu-
tiOnary war. Ia 1882, he COM
manded an expedition against the
Wyandot Indians, on the Mus
kingum river, at which time, at
the age of fifty, he was captured
by the savages and burned at the
| stake.
PORTE CRAYON."
d. II. Strother, Esq, DIETER
known to the people as Porte
CrayOn," author of the delightful
pen and pencil sketches of the Old
dominion, which were published
number of years since, in Har-
per'- Monthly is native of Mar
tiusburg. He early developed a
ge4ius Tor caricaturing, with his
ready pencil, and being ever quick
aud ready 10 discern the ludicrous,
he soon became famous in this
tine. WbiIe studying the art Of
painting, in Italy, ne gained a
reputation as correspondent, be-
fore he became a contributor to
Harper's Magazine, and as it
proved to be a lucrative Occupa-
lion, he pursued it for a number
of years. He is it at present Min
lister to Mexico, aud his fine resi-
dence in the city is occupied, dur
Ing his absence by his sisters.
Some interesting anecdo'e s are
related By an intimate friend and
clas.mate Of his bOyhO0d life,
which fairly illustrate his love
and appreciation of the ludicrOus.
At one time, he insfjgated a num-
Der Of paniOns to assist him in
capturing a small j3ckass, and car
ryiug it up the winding stairs,
into the steeple Of the courthouse,
in the middle of the night, and ty-
ing it to the bell. After retreating
safe distance, they waited and
watched the result. The ringing
Of the bell and the braying Of the
ass made melody in the air, not
much resembling the Trinity
chimes, and the good citizens,
startled from their sleep, and but
partially dressed, stood about in
gaping wonder, not able TO ac'
count for the phenomenon, II
was not until morning that any
could be found to brave the evil
spirits and ascend to investigate,
aud it took all day for the city
fathers to devise ways and means,
and rig block and tackle to lower
the animal.
One of his best exploits was in
boring large hole in the base of
the whipping post and pillory,
which stood near the Jail, filling it
with gun powder, and blowing