Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-02-04

county. In the same tree he found
also a knife-blade and another iron
ring. These articles were found in
a tree Is inches from the outside
bark. IL was a white oak and four
feet across the stump. 1t is thought
that a hundred years have elapsed
since the ring and staple were dfiv-
Ell into the OAK.
We take the following from the
Spirit Of Jefferson: The dwelling oc-
cupied by Mr.. VIM. >. Smith, on the
Mcfarland farm, about mile TO
The northwest or Hdiltown was
de. troyed 10y fire on last Wednesday
mornins, together with almost the
entire household effects and other
article, Of Mr.. Smith and family,
amounting in value TO twelve or fiji
teen hundred dollars. The value OF
The house, which belonged 90 Mrs.
DIR. Fuller aud daughter o. VIM
chester, we have not learned. The
fire is supposed To have originated
from souie defect in the chimney.
No insurance.
There is no longer doubt enter
tanned as to the matrimonial en-
gagement of Mr.. Frank Baker, son
of Charles j. Baker, Esq, of Shep-
h~eidstown, Jefferson county, and
Miss Julia Jackson, the only child
and daughter of the late Gen. Stone
wall Jackson. The groom expectant
is a young gentleman of are bust
ness sagacity, and socially, is uni
versally liked. The nuptials are to
come off early in the now near YER
nal season and the home of the new
ly married will be in handsome res
idence recently purchased by Mr..
Baker. So says the Bdltimsredn.
AT Paw Paw, Morgan county, on
the line of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, on the morning of the 25th
Jan, two large frame buildings oc-
cupied by Perry Williamson as store
and dwelling, were totally destroyed
by fire. Williamson saved his house
hold goods, but lost about three
thousand dollars worth of stock,
which was fully covered by insur-
ance. The buildings were owned by
DR.. X. 5. McKaig, of Cumberland,
whose loss is owe three thousand
dollars, with no insurance. The
building was formerly used as a rail.
road depot, and vas one of the old
| est in the place. The origin OF the
fire is supposed to have been a de-
fective fiue.
The Spirit Of Jefferson says: We
have ben permitted to peruse a cor
respondence between Hon. ID. Il.
Lucas, of Charlestown, and Col. w.
p. Craghill, u. 5. Engineers, in re-
lation to the appropriation for the
improvement of the Shenandoah riv.
er, made by Congress some time ago,
and from IL we gathered information
that will be gladly received by a
large number of our people. The APP
preparation OF SIT 900, it will be re-
membered, was made conditional,
that all the rights and titles of the
old Shenandoah River Navigation
Company should be Cancelled and
the work given to the entire control
of the u. ). Government, before the
appropriation should be expended;
aud this is the only reason why work
upon the river Improvement has not
been begun long since. AS 1t now
stands, these parties have surrender
ed their rights except three in Clarke
county, and against these it will be
necessary for the state to proceed by
condemnation. 1his, we are glad TO
be able to say, Mr.. Lucas means TO
have done as speedily as possible
and then our people on the Shenan-
doah, from Harper's Ferry up, will
have the benefits of an appropria-
ton which should long ago lNve
been disbursed, but which, for the
reason stated, could not be done.
Mr.. Lucas and Col. Craghill have
each taken a great interest in the
matter, and deserve much credit for
their active efforts in it's behalf.