Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-12-05

PETERSBURG, Va, Nov. 20. 1884.

Editors Regiaer.-As reports of torch
light professions seem to be the rule in
the whole country, a report OF one held
last night in our city, the home Of Ma
hone, will prove interesting to some of
your readers. Ever since the intelligence
"Cleveland is elected, p" was flashed over
the wires, the Democrats Of Petersburg
have been anxious to give vent to their
ioy. The Democratic committee deter
mined to make the occasion grand sue
cess, and for several days the liveliest in
terest centered In it. The business men
gave liberally,'and everybody seemed glad
to "Shout the glad tidings from mountain
to sea, The Nation is safe, Virginia is
free" The committee requested that all
persons who controlled steam whistles,
bells and such like, blow, ring and sound
ut o'clock. Whistles blew, bells rang,
horns footed, crackers popped, rockets
fixed, and everybody seemed giadder
than every body else. The Apostolic in
junction, "Rcjoicc with them that do re-
joice," was literally obeyed, rs Republic
cans seemed TO enjoy it is much rs Demo
Gratis, and am told contributed literally
to the collection. Never in the history OF
the city WAS there. so much OF JOY ana
good cheer. know of some ladies who,
anxious to contribute TO the occasion,
went through their houses from room To
room ringing the dinner bell. Old anu
Young, high and low, black and white,
all seemed happy. At } o'clock cannon
doomed from the eastern and western ends
of the city. 4 salute Of 100 guns was
fired. From o'clock until night business
WAS suspended, and busy hands were max
ing ready for the grand torch-ligit pro-
cession and illumination. Before it was
fairly dark one and another Of the business
houses along Sycamore street began 10
illuminate, and by 80 the city was fairly
ablaZe. The decoration and illumination
was general and as beautiful rs | have
seen anywhere. Some of the private
houses had large transparcncies over their
doors, some Of very personal character.
Billy Malone was advertised everywhere.
By the way, he left town Oh the early
morning train. The procession moved
off promptly, and Ms highly creditable
affair. 1t is estimated rs many rs o,ooO
! men were in line. | will mention some
OF the transparencies: Malone sitting at
a stove-inscription, "March 4th, cold
day for Malone" \ large coffin, bearing
the inscription, "Jim Blaine, died Nov.
4th, 1854" Cock tisht-'Blainc knocked
out In first round" noticed in the pro-
ccssion large club of colored men. They
carried u transparency with this in>crlp-
tion ave want a few colorcd voters for
variety" The Richmond Zouaves and
Belya Lockwood Club came over and
added largely TO the interest of the occa-
sion. AS the procession was moving along
Harrison stieet wagon filled with fire
work, took fire, and more beautiful
sight | never bchcld. The horse ran at 4
lively gait. No damage WAS done save
the premature explosion of the fireworks
and the canvas burned off the wagon.
We had cold-bloodcd murder here
last night about s o'clock. white and
colored man became involved III Il diff
Guilty, when young man named Wilmar
Holland stepped in us pcaccmaker, only
TO receive Il stab that ended his life.
There was some talk Of lynching the muir
derer.
The protracted drought of the past three
months, which has retarded farming OPP
erations i'm this section, as well as dried
up all the springs and creeks i'll the adja-
cent counties, has at last been broken.
Fine rains fell in this section Saturday
night and Sunday, and it is thought
enough to enable FARMERS to 30 to work
and fallow their ground for wheat and
oats. Our city water supply has been
short since August, and we have suffered
severely from fires in consequence. AS
much as 5000, 900 worth OF property could
have been saved had water been plentiful.
Nearly all our factories are ut work
again. AM. the business outlook is more
cheerful.
But enough for this time.
Sincerely yours, {. y. l..
4 (. II, Il Il .l.,fi, in mr.