Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-26
Our Lewis County Letter.

drouth still continues throughout
this region and is becoming disas-
trous to the prospect of corn and
late vegetable crops; grass is dry
ing up and pasturage becoming
very scarce. Those of our farmers
who are engaged in stock raising,
which embraces the larger number
are put to much inconvenience by
the scarcity OF water and prospect
of forage for cattle. I notice fire.
quent advertisements of offerings
of young cattle for sale, which
would not be the case if feed for
winter was assured. If any of
your farmers who engage in feed
ing cattle during fall and winter
season desire to secure their stock,
now would be the time to make
the effort as they would be certain
to get good bargains, which if de-
ferred and fall pasturage improves
so as to encourage those holding
them will naturally add to their
value My observation only ex
tends to the immediate surround
ings of the town, and in all the
valleys and surrounding hills the
grass crop has been cut and stack
ed, and considering the want of
moisture the quantity secured ex
hibits clearly the marvellous fer
tility of the soil. Hills which in
your valley region might well be
termed young mountains are set
with native grass up to their apex
and when cultivated in corn in a
good season, invariably yield from
% to 80 bushels per acre. Pota-
toes are very prolific and profita
BILE growth in this locality. The
Asylum provides a good market
for every variety of edibles. Every
day the yard is occupied with
market wagons, and dealers in
butter, eggs, berries and vegeta-
bles of every kind, which they SCI
dom fail in selling for use in the
Asylum, the occupants of which
are furnished at each meal with am
pie supplies of food, well-cooked
and prepared, of which, as a gen
eral thing they partake according
to their wants-and if delicate in
appetite special extra dishes may
be prepared for them.
On Saturday last twelve new
patients were received, coming
from the Southwestern counties
consisting of six white, three col
ored men and three white females.
The Institution is now very full,
on last Monday morning a number
were dismissed, some fully restored
and others partially who, went out
under bond, that is going on more
or less every week, and it is con-
ISOLATION to know that many recov-
er, some improve and probably
the fewest number are left as in
sane. The Institution is a grand
d..benifcent State charity, of
which every citizen should feel a
proper pride and realize that a
small portion of their annual State
taxes go toward its support.
There is not one, or any family in
the state who may not by misfor-
tune be necessitated to have some
friend or relative receive it's beni-
ficent treatment. It was my for
tune to receive and take charge of
one of the last admitted. They
arrived in the afternoon and quar-
tiers being provided l escorted
the gentleman to his room telling
him that he should make himself
feel comfortable and if I could
add to his comfort in any way to
call upon me. His reply was I
am very tired. I told him to oc-
cupy his bed at once after taking
a bath and changing his clothing,
which is invariably done with all
patients. About supper time l
went to his room. He met me
smiling and said, stranger I ieel
that / am in paradise after my sad
experience of Jail life. This is in
deed a Heaven provided place. /
know / must improve here if it
can be secured. This circum-
stance calls my attention to the
fact that much unnecessary and
improper suffering is frequently
caused to insane men and women
while they are confined in various
comfy iails. The court's shOuld