Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-05
Oabell County Letter.


us every week, and is appreciated
as letter from home. 1t teens
with items of interest for all, but
is particularly interesting to dis
tant ones, once so familiar with
the scenes and incidents of old
Berkeley. Would willingly con-
tribute to the interest Of so valua-
bic paper, but fear my efforts
would appear very tame beside
the many sprightly items from the
differentlocal sections.
We are rusticating, and have
become one Of the "sons of toll, I
but operate mostly in the shade
during the intensely hot and dry
weather of the past ten days. The
wheat harvest is over and was an
average. Cabell county although
agricultural in her interests, does
not raise sufficient wheat to seed
Berkeley. Gardening seems to be
a favoriteinterest with many here,
and the consequence is that vege-
tables are quite plentiful.
Quite a serious fire broke out
last night, burning about a dozen
business houses in the central por-
ton of the city. The buildings
were of.wood and the flames were
hard to control when once start
ed. The loss to the business men
will be heavy unless covered with
insurance. | was impressed with
the fact that no such a calamity
could have occurred in your city,
with your fine facilities for subdu-
ing the ravages of fire. The orr
gin of the fire seems to be shroud-
ed in some mystery, but it is rea-
sonable to suppose it was the
work of an incendiary, and posi-
bly, an irresponsible one. Hun
tlngton seems to be having her
share Of fires and it will likely
continue until the wooden struc-
lures are all replaced by substan-
tial ones.
The building boom is not as
great here as last year. The En-
sign Car Works have not been
running much for several months,
and in consequence several hum
dred hands are thrown out of en-
ployment for the time being. 1t
is expected that they will start
up soon with full force, and things
will then look much brighter. 1t
is gratifying to know that Berk-
elev is still in the fore 'front.' in her
agricultural interests as the num-
Der of binders sold would indicate
an immense harvest. Well, she
has good soil and good farmers,
and with that and a fair season
the result isnever doubtful. Pol
tiles there as here would seem to
be dull, but presume will warm up
soon. The nomination Of Hon.
James @. Blaine is universally
endorsed by the Republicans here,
and the Democrats Of course are
pleased as they think he will be
beaten easily though, in my judg-
ment, that is highly problematical,
and like the 'sHon. HI. g." eff we
are to have Republican presi-
dent latter next March) am glad
that it is likely to be Blaine"
Hon. r. Boyd Faulknerha the
lead here and in adjoining coun-
ties in the Gubernatorial race and
it is generally conceded that he
will receive the nomination.
With the acknowledged ability
of his competitors conceded, /
think it will be wise in the con-
vention to confer the honor on
Berkeley's gifted son, as it will
require all the vim, energy and
ability that he so largely possess
es to win the race in the coming
campaign. | suppose there will
some be found willing to enter
the race for the Sheriffalty Of
Berkeley. You have good material
and can scarcely fail to secure a
good man. / notice with pleasure
a favorable mention Of my old
friend Major Stuckey for State
Senator. 1t would be a grateful
recognition of lifelong party SER
vice to send him to the Senate
and at the same time secure a
pure, honest and efficient repre-
sentation. &C. Il. L." would
make capital Assessor, and if /
had any "say" in the matter