The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-11-07

skin moccasins, and fox-skin caps
some on horseback, more on foot-gen-
orally carrying with them the trust
ed rified-gun with flint lock, which
they seldom left behind them, wheth-
they were coming to court, in the
camp, or in the eornfield-with faces
bronzed by constant exposure to
storm and sunshine-stalwart, sin
envy men-of indomitable courage
and patient of toll and struggles
interrupted by the luxuries of
wealth-uncontaminated by the
vices of courtiers or cabinets-if
somewhat rude in manners, and I'M
cultured, vet breathing the very
spirit of freedom and personal indie
pendenee-Athe vanguard of Ameri-
can civilization heralding the march
of Empire" as it westward takes
its way"
Safe as we now are, in our COM
Portable homes, supplied with all
the absolute necessaries of life, and
possessed ofthe multiplied blessings,
which the progress of the 10th cen
fury has brought in such profIsion
to our doors, the present generation
can hardly appreciate the privations
and perils encountered and conquer
ed by those heroic pioneers, to pro-
vide for us the rich inheritance of
peace, plenty and security which we
now enjoy. i have in my possession
extracts from manuscript letters,
written by one who helped to raise
corn in field where we are now as
sembled, 102 years ago. They con-
tain graphic description of the
scenes and sorrows common in those
early days. They are too long to
read now. | will append them to
my address and you can peruse them
at your leisure. They must greatly
enhance your sense of obligation to
the fathers who subdued the wilder
ness once covering those hills and
valleys. See note a.
1t is an erroneous, If not impious,
impression prevailing apong some
persons, that these pioneers were
wholly uncivilized, and little better
than the savages, whom they sup
planted. Among them came men of
considerable culture and refinement.
Besides, they all had that practical
education, which is derived from
actual contact with society, and in
spired and developed by active par
ticipation in the affairs of life, and
by the pressure of surrounding dan
gers and difficulties, the necessities
of their condition. Nor were they
without the ordinances Of the chris
tian religion, or the presence of a
christian ministry. Bishop Asbury,
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
was in Morgantown in July 1885,
preaching and baptising. He was
here, also, in 1855; and again in
1888, when he was assisted in his
ministrations by Presbyterian
clergyman.
must pass rapidly over the sub
sequent municipal history of the
town. 1t may be found in our Stat
ute books. 1t must suffice to say,
that in 1910, the trustees of the town
were made elective by the freehold
ers. Subsequent Legislation in 1916
and 1922 vested power in the trust
ees to levy taxes for certain purposes
and within certain limitations. In
1924, the trustees procured survey
and plat to be made of lots, streets,
alleys, public buildings, and had the
same entered of record in the clerk
office Of the county. In 1888 the
number of trustees was increased to
seven, with increased powers and
jurisdiction. In 1860 "The Borough
of Morgantown" was Incorporated,
and the boundaries defined by law.
In 1885, these were enlarged by the
voters at an election held for the
purpose.
Situated away from any leading
thoroughfare of trade or travel,
the growth of Morgantown in popu
lation and industrial enterprises has
been slow. Since the completion Of
the Baltimore Il Ohio Railroad to
Wheeling, it has been stationary.
Prior to 1860, we have no record of
it's population. By the census of
that year, the number of it's inhabi-
tants was 749; in 1870, 1877; in 1880,
745. In later years the tendency
has been to purchase and build upon
lots in the suburbs. And so the
census of 1880 shows the number Of
inhabitants in these suburbs to be
as follows: In Durbannah, 127: in
Hoffman's addition, So; in Sallytown,
81; and in West Morgantown, SO;
making with the inhabitants within
the actual limits of the borough, a
total population Of 1915.
Nothing is more creditable to our
little town than its educational his
tory. 1t has long been noted for its
excellent schools. Its interest and
efforts in the promotion of education
commenced nearly with its origin
and have continued and augmented
ever since. The limitations of the
hour will not permit more than a
chronological catalogue Of its var
ious educational enterprises.
An academy was incorporated
here in 1914 by the name of 1.-THE
Monongalia Academy" 1t was
built on the site of the residence now
owned and occupied by Thomas R.
Evans, Esq.
In 1928, the grounds, now belong |
ing to our present excellent free
school, were purchased by the acad-
envy, and a new building erected
thereon, which was afterwards en-
larged by it to it's present dimen-
sions. Thenceforth it grew in USE
fulness and reputation until at last,
under the efficient administration Of
the late Rev. j. r. Moore it rose to
a rank surpassed by few institutions
of similar grade, attracting to its
halls pupils from more than dozen
States.
In 1881, a female seminary was
projected; and with the aid and CO.
operation of the Monongalia Acad-
my, lot was purchased and small
building erected where Henry S.