Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-06-06
VOL. Ia.
Our Lewis County Letter.
JUNE l, 1885.


Iu the absence of any local news
of moment, pertaining to Asylum
and its inmates, / propose this morn
ing giving your readers a pen pic
ture of Weston, and aslight descrip-
ton of it's business, educational and
religious advantages, as seen from
my stand point.
Weston occupies central location
of county, Immediately on the West
Fork of the Monongahala river,
which divides the town the larger
and business portion being on the
east, and Asylum grounds and build
ings on the west side, surrounded
by small, scattered dwellings. The
depot of the G. w. & G. road rests
upon the street directly at north end
of Asylum grounds. A wooden-cov-
cred bridge leads into the town, and
is in bad condition both as to struc-
ture as well as cleanliness. When
the wind blows, the dust is suffocat-
ing and disagreeable. A discussion
is now prevalent to improve by erect
ing an iron open-work structure,
which would be very desirable.
There are a number hotels, the
largest, called the "Bailey House,"
is a brick structure, occupying a
central location, and the "Weston
HOTEL" at southern end of town.
They are both well kept houses with
popular proprietors, and many other
hotels, affording ample accommoda-
ton to visitors. One National Bank,
quite number of groceries and dry
goods establishments, some on a
large, almost wholesale basis. Three
hardware and three drug stores,
many shoe custom making stores;
three newspapers-one Democratic,
Internationally, one Republican and
one maybe Democratic paper, all
well edited and enterprising. Many
business houses are occupied, and
from the outlook and surroundings
look as if saloon business was
profitable, or at least gave asupport
to the occupants. AS this is a no
license county, it is presumable that
there is no liquor or beer sold, al
though nearly every grand jury
brings forward number of indict-
ments. 1t is evident that much
liquor is drank in the community
and in the system of no license, but
adds, in my judgment, to the mean
ness of the business and degrades
the partaker of lawlessness and de-
ception with the seller If no Ii
cense would accomplish the Danish
ment Of it's use it might prove ben
eficial, but as it does not, 1 am per-
suaded large sum for license in
reason, and law guarding, by Sc
we're penalty Of fine and imprison-
ment, would be honorable and avoid
much of the disgrace now observa BILE.
Each Of the various churches are
represented by organized congrega-
tions. The Catholic and Methodist
churches are brick edifices in good
condition and fair size. Prot. E. is
q modern structure in fair condition;
Meth. p, small wooden structure
and in very dilapidated condition;
Meth. p. have the foundation Of
building and look forward to cree
ton in the near future; Presbyterian
and Baptist have no church edifice,
but are canvassing amongst their
people for the erection of one. Faith
er Tracy has charge of the Catholic
church He is a social, genial gen.
tleman and very popular. Rev. j.
w. Webb, in charge of M. Z. church
is faithful pastoral and an able preach
er; Rev. Mr.. Keeble has charge of
the Prot. e. church, and is a faith
full untiring worker, with good pull
pit abilities. The other churches
have irregular services, names of
preachers unknown to me. Revs.
Keeble and Webb ofliciate alternate
ly at Asylum chapel with great ac-
ceptance to the patients capable of
attending services. The public
schools of this community are said
to be efficient and ably conducted.
The Episcopal church has an organ
lied Parish Female School, taught
by Miss Jones, and there is pri-
vate male high school, taught by
George Edmiston.
We have Skating rink which
was very popular for a while but is
now suspended. There are about
two thousand inhabitants, many
promising young ladies and gentle
men, a large number being employed
as attendants at Asylum. They are
intelligent and bright but neglecting
themselves in gaining knowledge and
information through Literary enter
tertainments. 1t would add greatly
to the enjoyment and happiness of
the community by having a Young