Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-01-09

long ago. write you this epistolary
letter. You have from this part of
the country several able correspon-
dents, which is one reason for ST.
lence, while another, and the great
est reason is, sad domestic Affections
in the family circle, bereavement
irreparable in its nature, causing
sorrow to take the place of joy. rem
dering the survivors incapacitated
to exercise the mental faculties in
direction where they come in con-
tact with the things of time and
sense. But q new year has been
ushered in and with it we ought to
awaken to new sense of cheerful
ness.
Our churches are all supplied with
officiating elergymen, who seem to-
take deep interest in the welfare
of their people. The various
Sunday Schools celebrated at
Christmas, by calling together their
little folks and restoring upon them
little precious gifts. These schools
being Superintendent, the one by
Jas. W. Strong, Esq the other by
VIM. Laise, Esq, with an efficient
corps of teachers, is working we'll,
and it is to be hoped will be produc-
tive of much good in the communi-
ty.
The Rev. Mr.. Gibson, of the Prot.
e. Church, on account of new and
additional fields Of duty, has been
compelled to reduce his service here
to afternoon and night services. Ow-
ing to the scattered condition of his
people, this will be q source of in
convenience to them for the present
but it is hoped that the future will
develop an arrangement more salts
factory, and one by which the wish
es of all in point of church services,
may be accommodated.
TIL business world continues dull
but according to the views of many
of our wisest bushes men and lead
ing journals Of the country, the fu-
ture outlook in the business world
argues for the better. The large
sales in cotton, wool and iron, mani
fest quite an Improvement in manu-
features, which is one of the great
levers in the business prosperity of
country. These sales too, have been
made at advanced prices, which fore
shadows the fact that new demand
has sprung up 'in the country for
such articles Of trade, and were it
possible that 4 stimulus could be
created in the demand for our agri-
cultural products and cereals, our
country would then again revive its
business prosperity. Our immediate
section has materially suffered for
the last year or SO on account of be-
ing toe exclusively grain growing
section. Suffering an almost entire
loss of wheat crop the last year
makes it hard on the farmer, in
deed. With nearly three years Of
low prices-prices that were not re-
munerative at all, and an entire fail
ure of one of the main staples, it is
no wonder that the average farmer
fails to meet his payments. His
business goes badly with him and
his spirits fail. With such exper-
ience as we have suffered in our pur-
suits for living for the last five
years, the propriety of material
change in such pursuits, presents
itself, and that too in great diver
sity of crops and stock. so that in
the case OF the failure of one branch
of husbandry. another branch may
not fail. Our Northern farmers have
more thoroughly studied their call
ing and we find them more prosper
Gus on account Of more diversity of
business. Whilst it is true that our
soil is highly adapted to wheat cul-
ture, yet when that does not pay us,
then we should try something else.
As things now stand no branch of
business in our section has any foot
hold for prosperity, on account Of
the failure of the farmer to make his
business remunerative. But to take
n popular view of the future we can
only say that the clouds and gloom
with our people will in the near flu
ture pass away, as such financial
shocks have always passed away,
and when that period arrives our
people viii have learned lesson of
economy, so necessary'to eheckmate
extravaganza, pride and folly, and
our people will rest upon tirmer
base of prosperity than ever before.
The year that has just passed has
been, in many particulars, one ofthe
most eventful ones ever passed over
in the history of our country. We
mean that in the death ofthe great
and distinguished men Of our coun-
I tv tha 1ocf Yroa,. hoe bo1 no ,Do,.oI