Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-02-27
Of Martinshurg
f'rDna 1917.

Having lately met an old resident
Of Msrtinsburg, in the person OF
John W. Page, Esq, who was en-
gagged in teaching in the Academy
the old house near Norborne and
Catholic cemetery ,notnow standing,
wherein the boys ofthat day and the
older men Of the present day receiv-
ed instructions, and which, rs soci-
ETY. was then organized, was only
patronized by the weather. class,
has brought wildly ii, nemnfg inai-
viduals then III active buslsgwNA liIas
Personally, | occupied the position of
Deputy Postmaster and clerk in a
store, on the ground now occupied
by portion ofpresent Court House,
from the entrance to the Sheriif's
Office up to the house now occupied
by Mr.. Matthaei as confectionery
store. The property was known as
the DR.. Farris House. but belonged
to Conrad Rousch, Esq, and was
occupied as residence OF Hugh
Mckee, Esq. John III. LilSens was
merchant and postmaster, under
whom / served. John and William
Hoke carried on the tailoring bust
ness, and their family owned the
Matthaei property The teachers
of the town were, Mr.. Page, at Acad-
envy; Mrs. Little, female school in
building now occupied by Rev. Me-
Kefrey; Capt JAS. Maxwell, who
taught in his own school house, loca-
ted on corner of Church alley and
Burke street, q Mr.. w. Laidlow, Mr.
Coburn, Jno. A. Boyer and others
in the basement OF the Lutheran
Church; a Mrs. Duble in building
known as the Somerville property,
on East King street. Our merchants
only occupied from King street cor
ner, now Grantham Hall, as far up
as the Peoples Bank corner, and
were as follows Daniel II. Shipley
on corner Of King street; Geo. and
G.. w. Doll, or Doll & Wilson, cor
ner of Queen street; M Locke, where
Continental Hotel now stands; j III.
Likens, opposite; Bryarly 4 Van
Doren, in brick house adjoining Con
tinental: Daniel Il. White or Robert
pendleton, where friend Noble now
does business; Hamme a. Stevens, in
Bakers building; John w. Boyd,
where Emmert Il Fiery are now.
There were only two drug stores,
one kept by VIM. Dorsey, either at
present location of O'Neal's or on
Granthem Hall corner; and one by
w. II. Hesletine, where Prof Gear
hardt does business; and at the
depot, Mr.. John Jamison, ST., ofiic-
lated as agent and telegraph operator.
He only weighed 3S7 pounds. The
population OF Msrtinsburg was pos
IDLY 1000, more likely LOO. The
churches were represented by Rev.
j. e. Plunkett, Catholic edifice of
stone within present burying ground;
Lutheran, by Rev. John Winter;
Presbyterian, by Rev. Berry or Rev.
VIM. Love; German Reformed, by
Rev. Douglass or Bragonier; M. Il.
Church in the public square, now
occupied by Kogleschatz. The min
istry changing under their rule, l
recall with pleasure the names OF
Goheen, Coffin, Dulin, Riley, Watts,
who each labored faithfully in their
calling, and built up their branch in
prosperity. Rev. Chisholm was in
charge of p. Episcopal parish, a
noble specimen of self-sacnficing
Christianity, who by his works prov
ed the christian spirit inspiring his
life. During the years up to 1852,
that fearful epidemic, yellow fever,
attacked the cities of Norfolk and
Portsmouth. A call was made for
help, and this gentleman. as also the
Catholic Priest, Father Plunkett,
with promptness left their secure
homes and went to minister to the
afflicted, where they fell victims to
the disease. Possibly their graves,
this day may lay neglected or for
gotten by us who live, unmarked by
monuments; yet, their dust is kept
by our heavenly Father, and in the
glorious resurrection of the dead
shall arise crowned by our blessed
Saviour with the honors due them.
Our town at this time supported
two newspapers, one the Gazette,
under the editorial control of Col.
q. P. Hunter, advocating ardently
and with ability the principles of
the Wing Party, which was in the
majority in the county and invariably
elected their candidates. The other
was the Virginia Republican, edited
and conducted by S. and Il. g. AL
burtis, ably supporting the Demo
cratic party and principles. Much
hiffnrnacr and nnr,r ann annnarnd