West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1886-01-20
WESTVIRGINIA FREEMAN
Home Folks.
A PREACHER In THE Biz.
lard.
Via He Didn't Dedicate the Church
at Buttermik Station.
EDITOR FREEMAN /:

lings, but l thought l might occu-
py few leisure moments in this
way.
While at Lockland, Ohio, some
time since, ] received a message
requesting Eae to dedicate new
church in Jackson, Co., W. Va,
Jan. 10th. On the Sth, ] started
in regular West Virginia itenerant
style. Forty minutes brought me
to the river opposite Racine where
it required one hour and City min
utes to ferry me over the river, it
being bark full.
| hurried off for Ravenswood,
but soon sound myself confronted
by back water and ice. / had to
retrace my steps and after num-
Der of changes in routes, faced by
the fearful snow storm, | rounded
in at the Ferry landing opposite
Ravenswood. On inquiry | was
told that the ferryman was
IN the saloon near by. l called
him out and was politely informed
that be could not take me over.
After begging earnestly he agreed
to take me across for 70 cents, which
was quickly forthcoming Next
in order was to find a place to
warm. | made for the house but
was ted that there was no fire, ex-
cept in the saloon. For the first
time in twenty five years ! entered
regular saloon, where l had to sit
for an hour and half and sniff
the fumes of tobacco smoke and
whisky, and listen toothe profanity
of four persons engaged in game
OF cards. Here was chapter that
confirmed my Prohibition princi-
pies thoroughly here was the place
to sit and study the inner life of a
doggery (hope the dogs will excuse
the term). After going out and
watching as long as j could stand
it q mean the stoEG1,) and COM
ing IN again several times, the fiat
rounded in and l boarded it, feeling
like Jonah when he got out of the
belly of the whale. | was soon
over in Ravenswood and comfor-
tably,quartered for the night.
Saturday morning Z need not de-
scribe, for all your readers will re.
member it. [ waited until after
noon hoping for a cessation of the
storm; but it grew worse hourly.
At three o'clock l started and rode
to Sandyville, and two and half
miles beyond, took up my quar-
tiers for the night with the genial
Joe. Hunter.
Sunday the storm still ragged
fercely but 9 o'clock found me
again with headquarters in the
saddle, enroute for Buttermilk Sta
ton, five miles distant, and here
| learned that the Church was two
and half miles distant still. So
on | went another mile to the ford
of the creek, where l learned that
it was impossible to get over the
creek with horse, ands:t was still
% miles,and the road Sc blockaded
by snow that it could not be passed
if | was over. After rejecting and
inquiring Tor some other route, l
suddenly concluded that some gen.
erals received more credit during
the war for retreating, than they
did for fighting; SO | decided to
beat hasty retreat for tie river,
IN time to get boat home before
the ice.
After getting horse feed and din
ner with the Jolly old friend Boat
Bunk at the Station, [ breasted
the storm another route westward
ly. A few miles brought me to
the summit of the ridge, ana here
was an experience such as | never
had. The snow 2nad drifted So for
miles as to reach in many places
the depth OF six feet, two deep Tor
my faithful horse to be able to
break through. Here l had to dis
mount, and wrapping in my horse
blanket | effected a cut through
the drift, sufficient for my horse to
pass. After repeatedly doing this
broke through what seemed to be
an impossible barrier for miles,
and reached Ravenswood in time to
learn that the river was fall of ice,
and all boats STONED. and over