Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-04-24

old friends, prompted your CORE
spondent TO visit the town of Mid
dleway, Jefferson county, recently.
This village was originally named
"Wizzard Clip but of more recent
years the nomenclature Of the post
Office changed it to the former name.
A legend connected with the his
tory of this village may be interest
ing to your readers--one which for
many years cast blight over the
fortunes Of the little town. The story
in many Of It's details can End but
little credenee with the people Of
this skeptical age, but it is worthy
Of some notice, when people who
were living Mt the time the thrilling
scenes were enacted, handed down
al account OF it to their posterity.
Adam Livingston becoming dis
satisfied with his residence in Ian
caster county, Pa, removed to this
spot and became the owner of seven
ty acres of land near the residenceof
VIM. j. Grantham. and the land
known rs the PRIESTS Lot, short
distance from the village. This was
about the year 1890. He had the
reputation Of being an honest indus
trious farmer and continued TO re-
side there without attracting partic-
ular notice until 1894, when his peace
was much disturbed by strange ma.
noueyerings outside of his house. APP
pa:ently, horses galloped around and
other strange proceedings occurred,
but nothing could be seen to war
rant the fact that any living animal
was near. Soon afterwards his barn
was burned; all of his cattle died !;
his money all disappeared the heads
Of his turkeys and chickens dropped
off. The sound of large pair Of
| shears could be distinctly heard
clipping in and through the house.
All OF his clothing, saddles, bed
clothing. ETC., were clipped in the
shape OF half moon, and it is said
that female about the house took
under her arms a piece Of new cloth,
declaring that the witches should
not cut it to pieces, but upon exami-
nation afterwards, it was found to
! have shared the fate OF all other
/ Goods III the kind, being literally cut
| to pieces Many other similar phe-
nomena are stated and testified to
by many witnesses. These curiosi-
ties and monstrosities aroused the
country for many miles around at
the time, and for half century the
place was known as Wizard Clip J
Since, the town has been known as
Smithfeld, being named after the
| Smith families, residents there, and
afterwards as Middleway.
| Middleway will be in history some
what conspicuous as being the home
of several men possessing intellects
of high order, some of whom have
passed away, and others are verging
on the entrance to the new home be-
yond the grave. 1t was once the
| residence of three distinguished ply
stefan, DR.. Scollay, DR.. McCoughtry
and DR.. Mason p. Nelson, all of
whom were brother-in-laws, land what
is most remarkable, lived in perfect
peace and harmony-all practicing
their profession at the same time.
They were very successful and favor
ably known throughout the country.
The two first some years since pass
ed away, but DIR. Nelson remains, q
hale, hearty old man, erect, honest,
! and Christian gentleman. During
our sojourn we were part of the time
his guest and from him learned much
of olden times. He is now sc years
of age; was born in Hanover county,
Va, and emigrated to Middleway in
1882 knew Henry Clay, and was IA.
miliar with the birth place of Pat
rick Henry; is a grandson Of Gov.
Thos. Nelson, who was Governor of
Virginia in Colonial times, It'll. He
favored us with the perusal of a let
ter from his grandfather to Liet. Of
Berkeley, ordering him to turn out
all the men possible, to press horses
to carry them to Yorktown to bring
all the guns and shot-guns they could
find to defend the inhabitants Of the
lower country from the invasions of
the army of CORVALLIS, who were
robbing and numbering the citizens
in that unhappy era of our history.
Captain John Smith ranks next in
point OF age. He was born in this
town, is man of more than ordina-
ry capacity, was for very many years
Justice of the Peace in Middleway
District, besides being man ofmuch
Importance in the business affairs of
town and county. From indulgence,
in point of financial status, he has