Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-04-28
For MAYOR.
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.

ASHLAND, VA, April 81. 1885,
Mr.. Editor while / have been q
constant reader ofyour paper forsome
time, it has been long time since ]
have contributed anything to its col
umns. A couple of weeks ago, four
boys of Randolph Macon College,
tired of the routine of books and pro.
fessors, left the vicinity of the college
to go to the birthplace of Henry Clay.
1t is situated nearly five miles south
east of Ashland, and about sixteen
miles north of Richmond, Va.
We left the beautiful little village
of Ashland at eight O'Clock in the
morning. AS we walked along, we
noticed the farmers blowing, and
making ready for the spring crops.
Inc first thing that would naturally
attract the attention of a Berkeley
farmer would be the team. 1t consists
generally OF one horse or mule hitch
ed to pillow whose moldboard is but
little larger than a bull tongue or a
double shovel pillow. To one accus-
toned to see two and three horses in
a team, this seems strange, but the
land is of light sandy nature, and it
does not take much to pillow it.
Another sight that seems strange is
so many single teams on the road.
The most of them consist of mule or
OK hitched to kyart."
The cool air made us feel like walk
ing, and we moved along quite brisk
ly. About ten O'Clock, we arrived at
the birthplace of Henry Clay. The
country around about here, is slightly
rolling, just sufficient to drain the
land well.
On a hill near the site of the old
house, stands large two-story frame
house which has been built in later
years. A short distance to the right
in one corner of the garden are some
broken bricks and brickdust, all that
is left to mark the site of the home OF
Henry Clay, the Mill Boy of the
Slashes. About one hundred and
fifty yards to the right is the spring
from which Henry carried many a
pail of water for his mother, when he
was boy. STOPPING down, we quen-
ched our thirst, then climbing the
hill, we cut our names on one Of the
trees, which spread their boughs over
the spring.
We found that we had some time at
our disposal yet, so taking long fare
well look at the place, and wishing
that we might again have the oppor-
tunity of visiting the place, we started
for Hanover Courthouse, a distance Of
some three miles. In about an hours
time, we reached that place, and
visited the Courthouse. This build
ing was erected in 1876, and is in q
good state of preservation yet. 1t is
built in the style of the buildings OF
that day. The bricks of which it IL
made were brought from England.
The building is situated in a pleasant
grove some fifty yards back from the
road. The porch in front of the bull.
ding is about seventy-five feet In
length, and the roof is supported by
brick pillars. The floor of the porch
is paved with fat stones. There has
been addition put to the rear end OF
the building in later years to accom-
modate the judge and others. Other.
wise the building remains intact. II
has stood the ravages of time we'll
and bids fair to remain for years tC
come. There is no place dearer to the
hearts of the people of Hanover Co
than the the old Courthouse.
1t was here that Patrick Henry
first appeared prominently before tbs
public. Here the people listened Il
his eloauence, as he spoke ofthe issues
of the day.
Henry Clay when boy of ten Wis
tied this place on the occasion of thu
monthly courts. 1t is said that aftel
he had left his native county, he
visited the scenes of his boyhood days
and gathering a crowd at the OLD
Courthouse, he delivered to them
most eloquent speech.
Through the kindness of one o
the officials, we were enabled to entel
the building. Everything within IL
plain and substantial. AS we gazec
around on the walls that had resound
ed with the eloquence of the mighty
intellects of the past, we wished thai
we too could have been there to hear
them. After spending a short time
rehearsiDg in our mind the scenes OF
the past, when the men in powdered
wigs and knee breaches trod the hall,
we left the building. We refreshed
ourselves with draught of cool wa.
ter, and then started for Ashland,
seven miles away. We walked steadi.
ly along, arrived in Ashland about
half past three in the evening. We
were well pleased with our days tramp
in the Old Dominion State. G.. Z. Il.