The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-08-21
Governor Flfer.

Governor Flfer.
Gov. Joe Fifer, of Illinois, has been
spending few days in Staunton and
Augusta county, visiting the place OF
his birth and seeing relatives and friends.
Gov. Fifer was born in Augusta coun-
ty, in a small house, now standing, but
worn and torn by time, at Jennings
Gap. Monday last, Governor and Mrs.
the Governor first saw the light of day.
Returning, they took dinner with Col.
s. Brown Allen and tea with DR.. Il. >.
Hamilton. This detention made the re-
turn 20 Staunton so late that the Stone
wall Band and the citizens were disap-
pointed in extending to the Governor
and his wife serenade.
Tuesday morning, the Governor, es-
corted by Mr.. j. Howard Wayt, and &C
companied by Mrs. Fifer, visited the
Court House, the Clerks Office and other
public buildings, and was introduced to
many OF our prominent citizens. He
had an interview with the Hon. A. H. Il.
Stuart during the day, and pleasant
call on DR.. Mcfarland, of the LIST Pres
byterian church, who resides in the par
sonage built by Gov. Fifer's father.
The band did not intend to be disap-
pointed in their purpose to honor the
Virginia boy who occupies the enviable
and honorable position of Governor OF
one of the greatest States in theAmerican
Union. Learning that he would leave
here for the White Sulphur on the 8
p. m. train, the band and large num-
Der of citizens assembled at the Virginia
Hotel. The band played several airs,
when Capt. John N. Opie stepped to the
front and introduced Governor Fifer.
Capt. Opie said: Fellow citizens, it
gives me great pleasure to introduce to
you Virginia boy, who about the fifties
left his native State and went to the
then far West. He comes back to-day
to visit the land of his birth, as the
Governor of one of the greatest States of
this Union. Private Joe Fifer fought dur
ing the war on the opposite side from
us, fellow citizens, but we honor the
citizen of Illinois who fought to main
tain what Illinois believed to be right,
and to-day, as citizens of Illinois and
citizens of Virginia, we stand together
under one common flag"
Capt Opie then introduced Governor
Fifer, who said: Gentlemen of the
Stonewall Band, the name you bear is
an honored one-old questions have been
settled and settled forever, but speaking
in the light of the teachings of history,
the man whose honored name you bear
added as much to the glory of American
valOr as any man who ever wore a uni
FORM l have SO often thought of the
scenes of my childhood. When, having
a short release from official care, l said
to my wife, we will go down to Virginia
and visit the scenes of my birth and see
our Virginia people, she. replied: That
suits me- So we are here, and are glad
to be here to enjoy your kindness. In
1850, my father, born and raised in Au-
gusta, sorrowfully shook off the dust of
old Virginia from his feet and went to
the empire State of Missouri, then came
back to wha. is now West Virginia, and
finally moved to Illinois, where l have
in battle and in victory, when in the
camp, l laid down to rest, have
thought what had become of the good
people of old Augusta. l have recalled
the old scenes, thought of your lovely
land, and wanted to see it again. There
is bond of sympathy between Vir-
ginians, and wherever they go, a Ma
sonic bond unites them. To be Vir-
ginian is a password anywhere, and
now it happens that am the head of
the greatest agricultural State in this
great American Union. am proud of the
State of my birth, and love the State of my
adoption, and if you come out to see
me, will treat you SO we'll as to make
you feel, at least half Governor, any
how"
the band played Dixie. Capt. Opie then
introduced Mrs. Fifer, who bowed her
acknowledgements.
Gov. Fifer was much pleased with his
reception by the people of Staunton.
Gov. and Mrs. Fifer took the O'Clock
train for the White Sulphur.
The Governor was named after DR..
Joseph Wilson, the family physician of
his father when he lived at Jennings
Gap, and one of the best men the county
ever had. He has brother named after
Rev. John Hendren, father of Judge J.
N. Hendren, of this place.
We publish below a circular letter
from Mr.. Geo. d. Eldridge, President of
the Valley Mutual Life Association,
which will be read with interest by our
people, and which is of special inter
est to the holders of policies in that
Company:
OFFICE OF VALLEY MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION
srAUHTos, VA, August 18th, 1890. J
To the Certificate holders of the Valeg Mutual Life
Having accepted the position as President of
your Association, IT seems fitting to address you
few lines, to the end that we may be brought
into communication with each other, and that
the natural wish which you will feel for an ex-
1t is not necessary that should revert to the
history of the Valley Mutual during the last few
years. Circumstances. as you are well aware,
have caused a decrease in the influx of new bu-
siness, and in a measure have retarded the
growth which the company in its earlier years
showed. 1t has, nevertheless, during all this
time kept it's contracts with policy holders
faithfully, meeting loss payments promptly and
in full as these contracts called for. 1t has
proved the stability of its foundations and the
loyal character of the membership to the COM
pany itself. The future Of your insurance. how
ever, requires that something more than the
mere holding together of the business already
upon the books should he sought, and it is be-
neved that this will be better brought about by
the Introduction into the management Of gen
tlemen who have made life insurance their bu-
siness than in any other way. This feeling has
brought me to the head of the company, and
pledge you my best efforts to make permanent
your insurance and carry out in their integrity
the contracts which you hold in the Valley Mu-
tual.
The business of TO- day Is compelled to meet
earnest competition and trained skill, and it is
necessary that company should have these if
it Is to continue to succeed and fulfill its con
tracts. 1t is the purpose of the new manage
ment to throw about you these safeguards, and
to give you the increasing security of increasing
business. 1t is its purpose to fulfill the contracts