Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-06-26


Among the last cases which occurred
was that Of Mr.. Bell himself, but it
was a mild case and he soon recov
cred. The following year, great fears
were entertained of the temperance
Of cholera. The town was again
thoroughly cleaned-committees OF
the leading citizens giving it their
personal attention. In July it broke
out among the laborers on the canal
and ten died near Williemsport in
one day. The bodies of most of these
were brought to Hagerstown for in
terment. Many more died the follow
ing week and one of them came TO
HagerStown and died there.
The alarm of cholera this year like
the previous year was heightened by
a celestial phenomenon-the falling
stars on the night of November 18th.
1t was repetition of the shower Of
November 18th, 1899 Passengers on
the top of stages on the turnpike wit
messed the magnificent spectacle. 1t
appeared as if every star in the heav-
ems was falling from its place and
leaving long trail Of light behind.
1t continued from about four o'clock
until day. People were filed with a
strange fear. The stars appeared to
shoot generally from point south
east of the zenith and showering in
all directions. Some of them were
brilliant enough to illuminate the
whole heavens, and their tracks, ii
was fancifully said, hung like swords
of fire over the earth Ten or fifteen
of these aerial weapons would be
flashing upon the terrified people at
once. The atmosphere was remarka-
bly, clear at the time. Mr. Matthew
5. Barberwas then engaged in liager's
Mil and that morning he hadarouSed
a young man and dragged him from
his bed to accompany him to do some
work As they went the shower of
stars began and Mr.. BARRIERS com
panion thought it was the way the
stars usually set aud that he had
never seen il before, proving to him
that he had been aroused too early.
Mr.. John \. Freaner was at that
time mail carrier between Hagers
town and HHuver'S. When the
meteoric shower occurred he was Oh
the top OF the mountain, and the
horse he was riding, famous little
animal, became so frightened as TO be
unmanagable.
Many canal laborcrS died violent
death during the winter of 1884, after
the final disappearance Of the chol-
era. Nearly all who were engaged on
the canal excavations were lrishmen,
but from different parts OF Ireland.
Some of them were from Cork and
were called Corkouians, and the
others were known as landowners or
Lonfords Between these there was
continual and bitter strife.
ON Monday, January 20, 1894, news
was received in Hagerstown Of a dis
turbance among the canal workmen,
and it was supposed that it was oc-
casioned by non-payment Of wages
or discharge of men. Two compa-
MES of the Hagerstown Volunteers
marched over TO WilliamspOrt and
there learned that the scene Of action
was several miles down the river and
il was reported that hostilities had
ceased and that although many were
wounded, no lives were lost. The
next day the militia returned to Ha-
gerstown bringing thirty-four prison
ers who were committed to Jail. The
cause Of the battle among the Irish
had been that one OF the Corkonians
had beaten Fardowner named John
Irons so brutally that he shortly
died of his wounds. After the battle
occasioned by this incident there was
general decentralization among the
workmen and but little work was
done The following Thursday
party Of CorkonianS committed eX-
cesses above Williamsport. y party
from above attempted TO come into
Williamsport but were met on the
auueduct by those in the town and
driven back. The citizens Of vii
Transport took arms and put them
selves in military order for the pro
lection Of the town. The next day a
party of three hundred landowners
headed by intrepid leaders approached
Wiliamsport from below. They
were armed with guns, clubs and
helves. 1t was their intention, they
said, to march to the upper dam and
display their strength but to do no
violence unless attacked. Shortly
after passing up over the aqueduct
their numbers were swelled TO six or
seven hundred. In a field at the
upper dam, they met three hundred
Corkonians drawn up in line Of battle
upon the crest Of hill and in posses
sion OF a considerable number Of
guns. They made the attack upon
the larger party and several vOlleys
were exchanged and a number killed.
The Corkoniaus then fell back before
the superior force Of the enemy and
dispersed But the victors had tasted
blood and were not content with
their victory. \ merciless pursuit
took place and the fugitives were
overtaken in the woods and many
were put TO death. Five were found
in one place with bullets through
their heads and wounded were scat
tered in every direction. Alto o'clock
at night the victorious party returned
r.ka. a.gA