Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-10-06
The Charles Town Society in
New York.

/
| The Charles Town Society in the
great metropolis of New York has be-
come an organization not only OF
much social enjoyment to its mem
bers, but of considerable proportions
and permanent solidity, and its an
nual meetings are very interesting. -
Below we give an extract from the
speech of Mr.. Harvey N. Dorsey, a
graduate of the SPIRIT office, deliv-
cred at the last annual meeting al
ConeY Island:
There was six months ago not quite twenty
Eve hundred souls in the place Note the
rapid changel Within that time the popula-
| tion has increased to five thousand. No one
will doubt that this development is highly
creditable. But it is mere indication, as a
straw shows the drift of the wind, of what
may be expected in the future. This move-
'ment, inaugurated by the ChArleStown I'm
provement Company has indeed become n sue
cess. 1t has at its head men who are well
known for their business knowledge and integ.
rity- They experienced no difficulty in, placing
tie stock which they offered to inyestors-the
prospect for speedy and sure returns for money
invested being suchthat capitalists at once re-
allZed the advantages of the town. 1t is q
notable fact that this faith in the future of the
place is not confined 10 those who have spent
their entire lives there, and thus perhaps might
OG wv NpCGIutlOOS Tor It's 1E-
ture, but u large portion of the stock was taken
by citizens of other cities, sOine of them far
remote from Charlestowu, The old HANSON
held next to the depot. where as boys we were
wont to coast down the hillin winter; the Fra
zier field, MS far asiWysoug's woods, where we
PICKED berries aud hunted rabbits, and which
We're until recently covered with growing grain
and huge trees, now present a scene of indus
trial activity which has completely altered
these familiar spots that yon would scarce rec
ognize them Hundreds of houses have al
ready been erected, many manufactures are
IN operation and others projected. Among the
former may mention: The Brass Works
which employs one hundred and fifty hands ;
Glove factory, Shoe factory, Wooleu factory,
Harness factory, Wagon factory, Terra Gotta
works, and two Brick and Tile companies
These fields which once presented to us q most
pleasing scene of rural beauty, but which were
most Improbable to their owners because Of
the low price of grain, have thus been trans
formed into q mart of business traffic. You
have all read of the successful lot sales which
were held few weeks since. hut it levolves
upon me to break to you the sad news that the
old dam, which was such a refreshing spot to
us in the hot August days, is now the property
of Judge Daniel Bedinger Lucas. of the Su-
preme Court. Little did we think. when as
boys we believed the old story. as that if we
went in swimming there in dogs days rabies
would surely develop. that it would be owned
by a man of such brilllantintellect. One bles4
sing which we may not have expected to de-
rive from the Charlestown boom. is that, per-
the spot on which John Brown was hanged
he whose . first victim at Harper's Ferry was
an industrious, ipoffcnsive colored man." in
the language of friend Gallaher of the Old
FdLnlty Journal. The spot has bccnpurchased
by Col. Jno Thos. Gibson who purposes erect
ing thereon handsome residence. If the
present plans of the Improvement company arc
carried out. we shall soon hear the tinlllc of
street car bells, and the electric light will be
casting its shadows over the familiar wooden
foot-bridges, In u word, let us hope that the
era of prosperity which is now dawning upon
Charlestown will not decline until the most
saDguine expectations of her friends have been
more than realized.
One of our members, indeed the organizer of
this society. is about to become a Benedict
We are indebted to him for this and several
other pleasant occasions which vel have spent
together. am sure only voice the senti-
ments of every Charlestown boy, both here and
elsewhere. when l express the hope that his
life may be filled with that happiness and pros
perity which is the reward of honest endcavor.