Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-09-09
0N HISTORIC GROUND
Ancient Mecklenburg in
Holiday Attire.
MoRGAN'S GROVE FAIR.
A Grand Display of the Products
of the Home and Farm.

VI Tic IIOIItC diiQ al tIts
To ride from Martinsburg TO Shep-
herdstown on a morning like Tues
day, i'll the cool, bracing atmosphere
of the Valley, over fine roads, in an
easy carriage drawn by the spanking
team of Martinsburg's merchant
prince. Mr.. James F. Thompson. is a
luxury only the closing days of the
nineteenth century can afford Over
hill and dale, past magnificent man
sions and farms, whose broad acres
are paradise to the thrifty husband
man, such only as are found i'll this
grand Valley, our journey ends. all
too soon.
Arrived in Shepherdstown, a royal
welcome awaits us at the hospitable
mansion OF Hon. John r. Ray, now
serving his ninth term as mayor of
this ancient municipality. Though
the town is Democratic it boasts a
Republican chief executive, and so
popular and efficient is he that some
go SO far as to demand that he be in
stalled for life. 1t is scarcely neces-
sary to state, however, that Mr.. Ray
does not take to the idea, only desiring
to serve the people SO long as his SER
vices are appreciated.
Readers of the HERALD may not
be generally aware that the original
name of the town was Meckleuburg
and that it lacked but one vote of be-
ing chosen as the Capital of this coun-
try, when that question was under
consideration by Congress. 1t is only
for one to inhale the exhiliarating
ozone of the Valley and then the ma
laria-laden atmosphere of Washington
to realize the great mistake made by
our forefathers.
There are many points in this vicin-
ity of great historic interest, chief
among which is Morgan's Grove, the
location of the agricultural fair just
now filling the minds of the people here
and attracting visitors from every
quarter From this grove Capt Bed
niger, afterwards colonel, started Wi Il
hist roops on a Decline for Boston to
aid Washington in his first campaign
against the British. The Morgan
mansion, one of the oldest residences
in the Valley, is as substantial to-day
as an hundred years ago. Under its
hospitable roof have been sheltered all
the leading statesmen and celebrities
of the country, and at the great spring
that bubbles up at the base of the
mound on which the house stands the
Father of his Country has frequently
slaked his thirst.
1t is therefore eminently fitting and
proper that the grove should be pre-
served for future generations and that
the people should meet here every
year, renew bonds of friendship, form
new ties, talk of the past, and imbibe
fresh inspiration for the future. This
has been made possible by the ener-
getic managers of Morgan's Grove
Fair For nine successive years the
| fair has been conducted as a strictly
agricultural exhibition and each year
/ it becomes more attractive. A
high moral tone prevails. No gam
bling devices nor intoxicating liquors
are allowed upon the grounds. The
best of order is maintained. The hos
pitality of the people is unbounded
| Exhibitors vie with each other in
friendly contests for the prize. Every
department is filled to overlooking
No one looking at the vegetables and
fruits on exhibition could realize that
the season had been other than
favorable to the very highest devel-
opment. Products would indicate
that the soil is proof against drought.
Such potatoes, pumpkins, beets, rad
ishes beans, cucumbers, corn, wheat,
oats, fruits, and flowers are not to be
/ found elsewhere.
Although extensive additions were
made to the buildings, and it was
thought ample accommodations pro-
vided fot every possible contingency,
even standing room, as the saying is,
was at premium. Many horses were
turned away, and fifty coops of chick
ems could not be entered for lack OF
room.
The celebrated Shepherd stock farm
had a whole drove of horses and a
large herd of Hereford cattle just re-
ceived from Kentucky. The Blount
Bros exhibited five Thoroughbred
horses, and our townsman, p. H.
Wells chans alta ted much attention
with pair of perfectly matched durs
which took first premium at Inwood.
Dr. Reynolds thoroughbred Jerseys
were wonderfully fine. Luther Ropp
was there, of course, and will as usual
carry away some red ribbons.
The ladies department was grand,
which could not be otherwise for the
reason that the ladies of Berkeley are
largely represented.
The exercises for this year were
opened Tuesday forenoon with prayer
by Rev. c. II. Hockey, ofthe Lutheran
Church. Hon George NJ. Beltzhoover
delivered the address of welcome
which was fine oratoricallv, replete
with practical suggestions, and was
listened to with marked attention by
an appreciative audience.
The tournament in the afternoon
was quite interesting resulting in a
very decided victory for Berkeley
County knights, the winners being
H. c. Burdette, first; w. c. Morgan,
second NJ. +. Payne. third and G.
w. Rissler, of Jefferson, fourth. Our
own J. w. Dood was marshal and in
addition to his duties as such deliver
ed the change to the knights and per
formed the oratorical part of the cere-