Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-01-17
Deaf HIS.

Augusta county and reared to young manhood
south of Waynesboro'. He chose Rockbridge,
in the vicinity of Lexington, about 1852 TO
commence the work of life. His advantages
to meet its vicissitudes were ordinary in edu-
cation, but the forty years of active energy,
the first third of which required as it were
beginning to pursue his designs, furnish the
evidences of large and interesting progress in
the field of industrial and profitable develop
ment, bearing testimonials that will long per-
petuate his name with his people. and the
fruit nurserymen of Virginia and other
States When he commenced fruit-culture,
he selected location on the southern face of
the high hills of Timber Ridge as they slope
toward the North River Valley. Expanding
from this center, many small surrounding
farms, all more or less exhausted under the
old method, or rather want of method in soil
culture till his almost connected domain has
reached from the South River Valley across
the Valley plate III to the west for three miles
or more. A, the views of this picturesque
scenery is caught from the elevated streets and
points around Lexington, NOTABLY those
furnished from the grounds of Washington
and Lee University and the Virginia Military
instituted presents a scene of charming
grandeur in connection with the long lines of
fruit trees, the old oak forest, and the fields
reclaimed from poverty yielding their rich
returns in cereals and grass tilage.
In association with good farming, this man
of will and energy, combined with perhaps
his leading purpose, fruit-culture in all the
varied branches suitable to the climate, truck
ing on an extensive scale. Apples, peaches,
cherries, pears, and the smaller tree-bearing
fruits, and the several kinds of berries, have
their well-selected locations, whilst from the
little wales and hooks and corners of his wide
spreading acres came annually garden truck
in marvellous quantities.
Expanding of late years other locations in
the county, as good farms were offered for
sale, called forth the aspiration Of owner
ship to Mr.. Womeldorf. The old seat of the
Sallings, descendants of the associates of Lewis
and Mackay the first white settlers in this
section of the Valley at the junction of James
and North rivers came under his control, till
the late booming enterprises demanded it for
a part of Glasgow enterprises. Another farm
west of Lexington on Whistle Creek, of
superior opportunities, and a North River
farm below Buena Vista are of the estate of
the deceased.
From his thousands of apple and peach
bearing trees and the fruits Of smaller growth
as gathered at and around his center of opera
tons, came the basis of expenditure as he as
sumed the role of excelling in farming.
Mr.. Womeldrof leaves wife and large
family of children. Three sons and three
daughters are married. All are located on
parts of the properties referred to and steadily
pursuing with industry and intelligence the
plans of him who has passed away. Another
son. Rev. c. R. Womeldorf, is at the Union
Theological Seminary, who will complete the
course of studies there this year. During his
last vacation he served as pastor of the Presby-
teran Church at Basic City.
Mr.. Womeldorf was well known to the
commercial men of Staunton. With other
dealings here, he was frequently large pur-
chaser of Cats fertilizer, and in this connec-
ton it may be remarked that his methods
called for large appropriations in soil-pro-
ducing stimulants.
A very large concourse of people attended
the funeral services which were at his resi-
dence, and the burial at Timber Ridge Church,
conducted by Rev. D. A. Penick (Presby-
terian) pastor of the Monmouth Church in
the absence of the pastor at Timber Ridge.
The old sepulchral oaks of Timber Ridge
have waved over the dead of that vicinity for
more than one hundred and fifty years.
Historic men in the professions and of the
pulpit and of the sturdy Scotch Irish agricul-
| turists whose memories are of the riches of
their descendants there repose. Another rests
beneath them whose career of wonderful
energy in causing the soil to bestow the choic-
est fruits of which it was capable has ended
his course of life.
Of him, it may be said that his aspirations
were humble but yet Of the highest order, and
he lived to see the methods practical in his
economies adopted. and his name enrolled
with the most advanced in his excellent pur-
suits
DR.. Robert A. McChesney, of Middlebrook,
died suddenly. it is supposed of apOplexy, at
7 o'clock Monday evening at the residence of
Mr.. Moses Argenbright, about miles from
Middlebrook whittier he had gone to see a
patient. Though he was apparently in his
usual good health, he fell suddenly from the
chair in which he was sitting and in few
minutes, expired. The only words he uttered
after the fatal stroke were-''Don't bother me,
I am getting blind" addressed to Mr.. Argen-
bright who was attempting to minister TO his
comfort.
He was highly respected and we'll known
both as a physician and citizen. He was
about so years of age and had been practicing
his profession for twenty odd years.
He leaves widow, daughter of the late
Col George Baylor Of his city, and two chill
dren-J B. McChesney of Kirksville, Mis-
souri,, and Mrs. R. A. Berry of Oxmore, Ala
bama.
He was brother of the late DR.. William
NJ. McChesney of this city.
His sudden and unexpected death is a strik
ing illustration of the truth that sin the mids
of life we are in death"
Dr. William L. Walters, late of this city
died in Richmond on the 18th instant HI
was about sixty-six years of age. He had
been in declining health several months.
DR.. Walters was a native of Augusta county
and for many years practiced his profession a
West View, and perhaps at other localities il
the county. About ten years ago, he became
a resident of Staunton, and, with DR.. Garter
Berkeley, was for awhile engaged in the drug
business. Several years ago he removed tt
Richmond where he lived till his DEATH
Death Of Mrs. Alice Halves Shirley.
The intelligence Of the death of Mrs. Alice
Halves Shirley, wife of Mr.. R. NJ. Shirley, a
Coopers, w. Va. Monday, was received witt
surprise and pain by her friends and thu
friends of her fathers family at this place.
She had been i'll but short time and he
death was therefore unexpected. The caus'
of her death is stated to have been hemor
rhage of the heart.
] Her remains were carried to Bluefield, tn,
home of her parents, where they were laid tt
rest in the Citizens cemetery on Tuesday
The services were held at the Presbyterian
church, and were conducted by Rev. Mr.
Burkhardt, of the Episcopal church. in thu
absence of the pastor, Mr.. Duckwall on &C
count of Illness
Mrs. Shirley was the daughter of Rev. HI. III
Halves, of Bluefeld. and the many friends o
the family in Farmville, Staunton and else