Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-07-18
free gress.
". ". B. GALLAHER, Editor.
0harIestO,om, Jefferson County, West IA
July rs, 1894.
Communicated.

Mr.. GaHaher | have not donned the war
paint, nor am on the war path, a Ia 4pache
Il am only paying peaceful visit to old
friends of war times, in the pretty town of
Hedgesvile, in our adjoining county of
Berkeley Here lived five years, covering
the stirring, eyentful period, properly term
ed "the war between the sections" aud not
"the rebellion, as some see fit to call it. !
would not pretend to write you of the in
cdeuts, the fears and alarms, the actual
personal experience of those never be-
forgotten days-sufIice it | ives reported to
be a sympathizer with my native heath and
people. Such was the head and front of
my ofendiug-nothing more-and for this |
became the target of Union shriekers and
federal bayonets. But out of all she threats,
the perils, etc, tic Lord delivered me, and
so praise him.
The town is located about seven miles west
of Martinsburg, one half mile from the B.
& o. road, in q scoop or dip of the North
Mountain-the mountain just here tapering
down in its approach to the Potomac. 1t
has a population of four hundred; six
churches. 1t is an incorporated town; has
its mayor and council, makes its local laws,
and votes dry all the time. 1t is healthy
place, its drainage the best, its water the
pure, SOFT mountain sort, and its views from
the heights around magnificent, stretching
thirty and forty miles into Maryland, taking
in the grand old Blue Ridge, with that
strange freak of nature, the gap, at Harper's
Ferry, with the Potomac, Ikea silver thread,
winding its tortuous way, whilst there
spreads out before the eye the gateway go
miles wide) to our beautiful and far-famed
valley of Virginia, combining richness of
soil, bounty of production, healthfulness Of
climate, intelligence and thrift of its people,
with numerous prosperous towns and villa
ges among which our own Charles Town sits
enthroned as Queen, unsurpassed. Hedges
vile is located on what is known as the Old
Warm Springs road-a thoroughfare leading
to the thermal waters Of Morgan county
also called Bath Berkeley Springs. Thith-
er the gentry of eastern Virginia of ye old
en- time repaired with coach and livery to
test the virtues of the greatly-famed waters.
Over this road and through this village they
went, and is it not a historical fact that
among them was the 'Pater Patrie,' our
world renowned Washington And is it not
further authenticated that on one of his
visits he planted sapling of the elm kind
which is still well preserved and called
Washington's tree, thereby atoning in
measure for the hatchet tradition?
Since my last visit, Of nearly three years
ago, the town in building or residence i'm
provement amazes me. Very many of the
old homes are so changed or modernized as
to prevent recognition. 1t is becoming
place of large resort for summer visitors
The NadenboUsh residence, most eligibly
located, was purchased by Mr.. Trip Payne,
and has been enlarged to hotel dimensions
It had during the last season as high as 60
guests at one time, and expects like success
this summer
Rev. Mr. LEVEL, who some years past
married worthy lady of this place, is the
resident rector of the Episcopal Church.
Yours, &c, J. w. TONGUE.
HEDGEsvILLE, July 7th, '94.