Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-06-20
Communicated.


nonce-visiting the pleasant family of Mr.. J.
B. Richey, leading merchant Of the place,
who, with his amiable Christian wife, is lavish
in kind attentions. am here also TO do some
preaching in the stead of the resident pastor
of the N. E. Church, South, who is away Tor
two Sabbaths, on trip to Hardy county, W.
Va, among his former Pensioners. lam not
a stranger in this community, for twenty-three
years ago, after most pleasant stay OF three
years as pastor at Charles Town, / was transfer
red 20 this charge. The period of twenty
three years has wrought its marked changes
here as such a length of time does everywhere
for time in its onward fight with ruthless
hand leaves its gashes and burrows, and drops
from the arena of life its scores Of victims, who
played their part on the stage Of life. l miss
from the church and from the streets many
who were then alive. They have shot the
gulf, and entered the bourne from whence
no traveller returns. The town is an old one,
going back in its data into the last century,
Here in the beginning Of the revolution occur
red the patriotic incident ofParsonMuhlensburg
throwing aside his gown displaying his soldier
garb, and sounding the tocsin of war from
the pulpit. Since l lived here the town
has greatly mproved-strikingly in many fine
residences erected, and business houses built,
occupied with fine stores-then vacant lots or
old acknowledgements on the main street.
The courthouse has been enlarged, yet far
behind the stateliness and architectural i'm
posure of ours. There are six churches in the
town, all of which are comely structures OF
modern style, affording ample sittings for the
towns population OF 400. An annual agri-
cultural fair is held and has proved successful
through the vim and enterprise of the cit
liens
There is but one paper published here, the
Shenandoah Herald, Capt. John H. Grabell,
editor and proprietor. 1t is ably conducted,
and as it is the only newspaper issued it must
have large circulation and is good invest
ment.
This is county court day and big day it is,
for the country people seem to be emptied IN
to the town The courthouse square is
thronged selling and bartering in horses, farm
implements lively, the stores are full of custo-
mers and business is brisk for the time. 1t
calls up the good old days of the long ago
when then the magisterial court was in vogue
and everybody was on the qui yive. Hon. L.
Walton, State Senator and author of the
new ballot law passed by the last legislature of
Virginia and leading lawyer at the bar, re-
sides here and is a prominent Methodist
Judge Newman of the county court, cultured
gentleman of fine intellect, is also an active
Methodist Here the great Readjuster, the
late Hon. Harry Riddleberger, lived. He built
fine residence a little south of the town, now
owned BY his widow who has moved to Wash
ington. The country around smiles in the &C.
NAL sunshine and copious showers, the harvest
close at hand promises an abundant yield, and
the Joyous song of the farmer is in the air.
l worshipped Sunday morning with the
Presbyterians. The incident and worship was
accompanied with pleasant suggestions For
the year past the congregation has been with
out pastor, and in the interim have worship
ped largely with the Methodists. The Rev. DR..
Stevenson, late of Abingdon, Va, accepted a
called and preached his first sermon. The
Methodists dispensed with their morning ser
vice and worshipped with the Presbyterians.
1t was beautiful example of Christian fellow
ship. 1 take the new minister to be about for
ty years of age with most pleasant face, a
lovely, winning manner as a speaker, and l
predict for him happy and successful pas
torate J. W. ToScUE.
On Saturday last as signor Crispi, Prime
Minister of Italy, was driving from his resi-
dence to the Chamber Of Deputies, he was fired
upon by man who came close to the carriage.
The premier was unhurt and quickly leaped
from the vehicle TO arrest the would-be assas-
sin. His purpose wa. anticipated by some
men near by attracted by the shot, who cap
tursd the man and turned him over to the po
lice. The premier drove to the Chamber and
quickly relatsd the circumstance
Circuit court was in session in Martins
burg last week. In case of Mrs. Rhine
VS.. B & o. r. R., in which Judge Faux
ner had been counsel, Col. F. w. Brown |
presided as special Judge. The case was
continued until September term. 1t was
suit for SO, 900 damages for injuries to the |
husband of the plaintiff,
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DIN FAMILY GROCERY