Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-06-29
COmmuni heated.
TFrom the Va Free Press. !

Mr.. Gallaher l am IN Woodstock, th
Shretown Of Shenandoah county Va.
for the nonce-vIsiting the pleasant
family of Mr.. T. B. Richey. a leading
merchant of the place, who, with hii
amiable Christian wife. is lavish IN kline
attentions. / am here also to do some
preaching in the stead of the resident
pastor OF the the NJ. E. Church South,
who is away for two Sabbaths, on a trip
to Hardy county, W. Va, among bis
former Pensioners. l am not stranger
in this community, for twenty-three
years ago, after most pleasant stay Of
three years as pastor at Charles Town,
was transferred to this charge. The
period of twenty-three years has wrought
It's marked changes here as such length
OF time does everywhere, for time in its
onward fight with ruthless hand leaves
its gashes and furIows, and drops from
the arena of life its scores OF Victims
who played their part on the stage OF
life. | 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 re-
turns. The town Is an old one, going
back in its date into the last century,
Here in the beginning of the revolution
occurred the patriotic incident OF
Parson Muhlenburg throwing aside his
gown displaying his soldiers garb, and
sounding the tocsin of war from the
pulpit.
Since here the town has greatly i'm
overwhelmingly in many fine residencCs
erected and business houses built, oecupi-
ed with fine stores-then vacant lots or Old
rookerIes-eyesores on the main street.
The court house has been enlarged, yet
tar behind the stateliness, and archltec-
tual imposure of ours. There are six
churches IN the town, all of which are
comely structures of modern style, affor-
dine ample sittIngs for the towns pOpula-
ton of l, 400. An annual agricultural
fair is held and has proved successful
through the vim and enterprise of the
citizens.
There is but one paper published here,
the Shenandoah Herald, Capt. Jno. II.
Grabill. editor and proprietor. 1t is ably
conducted, and as it is the only newspaper
issued it must have a large circulation
and is a good investment.
This Is county court day and big day
it is, for the country people seem to be
emptied into the town. The courthouse
square is tbronged, selling and bartering
in horses, farm implements lively, the
stores are full of customers 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
every body was on the qHi viYe. Hon. NJ.
L.'Walton. State Senator and author OF
the new ballot law passed by the last
Legislature of Virginia and a leading
lawyer at the bar, resides 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 a
fine residence little south of town, now
owned by his widow who has moved to
Washington. The country around smiles
in the genial sunshine and copiOus show
ers, 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
Presbyterans. The incident and worship
was accompanied with pleasant sugges
tons. For the year past the cOngrega
tion has been without a pastor, and in the
interim have wOrshipped largely with the
MethOdsts. The Rev. DR.. Stephenson
late of Abingdon, Va, accepted a call anC
preached his first sermon. The Methodist
dispensed with their morning service and
worshipped with the Presbyterians. i
was a beautiful example of Christian fel
lowshlp. take the new minister to b'
about forty years of age With mos
pleasant face. lovely, winning manner
as a speaker, and l predict for him 1
happy and successful pastorate.
j. w. TONGUE.