Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-20
HARPER'S FERRY.
An Account of the Founding of n Historic
Town.

Town.
John L. Schill:ng, Of our city, has pre-
pared. and is ready to print 1.-The Story
of the John Brown Raid, and His Cap
ture at Harper's Ferry, October lS'
1859" The story is interesting and OF
historic value, because as a citizen OF
the town. and an eyewitness to the cap
ture. he gives the conditions as enacted.
We give herewith this account OF the
founding of the town:
Harper's Ferry, with its remln.s-
cences dating back to the early days or
Virginia. when Washington, Jefferson
and other prominent statemen delighted
TO revel in its unrivaled scenery ana
frequently honcred it with their pres
ence and favor, derived its name from
Robert Harper, of Oxford, England
where he was born in the year lIl3.
In the year 1885 he sailed in the Morn
ing Star from London and went 10
philadelphia. where he located and pros
pered as an architect and builder. Ow-
ing to a defective title to the property
he had accumulated, he met with re-
verses involving serious pecuniary loss,
and in 1747,resolved to go South, North
Carolina being his objective point.
After a weeks sojourn on horseback,
with only such conyeniences as could be
stored in saddle-pockets, he reached
the hamlet of Fredericktown IN one of
the fertile manors of Maryland, now
Frederick City, one of the most attrac-
tive and cultured cities Of the State.
While resting at Fredericktown Mr.
Harper met peddler from Baltimore
on the way to Virginia, who was fami-
liar with the country. He spoke OF
more direct route, and mentioned won
derful place at the junction Of two
rivers called the Hole" where they
could cross the river with safety
Mr.. Harper decided to accompany the
travelling salesman, going through
part of Maryland, now valuable and
productive farms, reaching the river a
short distance below the forks. When
opposite the meeting of the rivers
marvellous scene presented itself in all
its primitive grandeur. There was seen
the virgin forest with its grand trees
with the growth of centuries jutting
from rocky points, protruding well on
and over the water of the rivers, pre-
senting sight that beggars descrip-
ton, fairly enchanting Mr.. Harper. He
vase deeply impressed with what he
saw, and resolved to possess It.
Soon after crossing the river a short
distance above the junction, he met two
sauatters, one a German named Peter
Stevens, and the other an Indian AIMED
"Gutterma Tom" They had lived on
the point since 1888 and were possessed
of a log cabin canoe horse boat and
corn patch. which they sold to Mr.. Har-
per for thirteen guineas. Two years
later, for sixty gu.neas, he secured the
legal title to 125 acres extending back
from the forks Of the rivers, from Lord
Fairfax, who owned by grant all that
portion of Virginia.
Robert Harper thus became the owner
of the beautiful gap and gateway
through the Blue Ridge, to the Valley
of Virginia, and was instrumental in
securing the. right Of way and opening
the highway, that from 1861 to 60 be-
came famous, and made permanent the
ferry that has since retained his name.
In 1875 he built a substantial resi-
dence, beautifully located, in the sight
of his ferry, from the portico of which
can be seen the passage of the rivers
through the Blue Ridge, the sight OF
which was declared by Thomas Jeffer-
son TO be worth trip across the At
lantiC.
On October 2, 1882, Mr.. Harper died.
leaving his property to his niece, Sarah,
who thirty-five years previously when
he left Philadelphia on his trip for
the South, had presented him with a
silk handkerchief, hemmed with her
own hair. She married John Wagner.
Sr., whose descendants, two nephews
and a niece, Sarah A. Wagner, of cher
ished memory, married Noah II.
Swayne, who was among the early set
tiers of Columbus. O., and who was hon
ored by President Lincoln IN being Sc
lected as judge Of the United States
Supreme Court.
Mr.. Harper was buried in a tract of
four acres, decided to the town for burial
purposes. and his grave is appropriately
marked by monument erected by his
great-grand nephew, John Wagner
Swayne, son CT General Wagner Swayne.
From the site Of the grave can be had
a fine view Of the onrushing waters that
still seem to glory n the overcoming of
the Instructions Of the mountain. in
passage 10 the sea.-Toledo Bee.