Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-08-29

New Market is sleepy town, quiet
place. No hum of mandatory, nc
shrill steam whistle, disturbs its calm
There are some houses built most sub.
stantially of brick and stone, few
modern cottages of good design, but
too many of the buildings are old frame
structures whose numbers keep them
from being picturesque. 1t seemed a
singular thing to see SO many houses
with chimneys built on the outside
When the Valley Branch of the b. &
o. Railroad was built it only got with,
in two miles of New Market, but the
famous valley turnpike forms the main
street of the quaint old town.
The hospitality of Virginians is
tradition, but it is more-itis an ever,
present fact. The people Of the Shen-
andoah Valley have the reputation Of
being the most hospitable of them all
and New Market is, fguratively and
literally, in the centre of this valley
of hospitality. The hearts and the
homes of the people were wide open
Their chief desire was the enjoyment
of their visitors, and the pleasure Of
being with them made the pain Of part
ing hard to bear. The Lutherans are
the people at New Market, and it was
good to be one of the brethren.
Rev. C. H. Hockey, Delegate John
H. Lemen and this scribe were enter
tanned at the Carrollton Hotel, kept
by Mr.. Joseph w. Hoffman and his
estimable wife. Their kindness was
great and can never be forgotten by
this Shepherdstown trio. Mr.. Holtz-
man is violinist from way back. and
accompanied on the organ by his
charming sister, Mrs. Leila Rice, made
sweet music for his guests. His little
son inherits his fathers talent for
music-and the baby danced. Others
IN whom the writer is indebted fol
special courtesies are Rev. j. A. Sny.
der and family; Mr.. T. L. Williamson
the popular postmaster; Messrs. Am
brose and Elon Henkle, fellow news.
paper men.
One of the most enjoyable features
of the session of the synod was the su,
perior music. Prof. Brennaman, Of
New Market, himself an excellent bass
singer, was the general manager Of
the music. Mrs. L. S. Walker, Of
Woodstock, wife Of the synod's treas
urer, has an extremely sweet soprano
voice, thoroughly cultivated, and was
the star singer. She was as agreeable
as she was proficient, and sang willing
ly at almost every service. Her sweet
solos, rendered with so much express
ion, were greatly appreciated by the
people. &c. Van Pelt, also of Wood.
stock, was a musical phenomenon
His voice is one Of the richest and
sweetest we have ever heard 1t was
tenor, but he sang high and low
equally well, the compass being very
great. 1t was singular to find here
in the country SO splendid a voice. He
sang with an ease and grace that added
to the enjoyment of those who hearc
him, and made the music seem a sweet
spontaneous, natural thing, Mr.. Var
Pelt has done some very acceptable
service in evangelistic work in sever
al States. He needs but to be hearC
to be in demand, and We have hi
promise to come to Shepherdstown
The local choir felt the inspiration o
their visiting friends, and did theil
best, the result being excellent music
They pressed into service all who were
available, and even the writer had t.
do his humble part. Miss Ida Zirkl,
was the accomplished organist, but a
her request our Mr.. Hockey played
many of the accomplishments. In thi
connection it is not amiss to mention
the enjoyment afforded many of tn
visitors by the splendid piano playing
of Miss Francis Calvert, of New Mark
ct. She is a brilliant performer an(
rendered many of the best classica
selections in perfect style.
New Market will be remembered
as the scene of one of the stirring bat
ties of the civil war. 1t was here tina
the Confederates under General Breck
enbridge and the Federals under Gen
eral Sigel fought one Sunday morning
when the brave young cadets of tn
Virginia Military Institute made thei
courageous and victorious charge an'
submitted with such heroism to theil
baptism of fire. The battlefield i
lust at the edge of the town. The PEG
pie have many relies of the battle, an'
through the kindness of Miss Couch
enour and Master Lynn Williamson
the REGISTERS museum has been en-
riched with several mementoes of tina
fight.
One of the important establishment
of the town is the printing house of tn
Msssrs Henkle. 1t was established II