Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-12-05
WEST VIRGINIA ITEMS.

The dwelhng-houses of F. A. Nc
Dermott and P. F. Casey were de-
stroyed by fire last week at Weston
AT Milton, near Huntington, several
small boys found some ge-gralned
blasting powder and proceeded to
grind it up in a coffee-pot. 1t explod-
ed and two of the boys were perhaps
fatally injured.
| At Canterbury Hill, on the Norfolk
& Western Railroad, few nights ago
the engine of freight train left the
track and plunged down an embank-
ment. Engineer Walton, Brakeman
Hardin and tramp were killed. Sew
eral others are seriously injured.
Twenty cars were completely demol-
ished.
The people of Berkeley Springs re-
ioiced too soon over the decision of the
Supreme Court concerning the leasing
of the States property there. The de-
cree of the circuit court was reversed,
but the Supreme Court decides that
the trustees cannot lease the springs
until an act of the legislature author
ICES them to do so.
H. S. White & Son, probably the
most extensive lumber dealers in West
Virginia, have failed. H. S. White
was marshal Of the State under Presl-
dent Harrison's administration. On
Saturday all the firms property at
Matewan, in Monroe county, was at
tached, and the sheriff closed the saw
mills, planing-mills, lumber camp and
big general store establishment there.
The liabilities are thought to be very
large.
Patrick Philips, at one time very
wealthy, died at the Morgan county
almshouse, near Berkeley Springs, on
November IS, aged 81 years. Philips
was an eccentric man. Only a few
years ago he owned several thousand
acres Of land besides a quantity of
stock. He was an Englishman by
birth and his father at one time was
a wealthy merchant in London, own
ing a block of business houses, but
misfortune overlook him, he having
endorsed for large amounts, and he
died of broken heart. Philips made
one or two voyages to London after
his fathers death to get what re-
NAMED of his fortune. Lack of edu-
cation, Encouragement and rascally
persons brought about his poverty.
Preston Phipps, wealthy retired
merchant of Danville, Boone county,
went to Charleston the other day and
going to an undertaken establishment,
asked for a coffin. He examined sew
eral and found one, a large, handsome
casket, trimmed with black, which suit
ed him. He asked the price, and,
when told, he pulled out his wallet and
cheerfully paid for it, saying it was
lust what he wanted. He said he
would not need it just yet, but would
after awhile. No one is sick at his
house or dead, and no evidence OF
death being imminent. Mr.. Phipps
said that it was the desire Of Mrs.
Phipps, WHO'S in robust health, to see
the coffin in which she would be buried.
She expressed desire to have it in
the house, and expects to sleep in the
coffin when in arrives. Mrs. Phipps
is about seventy years Of age.
About year ago J. w. Smith, Of
Lincoln county, was arrested for at
tempting to pass forged check upon
which he had placed the signature Of
a prominent Lincoln county business
man. He has been in jail ever since,
having been convicted. Some SIX
months ago, Miss Mary Davis, a hand
some and intelligent young lady, WIS.,
tied the Jail with a companion, and
met Smith. 1t was evidently a case
of love at first sight, and Miss Davis
has been regular visitor at the jail
ever since. A few weeks ago, she and
Smith became engaged, and Tuesday
Just before he went to the penitentiary
they were married in the Jail corridor
After the wedding Smith began serv'
ing his sentence in the penitentiary
and his wife will take up her residence
in Moundsville, where she can be IL
the same town with him, and visit hin
as frequently as the rules of the peni,
Tertiary will permit.