Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-05-20
That w. Va. Singing Teacher Again.
WESTON, w. VA, May Is, 1897.


big words, although have but dim
idea of their meaning; the reader will
please apply them properly. The physi-
cal geography of this State may be writ
ten in one brief line: The surface of the
countryconsists of mountains and creeks
mountains mostly. Where there is no
room for a mountain creek is to be
found. Then the creek is a variable
quantity. In dry time the water is clear
and beautiful, and in some cases so small
in quantity that healthy COW with a
good thirst could drink the stream dry.
This same stream upon the slightest at
tention from q generous cloud can get up
the biggest kind of boom, and fill all
creation with mud and misery, at the
same time doing a useful work in float
ing saw-logs TO the mills. The people
exc out precarious existence upon wood
and water and little coal. The wood
is mostly in the form of saw-logs, and
the water is used to float the logs TO the
saw-millS. The coal is used principally
to produce SCOT, with which everything
is made black. incidentally, coal is also
used for heating and cooking purposes.
In some parts of the State natural gas is
preferred as fuel. Here in Weston gas
is used extensively. 1t is piped some
eighteen miles, but | am told that gas
can be obtained within three miles of
the place. The church in which have
been teaching is lighted by electricity
and heated with gas. Pressing button
instantly lights the whole church, or
darkens il; lghtinga match and turning
spigot builds the fire. Wouldn't Broth
er Deck enjoy that sort of thing down at
his church!
Ny last letter gave an account of my
trip from Summersville to Sutton. will
now take up the thread at that point.
Sutton is the county-seat of BraXton
county and is a growing town of some
twelve hundred people. 1t is situated
in rather cramped-up little basin along
the Elk river with not much chance to
spread except upwards, and this it is do
ing-the hills are gradually being filled
with fine residences. While tins is an
old settlement, the town itself is young,
having practically been rebuilt since the
war; there are but four houses now stand
ing that were left at the close of the war
The town is named after old Col. Sutton
great-grandfather of many of the pres
ent residents He owned an immense
tract of land round about, and donated
some of it to start the town. He must
have been Il sporty old chap, for he would
occasionally light his pipe with five
dollar bill The most attractive feature
of Sutton is the Elk river, beautiful
stream about half as wide as the Poto-
mac, and spanned by fairy-like suS-
pension bridge. In summer the water
becomes of crystal clearnesS, and the
fish, great fine fellows, can be seen swim
81
way. But the Elk, like all other streams
in this section, has habit of getting on
high old time, and. strange to say, this
is not considered an undesirable occur
renee. Along the Potomac flood iSSome-
thing dreaded and generally means more
or less destruction with no beneficial re-
suits. Along the rivers and creeks in
this part of the State tide" is a valu
able thing. It's the principal means for
Transporting timber, ties, slaves, and, on
some streams, coal.
The principal industry at Sutton is
big saw-mill-not the old-fashioned up
and-down saw that we knew when we
were boys. Do you remember the one
at the foot of the river hill the ruins of
which are still there, and John Wright,
the sawyer? In later years bort Lucas
used to run it, What daring feat it
was to ride on the log while the saw was
running; but you don't want to ride on
the log in one of these modern mills.
Then, do you remember Danl Brooks,
who used to haul slabs? And did you
ever steal bark or tar? have. But to
return TO Sutton. The saw in this mill
is not the old up-and-down thing, Meth
er is it circular saw, but it is one with
a down mOtiOn'all the time-a bandSaw.
and it goes through log like a streak of
creased lightning. saw it eat up log
three feet in diameter in seven minutes.
The timber is mostly poplar. The logs
come down on a tide" and are caught
by an obstruction in the river called
boom | saw the boom just after
rise, and was told there were about 90
900 logs, enough to last the mill only
about six months
Sutton can boast of two houriShing
newspapers: "BraXton Central, Repub-
lican, and "BraXton Democrat whose
politics are indicated by its name. The
editor of the Central is in luck Just
now, as he has secured the poStoftiCe.
Bro. John A. Crosse of the Democrat,
is live newspaper man and runs we'll
equipped Office. He is great admirer
of the REGIsTER-says it is the best local
paper in the State. He treated me well
during my stay in Sutton, and you must
not miss making his acquaintance at the
coming meeting of the Press Association.
Judge Fowler, one of the leading lawyers.
was at one time a member of the board
of regents and has visited shepherds
town. He has pleasant recollections of
delightful drive to Wild Goose and the
elegant dinner given the board by Mr..
Shepherd My business at Sutton was
very successful. The people are fond of
music and attended my classes in gener-
Gus numbers. had three classes and