Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-12-11
IN OILDOn.
Mud Court Personal Paragraphs and
Political Pointers.

/
dust was ankle deep now the mud
well, no one attempts to get 10 the
bottom Of it. Asked if / swan into
town, the reply was, mo, ! floated
ia. The roads are simply impass-
able for wheeled vehicles. Some par
ties desiring to move a sawmill boiler,
bolted It to two large sticks Of timber,
rounded the front ends, hitched eight
horses to the improvised sled and
went their way rejoicing Still, the
mud cannot suppress the ubiquitous
oil man. He will get there" re
CARELESS Of cost.
do not know Of any other county
in which the mud could cause so little
inconvenience. Everything in the
way Of fuel, light, oil and water is
conveyed through pipe lines and the
natives live at their ease. The bur-
den falls upon the operators and they
have been trained for many years in
the art Of overcoming apparently in
surmountable obstacles.
This is court week and there is an
unusual array of legal talent,
present. Hon. Romeo Freer, Cir
cult Judge, is suave and affable yet
prompt in the discharge of his duty.
He has Performed his duties SO per-
feetly and made so many friends that
there is strong inclination on the
part OF Fou nth District Republicans to
tender him the nomination for Con-
gress next year. While he would ap.
preciate the compliment and while he
would represent the District with
great success, there are those who
would object for the reason that they
feel there is not another man in the
circuit who would take his place on
the b.nch.
Among the visiting attorn eys are
Judge David F. Pugh, of Columbus,
Ohio, who was for many years resi-
dent OF this town, and since he was
defeated at the recent election, his
numerous friends and admirers are
hoping and praying that he may re-
turn to this State, il not to this coun-
ty. Being an attorney of great ability,
his return would be hailed with de-
light by the Republicans of the entire
State.
Col. Bob" McEldowney, of New
Martinsville, the versatile editor OF
the Wetzel Democrat, is another nota-
able. 1t is said that the colonel would
like to go to Congress but is now
dubious about accepting the nomina-
ton for fear of defeat. He might be
prevailed upon to run for governor
and il his party wants square,
straightforward man as their candi-
date the choice will certainly fall on
him
1t is whispered around town that
Hon. O. w. O. Hartman is of opin-
ion that he is the very man to succeed
Hon. B. B. Dovener.
cor is a hustler aud has "barr'
of dimensions and if he should enter
the race tn re will be a hot time
among First District Republicans.
Another aspirant for political honors
is G. d. Smith, the Democratic war
horse of this county, who will ask
for the Tyler Wetzel nomination. He
is a Independent kind of fellow and
has many friends among Republicans,
some of whom will vote for him. AS
the district is very close and as he
will 60 i'll to win there will be music
in the air in case he should be nomi
mated.
One of the most momentous ques-
tons agitating the court and county
officers is that of controlling the
liquor traffic. Speakeasies abound,
the county court refuses to grant IL
censes tor the sale of ardent spirits
and the result is that the stuff is spir-
tied in and is sold almost everywhere
to everybody who wants it. Indict-
ments by the hundred and the court
docket is filled to OVERLOOKING. At
the present term Judge Freer does not
appear to look upon the offender with
any degree of allowance Twenty
FIVE dollars fine and thirty days in
Jail is the minimum penalty, which
bids fair to fill the splendid new Jail
(the finest in the State and supposed
burglar and mob proof full as pa
irons of the speakeasies usually are.
Public opinion is divided as to the
policy pursued, and there is no pres
ent prospect of a settlement, which,
when it does come is liable to wreck