Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-06-10
WITH THE QUILL DRIVERS.

Virginia hold a meeting somewhere in
the State. These meetings are a source
of recreation, entertainment and profit.
Old friends greet one another; new ac-
%quaintances are formed. matters Of i'm
portance to the profession are discussed,
and points Of interest are visited-in fact
nothing but profit results from these an
nual c%onclaves.
Last week the association mel for
three days at Elkins, in Randolph county.
The attendance was fairly good, and we
ear safely say the meeting was unusually
pleasant and profitable. In fact it has
been seldom orr fortune to feel 50 much
at home, and 10 meet so many kind and
hospitable people.
Elkins is the growth Of ten years.
Three farm houses then marked the site
Of the city. A vast wilderness ranged
around. Lofty mountains reared their
heads to the stars, and barred their bosoms
TO the forked lightning. Wild mountain
streams in summer time laughed and
gurgled, leaped and sported in the deep
r~avines, or catching up the rains that
swept DER the mountains in springtime,
roared and Numbered from the fierce
heights above. Huge pine and hemlock
trees, many OF them over an hundred feet
high, in profusion, grew everywhere. In
fact, the solitude was simply awful in its
grandeur. Changes have occurred, how
ever. The mighty forces Of money,
thrift and enterprise have been at work.
Now cities dot the line of the West Vir-
ginia Central railroad. The hills are
grim s%entinels guarding untold mineral
wealth. The hum of the saw mill. the
ring of the AK, the dull thud of the miners
pick-all tell the story of mans conquer
ing advance. Thomas, German, Davis
City and Parsons, now large and pros
porous cities, greet the traveller. Human
energy never wearies here in the mount
aims. The men are workers, active in
every profession, pushing and forcing en-
terprise to the front. Davis City is a bee
hive of industry. Her people are always
planning and executing. Here are the
great saw mills of West Virginia, turning
out millions of feet of lumber. These
mills are equipped with the newest and
best machinery. We met our old friends
Robert Stallings, A. M, Cunningham and
Blake Parsons, all able young lawyers and
editors of means and thrift, who have
stamped their individuality on the COM
munities in which they live. We also
met Mr.. Blake, a charming gentleman,
who manages the great say mills Of Mr..
Thompson, with wonderful skill and care.
We were simply charmed with Davis
City, and her hospitable citizens, and hope
to become better acquainted with them
in the future.
This vast region has been developed and
opened by the indomnitable pluck and
energy of Senator Elkins, ex-senator
Henry G.. Davis, Richard Kearns, and
others, of whom the three first are mil
llonaires. Their homes, palatial and
beautiful, adorn ~eminences overlooking
Elkins. All that wealth can procure and
culture suggest, blend together to beau
tify their homes. Yet with all this opu-
lence, and with all these surroundings,
they are plain, unassuming American
citizens, gentlemen Of the noblest charac-
ter. The homes of the present, and ex-
Senator, were thrown open, and the hum
bic editors entertained with genuine hos
pitality. Choice edibles and drinks were
served in profusion, and every courtesy
imaginable extended. Ranged about the
halls and rooms, were statuary of priceless
value, while the walls were adorned with
rare and valuable pictures from the PEN
ellis of world-famous artists. The walks
and drives wind in and out through i'm
mense lawns.
What a charming personality is possess
ed by Senator Elkins. Broad-minded,
cultured, with his fingers touching the
the keys which set in motion enterprises
of magnitude, he is undoubtedly one of
the most prominent and deserving Ameri-
cans Of his age. Close acquaintance with
his characteristics and traits, binds one to
him in faithful friendship and respect. He
would dignity any position in this country.
West Virginians only need know the
man to love him. We sincerely believe
his Senatorial life will continue for many,
many years. 1t would also be a criminal