Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-01-23
A Winter Days Drive.

The editor of the REGISTER, in
company with Capt. VIM. Fl. Kear-
fott, spent pleasant day last Friday
in driving through the Leetown neigh
borhood. Our starting point was the
hospitable home of J. P. Kearfott,
ESQ, one of the prosperous farmers Of
this county. whose place is a typical
Virginia country home of the better
sort-a fine brick mansion, big barn
and comfortable quarters for the live
stock, the whole place presenting an
appearance of thrift and good taste
and comfort that makes country life
not bad thing. After mighty good
dinner we started on our drive. Lee
town is full of historic memories, and
its most important relic of old times
is the house owned by General Charles
Lee, of Revolutionary fame. This is
long story and a-half stone building
with thick walls, and is now occupied
by Mr.. E. C. Watson. Mr.. Watson
showed US copy of General Lees
villa very curious document IN
which he disposed Of his property, and
directed that he be not buried In a
churchyard nor near a church. nor
within a mile of any Presbyterian or
Anabaptist Westinghouse for, he de-
clared, having kept much bad COM
pany during his life, he desired to be
free from such after his death. 1t is
a fact, however, that his will could
not save him from being buried in the
church-yard within the shadow of
Christ Church in Philadelphia-and
there are Presbyterians and Baptlsts
all around him.
We called at the ancient mill at Lee
town, a substantial old structure fully
a hundred years old, and perhaps old
er. 1t is now managed by Mr.. J. h.
Gardner and his son, who are hust-
ling business men and popular IN the
community. They have improved
the mill greatly and have also built
nice house near by. We couldn't
pass Leetown without stopping to see
our merchant friend, Mr.. James W.
Strider, who conducts a general store
and does a fine business. He is
clever gentleman to whom the REGIS
TER is indebted for many tavors, and
we hone he NAV flourish until he is
called to something still better.
A visit to Mr. Bates Watson called
us from the main road across fine
farm that lies beautifully and was fair
to look upon even under the winter
sun. Mr. Watson is another friend of
the REGISTER. He and his brother
John will have sale in March.
One of the respected residents of
the neigbborhood is Douglas Roper,
colored man who has prospered IN
farming and whose name stands for
honesty and reliability, He will also
sell out next month.
We stopped to see Mr.. John Ed
wards, who lived in Shepherdstown
up to 1856, when he moved away.
He has been to the town but four
times in the past As years, but ne
keeps posted by reading the REGISTER;
He expects to sell out shortly and
move to Hagerstown.
There were other places we desired
to visit, but the winter days are
short, and though the frosty air was
bracing and enjoyable, five or SIX
hours was enough at one time and we
felt the necessity of returning. 1t
was great pleasure to find that the
REGISTER was a welcome visitor in so
many homes, and we enjoyed our trip
so much we intend to repeat it again
before long. A good hot supper at
friend Ksarfott's awaited sharpened
appetites, and in congenial company
was heartily enjoyed. The day was
Pleasantly and proftably spent, and
we acknowledge with thanks the ia
vors extended to us by our good coun-
~, fr;apdo