Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-01-09
THE LIBERTY BELL IN TOWN.

The people of Shepherdstown did
themselves proud Monday afternoon
in the reception they gave to the ia
nous old Liberty Bell and the escort
of distinguished Philadelphians who
accompanied it. At four o'clock
procession was formed in front OF the
college building, and marched to the
depot. Mayor Miller and the men,
bers of the town council led, and fol-
lowing them were the Sons of Confed-
crate Veterans in uniform, Capt. R. 7.
Banks commanding, the Shepherds
town Band, G. w. Humrickhouse,
leader, the Shepherd Fire Depart
ment, Chief ]. Horace Crow in COM
mand, the teachers and pupils Of the
public schools, and citizens in general.
A considerable assemblage had al
ready gathered at the depot, and the
new arrivals swelled the crowd to
probably thousand persons or more.
A few moments after the scheduled
time, AIS, the special train came in
sight and was greeted with cheers by
the waiting multitude.
The train was composed Of seven
cars, six of them Pullmans and the
seventh, the last Of the train, hand
some fat car on which stood in open
view the Liberty Bell. -Four giant
policemen made an imposing guard
for it. As the train stopped the Phil
adelphia officials stepped from Mayor
Ashbridge's private car to the deck OF
the fat car. City Treasurer J. Hamp-
ton Moore came to the front and made
clever address, telling why the bell
had been sent on It's Journey and Of
the sentiment that induced It's custo-
dams to show it to the people. Mr..
Moore was followed by Mayor Ash
bridge, who spoke earnestly Of the
patriotism of the people Of the North
and of the South and of the lessons
that were to be drawn from the histo-
ry of the old bell. H. L Snyder was
then introduced, and on behalf Of the
corporation authorities Of Shepherds
town and in the name OF the people
extended greetings to the visitors. He
referred to personal and historic incl
dents that linked together the city Of
Philadelphia and the town Of Shep-
herdstown, and responded to the SEN
timent of fr4ternal feeling between
the North aud the South The Phil
adelphians seemed to become warmed
up by the heartiness of their recep-
ton here, and Architect Houston
made bright and clever speech, as
did also Henry Clay, the eloquent
member of the Select Council They
said lots Of nice things about Virginia
and Virginians, and the uniforms Of
the Sons of Confederate Veterans
called forth particularly kindly ex-
pressions. They were thoroughly
pleased here, and so stated publicly
and privately. Mayor Ashbndge pre-
sented the local speaker with a pretty
silk flag and other members Of the
party gave handsome souvenirs. Pam
phlets descriptive of the old bell and
containing historical information We're
distributed to the crowd There was
great cheering as the train pulled out
from the station.
The car on which the bell rested
was handsomely decorated. There
were three stands Of flags ateither end
and a big wreath Of roses and lilies
hung on the bell. The old relic Was
supported on a framework Of hard
wood. 1t had venerable appearance.
The crack was in plain view and the
inscription upon it could be read by
those who were near proclaim lib
erty throughout all the land unto all
the inhabitants thereof % The bell
weighs 1850 pounds. 1t is twelve
feet in circumference around the lip
and seven feet six inches around the
crown. 1t is three inches thick in the
thickest part near the lip, and one and
quarter inches thick in the thinnest
part The length Of the clapper is
three feet two inches.
The special train was in charge of
Conductor Walter Hutchings and
Brakemen James Skiles and NJ. A..
Brogunier Horace Long was engi-
neer and H. /. Wallace fireman. The
train is due to arrive in Charleston
this morning at 10 o'clock, where it
will remain until the close of the eX-
position next spring.