West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-09-04
ERECTED IN 1910.
TIE OLD RISING SUN HOTEL DESTROYED
BIZ FIRE.
A Noted Landmark OF Pioneer Days
tone.

one of the Oldest and most interesting land
marks in Preston county. II was built by
David StemPle, in the year 1870. Large
hewed logs we're used In its construction.
II was veil cbinked and dsubed and plas-
tered on the inside and instead Of iath being
used. augar holes were bored into the logs
about ten inches apart and pins about one
inch long were inserted to hold the plaster
ing 10 place. The partitions. doors and
stairs'eps showed fine workmanship, and
were put up in the most substantial manner
II was large aud roomy and an immense
stone chimney was in the center of the house
with open hreplaces. whose genial warmth
extended to the fauhest corner of each
room In which they we're placed.
The original builder lived to enjoy his
well-built house about AZ years. and he had
lived upon the farm about ~ years before
he built the house. lie died IN 1897, and
transmitted his farm 10 his youngest son,
Major David Siemple. IT,, who was born
July "a. 1916, and Is yet living. The
younger Mr.. Stemple enlarged the house by
an addition of several rooms. and opened II
the same year (rs37) as tavern. 1t was
known far and near, ~ ''rhe Rising Sun
Hotel" and was one OF the most popular
taverns on the great Northwestern Turnpike.
Great crowds of people would stop there
every night as indeed was the case at all
of the taverans along this great road, and
Mr.. Stemple not infrequently collected as
much as one hundred dollars from his Gus
toners for their nights lodgings. A great
many persons who grew up In the county
that are now far advanced in years can
recall with pleasure. the many social
gatherings that was held there during the
hfiies, with Mr.. and Mrs. S,emple, and
their pleasant children, who were just grow
ing to be young men and women.
After the travelling had ceased on the
road on account of the opening of the B. *
Q. X. r., the farm was sold to a Mr..
Shrock from Somerset county, Pa, and
finally became the properly of Mr.. Daniel
Beachey, and belongs to his heirs at this
time
Many changes have occurred in which il
was an important factor since its erection.
Preston county was formed in 1878. II was
a voting place from rs77 TO ISa9, the first
In this end OF Preston, and the third one in
the county. The great Northwestern Turn.
pike was built in 1884, passing jus, in front
OF 1t, and il shared in the patronage Of that
great road more than any other house in
Tor RI
and was a stopping place tor many noted
persons. Al the beginning of the great
war of the Rebellion,i IL was the headquarters
of Brigadier General Hill of the u. S.
Army, who had been sent there by Major
General Mcclellan TO intercept General
Carnett of the Confederate Army in his
retreat from Cheat Mountain. General
Jones' Confederate Cavalry stopped and
fed their horses aud ate breakfast there,
when they made their raid into Yves, Virginia
in 1863. The West Union and Gnat,y
Geek Turnpike tina, passes through ST.
George, starts III from the N. w Pike i'm
mcdia,ciy in from, If this house. II was
opened in 1855
For the past twenty years il has been un-
occupied. and stood
Lime relic of The pas,l old Wondering pile,
Where wines the ivy round its ruins gray
The Siemple family has many relatives,
who are scattered far over the wide West,
and most all of them have relics from their
great Patcrnal home, and hundreds of peo-
pie who ride past it each year looked at il
with pleasant "reminiscences of the past,
Wills, thousands of strangers have visited IL
and inquire with wonder and delight about
| its eveniful history.
I notwithstanding the old building had
been dreaded as a "death trap" children
were inside of /, almost every day, especially
IN the sumner time. yet its demolition is
regretted by nearly all of the resident citi-
zens and Mr.. Beachey, the owner, is not
little displeased, but sorely vexed A large
crowd OF people seen it RACED by FIRE, as 1t
occurred early in the night, and beside the
guests at our hotels, both villages were
crowded with the country folks, especially
young men. which is usually the case on
Saturday wight. amd the absence Of the
moan caused the light To- b: EN- for many
miles. II was but short time after il was
hrst noticed till the premises were surround.
ed by swsying mass Of humanity, old men
and their wives, Wild boys and their sweet.
hearts. old maids AID bachelors small BOYS
and little girls the amateur photographers
With kodack's were on hand, taking snap
shots. What different scene could have
been Witnessed. had they all gone there
some pleasant night about the middle of the
century just closed; on approaching the
premises the FIRST object 10 attract their at
tenlion would have been the large sign
board. about SKA feet that swung in an up
right frame, on top of tall post, and stood
near the road. The stump of the post Is
YET In IT'S place. The sign represented a
farm scene, with billy background. above
which the disc Of the morning sun was jus,
heaving up above on the horizon. Then
was the name, "The Rising Sun HOTEL
and on the margin below was the name.
''By David Stemple." Turning towards the
hou'e, hut out next to the road would, have
been seen dozen or more large "Conestaea
Wagons" with their white tents drawn down
tightly over their loads Of merchandise, aud
standing at feed box secured to the tongue.
would be the ak horses with their harness
intact, except the brides, (,be saddle and
carriage horses we're cared for in the large
stable and barn that stood on the premises
near BY The wagons we're strongly built,
and Of poriIy dimensions. the running gear
was heavy. add large hubs and siou, spokes
we're in the wheela the front ones were
low, and the hind ones we're high. The