Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-04-30

ted outside Of the large cities. Rev.
Mr.. Marshall, the new rector, has made
favorable impression upon the people
The NJ. E. Church, South, is very
handsomely furnished, and the pOpu-
lar pastor, Rev, Mr.. Thrasher, preach
ea to large congregations. Rev. Mr..
Dice is pastor of the NJ. E. Church.
St. Agnes Catholic Church is very
pretty building.
There are a number Of very old bur-
ial grounds in the town, in which rest
the remains ofmany who were promi-
neut figures in life'S arena many gem
erations ago. Elm Wood Cemetery,
upon an eminence just south of town,
is beautiful city of the dead, well
and carefully kept, and by its beauty
attracting the eyes of all visitors. Here
also is a plot where also rest the re-
mains Of several hundred brave south
ern heroes who died in defense Of the
southland. A handsome monument
and grave markers tells the story and
commentaries their gallant deeds.
This whole section is rich in historic
associations and interest.
The town is remarkable as the place
where the first steamboat was con-
structed and navigated.
James Rumsey, who is believed to
be the first person that ever succeeded
in propelling boat by steam, was a
native of Maryland. When young
man be removed to Shepherdstowu
and devoted much time to mechanics.
In September, 1871, it appears that
he was employed by the Potomac Com
pauy, of which Washington was a
member to improve the navigation of
the Potomac river. In 1888 he di-
rected his attention to the subject Of
steam boats, and in 1874 he succeeded
in a private but very imperfect exPer-
iment. To order to test some Of the
principles of his invention he obtained
grants from the Assemblies Of Vir-
ginia and Maryland for navigating
the waters in both States. His pub
lie trial was made in 1856, in which
he was eminenIy successful in pro-
pelling his boat by steam alone at
Shepherdstown against the current Of
the Potomac at the rate of four or five
miles an hour. Mrs. Ann Baker,
mother-in-law of Governor Gilmer,
and Washington, were among those
passengers on board at this trial trip.
While at Shepheristown Mr. Rumsey
dwelt in small log house on the
southern outskirts of the village. The
boat was built on the banks Of the
Potomac half mile above town. She
was called by the towns people "the
flying boat, and Mr.. Rumsey received
from the same source the aPPellation
of Cray Rumsey." There is place
on the banks of the Potomac called
"Rumsey's Walk" where he was often
seen for hours walking to and fro in
deep meditation upon MS favorite pro-
iect. The boat was so feet in length.
Poor Rumsey, before he saw the full
fruition of his long-cherished hopes,
was stricken with apople1y, and died
in Liverpool, England, at most fat
tering point IN his life.
Four miles north Of town, over per
haps the finest road in the county, oi
crushed stone, known as Shepherd
grade, Is the famous "Wild Goose
Farm" of the late Henry Shepherd
with It's fue improvements. Nor.
gan's Spring" the ancestral home Of
the late Col. William Morgan, is a de,
lightful place. A large and commo.
dious brick mansion overlooks a grand
old forest of hill and vale with it,
magnificent old oaks, seutinels Of the
ages. Then the beautiful spring oi
clear water. At this spring, IN the
days when America was groaning un'
der the burdens Of expressions Of the
British yoke, a company Of patriots
was organized and marched in bee
line for Boston in defense of theil
country. The survivors for years
met annually at this historic spring
to recall to the memory the trials and
scenes Of that long march aDd its con.
hicts, until finally the last one had an
swered the last roll call, and there was
none left to tell the story.
Fountain Rock, now the property
of the Agricultural Fair Association
is another grand old place. 1t was
the magnificent country seat Of that
distinguished and courtly old Vlr-
giuia gentleman, the Hon. Alex Bote-
Ter, lawyer of great prominence and
member Of the Confederate Con-