Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-04-05
Good Words From a Visitor.


The Fredericksburg Daily Star of a
late date contains communication from
Rev r A Williams, the able minister who
assisted Rev. w. R. Flanagan in the re-
cent protracted services in the Baptist
church here from which we extract the
followIng
Charles Town is the county seat of
Jefferson county, w. Va. said to be the
richest county in either of the two Vir-
ginias. 1t is situated IN the extreme end
of the Pan Handle and is a part of the
far famed Valley of Virginia. One OF
the things that makes Charles Town of
interest to a Fredericksburger is the
close relationship that the Washington
family bear to it. The site was given by
Charles Washington. for whom the town
is named. and he donated the principal
corners tor public buildings for town and
county. lust outside the town is the
grave of Charles Washington. Gen.
George Washington knew all this section
of country we'll as early as 1850. in his
capacity as surveyor for Lord Fairfax.
who resided at "Greenway Court, near
Winchester. and it is said that the town
was surveyed by Washington.
The principal street in the town run
ming east and west is named Washington
and all the streets running north and
south are named for members of the
Washington family. such as George.
Lawrence. Charles. Samuel. Mildred.
| The old courthouse IN which John
Brown was tried and the Jail in which he
was imprisoned are still standing and on
the spot where he was hung a splendid
residence has been built by one of the
leading citizens of the town.
Here also lived Hon. VIM. L. Wilson,
one of the most distinguished Democrats
of the country and at one time member
of Mr. Cleveland's cabinet. Mr.. Wilson
was deacon in the Baptist church of
this place and was regarded as one of
the most pious and upright men in all
this community, always exerting an IN
fuence for the highest and the best. 1t
would be great thing if we had more
men like Mr. Wilson directing the govern
ment of our country.
Jefferson county is remarkable for
several things, and one of them is the
| ,,oc,,rpoccad roo uouc of tho co,,,t,,
have never seen such turnpikes in all
nay experience 1t is said that this county
received prize of $500 from the New
York Herald andAtlanta ournal automo-
bile contest. which was the second prize
for the best roads between New York
and Atlanta, the first prize being awarded
to a county in New Jersey. For miles
and miles in every direction out from
Charles Town 1t is solid stretch of
macadam road. Up to few years ago
the roads were maintained by system
OF tollgates, but these have been abolished
and they are now kept up by splendid
road tax.
| Inc farms around here are magnlh-
cent, bringing tremendous crops of
wheat and corn and cannot be bought
for less than 500 per acre.
One of the interesting sights to me was
the Jefferson county aims house. was
invited out by the superintendent to dine
and accepted. 1t looked more to me
like a splendid old country residence,
with magnificent farm attached to 1t of
nearly 900 acres. | never sat down to a
better meal and secretly wished tor my
capable friend. Mr. S f Eastman, to do
the honors, but | tried to do justice.
Rev. w. r. Flanagan, pastor of the
Baptist church here. and Mr.. w. J. Phil
lips were along and what l couldn't do
they did with all ease.