Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-03-30
the invading Army of the North
entered Virginia.
With his accumulation Of nroa.

~" hiS ACCUMULATION OF prop
erty he had become also the owner
of some slaves, and with the hope
still burning in his heart that the
successes already won by the Con-
federate Army in the early part of
the struggle would compel recogni-
tion of the rights of the South.
and fearful that his slaves would
do as some nearby had done, he
decided To take them South, away
from influence and danger. This
refugeeing consumed about q years
time, and was abandoned only
when he saw and believed that the
struggle was hopeless one.
Before returning. however, he
made known to those slaves his
intention, Offering to bring back to
their former home any who wished
to return. Only one decided TO
remain, the most valuable one of all,
and the cause was that she had
made the acquaintance of n refugee
whom she was willing to marry.
and the marriage WAS consummated
before the journey. back TO the
Valley was commenced. Those
returning we're faithful to his
interests, and in return they had n
constant and true friend. One of
these only has outlived the master
and friend, TO whom she, her chill
dren and grandchildren have always
looked for help and advice, and
never went away empty-handed.
After the war was over, with
many others, the hard task of
gathering together what was left
was taken up. The difficulties in
the way were almost impossible of
removal, for nothing can be more
horrible than the ravages OF such
a struggle.
On every side were desolate fields,
ruined houses, heaps of ashes and
piles of charred timbers and stones,
marking the places of homes and
barns that had gone up in flames.
Out of this, nevertheless, our
people gathered renewed strength
and determination, and where ruin
was apparent on every hand, now
can be found beautiful homes, well
cultivated farms, and a prosperous
people.
With many others. he succeeded,
under many difficulties. in again
building up and adding to his
business, until it grew to such
proportions that the time he had
so long sought for was at hand,
that hard work could be laid aside,
and life made more tolerable for
himself and family.
He was doomed to disappoint-
ment, so sudden and of such crush
ing power that for the time it
seemed impossible for him to re-
cover.
His house, two large mills, in
fact every building on the premises
in this place, were consumed by
fire. This was about the year 1878.
The loss was almost a total one,
as the amount expended in build
ings, machinery and stock, con-
sisting of lumber, bark and sumac,
totaled between $50, 900 and $35, 900
and on this he carried less than
S., 900 insurance.
For q time is seemed impossible
TO recover from this shock and loss,
notwithstanding business men of
means volunteered to loan him
capital with which to rebuild, with
out interest, knowing the value of
the industry to the community at
large.
For some days he held the matter
under consideration, finally con-
Guiding that it would be burden
some to him, and hazardous to
those who were so willing to assist,
to accept the offer.
The einsurancec company promptly
paid the insurance, and with it as
a start, again he commenced the
rebuilding of his losses.
Gradually he overcome Difficult.
ties which he deemed at first i'm.
possible. The old home was re-
stored and rebuilt, land was pur-
chased, business relations agaiI
assumed with those whom he haC
known, and who were worthy oi
his confidence and who had con.
fidence in him. One of these part
nerships extending through s
period exceeding thirty years
In all that time not harsh wore
or difference had passed between
! them.
1t made deep impression upor
him and he never fully recovered
the great loss he sustained in tn,
death of Mr.. Phillip j. Affieck, o.
as he was want to call him Phil.
\ He recognized the fact. som,
5 time before death came, that hi
span of life was drawing to a clos
9 and to that end began TO shov
some anxiety as to the welfare ant
4 future of those dear to him and Il
. whom he was so dear.
Few men were so active as he 8
s his age, and we hoped for som
years to be added to those alread,
passed. God in his Providenc
t willed it other wise, and we boy
: submissively to His will, and know
: that we have this promise of Gu
d Savior Himself, for our consolation
,. and hope;
), Blessed are the Pure in heart
o for they shall see God"