Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-04-21
continued from page !.

cony of old "Federal Hall'' to take the
oath to support the Constitution OF the
/ United States of America.
Alexander White was the first Repre-
sentative from this district to Congress,
but when the second election occurred,
he was opposed by General James Wood,
of Frederick, and Lt.-Col. Darke, OF
Berkeley. The old soldiers were no
match for the politician, and White was
returned. In those days the elections
were held early in the year, and a small
number of electors did the voting for the
masses. 1t is a curious fact that the poll
list for Berkeley county at that time con-
tanned only 1875 names.
The Indians, at this time. had all left
what is now West Virginia and settled
beyond the Ohio river. They were dis
putting with the government for the pos
session OF the Northwest Territory,
which had been so gloriouSly won for
Virginia in iii by Gen. George Rogers
Clark, and so magnanimously transferred
by Virginia to the general government.
General Harmer was defeated by the In
dams in October, 1890, and President
Washington, aiming to restore the lost
prestige, selected General st. Clair, OF
Revolutionary fame, tolead another army
against the Indians. Col. Darke, although
at this time he was man of 55 years OF
age, offered his services, and was made
lieutenant colonel-commandant OF aregl-
ment of levies. He joined the Inflated
army of st. Clair at "Fort Washington, "
now Cincinnati. His regiment was made
lip almost entirely of the same material
that composed the Hampshire and
Berkeley Regiment of the Revolution.
An old Virginia historian says: cat St,
Clair's Defeat Colonel Darke commanded
the left wing of the army, when the In
dams were making their most desperate
onSetS, and the whites were falling in
heaps before his eyes. st. Clair at this
crisis ordered Darke to charge with bay
onet, who drove the enemy from his pc
sition with his usual gallantry; but, for
want of riflemen, could not continue the
pursuit. The Indians again penetrated to
the camp; Darke, assisted by Butler and
Clark, made second charge with sue
cess, recovered the artillery, and drove
the enemy before them. But these exer-
lions were not sustained, so that con-
centrated effort could not be made, and
the loss of officers increased every mo-
ment.
Among these was Captain Joseph
Darke, his youngest son, who was NOR
tally wounded. His father saw him fall,
paused for a moment, and then rushed to
the contest The retreat soon commen-
ced, and Colonel Darke arrived that even
ing at Fort Jefferson" distant 30 miles,
with his son on a horse litter, although
he himself was wounded in the thigh and
liable to be overtaken and slain. A coun-
Gil OF war was held, and Darke urged the
expediency of another attack, and con-
tended that the Indians might be beaten,
because they were flushed with victory,
and unprepared for the contest But he
was overruled."
Captain Joseph Darke died on his way
home, and was buried, some say at Pitts
burg and some at Cumberland; but,
wherever he may lie
He rests with the mmortals his journey has been
long:
For him no wall OF sorrow, but paean full and
strong
So well and bravey has he done the work he found
TO do,
To Justice, freedom duty, God and man. forever
true"
Virginia conferred additional honor
upon itself by making Colonel Darke a
Major General of its militia, and it is as
a Brigadier-G General that we know and
honor him to-day. In 1893 he was APP
pointed justice of the peace for Berke-
ley county. In 1900, the Capitol was re-
moved from Philadelphia to Washington
City, and, in the next year, Thomas JEFF
ferson was inaugurated as President of
the United States. This year of 1901 is
filled with interest to the people OF this
county, for not only was Jefferson inaugu-
rated at this time, but Jefferson county
was created as monument to his name,
and General William Darke was appoint
ed, with sixteen others, as one of its first
justices of the peace on September 10Th.
He did not live to sit as one OF its
judges, but passed away, q days later,
at his home on Elk Branch, in the Goth year
of his age, and was buried in the old
graveyard that contains the remains OF
Caterina Berlin, the first known resi-
dent Of West Virginia.
"A brave, bright memory His the stainless shield
No shame defaces, and no envy mars,
When our far futures record is unseaed,
His name will shine among IFS morning stars.
One Conductor Who Was Cured.
Mr.. MILFORD Adams is his name, and
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