Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-09-28
Relics of Other Years.

In remodeIing his store-room at the
corner of German and King streets in
Shepherdstown M. B. Baker found at the
cornerstone few days ago box con-
tanning a number of interesting relics
which have attracted considerable atten-
ton. Among the articles that had lain
there exactly "A years were Bible, a
book Of astronomy, dime novel such as
was popular in those days; copy OF the
Shepherdstown Register dated September
IA, 1867, the Baltimore Sun and several
other newspapers of contemporary dates;
photographs of the venerable DR.. John
Reynolds and Emanuel Miller, both OF
whom are long since dead; photographs
also of John Elmer Rentch, Miss Har-
rison, and man and woman unknown.
Our venerable fellow-townsman, D. s.
Rentch, ESQ.,, who is still living and &C
tive at the age of 90 years, enclosed
written statement in the box which is
still legible and well preserved. His
statement was deposited September 70,
1867, and with it was aten-dollar bill and
two one-dollar bills in Confederate mon
ey, two-dollar bill, fifteen-cent note
and five-cent note OF ShepherdStown
money, and three-cent note OF United
States money. Mr.. Rentch's statement
gives the information that the building be-
longed to the heirs of William Moulder,
and was being repaired for AIR. Boteler,
Jr., who intended opening store therein.
Some of the contents OF the box had been
deposited in 1917 by John M. Lane, who
evidently originally constructed the build
ing. The repairs or remodeling was done
by William Small, carpenter, and Jonathan
Waters, tender. The mayor OF the town
was Jos. A. Chapline, and Rev. H. Wiss-
Ter, Rev. DR.. c. w. Andrews, Rev.
Campbell, Rev. Bedinger and Rev. Coe
were named as the clergymen. Mr..
Rentch added postscript in which he
says: "The Radicals now rule the State.
hope they will not rule long" The
further information is given that Church
Hill Cemetery was dedicated September
IA, 1867, with these trustees: Joseph Wei
shans, president; D. S. Rentch, treasurer;
J. D. Fayman, secretay; Emanuel Staley,
John Hoffman.
The following letter was also deposited
by Edward Shafer, who died some years
ago in Baltimore, to which place he had
moved many years ago:
Shepherdstown, Sept. 26, 1867.
My name is Edward Shafer. was
born in Washington county, Md, in June,
1899. Left home in 1862, came to Viz
ginia, joined Company F, LIST Virginia
Cavalry, commanded by Col. William
Morgan, of this county, in Fitz Lees
Brigade, Confederate Army; served in
same until the close OF the war. Com
menced business in ShepherdStown the
lst of April, 1866, in the adjoining room.
Am doing regular hardware business.
The other merchants now in business
are D. Billmyer, L. Licklider, Rickard q
Welshans, D. S. Rentch, A. R. Boteler,
T. w. Latimer (who married Miss J.
Quigley yesterday, Cost & Wagner.
Irwin & Keedy. The physicians now
practising here are Drs. Reynolds, Bris-
coe, Quigley and Tanner. Thomas Tur-
ner is living here and expects to be mar
ried this fall or in the spring. have no
regrets whatever to make OF my past
course OF life, unless it would be that !
did not kill more Yankees than | did.
The cement mills were put in operation
again last spring by a company from
Washington. Deposited September 70,
1867, by Edward Shafer, Shepherdstown,
Va. The Radicals are losing ground fast.
They have the power, but hope they
will not hold ii long.
Lawrence B. Smooth, now deceased,
who was clerk in Skaters store, also
deposited a number of articles in the box.
Mr.. Baker will replace the box and its
contents in the building for the benefit OF
future generations.