Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-09-09
Welcome Address Of Mayor Clayton
L. Hsines to the K. ofP.
(Published by request. ,


(Published by request.l
Mr.. Chairman Grand Chancellor of
the Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of
the DOMAIN of West Virginia, Supreme
and Grand Chief and Pytihan Sisters,
and Brother Knights of Pythias.
1t is not my purpose to make speech
here this morning. but TO give you a
hearty warm welcome to Charles Town.
In our places of business and our homes
you will find the doorstanding ajar, and
the latch string on the out side. And on
the door mat is written the word Well
come. 1t was my great pleasure at Fair
mont last September to invite this grand
body to Char'es Town. We wanted to
bring you down herein the Eastern Pan
handle in the Valley of the Shenandoah
to see our broad and fertile farms, our
historic points Of interest, and what a
fine little town we have here. We want.
ed to make you acquainted with our peo-
ole and show them what fine body
men the Gran Lodge Knights of Pythss
of West Virginia is composed of, While
! have the opportunity, I want to call
your attention in brief way to some
historic facts abo=t Charles Town.
The ground OH which Charles Town is
situated was owned by Charles Washing
ton and it's streets were laid off by Ge,.
Washington as surveyor. Charles Wash
ington lived at Mordington on the out
skirts of Charles Town. and his remains
are buried there. About three miles west
of Charles Town is Hardwood, home OF
Samuel Washington another brother of
George Washington, lived. died and
raised a large family there, and whose
descendants are among our best citizens
today. At Hardwood the winsome widow
Dolly Todd, was married to President
Madison,
To the north of Charles Town about
SIX miles is Leetown, where General Lee
lived. for a number of years after the
revolutionary war. the house is still stand
ing and is in aperfect state of preserva
tiou. II will be recalled BY students of
history that General Lee was severly re
primanded by General Washington al
the battle OF manmouth. After the revolu
tionary war was over General Washing
ton was visiting his brother at Hardwood,
concluding that he would let by cones b.
by cones, sent word to General Lee thai
he would call on him certain day but,
General Lse. who was crabid and un-
foraiving old gentleman, took his hounds
and went fox hunting, and when Wash
-ington and his party arrived, on sliHrof
paper on the door was. written the words
no dinner here today.
About eight miles from Charles Town,
General: Horatio Gates, who won the
victory over the British Saratoga. lived
for several years.
AT Morgan's Spring near Shepherds
town, about ten miles North of Charles
Town, a company was formed and march
ed bee line to Boston and the Bate #
Bunker Hill.
1t was on the Potomac River at Shel-
her dstown that James Rumsey ran the
first boat that was ever propelled bv
steam. s..
To the north of Charles Town about
five miles is an gncient burial ground
known as the old Ronemus grave yard
in which is buried General Dark rev.
o.utionary officer, 1t also contains the
grave of Catherine Bi4rlin. who dled,in
1907, which is the Oldest marked grave in
West Virginia.
About two miles west of Charles Town
are the ruins Of ST. Georges Chapel
of Colonial times which was built over
two hundred years ago.
In the summer of 1859 there travelled
through these parts an old gentleman
selling Bibles and etc. No one knew his
business or from whence he came until
the whole country was startled by The
John Brown Raid at Harpers Ferry in
Oct. 1880. john Brown and his band
were brought to Charles Town placed il
the county Jail, which is still standing on
the corner just south of this spot. were
given trial IN the Court House here. and
paid the penalty of their crimes on tie
gallows on the southern edge of Charles
Town.
At the old Carter House which stood
Where the Jefferson Hotel stands now,
Grant and Sheridan held conference
in 1864 planed Sheridan's valley cam
paign, which was to drive the confeder
ates from the Shenandoah Valley.
On the road side all over the fair coun.
tY of Jefferson you will see numerous
monuments or battle markers about sc
high, which marks the spot where force:
Of the north and south clashed during
the war between the states from small
skIrmIshes to battle where thousand.
were engaged.
Among the hills Of Maryland just fif
teen miles north of Charles Town. lie.
the village Of Sharpsburg and around il
the battle field 81 Antietam, which wa,
one OF the great battles of the war,
would advise any of you who have the
opportunity to take an automobile trip t.
Sharpsburg and over the battle fielc
whilst here.
In the cemetery at Charles Town lie
the remains Of William l., Wilson, autho
of the Wilson Bill. and Post Master Gen
eral in President Cleveland's Cabinet.
And now Grand Chancellor it.. give
me & reat pleasure to present to you tn
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