Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-08-31
Address Of Welcome Of Mayor Clayton
|. HaiDes.
(PublIshed by request }


the DOMAIN of West Virginia. Supreme
and Grand Chief aud Pvthan Sis ers.
aud Brother Knights of Pythias.
1t is not my purpose to make a speech
here this morning. but to give you a
hearty warm welcome to Char'es Town.
In our places of business and our homes
you will ind the door standing sj ar, and
the latch string on the out side. And on
the door mat is written the word Well
come 1t WAS my great pleasure az Fair
mont last September to invite this grand
body to Charles Town. We wanted to
bring you down here in the Eastern Pan
handle in the Valley of the Shenandoah
to see our broad and fertile farms, out
historic points of interest. and what a
fine little town we have here. We want
ed to make you acquainted with our peo-
pie and show them what fine body oil
men the Gran Lodge Knights of Pythias
of West Virginia is composed OF, While
/ have the opportunity, want to call
your attention in brief way TO some
historic facts abe-t Charles Town.
The ground on which Charles Town Is
situated was owned by Charles Washing
ton and its streets were laid off by Geo.
Washington as surveyor Charles Wash
lington lived at Mordington on the out
skirts of Charles Town. and bis 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 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 number of years after the
revolutionary war. the house is still stand
ing and is in aperfect state of preserva-
ton. 1t will be recalled by students of
history that General Lee was severly re-
primanded by General Washington at
the battle OF Monmouth. After the revolu-
tionary war was over General Washin !.
ton was visiting his brother at Hardwood
concluding that he would let by cones be
by cones, sent word to General Lee that
he would call on HIM certain day but,
General Lee. who was crabid and un-
foreiviug old gentleman, took his hounds
and went fox hunting, and when Wash
lngton and his party arrived, on slip of
paper on the door was written the words
mo 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, company was formed and march
ed bee line to Boston and the Bate IF
Bunker Hill.
1t was on the Potomac River at Shop
herdstown that James Rumsey ran the
first boat that was ever propelled by
steam
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.
olutionary officer, 1t also contains the
grave of Catherine Berlin, who died IN
1907, which is the Oldest marked grave in
West Virginia.
About two miles west of Charles Town
are the ruinsof St. Georges Chapel
of Colonial times which was built over
two hundred years ago.
In the summer of 1850 there travelled
through these parts an cd 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 Rad at Harpers Ferry in
Oct 1850. Johu Brown and his band
were brought to Charles Town placed in
the county jail, which is still standing on
the corner just south of this spot. were
given trial in the Court House here, aud
paid the penalty of their crimes on the
gallows on the southern edge of Charles
Town.
At the old Carter House which stood
Where the Jefferson Hotel stands now
r. IA
in 1904 planed Sheridan's valley cam
paigu, 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 so
high, which marks the spot where forces
of the north and south cashed during
the War between the states from small
sklrmishes to battle where thousands
were engaged.
Among the hills of Maryland just fif-
teen miles north OF Charles Town. lies
the village of Sharpsburg and around 1t
the battle field OF Antietam, which was
one OF the great battles OF the war, /
would advise any OF you who have the
opportunity to take an automobile trip to
Snarpsburg and over the battle field
whilst here.
Ia the cemetery at Charles Town lies |
the remains of William l.. Wilson, author
of the Wilson Bill. and Post Master Gen
eraI in President Cleveland's Cabinet.
And now Grand Chancellor it gives
me great pleasure to present to you the |
key TO Charles Town, You will find it an |
open sesame to our hearts and osr homes |
and even to our lock up aud County jail |
An6in conclusion Brother knights and |
Pvthan Sisters J bid you hearty Well !
com to Charles Town.