Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1916-07-21

any community where Republican
votes were polled. likewise had the
uncomfortable feeling that children
were not safe off the reservation
when the faded blue army oVercoats
were observed on the public high
ways Like the women from the
unrecorstructed state of North Caro-
lima, was fifteen years old before I
learned that "damn-yankee" was not
necessarily an. indivisible compound
word.
Since the custom of early rising
and hard work drove me from the
farm, I have had occasion to revise
somewhat my early impressions; for
indeed have run across some very
agreeable and comparat Iely honest
but misguided men who vote the Re-
publican ticket, though l am still in
clined to credit what they say of each
other when they fall out and quar-
rel, as sometimes they do.
|
remember very well my first visit
to Huntersvilte, then the Capital City
of Pocahontas county. My father
rewarded me for some unusual dis
play of diligence at the public school
by giv-rg me- glimpse of the cut
side world. We both rode to the
| county seat astr:de the same faith
full family conveyance, a little pacing
sorrel mare We called jimmie. There
YVES just room enough on deck for.
& two Of us; and I, of course, occu-
/ Il tie rea- seat, riding behind, :"
as it was designated. loan even now
recall the thrill of wonder and adj
miration which / felt upon getting
my first glimpse OF the red brick
0use-the temple Of tg>alj'oi.
tas justice. It's bellfry seemed to me
quite as much triumph, of human
accomplishment as the gilded dome
of the Woodwork building now ap-
pears.
1t was a revelation to me to see
so many people at one time. Groups
were standing on the corners and
some were whiting away the Court
yard fence. Men from all sections Of
the County were riding up and down
the main street and every rack and
| hitching post was occupied. One
particular horse appeared to have
the right-of-way. He was jet black,
fat and sleek coated, name and tail
artistically plated and his brow-band
decorated with red flannel. 1t was a
big day: red letter as we'll as red
flannel day.
l did not venture far from my
fathers side; but followed him around
all day once in a while releasing
the grasp of his hand long enough
to polish the copper toes of my boots
with the sleeve of my coat.
1t was my first Introduction to the
celebrities of the generation. When
the public men greeted my, father
they usually had word for the boy;
at his side. Some of them stopped
long enough to comment on my bright
and promising appearance: these l
afterwards learned were candidates
for office.
shall never forget this, the begin
ming of my acquaintance with some
CT the members of the bar who have
had conspicuous part in making
West Virginia history. The Impress
ions they made upon me were last
ing, and the feeling of admiration
which I then Immediately experience
ed for some of them was more than
confirmed by the ripper acquaintance
of later days. Henry Mason Mathews
afterwards Governor of the State,
was there; as was his able and ac-
complished but less picturesque
brother, Alex F. Mathews. The in
innate acquaintance and loyal friend
ship Of the latter 1t was my privilege
to have many years prior to his Ia
mented death. Adam c. Snyder,
leader at the bar and later an orra-
ment to the bench, greatly impressed
me. Robert F. Dennis, without a
peer as an advocate, held my uudivi-
ded attention while he carried con-
victfon to the jury he addressed with
so much fiuency and force. Charles
P. Jones, was just beginning his sue
cessful career at the bar. L. H.
Stephenson, also from Highland
county, was wide awake, looking af-
ter the interests of his clients and