Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-04-19
line War In shepterdstown.


have been fired apparently at the soldiers
guarding the Norfolk & Western Railway
bridge at Shepherdsiown, and Thursday
night considerable rumpus was stirred
up. II is believed that the shots have
been fired by DRINKS returning from the
booze-joints at Sharpsburg. as this has
been a custom Of these roughs and toughs
for some months past. II is a dangerous
form OF amusement. and the fellows who
indulge in il are liable TO get into serious
trouble.
The detachment OF soldiers from the
Fourth Maryland Regiment that is guard
ing the bridge is divided, one part watch
ing the Maryland end and the other the
West Virginia section. Those on the
Maryland side have their tent on the BERN
side Of the canal. Those whose duties
are on this side OF the river use the bag
gage room at the railroad station as
sleeping room. A dead line has been
drawn at each end OF the bridge, beyond
which no one is allowed to pass. Folks
who use the public road that passes uu-
der the Maryland part of the bridge are
warned TO be careful in regard to their
movements, especially at night.
Electricians OF the Norfolk & Western
Railway are employed this week in string
ing wires on the big railroad bridge so as
TO have il thoroughly lighted by electrici-
ty. II has, of course, been entirely dark
in the night time, and the plan is TO have
il so well lighted that any contemplated
attempts TO injure it may come under the
observation of the soldiers who are guard
ing it. Twelve lights OF 500 candle power
each are to be instalIed-one at each end
OF the bridge and the other ten so dis
posed as 10 light The high concrete piers
on all sides from top to bottom.
One OF the soldiers on duty at the rail-
road bridge at Shepherdstown left on
Sunday last without notice, and no trace
OF him has yet been found. He was but
young fellow, member OF the Fourth
Maryland Regiment, and probably does
not realize the seriousness OF desertion
while the country is in state OF war.
Although Congress has not yet passed
any measure providing for the recruiting
OF the great army that will undoubtedly
be called into service, nor has il been
definitely decided how many men shall
be enlisted, the probability is that mil
lion soldier will beneeded. On the basis
OF million, Jefferson county will be
called upon to furnish from 100 TO 175
men. II an army OF two millions is called
for, this number will be doubled-from
320 to $50. The probability is that the
selective draft system will be followed.
The experiment of depending upon vol
unteers was disastrous one in England,
and President Wilson favors the selective
draft plan. This would probably take
men from Is to Is years OF age, and
would not include farmers. railroad men,
workers in factories where munitions OF
war or similar necessities are made,
miners, or other workmen who could
best serve the country by continuance
in useful avocations.
Walter w. Winters, who for several
years has had a wireless telegraph station
OF his own construction at his home near
Kearneysville, has been obliged 10 dis
mantle the equipment upon orders from
the government, and he was instructed
to see that any other wireless stations in
this section are also put out OF commits
sion. During the period OF the war the
government will permit no private wire
less stations TO be operated, so as to pre-
vent their possible improper use by Ger
man sympathizers.
A recruiting station has been opened in
Shepherdstown for the enlistment OF SOL
diers, and those who feel the patriotic
impulse are urged to confer with the OF
ficer in command of the Fourth Maryland
men in this place.
Persistent reports have been circulated
in this section the past week or two that
Miss ]. S. Hettinger, who formerly con-
Quoted millinery store in Hagerstown,
and who recently went to Baltimore TO
live, had been arrested as German spy.
1t was said that when arrested she had in
her possession $4,000 cash. and had
with her map of the Shepherdstown
railroad bridge and other discriminating
documents. II was further stated that
she had been sent TO federal prison for
a term of ten years. Some OF Miss Het-
fingers friends from Hagerstown visited
her in Baltimore few days ago, and
found her enjoying full liberty, though
greatly distressed and annoyed because
OF the false statements that had been made
concerning her. 1t is said that there is
no truth whatever in the reports that have
haeu circulated concerning her