Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-05-23
Big Day In Charles Town.

4
Ii is generally conceded that Tuesday
of this week was about the biggest
day ever known in Charles Town or In
Jefferson county. The people OF that
section had planned an imposing DEM
.onstration for the Red Cross, and the
big things that they had promised were
| fulfilled to the letter. Many distin-
puished visitors were present, includ-
ing the Hon. Thos. R. Marshall, Vice
President of the United States; Hon.
John !. Cornwell, Governor of West
Virginia; United States Senator How
ard Sutherland, Congressman Geo. Nj.
Bowers and Hon. Vim. B. Cornwell.
Coming with the party from Baltimore
were Mr.. and Mrs. Van Lear Black,
Mr.. and Mrs. Vim. G. Baker, Lieu
tenant and Mrs. M. A. Leahy, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles B. Alexander, and others.
Representatives of three foreign gov
ernments, our Allies in the great war,
were the center of much interest: Cen
eral Vignal, Of the French army, Cap
tain Angus Mcintosh, of the English
army, and Lieutenant Barberini of the
Italian army. These officers looked
very handsome and distinguished IN
their attractive uniforms. The U. ).
Navy was represented by Pay Director
John R. Martin.
The guests of honor, accompanied by
a military band from Camp Meade and
with Mr.. Richard w. Alexander in
charge of the party, arrived about noon
in special cars on the B. & o. Railroad.
They were met at the station with au-
tomobileS, and under the direction OF
the reception committee the men of the
party were taken to the home of Mr..
Alexander, while the ladies proceeded
TO Claymont Court. At these places
they were entertained at luncheon. An
impromptu reception was held at the
home of Mr. Alexander, many persons
from the county calling TO pay their
respects to the distinguished guests.
The ladies were delightfully."- entertain
ed at Claymont by the Misses Murphy.
AT about 2 o'clock the visitors were
escorted TO stand in front of the court
house, from which they reviewed the
procession. Ii was an exceedingly fine
procession-about the best, we reckon,
that our county-seat has ever witness
ed Civic organizations, handsome
floats of symbolic character, beautiful
ly decorated automobiles by the score,
the cadet corps from Shenandoah Val
ley Academy at Winchester, Boy Scouts,
school children carrying flags, the mil
itary band and the Charles Town band,
made a long and interesting procession
which was viewed by thousands OF
persons from this county and adioin-
ing. sections. After the parade the
crowd assembled at the horse show
grounds and filled the big grand stand
and the lawns about il. Col. Forrest
w. Brown introduced the speakers and
presided at the exercises. Vice-Presi-
dent Marshall made great speech, in
which he called upon the people to
support with all their means the Red
Cross and every agency that had for
its object the winning of the war and
the aid and comfort of our soldiers.
He declared that the present call to
give to the Red Cross should not be
regarded as a sacrifice, but as an op-
pOrtunity, and that as we responded 10
the appeal so we would show what we
really are. The Vice-President spoke
forcefully and was interrupted fire.
quently by the applause of the people,
who gave him the closest attention.
Governor Cornwell also made a pow
erful speech, detailing the needs of the
Red Cross organization and relating in
cidents showing the good it is doing,
and telling how it alleviates the suffer
ings of the victims Of Hun atrocities.
The Governor apologized for having
allotted so small an amount as $500
to Jefferson county, and said that he
knew we would 60 away over this sum.
He aroused the crowd TO great enthusi-
asm. An anonymous gift Of $3.50 to-
ward Jefferson county's appoTtionment
was announced.
The flights made by the aeroplane
during the day were most interesting
and attracted the attention of thousands
who had never before seen a flying ma
chine. The aeroplane, which was fur
nished by the Poole Engineering Com
pany Of Baltimore, acted perfectly and
provided a most graceful and unique
exhibition.
A small admission fee was charged
for entrance to the grounds and the
grand stand, and about 81, 100 was re-
ceived from this source and other
methods of raising funds. After all
expenses shall have been paid there will
remain a handsome sum to be added to
the Red Cross. No subscriptions were
asked for.
We must take our hats of to Charles
Town for pulling off such an extremely
Creditable and successful affair." Every
thing that had been advertised was
there, and the visitors were entertained
and edited and the great cause given
splendid boost. The men who were re-
sponSible for its success are Richard
w. Alexander, Of Charles Town and
Baltimore, who provided the attractions
and helped arrange the programme;
w. F. Alexander, E. E. Cooke, Thos. c.
Bowling, ]. B. Brazier, E. G. Henson,
B. R. Shugart and w. w. Johnson, who
had charge of various features of the
big event. We congratulate them upon