Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-01-15
Early Days of Shepherd College.

lege. Two .recollections stand out
vividly concerning that great dav in
my life. The first was my msetino
with Prof. Joseph McMurran, to whom
my father took me that might be
placed. Most persons thought Mr..
McMurran austere at first sight.
shall never forget his tall form, big
ocme forehead, deep-sunken eyes. and
sandy beard beginning to sprinkle
with gray. His arms were long and
the hands, while necessarily large on
man OF his size, were very express
Slve. His voice was unusually deem
but il could be as gentle as that of a
woman. Those large blue eyes that
were a terror to boys caught in mis-
chief could twinkle with fun and kind
illness until he made the most timid
person feel at home. AS timidity
was my ruling characteristic at that
period OF my life, | appreciated Mr..
McMurran's gentle side, which he
showed me OH the day | first met him.
And | here record with all emphasis
that while | have had many teachers
since then, no man ever excelled Mr..
McMurran in power to impart knowl
edge or to create enthusiasm in his
he taught. tnhees hrdletaocmfwvp
classroom, no matter what subject he
taught In these days of specialists |
marvel TO think Of how this man com
passed the entire field of things taught
| and was at home in all, and equally
enthusiastic.
My second recollection is of nv
clearinghouse, at Mrs. Lines, on
the corner OF Main street, opposite the
Entler Hotel. This home was a CEN
ter for certain "set" Of Shepherds
in Ii
full set they were. Mr.. Frank Muzzey
and Mr.. Joe Bragonier were among
our roomers. They were both single.
then, but in the throes of change of
state. Some assiduous counting was
going on as consequence, and I was
permitted to take a few lessons, BY
way of observation. Being impress
Sionable | soon fell in with the swing
Of the music and took hand, even at
that early age. Mr.. Muzzey was neat
as a new pin and quiet. Mr.. Bra
gonier had a complexion which any
woman might have envied. He wa.
genial and full of humor. Among our
guests was the eccentric recluse and
scholar, John Anspach. He. would
ask me to take long walks with him,
during which tramps he would talk
about literature, and particularly
poetry. | owe to him more than to
any other my early love for the best in
English literature. Mr.. Anspach's
sister, Miss Jennie, was of our circle,
and the musician by pre-emnence in
tine town. After the evening meal,
we would all go to the parlor before
study hours to hear her play-and her
playing on the piano was marvellous.
AS even at this day, place on my Vic
trola the BLUE Danube Waltz" shut
my eyes and feel myself in Mrs. Lines
parlor, hearing Miss Jennie deftly but
with no notes before her, her head
tossed slightly back, pouring forth
music from a soul that made the piano
/ her medium *
AS the time of which | write was fife
days of the paper mill at Shepherds
town, when a number of northern per-
sons had become interested in that
enterprise-the Ashton boys, Rr. and
Tom Ashton, were associated with
MT. Muzzey and others in this flourish
ing corporation-at least | looked
upon it as flourishng The Ashtons
would often come to Mrs. Lines, and
! with them their fne-looking sister,
Miss LYDIA. But no one who came to
our clearinghouse ever delighted me
more than the handsome Miss Nellie
f character
all It's own, while her CHEEKY. buoyant
/ personality fired my youthful soul
with admiration that might have en-
barrassed Miss Nellie had she known
of it.
On the streets of Shepherdstown
In those days one might meet a'most
any hour Hon. A. r. Boteler, Col. w.
A. Morgan, occasionally Col. Henry X.
Douglas, and in the very early DAYS
Mr.. Edmund Lee, ST. Mr.. Boteicr
was our most distinguished citizen.
He always dressed as perfectly
groomed man would on the streets of
Washington today. He carried a cane
under his arm, wore glasses, and re-
minded an observer of General r. e.
zee, as ! thought from pictures had
seen of Lee. Mr.. Botelcr's manner
was courtesy itself, and culture drop
pc from hS very finger tips. Small
towns do not produce such men in
every Generation. Co. w. A MORGAN
"9S soldier-l'Ne in hrarirg, quite tall,
IN probaH'v as popular with the rank
'n7 FL OF mon rs any person in the
commrni'v. He was county sheriff by
sort OF general consent. CT Doug
rs, who Frequently came from the
Doug as ma0SiOn on the MARYLAND
dc OF tho river, was a man whom Won
were Fo"nd 70 turn and Loo, a. when
he passed you on the street. Alb
solutely straight with an carle's face.
and thought then the talleet and
handSomest man had ever seen. he
created enthusiasm wherever he went
Mr.. f. ! Lee could have set for a pic
ture of General Winfield Scott. When
men IKE these would meet on the
quiet streets of or little town. such
clerGymen as DR.. G w. Andrews. rec
tor Of the Episcopal Church. and who
reminded me Of pictures Of Washing
ton lrvlng--is it wonder that a recol-