Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-12-07


Editor spirit of Jefferson"
Charles Town, Jeff. Co., w. Va.
Dear Sir Several times within
period OF month past, there has
been quoted in the Baltimore papers
what purported to be a desire on the
part of the citizens of your town to
change its name from Charles Town
to some other one that would not
conflict with that of Charleston, the
capital of your state, as was said to
be frequently happening in the course
of business; and in connection with
said desire there was reported an
offer of prize for such new name
as would be acceptable. Now, if
there is 70 objection to proposals
from outsiders of your state, having
respected the prior rights of your
own people to make suggestions,
shall be glad to offer mine, not chief
ly for the sake of the prize, but any
how.
TO go back q little space and get
to my point in rather roundabout
way, let me state that | am a native
of Pennsylvania and after several
periods of short or longer residence
outside, was, fifteen years ago, again
living in that state, at Gratersford.
This place is small, but prosperous,
hamlet in the midst of an extended
agricultural region peopled by thrifty
well-to-do- farmers, Pennsylvania
Dutch" like myself. In the same
village lived also a school-chum of
mine of forty-yea, forty-five years
earlier, by the name of Fisher. This
man, now deceased, was a stock deal
er, horses mostly, in the search for
which he made visits for years, at
least as far west as Grafton and
Clarksburg and other localities in
your state. In the course of these
trips he met citizen of your town,
with whom he became then or later
associated in stock dealings. In
consequence, this townsman of yours
accompanied Fisher home to our little
town where he either superintendent,
or else assisted in, disposing of the
horses shipped thither, which was
done at public sale. After this first
visit, evidently satisfied with his
venture, liking our people and they
in turn liking him, this man ere long
came again on the same errand, then
again and yet again, welcome WISH
tor on business bent, always in the
bearing of straightforward, clean
handed, dignified gentleman, so that
the name of 'Langdon" became an
honored household word among the
farmers with whom he dealt.
Having no need of horse then,
nor since, had no business dealings
with Mr.. Langdon yet became
pleasantly acquainted with him in a
general way, and such has ever since
been my regard for the character and
disposition Of this man, responding
to the name of Benjamin" F., when
his wife calls him, and recognized as
vice-president of one of your banks,
that now, when your towns people
are hunting new name for your
county-seat, take pleasure and feel
pride in proposing his patronymic
''Langdon" as very fit appellation
to replace the present one of Charles
Town.
l have not the pleasure now of
visiting Gratersford often, and | do
not know whether Mr. Langdon does
so at all-for / have not seen him
for fifteen years; but | feel reason
ably sure that he still is living and
also hope that he still is Sin the
harness" as we'll as putting horses
into harness; and / further hope he
will not charge me with taking undue
liberty with his name.
While Mr.. Langdon may not
n talxr mn RI xuhn
his eye lights on this-if you will be
kind enough to print it-he may the
sooner do so when reminded of the
fact when / strolled down to the
hotel stables where the sales of his
horses were held, accompanied by the
younger of my two daughters, "a tot
of about two years. he took her up
in his arms, fondled her and asked if
she were my granddaughter, and
when | told him she was my own
daughter he looked at me with
quizzical smile, saying as much as:
80 you are kidding; man of So
So can't have daughter like her."
By the way, / am glad to tell him she
is now full-grown healthy girl,
stenographer to the executive officer
of the Naval Hospital, at the U. S.
Naval Academy where her elder sister
has been for two years making
good" as stenographer and general
clerk and myself for all but fourteen
years.
But l am getting away from my
subject, returning to which / would
add that the name of Langdon, sug-
gested for your town is name easily
spoken, not liable to misspelling, is
distinctive from all other names of
localities in your state and is an
honor to West Virginia.
If | shall feel as we'll next vacation
season and as spry as generally do
and can raise the price of
a railroad ticket, / intend to pay my
in person to the town of
Langdon, by whatever name then
called, and particularly to the gentle
man to whom l have paid my humble
tribute in these lines; after which |
may saunter up the Shenandoah
Valley to Staunton to see my old-time
friend, Hon. Henry St. George
Tucker if he shall still be there.
Very respectfully yours,
SAMUEL GROB.