Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-08-04
COURT IN THE LONG AGO.

W. l-N ihS 1o-N' hoo.
Editor of the Advocate-A glance
over the proceedings of our County
ago reveals many remarkable things
In December, 1901, find the fol-
lowing entry: "Ordered, that the coun-
ty be laid off in two districts, to-wit:
All that part of the county TO the north
OF the line running from Walling ford's
TO Lcetown, and from Leetown down
Hite's Road TO Keyes' Ferry to the
county line in the mountain, as one
district, and all of that part of the
county to the south of said line the
other district"
"Also ordered that an election for
overseer of the poor for the north dis
trict be held in Shepherdstown at the
house Of Juliana Eckart, the first Sat-
urday in next month, and that John
Morrow and Abraham Morgan do sup
erintend said election, and that the
election for the other district be held
at Thomas Flagg's Tavern in Charles
town on the same day, and that John
Briscoe and John Packet do superin-
tend the same"
II seems that all roads in the coun-
ty designated and ordered opened had
overseeTs appointed for them. | find
recorded a list of over fifty overseers,
all no doubt men of prominence own
ing much land; for instance, one John
Augustus was appointed overseer of
the road leading from the Widow
Darke's to Keeptrist Furnace, in the
room of Jacob Strider, and the tithe-
ables within two miles on Cacn side
Of the road were TO work the same.
take it that "titheables" were land
owners, hence taxable, and who under
the law binding in those days turned
one tenth of their income into the
county treasury.
Incomes in the shape OF actual
money were doubtless meagre, and il
so were liable for taxes. can show
you a copy of settlement with the
sheriff in 1902, the total amount OF
all items showing money very little
in excess of S2,S0OCO. Let me enum-
crate a few of the items the CO
levied in this year, 1902:
For John Baker, Esq, DEPUTY
Attorney for the Common
wealth. 800. .. ....S 10000
For Sheriff. 49,. go. :. :. $500
For Clerk of the Court. ..... 1000
For so Patrolmen (nameS
given and paid by the hour 2,575e3
Total levy. :. -. $3.50 O.
And now a shock to the moral uplift
of this day and generation.
At a Court Of Oyer and Terminer.
held March Goth, 1902, Negro John,
the property of Robert Baylor, Esq,
suspected Of having feloniously stolen
and carried away sundry goods, to-
wit: vest pattern, yards calico, ~
yards linen, and some thread, the
property of william Dillow.
Present: John Briscoe, Richard Bay
lor, George North, Abraham Dav-
export and David Humphreys, Gents,
Justices.
The prisoner was brought to the
bar, and it being demanded of MIN
whether he is guilty of the offense
wherewith he stands charged, or not
guilty, saith that he is in no wise
thereof guilty. Whereupon sundry
witnesses were sworn and examined.
on consideration of whose testimony,
and the circumstances attending the
same, it is the opinion of the court
that he is guilty Of said offense with
In the benefit of clergy.
Ordered, that he be immediately
burned in the hand and twenty lashes
laid on his bare back in the presence
Of the court.
i gather from history that the
whipping left permanent welts on the
back of the slave, and if or when he
was later offered for sale these oper-
ated against his value. The burn in
the hand branded him a criminal. For
the crime Of rape a more severe sen.
tence was given. the nature OF which
cannot speak Of here. Were I TO do
so the shock to the community would
De indeed great, even in this age when
spade is apt to be called spade"
Enough for the present. Your free
space is limited, know, and nv time
NOWADAYS is largely devoted to send.
ing information to the numerous de-
partments in our capital civ having n
DO with 1921 and not 1901.
Very truly yours,
CHAS. A. JOHNSON,
Clerk County Court.
CHARLES Town, w. Va,