Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-08-11
NOTES BY OBSERVER.

lanes E. Barnhart has sold to Mad
6sI brothers his two lots and the
Iouses thereon which he owned on
Washington street in this place. The
r-ics was Sl,40O. The MeSSrs. Mad
sex. who are successful builders and
contractors, will open a lumber yard
on the place.
The above statement is a common
rlace news item, and yet il is of
more than passing interest because of
he fact that it recalls an industry that
once hourished in Shepherdstown, but
which few persons now living will re-
member. We refer to the hat manu-
facnry conducted by George and Philip
Fayman many years ago. The Fay
mans owned property on both sides
OF Washington street, and here they
made felt hats for a long time. The
main building was on the south side
OF the street and here the family lived
and the hats were finished. The big
structure. later known as the Virginia
House, was a busy place-the home of
q large family and a prosperous hat
mandatory. The hats we're made up
and dyed in the little building on the
east side of the property Just sold, and
the finishing touches were added at
the main building. The hats had one
quality for which they were famous
thev never wore QUIT The styles were
not diversified, being all Of pretty much
the same shape and material-and il
is said that one reason why the in
dustry finally languished was because
the proprietors failed to keep pace with
the new fashions thar developed in
mems headgear Observer very we'll
the hats were dyed-uSed later as a
Ta.l-bsrrel and holding almost as
much as a small cistern. II is also
remembered that certain sons of frugal
parents wore for years and years
round-topped hats that, being unsafe
able, were given TO those who would
wear them. These hats were made
from the fur of rabbits, squirrels,
muSkrats and similar small game,
which abounded in this section in those
days. 4 man could walk all day long
in those times and never be out of the
woods, consequently a hunter who was
& reasonably good marksman-and
many of them were extraordinary
shotS-could shoot a big bunch of
squirrels in a day or get a heavy bag
Of rabbits. The marsh just above the
Faymsn place and the run that
meandered through it were full of
muskrats, and these were shot or
trapped by the hundreds. The pelts
Of all these animals were in demand
BY the hat-maker. Philip Fayman was
himself famous hunter, and he had
TO make a trip through the woods or
meadows at least once q week when
game was in season. He often walk
et through the woods to Kearneysville
and stayed over night with his friend
Phil Henry.
George Fayman was an exemplary
member of the German Reformed
Church and was not only faithful and
regular in his attendance, but brought
up his children very properly in the
same faith. Philip Fayman, who was
g bachelor, was not so pious. Fact is,
ne was inclined to be bit sporty, and
vas celebrated for the fine game
chickens that he raised. Philip Hen
~, Of the Kearneysville neighborhood,
was rival in game chicken raising.
lneFe had TO be couple of cock fights
each year, one in Shepherdstown and
the other in Kearneysville, to settle
the question as to whose chickens were
OF the best strain. 1t is said that
good deal of money would change
hands as a result of these fights, town
and country folks betting on their
1avorltes to the limit
Nr Barnhart owned three lots ad-
joining each other on this street, the
Town run flowing through the centre.
Inc lot on the west side he sold some
years ago to DR.. G. W. Banks, who tore
Gown the old building that had been
located there for many, many years.
ihis little frame building was the
nome of John Fayman, who got it
.m rom his father, George Fayman.
"hen the war broke out John Fayman
entered the Confederate army, and was
:. member of Company B, Second
Virginia Regiment, Stonewall Brigade.
~ ne battle Of Kernstown, near Win
Cnester, where Stonewall Jackson's
men had such fierce fight with the
E,,HIon forces under General Shields,
Hharris Towner, a member Of Company
D. tell mortally wounded. John Fay
man and two or three other members
" ne company attempted to carry
s.,-. s.,n 10 the rear, as the regiment was
-a.inS back, but bullet struck Fay
nan and killed him instantly. He fell
sseaa upon Towner's sorely wounded
ICY and both had to be abandoned
owner was later taken to hospital
n winchester, where he died, and his
eet,-y now lies in Elmwood Cemetery,
SS2herdstown. The body of John
LYMAN could never be found, and he
S.epS IN an unknown grave. The
lIe OF Kernstown, which was fought
-. March 23d, 1862, was one of the
nyyest fights in which Company B