Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-11-30

ise." There was no such message
from Governor Morsan's secretary.
Instead, after greeting me cordially,
he said: 81 think the Governor will see
you, wait just a minute"
He returned Immediately and es-
corted me into the Governors private
Office. A large, broad shouldered. dig
nifed man with iron gray hair. a
broad smile, and the poise Of the typ
ical southern gentleman, rose and
grasped my hand: 81 am indeed glad
to welcome you to West Virginia"
| talked with him for about ten
minutes, and decided that IL this man.
a descendant Of one of the prominent
pioneers, the first white man who set
tied in West Virginia, was type of the
uncivilized group to be found in this
section, that | was on the wrong trail.
Here was real gentleman.
Further proof of this fact was
brought forcibly to me when he came
TO the door as was leaving and in
structed his secretary to have his
chauffeur drive me around the civ.
| rode through the strets of Charles
ton and out along some of the i'm
proved highways leading out of the
city.
On my trip to Maiden the chauffeur
pointed to a shack on the side of the
hill: "Dat is whar Booker T. Washing
ton war raised"
expressed ignorance to learn that
this was his home.
Eyes, sab, yes sab, knowed him
well. His sister Ibis UP dare now"
After lunch | decided to visit the To-
cal newspaper Offices. had secured
copies of the Gazette, the morning
paper, and of the Mail, the afternoon
paper. was somewhat surprised to
find such high-class newspapers in a
city the size of Charleston. Some larg-
er cities of New England cannot boast
of newspapers that will compare with
these.
At the Gazette Office | asked to see
the manager and was ushered into the
private Office of Mr.. w. E. Chiffon, a
handsome grey-haired gentleman who
spoke with a smooth, even timbre to
his voice. learned that his ances-
tors were some of the best people of
Virginia.
My visit with Mr.. Chiffon was very
pleasant. While | was talking, an as
sistant came to the door and called
him Senator. asked: "Were you the
United States Senator from West Vir-
ginia during the Wilson administra-
tion?" He nodded. My further con-
versation with him revealed the fact
that he was well versed in literature
of ancient and modern times. His
quotations were apt and to the point.
At the Mail Office | was introduced
to Governor Walter E. Clarke. re-
marked at the introduction: care you
the Governor Clarke whom President
Taft appointed to Alaskan" He nod
ded. We had something in common at
once. One of my best friends had
served with him in Alaska. then
asked him about the disturbances in
this State.
THE industrial struggle" he began,
Eyes, we have had some trouble in the
coal fields. But most of it has been
dramatic instead of serious. But when
you consider we have had practically
no disturbances in West Virginia in
the strike that has just closed, except
the fight in Brooke county when a
group of miners from Pennsylvania
came over and killed the sheriff of the
county and few of his deputies, you
can realize that our State is peace
full when compared to some of our Sis
ter States"
Here find an ex-senator, a scholar,
a cultured gentleman as owner and
manager of one newspaper; an ex-
Governor Of Alaska, nationally
known statesman, as editor and owner
of the other paper Yet came to find
an uncivilized section of the coun-
try.
am a thorough worker. | do not
like to stop until | have satisfied my
self that | have found all the infor-
nation on the subject therefore
decided to visit coal field and inter-
view some of the miners.
The next morning went by trolley
to Cabin Greek Junction There
got train and went up the creek
made famous by the mine troubles of