Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-11-30
A YANKEE VISITS WEST VIRGINIA.
BY Phil M. Conley.

PIC nave attracted me, not as they at
tract missionaries who wish to do them
good, but merely an unsatsfed cur
iosity TO see how they live.
read in one of the large metro
polItan newspapers few days ago an
editorial statement: "West Virginia is
an island of barbarity in a sea of civ
ilization." | have read many stories
about the industrial struggle going on
in that State during recent years, but
this startled me. Could it be pos
sible that we have place in civilized
America that needs the attention of
missionaries
After reading the above editorial ref,
erence, ! decided that West Virginia
would serve my purposes better than
some foreign country. 1t was nearer
home, and while there were more pos
sibilities of being killed, decided
that my body would be returned to
my native State and receive a decent
burial.
was born in the rock-ribbed State
OF Massachusetts. Very early in life
| was Informed by my doting parents
that my ancestors stepped off the May
flower on the famous Plymouth Rock.
Needless to say, there was imbedded
in my consciousness the fact that I
belonged to superior class.
The order Of Plymouth Rock SUR
vivors takes itself seriously. Some
times | have thought of suggesting
that we select section of the country
and establish vilization
There is certain United States SEN
ator whom would nominate for the
position of king or emperor.
But am off my story This is a
characteristic habit of Plymouth Rock
ers, whether they are honest-to-Allah
members or whether they merely
claim the distinction. What started
to tell was my experience on a trip to
uncivlized West Virginia.
went to Charles Town, in the
eastern section, first. had read there
was an important trial in progress that
was in some way connected with the
industrial struggle. asked the clerk
at the hotel, where the courthouse
was located. He said: "On the cor
ner of George and Washington
streets"
This aroused my curiosity. I made
further inquiries and learned that
Charles Town was named for Charles
Washington, that the main street in
town bore the family name, and the
cross-streets the given names of the
washington family. | also learned
that several people in the town claimed
George Washington as their great I'm
Gle, distant cousin, or to be descend
ants from the family in other connec-
tons.
! proceeded to the courthouse. II
was an interesting old building such
as one would find in many New Eng
land villages. was interested to
learn that John Brown was tried here
for his famous raids.
AS | entered, was impressed with
the lack of formality and yet the ap-
parent dignity of the proceedings.
Judge Woods presided in such a way
that every person felt no foolishness
would be tolerated.
The trial was the first of a series.
| learned, and the day arrived was
the day the case would be given to
the jury. ] listened to the proceedings
awhile and decided to come back for
the verdict When the jury filed into
the courtroom after its deliberations,
the large crowd that had waited on a
tense strain for weeks for that mo-
ment was absolutely quiet.
The Judge read the usual announce
ment that there was to be no demon
straton when the verdict was announc-
ed. When the forman of the iury
read the findings Of the twelve men,
no one moved 1t remained thus I'M
til the judge reached over, lifted his
hat and asked the sheriff to dismiss
court Then pandemonium broke
loose. Blizzard was lifted on the
shoulders of his admirers and carried
down the street amid a wild demon
stration.
joined newspaper reporter as he
was leaving the courtroom, and with
the customary way of Beginning a con-
versation, asked for a match. We
walked along together. told him |
had come to West Virginia to get some