Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-11-02
HOMES AND HOME BUILDING.
BY J. D. Knott.

ara looking towards tnat mountain rim
TO the east which marks OF the horizon
and presents one Of the most striking
panoramas in the county, thought OF
how this view had suggested a lecture
which | gave repeatedly in both Chau-
taqua and lyceum, on "Over the Noun
tain is Pleasant Valley" But now. as
| looked on the mountain, shutting of
the hOrizon, I felt that another lecture
would be more TO my mind; and il
would be on Pushing Back Lies Ho-
rizon."
What ! write in this communication
is not fattery, nor insinuation, nor
personal in any sense. wish to give
some reflections on the building and
the care OF homes, suggested by my
recent visit to my old home that has
of late undergone complete transfer
nation.
In the -ariy days Of my childhood,
the homes that made a deep i.nrres-
sion upon me as | went from place to
place in my own community, were first
the Capt. Lee II. Moler mansion, a
short distance west OF Moler's Cross
Roads, and now owned by w. J. Knott.
This home had a spacious front yard,
wonderful shade trees, and front porch
on which usually sat in the summer
time happy and cultured people. No
one could easily pass that home with
out wanting to stop for while. With
in, the home was elegant and spacious
Oil paintings hung an the walls and
furniture OF appropriate and comfort
able sort spoke tast and touch of
luxury. Despite the fact that the
house was stone, which is the most
cherries material with which to build
this particular home pulsated with
life and warmth.
A little to the southeast from the
Cross Roads was the old Border Farm,
now the home of the family Of Clayton
Donley. For many years this home
was tenanted by Mr.. Philip Moler Such
excess Of hospitality and such refined
outbursts Of youthful spirit, can hard
ly be Imagined as was exhibited here
BY Mr.. Moler's popular family. On
Sunday afternoon the wel-kept and
wide extending yard would be filled
with buggies-no autos as yet-and
the music of young people in the par
lor was Of the best that our community
and Uvilla could then afford This
home drew the neighborhood to it BY
irresistible influence.
On the road to Harper's Ferry, as
one goes from the Cross Roads, was
the Banks home, now owned and we'll
preserved by Geo. M. Knott, where
another tenant lived in home that he
Kept up with as much pride and pleas
ure as If the home we're his own. This
Banks home was one chiefly Of boys
but Jolly lot was there and the mother
was favOrite with every home keep
er in the neighborhood
Down Upon the rivers edge, nest
led beneath the hills of pine, and COM
handing most wonderful view OF the
Potomac, was the home Of my grand
father, Samuel Knott. 1t is no exag-
gerat;on TO say that at no hour was the
HORSEBACK at the front gate withou,
an occupant, and the horse usually be-
longed to some guest The premises
bespoke peace and plenty, as well as
order. II was well-kept home inside
and out, and drew to il not only the en-
tire family connection, but people
from over the country and from the
city. think Of that home as the best
ordered and most nearly approaching
the southern plantation idea of any
home knew in childhood.
On top Of the hill was the old Nc
Murran home, then occupied by Mr.. W.
j. Knott, father of the three brothers
who now dwell in the same community
The farmhouse afterwards known
as the Maggie Knott" place, was sit
uate on the river, opposite the Wade
Lime Stonc Cuarries. This was a
SINAI! and old Rouse, but its premises
were we'll kept and as the traveller
wound around the garden in passing
I TO and fro on re road, he saw the best
ear'-c. hc'-c' a, with Bowers, and one
OF the finest Irgnards, to DC found any
wherc. The house itself had al al
most t"rG:c history, and was from
time to tmc - var DAYS the scene of
con;c3ding forces. This is the first
home r:mcmcer in my cwn child
/ hood
- oyer tive hill to the west from the
| Maggie Knot farm was the Christian
Rein61rf home, embowcrcl in a c.ump
of majestic and luscious cherry trees
/ This IS de- home now of DT. S. T. Knott
/ The Re'nharf home was for long
time the gayeSt in the community
Tie family vas large one, with many
attractive girls and companionahle
boys. Many persons from Shepherds