CHAPTER VI.

AFTER THE WAR.

In 1862 Mr. Daniel J. Young, formerly master machinist at the rifle factory, was sent from Washington City to take charge of the ordnance at Harper's Ferry, as also, of all the government property at that place. He was the same who, on the morning of the Brown Raid, ventured to remonstrate with and warn the invaders. We have already given an account of his services to the government and his promotion to the rank of captain in the regular army, and how he was retained at Harper's Ferry from the time of his appointment in 1862 until the end of the war, and still farther, until 1869, when the government interests at the place were disposed of at public sale. In the meantime, he was made defendant in a suit against the government for possession of the most important part of the armory grounds--the plaintiff being Mr. Jacob Brown, of Charlestown, West Virginia, who had a long-standing claim for said property, arising from alleged irregularities in the original purchase. The case was decided in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in August, 1869, Chief Justice Chase presiding at the trial. The verdict was in favor of Captain Young and the government. Some years before Mr. Brown had another suit with the government for another piece of property. This first trial took place in the United States Courts, at Staunton, Virginia, and the result was adverse to Mr. Brown's claim.

During the winter of 1868-69 a bill was introduced into Congress and passed, providing for the sale of the government property at Harper's Ferry. On the 30th of November and the 1st of December, 1869, therefore, it was put up at public auction, and the armory grounds and the site of the rifle factory were purchased by Captain F. C. Adams, of Washington, D. C., for the sum of two hundred and six thousand dollars, with one and two years time for the payment. Most of the houses and lots belonging to the government in other parts of the town were disposed of to citizens on terms similar as to time, and very high prices were offered. Captain Adams represented, as he said, some northern capitalists, and great hopes were entertained for the revival of manufactures at the place and the renewal of the old-time prosperity.

Notwithstanding the great depression of the times--since the war--as far, at least, as Harper's Ferry is concerned--a good deal of enterprise has been exhibited by many of the old citizens of the place. In July, 1867, Mr. A. H. Herr, an extensive manufacturer and the owner of the Island of Virginius, of whom mention has been made in this book several times heretofore, sold his interest at Harper's Ferry to the firm of Child & McCreight, of Springfield, Ohio,--both now deceased. This property is romantically situated on the Shenandoah which bounds it on the south. On the north and east it is bounded by the canal, constructed to facilitate the navigation of the Shenandoah, and on the west by a waste way of the canal communicating with the river. The island contains thirteen acres on which were, before the war, twenty-eight neat dwellings, one flour mill, one cotton factory, one carriage factory, one saw mill, a machine shop and a foundry. It will be remembered that in 1861, shortly after the skirmish at Bolivar, a party of confederates visited the town and destroyed the flour mill. From that time there was no business conducted on the island until the sale of that property to the above mentioned firm. These gentlemen, having availed themselves of the talents of Mr. William F. Cochran, then so well known for his thorough knowledge--theoretical and practical--of machinery, immediately commenced fitting up the cotton factory for a flour mill. A large force of men was kept in employment for fifteen months, preparing the building and putting up the machinery, under the direction of Mr. Cochran. The works were of the most approved description, set in motion by four turbine wheels, the power being that of three hundred horses. There were ten run of buhrs, which turned out five hundred barrels of flour daily and, in the whole, it was said by adepts in that business, to be a marvel of ingenuity, which greatly added to the previous and well-established fame of Mr. Cochran. That gentleman, after varied fortunes and many vicissitudes, lost his life in a railroad accident in Michigan, in January, 1889. He was a native of Scotland and he served some years in the British navy. Messrs. Child & McCreight, the new proprietors of this desirable property, soon won for themselves golden opinions among the people of the place for their courteous demeanor, and the success which at first attended them, gave unalloyed pleasure to all with whom they came in contact. They associated with them as a partner, Mr. Solomon V. Yantis, an old resident and long a merchant of Harper's Ferry, where his character was of the very best as a business man and a good citizen generally. Of the twenty-eight dwellings on the island nearly all were put in repair and the work performed on them, as well as on the new flour mill, gave employment to many who otherwise must have suffered from extreme destitution. Many other improvements have been made in the town since the close of the war and the traces of that fearful struggle were gradually disappearing when the calamity of the great flood of 1870 befell the place and, not only retarded its recovery, but left a part of it in far worse condition than it was at any time in its history. The Presbyterian church had been put, during the rebellion, to the most ignoble uses, the upper part being used for a guard house and the basement for a horse stable. The venerable Dr. Dutton, a gentleman of great piety and deserved popularity, took charge of the congregation soon after war, and by great exertions succeeded in restoring the building to its pristine, neat appearance. Dr. Dutton died some years ago and his death was a severe loss, not only to his own flock, but to the general society of the town and neighborhood.

The Catholic church, also, was repaired through the energy of the Reverend J. J. Kain, a young priest of great promise, who has since risen to the dignity of Archbishop. He established a school, or rather revived one organized in 1854, but, of course, broken up by the war. This school, under several teachers, was singularly successful, and many men now eminent in various professions confess their great obligations to this remote and humble seat of learning. Through the exertions of Father Kain, a fine bell was purchased and suspended in the church steeple and at morning, noon and vesper hour, its musical notes sound with a sweet solemnity through the romantic glens of the Blue Ridge, admonishing all who hear them to pause and worship the great architect of the stupendous scenery around them. It may be remarked that, of all the churches in Harper's Ferry proper, this one alone escaped destruction or desecration during the war--an exemption due to the courage of the late Reverend Dr. Costello, who was at the time pastor and who, alone, of all the ministers of the place, remained to defend church property. It was said that on one occasion it was proposed by some union soldiers of intolerant opinions to burn down this building, but that the project was abandoned on account of the proximity of some regiments with views friendly to that church who, it was believed, would resent any injury or indignity done to it. It may be that there never was any intention of attacking it, and that the rumor originated from the unmeaning threats of some drunken brawler. Anyway, there never was the least injury done to it by either party, except that its roof and walls were indented in many places by stray bullets. As before stated, this church has been torn down and a new one erected on its site. The Methodist Episcopal denomination at the place lost their church in Harper's Ferry proper, and there is not a single trace of it remaining, but as there was another church belonging to the same denomination in Bolivar which had escaped destruction in the war, did not deem it necessary to rebuild at Harper's Ferry. The two congregations have united to worship at the Bolivar church.

The Lutheran church at the place was used for hospital purposes in the war. At the restoration of peace the building was renovated and it now presents a very neat appearance.

About the time of the termination of the civil war a gentleman named Storer, residing in some part of New England, made a bequest of a large sum of money for the endowment of a college for the education of the freedmen. Harper's Ferry was chosen as the site and a charter was obtained from the legislature of the new state of West Virginia for it, under the title of "Storer College." The board of trustees appointed by the testator were all of the Free-will Baptist persuasion in compliment to the marked dislike manifested to slavery by that communion before and in the course of the war. The Reverend N. C. Brackett, a minister of that denomination was sent to take charge of the institution, and the success which he has met in conducting the difficult duties of his office, fully justifies the choice. The farm of Mr. William Smallwood in Bolivar was purchased by the board for the location of the college, but, the government having donated to the institution four large houses on Camp Hill with lots attached, one of those buildings--the superintendent's house--with a large frame structure erected soon after, is used for college exercises. The principal, Mr. Brackett, is an accomplished scholar, a gentleman in every sense and a practical Christian. He is, moreover, a man of great firmness and this, coupled with his suavity and well known integrity, insured a triumph over the prejudice against the school, which it cannot be denied, existed and still exists through the neighborhood.

Messrs. Matthew Quinn and J. M. Decaulne--both now long deceased--Daniel Ames, who died recently, and James Conway erected four fine houses after the war--the last named after the government sale. The lower floors of these buildings are occupied as store rooms and the upper as dwellings. Mr. Murtha Walsh, who, too, is now dead, erected a similar house on the site of the old and well known Doran store and, later, a fine dwelling and store adjoining Mr. Conway's house. A frame building put up about the close of the war, adjoining the old Doran property, supplied for many years the place of Fouke's hotel, destroyed by federal troops in 1862. The building last mentioned was pulled down a few years ago to make way for a railway depot not, however, before the erection of a new hotel near the opposite corner by Mr. George W. Greene, who soon after sold out to the Conner Brothers, from whom it now takes its name of "Hotel Conner." Mr. Theodore Conner now conducts it. Messrs. Thomas N. Beal, James McGraw, John Fitzpatrick, George Breedy, Edward Colgate, William Luke and many others have built new houses or renovated old ones. The author of these pages, too, has contrived to scrape together enough to invest in a new cottage, and he will say for his house that, if it has no other merit, it commands a view unsurpassed anywhere for beauty or sublimity. Tourists who admire its situation have christened it "Sunset Cottage" on account of the magnificent spectacle to be seen from it, when the Day God descends to rest, but the owner, while fully appreciating the poetic name which enthusiastic travelers have given to his modest home, prefers in the interest of truth, as well as of poetry, to name it "Moonshine Cottage," and the reasons are as follows: Heretofore, he has recommended to his readers who may be desirous to get the best view of Harper's Ferry, to choose a moonlight night and the cemetery, for the time and place to enjoy the sight. Like Melrose Abbey, it does better in "the pale moonbeams" than in the garish light of day, and, next to the cemetery, the author's new cottage is the best standpoint from which to survey the moonlit scenery of the place. Again, the house itself, though substantial enough, may be said, in one sense at least, to be composed of moonshine, when the methods whereby the owner acquired the means to erect it are considered. His youth and early manhood were spent in hard toil, much to the benefit of his fellow men, but not a bit to his own. At the age of nearly half a century he found himself as poor as when he began life, although, as before said, his labors had helped materially to enrich others. At length he made the discovery, which he ought to have made thirty years before, that mankind love nothing so well as being humbugged, and the happy thought struck him that a history of Harper's Ferry would tickle the fancy of the traveling public and, sure enough, the idea proved to be an inspiration. This is the third edition of a nonsensical rigmarole that has no merit in the world, except absolute truth, which is something in its favor, and the happy result that its author, from the proceeds of the sale, was enabled to build "Sunset" or "Moonshine Cottage"--call it as you will--for either name is logical and appropriate enough.

From the foregoing pages it will be seen that Nature has done much for Harper's Ferry and that industry and art improved its natural advantages, until the frenzy of war was permitted to mar the beneficent designs of Providence, and the labors of three-quarters of a century. It will soon appear as if Heaven, in its anger at the folly and ingratitude of man, had marked the place for total destruction when, in addition to the ravages of war, the power of the elements was invoked to overwhelm the town, as will be seen in the following account of the great flood of 1870:

In closing the eventful history of Harper's Ferry we must not omit the greatest, perhaps, of the series of calamities which, commencing on the day of John Brown's raid, culminated in the destruction of the most flourishing part of the town by a great flood in the Shenandoah on Friday, September 30th, and Saturday, October 1st, 1870. On the Tuesday before the inundation it rained heavily at intervals, as also, on Wednesday, Thursday and the morning of Friday. No extraordinary rise of either river was anticipated, however, as from the long drought of the previous months, the streams were greatly reduced and the most that was anticipated was a moderate increase in the volume of water, such as is usual in equinoctial storms. On Friday morning, however, many persons noticed the rapidity with which the Shenandoah rose, and something in the fierce dash of its tawny waves against the rocks near its mouth attracted unusual attention. All that day this river rose very fast, and about 4 o'clock, p.m., its banks were crowded with people watching the furious rush of the water and the drift which, in great quantities and of a miscellaneous character, was tossed on its angry waves. About this time a vague rumor was circulated that a telegraphic dispatch had arrived from Front Royal, about fifty miles farther up the Shenandoah--on the south fork--stating that a water spout had burst on the Blue Ridge at a point still farther up the valley, that a deluge was pouring down and that the people of Harper's Ferry, especially, were in imminent peril. While people were yet speculating on the probability of the truth of this report and, before the lapse of half an hour from the time of the arrival of the dispatch, several citizens came rushing from the Island of Virginius, who stated that they had had just time enough to escape to the main land before bridges connecting it with the island were swept away, and that many people were left behind whose houses were already partially submerged. Even then, few people in the lower part of the town could realize this state of affairs, but before many minutes a column of water rushed along the streets and around the houses, which immediately convinced everyone that saw it of the dreadful truth. Of this body of water marvelous accounts are given. It is said that it rose at the rate of six feet in four minutes and, although it is probable that the terrors of the people exaggerated the swell of the waters, the fact that this extraordinary tale was readily believed will give an idea of the reality. Up to 8 o'clock, p.m., however, it was hoped that all who had not escaped from their houses on Virginius and Overton's islands and on Shenandoah street would be safe, and that the inconvenience of being separated from their friends for a few hours and that of cleaning up for some days after, would be the extent of the damage. Between 8 and 9 o'clock, however, the water had risen to such a height as to cause serious apprehension for the safety of the families so cut off, and the extraordinary rapidity and fury of the river made it impossible for their more fortunate friends to render them the smallest assistance. About this time an excited crowd had gathered at the foot of Union street, watching with intense anxiety for the fate of some families on Overton's island, directly opposite, and about sixty yards distant. Between them and the island rushed an impetuous torrent to attempt to cross which, in a boat, would be madness and the distance was too great to allow a rope of sufficient strength to be thrown to the assistance of the helpless people. The scene was truly terrible. The screams of men, women and children in imminent peril of drowning or being crushed by falling houses, and the sympathetic cries and sobs of the pitying spectators were partially lost in the thunders of the furious tide and the spectral light of a young moon wading through heavy masses of cloud gave a weird coloring to the fearful picture, which added greatly to its horrors. Five families resided on this island. One house, a large brick building, was rented and occupied by Mr. Sidney Murphy. A small frame tenement was occupied by the widow Overton, her daughter, the widow Mills--and a young child of the latter. Samuel Hoff and his wife lived in a third house, James Shipe and his wife in a fourth and Jerry Harris, a very worthy old colored man, with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren, in a fifth. Mr. Murphy and his family, as well as Mrs. Hoff, had fortunately taken alarm at an early hour in the evening and escaped a few minutes before the destruction of the footbridge on which they had passed over. This being light and not firmly secured to the bank on either side, was soon swept away by the rising waters. The other residents, thinking, no doubt, that, as their houses had stood many assaults from the river in former floods, they might venture to remain, unhappily concluded to take chances. About 9 o'clock a crash from a falling house was heard and piteous appeals from a drowning man for aid rose above the noise of the waters and were conveyed to the ears of the spectators on the main land. It appeared as if he had been washed from the falling house and had drifted to a tree some yards below, to which he was clinging with the proverbial tenacity of a drowning man's grip. This was supposed to be Samuel Hoff. James Shipe, who escaped almost miraculously, afterwards explained the situation, and the surmises of the people proved to be correct, as it was Hoff who, carried from his own door by the current, grasped a small tree and appealed for assistance. Of course, no aid could be given to him, and the poor fellow's voice was soon hushed in death. Shipe said that his own house was the first to give way and that before its collapse he stripped and prepared for swimming. He then put an arm 'round his wife and as the house fell in he jumped with her into the river. Opposite to his house was a water station of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company, and as this was the most substantial building near him, he swam towards it and endeavored to clutch the wall with one hand while the other was supporting his wife. Several times he caught some projection of the building, but as often was beaten off by the powerful waves that surged around it. At length, his wife requested of him to let her go and to save himself, saying that she was prepared to die, but that he was not. He would not consent, but a large and furious wave soon decided the loving controversy by lifting them up and dashing them against something, thereby loosening his hold on her, when she immediately sank and disappeared forever from his view. A covered bridge of the railroad which had been washed away a few minutes before and had lodged on some obstruction, now presented itself to him and held out some hope of safety. He was drifting rapidly and although the water was cold, he had not much difficulty in reaching the bridge. When he gained it, however, he found the water so rapid that it was impossible for him to retain any hold on the sides. He tried to get on top of the roof, but he was caught in the current which rushed through the bridge and which he was unable to resist. Onward, he was hurried and in his passage he was dreadfully lacerated by nails and salient angles of the timbers, besides being stunned and confused to such a degree that he could not get a hold on the wreck, but drifted below it. Of course, there was no hope of returning against the tide, and he swam for the lower island. Here he succeeded in clutching a tree that grew near the house of a man named Hood. He succeeded in climbing into the forks of the tree and, for the first time since his immersion, a strong ray of hope was presented to him. The house was not many feet from the tree and he succeeded in jumping to a window. He found no one in the house, the family having abandoned it early in the evening. The water had reached the second story and the house was tottering. Fearing that he would be crushed by the falling building he returned to the tree just as the house gave way and fell into the seething flood. He then swam to another house in which he found a pair of pantaloons--the only article of clothing he had to protect him from the cold, which he now felt benumbing. He was rescued late on Saturday evening, when the water had partially subsided, and it will be readily believed that by this time his condition was pitiable. This is his account and, certainly, at least, a =part= of it is true, as his story is corroborated in many particulars by the testimony of others who saw him at various stages of his strange adventure. After the disappearance of Hoff great excitement was noticed in the houses of Mrs. Overton and Mr. Murphy, into the latter of which it appears that Jerry Harris and his family had rushed from their own as to a place of greater safety. Lights were seen carried rapidly from place to place at Mrs. Overton's, and, from Mr. Murphy's the sound of Harris' voice was heard apparently in earnest appeal to Heaven for assistance. A light was seen for an instant on Mrs. Overton's porch, and, but for an instant, when it disappeared and the porch was seen to drift with the current. It is supposed that either Mrs. Overton or Mrs. Mills had taken the light to see how the water stood around the house, and that just as she stepped on the porch it was torn loose and she was overturned into the water. Thus was the sudden disappearance of the light accounted for by the spectators. In a minute or two the building was heard to fall with a crash and none of the occupants was seen again or, if the bodies were found, it was by strangers on the lower Potomac, who knew not whose remains they were. In a short time Murphy's house also disappeared and with it Harris and his family, making a total of ten deaths in this one group of buildings.

In the meantime, the greatest consternation prevailed in the lower part of the town. Many families that had remained in their houses on Shenandoah street, expecting every moment the flood to attain its greatest height and then subside as suddenly as it had risen, finding that it increased with great rapidity and persistency, made efforts to escape about 7 o'clock, p.m. A family named Kane living between the Winchester and Potomac railroad and the Shenandoah river were rescued with great difficulty by passing a basket to them on a rope thrown across the abyss and transporting them, one by one, to dry land in this novel aerial carriage. Charles King, at one time proprietor of the Shenandoah House, a man of great physical strength and activity as well as courage, directed the operations of the rescuing party and, in several other instances, rendered valuable assistance in saving life and property. The Widow Furtney and family, living at the upper end of Shenandoah street, were rescued in the same manner as were the Kanes, and, in the latter case, the Reverend Daniel Ames, another citizen, exhibited a great deal of courage and tact.

Mr. William B. Fitzpatrick, supervisor of track on the Winchester and Potomac railroad, while attending to his duties some hours before, near Strasburg, Virginia, learned that the river was swelling to an unusual height and, fearing for the safety of his family at Harper's Ferry, he hastened home on his engine and had just crossed the bridges on the islands when they were swept away. As the engine proceeded along the trestling through Harper's Ferry, the track swayed in such a manner that it was with the utmost difficulty the engineer could direct his course and, just as they left the trestling and landed on terra firma at the market house, the uprights that supported the track above the solid ground gave way before the force of the waters, and at the same time, the houses from which the Kane and Furtney families had been saved, as well as others from which the inmates had fled or had been rescued, fell with a horrible crash, and so completely were they demolished that in some cases there was a doubt afterwards as to their exact site, the very foundations having disappeared. Mr. Fitzpatrick found it impossible to reach his family, but having climbed the hill on which the Catholic church is built and descended it on the other side to the water's edge, he stood opposite his house and called to his wife inquiring how it fared with her and their children. She replied that the house was giving way--that the walls were cracking and that she expected to be swept away at any moment, but at the same time she appeared to be more concerned for the safety of her aged and feeble mother, who was at the time lying sick in bed in the house, than for her own. Mr. Fitzpatrick, who was a man of the most acute sensibility, and who was thoroughly devoted to his family, became completely frantic, offering all that he possessed to any one who would venture to help him across the raging torrent to their aid. The utmost sympathy was felt for him, but nothing could be done to assist him in a rescue. The poor fellow sat all night on a rock opposite his house and, between the paroxysms of his grief, sent words of encouragement across to his dear ones. The behavior of Mrs. Fitzpatrick under the circumstances was very remarkable. She evidenced the most extraordinary coolness and courage and was heard to express her willingness to abide by the decrees of Providence, manifesting a composure in the face of death, which could arise only from a consciousness of her having lived a good life and from a well founded hope of happiness hereafter.

Interminable appeared that autumn night to the anxious watchers in the town and few, even of those who had nothing at stake, thought of sleep. At length the dawn appeared and, from marks left by the water it was seen that the river had fallen a few inches. Joyful news this was to all, but people of experience in such matters were far from being relieved from all anxiety, as it is well known that the turn of a flood is the most critical time for a building that has been exposed to the action of the current. As soon as it was clear daylight the attention of many people was directed to the house of Mr. Samuel Williams--the same gentleman that was taken prisoner by John Brown's men at the rifle factory--situated on the very bank of the river, near the ferry crossing to Loudoun, in which it was known that not only the Williams family but those of Messrs. John Greaves and James Anderson were imprisoned. The last two resided in small buildings near the house of Mrs. Williams and they and their families had barely time to escape to his more substantial residence, when their own houses were swept away. As soon as there was light enough the endangered people were seen crowding to the windows and gesticulating wildly, but their voices were lost in the roar of the rushing waters and the reason for their great excitement at this particular time was not fully understood until they were rescued in the afternoon, as will be narrated hereafter. At that moment nearly the whole side of the house fronting the river fell in, and very naturally caused the hapless prisoners to give up all hope. Of course, nothing could be done for them then, as the water had fallen but a few inches, and, as the other people in the town were not aware of the catastrophe to the river side of the house, there was not as much anxiety felt for them as their situation really demanded. Besides, two trees that grew near the end of the house, looking up stream, had gathered a vast pile of drift, and the sleepers and other timbers of the railroad that had been wrecked on the previous evening, still connected by the rails, had swung about and surrounded the house, collecting a great deal of miscellaneous rubbish which broke the force of the current and materially protected the building. Still great uneasiness was felt and hundreds of eyes eagerly watched the watermark, but for many hours there was but little fall and, indeed, it was 4 o'clock, p.m., on Saturday before there was any marked diminution in the volume of water.

About 10 o'clock, a.m., on Saturday, the crowd of spectators that covered the hill near Jefferson's Rock, heard a crash on Virginius Island and soon it was known that the noise was caused by the falling in of a portion of the building occupied by Mr. John Wernwag as a dwelling and a machine shop. Mr. Wernwag was the same that has been noticed in this book as a man of great mechanical genius, but very retiring habits. He resided alone in this house and, surrounded by strange tools and devices of his own planning and construction, and entirely devoted to those creatures of his brain and hand, he lived in a world of his own, voluntarily cut off from association with his kind. In a few minutes the sound was repeated, when the remainder of the building crumbled and fell into the tide. The roof floated down the stream, but at first nothing was seen of Mr. Wernwag himself. Many a loud and earnest prayer was sent to Heaven from the throng of spectators for the soul of the poor recluse and the hoarse murmur of many voices in supplication, mingled with hysterical screams from women and the more sensitive of the other sex, the wild rush of the river and all the awful surrounding presented a combination of horrors happily of rare occurrence. Two large trees grew on the river bank about a hundred yards below the island, and, as the roof floated down the stream, it fortunately dashed against one of them and was broken in two. Through the space made between the portions of the roof Wernwag's head was seen to emerge from the water and soon the brave old man had succeeded in climbing nimbly to one of the pieces. He had sunk under the roof and would have been suffocated in a few minutes had not the tree broken the incubus that was preventing him from making any exertion to save himself by swimming. As he secured his seat on the fragment he was seen to motion with his hand as if bidding adieu to his life-long friends. It is probable that he merely wiped his brow and put back his dripping hair, but the belief got abroad that he motioned a farewell and the excitement of the people was greatly intensified. Past the town he was hurried by the remorseless flood, until he was lost to sight amid the waves of "the Bull Ring," a rocky ledge that runs across the Potomac a little below the mouth of the Shenandoah. Over this barrier in time of high water, the waves of the united rivers plunge with a fury equalled only by the ocean tides bursting on an iron-bound coast, and the most sanguine of those who took heart on seeing Mr. Wernwag emerge from under the incubus and climb to the fragment of roof, now gave up all hope of him, but in an hour or two a report reached Harper's Ferry that he had been rescued at Berlin--now Brunswick--about six miles below. After a little more time the news was confirmed, qualified, however, by the intelligence that he was likely to die from the effects of the exposure. Shortly after, another rumor was spread that he had died, but, about 8 o'clock, p.m., the old hero made his appearance in the flesh, having been rescued, sure enough, and having revived from a fainting fit into which he had dropped on being landed from his perilous voyage. He had waited at Berlin for the passenger train due at Harper's Ferry at the above hour, and having taken passage on it he was restored to his anxious friends. He was received with the greatest enthusiasm and conveyed by an exultant crowd to the residence of his niece, Mrs. Julia Johnson. It was the seventy-sixth anniversary of Mr. Wernwag's birthday and, taking into account his age, as well as the circumstances of the adventure itself, it is one of the most extraordinary instances on record of providential preservation from what appeared to be inevitable destruction.

Soon after Mr. Wernwag's hasty passage down the river, a ludicrous mistake was near causing trouble between some of his friends. At that time there lived at Harper's Ferry two men of hasty tempers, but of generous impulses--one an Englishman and the other an Irishman. They were inseparable companions and proverbial for their attachment to one another. Both were great admirers of Mr. Wernwag and with moist eyes they both stood close together on the river bank, when their old friend was swept off to his death, as all supposed. Mr. Wernwag had an only son who was named Edward. The young man happened to be away from the place at the time, which was a great aggravation of the calamity supposed to have been consummated. The boy's acquaintances used to call him "Wernwag's Ed." and this familiar appellation was the cause of a misunderstanding, which was near ending in a fist-fight, between the friends referred to. About the time when the old man reached the "Bull Ring" the Englishman turned to his Irish friend and asked him where he thought Wernwag's Hed could be found--of course meaning the boy. As usual with his countrymen, he used the aspirate "=H=" before the vowel. The Irishman understanding the inquiry to refer to the poor old gentleman's cranium, and thinking that the question savored of untimely levity, replied that he supposed it would be found with the rest of the body, and he added some comments to show his opinion of his friend's heartlessness. The Briton feeling innocent of any wrong, and being a man of pluck, put in a sharp rejoinder which was met by another from the peppery Irishman. The quarrel was intensified by the laughter of the by-standers who took in the situation accurately. The interference of friends alone prevented a set-to and the belligerents were alienated from one another for many weeks after. The matter dropped when the mistake was explained and they became fully reconciled.

About 4 o'clock, p.m., on Saturday, Mr. Williams and his fellow prisoners were rescued by the same process that was used in saving the Kane and Furtney families. Great difficulty was experienced in passing to them a rope, as the distance was very great from the house of Mr. Matthew Quinn, but through the ingenuity of a Mr. Crosby, of Ashtabula county, Ohio, who was temporarily residing at the place, constructing agricultural machines, a rope was cast after many trials to Williams' house and the inmates were taken out, one by one, in a basket. Charles King, before mentioned, was very active on this occasion, as was also the Reverend Daniel Ames, who on the previous evening had distinguished himself in rescuing the Furtney family. Mr. Ames ventured across in the basket on its first trip to Williams' house, remained there encouraging the women and children and securing the passengers with ropes in their frail and unsteady carriage, and was the last to leave the tottering building. When he arrived back he was received with rounds of applause from the spectators, and the surrounding hills echoed with the cheers sent up for his brave and self-sacrificing man. Mr. Ames was a man of very mild and unassuming manners and the great courage manifested by him on this terrible occasion was a matter of surprise to many who regarded bluster as the only indication of bravery. Too much credit cannot be given to him or Mr. King for their conduct at this time. They were both New Englanders who came to reside at Harper's Ferry during the war, where their upright and courteous behavior had gained for them many friends long before this trying period, and where their heroic courage on this occasion covered them with glory. Mr. Ames, as before stated, is now dead, but Mr. King moved to New Haven, Connecticut, many years ago and his subsequent career is unknown to us.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick and family were rescued on Saturday about 9 o'clock, a.m., by some young men who floated to their house on pieces of drift and succeeded in bridging the gulf between the Fitzpatrick house and that of Mr. Matthew Quinn. They did so by stopping and securing in some way floating fragments of timber--enough to allow of walking from the one house to the other.

Early on Saturday morning a colored woman was found clinging to a tree near the site of her house on Shenandoah street. She hung by the hands to the tree, the water being too deep to allow her to touch bottom. Back and forward she swayed with the current that eddied round the ruins of her house, but she held on with a death grip. A youth named William Gallaher went in a skiff to her rescue and, with the utmost difficulty, succeeded in saving her life. At that time there was no injunction on the name of Gallaher to "let her go," and, if there had been ten thousand orders to that effect, Will was not the boy to obey any command that militated against humanity. He was one of the author's pupils in school, when the writer wielded the birch and this notice of the gallant boy is given with a great deal of pleasure by his old taskmaster. Mr. Gallaher died lately in Cumberland, Maryland. The woman told an almost incredible tale; that she had thus hung on all night; that her cabin had been washed away about 8 o'clock, p.m., and that her daughter had been drowned, but that she had caught the tree and had retained her hold till morning. It is probable that at first she got into the forks of the tree and there remained 'till within a short time of her discovery, when she fell into the water from exhaustion but, yet, retaining the instinct of self-preservation, had clutched the tree and held on with the grip of a drowning person until she was rescued.

Messrs. Child, McCreight and Hathaway, of the mill firm, as well as many others living on the island of Virginius, had not yet been heard from, when Mr. Williams and his companions were saved. These gentlemen and the Reverend Dr. Dutton of the Presbyterian congregation who, also, resided on that island, were among the very best and most respected citizens of the place. Their houses could be seen yet standing, but, as the island was entirely submerged, it was plain that each family was isolated and that no communication could easily be held from one to another in case of special emergency, and it was feared that some casualties might have occurred which, as in the case of the river front of Mr. Williams' house, could not be perceived from the shore. Each family had its own adventures and experiences to relate afterwards. All the houses on the island, except that occupied by Mr. Child, were badly injured and the lives of the inmates hung by a hair. The Reverend Dr. Dutton was severely wounded by a brick that fell on his head from a partition in his house which tumbled down suddenly while he was standing near it. He was stunned and for a while rendered entirely helpless and unconscious. He and his wife lived alone and, as there was no one to render her assistance, Mrs. Dutton, as soon as her husband had partially recovered, contrived to communicate with a neighbor who threw her a rope by means of which, strongly bound by her delicate hands around her husband, he was dragged through the water across to the neighbor's house, where his wound was dressed and his wants supplied. The venerable sufferer lay for a long time sick from the effects of his injuries and the excitement and exposure of the occasion. He recovered, however, and for some years after continued to serve his divine Master with his accustomed zeal and devotion. He with Messrs. Child, McCreight and Williams is now dead, and the survivors of their families are scattered far and wide. Soon after the flood Mr. Hathaway, connected with the firm of Child and McCreight and also a resident of the island, returned to his old home in Ohio.

About 7 o'clock on Saturday evening the water had subsided enough to allow communication by boat with the island of Virginius, and Harper's Ferry was left to present an indescribable appearance of ruin, desolation and filth. The very streets were in many places ploughed up, as it were, and chasms many feet in depth were made in the road bed. Every house on the south side of the street, from the market house to the Island of Virginius was either entirely destroyed or badly injured, except that of Mr. Matthew Quinn, which was saved by the accident of the falling of some heavily laden house-cars with the railroad trestling, into the street near it and their lodging against it, which broke and diverted the force of the current. Some seventy houses in all were either entirely demolished or rendered uninhabitable and, as before stated, in many instances, the very foundations were obliterated. All imaginable floating things were represented in the huge piles of debris heaped up at corners or wherever the torrent met a check. Trees nearly two feet in diameter were to be encountered frequently, lodged the streets and the vast amount of rails, planks and various kinds of timber gathered up for use, formed a very important item of fuel for the citizens during the severe winter that followed. Sadder than all, some forty-two lives were lost. Three families named Bateman, numbering over twenty souls, disappeared, with a large brick building at Shenandoah City--a suburb--into which they had fled from their own houses for greater protection. Of these families only one body was recovered for interment. The Batemans were humble, hard-working people, supposed to have in their veins the blood of the Indians that in former times possessed the land, tinctured with that of the African, but they were a good deal respected for their industry and unobtrusive manners. It has been related before that ten were lost on Overton's Island. Mrs. Margaret Carrol, widow of Eli Carroll, formerly proprietor of the Wager house--afterwards called Fouke's hotel--and, at one time owner of "Hannah" who saved the author's life at the Brown raid, was drowned at the boarding house of Mrs. Nancy Evans on Virginius Island. She was very old and feeble and, when the family were retreating from the house on Friday evening, they tried to induce her to accompany them, but in vain. Either not considering the flood dangerous or being from age and infirmities, apathetic about the result, she refused to leave the house and there was no time to be lost in arguing the case with her, as the other inmates had barely a few minutes in which to make their own escape. Soon after the house was swept away and with it, of course, the hapless old lady. Strangely enough, her body was found some weeks afterward about thirty miles down the Potomac, near the mouth of Seneca creek, and within a few paces of the residence of one of her relations. The corpse was recognized by means of a ring with Mrs. Carrol's name engraved on it which was on one of the fingers, and the remains were forwarded to Harper's Ferry for interment. Several persons were drowned whose names cannot be gathered now, and, indeed, it is probable that the loss of life was much more extensive than is generally supposed, as it is known that the upper islands are always occupied by stragglers and obscure people, of whom little note is taken in the neighborhood, and the chances are that many of such temporary residents were lost of whom no account was given and about whom no questions were asked.

A remarkable occurrence took place in connection with this flood which, though, of course, accidental, was a very strange coincidence. The Reverend N. C. Brackett, county superintendent of free schools, had convened the teachers' association and had secured the services of Professor Kidd, a well known itinerant lecturer on elocution, to give instruction to them on this important branch of education. On Friday evening, before any apprehension was felt from the river, he was holding forth in the public school house, on Shenandoah street. He remarked on the faulty construction of school houses in general through that region as being a serious drawback on the comfort and advancement of pupils, and he turned the attention of his audience to the building in which they were, as being about the worst-planned of any he had seen. Warming with his subject, he expressed a wish that some convulsion of the elements would take place for the special purpose of destroying this house, so that another might be erected on a better plan. This wish, thoughtlessly or playfully uttered, was, strangely enough, gratified that very night. The river rose beyond all usual bounds and before 9 o'clock, not a vestige of the obnoxious school house remained. Professor Kidd, with his own eyes, witnessed the consummation of his desires, but whether Heaven was moved by the Professor's eloquence or the thing would have happened anyway, is a question which the writer will not undertake to decide.

Another strange occurrence used to be related by the late Mr. Edmond H. Chambers, one of the oldest and most respectable citizens of the place. Mr. Chambers was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Overton, whose tragic death in the flood has been narrated, was a member of his class. On the Sunday before the awful visitation, she attended the class meeting and seemed to be excited to a high degree during the exercises. Her unusual demeanor was noticed by all present, and it could not be accounted for, as she was not generally very demonstrative in her devotions. She went 'round among the members of the class and shook hands with them all, bidding them farewell and saying that, in all probability, she would never again meet them on this side of the grave. Her words were prophetic for, sure enough, on Friday night of the same week, she passed "the bourne from which no traveler returns." Who can tell what message she may have received from that mysterious world towards which we are all traveling--that her weary pilgrimage on earth was nearing its end and that in a few days she would rejoin the loved ones who had gone before her. It is useless for the most practical and so called hard-headed of the world to deny that many such presentments are felt, and that events often prove their correctness. When people of nervous and susceptible natures take up the belief that they are doomed to a speedy demise, it may be said with plausibility, that their imaginations contribute to bring on some disease to fulfill the prophecy, but when the catastrophe occurs through accident or any means that did not or could not before affect the mental or bodily health of the subject, we are bound to confess the probability of some communication between the incarnate spirit and one of clearer vision and superior knowledge. But, patience! We will know more about it some day, perhaps.

On Sunday, October 2nd, a meeting of the citizens was convened to adopt measures for the relief of the sufferers and a subscription list was immediately opened. All the people of the place who could afford to do so, subscribed to the fund and, soon, meetings were held at Charlestown and other places and large contributions of money, food, raiment and fuel poured in from the neighboring country and many cities of other states, so that in a few days provision was made for the support of the destitute sufferers during the coming winter, and a committee composed of the most prominent of the citizens regulated the distribution of the funds, &c., subscribed by the charitable all over the country. Those whose houses were destroyed or badly injured were kindly entertained by their more fortunate neighbors until arrangements could be made for rebuilding or repairing their own homes, and the sympathy evinced toward those luckless people by their fellow citizens and kind hearted people in other places was creditable to our common humanity. Had not the flood been confined to the Shenandoah and, had the Potomac risen like its tributary, it is possible to imagine the amount of damage that would have been done. The rivers, it is true, would have checked one another and lessened each other's current, but the water would have covered the whole peninsula and that part at least of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley would have been for a time what antiquarians and geologists assert it formerly was--the bed of a considerable sea.

It may be well to dissipate the gloom which it is probable the reader feels after perusing this chapter of human suffering, and to give cheerful finale to a history more than sufficiently melancholy. It is, therefore, proposed that the author relate a joke on himself in connection with the great flood and tell

"How he was 'sold.'"

If his book will meet with half as successful a "sell" as he met with the writer will be perfectly satisfied. Immediately after the flood there was a great demand among newspaper men for accounts of it from eye witnesses, and the author "spread himself" as the saying is, in the columns of a "daily" in a neighboring city. The main facts given in these pages were narrated and some which the writer afterwards had good reason to believe were apocryphal. There resides in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, a jolly farmer and shrewd business man, whose name it is not necessary to mention. He is much respected for many good qualities of head and heart, and his company is much sought and enjoyed by lovers of fun, for he is always ready to give and take a good joke. Hearing that the author was collecting items for an extensive account of the inundation, our wag determined to contribute his share of experiences, and he related to the writer how, on the Saturday of the flood, he had rescued, near his place, from the river, a colored woman who had floated down stream, on the roof of a house, from Page county, Virginia, fully seventy miles. He represented her as being a very large woman, so big, indeed, that it was wonderful that the roof could float and carry her weight. He also mentioned that when rescued she was composedly smoking a short pipe. The historian who, like all men of great genius, is remarkable for a child-like simplicity and an unsuspecting nature, eagerly noted the remarkable voyage and the singular incident of the pipe smoking, and next day the newspapers above referred to whose editor, too, must have been a man of genius, came out with the report--pipe story and all--and not until a skeptical friend of the correspondent, and one who is of an investigating turn of mind, ventured to ask how the woman got fire to light her pipe, did the possibility of his being deceived occur to the writer. In defense of his narrative and of his feelings, the author suggested that she might have had matches on her person, but as the chances were overwhelmingly against the probability of there being any thing dry about her, he was obliged to "confess the corn," as the phrase goes, and admit that he had been duped. It was some consolation, however, to reflect that the shrewd newspaper man had shared the same fate at the hands of the Pleasant Valley Munchausen. The latter further related that the woman was staying at his house, recruiting after her voyage and, this getting abroad, many contributions of money and creature comforts came pouring into his care, for the relief of his protege. There is a town not far from his house, the inhabitants of which were Abolitionists before the war, and are Republicans now. On hearing of the sad condition of the mythical black woman and her miraculous escape, the citizens of that place assembled in town meeting and subscribed liberally for her benefit. They were however, and are very cautious, prudent people and they determined to send a committee to inquire into the matter before remitting. Our friend was equal to the occasion and, when the committee arrived at his house, he showed them a strapping black woman who had been for many years in his family, and pointed to her as a living witness to the truth of his story. As the committee were not acquainted with domestics, they felt perfectly satisfied and, on their return home, they reported favorably of the affair, and the funds were sent. All he received for the use of the black myth, Munchausen immediately transferred to the Harper's Ferry relief association and the money and the joke contributed to the comfort and merriment of the real sufferers.

On the 25th of November, 1877, there was a big and disastrous flood in the Potomac, caused by heavy rains in the valleys of both branches of that river. There was no corresponding rise in the Shenandoah, however, as the rains did not extend to any great degree to the regions drained by the latter. Harper's Ferry did not suffer much from this flood, except that the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, with which its interests are to some degree identified, was almost entirely demolished. That important channel of business has never fully recovered from the loss it sustained on that occasion, and, of course, the whole country bordering on it has been more or less affected by the depressed condition of that useful thoroughfare.

On the last day of May, 1889, both rivers rose to an unprecedented height, but as the currents acted as mutual checks on one another, there was comparatively little damage done to property at the place, except from the filthy deposits left by the waters. This was the day of the famous Johnstown disaster and, while the people of that place were being hurried to destruction, the author of these pages was enjoying a swim in the basement of his own house at Harper's Ferry--not "Moonshine Cottage," however--the site of which will never be inundated until the gap in the Blue Ridge is stopped up in some convulsion of Nature that will topple over the Maryland and Loudoun Heights. He and his had retreated to the upper part of the house, as soon as the lower floor was flooded, but having forgotten to secure some important papers which he usually kept in the apartment now under water, he was obliged to strip and strike out to their rescue.

Great as were the hopes excited by the sale of the government property in November, 1869, and the promise of a renewal of business activity, it soon appeared that those expectations were illusory. Captain Adams and others interested in the purchase became incorporated under the title of "The Harper's Ferry Manufacturing and Water Power Company" and the captain more than hinted that Senator Sprague and other wealthy manufacturers of the north were concerned as partners in the new firm. On one occasion, soon after the purchase, a telegraphic dispatch from Captain Adams reached the place stating that Senator Sprague would visit the town on a particular day and address the people on "The Future of Harper's Ferry." This looked like business and hand-bills were immediately struck off and circulated through the surrounding country, inviting all to assist the citizens of the place in showing honor to the great man. A committee was appointed to present him with an elaborate address, and preparations were made to receive him in a manner suitable to the occasion. On the appointed day, however, the senator was "non est" and it is said that he afterwards expressed great astonishment and indignation at the unauthorized use of his name in the business. Then, indeed, for the first time, did the people of Harper's Ferry begin to suspect a fraud of some kind and future developments went to confirm their unpleasant surmises. Though Captain Adams hired a watchman to take care of the property, and he himself continued to visit the place at intervals, it soon became apparent that his company were in no hurry to begin manufactures or the preparations for them. After the flood of 1870 some influence was brought to bear on the government to delay the collection of the first installment of the purchase money, and a bill was introduced into Congress to extend the time for payment to five years. The grounds for this stay of collection and the bill were the damage done by the high water to a considerable part of the property purchased, and the great distress caused to the whole place by that calamity. About the same time it became known that a claim was set up by Captain Adams and his firm against the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company for possession of the ground over which the road passes between Harper's Ferry and Peacher's Mill. The railroad company had, many years before, got the right of way through the armory grounds from the government on certain conditions, and no one dreamed of their being disturbed about it until the thought struck some Washington City speculators that there was something to be made off the road by the purchase of the armory property and the institution of a suit of ejectment. In this way the people of Harper's Ferry were sacrificed to the greed of a set of heartless speculators, and the injury was aggravated by the absolute certainty that if Captain Adams had not made his ill-omened appearance on the day of the sale the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company would have purchased the property and erected on it a rolling mill.

The courts were now appealed to, but a recital of the many suits and counter-suits between the government, the railroad company and the Adams company would be uninteresting and tiresome. The latter first tried to eject the railroad company and, failing in this, and finding that, as they never intended to establish manufacturing at the place, their enterprise was futile, they tried to return the property into the hands of the government on the pretense that they could not get possession of all they had bargained for. After a great deal of litigation the government, no doubt, thinking that the game was not worth the candle, as the saying is, finally cried "quits" and received back the property, without enforcing any pecuniary claim arising from the sale. All this time the people of Harper's Ferry were suffering from hope deferred and truly sick were their hearts. The magnificent water power was lying idle, as far as any general utilization of it was concerned, and so matters rested until the year 1886, when the property was purchased by Savery and Company, of Wilmington, Delaware, who, in the spring of 1887, proceeded to render the water power available for the purpose of pulp mills. These gentlemen encountered many difficulties arising from the indefinite wording of old deeds made to the government at various times and the conflicting claims of various property holders at the place. Their most serious difficulty was with the firm of Child, McCreight and Company, or rather with a new firm composed of some members of the original one and others taken from time to time into the company. In the summer of 1887 the United States Court at Parkersburg, West Virginia, decided in favor of Savery and Company, standing on the rights supposed to have been enjoyed by the government when the sale was made to these gentlemen. In the meantime, a pulp mill was erected on the Shenandoah, and, in some time after another on the Potomac. Savery and Company experienced difficulties with the Chesapeake and Ohio canal company also. The State of Maryland has always laid claim to jurisdiction over the Potomac, as far as the ordinary water mark on the Virginia shore and, as in times of drought, the volume of water in that river is but little more than is required for the supply of the canal, the State of Maryland, which owns a large interest in that work, when appealed to by the canal company, used all its power to hinder the water from being diverted to other industries than that of the canal which is under their direct patronage and protection. The author is not advised as to the result of this controversy, but both the pulp mills are in operation and that on the Potomac--the one to be affected by any victory for the canal company--is worked at present without any apparent interruption. The new firm--Savery and Company--are evidently good business men, and it would appear as if they had come to stay, and give a start to a new Harper's Ferry. It is, perhaps, a good sign of their business qualifications that they are not bothered with sentiment as is shown in their sale of John Brown's fort. Everybody at the place wishes them well and hopes that they realize a good price for this interesting relic, but many regret that they did not retain it, as age but added to its value to the owners and, indeed, to the whole town, for many a tourist has tarried a day at the place expressly to get a good sight of it, and the older it grew, the more interest was attached to it.

When the author of this book had about finished his labors, he became aware of something very interesting in connection with the site of Harper's Ferry. Had he known it when he began, he certainly would have given his readers the benefit of it at the start, for there it belongs as, if it happened at all, it occurred away back in the misty ages of history or, at least, of Christianity. It is true that he could have remodeled his manuscript and penned it over again, but, as the Fatalists say, "what is written is written" and the undoing of what has been done might bring bad luck to him by putting him in conflict with Fate, besides imposing much labor on him for nothing, perhaps. From his earliest years the writer has been familiar with the legend of Saint Brandan or Borandan, a pious though enterprising Irish monk of the 6th century, who embarked, it is said, on the Atlantic in quest of the "Isles of Paradise," as they were called. At that time and, indeed, at a much later period, there was a firm belief that there was, at least, one island of exquisite beauty in the western Ocean, which appeared at intervals, but always eluded those who tried to take possession of it. There is reason to believe that some vision of the kind, the effect of mirage was sometimes presented to the unsophisticated sailors and fishermen of the olden time and as in those days science had scarcely been born, it is no wonder that a belief in the actual existence of this land was firmly fixed in the minds of a people imaginative and poetic as the Irish, ancient or modern. Be this as it may, there is a well authenticated tradition of the voyage of Saint Brandan in quest of this evanescent land, and manuscripts of hoary antiquity preserved in monasteries until the Reformation, and, since, in old families that trace their lineage even to the times of the Druids, corroborate the oral tradition. Grave historians of late times give respectful mention to the voyage of Saint Brandan and many prefer a claim to his having been the first European discoverer of America. Some time this winter--1901-1902--the author saw in some newspaper a statement purporting to be from some correspondent in Great Britain or Ireland, that a manuscript had been discovered a little before, giving a circumstantial account of this voyage--of the discovery by Brandan of a land of apparently great extent and surpassing beauty--of the entrance by the voyagers into a large bay, their ascent of a wide river that emptied into it, and their final resting at the mouth of another river in a chasm of awful sublimity. The correspondent concludes that Saint Brandan had discovered America--that the bay was the Chesapeake and that the river ascended was the Potomac. If we grant all this, we may conclude, as the correspondent does, that the Saint rested at the mouth of the Shenandoah, on the site of Harper's Ferry. As before noted, there appears to be little doubt of the voyage or of the discovery of some land by Brandan, for the most cautious writers of even the present day refuse to treat the story with contempt, but whether we can confidently follow him all the way from Ireland to our very door at Harper's Ferry or not, is a matter for some consideration and future developments. There is not a man in that town who does not wish the tale to be true, for, besides the poetry of the matter, it would be a feather in the cap of Harper's Ferry that it was presumably under the protection of a saint and an Irish one at that. An Irishman, in the flesh, does not stand on trifles when the interests of his friends are at stake and, when he is translated to Heaven and invested with the dignity of a saint, he may be relied on to put in some heavy licks for any cause or person he loved while on earth. If the tale of the correspondent is true in every respect, Harper's Ferry may be regarded as Saint Brandan's own child--the heir to his fame on earth and the best entitled to all the influence which he may command in Heaven. We must not inquire too closely as to how he got past "The Great Falls" or what induced him to undertake the great labor of the portage.

Within a few years the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company have made great changes at Harper's Ferry, enough to alter its appearance very materially. In the summer of 1892 they commenced the cutting of a tunnel of over eight hundred feet in length through the spur of the Maryland Heights that projects over the old track near the railroad bridge. They also commenced at the same time the erection of stone piers to support a new bridge a little northwest of the old one. The course of the road bed in the town has also been changed, for the old trestling has been abandoned and the track has been laid across the eastern end of the old armory grounds and over a part of the site of John Brown's fort. The principal object of this change was to straighten the road and avoid the dangerous curves at the old bridge and also to do away with the perpetual expense of keeping the trestle work in repair. In consequence, the appearance of the place is greatly changed and not for the better, but, happen what may, the eternal mountains will remain, clothed with the verdure of spring and summer, the purple and gold of autumn, or the snowy mantle of winter, according to the season. The noble and historic rivers, too, will pour their allied waters through the awe inspiring chasm which, in the course of bygone ages, their united strength has cut through the gigantic barrier of the Blue Ridge. The Bald Eagle--king of the birds--will sweep in majestic curves around the turret pinnacles of the Alpine Heights or, poised on outspread wings, will survey his unassailable ancestral domain and, if in the garish light of day, the utter loneliness and wildness of the mountains oppress the imagination, the gloaming and the tender moonbeams will mellow the savage grandeur of the scene and invest it with a dreamy and mystical beauty to soften and enhance its sublimity. Besides, whatever may occur in the future, Harper's Ferry has in the past attained a fame of which even Fate itself cannot deprive it and, as long as poetry, romance and a love of the sublime and beautiful in Nature find a home in the human heart, tourists from all the continents and the isles of the sea will visit it, and the day will never come when there will be no enthusiastic lover of freedom to doff his hat at the shrine of John Brown. He was, anyway, a man of honest convictions who fought desperately and died fearlessly for the faith that was in him, and what hero has done more?

Having spent a long and a very long winter's night in a haunted house with a corpse for his only companion, and having been treated with marked consideration by their ghostships in their not bothering him in any way, the writer feels under obligations to give the spirits a puff and keep alive their memory in an age of skepticism. He, therefore, craves the reader's patience while he relates the history of an invisible but exceedingly potent sprite that kept the neighborhood of Harper's Ferry in a terrible ferment for a long time and that to this day gives a name to a thriving village within a short distance of that town. Tourists who come to historic Harper's Ferry never fail to gather all the stories they can, not only of the town itself, but of the surrounding country, and it is partly for their benefit and partly to honor the spirits that treated him so cleverly, that the author gives the following legend. There are but few, indeed, in northern Virginia, who have not heard the tale a thousand times, with endless variations, all accounts, however, agreeing as to the main facts. The author has heard many versions of it, but he will give it as he got it from a gentleman now deceased--an ex-member of Congress and an ex-minister to one of the most important nations of Europe. This gentleman spent much of his youth in the immediate neighborhood of the village where the great mystery occurred and he was on the most intimate terms with one of the families that were conspicuous in the occurrence. Of course, he gave it as he received it himself. He was born when the spirit was rampant, but he got the story fresh from those who were witnesses to the mystery. He was an eminent man and deeply learned--a graduate of Georgetown College--and the writer would give a great deal to be able to relate the story with the inimitable grace of his informant. Of course, he did not believe the legend himself, but he cherished it as a memory of his childhood and as a choice morsel of folklore.

THE LEGEND OF WIZARD CLIP.

In the southwest part of Jefferson county, West Virginia, within less than a mile of the Opequon river so famous in the late war, is a drowsy though well-to-do village that rejoices in three names--Middleway, Smithfield and Wizard Clip. The first of these names it got from its being exactly the same distance from Winchester, Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry, and this is the name acknowledged in the postal service. The second name--Smithfield--is derived from a very respectable family of the far extended Smith clan that has resided there a great many years. The last--Wizard Clip--it got from a singular legend, connected with a house that once stood in the outskirts of the village. This building, except a part of the foundation, has long since succumbed to time. Not far from the site of the house is a tract of land known as "The Priest's Field" which at one time belonged to a resident of the aforesaid mansion--a man named Livingstone--but now forms a part of the lands of Mr. Joseph Minghini. In the old burying ground of the village is, or at least was shown a few years ago, a mound known as "The Stranger's Grave" and these singular names will be explained by the story.

Some time about the commencement of the 19th century a Pennsylvanian, named Livingstone, moved from his native state and purchased the farm on which was the residence above referred to. He and his family took possession of the house, and for several years they prospered. Livingstone used to say that he had been unfortunate in life before his moving to Virginia, and he was fond of contrasting his former failures with his success in his new home. He is said to have been a man of a mild and genial disposition, but tradition has it that his better half was of a different temper and that, figuratively, she wore the garment which is supposed to be the 'special prerogative and attribute of the male sex. The facts of our tale, if indeed, they are bona fide facts at all, appear to bear out the popular estimate of the family, with the addition, perhaps, that Mr. Livingstone was of a credulous turn of mind, which exposed him to the machinations of some designing neighbors, who took advantage of his unsophisticated nature and who, perhaps, were not sorry to punish the wife for her lack of amiability. It should be noted that the period of our tale long antedates railroads and steamboats. Goods were then conveyed entirely by horse power and the principal road from Baltimore and Alexandria to southwest Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee passed through Middleway. In consequence, long convoys of wagons were constantly passing along this road which was within a few yards of Livingstone's house. About three miles east of this residence, also on this road, lived an Irish family, named McSherry, from whom are sprung the many highly respectable people of that name who now adorn nearly every learned profession in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, especially that of medicine. Between these two residences lived Joseph Minghini--an Italian--the grandfather of the gentleman referred to as now owning the tract of land called "The Priest's Field." The Minghini of our tale had accompanied the famous general Charles Lee from Italy when that eccentric character was obliged to fly from the land of Caesars, but finding himself disappointed in his patron had set up for himself in the neighborhood of Middleway. So much for a preface and now for our story.

One evening a stranger called at Livingstone's house and asked for a night's lodging. This was accorded to him cheerfully by Livingstone and, in justice to the lady of the house, it must be recorded that tradition is silent on the subject of what she thought of her husband's hospitality and, being an impartial chronicler, the writer will give her the benefit of any doubt on the subject, especially as it turned out afterwards that she had good reason to regret her having "taken in the stranger." The family and their guest conversed for a good part of the night, as is customary in Virginia on such occasions, and the new acquaintances separated about 10 o'clock, Mr. Livingstone conducting the stranger to a sleeping apartment and then betaking himself to his own. After having slept some time, the master of the house awoke and became aware of queer noises coming from the direction of his guest's apartment. He arose, knocked at the stranger's door and inquired what was the matter. The occupant replied that he was very sick and that he had a presentment that he could not live 'till daylight. At the same time he entreated that a Catholic priest should be sent for to shrive him--that he had been brought up in the Catholic faith, but that he had neglected religion when in health. Now he would gladly accept its consolations, for he felt himself to be in extremis. Livingstone replied that he knew of no priest of that faith anywhere near, and that he could not hope to find one closer than in Maryland. He remarked, however, that he had neighbors who were Catholics--meaning the McSherrys and the Minghinis--and that they might set him on the track make inquiries of those people. On this, the wife who, too, had been aroused, and woman-like, was listening to the conversation became very angry and told her husband that, if he was fool enough to start out on such a wild-goose chase, she would take good care to thwart him, even if he succeeded in finding the clergyman, which was unlikely enough. She was determined, she said, to hinder any Romish priest from entering her house, and that the best thing Livingstone could do was to return to his bed and leave the stranger to his fate. The good-natured and well-disciplined husband submitted and again retired to slumber. Next morning the guest did not appear for breakfast and Livingstone, a good deal alarmed, went to the stranger's room and found him dead. The neighbors of the family knew nothing of these occurrences, and the Livingstones would not be likely to say much about them, unless they were driven to a disclosure by the pangs of terror and remorse. They, however, had the corpse on their hands, and, of course, the fact of the death could not be concealed. A few neighbors were notified, and the unknown was committed to nameless grave.

No other designation can be given to him than "the unknown" because the stranger had not revealed to the family his name or anything connected with his history, except in the few remorseful words to Livingstone, when he confessed to the sinfulness of his life. No clue was ever found to his name, family or nationality, but, as the Livingstones did not report any peculiarity in his accent, it is to be inferred that he was an American by birth or very long residence.

On the return of the family from the funeral late in the evening they built a good fire and took their seats around it, discussing, no doubt, the untoward occurrences of the previous night, when, suddenly the logs jumped, all ablaze, from the fireplace and whirled around the floor in a weird dance, sputtering sparks all about the room and seeming to be endowed with demoniacal power and intelligence. Poor Livingstone, too, danced around, trying to put out the fire, but it took him a long time to do so, and no sooner had he thrown the smoldering sticks back into the fireplace than they jumped out again and went through the same performance as before, and Livingstone was again obliged to hustle for the safety of his house. This was repeated at short intervals until daylight, and the family did not get a moment's rest during that memorable night. How the amiable lady of the house managed to cook breakfast, tradition does not say, but from the fact that nothing is related of suffering by the Livingstones from hunger, it is to be presumed that the "spook" let up on them for a little while and allowed them to get something to eat.

Worn out, scared and disconsolate, the hapless Livingstone walked down to the road that passed his house, the highway before referred to, and was immediately greeted by a rough wagoner, who had stopped his team and who wanted to know why the devil Livingstone had stretched a rope across the highway and fastened it to a tree on either side, so as to impede travel. Livingstone knew that there were trees, as the wagoner said, on both sides of the road, but he saw no rope and wondered what the apparently drunken teamster meant by accusing him of such an absurd thing. The driver angrily demanded that the obstruction be removed at once and Livingstone disdained to make any reply, the infuriated teamster drew a knife and slashed at the rope, but the blade met with no resistance and, while the obstruction was palpable to his eye, it was but an airy nothing to his touch. It was now the wagoner's turn to be amazed. He knew not whether to offer an apology or not and, while he was still pondering the matter, another team arrived and its driver went through the same performance as the other, with the same result. At length, Livingstone mildly suggested that they should drive on, regardless of the intangible rope and so they did and passed along without difficulty, attributing their delusion, no doubt, to the bad whiskey of the neighborhood. Soon, however, other teams arrived and again the spectre rope was in the way and again were repeated the perplexity and the profanity of the first encounter. Every new arrival brought the luckless Livingstone a fresh cursing, and so it was kept up for several weeks. In the course of time, the demon, now acknowledged to be around the place, adopted a new method of annoyance. A sharp, clipping noise, as if from a pair of invisible shears, was heard all through and around the house and, worse yet, all the clothes of the family, their table cloths and bed coverings were cut and gashed, the slits being all in the shape of a crescent. Of course, the news of these unearthly doings soon spread, and people from all directions crowded to see and hear what was going on. There are still preserved in some families pocket-handkerchiefs that were folded in the pockets of their owners when they visited the place, but, yet, were cut and marked in his peculiar way by the demon of the scissors that kept up his "clip-clip" around them while they were condoling with the afflicted family. One lady visitor was complimenting Mrs. Livingstone on a fine flock of ducks that were waddling through her yard on their way, perhaps, to the neighboring Opequon, when "clip-clip" went the uncanny and invisible shears and one after another the ducks were all cleanly decapitated in broad daylight before the very eyes of the ladies and many other witnesses.

At that time there lived in Middleway a German tailor, who, though fully imbued with the mysticism of his native country, yet regarded with contempt all vulgar superstitions, or what he considered to be such. He boasted that he would stay all night alone in the house supposed to be haunted and that, if he had time enough to spare for the purpose, he could expose the imposture of the wizard clipping. He had just finished a suit of broad cloth for a neighboring planter and had made up the clothes in a neat package, when on his way to deliver them he passed Livingstone's house, grinning at the folly of his neighbors in believing that the place was tenanted by an evil spirit. "Clip-clip" went the terrible scissors around the ears of the German who, in the plenitude of his incredulity, invited the author of the sounds to "go for damn." He proceeded to the house of his employer, opened his bundle with professional confidence and pride, to exhibit his model suit, when, lo! and behold! he found the clothes full of the crescent shaped slits and utterly ruined.

The excitement continued to spread and far and near extended the fame of "Wizard Clip." One night a party of youngsters of both sexes assembled at the house for a frolic, got up by the young men of the neighborhood, who desired to show to the world and especially to their sweethearts that =they= were not afraid, whoever else might be so, and curiosity led many young ladies to the scene, in spite of the terrors of the place. They were, perhaps, desirous to test the courage of their lovers, and trusted for protection to the big crowd in attendance. One rough, blustering fellow came all the way from Winchester, carrying his rifle. He was courting a girl of the neighborhood of Livingstone's place, and he determined to show off to the best possible advantage. Things proceeded smoothly for awhile, and the young people were engaged in a dance when, suddenly, "clip-clip" went the goblin shears, and the Winchester hero felt something flap against the calves of his legs. He reached down to investigate and found, to his consternation, that the most important part of his nether garment had been cut loose from the waist band and that there was nothing left for him to do but sit down and keep on sitting 'till the festivities were over. His condition soon became known to the others and, great as the terrors of the situation were, nothing could prevent the company from tittering, until the hapless hero found his plight so painful that he resolved to leave the house, which, for the sake of delicacy, he was obliged to do by backing to the door, while the ladies coyly looked in another direction. Numberless are the tales related of the queer doings of the demon with his invisible and diabolical scissors. Poor Livingstone lost heart and even his wife's masculine courage gave way. The whole neighboring country was, of course, intensely excited. One night Livingstone had a dream. He thought he was at the foot of a hill on the top of which was a man dressed in sacerdotal garments and appearing to be engaged in some religious ceremony. While looking towards this strange man, the afflicted dreamer became aware of the presence with him of some disembodied spirit that whispered to him that the man in the priestly garb could relieve him from his great trouble. He awoke and immediately formed the resolution to appeal to some minister of the gospel to exorcise his tormentor--the fiend of the "clip." He applied to his own pastor, a Lutheran preacher who, of course, had heard of the affair, as had everybody in the state. To please Livingstone, the reverend gentleman visited the haunted house, but he experienced a reception so hot that he concluded not to try issues any more with so potent a spirit, and he left without accomplishing anything. Livingstone now remembered that the minister of his vision wore priestly vestments and, on the failure of his own pastor, he concluded that the party to help him must be one who was usually arrayed with such adjuncts in the performance of his rites. The Catholic, or perhaps the Protestant Episcopal must, therefore, be the denomination for him to seek aid from, and he found out from the Minghinis and the McSherrys that a certain Father Cahill, who used robes such as he had seen in the dream, would, on a certain day, be at Shepherdstown, about ten miles away, to hold Catholic service. They promised Livingstone an introduction to the priest, and on the day specified they accompanied their unhappy neighbor to the church meeting. At the first sight, Livingstone recognized in Father Cahill the minister he had seen in the dream, and falling on his knees and with tears streaming down his cheeks, begged to be relieved from the thralldom of the evil one. Having been questioned by the priest, he gave the whole history, including the unkindness to the stranger guest. Father Cahill, who was a jovial, big-fisted Irishman, alive as the Lutheran minister had been, to the absurdity of the whole affair, tried to convince the sufferer that he was merely the victim of some malicious practical jokers of his neighborhood. It was all in vain, however, to try to dispel Livingstone's fears, and for sheer pity and, perhaps, Irishman-like, not being averse to a shindy even with the devil himself, the good father consented to accompany Livingstone home, and do all he could to relieve him. At that time a Catholic priest was something heard of with awe and superstitious dread in Virginia, but very rarely seen there, and it is likely that the perpetrators of the outrage on the hapless family were themselves victims of an unreasonable fear of something that was formidable only from its rarity and from attributes that existed only in their own ignorant and untrained imaginations. Anyway, it is recorded that never after the visit of Father Cahill were the diabolical scissors heard, and from that time peace again reigned in the Livingstone household, but the name of "Wizard Clip" still clings to the village and, it is to be hoped, that the legend will not be allowed to die out for, laugh as we may at those old time tales, they have a charm for even the most prosaic and skeptical. John Brown's fort is lost, forever, to Virginia, but it is a matter for thankfulness that, while brick and mortar can be disposed of to satisfy the love of gain, the traditions of a people cannot be converted into money and that sentiment cannot be sold by the square foot. Land-marks are more easily destroyed than folklore.

In gratitude to Father Cahill, Livingstone before his death deeded to the Catholic church thirty-four acres of land, and this tract is what has ever since been named "The Priest's Field." The clergy of that faith, however, renounce all claim to the place because, no doubt, they felt that nothing in the spiritual ministration of Father Cahill contributed or was intended by him to contribute towards the object Livingstone had in view--the expulsion of a veritable demon. Father Cahill, like the Lutheran minister, went to the house merely as a friend and not in the character of an exorciser of a real spirit and, if the rascals who so cruelly tormented their harmless neighbor were more afraid of the priest than of the other minister, with whom they were no doubt familiar, it was no reason why a claim should be set up by the former of superior influence with Heaven. Mr. McSherry and Mr. Minghini were made trustees of the property, but by common consent, the land was left with the Minghinis and it is now theirs by prescription, perhaps. In the county clerk's office in Charlestown, Jefferson county, West Virginia, can be seen the deed made by Livingstone and wife to Denis Cahill, the supposed exorciser of the fiend. It will be found in Book No. 1 of the County Records, and it conveys the title to thirty-four acres of land--"The Priest's Field"--to Father Cahill and his successors. Our esteemed friend Clerk Alexander will be glad to show it to anyone curious to see it. The deed is dated February 21st, 1802.

Within about eight miles of Harper's Ferry is a sleepy hamlet which has quite a history in connection with several prominent men of the Revolution. It is called Leetown, and it has been heretofore mentioned in this history as the scene of a brisk skirmish in the war of the rebellion. As before noted in this book, it got its name from General Charles Lee who, after the censures incurred by him for his conduct at the battle of Monmouth, buried himself here in gloomy seclusion. Very near this village is also a house occupied by General Horatio Gates, of more honorable fame in our war for independence, and still another revolutionary general--Darke--lived in the immediate neighborhood of the place. So, then, a sauntering tourist might spend a little time pleasantly enough in visiting the neighborhood. It is but a few minutes' drive from "Wizard Clip" and a curiosity seeker might easily take in many noteworthy sights in the course of a day's jaunt from Harper's Ferry. About five miles north of Leetown and in the immediate neighborhood of the battlefield of Antietam, is Shepherdstown, which is, or at least ought to be known to fame, as the home of James Rumsey who, it has been pretty clearly proven, was the first to apply steam power to purposes of navigation. On the Potomac, at Shepherdstown or Mecklenburg, as it was then called, was the first experiment made of propelling a boat by steam power, and the trial was made with success by Rumsey. In his life-time he was regarded by his acquaintances as a visionary, if not a decided maniac, but time has vindicated him, although the honor of the invention has been generally assumed to belong to others. There can be but little doubt that Rumsey anticipated all the other claimants for the fame of the invention, although with them, too, it may be said to be original, as they probably knew nothing of Rumsey or what he had accomplished. Shepherdstown has a war record, also, for in a day or two after the battle of Antietam, a detachment of federal troops having crossed the Potomac into Virginia at the ford near the town, they were badly defeated by a force of the rebel army that attacked them unexpectedly.

Some ten or twelve years ago, a stranger arrived at Harper's Ferry and, without letting any one know what his business was, he purchased a pick and shovel, hired a horse and buggy, and drove up the Potomac taking the implements with him. He proceeded towards Shepherdstown, appearing to be very familiar with the road. When he arrived within a mile of the latter place, he halted, tied his horse to something available and looked around inquiringly. It took him but a short time to find what he wanted, for in a few minutes he approached a large tree and plied vigorously his pick and then his shovel around the roots. His labor was not in vain, for soon he exposed to view a fair sized box which he immediately transferred to the buggy, and at once returned to Harper's Ferry, without deigning to satisfy the curiosity of some parties who were attracted to the spot by the sight of him at work. It is generally supposed that he himself had buried a considerable treasure at the place while he was hard pressed by enemies at some time while the late war was in progress, and that, deeming it safe, and not being much in want of money, he had left it in its concealment for nearly thirty years. Some advanced the dream theory--that, in his sleep he had a vision of the buried treasure, but the stranger kept his own counsel and departed on the next railroad train for parts unknown.

THE ENCHANTER'S WHEEL.

Starting from the railroad bridge at Harper's Ferry and running northwest, with the railroad track for six miles to Duffield's Station, is a region that has ever been the home of wizards, witches and all kinds of adepts in occult lore, besides being a favorite resting place for gypsy caravans. The construction of the railroad many years ago was the first interruption to the dreams of magic, and, then, the civil war, with its very practical ideas and, above all, perhaps, the subsequent introduction of free schools have completed the delivery of the worthy inhabitants from the very galling yoke of many professors of the black art--African and Caucasian--who profited in money and reputation by the fears they excited and the fees they received for cures or immunity. In justice, it must be stated that the whites, mostly of German origin, were generally of a benevolent character and that the practice of their art was always directed to counteract the malevolence of the negroes who seldom devoted their mystic knowledge to any good purpose, especially where any member of their own race was concerned. They always appeared to have an instinctive dread of the superior race and were shy of practising on the white man, unless under very strong temptation. The gypsies alone keep alive the old order of things, appearing to have nobody to punish and every one to reward with a rich wife or a gallant husband for the trifle of crossing the sibyl's palm with a piece of silver. Indeed, they are not charged with molesting the person or property of any one. On the contrary, they are ever invoking the blessings of Venus, on the conditions above mentioned. Time has in no way changed their habits.

Two generations ago great was the fame of the professors--white and black--but now it is difficult to get any one of either color, unless some octogenarian, to relate what used to occur in the olden times. They appear to be afraid of the imputation of superstition. In this way many interesting and even poetic legends are likely to be lost.

Of the white seers the most renowned was the miller--John Peacher--a Pennsylvania Dutchman. He was a man of excellent reputation, and the only people who had any complaint to make of him were the evil doers, especially the thieves. It was useless for a thief to steal anything from John Peacher, for it had to be returned, and by the culprit himself, in broad daylight. Peacher's friends, too, if they reported to him any loss were merely told to wait a little for the stolen article. So, neither Peacher nor his friends ever complained to a law officer of any losses, feeling very certain that the missing would return. In consequence, it was no unusual sight to see seated on a fence near Peacher's mill, or the house of one of the miller's neighbors, a man, nearly always a negro, with a bundle of some kind tied up to suit the contents. There the visitor sat until late evening, if not asked to get off the fence and tell his business. Even then, it was with extreme difficulty that he could get off his perch, and some were known to invoke the assistance of the proprietor to =unfasten them=. The man was sure to be a thief, and the bundle always contained the stolen article, which was laid at the feet of the lawful owner--the proprietor of the place--Peacher or some one of his friends who had reported to him a robbery. On one occasion a wagoner on his way to Georgetown drove his team past Peacher's place and abstracted from a wagon that belonged to Peacher some part of the gearing, with which he proceeded to Georgetown, fifty-seven miles distant. Peacher soon discovered the loss but, as usual, he "lay low" and waited for the certain issue. In a few days a man was seen to approach Peacher's place early in the morning afoot and carrying an apparently heavy load. When he reached Peacher's gate, he climbed one of the posts and rested his load on the fence nearby. No one questioned him, for Peacher and his domestics recognized the articles, the loss of which was known to them from the time of the theft, and the presumption was that the man was the guilty one. There the culprit sat without a word until the benevolent Peacher thought that the penitent might be hungry and sufficiently humbled. Peacher invited the stranger to get off and come into the house to get something to eat, but the hapless thief was glued, as it were, to the seat and not 'till Peacher chose to break the spell could the crestfallen victim get off his perch. He then confessed his guilt and told how his conscience did not trouble him a bit until he reached Georgetown with his plunder, when some impulse forced him to leave his team in the city and walk back, carrying the stolen articles, instead of waiting for his regular return trip to make restitution. After his meal he commenced his journey back, afoot, to the city for his team and in some time after rode past Peacher's place on his home trip, but did not stop. How Peacher worked his charms he never revealed, except that he said he had a wheel by the turning of which, as the case demanded, he effected his wonderful exploits at thief-catching. The wheel he never exhibited. For many years after his death there was a common phrase in the neighborhood, "I'll introduce you to Peacher's wheel," whenever any one was suspected of knavish practices--especially a child or a superstitious person. It would take more space than we have allotted to ourselves to relate a tenth of the exploits of Peacher with his magic wheel.

THE WITCH'S OVERSIGHT.

Of an entirely different type as to nationality, color and moral standing, was Jesse Short, a disreputable negro scamp who enjoyed an immense reputation for powers of mischief, and who got credit for nearly every mysterious thing that occurred in the neighborhood, if only it was of a disreputable kind. Nearly all of the houses had low porches at their front doors, and the very narrow spaces underneath were enclosed with lattice work, so close that a robin could scarcely force himself inside and, if he could, he had very scant room to hop for a little exercise. It often happened, however, that in the early morning the ears of the family were greeted with the bleats or grunts of a well grown sheep or porker belonging to some neighbor that had found its way or for which a way had been found, in some uncannie manner to enter, and which had to crouch very low to find room for itself. But although an entrance had been found for it, there was no exit until the porch was torn down. All this and many other such pranks were put to the credit of Jesse until he enjoyed a fame equal to that of Michael Scott, and was the great terror of the country all 'round. Like John Peacher of better character, he performed too many feats for recital in this modest-sized book, but we will relate one that was witnessed, and is vouched for by at least two parties of unexceptionable character, who are still living, one of them being the victim of Jesse's unholy practices, who can still exhibit marks left on her person by the wizard's touch.

Jesse was a slave on the Miller estate, about four miles northwest of Harper's Ferry. Near this plantation was another owned and occupied by John Engle, a pious, God-fearing man, some of whose children are yet alive. As far as we know there are two--Mr. James Engle and his sister, Mrs. Margaret Moler. When these were very young children, their father owned or hired a colored girl to whom our hero, Jesse, desired to pay attentions and with this view, often visited Mr. Engle's house. Mr. Engle, however, positively forbade those visits on account of Jesse's very bad reputation. It was supposed that our hero was deeply offended at this exclusion from the company of his lady-love, and secretly vowed vengeance, although his countenance and general bearing towards the Engle family did not betray his real feeling. One day he visited the house, ostensibly to convey some message from his master. While he was waiting for a return message, Margaret, the five year old daughter of Mr. Engle, who is now the widow of a Mr. John Moler, passed close to him. The negro patted the child and appeared to have a desire to ingratiate himself with her, but the little girl screamed wildly as soon as his hand touched her, and she showed the utmost horror of him. Her screams continued until she got into fits and the greatest difficulty was experienced in restoring her temporarily to her normal condition. But the little one was not the same from that time. Day by day she failed, lost appetite and could not get natural sleep. In a month she was reduced from a hale, hearty and lively child to a mere spiritless skeleton, and hope of her recovery was almost abandoned. At that time regular physicians were not as plentiful as they are now, and old mammies of either color were mostly depended on, especially in cases of ailing children. The Engle family were then, as they are now, among the most respectable in Jefferson county, and, from regard for them as well as for natural sympathy, every mother in the neighborhood and every skillful woman aided in trying to restore the poor child, but in vain. When the little tot was almost exhausted somebody remembered that across the Potomac, in Maple swamp, a place inhabited in a great measure by half-breeds descended from the Indians, lived a certain Mrs. Mullin, whose fame for occult knowledge was wide-spread. Indeed, she was a power even among the professors themselves. To her as a last resort the parents of the child appealed. The benevolent old lady responded at once, and crossed the Potomac on her mission of charity. She took the child on her knee, without the least repugnance on the part of the little girl. What mystic words or rites the old lady used, tradition does not say, but she took from her pocket a pair of scissors and with deliberation clipped the nails from the fingers of the child--from all but one finger--and herein lies the wonder, for the child at once began to improve and, as we have before mentioned, is still alive and hearty at an advanced age, with the full use of all her limbs, except that one finger, the nail of which Mrs. Mullin failed to clip. That finger is crooked and that one alone. It has never been straight since that day, about seventy-five years ago, when Mrs. Mullin, either by accident or design, failed to treat it as she treated its fellows. It never pains her, however, and merely gives a sign of something designed to be a mystery. Mrs. Mullin, as far as we know, never tried to rectify the omission or make any explanation.

THE REMORSEFUL DOG.

About half way between Duffield's and Shenandoah Junction, on the south side of the B. & O. railroad, and very close to it, is to be seen the grave of General Darke, heretofore mentioned as one of the famous men of the Revolution, who once lived in that region which is embraced in the present county of Jefferson, and whose homes were very close to Harper's Ferry. General Darke is the hero of the neighborhood, and many of the best people of Jefferson county, are proud of the kinship to him, which they claim. His personal history would, indeed, read like a romance, but our proposed limits forbid us the pleasure of giving it in detail. We will merely relate one of his adventures and a curious tale told of a dog belonging to him that figured in connection with his master's story. We have but the general's own words to prove the truth of most of the tale, but he was a man of undoubted veracity and, besides, he had no motive for inventing the story. We have heretofore given an account of great sagacity manifested by a dog owned by Colonel Lewis Washington and, as the farms on which the dogs were born are but a short distance apart, it is probable that General Darke's dog was a remote ancestor of that of Colonel Washington, and that the extraordinary intelligence they both displayed was a family trait. The exact period of our legend is unknown, but it probably was a few years after the Revolution.

General Darke then lived near the spot where he now rests from his life's work, surrounded by many of his veterans and relatives, by whom he was much revered. The general, like the great majority of men, was fond of a good dog, and was very jealous of the fame as well as careful of the bodies of his dumb favorites of that species, which he kept around him. One dog was his 'special pet. Tradition does not tell what breed he belonged to or his name, as it does in the case of Colonel Washington's "Bob"--neither does it inform us of his caudal advantages or deficiencies. Indeed, in the case of "Bob" there is no need, yet awhile, to question tradition, for we all, whose hair is gray, knew him, that is all of us who in 1859 were acquainted with the hospitable home of the colonel.

One day one of the general's neighbors complained to him that his--the neighbor's--meat house had frequently of late been robbed and that, having watched many nights for the thief, he had at last got ocular demonstration that the general's favorite dog was the culprit. The general would not deny the fact of the robbery, but he plainly denied the guilt of his dog and, although the complainant was a man of the utmost respectability, the general still stood up for his humble friend. An agreement was finally made that the general himself should watch--which he did and, besides, every night he barricaded the room in which the dog used to sleep, and left the animal not the least chance, as he thought, to leave the house without permission. The master kept listening, too, for any sound from the dog's room that would indicate an effort to escape, and for some nights he heard just enough noise to prove that the dog was in his proper place. One night, however, he thought the stillness unnatural, and his suspicion was aroused. He entered the dog's room and found it vacant. He also found a hole either in the wall of the room or at the foundation, through which it was easy to make a noiseless escape. The general at once started in pursuit and encountered the dog on the way from the neighbor's meat house whither the master's suspicions led him. The dog had a large piece of meat in his mouth, which he at once dropped on recognizing his owner, and then made a hasty retreat out of sight. Of course, the general made all the apologies due from him to his wronged friend, and the trouble between them was forever ended. The dog, however, was never again seen in that neighborhood.

In some years after General Darke had occasion to travel to Ohio. He made the journey on horseback, the only method at that time. One night he took lodging at a lonely inn among the wilds of the Alleghany Mountains. On alighting he noticed several suspicious-looking men lounging around, but the general was a brave man and, besides, he had no choice, so he remained at the house. He kept awake all night, however, but he was not molested. Next morning he started to continue his journey, but he had not advanced far before a very rough-looking man jumped from behind a fence and ordered him to halt. At the same time a dog bounded from the same direction to the road, and at once caught the assailant by the throat and dragged him to the ground, holding on with a death grip to that peculiarly dangerous part of the human anatomy to be seized by. Whether the man was killed or not tradition does not say, but he was rendered hors de combat. The general recognized in the dog his own former pet, but the dog again fled from before the face of his old master, by whom he was never again seen. The general returned to the inn, reported the affair to the landlord and made special inquiries about the dog. All he could learn was that the animal had appeared at the inn a long time before, and that, the family having taken a liking to the stray, it was allowed to remain. The dog was not to be seen at the inn at least, until the general departed finally, nor is it known that he ever did return and, as far as we know, he was never again seen by any of his old acquaintances.

* * * * *

Harper's Ferry has always been noted for the number of ministers of religion it has produced. It would be impossible to name all of them in view of the limit we have set for ourselves. A few, however, whom we ourselves have taught and prepared for learned professions, we feel justified in mentioning. They are Fathers Edward Tearney, James T. O'Farrell and John Bowler, of the Catholic church; the Reverend McFadden brothers--John, Harry and Frank; the Reverend C. B. Price and the Reverend A. S. Yantis--the last five of various Protestant denominations. We are proud of those boys, their genuine piety, their learning and the great good they are reported as doing. No bigots are they who can see no good in anybody that differs from them, but they found their belief and their life-practise on the glorious "Sermon on the Mount" and have a good word for everybody. This is the way to win souls to God, and they have found it.

Various eminent men, not natives of the place, however, have served in the ministry at Harper's Ferry. The Rt. Rev. J. J. Kain, the present Arch-Bishop of St. Louis, and the Rt. Rev. A. Vandevyver, Bishop of Richmond, were formerly priests in charge of the Catholic church there. The venerable Dr. Dutton of the Presbyterian church also served there and was the hero of a remarkable adventure in the great flood of 1870, which we have noted elsewhere. The last mentioned there were held in extraordinary honor. Many believe that the coming great man of the Catholic church in America is Bishop Vandevyver, of Richmond. He is certainly one of God's noblemen.

There are now serving in the ministry at Harper's Ferry the Reverend Messrs. Marsh of the M. E. Church, and Sullivan and Farring of the M. P. Church, also, the Reverend Father Collins, Catholic priest. We have not the pleasure of much acquaintance with any of those gentlemen, but they are, we know, men of very high character. Father Collins' father we knew well--a better man never lived and we take him for a guarantee for his son's excellence. We have been thrown a good deal into company with the Reverend J. D. Miller of the Protestant Episcopal church, and in our judgment, he is a gentleman of profound learning and a high degree of polish and amiability. We always listen with high pleasure to his conversation, the more so because he never tries to convince his hearers that he "knows it all," although it is plain that he knows a great deal, and that the day is not far off when he will make a very distinguished mark. He is making it now.

In giving the names of Harper's Ferry-born clergymen we might have mentioned Father William Lynch, pastor of the Catholic church at Roanoke, Virginia, who, if not quite a native of Harper's Ferry came very near having that claim on us. He was born and brought up at Halltown, within four miles of Harper's Ferry, and those four miles deprived the ancient village of the honor of being his birthplace, and us of the credit his education would have conferred on us. He is, however, regarded by us as one of our own, and the author is as glad of the great success the good father has met and is meeting with as if he himself had made him as he made the others. From this rather extended notice of the ministers of religion to the credit of Harper's Ferry it must not be inferred that the place is not entitled to the honor of having produced other men of marked ability who adorn other professions. Some sixty years ago was born in Bolivar, a suburb of the place, the Hon. E. Willis Wilson, an eminent lawyer of Charleston-on-the-Kanawha. The civil war broke out just at the time when he had got a fair education and his studies were, of course, interrupted for a time. His native energy, however, was too much for any obstacle and as soon as the reverberation of the cannons ceased around his native place, he went to work at the study of law, entered politics, and was chosen to fill various places of honor and trust until he was elected governor of West Virginia, and was inaugurated on the same day that saw the same ceremony for President Cleveland. The election of Governor Wilson was the more remarkable for the violent opposition to him on the part of all the monopolies in the state and his was a triumph for the right as well as for himself. His administration was a model one and as he is young enough for further usefulness, the people of West Virginia will not lose sight of him.

Another native of the place has risen to eminence in the law. The Hon. James D. Butt was brought up under some disadvantages in the matter of education, caused by the civil war but, as he was young enough at the cessation of hostilities to resume his interrupted studies, he made up for lost time. He is now Referee in the Bankruptcy Court of his native district.

In medicine, too, Harper's Ferry has many sons to be proud of. William, George and Robert Marmion, three sons of Dr. Nicholas Marmion, were themselves famous physicians and surgeons, especially in diseases of the eye and ear. The second--George--died some two years ago, but the oldest--William--is still practising in Washington City, and ranks among the very highest in the profession. The youngest--Robert--is in the U. S. Navy. They were all our pupils in the long past.

Another pupil of ours is Dr. Joseph Tearney, now employed by the B. & O. railroad. He has practised a good deal at this, his native place, and, although he is yet a young man, he has, and justly has the reputation of possessing wonderful skill in his profession. Personally, he is emphatically a "good fellow" with a big, generous heart, as is well known to many a needy patient. So, with his acknowledged ability, the confidence he inspires, and the magnetism that draws every one to him, he cannot fail to become a veritable celebrity. And he, too, was a pupil of ours. He never forgets the old tie and the "old man" is very much the better for the remembrance.

We would be ungrateful indeed if we forgot Drs. Howard and Claude Koonce, young physicians, natives of Harper's Ferry and two of our old pupils. They are sons of Mr. George Koonce, prominent in the politics of West Virginia. They stand very highly in their profession and are whole-hearted young men.

* * * * *

1871-1903

ESTABLISHED 32 YEARS

JOHN W. BISHOP

WHOLESALE GROCER AND MERCHANT MILLER

MARTINSBURG,--WEST VA.

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Dime Museum

If you fail to see SPENCER'S DIME MUSEUM when visiting Historical Harper's Ferry, you will have missed an opportunity that you will ever regret. Having had a mania for

RELICS

at a very early age much valuable time in fifty years has been spent in collecting the largest private collection in the United States.

Traveling Salesmen, Tourists, and Strangers generally have expressed their surprise upon viewing such

=An Immense Aggregation=

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T. M. CONNER, Prop. A. A. LAMON, Clerk

=HOTEL CONNER=

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Steam Heat Artesian Water Electric Lights Electric Call Bells Hot and Cold Baths Good Meals AMERICAN PLAN

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_=THIS HOTEL=_ Has just been completely renovated throughout, is located in the business part of the town and convenient to trains :: :: ::

=HARPER'S FERRY= WEST VIRGINIA

BALTIMORE AND OHIO'S MAIN LINE THROUGH HARPERS FERRY WAS A MUCH FOUGHT-OVER PRIZE IN CIVIL WAR DAYS

On October 17, 1859, John Brown and his small band of followers, swooped down on Harpers Ferry. The B & O right-of-way was the scene of the first fighting and two railroad employees were among the first casualties. Upon arrival of the eastbound night passenger express at Harpers Ferry the train was surrounded by a cordon of riflemen. In the darkness a shot was fired and Station Porter Haywood Sheppard fell, dying. During the wild firing Station Master Beckham also was killed.

When word of this incident reached the B & O President, John W. Garrett, he immediately notified the Secretary of War. To quell the uprising, a detachment of ninety Marines, under Colonel Robert E. Lee, was sent to the scene. The Abolitionist leader, and his followers, were captured after a pitched battle, and Brown was tried and hanged on December 2, 1859.

Because the Baltimore & Ohio was the main east-west link available to the Government for the movement of its soldiers, the B & O carried much military freight and many troops during the Civil War years. At the start of the war the railroad operated almost normally, running through areas held by both armies. But, as the battles progressed, there were frequent interruptions to rail service and repeated damage to B & O tracks and equipment.

The record of the Civil War disaster, from 1861 to 1865, was unequaled by the history of any other private industry in America. That the railroad's engineers and workmen rebuilt the road in the face of enemy gunfire is a memorable tribute to their skill and courage.

After the end of hostilities, thousands of troops traveled over the full length of the B & O main line, from Washington, D. C. to Parkersburg, W. Va., where they boarded steamers for Cincinnati, Louisville and other river cities.

1958 Patrons

Mrs. S. Hawpe Adams Leesburg, Va. Geraldine (Kern) Basore Frederick, Md. Mrs. Irene McFaden Benjamin Lewisburg, W. Va. Anne Hobbs Betts Alexandria, Va. Raymond Bresnahan (grandson Capt. Chas. Briggs) Hinsdale, Ill. Capt. Charles Briggs Hinsdale, Ill. Roy Spencer Butts (nephew Fannie Baden Loman) Bolivar, W. Va. Mrs. James F. Cassell Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Chas. Joshua Cavalier, Sr. Bolivar, W. Va. Chas. Joshua Cavalier, Jr. Shepherdstown, W. Va. Cyrus Wakefield Cavalier Harpers Ferry, W. Va. David Taylor Cavalier Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Frank Schilling Cavalier Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Kenneth Kemp Cavalier Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Kenneth Kemp Cavalier, Jr. Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Mary Ann Ridenour Cavalier Bolivar, W. Va. *Mary Kemp Cavalier Bolivar, W. Va. *Sarah E. Cavalier Bolivar, W. Va. *Miss Alvernon Cross Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Col. Cutshaw Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mary Cavalier Dalgarn Washington, D. C. Dorothy Nunnamaker Davis Richmond, Va. *Atty. Raymond C. Dickey Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Cassandra C. Dittmeyer Bolivar, W. Va. *C. Victor Dittmeyer Bolivar, W. Va. *George Dittmeyer Bolivar, W. Va. *Walter E. Dittmeyer Bolivar, W. Va. Mrs. C. E. Dudrow Bolivar, W. Va. Mrs. Castilinia Allstadt Elder Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Will Erwin Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Aileen O'Boyle Evans Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Fishbaugh Washington, D. C. Isabel (Kern) Flannagan Bakerton, W. Va. *Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Dowden Furtney Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Thomas William Geary Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Sergeant-Major William Joseph Geary (1st. W.W. U.S.M.C.) Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Claudia Furtney Geary Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Miss Elizabeth Geary Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Marie Bresnahan Gillingham Washington, D. C. *Miss Jessie Graham Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Laura Chambers Griffin Clarksburg, W. Va. James Karl Grubb Bolivar, W. Va. *Capt. James W. Grubb Bolivar, W. Va. Mrs. Frank M. Harrison Baltimore, Md. Thomas Grove Henkle Halltown, W. Va. *Edward Higgins, Confederate Veteran Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Cora Rockenbaugh Icenhower Washington, D. C. Mrs. Walter Jenkins Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Eleanor Knott Johnson Alexandria, Va. *Clifford C. Johnson, M.D. Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Clifford C. Johnson Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Samuel Linden Johnson Alexandria, Va. Mrs. Cornelia Marquette Jones Bethesda, Md. *O. T. Kemp Bolivar, W. Va. *Charles Eugene Kern Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Edna Lee (Keyser) Kern Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Harry Eugene Kern Washington, D. C. Robert M. Knott Shepherdstown, W. Va. Marine Krepps Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Louise Rau Lawson Bolivar, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Leonard Harpers Perry, W. Va. Horace Chambers Littlejohn Leesburg, Va. Daisy E. Marks (granddaughter Richard Heafer) Bolivar, W. Va. Lillie Wentzell Marquette Silver Springs, Md. William V. Marmion, Jr. Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Mayme Burleigh Marquette Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Fred H. Mauzy Bolivar, W. Va. *Dr. Henry T. McDonald Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Henry T. McDonald Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *George Leferve Marten Shepherdstown, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. J. Allan Millar Washington, D. C. Miss Frances L. Millard Orange, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Preston S. Millard Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. Preston S. Millard, Jr. Alexandria, Va. Miss Beatrice Miskimmon (Sponseller and Beale) Bolivar, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Moler Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Miss Mary V. Moler Washington, D. C. Miss Nina E. Moler Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Evan A. Nason Andover, Mass. Lewis Duke Nichols (great-nephew Todd Duke, Supt. of Arsenal) Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Louise Allstadt Watson Nichols (great-granddaughter John Allstadt, one of Brown's hostages) Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Harold Nunnamaker (grandson "Yank" Nunnamaker) Richmond, Va. *J. Walter O'Boyle Bolivar, W. Va. *Daniel O'Boyle Bolivar, W. Va. Margaret Schilling Parlon Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert E. Perry Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Perry (Hildred Marlatt) Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Dr. and Mrs. John L. Perry, Jr. Houston, Texas Nancy Cavalier Perry Charles Town, W. Va. Thorton Tayloe Perry Charles Town, W. Va. Mrs. Lucas Phillips Leesburg, Va. Edna May (Kern) Ramey Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Grace Sponseller Littleton Ramsdell Bolivar, W. Va. Mrs. Briscoe Baldwin Ranson, nee Yantis Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Mrs. Mary Conway Rau Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *W. O. Rau Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mina Krepps Rau Bolivar, W. Va. Mrs. William Reed, nee Dorothy Jones Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Elinor Virginia Rider Halltown, W. Va. Mrs. Mary Brackett Robertson Washington, D. C. Mrs. Norman C. Rogers, nee Ranson Alexandria, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ross Tazewell, Va. *J. Frank Schilling Bolivar, W. Va. *Carrie Gertrude Schilling Bolivar, W. Va. *Oliver Raymond Schilling Pittsburgh, Pa. Margaret Rodgers Schilling Pittsburgh, Pa. Robert Rodgers Schilling Pittsburgh, Pa. Amos Beaty Sharps Lumberport, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. John T. Shirley (Gladys Marlatt) Cumberland, Md. Mrs. Frank Eugene Shugart Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Edward Lee Smallwood Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Briscoe Smith Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Dorothy (Kern) Strouse Ranson, W. Va. *Mrs. Mary O'Bierne Sullivan Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Catharine Beck Tatten Pittsburgh, Pa. *Norman T. Thayer Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Strother Watson, nee Eackles Bolivar, W. Va. George L. Weber Bolivar, W. Va. *Gov. Willis Wilson Bolivar, W. Va. *Father William Winston Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Hugh A. Winters St. Davids, Pa. *Paul Eugene Winters Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Sue K. Winters Falls Church, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur A. Winters Alexandria, Va. DeWitt Wentzell Zook Silver Springs, Md. Mrs. Everett K. Clark (Nellie Marlatt) Chicago, Ill. Clarence E. Marlatt North Mountain, W. Va. *Charles E. Marlatt Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *William H. Marlatt Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mrs. Monroe B. Hallman (Ruth Marlatt) Ogden Dunes, Gary, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Hough Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Dr. W. E. Perry Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Lt. Gilbert E. Perry, Jr., U.S.A.F. U.S.M.A. 1946. 1924-1946 Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Kate Strider Stanley Charles Town, W. Va. Loretta (Kern) Thompson Charles Town, W. Va. Leon Edwards Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Charles W. Powers Cabin John, Md. Charles Lee Kern Alexandria, Va. John Louis Beck Cleveland, Ohio *Mrs. Julia D. Littlejohn Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Clifton W. Littlejohn Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Chambers Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Miss Kate Chambers Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Miss Jennie Chambers Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Miss Martha Chambers Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Forrest C. Littlejohn Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. *Mary Sites Littlejohn Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. *Forrest C. Littlejohn, Jr. Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. *Paul V. Littlejohn Roanoke, Va. Betty Lou Cavalier

* Deceased

Patrons and Advertisers

Added in 1959

*Mrs. Charles E. Marlatt (Wilmoth Headley) Heathsville, Va. *Mrs. R. Booth Eubank Dunnsville, Va. *Walter W. Winters Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Edwin G. Winters Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *C. Edgar Dudrow Bolivar, W. Va. *Mary Emma Dudrow Bolivar, W. Va. *Joseph H. Renner Bolivar, W. Va. *Prudence Williams Renner Bolivar, W. Va. *Rezin Shirley Rockenbaugh Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Laura Renner Rockenbaugh Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Wanda R. Young Bolivar, W. Va. *Joseph J. Young Bolivar, W. Va. *William P. Grove Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Edna W. Grove Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Charles Marvin Smith Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *J. Lyle Eackles Bolivar, W. Va. *Alfred and Sarah Burton (Fair) Bolivar, W. Va. *Gus and Hattie Burton Stewart Bolivar, W. Va. *Hallie Edna Stewart Bolivar, W. Va. *Ethel T. Stewart Washington, D. C. Chauncey Burton Stewart Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Burton Stewart Takoma Park, Md. Lt. and Mrs. Robert A. Stewart Kansas City, Mo. Howard H. Stewart Washington, D. C. Cadet Donald E. Stewart West Point, N. Y. *Mary Elizabeth Wilson (Kirby) Bolivar, W. Va. *William Fitzgerald Wilson (One of John Brown's prisoners) Agnes Burleigh Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Louise Burleigh Thompson Charles Town, W. Va. Katheryn Burleigh Pope Harpers Ferry, W. Va. John Burleigh Washington, D. C. *Thomas Burleigh, Jr. (son of Thomas Burleigh, Sr.) Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood Cauffman (Adelaide Naill) Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Cornelius M. Marquette Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Daisy Marquette Show Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Catherine Johns Myers Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. W. Clifton Butts (Anna M. Mauzy) Bolivar, W. Va. Wilma Wentzell Zook Chevy Chase, Md. *Mr. and Mrs. John Buckey Wentzell (Clara V. Rau) Bolivar, W. Va. *Alice Merrick Zook Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Blanche (Keyser) Wiseman Bolivar, W. Va. *Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Rau Bolivar, W. Va. *Charles R. Rau Bolivar, W. Va. *William Frederick Stuart Bolivar, W. Va. *Fannie Decker Stuart Washington, D. C. Edna Stuart Aubright Washington, D. C. *John A. Stuart Bolivar, W. Va. *James W. Marlatt Bolivar, W. Va. E. R. (Dolph) Sponsellar Bolivar, W. Va. *Clara Burton Sponsellar Bolivar, W. Va. L. Marie Sponsellar Martin Chevy Chase, Md. *Levi Winbert Decker (Confederate Soldier) Bolivar, W. Va. *Frances Ardella Decker Bolivar, W. Va. Fitzhugh Lee (Tobe) Decker York, Pa. Beulah Glenn Decker Kight Arlington, Va. Langdon Backus Armory House *Daniel Henry Nichols Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Lucy Shirley McFaden Nichols Harpers Ferry, W. Va. *Daniel Shirley Nichols Charles Town, W. Va. Rita Gaver-Nichols Charles Town, W. Va. Frances Minge Nichols Liddell New Orleans, La. Joseph McFadden Nichols Cumberland, Md. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene P. Andes West Newton, Pa. Rev. Alfred P. Collins Bolivar, W. Va. Catherine Butts Collins Bolivar, W. Va. Nina Filler Butts Bolivar, W. Va. *Mr. and Mrs. Kirby L. Frye Bolivar, W. Va. H. L. Jones Bolivar, W. Va. *Capt. George W. Chambers Bolivar, W. Va. *Frances Cutshaw Chambers Bolivar, W. Va.

=STORER COLLEGE=

=The oldest school for colored students in W. Va. Established 1867. Coeducational, Academic, State Normal, Music and Industrial Departments=

Beautiful site, ample buildings, fine libraries, a healthful atmosphere and strong faculty make this college an excellent educational institution for colored youth.

Write for catalogue

=HENRY T. McDONALD, A. M., President= =N. C. BRACKETT, Ph. D., Treasurer=

Added in 1959

=BOLIVAR METHODIST CHURCH=

=A Century of Christian Science=

=Dedicated Sept. 26th, 1849=

The final resting place of an unknown Union Soldier, who, wounded and alone, found shelter under the walls of this Church during the bitter fighting of the Civil War.

=SAINT JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH=

=Harpers Ferry, West Virginia=

=Organized 1848=

=Pastor I. P. Smeltzer--1850=

=Pastor L. B. Williamson--1959=

=Basement of Church used as hospital during Civil War=

=CAMP HILL METHODIST CHURCH=

Historic Camp Hill Methodist Church was organized in 1830, and received its name from many camps situated on hill under command of General Pinkney in 1799. Services have been held continuously, except 1861-65 because of the Civil War. 1867 work started on the present building by Rev. Jeremiah Clay. Mr. Derrett Coates, loyal member, lost his life while trying to obtain brick from the armory yard. 1948 the late Mr. Charles Smith financed the remodeling to the present building.

=ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, HARPERS FERRY=

Began with five communicants, with Rev. Dr. Andrews, Rector of Shepherdstown, holding service twice a month, first in the old Temperance Hall, and later in the Armory Office. Admitted into the Diocese in 1850. In 1853, 26 persons were confirmed. The old church, looking down upon the flowing waters of the two rivers was begun in 1851--completed and furnished in 1852. During the Civil War the Church was so badly wrecked only walls and roof remained. To Rev. Wm. T. Leavell, belongs the credit of gathering the scattered congregation. He secured from the Government, the lot, on which the rectory built in 1899 now stands. Old Church was re-built in 1882. A new site was obtained in the western part of town, a new church was erected. Cornerstone of new St. John's laid Nov. 1895. Consecrated by Bishop W. L. Gravatt, March 19, 1899. Rectory completed 1899.

=ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH=

Established as a mission by Father Dubois about 1792. Church built in 1830 and rebuilt in 1896. Only church in town to remain open for services throughout the Civil War.

Transcriber's Notes.

=Text= denotes bold in the original. _Text_ indicates italics in the original.

Variations in spacing, capitalization and hyphenation; variation in spellings of names between the main part of the text vs. the lists of patrons; variable spelling of "Alleghany" vs. "Allegheny"; missing towns in the lists of patrons; the ordering of the chapter title before the chapter number in Chapter II; and lack of chapter title in Chapter I are as per the original.

Errors in punctuation have been corrected without note. The following typographic errors have been corrected:

p. 8 contempt on the busy hive of men below (changed from "bleow") p. 9 to see one of them climb (changed from "clmb") p. 10 a crow's nest is a comparatively (changed from "compartively") p. 12 then unbroken wilderness to fulfill (changed from "fullfill") p. 14 that transpired in Mr. Harper's time (changed from "itme") p. 14 and another, though a less freshet (changed from "through") p. 15 and ninety-five acres on the Loudoun (changed from "Loudon") p. 19 into the streets in pursuit of some of (changed from "some or") p. 19 pursuit of some of his tormentors (changed from "tormenters") p. 19 charge an armorer for medical advice (changed from "advise") p. 20 from eastern Virginia, the ancestors (changed from "ancesters") p. 20 in 1810, by James Stubblefield (changed from "Stublefield") p. 22 man was named Robert W. Daugherty (changed from "Daughtery") p. 22 Young Daugherty was a scion of the (changed from "Daughtery") p. 25 Twice he had been honorably acquitted (changed from "acquited") p. 28 under him, on account of politics (changed from "poliics") p. 30 These restrictions were (changed from "restriction were") p. 31 do them justice. The octogenarian participants (changed from "octogenarians participants") p. 40 succeeded in lifting Chamberlain (changed from "Chamblain") p. 41 Chamberlain on the subject, but it is (changed from "is is") p. 44 Mr. Beckham was always much opposed (changed from "Beckman") p. 47 boarded at the house of Mr. Ormond (changed from "0rmond") p. 51 Mr. Thomas Boerly approached (changed from "approched") p. 52 passed on strongly impressed (changed from "impresssed") p. 53 history, like that of Pocahontas (changed from "Pocohontas") p. 53 gratefully remembered than that (changed from "that that") p. 58 holes kept up a brisk fusillade (changed from "fusilade") p. 58 Martinsburg; Mr. Young, of Charlestown (changed from "Charestown") p. 58 Shenandoah streets, where Mr. Boerly (changed from "Boerley") p. 59 enemy. He crept along the railroad (changed from "ralroad") p. 61 be none by them on the besiegers (changed from "beseigers") p. 63 Brown himself was wounded severely (changed from "severly") p. 63 This removal and reinterment accomplished (changed from "reinterrment accomplish-") p. 65 penknife or even with a minie (changed from "minnie") p. 65 he had, all along, communicated (changed from "communcated") p. 66 women and children rushed wildly (changed from "wildy") p. 67 not molest them. Sandy Hook (changed from "Hok") p. 70 succeeded in eluding the vigilance (changed from "viligance") p. 73 hoped that honest convictions (changed from "convections") p. 74 railroad passengers who, every day (changed from "everyday") p. 74 Henrie Kagi, Charles P. Tydd, Oliver (changed from "Oiver") p. 75 and helped to give to his aquiline (changed from "acquiline") p. 79 William Lehman, who (changed from "wh") p. 81 did not see the latter occurrence (changed from "occurence") p. 83 it was he that killed Mr. Boerly (changed from "Boerley") p. 85 Elsie Kreglow, of the District (changed from "Distict") p. 89 over him. Brown coolly (changed from "cooly") p. 93 dwelt on his extraordinary (changed from "extraodinary") p. 93 The sheriff--Campbell--who officiated (changed from "Cambell") p. 93 himself and the gallant nation of (changed from "of of") p. 94 ugly scars remained as mementos (changed from "mementoes") p. 94 without a scratch and succeeded (changed from "succeded") p. 95 and the following gentlemen (changed from "gentlement") p. 96 avoid disagreeable repetitions (changed from "repititions") p. 97 perhaps, by his consciousness (changed from "conciousness") p. 99 hands of the United States troops (changed from "State stroops") p. 100 many of those who participated (changed from "patricipated") p. 100 Kentucky and other southern (changed from "souther") p. 100 mostly of rough, Ohio boatmen (changed from "boastmen") p. 102 crowds of soldiers on the platform (changed from "plaform") p. 103 signal example of vengeance (changed from "vengence") p. 107 Henderson--wounding him severely (changed from "severly") p. 109 see the rapid demoralization (changed from "demorilization") p. 109 certain parties pursuing the thieves (changed from "theives") p. 110 learning this accomplishment so necessary or at least ("so necessary or at least" repeated in original) p. 111 day aiding Beauregard at Manassas (changed from "Manasas") p. 119 major's office. Many and various (changed from "varius") p. 120 property as the trestle buttresses (changed from "butresses") p. 121 suspicions, it is believed (changed from "belived") p. 123 Friday and Saturday, September (changed from "Septemeber") p. 125 foundation in fact, but is (changed from "is is") p. 127 spirit which he afterwards exhibited (changed from "exhibted") p. 128 superiors. He was a great (changed from "geat") p. 128 terror of sutlers (changed from "suttlers") p. 130 injuring any one, and then (changed from "the") p. 132 the State of Ohio a (changed from "as") p. 133 the protection of the Baltimore (changed from "Balitmore") p. 133 switch key, they transferred the (changed from "the the") p. 134 orders with the aggravation (changed from "aggravaton") p. 136 was surprised and taken prisoner (changed from "prsoner") p. 137 claim on the chronicles (changed from "chonicles") p. 138 hide himself in some bullet-proof (changed from "bullet-poof") p. 138 of General Lee at Appomattox (changed from "Appomatox") p. 139 would increase and, finally, a motley (changed from "motly") p. 140 a native of Hesse Darmstadt (changed from "Darmstdat") p. 142 theme of this little book will flourish (changed from "fourish") p. 144 of those three extraordinary (changed from "extraodinary") p. 145 Chief Justice Chase presiding at the (changed from "a tthe") p. 148 necessary to rebuild at Harper's (changed from "Haper's") p. 150 has no other merit, it commands (changed from "command") p. 150 best view of Harper's Ferry, to choose (changed from "chose") p. 153 to which he was clinging with (changed from "wth") p. 153 clinging with the proverbial (changed from "proverbal") p. 154 around it. At length, his (changed from "His") p. 159 mingled with hysterical screams from (changed from "form") p. 159 any exertion to save himself (changed from "hmself") p. 161 put in a sharp rejoinder (changed from "rejoiner") p. 163 when Mr. Williams and his (changed from "an dhis") p. 164 instances, the very foundations (changed from "foundatons") p. 164 their industry and unobtrusive (changed from "unobstrusive") p. 165 and the remains were forwarded (changed from "forwaded") p. 169 Munchausen immediately transferred (changed from "transfered") p. 170 did not suffer much from this flood (changed from "food") p. 173 by any victory for the canal company (changed from "comjany") p. 179 profession in West Virginia, Maryland (changed from "Marylang") p. 179 stranger called at Livingstone's (changed from "Livingtone's") p. 180 was listening to the conversation (changed from "conversaton") p. 187 and looked around inquiringly (changed from "inquriingly") p. 202 Dime Museum (changed from "Musuem") p. 202 If you fail to see SPENCER'S DIME MUSEUM (changed from "MUSUEM") p. 206 Louise Allstadt Watson Nichols (great-granddaughter) (changed from "great-grandaughter")