Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 29

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607

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The Valley Female College, which had its be- ginning at old Angerona, with Prof. Arbogast, principal. Dr. Hyde succeeding him, removed the school to Fort Hill, occupying the large prop- erty known as Fort Loudoun. Dr. Jno. P. Hyde, the principal having secured the fostering care of the Methodist Conference, it became very prosperous in its new quarters; and for many years Dr. Hyde was instrumental in securing a large patronage from his own church. While it was regarded as denominational in character and name, much liberality was shown, and sub- stantial support came from other quarters. Dr. Hyde's failing health, warned him to heed the advice of his physician, and he virtually closed the college. One or two efforts were made by others to continue the work; but it was soon evi- dent the master mind and hand had been with- drawn, and the college had to succumb. Dr. Hyde enjoys the honor, not only of being Chap- lain of Turner Ashby Camp, but Grand Chap- lain of the Grand Camp of Confederate Veter- ans of Virginia,-an office he fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to his old comrades. The affliction of impaired eyesight never prevents his attendance on all re-unions.

Winchester of to-day has another seminary that has become marvellously successful in its short history. This is Fort Loudoun Seminary. Two young ladies-graduates of old Fairfax Hall, and other colleges-Miss Glass and Miss Gold, inau-

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gurated this school in 1905; and chose the old Fort Loudoun property for their first efforts. Suc- cess attended every step; a liberal patronage was enjoyed the first session. Miss Katherine Glass, one of the principals, purchased the prop- erty, and proceeded to fit up the capacious build- ing according to her own plans and ideas. Her experience in other institutions noted for their equipment, qualified her for the task of produc- ing an attractive home for young ladies. These accomplished principals, with vigorous woman- hood to aid them, soon had a circle of instruc- tors equal to any, and an increase in attendance at each session. The high class of culture ob- served, and location, gives this seminary many advantages, and increasing hope for a brilliant fu- ture. It may be observed, so far as Miss Glass is concerned, she may properly attach some senti- ment to their location. Her ancestors started the town, James Wood, her maternal grandsire, being the first clerk of the county; and later, her other kinsman James Wood, Jr., was stationed at Fort Loudoun as a Colonel of the Virginia Line, and was afterwards Governor of Virginia. From the old bastions and parapets of the Fort, one views a full sweep of the Lower Valley, as he casts his eye along the horizon, where the outlines of seven counties can be traced; while in closer touch, the beautiful landscape-revealing the old homesteads, fertile valleys, green ridges and blue hillocks, a restful feeling pervades the soul of the beholder, and the exclamation comes, what a wondrous place Fort Loudoun seems for tutor and pupil !

The Public Schools

In treating of this branch of education in Fred- erick County, the writer feels called upon to of- fer some explanation of what is often called the Free School System in Virginia; and to endeav- or to correct erroneous impressions formed from what other writers have given to the public. For instance, one writer says: "Until the close of the Civil War, Virginia had no public school system. All were select schools, except here and there a school for the very poor known as the 'charity' school. These 'charity' schools were some- times kept up at the expense of the city or town where located, and sometimes established through the generosity of an individual; and none but extremely poor parents ever thought of sending their children to them, they being patronized mostly by orphans of very indigent persons." This is an unfortunate misrepresentation of the case. The writer can state there never was any such plan, or a "charity" school in Frederick Coun- ty, for the education of the class referred to. And a careful inquiry reveals none such in the State prior to the Civil War. The General As-

sembly, by Act passed February 25, 1846, laid the foundation for Free Schools in such counties as chose to avail themselves of the right. This law provided for the election in any county; when the qualified voters could decide for or against the free school, for said county: if in favor, the taxpayers to be assessed with a school tax equal to not more than fifty per cent. on the aggregate amount of the State revenue, county levy, etc. Free persons of color not to be as- sessed. When such fund was acquired, the school commissioners to open schools in the districts, where all children between six and twenty-one years, could enter and be educated at the expense of said fund, when in the judgment of the com- missioner, they were so entitled. Those not en- titled, would be required to pay six cents for each school day. This law was never in force to any great extent in the State. Clarke County tried it successfully for several years. Other counties ob- jected; and as it was not compulsory, four-fifths of them never tried the experiment.

There was no occasion for the Charity School. The class mentioned was provided for by an- other scheme; and children of the poor were never ostracized and shut off from other schools and society, as this writer emphatically states; and no such stigma should be allowed to pass un- noticed. It is true that the children of indigent parents were provided for, as we will show. The State of Virginia had in her treasury what was known as the "Literary fund;" and from this fund all the counties annually received their re- spective quotas, to be ascertained by what was known as the School Census, taken by a Com- missioner holding office in each county, who also was treasurer of the county fund. His report had to show the probable number of children that would require its use. There never was any dis- crimination made in any of the schools. All chil- dren attended the neighborhood school; and very seldom did any pupil know who would receive benefit from the Literary Fund. This was a mat- ter between the teacher and the commissioner, the former being paid a fixed sum for each day such pupils attended school. Joseph S. Carson was the commissioner for many years up to and prior to 1862. We must add also, what consti- tuted this Literary Fund. The foundation was laid just subsequent to the Revolutionary War ; and it is noticeable that the Civil War virtually ended the scheme. In consideration of Virginia ceding to the United States a large slice of her Western territory, the General Government was to pay annually a certain sum to the State, which she, by an Act of the General Assembly prior to 1811, constituted the Literary Fund-said fund to be used for certain well-defined educational

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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, FIRE COMPANIES

purposes. To this fund was added all revenues arising from sales of escheated lands and town lots, or personal effects of any estate liable as escheat. This Act was passed February 9th, 1814. The fund increased rapidly, and afforded a satis- factory method for the education of the class men- tioned. The Act of Assembly of 1819 provided that such children "shall with the assent of par- ents or guardian be sent to such school as may be convenient, to be taught reading, writing and arithmetic." This appears to have been a pretty liberal provision. We may add that it was in the same year 1819, that the University of Virginia was established, and $15,000 of this fund was used for erecting buildings, etc.

When the Civil War closed, the changed con- ditions of the State, with her new Constitution, provided for a free school system through spe- cial taxation. We may endorse freely the prin- ciple, though we condemn much of the mis- management, throughout the State; but in late years the subject has received more careful attention by our legislators; and rapid strides are now being made in this laudable work.

The Public School in Winchester is a model in its work; and from its introduction, it has made a good record.

The first school was in the basement of the Braddock Street M. E. Church, with Capt. J. C. Van Fossen as principal. The attendance jus- tified combining the schools for boys and girls, and for several years it was conducted at Fort Loudoun.

The Public School of Winchester at this writ- ing is conducted in the large four-story build- ing on the corner of Market and Cork Streets- with the several departments on each floor crowd- ed. This building was erected in 1883, cost- ing $20,000; and is known as the John Kerr School for White Children. Mr. Kerr donated about $10,000 for its erection, provided the city would supplement it with an equal amount. By the liberality of Mr. Kerr, it became possible for the city to possess the handsomest school edifice in the Valley; and under the efficient management of a Board of Trustees, the city enjoys unusual advantages under the Public School System. This school has the credit of

graduating young men who have taken promi- nent places in the commercial life of the coun- try; some becoming popular practitioners of the law, and others engaging in various pursuits. Capt. Van Fossen continued as principal, until death terminated his useful life a few years ago.

The public schools of the county will be mentioned in connection with chapters on Fred- erick County developments.

Fire Companies

Winchester has a national reputation for its well-equipped fire department, surpassing many large cities in the State in this respect. This was effected through the liberality of Charles Broadway Rouss, who always had a tender re- gard for his old home town. The three com- panies : Union, Friendship, and Sarah Zane, through this source, own their own splendid steamers; while the Union and Friendship can also boast of engine houses that would adorn any city. The Union, on corner of Water and Braddock Streets, has a commodious hall on second floor, where Mr. Rouss's birthday is an- nually observed on the 11th day of February, with an elaborate banquet, and orations from distinguished speakers.

The Friendship has its home on Cork Street, opposite the Baptist Church. It also has a fine hall for the use of its large company.

The Sarah Zane Company is located on cor- ner of Main and Fairfax Lane. This company handles its steamer with a pair of fine horses.

In addition to these efficient engine companies, are the Hook and Ladder Company, on Water Street, and the South End Hose Company lo- cated on Monmouth Street between Braddock and Main Streets. Considerable rivalry has always existed between the three engine com- panies, not only as to service but as to priority of organization. The Friendship fixes 1831 as the time when they first responded; the Union 1833, and Sarah Zane 1840. The several com- panies are referred to notes on Winchester in preceding pages. They will see that, as far back as 1787, efforts were made to organize a "Second Fire Company."

CHAPTER XXXI

Old Taverns and Streets. Mayors from 1804

From old court records and other reliable sources, we find much that relates to ye olden times. The author is often in a quandary what to relate that would be desirable for these pages.

The names and locations of many of the old taverns in Winchester, that secured license after 1800, is briefly given, to preserve the names of owners who were active in early part of the 19th century. We find Daniel Linn opposite McGuire's; Wm. Van Horn, corner of Loudoun and Fairfax Lane. The old printer, Peter Kurtz, on Main Street South of the Marsh Run; Henry Bush, son of Philip, on Loudoun Street, where the Presbyterian Church now stands; Elisha E. Russell John C. Clark, Mrs. Edmund Pendle- ton and John Pitman succeeded Bush for the next twenty years. On Potato Hill, corner Loudoun and Monmouth Streets, the "Wagon and Four Horses" was kept by Elijah Walker, Benj. Richards, and Wm. Hurr respectively. This place became famous as the Negro Traders' Jail. The author recalls some memorable scenes there. Opposite, on West side was Philip Amick (now the home of Mrs. Spotts). L. T. F. Grim, Henry Fridley and Robert Brannon had their place on East side of Cameron Street, and Grim, Brannon and Haymaker kept a famous old tavern on the North side of Market Square, occupied now by the Holliday office buildings. In the rear were extensive wagon yards. This old house was first occupied by Conrad Kreemer ; then by A. Rust. Kreemer was an old Revolu- tionary soldier who had deserted from the Brit- ish. He was the father of the John and Con- rad Kreemer families. The Kremer Bros., grocerymen, are of this line.

Peter Lauck's Red Lion on. the corner of Lou- doun and Cork Streets, was famous in its day. He was succeeded by popular landlords in their time-Edmund Pendleton, James Bryarly, Col. James Kiger and Josiah Massie. This old building passed to John Fagan, and is partly the residence of one of his descendants, Mr. Haines. Mr. Wm. G. Russell related many in- cidents of great interest concerning these gen- tlemen and the popular hostelry, which extend- ed from the corner of Cork to the other tavern just North; and there was great bustle and rival- ry, when the old stage coaches came in from distant points. Edward McGuire owned a stage

line in connection with his tavern; and conten- tion arose who should entertain the guests. Bush- rod Taylor purchased this line when he suc- ceeded McGuire in the tavern, and continued to wage war against the other taverns. Mr. Tay- lor was widely known as the proprietor of the old Taylor Hotel. He had the rare opportunity of entertaining many of the most distinguished men in their day. After the old McGuire build- ing was destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt as it now appears. This also was badly damaged by fire several times. Mr. Taylor being discour- aged, felt inclined to abandon the place, but was prevailed upon to organize a joint stock com- pany for the purpose of strengthening the en- terprise. This was accomplished in 1846. The house was remodeled, with Mr. Taylor man- ager, but his death occurred shortly thereafter. The settlement of his estate showed he owned 88 shares of stock valued at $3520.00, and owned all the furniture valued at several thousand dollars.

Geo. W. Seevers succeeded Taylor. The house was successfully run by such proprietors as Geo. W. Hammond (Mr. Taylor's son-in-law), N. M. Cartmell, and P. C. L. Burwell, until Genl. Banks took possession of it for a hospital in the Summer of 1862. Stonewall Jackson had his headquarters in the house for a short time. Then Genl. Banks, Sheridan and others. The old building has now been closed for several years. Prior to the War, the Union was a rival hotel, situated on the corner of Market Street and Fair- fax Lane, where the Glaize lumber yards and planing mills now stand.

Philip Hoover had the tavern on the corner of Fairfax Lane and Loudoun Street, when the Civil War came. The old house is in good re- pair at this writing, and kept by Steve Mc- Donald.

Some strange fatality attended the proceed- ings of the town government of Winchester, from the day of its incorporation as a town in Oc- tober 1779, until 1804. No record can be had of the acts of the Common Council, neither the minutes of any court held by the mayor. Noth- ing, in fact, to show who composed the august body, the common council. Neither do we find who filled the office of mayor until 1804. Con- sequently, we must conclude the record was

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kept, but lost in some way now unaccountable. The existing record is well preserved, embrac- ing the period from 1804 to 1811. Then another break. The records are well arranged in the fire-proof vaults of the City Hall, and so ac- cessible, that we will not attempt to enumerate many details of the Acts of Council and Court, but refer the curious reader to the city clerk's office.

The Corporation authorities have always zeal- ously watched over the affairs of the town. At an early day in the 19th century, the engineer had to solve two street problems: one was to drain the marshes and confine the water to one channel, to make the streets passable. Loudoun Street was opened as a road from Cork to Picca- dilly in 1761-through what they termed quag- mire, and which required a lottery scheme to accomplish. It was not until after 1842 that Loudoun Street was extended from Fairfax Lane North and through the stockade on Federal Hill. A roadway had been cut through the timber and hill, but the road or street received its first over- seer and work in 1843. The street from Cork to Piccadilly was filled with stone and drained on each side. The other problem referred to, was the limestone ridges, from North to South, on a line immediately East of the court house, as has been stated elsewhere in these pages. In many places they were higher than the site of Major Conrad's residence. The removal of the ledges of limestone is more fully mentioned else- where. The lottery scheme was authorized by an Act of Genl. Assembly December 7, 1791. Geo. Kiger, Edward Smith, Joseph Tidball, John Kean, John Peyton, Lewis Huff and Isaac Stit- ler were authorized "to raise by one or more lotteries a sum not exceeding two hundred pounds, to be by them applied towards defray- ing the expenses of paving the Main street in borough of Winchester." Considerable delay fol- lowed this; and it was more than twelve years before the court passed the final order to ac- cept the paved street and appoint an overseer, etc. The council proceeded cautiously for many years subsequent to the opening and paving Lou- doun Street. The next street to receive the pav- ing treatment was Boscowen, which was often called the Water Street, by reason of the fre- quent overflows from floods. There were numer- ous springs through the marshy section out as far as the Wood plantation. Finally a scheme was adopted to drain the marsh; and then it was the old town run became a landmark (more fully shown under head of Water Supply to the Town).

Mayors of Winchester from 1804-date of the first record, to 1811, and from 1843 to 1907:

Lewis Wolf 1804; Chas. Magill 1805; Wolf again 1806; Chas. Brent 1807; Beatty Carson 1808; Brent again 1809; Carson 1810; Joseph Gamble 1811. The records from this date to 1843 are not to be found.

Jas. P. Riely, Mayor 1843; next Geo. W. Seevers held office to 1847; Joseph H. Shearard held the office until 1865, when Robt. Y. Con- rad was elected. He was succeeded by Geo. W. Ginn 1868; Capt. Lewis N. Huck 1870; J. B. T. Reed from 1872 to 1876; Wm. L. Clark to 1884; then John J. Williams until 1886.

F. A. Graichen 1886; Wm. Atkinson 1888; Wm. R. Alexander 1890; T. N. Lupton 1891 to 1896; Jno. J. Williams 1896-98; R. T. Barton 1899 to 1902; Wm. C. Graichen 1902; Harry H. Baker, June 14, 1904.

Criminal Trial

The writer has been requested to include in these notes a notice of the trial of two men for murder. Two young negro men Westley Honesty and Tabby Banks, were indicted at the November Term, 1884, for causing the death of McFall. They had been charged with conspicuous misbehavior during a memorable Democratic celebration of the recent victory gain- ed by the Party in the election of Grover Cleve- land, Nov., 1884. The streets were full of jubi- lant processions; noisy bands joined in, regard- less of party lines; and all the surging crowds of people, hundreds mounted on prancing steeds -plow-horses or what not-were supposed to be in uninterrupted enjoyment of the night hours. Not so, however. Some of the processions were stoned from several dark alleys; and quite a number of persons had been injured before it was generally known. When once discovered, many of the visiting bodies declared that the guilty parties should suffer. The negroes were charged with everything, and the tumult grew serious. One of the assaults occurred nearly opposite the Taylor Hotel. Several persons saw two young negroes hastily enter the stable yard of the Haddox Building. Others who were in the yard dimly saw through the darkness, two men scale the fence; and just at this time, others on the street saw a young white man in a dazed condition. Friends hastened him to his room, without knowing what caused his trouble. Physi- cians called in, found his skull fractured; and the man unable to say more than that he had been struck by a brick. This incident was not gener- ally known until the crowds dispersed. This saved the town from bloodshed, for the masses of offended white men could not have been re- strained. The young man McFall.

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was well known for his quiet demeanor and good habits. His death demanded that the guilty par- ties should be found and brought to trial. Quite a number of young negroes had been arrested for disorderly conduct. Of this number, Hon- esty and Banks were suspected as the murderers. Further investigations pointed clearly to them; witnesses appeared to identify them as the two men seen fleeing through the stable-yard. Others saw them in a scuffle with a young white man near the spot where their victim was found. The case coming on for trial at the December Term, of the corporation court, Banks was tried first. Judge Richard Parker appeared for the prisoners, and ably defended them. Banks was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and day fixed for execution. A stay of execution was granted, and case went to Court of Appeals. Honesty, on his trial, met the same fate. Judge Parker got both

cases before the Appellate court, by reason of several strong legal points which the court sus- tained, though Wm. R. Alexander, prosecuting attorney, ably combatted every point raised,- Major Holmes Conrad assisting in the prosecu- tion. The cases were not called in Corporation Court until March 18, 1886, when the opinion of the Appellate court was handed down and made part of the proceedings of the March Term. The Appellate court sustained the judgment of the lower court; whereupon the court passed sentence upon the prisoners, fixing the 4th day of June, 1886, as the day of execution for both. The exe- cution was in the jail-yard-Westley Honesty and Tabby Banks were the only murderers hung un- der judgment and sentence of the Hustings court of Winchester. Several other murder cases have been tried, resulting in long terms in the peni- tentiary.

Opeckon Memorial Church

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CHURCHES

was then acting Governor; and it was through his influence that the Dissenters were allowed greater privileges than those of the Tide-water sections; and doubtless this was why the Scotch- Irish and other Presbyterians flocked to the Val- ley of Virginia during the 18th century." Mr. Anderson leaves no record of his pastorate. Dr. Foote says "That in 1739 Mr. John Thompson, as an evangelist, preached at Opecquon and the new settlements on the frontiers of Virginia, and that Mr. Wm. Robinson, on his long-to-be-re- membered tour through Virginia and North Car- olina, repeatedly preached at Opecquon in 1742." The Presbyterial Records of Old Donegal Pres- bytery furnish the names of Rev. John Hind- man, Samuel Caven, Wm. Bertram, - Linn, and Alexander McDowell, as frequent visiting Ministers from their Presbytery to do Mission- ary and Evangelistic work at Opecquon, Cedar Creek, and elsewhere. This was continued at intervals until 1754, when we find Opecquon with her first Pastor, who was Rev. John Hoge, grand- son of Wm. Hoge (Hogue), who gave the land on which the first Meeting House was built. Mr. Hoge's pastorate continued for eighteen years. The Presbytery records show that his salary was scarcely adequate. He made com- plaints of privations and great labor while he rendered efficient service to the early settlers, and that he did not receive sufficient support from the two churches to justify his further ser- vice in this field. This last statement to his Presbytery, produced prompt action in that body, for this language appears: "Mr. Hoge is re- leased from his pastoral charge on account of non-payment of salary." We find these churches for some years after the withdrawal of Mr. Hoge, were supplied by Revs. Vance, McKnight, Thomp- son, Slemmons, Craighead, Balch, Linn and oth- ers who had pastorates in other sections. We have evidence of Mr. Hoge being a resident of the Opecquon Valley up to 1775. In 1781, Rev. John Montgomery received a call from three churches-the Opecquon, Cedar Creek and Win- chester. In 1789, Rev. Nash Legrand succeeded Mr. Montgomery, and continued his acceptable service until 1809. Dr. Graham says: "Legrand was never installed in the Opecquon field, though he continued his labors for nineteen years, when impaired health compelled him to resign." Dr. Graham further says: "Mr. Legrand died in 1814, while on a visit to his old friends in Fred- erick County, and his unmarked grave is in the burying-ground of his old Stone Church in Win- chester."

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 29

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.] Number of Pages: 607

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607