Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 53

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

USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 53

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South of the houses last mentioned are two situated on high ground, that deserve mention- the first the home of the Bell family. John Bell built the house about one hundred years ago; and there lived and died. He was suc- ceeded by his son John N. His son Stewart Bell purchased the property in 1905, where he, his mother and sisters have always lived. Mrs. Bell died in 1907.

The other house has been known as the Con- rad property for a full century; and doubt- less was erected by Dr. James Conrad about

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OLD HOMESTEADS AND FAMILIES

1790. The Farmers Bank was moved into this house about 1813, where it remained until 1820, when it moved into its new building on corner of Loudoun and Water Streets. For several years the property was occupied by John E. Cooke. Succeeding him was a Mrs. Scott, who used it for several years as a young ladies seminary. When she vacated, Mr. Robert Y. Conrad began his residence there about 1827, and made it a cherished home for his large fam- ily, all of whom were reared under its roof- tree. Major Holmes Conrad, his son, is the present owner, and has always resided there.

The large property on the corner of same lot, where Capt. Geo. W. Kurtz has his handsome furniture warerooms, is an enlargement of a brick building erected there about 1830 by a joint-stock company, composed of Roland Hefle- bower and others. Thomas Latham succeeded this company; Harrison Bowers next, and then its present owner.

Leaving this section, with many old houses worthy of mention if space permitted, we pass Westward, to several of the old places that have been landmarks throughout the Nineteenth century. These are found on Washington Street. The old homestead seen on the West side, between Clifford and Cecil Streets, was at one time the home of Judge Hugh Holmes; and once the home of Mrs. Estelle Green and her daughters, who conducted a select school for young ladies. This property was owned by E. C. Breeden and Branch Jordan respectively. The latter was one of those who purchased slaves and sold them to Southern cotton planters. Some old citizens now living can tell incidents relating to the "slave-trader," as he was called. Mr. Jordan fitted up the basement with prison cages for the unruly negroes.

From the Green heirs, it passed to Judge Rich- ard Parker, the just judge who tried John Brown. Judge Parker and his amiable and lovely wife, enjoyed the social life of Winches- ter in the olden times, when society was of that select type not familiar to-day. The original design of the mansion was modeled after "Mon- ticello." The property was purchased after Judge Parker's death by one of his nephews, Mr. David McCormick, who has spared nothing in effort and money to beautify and adorn the old mansion. His sisters, Misses Libbie and Char- lotte, reside in the old home of their father, the late Dr. McCormick. Their brothers are identified with large enterprises in Chicago and elsewhere.

On the same side of Washington Street, South of Cecil, is seen the home of the late Col. Wm. Byrd, who lived and died there. On this site Judge Robert White lived for many years.

The old house crected by him was destroyed by fire.

On the corner of Washington and Cork Streets, an old house of note-now the home of Maj. Robt. W. Hunter-was in the early part of the Nineteenth Century the home of Obed Waite, prominent in his day, a noted lawyer, who held many offices of trust,-Mayor of Winchester, and one of the old soldiers. He had four sons and one daughter, viz: Harrison, Franklin, William, and Hugh Holmes, the daughter married Wash- ington G. Singleton. Mr. Singleton lived on the same lot directly West, fronting on Cork Street, now the property of James B. Russell.

On the South side of Cork Street, stands an old house in a large lawn extending out to Washington Street-the home of Senator R. M. Ward. This was known in former years as the home of Col. Richard E. Byrd, grandfather of our R. E. Byrd.

Marvelous changes have taken place on Wash- ington Street since the Civil War. The hand- some home of Mr. R. T. Barton was first to appear-no pavements then. Opposite his resi- dence was a large lot known as the Holliday nurseries. On this we find the handsome homes of Wm. H. Baker, John Stephenson, Harry H. Baker (mayor), Mrs. M. H. G. Willis, and Chas. W. Heller. On the East side of Wash- ington, North of Mr. Barton, are the residences of A. M. Baker and W. C. Graichen; the lat- ter's house was built by H. C. Krebs, and was his delightful home until adversity overtook him. Standing on same side of the street, but South of Cork, are the handsome homes of James B. Russell and Dr. Julian F. Ward. These modern places are mentioned to show the development of Washington Street; while out on S. Stewart Street, can be seen many attractive homes, and the Memorial Hospital, all having sprung up within recent years, and with the colossal Winchester Inn overlooking all. This section is making rapid strides. Passing from it to the Northern suburbs, the writer contrasts the present with what he knew of that end of Winchester in the past. Starting on Fairmont Avenue, the Alfred H. Powell house, now the home of Dr. P. W. Boyd, Sr.,-every one of the handsome homes seen there (North Fred- erick Turnpike) going North, have been built since the Civil War. Not a house on either side out to Folk or Potters Hill, was there then, except an old stone house in bad repair, near the home of Walter Barr, and the large brick house now the home of Edward Fries, for- merly the Brannon Thatcher property. On Loudoun Street extended, North, the old Magill house-home of Geo. W. Keller, who has added modern style, and the brick house on West

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side of the street, erected by P. C. L. Burwell, were the last houses seen on the Winchester and Martinsburg Turnpike until "Neffstown" was reached. Braddock Heights and the handsome homes seen there being a creation of recent years. We may add, that the extension of Brad- dock Street, from Peyton, North, is just being completed, opening an avenue through a for- merly dismal section, to what was once the North Common, now the "Heights", where many hand- some houses have grown up since 1900. Over on the East side, we find National Avenue, in- stead of the Berryville Pike, along which many houses are filling the space from East end of Piccadilly Street and Fairfax Lane, to the en- trance of the old John F. Wall homestead, now the property of Mr. Latham. No house there prior to the Civil War but the old toll gate, which stood near the end of Fairfax Lane. These changes are mentioned to establish dates for the new landmarks, as the city extends her suburbs.

On the four corners of Loudoun and Picca- dilly Streets, are seen at this writing fine build- ings. The S. V. N. Bank on the site of a lot owned by Daniel Gold about 1800, where he kept a general store, prior to which it was one of the old tavern stands. Jacob Farra ob- tained license several times as tavern keeper. About 1816, the first Valley Bank building was erected. Diagonally opposite, where the Evans Hotel stands, was the residence of Lewis Hoff, the first cashier of the Valley Bank. Prior to the Civil War, the old wooden building was used by Randall Evans, father of Wm. Evans, the well-known colored hack-man. The Kre-

mer Bros. conducted there a general grocery after the war, until it gave place to the hotel erected by Henry Evans and Bro., tobacconists. Across Loudoun Street was the place known as Dunbar's Corner for one hundred years. It was the home of Dr. Dunbar. His widow oc- cupied this corner house until her death. Her daughter was the second wife of Phillip Wil- liams. This old landmark was removed by Mrs. Williams' heirs a few years ago, to give place to the modern store-rooms and Dunbar Flats in the rear. Grove Bros. occupy the store- rooms. Diagonally opposite, where the Cooper Bros. conduct their wholesale trade, Capt. Wm. Throckmorton carried on a large business. He was succeeded by Josiah Fawcett. Henry W. Baker succeeded him, whose son, J. Milton Baker erected the present building and conducted a large mercantile business. Passing West on Piccadilly Street, other old landmarks are dis- appearing. Where the Handley Library is slowly assuming proportions of grandeur, was the old Jacob Mesmer property, a well-remembered old log structure. Jacob's sons: John Jacob and Peter lived there. John was the one-armed Con- federate, Chief of Police for years. The old Mackey property on the opposite corner, where Dr. Stewart Baldwin lived and died, is now hav- ing the ground broken for the new Government building, to be used for the city postoffice-the old buildings all removed. It would be inter- esting to the writer and possibly to some readers, to dwell longer on the subject of changed con- ditions in the old town; but limited space ad- monishes us.

Handley Library, December 1908

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THE JOHN BROWN RAID

number of their prisoners fastened up in the guard house. At this point, and after the ar- rival of the reinforcements from Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, Col. R. W. Baylor assumed the command, and will furnish you with the details of what followed.

(signed) Jno. Thos. Gibson, Comdg. 55 Regt."

Col. Baylor, continuing the report, states the details as follows : * * The Hamtramack Guards and the Shepherdstown Troop, dismounted and armed with muskets, under my command, proceeded down High Street to the center of the town, in front of the Arsenal. During this march, the insurgents having secreted themselves in the Ar- mory Yard, opened a brisk fire on Captain Al- burtis' Company *

* * The firing was heavy, and the insurgents could not have re- tained their position many minutes, when the door of the engine house was opened and they presented a white flag. The firing thereupon ceased, and I ordered the troops to draw up in line in front of the Arsenal. During this engage- ment and the previous skirmishes, we had ten men wounded, two I fear mortally. The insur- gents had eleven killed, one mortally wounded, and two taken prisoners, leaving only five in the engine-house, and one of them seriously wound- ed. Thirty of our citizens were rescued from the guard-house, and they still held in the engine- house ten citizens and five slaves."

In the conference which took place (during the truce) between Brown and Col. Baylor, the terms were stated by the bearer of the flag: Brown with survivors and his prisoners, to be permitted to cross the bridge to the Maryland side, and after his arrival at a point by him selected, the prisoners to be released, and then he to take his chances to escape, whether by "flight or fight". Such terms of capitulation were promptly refused; but in order to save further bloodshed, Col. Baylor offered the reck- less old leader the most generous terms that he could afford. Brown was to release what pris- oners he held; give them liberty to march out unmolested; and he and his party were to await the action and demand of the Washington Government, for his forcible entrance and oc- cupation of the United States Arsenal. Brown refused all terms offered him, and sullenly re- tired; broke off all truce relations, and awaited the next movements of the troops.

Returning again to Col. Baylor's report, he says :

"Night by this time had set in, and the weather being very inclement, I thought it best for the safety of our citizens whom they held as pris-

oners, to cease operations for the night. Should I have ordered an attack at that hour, and in total darkness, our troops would have been as likely to have murdered our own citizens as the insurgents, all being in the same apartment. Having concluded to postpone another attack until morning, guards were posted around the Armory, &c. *

* About 12 o'clock, Col. Lee (afterwards Genl. R. E. Lee of the Confederate Army) arrived, having under his command eighty-five marines from Washington. The Government troops took possession of the Government property, and formed inside the Ar- mory in close proximity to the engine-house. In this position Col. Lee thought it best to remain until morning. The night passed without seri- ous alarm, but not without intense excitement. It was agreed between Col. Lee and myself, that the volunteer forces should form around on the outside of the Government property and clear the streets of all citizens and spectators, to prevent them firing random shots, to the great danger of our soldiers, and to remain in that position whilst he would attack the engine house with his marines. As soon as day dawned, the troops were drawn up, in accordance with the above arrangement, after which Col. Lee de- manded of the insurgents to surrender upon the terms I had before proposed to them, which they still declined. The marines were then or- dered to force the doors. The attempt was made with heavy sledges, but proved ineffectual. They were then ordered to attack the doors with a heavy ladder, which was lying a short distance off. After two powerful efforts, the door was shattered sufficiently to obtain an entrance. Im- mediately a heavy volley was fired in by the marines, and an entrance effected, which soon terminated the conflict. In this engagement, the Marines had one killed (Luke Quinn) and one slightly wounded. The insurgents had two killed and three taken prisoners. The firing ceased, and the imprisoned citizens walked out unhurt."

Col. Lee saw no reason why Brown and the few survivors of his gang, were entitled to recog- nition as prisoners of war; though Brown claimed to be the head of a provisional govern- ment having for its ultimate object, to free the slaves, and launch a new order of government in the South; and that he was commander-in- chief of all the forces that were then concen- trating in many places. The authorities of Vir- ginia were present in the person of Governor Wise, who arrived that morning at 10 o'clock with two volunteer companies from Richmond. Mr. Andrew Hunter, the Commonwealth's at- torney for Jefferson County, claimed the pris- oners for the offenses of murder and invasion of the State by armed desperadoes, representing

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that, as a matter of course, their trial must be before the civil tribunal of the county wherein the offenses had been committed. Mr. Hunter, in a most interesting narrative, prepared by him- self with great care, has furnished much val- uable information concerning the affair. The author has it on his table at this writing, and would be glad to give it space in this work, but its great length forbids. Some important fea- tures will be given, however.

Mr. Hunter says that "After Brown was cap- tured, he was carried into the Superintendent's Office wounded, as also Stephens. It was then that he and Gov. Wise went in to see Brown. The Gov- ernor recognized in Brown the celebrated 'Ossa- wotamie murderer, and asked him if he was Os- sawotamie Brown of Kansas. His reply was: 'I endeavored to do my duty there.' When Brown was washed of the grime of dust and blood, Mr. Hunter recognized him as the John Smith he had seen at Harpers Ferry and Charles- town during the Summer, on several occasions. Mr. Hunter then details the plan adopted to convey the prisoners to the Charlestown jail. He says that when Governor Wise informed him that the time had come for their removal, and that Capt. Rowan's Company could form the guard, he informed the Governor that such a course was unwise; that the soldiers of that Company would massacre the whole batch, and that it would be better to have Col. Lee and his marines take them to the Charlestown jail. The Governor adopted this plan; and he with Col. Lee as officer of the guard, conducted the Governor and prisoners to the county jail. Per- haps no similar incident has lever occurred. The Governor of a State surrounded by the volunteer companies of his State, yet calling upon an officer of the regular army to furnish safe conduct to prison of the remnant of the provisional army that had so recklessly invaded the Old Dominion.

Mr. Hunter says further that on the day of Brown's capture, he was informed "that a large number of arms were secreted in a house on the nearby mountain." The Independent Grays of Baltimore were detailed to make the search. They returned in the evening, having found 200 Sharp's rifles, 200 revolvers, 23,000 percussion caps, 100,0000 percussion pistol caps, ten kegs of gunpowder, 13,000 ball cartridges for Sharp's rifles, one Major General's sword, 1,500 pikes, and a large assortment of blankets and clothing of every description.

The writer recalls the appearance of the col- lection referred to, and the feeling of horror that pervaded the homes throughout the Lower Shen- andoah Valley. For months the collecting had been stealthily going on in this peaceful ham-

let; and its people were rudely aroused from their quiet, peaceful life, as they realized how barely they had escaped destruction.

If Brown's dream of negro insurrection had culminated as he thought it would, the uprising would have meant butchery, rapine and every other crime known to brutal men; and the monster would have gloated over his success. But he miscalculated his strength. The allies upon whom he staked his all, failed him. He believed the negro would rush to arms and gladly use the steel-headed spear that he had secreted, and was ready to place in the hands of the poor down-trodden slave that would come to him; and then go forth to murder in the most barbarous way, the sleeping inmates of the thou- sand homes in the lovely Valley-Homes that in that day were as dear to the slave as the master. The down-trodden slave never answered his call. A few were dragged from their homes, and ef- forts made to persuade, and even force, them to join the outlaw; but they shook with fear and disgust at every approach made by the ruffian. The negroes of that day could not be tempted by what meant evil to those with whom they had mingled from infancy-forming a relation between the races that can be never understood by those unfamiliar with slavery as it existed at that time. The writer knew hundreds of those grand specimens of slavery days. For their tender regard and concern for the welfare of the families in whom they had a part, they are entitled to the heartiest tribute we can give them. Nearly all of that old class have passed out of sight; but the memory of their devotion and good deeds, is cherished by many of us who have survived the great conflict. Peace to their ashes! But for their loyalty, the story of John Brown's raid would be differently told.

Returning to Mr. Hunter's narrative, he says: That the preliminary examinaton was before the old Justices' Court, Braxton Davenport pre- siding; and on the morning of the 25th of Oc- tober, 1859, the prisoners, John Brown, Aaron C. Stephen and Edward Coppie, white, and Shields Green and John Copeland, colored (These two negroes came with Brown in the original party), at the close of the examination were delivered to Mr. Campbell, the Sheriff, who re- turned them to the jail. Cooke and Hazlett had not then been captured. The Circuit Court for Jefferson County for the year 1859, by law commenced its term on the 20th day of Octo- ber. The Grand Jury was impaneled that day ; -was adjourned over until the 25th by the ex- amining Court which had disposed of the pre- liminary work. The Grand Jury was again ad- journed until the 26th, when a joint indictment was found against Brown, Stephens, Shields,

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Green, Coppie and Copeland. They were ar- raigned at the bar the next day, the 27th, and pleaded "not guilty." The indictment charged the prisoners with "feloniously and traitorously making rebellion and levy of war against the Commonwealth of Virginia * *

* and did forcibly capture, make prisoners of and de- tain divers good and loyal citizens of said Com- monwealth, to wit: Lewis W. Washington, John M. Alstadt, Archibald M. Fitzmiller, Benjamin J. Mills, John E. P. Dangerfield, Armstead Bell, John Donoho, and did then and there slay and murder, by shooting with firearms, called Sharpe's rifles, divers good and loyal citizens of said Commonwealth, to wit: Thomas Boerly, George W. Turner, Fontain Beckham, together with Luke Quinn a soldier of the U. S., and Hay- ward Shepherd a free negro *

* * and did then and there * * set up without au- thority of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a government, separate from and hostile to, the existing government of said Com- monwealth, and did then and there hold and exercise divers offices under said usurped gov- ernment, towit: the said John Brown, comman- der-in-chief of the military forces; the said Aaron Stephens as Captain, the said Edward Coppie as Lieutenant; and the said Shields Green and John Copeland as soldiers * * "

Mr. Hunter says: "The trial of Brown and his fellow prisoners was perfectly fair from be- ginning to end. The counsel that appeared for them were at all times courteously received, and had the free use of his office and library."

Brown was first tried, and on Nov. 4th, 1859, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on every count. Brown's counsel, Messrs. Thomas C. Green and Lawson Botts, were assigned him; but on the second day, certain counsel appeared for Brown from Boston. Brown began then to feign sickness. The Court being satisfied from the report of Dr. Mason who had made the ex- amination, that Brown's condition was not such as to justify an adjournment of his trial, on motion of the Atty. for the Commonwealth, he was brought into court on a cot. The Court, however, adjourned over until the Monday fol- lowing. Hon. Richard Parker was Judge of this Circuit, and presided throughout the try- ing scenes with such dignity, and firmness and fairness to the prisoners, that he received com- plimentary mention through the press in every section of the country. It is true, fanatics in

the abolition centers, charged unfairness; but their cavil was in keeping with their promised support to old Brown in his attempt to raise in- surrection among the slaves. A charge of un- fairness in the trials of the John Brown raiders, appears in the famous publication of the distin- guished German author Baron Von Holst, "A Constitutional History of the United States." The treatment he has given of the "John Brown Invasion," is so unfair in itself, that the author should not be entitled to credit for impartiality, when he recklessly departs from his regular line of historical incidents-expressed so graph- ically and attractively-to cast a shadow upon the court that patiently disposed of the crim- inals, and to charge unfairness in their trials. And this when he knew of the historic fact that the Governor of Virginia, supported by every officer present, civil or military, gave unstinted aid to protect the criminals and secure them a fair trial, who otherwise would have been annihi- lated by the exasperated citizens. Unfortunate- ly, the history mentioned is studied in the schools of the North and West, and will create im- pressions that will do infinite harm.

Brown was executed on the 2nd day of De- cember, 1859. Mr. Hunter says: "I had the body sent to Brown's wife who was at Harpers Ferry." So he was not maltreated after death, as has been often stated.

The first five prisoners were tried by Judge Parker. The prisoners Stephens and Hazlett were tried by Judge Kenney of the Rockingham Cir- cuit,-all of whom were condemned to suffer the death penalty. Four of the number were executed on the same scaffold and at the same hour-two whites and two negroes, the white men being Cooke and Coppie; the negroes Green and Copeland.

The trial of John E. Cooke who was the brother-in-law of Governor Willard of Indiana, was very sensational. Daniel W. Vorhees was his counsel. His arguments before the jury pro- duced an impression upon all who heard it (the writer being one of that number). His elo- quence, style and diction won sympathy for his young, misguided client; and when his execution came, the writer saw many stout men sigh over the sad ending of the youth that Vorhees had so adroitly created sympathy for, from the mul- titude that watched the close of the first Act in the Drama of Subjugating the South, so that Slavery should become extinct.

CHAPTER LV

Civil War 1861-65 How the Shenandoah Valley Met the Issues

The Shenandoah Valley, as has been shown, having furnished her volunteers for the United States army that invaded Mexico in 1846; was left in repose from war-like struggles long enough to feel content with the peaceful avoca- tions pursued by her inhabitants. In this lapse, however, the flurried political pulse of the United States betokened trouble. The people were suf- ficiently informed of the political battles waged in her forum,-as the giant leaders from all sections, continuously struggled in the arena to fan the flame that must ultimately set ablaze the great American Union, and advertise to the world the fanatical weaknesses, jealousies and inabilities of those who had flaunted the Banner of E Pluribus Unum in more than one port, and witnessed its influence on the people of many nations. The exciting periods were becoming so strenuous, that the attention of the peaceful and contented citizens of the quiet valley was attracted by the mutterings heard during the Presidential campaign of 1860. An awkward state of affairs existed. The two old political parties, Whig and Democratic, were over- whelmed with dissensions, leaders divided in their views of the chaotic situation brought about by the reckless battles they had fought for years, puzzled the brains of voters. The old Whig party, nearly absorbed in the North and West by an old enemy the Abolitionists, or Free Soil party; a new name was taken in this campaign, National Republican-which attracted the dissenters from the old Whig party by the vote the Abolitionists had polled in the previous Presidential election (1856), being nearly one million four hundred thousand, and they rallied under the new standard. These dissenters found a congenial home with their new party. The Democratic party was divided on many ques- tions, which resulted in that party nominating two tickets. Here were two wings-one headed by Stephen A. Douglass, of Illinois, for Presi- dent and H. V. Johnson, of Ga., for Vice-Presi- dent, which denied the right of Congress to legislate for or against Slavery in any new ter- ritory,-the question to be controlled by the white people of each territory.

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 53

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