Echoes of the long past Civil War in and about Grafton was brought to the mind of the few people living when the local papers printed the article saying Congress had appropriated the sum of $490 for damages done to the West Main Street Methodist Church during the war when the federal government took over the building and used it for soldiers’ quarters in the beginning of the hostilities in this section. For many years, the claim for damages was presented to Congress but it was not until 1908 that the matter was pressed by attorney Jay. Frank Wilson, counsel for the church trustees, that the action began that resulted in the claim was allowed and paid on March 4, 1915.
The film picture, “Neptune’s Daughter,” featuring Annette Killerman, the perfect woman, and a cast of 1,000 people, was shown for three days beginning Monday March 8, 1915. The remarkable scenes and wonderful natural scenery of the Bermudas lent more than ordinary charm to the moving picture. The store famous for aquatic skill was shown to advantage in the beautiful natural setting and proved a pleasing evening entertainment to the large audience who came to see the picture.
The rumor began that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was negotiating for the holdings of the Coal and Coke Railroad, and the rumor was confirmed when the Coal and Coke absorbed and became a part of the Baltimore and Ohio system and gave the road a direct line to Charleston, the capital. The line built by Hon. Henry G.
Davis to tap the great natural resources of timber, coal and other products, gave the Baltimore and Ohio immense tonnage and freight shipments that would be of great benefit to Grafton in hauling this tonnage to this terminal and giving more men employment in the transportation department, both east and west. People sympathize with the family of Charles H. Goudy and his children in the loss of the wife and mother, Thursday, March 11, 1916.
Mr. Goudy and his family came to Grafton in the ’80s to accept the position of assistant master mechanic and the shops of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Mrs.
Goudy was before her marriage Miss Jennie Lynn Helms, sister to Charles Helms, one of the early residents of Grafton and one of the best locomotive drivers on the old Grafton-Piedmont division of the Baltimore and Ohio. The family was held in high esteem and contributed much to the social welfare of the town. Mrs.
Myrtle E. Lewellyn, proprietor of the Grafton Book and Stationery Store on West Main Street, in a card to the public at her acceptance of a position as a clerk in the office of the county clerk and her disposal of the bookstore, announced “the impression has gone out that in accepting a position in the county clerk’s office that I have sold in the bookstore. I am still proprietress of the Lewellyn Book store and am in my usual place of business every evening.
During the day, the store is in very capable hands and you will get the same prompt and efficient service you have always received at my place. The fact is we are better prepared to serve you than ever before. Larger stock, better assortments and more efficient service at 44 West Main Street.
” William E. Clayton at his place of business at the historic old Compton corner at Main and St. John streets boasted he had the best selected stock of foods and the cleanest and most sanitary place of business in Grafton.
Fresh country produce from the best farms in Taylor County and the best and purest milk always on hand. He called attention to the lines of butterine, his specialty, which he claimed was far better and more economical for household use than most butters sold in the town stores. Clyde A.
Cole opened an office in the Jarrett building and specialized in the insurance business representing some of the best known companies in the United States. His announcement calling attention to his business read: “Burning money — Is what every fire does that destroys or damages the building. If the property is not properly insured, it is the owner’s money that goes up in flame and smoke.
If he is provident and fully covered with insurance policies furnished by us, his loss will be so small as to be unworthy of notice for the insurance represented by us are as solid and substantial as a government bond.” Word was received in Grafton of the passing of Josephus Rowland at his home at Parkersburg, on Wednesday, March 11, 1915. He was born at Hancock, Maryland, July 10, 1833, and began his career in the transportation department of the Baltimore and Ohio in 1859 and by faithful attention to duty was promoted from time to time until he was raised to the position of driver in the passenger service on the Parkersburg branch and was one of the most efficient and careful locomotive drivers in the service on that part of the system.
At the death of his mother at Parkersburg, Mr. Rowland took up his residence and married Miss Fannie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John M. King of Grafton. He was injured in a head-on collision on August 23, 1889, that permanently crippled him for life, but that did not prevent him from resuming his regular occupation, which he did until he was retired on a pension in 1896.
He served as a member of the town council of Grafton in 1882-83 and was a representative citizen of the town during his long residence. After the death of his first wife, he married for his second wife, Miss Belle Drake of Parkersburg, to end his days. His remains were brought to Grafton and interred in Bluemont Cemetery with ritualistic services by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of which order he was a longtime member.
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