newsletter 2-6

One of the most interesting old documents that I have seen in a long time has just come to my attention. It was written October 30, 1863 from Claysville, Wood county, W. Va. You may recall, the state of West Virginia was recognized by President Lincoln June 26,1861, but the Civil War didn’t end until 1865, and the intervening days were marked by troublous times. This letter brings that to light. It follows: (Since the envelope is gone I cannot tell to whom it was addressed). Dear Doctor; Your kind favor of the 27th is this moment to hand. Major Steel was shot through the body, the ball entering near and just below the left shoulder– as he was just in the act of firing his own revolver. The ball came out near his spine and lower than it had entered. He was leaning forward at the moment. He lived 25 days after he was shot. Josephine went to see him before he died, was with him at the time of his death, and accompanied his body from Fairfax Courthouse to his grave at Parkersburg.
“We are glad you enjoy the usual health. I am glad of the election result of Ohio and Pennsylvania, I have no idea of the people giving up this government for any other form ever invented by mortal man.
“You ask how we are all getting along in Claysville– I answer by the hardest. The new state sits badly on the craws of some, while others are delighted. Claysville has not been marked by many changes. James McCoy carries on the old water mill, has his family in the Charlie Drake house. Mr. Brown lives in the same house. The Donley house is now occupied by a man by the name of Haddox from Ritchie county. Peter Cunningham, the Irish railroad hand, is dead. Doct (sic) Boso is now residing in the Moses Kincheloe house which he purchased and re-fenced the whole thing and has all painted up. He added by purchase the one half of the lot on which Jay West Dye had a smith and wagon maker shop. No man in all this country has SO come out as has Doct (sic) Bond (Dr. Bond). The supposition is that he actually makes $2,000 this year. The doctor has been the only physician in the country– and no one left in Parkersburg but Dr. Clark. Map (?) and the other doctor in Parkersburg are both in the army. So was also Dr. Donovan until about two weeks when he returned and is now gone to Indiana. Whether he will return to practice here or somewhere else is yet in futurity.
“There was any amount of business for doctors this season. James Dye and Fielding Dye have moved on the head of Taggert (Tygart) creek Harner and Hugh Creel are in the army.
“The health of my family is very delicate. I myself, am the best. Jacob has been unwell now for 18 months past and is now in Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Schracth has been very delicate and doing her own housework, she has more than her share.
“We have no guard along the railroad near us; a good many of them were but a nuisance. There is not a soldier in our town. The nearest are at Elizabeth, Walkers Station, Parkersburg. Mr. Kincheloe is constable and deputy sheriff, attending to local business– a man by the name of Shipley is now keeping store in Moses’ storehouse. Abe Nestor is watching a parcel of empty shelves, called a store, and is postmaster of the place. The refinery (oil) just above town is going on finely. B.W. Creel is the same old thing and all the family. His George and John are both in the rebel army, so is Marcellas Clark, and finally Mrs. Clark (Lucy) went to “Dixie” where she is no doubt enjoying the “fruits” of Dixie. The steam mill is idle. Tom, Mr. Henderson, is living in the Payden house opposite our town. The family desire me to make their kindest regards to you and Mrs. Cox.
“Yours truly,
“M. R. Schoch”