John Wilson Junior:Novel of the Northwestern Virginia Panhandle: Book 4

JOHN WILSON JUNIOR:

Novel of the Northwestern Virginia Panhandle

A Novel of the Northwestern

Virginia Panhandle 1800-1865

BOOK 4

John Wilson Junior, age 24

Billie Conner

Copyright © 2012 by Billie Conner.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

CAST OF CHARACTERS

PART ONE

The Flood

PART TWO

John Wilson Junior

EPILOGUE

CAST OF CHARACTERS

NATHANIEL (NATHAN) WOLDE—Adopted son of Ethan and Sarah Wolde. Farmer/Preacher, Husband of Mary Catherine Collingsworth. Parents killed in Indian wars. Adopted by Ethan and Sarah Wolde.

MARY CATHERINE COLLINGSWORTH—Born out of wedlock daughter of Baron Robert MacTavish, Scotland, and Judith Conaway. Raised by Maddie (Judith’s sister) and Clarence Collingsworth as their own child. Married Nathaniel Wolde. Mother of five children. Step-sister of Ian MacTavish.

ROY, RALEIGH (RILEY), MARTHA, SARAH, LUCY WOLDE—Children of Nathan and Mary Catherine Wolde.

ETHAN WOLDE—Former British soldier, released from service due to severe wounds. Husband of Sarah. Adopted Nathan in Pittsburg at age 6.

SARAH WOLDE—Hospital nurse in Philadelphia. Tended to wounded Ethan Wolde, then later, married him.

CLARENCE COLLINGSWORTH—Metal worker/Machinist/Blacksmith—Husband of Maddie, foster parent of Mary Catherine, but actually, her Uncle.

MADDIE COLLINGSWORTH—Wife of Clarence, sister of Judith Conaway—foster parent of Mary Catherine, but actually her Aunt.

JUDITH CONAWAY—Sister of Maddie, Mistress of Baron Robert MacTavish, mother of Mary Catherine

BARON ROBERT MAC TAVISH—Son of Augustus MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, Companion of Judith Conaway, father of Mary Catherine Wolde, father of Ian MacTavish

ANN LEIGH MAC TAVISH—Wife of Robert MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, mother of Ian MacTavish, died following childbirth.

SYLVESTER ROTHCHILD—Solicitor in NYC employed by MacTavish Ltd, Dundee, Scotland.

LAWRENCE ROTHCHILD—Grandson of Sylvester

ALBERT SAWYER—Former Captain of China Clipper Ship. Retired from sea. Married to Martha. Captain of Steamboat on Monongahela. Owns commercial warehouse, partner with Nathan in real estate venture

MARTHA SAWYER—Wife of Albert. Schoolteacher, God mother of Martha Jane Wolde. Mary Catherine’s dearest friend.

JOSEPH (JOE) AND LUCY WINTERS—Migrating from New Jersey to Ohio. Lost all possessions when tornado hits barge carrying wagon down the Ohio River. Comes to live with Nathan on farm. Joe is killed in accident while cutting timber. Lucy marries Patrick O’Connor.

PATRICK O’CONNOR—Irish immigrant who lost wife to influenza. Meets Nathan who allows him and family to come in live in old home place in return for help on the farm. Father of Sean, Michael, and Megan.

LUCY O’CONNOR—Widow of Joseph Winters who was killed in accident cutting timber. Marries Patrick.

SEAN, MICHAEL AND MEGAN O’CONNOR—Children of Patrick O’Connor

JAMES MARSDEN—Vice-president for Construction, B&O Railroad. Currently involved with extending B&O tracks through Fairmont to Wheeling. Hires Sean O’Connor whom he plans to train to become his assistant.

IAN MAC TAVISH—Son of Baron Robert MacTavish, Step-brother of Mary Catherine Wolde, mentor of his nephew, Charles Raleigh Wolde

THOMAS PATRICK—Warehouse manager for MACTAVISH LTD, in NYC

HANS AND INGA WILHELM—Long time members of the household staff and the MacTavish estate in Scotland who travel with Ian when he comes to America

CAPTAIN THOMAS STUART—Captain of the Clipper Ship, Catherine Ross, owned by MacTavish Ltd.

DAVID SULLIVAN—Nephew of Lawrence Rothchild. Came to territory to seek his fortune. Lived briefly With the Woldes. Business partners with family and extended family.

WILLIAM C WILLEY—Sixth District Congressman

JANIE WILLEY—Wife of William

C. J. WILLEY—Father of William

GEORGE GRAY—Owner of Feed and Seed Store, Grant Town

FRANCES H PIERPONT—Chairman, Board of Delegates, Wheeling, Va.

JOHN WILSON SR—Banker and mine owner

ELIZABETH WILSON—Wife of John—DuPont heiress from Eastern Shore, Maryland

JOHN WILSON JUNIOR—Son of John Senior and Elizabeth. Partner of David Sullivan. West Point Graduate. Degree in Engineering.

TOM LEWIS—Warehouse manager for Albert Sawyer

JENNIE LEWIS—Wife of Tom

ARTHUR STANLEY—Big Lumberman and Saw Mill operator in Valley Falls, Barrackville and Mannington. Eventually merged with Roy and Michael’s construction company

SAM JENSEN—John Wilson’s attorney

ED BARLOW—Head Teller in John Wilson’s bank

WILFORD BOB JAMESON—Publisher of weekly newspaper

BESSIE JENKINS—Owner of Boarding House and Restaurant, Barrackville, on Bufallo Creek

LEWELLYN LEW SMYTHE—Head of construction company owned by Roy Wolde and Michael O’Connor

PART ONE

The Flood

There were many stories told about the Great Flood of April 5th, 1852, but few were as heartwarming and heartbreaking as the one about two brave men, Albert Sawyer and Tom Lewis. They were the two men who attempted to rescue a woman and two children they saw clinging to the rooftop of a house, floating down the Monongahela River.

Albert’s wife, Martha, watched through her husband’s telescope, as Albert and Tom forced their long boat into the raging waters on a course it appeared would intercept the floating house. Her husband stood in the rear, manning the tiller, while Tom, up front, was using an oar and doing his best to help Albert stay on course.

As Martha continued to watch their progress, there arose from the depths of the Mononghela, the most dreaded and feared evil of all river boatmen, a sawyer, a huge tree, complete with it’s root system. Both men standing with their eyes fixed straight ahead, were completely unaware of the awful danger they were in. The monster rose higher, and higher, until it’s roots were almost directly over Albert’s head, then, as quickly as it had risen, it came crashing down. Martha fainted.

Jennie Lewis had momentarily gone back inside the house to have a quick look at her children, but heard the noise from Martha’s body hitting the floor, and ran back outside. She saw Martha lying there and immediately thought something she’d seen on the river had caused her to faint. Hardly realizing what she was doing, she grabbed the telescope and looked to see what it might have been, but there was nothing there. The boat, the men, and the house were all gone.

Tom, who was standing in the front of the boat when the sawyer hit, was shot like a cannon ball, far out into the water. He had no idea what had happened, but the Lord was truly with him, and he finally realized he was clinging to the branches of a small tree. As he later told it, there was nothing he could do but hold on the best he could, and pray.

After floating, he thought, for perhaps half a mile, the Monongahela made a sharp turn eastward, and the force of the main flow pushed a lot of debris, including Tom’s tree, toward the outside of the curve, and into calmer water. When the tree drifted closer and closer to the hillside, Tom was spotted by a small group of men.

The Lord most certainly, was still looking after Tom, for one of the men had carried his rope plow lines with him for some unexplained reason, and the men hurriedly made a plan to get himoff the tree before it was caught up by swifter water. One man found a chunk of driftwood and immediately tied it to one end of the rope, while another tied the two plow lines together so they would have more length. Two other men had walked down close to the water and cleared a wide space in the brush so that the strongest man in the bunch could stand and twirl the chunk of driftwood over his head and hurl it out to the Tom in the tree. It floated closer and closer but the man tried three times with no luck, but as we know now, he was finally successful on his fourth try.

It was three days before Tom could make his journey home. The Little Paw Paw Creek, while not really flooding as it came down the mountain, was running far too swift for fording. These were long days and nights for him because none of the men who had rescued him had any inkling of how he came to be floating up river clinging to a tree. His greatest fear was that his friend, Albert, was lost to the flood. And what about his wife, Jennie, and the children, and Martha? Their grief must be a terrible thing, and the flood water essentially had them surrounded. He had to get home!

On the morning of the fourth day after the flood, Nathan, Patrick, David, and Michael, were getting ready to go, first, to the Feed and Seed Store in Grant Town, where they figurerd to get a lot of first-hand information, and from that point, they would go and offer their help wherever it might be needed. Roy planned to ride over and check on the Landery’s who lived on Mary Catherine’s farm, Thunderstorm, even though everyone agreed that although they were in no danger from the flood, they might have some other damage from the tremendous run-off caused by heavy rainfall.

Roy opened the door and walked out onto the porch. Thankfully, the rain seemed to be taking a day off. Suddenly he popped right back into the house. "Papa, I see a buggy coming over the hill and I believe it’s Uncle Albert’s."

Son, I hope you’re right, cause now we’ll get first-hand information from him, his father said, then turned to Patrick, who was drinking coffee in the kitchen.

Patrick, come here. Roy thinks that’s Albert’s buggy coming and I do too. Let’s walk out to the road and see what we can find out.

Mary Catherine was curious too, and walked out onto the porch, hoping Martha was along too. She called out to her husband, "Nathan, I believe that’s Tom Lewis driving, not Albert. Nathan, I’m scared. Something’s wrong, I just know there is." and down the steps she went to join the men.

They all rushed up to the buggy, and were shocked to see a disheveled Tom Lewis, who looked as if he’d aged ten years. But before anyone could say a word, he burst into tears. I brought her here. I didn’t know what else to do, he sobbed.

Tom, Nathan said, clearly puzzled, "it’s alright. Is it Martha?" Tom nodded.

"Tom, talk to me," Nathan said, more urgent now. "Has she been hurt?"

Yes Nathan, and in the worst possible way, Tom managed to say.

Mary Catherine and Patrick had walked to the buggy and were fixing to open the door, when they heard Nathan ask, "Well where’s Albert, Tom?"

He’s gone, Nathan. He’s gone forever. Tom cried.

Nathan fell to his knees. Patrick hurriedly knelt beside him. "Oh no, no, Lord, not our brother!" Nathan cried, pulling Patrick into his arms.

Somehow they all made it through the rest of the week, mainly because there were things to be done that could not be put aside, and this helped to take the edge off their grief. Nathan and Patrick were inseparable. It was as if they were afraid to be apart from each other. Mary Catherine and Lucy did what they could to ease their own suffering, but had their hands full taking care of Martha, who remained in bed. Truthfully, Mary Catherine was almost exhausted, so when Megan and Martha Jane insisted they be allowed to help, she gratefully allowed them to spend their days with Martha. In fact, three days later, when Martha began to move around the house a little, she gave the girls much of the credit for her improvement. Mary Catherine knew the girls all loved their Aunt Martha, who was also their school teacher. They would not give up until she was able to move around and talk to everyone without crying.

Roy and Michael took over things at both farms, while David rode Old Ace to and from Grant Town every day. He arranged to pick up the mail for both families, as well as for the Sawyers. Between the Feed and Seed Store and the Post Office, he was pretty much able to pick up on all the local news, and therefore, could keep the family aware of what was happening in the aftermath of the flood. Bob Jameson had his press running again and David was able to bring home two copies of the paper one evening. Mister Jameson had promised to find David one more and keep it aside for him. This way, Nathan, Patrick and Martha would each have a copy for themselves.

David had purposely folded the paper in such a way that the front page could not be seen, before he handed it to Nathan, who promptly carried it over to the table and sat down. Nathan was unaware they all were watching him, and waiting to hear what it had to say. Therefore, all eyes were upon him when he unfolded it, suddenly placed both arms on top of the paper, and laid his head on his arms.

The sound of his grief was a terrible thing, and Mary Catherine rushed to his side, followed by Martha. His wife gently lifted his head to her breast, and Nathan moved his arms to hold her. Martha was then able to see the headlines and grabbed a chair for support. Roy and Megan barely reached her side as she collapsed. When they turned to help Martha to the sofa, Roy glimpsed the big black letters, A FINAL SALUTE TO CAPTAIN ALBERT SAWYER—A MAN WHO CARED.

Nathan finally convinced his wife he had sufficient control of himself, and must now see what Bob Jameson had to say. It was all there, the whole story. The looking at the stars, the prediction, the fears, the naysayers, the storing of nonperishable food, the warning posters, and the humiliation Albert had suffered when his friends refused to believe him. It told of a man, brave and caring, who could not stand by and watch a woman and children in grave danger without making an effort to rescue them. The miracle of Tom Lewis’ survival was there also, and how the Lewis home had been completely destroyed by the flood waters.

There were three other articles in the paper that were somewhat of a surprise to Nathan, though they should not have been. They were commentaries by John Wilson, Senator William C. Willey, and F. H. Pierpont. Albert would have been proud to read them. Turning to David, Nathan said, "Give that other copy to Roy and Megan so they can read it to the little ones. Mary Catherine, help Martha, and I want you both to come over here and read this article together. I hope it will do for you both what it has done for me. I’m going to be alright now, like my brother would want me to be, like he would want his wife to be too. Read what all these people had to say about Albert Sawyer, and be proud to have known him. We have all been truly blessed by his presence. I have my memories, and I’ll cherish them for the rest of my days, but I will honor my brother more by getting on with my life. You two must do the same. Lucy, when they are finished, I want you to read it to my brother, Patrick."

Nathan, you always seem to know how to say the things I need to hear, Martha said, after she and Mary Catherine had finished reading, and given the paper to Lucy. She stood up and began pacing, "I loved that man more than anything in the world. I was heartbroken when I could not bear him a child, but we put that behind us when we adopted both your and Patrick’s families as our own. I know in my heart what he would want me to do, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him looking down here at me and being ashamed of my weakness. I must go home and get on with my life."

No Martha! Mary Catherine exclaimed, you’re going nowhere. Nathan and I just adopted you to be our oldest daughter, and from now on, our home will be your home too. I will not hear another word about it. It will please Albert too.

The next morning, Martha was up early and helped Mary Catherine fix breakfast for Nathan, Roy, and David. Her eyes had lost most of their shadows, her hair was carefully combed and brushed, and there was a cheery smile on her face as she told them all good morning. Mary Catherine was thrilled to see such an improvement, and Nathan made it a point to compliment her, saying it was good to see a sunny face about the house for a change. Roy allowed she looked fit enough to go help him with the feeding.

Martha Jane came from the bedroom, rubbing her eyes, and pushed her way into the kitchen, where everyone seemed to be gathered around the coffee pot listening to it perk. "Aunt Martha, do you think we can go back to school Monday," she asked.

I sure hope so, honey, we’re so close to the end of the school year. she replied. David, do you suppose you might be able to find out something for us today?

I’ll do my best, he responded. I have to go and see John Wilson at the bank this morning, and when we’ve finished our business, I’ll ride over to the court house. I ought to be able to find out something over there.

Martha walked over, gave David a big hug, and kissed his cheek. "That’d be mighty sweet of you David, she said, it’s not often I have a student who’s anxious to go back to school.

No one seemed to notice Mary Catherine, standing in front of the stove scrambling some eggs, with tears of happiness running down through a smile so bright, it seemed to light up the kitchen. Her dear friend was back.

As soon as they finished eating, Roy and David left the house, Roy to do the feeding, and David to catch and saddle Old Ace. Nathan and Patrick planned to ride over to Albert’s warehouse and see if the water had receeded enough for them to get inside. When Nathan stood up to go get his coat and hat, Martha asked, "Nathan, would you please tell Tom that I would like for him to come and see me tomorrow, if it’s possible for him to do so? It’s rather urgent I speak to him. If he’s not at the warehouse, would you see if you can find him and give him my message. He and his family are probably still living at our house, since their’s was washed away."

Of course I’ll find him for you Martha, Nathan replied, but is something wrong?

"No, nothing’s wrong, Nathan. I want to make something right. You heard what Mary Catherine said last night, so I want to tell Tom I’m giving him and Jennie our house. That way he won’t be worrying about trying to find a place for them to live.

Why Martha, that’s wonderful, exclaimed Mary Catherine. I’m sure you have some things you’d like to keep and we’ll make room for you to have them here with. The men can all pitch in and help you move.

Dear, dear, Mary Catherine. How would I ever survive without you? But I’m big enough burden by myself, dear and I refuse to clutter up your house with things I don’t need anymore. There are a few small things that were special to Albert and me that I’d like to bring, but the rest will stay for Tom and Jennie to use. If they don’t want it, then I’ll give it to someone who’s lost their things in the flood. Look, if you don’t need me in the kitchen, I’ll go see if I can get the girls out of bed, and talk to them a little about their lessons.

David rode toward Grant Town with a whole bunch of ideas swimming around inside his head. He had decided to buy all the land that came up for sale along the west bank of the West Fork River. Problem was, he wasn’t sure how to go about approaching people whose livelihood and dreams had been washed away by the flood. He was a warmhearted fellow by nature, certainly sympathetic and understanding of the plight of these poor settlers, and didn’t want to be marked as a cruel and heartless land grabber. Yet, he would be able to place much needed cash in their hands in return for their deed.

David knew he was in a unique position since he would be buying the land for a long term investment that would bear fruit somewhere down the road. He felt sure that some time in the future, action would be taken by the government to eliminate the danger of flooding. There was already talk about making the Monongahela more navigable by building locks up in the Morgantown region. But how to make an approach to the poor indigent settlers? While it was true that some, particularly the mill owners, might remain solvent to a degree, they had all lost a considerable investment and even they might not be inclined to re-build. He hoped John Wilson could give him some good advice.

David Sullivan was another one of several young men, new to the territory, who had caught the eye of John Wilson. John was first impressed by the large sum of money placed in David’s account by his uncle, Lawrence Rothchild, and had wondered what the young man would look like when he finally showed up at the bank. He recalled that first meeting, and how shocked he’d been to discover David’s quick intelligence and the confident manner in which he’d carried himself. Another plus was the fact he’d been accompanied by Roy Wolde, son of the Baroness, whom he knew and liked.

John had seen David ride up to the hitching rail, so he got up and walked slowly, wanting to arrive at the door just as David stepped in front of it. He had a huge smile on his face when he reached and quickly jerked it open, startling the young man he was facing.

"Well now if it isn’t the Yankee feller Lawrence Rothchild sent down here from the north to fleece us poor mountaineers! Good morning, young David. Come right on in here. You’re out mighty early. Let’s go into my office and sit down. Why I’ll even see if I can find us some coffee to sip on while you tell me what it is I can do for you. By the way, is this a business or a social call, David?"

John, I’m glad I decided to come see you this morning. It seems to me you’re in a pretty good mood, but what’s with this business or social question?

Well Mister Sullivan, you see me sitting here in my shirt sleeves with this dad burned thing around my neck hanging loose, and my shirt collar unbuttoned? If you’re here to socialize, then I feel alright the way I am, but if you’re here to talk business, I’ve got to get up and put on my coat, and tidy myself up a bit. Understand?

Oh, absolutely, John. Go get your coat, David said, and was surprised when the man got up to do just that. John Wilson came back and sat down, the picture of a successful banker.

"Now, Mister Sullivan, please tell me what the Bank of Fairmont can do for you." David poured out his story.

"I see your point, David, John said, and I agree with your thinking, but I’m surprised to find you so sensitive about the the settler’s feelings. Why your uncle would have them deeds locked in his vault at a price one notch above thievery, and nary a tear shed."

Maybe so, John, David replied, but these people have suffered terrible losses, and I’d feel like a ghoul trying to buy their land, even though I figure they need the money. What would they think about me, out buying land while all the time knowing what the flood had done? Why, I’d be lucky if I didn’t get tarred and feathered.

You may be right, David, but let me tell you something, when money is changing hands, you can’t afford to be sentimental or charitable. What you do, is be fair and honest and let the devil take the hindmost. If you do that, in good conscience, you’ve nothing to worry about. Let me go and find that coffee, and then I’ll tell you what the bank can do for you.

John Wilson was gone for at least ten minutes, and David had begun worrying a little, when he suddenly appeared, carrying two mugs of hot coffee, and apologized, saying he’d had to wait till the fresh pot finished perking.

"The bank will handle all the purchases for you, David. I’ll get the word out through some of my contacts, and most likely have Bob Jameson run a little item in his paper. People naturally accept the fact that banks make mortgage loans and occasionally buy property for their investors, so I don’t forsee any adversity coming from this. We will handle all the paperwork involved in the transfer, and even have the new deed registered. I can tell from that look on your face that you have a question. Shall I answer it for you? How much is all this going to cost me. Well, here’s what I want. Take this pencil and tablet and write it down.

1. The bank will notify you, David, when it’s been approached by a seller, so you will have an opportunity to do an appraisal, and set the purchase price you’re willing to pay. I will need your authority to exceed this price by no more than ten percent if it is necessary in order to close the deal.

2. Money for the purchase will be withdrawn from whose account, David? You may tell me later how this is to be set up.

3. There will be a standard charge of one hundred and fifty dollars for each property transfer. This includes