Takes Business of Rivals.
Spencer is now doing all the business formerly done by the three hotel bars that flourished for many years in Harpers Ferry, and then some more. Harpers Ferry was never dry before but once and that was in 1871. Now it is like a desert. Residents for miles around who have been thirstier since July 1 than ever before apparently visit the town daily to see the sights and go to the oasis across the river. Everybody agrees Spencer is a prince. It is said he never was so popular before in all his life, and that is saying a great deal, according to general estimate.
Charlestown, the county seat of Jefferson county, which proudly boasts her friendship for Harpers Ferry, went dry on the same day the town on the river did. As the result, the train service has been increased in order to carry thirsty pilgrims to Spencer’s. Winchester, Martinsburg, and many other towns within a radius of twenty miles, each sends its quota to the emporium at the foot of Maryland Heights. All these places are under the domination of the “wets.” Among them are also Shepherdstown, 10 miles away; Blumont, 18; Round Hill and Silket Springs, each 16; Percellville, 15; Waterford, 12; Kearneysville, 11; Hillsboro, 10, Shenandoah Junction, 7; Halltown, Bakerton, and Millville, each, 4; Nearsville, 5, and Engelswitch, 3. Those who have no train service either drive or walk to one “wet” spot in all that great area, save Weverton and one or two other small places on the Maryland side of the Potomac, each of which has one or more saloons. The vast majority of Spencer’s patrons come from the Virginia and West Virginia towns. These three States interlace at Harpers Ferry. They are divided only by the meandering Shenandoah and Potomac rivers.
