In response to the Corkonian assault a few days earlier, Longford men overtake unsuspecting Corkonians on the canal line 6 miles below Williamsport. This battle ended with 5 or 6 Corkonians wounded, and over 50 prisoners taken by mounted citizens and contractors.
600 or 700 Farndowners marched to Middlekauff’s Dam in an army formation, armed with guns, clubs, and heives. There, 300 Corkonians awaited them, armed in part by military-grade weapons. The Corkonians were funneled through the woods where they were picked off like wild game. This battle marks the first time the Federal government was used to settle a labor dispute.
To protect from losses due to runaway slaves, the Virginia Slave Insurance Company was created and incorporated in Charles Town.
Because of growing pains, a larger, new courthouse was built atop the land where the old courthouse stood -- the same courthouse which stands today. During this time, the bottom floor was a large courtroom in its entirety.
The Winchester and Potomac Railroad linked with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Harpers Ferry. Trains regularly ran to Baltimore and back to Harpers Ferry.
A bridge across the Potomac was opened in Harpers Ferry, which rendered the Ferry obsolete. Although constructed in 1836, the bridge was not covered until 1847.
Arms were delivered to citizens of Harpers Ferry from the Federal armory at the direction of the Governor of Virginia, with instructions to help quell a riot moving down the line of the canal from Morgan County. It appears that Irish laborers were calmed before reaching Harpers Ferry.
The completion of a number of large infrastructure projects in the area caused a large number of area laborers to suddenly find themselves in the job market with little to no work opportunities. With less competition for laborers, on-going area infrastructure projects significantly reduced wages, in some cases lowering wages by over 50%. This left many area workers in a down-trodden condition.
The temperance movement begins to take root in eastern Jefferson County. This phenomenon was partly due to a belief that the laboring class (more specifically, Irish laborers) could be calmed and assimilated into society by the forced removal of drink. As a result, the movement was heavily supported by women and many employers. The temperance movement also was likely inspired by Father Matthews, of Ireland, and his push for temperance among the Irish Catholic people.
Workmen employed at the Harpers Ferry Armory strike for higher wages. Armorers also petition the government to re-establish civil superintendence, calling the current military superintendence "revolting to freemen".
Complete armory renovations were drawn in 1844. These renovations plans included the addition of seven workshops, the installation of 121 new machines, and a canal enlargement.
The Shepherdstown Register reports that a breach at Dam No. 4 is almost closed, with over 100 hands working day and night to close it. The first crib being put in on Tuesday morning (June 22), two more were expected to be in place by the following week. The article reports that both dams should be completed by early summer, and that loaded boats can now pass through the tunnel.
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