Friday, January 19, 1900

------- EAST BLUESTONE -------


There is quite a lot of sickness on East Bluestone at present, such as measles, rheumatism, and bad colds.

Wedding bells are ringing in our vicinity and look out for a perfect storm of weddings.

Mr. A HOUNSHELL will commence a singing school at the schoolhouse in about two weeks.

Mrs. J.D. TICKLE is still on the sick list.  We hope for her a speedy recovery.

We have a shingle factory in our midst now, but we don't know weather they can cut shingles or not.  I will tell you, prosperity has struck us square in the back, Summers, Harman & Ruble are the manufacturers.  They hope to advance wages 10 per cent in a few days.

Mr. S.A. RUBLE has opened up a commissary near here for the benefit of the laboring men, so they need not go far for their supplies.

Mr. E.E. HALE has purchased a fine farm from C.B. NEEL & Bro., also one from Gratton MULLINS. 

Mr. HALE says some one has borrowed his axe, and he would like for them to bring it home, but we think it is a plain case of "benevolent assimilation."

Mr. Walter RUBLE got pretty badly scalded a few days ago.  He got in front of the blow off pipe of the engine while they were blowing the water out of the boiler.  He used nearly a half-gallon of linseed oil on his burns.

We learn that D.H. BIRD has purchased a 72-inch turbine water wheel.  He says he is going to put a move on things in the part of the county.

We understand from good authority that C.A. BANE is making preparations to jump the
"broom stick"  Mr. BANE says that the Bible says, "it is not good for man to live alone," so he says that he don't want to live contrary to what the Bible teaches, and is going to get him a 'better half.'

The boys of our community are growing better, slowly judging from the fact that there was not one-tenth part of the "Tanglefoot" used this post Christmas as there was one year ago.  We are glad to see some signs of improvement.

------- POCAHONTAS -------


John R. BLACK was up from Bluefield Monday.

A.G. ALLISON registered at the Inn from Glade Springs Tuesday.

L. SILVERMAN, of Baltimore, is the guest of Jos. MILLER, this week.

W.A. CALLOWAY was in our city for Eckman Thursday.

F.P. CUMMINGS is among our friends this week from Roanoke.

Dr. S.J. TABOR visited Bluefield Monday.

J.M. NEWTON was on the Horn Monday.

Dr. ZIMMERMAN was up from Bluefield Monday.

J.H. KIDD left Thursday for Charlotte, Va., on a visit.

Joseph MILLER visited Keystone Thursday.

George DENNIS, who was visiting here for several weeks, left Thursday for Baltimore.

R.S. GILLESPIE was here from Tazewell, Thursday.  He took five prisoners from this place on his return home.

E. GOODMAN and J.S. STOUT visited Tazewell Tuesday, attending court.


 Friday April 6, 1900

------- A SAD DEATH -------


Miss Slade WALLACE, age 20 years, the daughter of W.W. WALLACE, and one of the brightest and most promising young ladies in the county, died at her home near Springville, last Monday, of consumption.  This untimely death cast a gloom over the entire community.  She was buried on Tuesday; Rev. G.W. HARLESS conducted the solemn service.

------- POUNDING MILL -------

Rev. Mr. EVANS, from Graham, spent the past week with Rev. J.R. SPARKS.

Mr. and Mrs. W.R. HOLLAND occupy the house vacated by W. HALL.  Mr. HALL having moved to Sandy Huff.

Mrs. Sheffey STURGILL, proprietress of the Union Hotel, of Graham, spent a couple of days with her friend, Mrs. W.B. STEELE.

Mrs. C.P. WILLIAMS is quite ill at this writing.

Dr. J.G. WILLIAMS was called home from Newport News to see his father, who was ill.  He returned one day last week.

Mr. N.L. MCLEOD, who bought the timber of Gillespie & Hurt here, is sawing and shipping same.

There has been considerable sickness, consisting of grip, pneumonia, and measles, and still several cases of measles and one of pneumonia.  I suppose every family in the town and neighborhood has had from one to eight cases, sometimes a whole family would be down at once.

Mrs. Harve YOUNG died last week of pneumonia, which followed measles.  She leaves four children, a husband, an aged father, two sisters and a brother to mourn their loss.  A better woman in sickness there never was.  A large number of friends attended the burial on Tuesday afternoon of last week.  Rev. J.R. SPARKS conducted the service.  May God comfort the bereaved ones and lead the children.

Rev. Phillip JOHNSON filled his usual appointment there Sunday at eleven and Saturday night before.

Miss Lou Murphy has recovered from an attack of measles, and has resumed her music duties.

Lois Irene RATLIFF, Lula and Carl HANKINS and Hunter STURGILL visited Uva and Rex STEELE recently.

Mrs. FAULKNER and son are visiting their homefolks at Oak Vals.

Mrs. W.S. MURPHY has returned from Toms Creek, where she has been visiting her husband for the past week.

Miss Hattie GRIFFITH visited relatives at Bluefield recently.

------- BURKE'S GARDEN -------

Mrs. CRISMOND is still quite feeble at J.C. WYNN'S in Medley's Valley.

Mrs. Catherine GOSE is still in poor health, but we hope she may yet recover.  Mr. J.P. GOSE has had sickness all winter.

Dr. J.R. CROCKETT is kept going almost night and day.  Two doctors are needed in the Garden during so much sickness.

Farmers are greatly behind with their Spring work owing to bad weather.

Miss Etta GREEVER has been kept from school about five or six weeks with scarlitina and it's effects.

We understand the Burke's Garden Academy has closed out for a week on account of measles in the neighborhood.

Miss Nannie GREEVER has been confined to her bed since Saturday with scarlitina.

Mrs. HENINGER is reported some better.  We hope she will continue to improve.

Mr. E.L. GREEVER was visiting homefolks Thursday night.  Ed is always welcomed in the Garden.

Friday, April 20, 1900


JAMES C. SPOTTS

Mr. James C. Spotts, on of our oldest citizens, died yesterday morning
about  6:30 AM, after an illness of only about a week,
though he had kept his room for some time previous.  His death, while not
a surprise, is a source of deep regret.  He was one
of our best known and most highly respected citizens.

James Clowney Spotts was born in Lewisburg, now West Virginia, July 21st,
1828.  In June 1858 he was united in marriage to
Miss Charlotte Clarke Hendrick, and some years afterward moved to
Kentucky, near Owensboro, where Mrs. Spotts died, leaving
four sons, James W., E.V., John M., and Stuart R., all of whom are living,
except the youngest, who died at 5 years of age.
In the year 1869, in the month of March, Mr. Spotts moved to Tazewell with
his four sons, and in September of the same year
was married, the second tie, to Miss Mary E. Wyatt, a prominent teacher,
and a lady of many noble traits of character, and
with whom he lived happily until last August, when Mrs. Spotts died, and
his home was again desolate.  The second great
sorrow seemed to lay a burden upon the body and heart of the aged husband
which he could not throw off, and in the opinion of
his friends, shortened his days, and he waited patiently the approach of
the hour when he too would be gathered to his
fathers and loved ones, which he felt sure would be soon.

Mr. Spotts was for a long time, a prosperous merchant of Tazewell, and
some years later, was superintendent of the public
schools of the county.  He joined the Presbyterian Church early in life,
and of which, through a long career, was an
honorable member and officer.

Probably no man ever lived in Tazewell who left it for the Better Land,
leaving behind him a clearer record.  For more than
thirty years he was closely identified with the business, social and
religious life of the community.  When we think of
Tazewell's financial or religious history we think, necessarily of
"Clowney" Spotts, as he was familiarly called, and his
departure leaves a vacancy deep and wide, which can not be filled.

In form and face, in thought and character, he was preeminently, a
gentleman of the Old School, a class of men disappearing
all too rapidly, and whose likes we may not see again.  His departure from
amongst us is as though a study oak, which, while
lending grandeur to the landscape, afforded also shelter and blessing to
all within its reach, had been uprooted and torn
away, and the place where it stood is vacant and bare.

Mr. Spotts' entire life bore unerring testimony to the Christian religion.
His faith was well grounded.  He knew in whom he
had believed, and his life was molded and shaped in accordance with his
belief.  The last hour was calmly awaited and when
the shadows deepened and grew darker, he felt the firm Rock beneath his
feet, and the Everlasting Arm round about him. The
influence of such a life will tell upon present and future generations.

---------

A VERY SERIOUS AND UGLY CHARGE

On Wednesday, John PEERY, a colored man, who lives near Five Oaks, a few
miles east, was arrested upon a warrant sworn out by
W.A. WHITLEY, charging him with entering the house of Rev. Mr. DAUGHERTY,
who lives on Whitley's Branch, near North
Tazewell, and attempting to commit a criminal assault. The prisoner, who
is about 30 years old, and has a family, was brought
here by Deputy Sheriff GILLESPIE, and lodged in jail.  A preliminary trial
was held before H.G. PEERY, Esq., and the case
sent on to the Grand Jury for further investigation.

There was quite a large crowd at the trail, which was one of peculiar
interest owing to the serious charges against the
prisoner.

Mrs. DAUGHERTY, the wife of Rev. D.A. DAUGHERTY, a well known Methodist
minister, was the first witness.  The substance of
her testimony was as follows.  Mr. DAUGHERTY was absent from home in
Russell.  There was no one in the house except herself
and Gracie MAYS, a young girl about 12 or 13 years old, who was raised by
Mr. Wesley WHITLEY, in whose house Mr. DAUGHERTY
lives.  Some time in the night of Tuesday she was awakened with a sort of
smothering feeling.  She put out her hand and felt
someone - thought her husband had returned, but finding out her mistake
she screamed and a heavy hand was put on her mouth,
and the man said, "hush, hush, I won't hurt you."  Witness did not know
how long he remained, but heard him walk away, and
go out of the door; didn't know whether man was white or black - could not
see as there was no light in the room.  Didn^t
knew the prisoner, never had seen him.  It was about 11 o'clock in the
night.

The next witness was Gracie MAYS, who said she was sleeping with Mrs.
DAUGHERTY, and was awakened by screams, saw a man walk
around by the foot of the bed and out of the door: heard prisoner say
"hush, hush, I won't hurt you." Witness positively
identified prisoner as the man who was in the room she knew his voice and
saw him on the porch after he left the room.  She
said the moon was shining and she could see.

The next witness was Reese WHITLEY, who knew nothing of the case, except
that he saw the prisoner in that vicinity on Tuesday
evening about 6 o'clock.

The prisoner's wife testified that he left home Tuesday afternoon to go to
Mr. BURTONS, a neighbor, about 2   miles, after
onion sets, and got back home at 10 o^clock.  She looked at the watch when
he came, and knew positively.

A girl about 18 years of age, who lives in the prisoner^s family,
testified to the same thing.  She asserted positively that
it was 10 o^clock when the prisoner returned, because she looked at the
watch.  She was given a watch, and asked to tell the
time of day, but could not tell the time at all.

The prisoner was given the opportunity to testify in his own behalf.  He
said that after going to BURTON'S and failing to
get the onion sets he started to town to get them.  This was about 5 pm.
It commenced raining and he decided not to go to
town, but started across the ridge homes.  He sat down under a tree to
shelter from the rain and went to sleep.  He woke up
and went home, when he got there it was 10 o'clock.  Here the case closed,
and the Justice sent the prisoner on.


----- POUNDING MILL -----

There has been considerable sickness here since our last writing.  Nannie,
the little four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Tim MONGER, who has grip is better.  She was partially unconscious for
several days.  Dr. W.R. WILLIAMS is the attending
physician.  Dr. Henry CROCKETT, of Tazewell, was called by telegram
Thursday.  The child will recover.

Uva, the 11-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.B. STEELE has been
dangerously ill since the 8th, but is also on the road to
recovery.  She had measles, brain and spinal troubles, which threw her
into convulsions, and was unconscious for four days.
The relatives were sent for, everyone thinking the end near.  Dr. M.B.
CROCKETT, of Knob, was the attending physician, Drs.
WILLIAMS, ST. CLAIR, and CROCKETT from Tazewell, were called on Tuesday of
last week.

Mrs. Charles LAWRENCE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John LAMBERT, is some
better today.  Yesterday, her life was despaired of.
She gave birth to a little girl yesterday morning at 2 o^clock.

Mr. and Mrs. A.H. RYLEY are the proud parents of a 1   lb. Boy, who
arrived a few minutes prior to little Miss LAWRENCE
mentioned above, both doing tolerable well.  The father is very ill with
the measles and grip.

Mrs. C.P. WILLIAMS has improved enough to walk around in the house.

Mrs. BENNETT and Mrs. CREWEY, who have pneumonia, are better.

Mr. and Mrs. John LAMBERT have moved into their property here, in the
house with their daughter, Mrs. LAWRENCE.  Their four
least have measles.

Mr. Tim MONGER has sold his property to Mr. and Mrs. John LAMBERT for $650
and LAMBERT sold his farm to W.B. STEELE for
$1692.  Mr. LAMBERT will move to the MONGER property when their families
get well and Mr. MONGER will move to Richlands.  He
has bought a boundary of timber five miles for there for $8,000.

Messrs. Sam GILLESPIE'S, Wade CHRISTIANS, John ASBURY^S and R.M. SPARKS^
children are getting over the measles.

The Easter service here was enjoyed very much.  Rev. Phillip JOHNSON
preached on Sunday and Saturday night before. Miss
Hattie GRIFFITH was kind enough to let her organ be sent to the church
Sunday and Miss Lou MURPHY rendered some splendid
music, assisted by choir.  Mrs. R.K. GILLESPIE was baptized by Rev.
JOHNSON on Easter morning at 6 o'clock near her home,
only a few being present.

Mr. Will OSBORNE, of Athens, WV., is ill at his fathers, Mr. James
OSBORNE.

Miss Maggie and Lou Ella MYERS visited friends here recently.

"Aunt Polly" PEERY is visiting at Sam GILLESPIE'S.


----- BENBOW -----

Rev. Mr. MOWBRAY preached on excellent sermon at this place on Sunday.

We are very glad to say that there is not near so much sickness in the
Valley now as has been most of the winter.

Mrs. Ella BUCHANAN has been very sick for several weeks, but is now
improving.

Mr. G.S. CRABTREE and daughter, Miss Ella, were in town shopping Tuesday.

Mr. Ed. BUCHANAN gave a birthday dinner Wednesday in honor of his youngest
daughter.

Mr. G.S. CRABTREE made a visit to Bland last week to see his daughter,
Miss Mattie, who is attending school at Sharon
College.



 
Friday, May 18, 1900

MRS. ALEXANDER'S CLASS


Mrs. Mamie ALEXANDER had one nigh of closing exercises of her music class, the other suspended.  The exercises last Thursday evening, were given by Misses Helen FUDGE and Nannie LESLIE, senior members of Mrs. ALEXANDER'S class.  There was a large crowd of Tazewell's best people, and the young ladies acquitted themselves well, showing careful training and much proficiency in their studies.  Mrs. ALEXANDER has been teaching in Tazewell for five years and needs no commendation.  She is a faithful, conscientious and successful teacher, and lady of most excellent Christian character.  She will continue her class during the summer, commencing about June 1st.  Those desiring to avail themselves of this opportunity should see Mrs. ALEXANDER at once and arrange to begin at the beginning.  In the exercises Tuesday night, Mr. W.H. ALDERSON, violinist, and Miss Edith WHITMAN, vocalist, added greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO CHILD

On last Friday the 5-year-old son of John BURTOR, who lives near North Tazewell, met with an accident, which resulted in his death on Saturday.  The little fellow was with his father and older brother, who were preparing to drag a piece of cloddy ground.  The horses became frightened, and by some means the heavy drag, weighing about 70 pounds, fell on the little boy, fracturing the skull.  Drs. CROCKETT and HALL did everything possible for the little sufferer, but he died on Saturday.  Tommie was a bright little boy, and his sad death nearly broke the hearts of his parents, who have the sympathy of their neighbors.

CEDAR BLUFF

Miss Mayo MCGUIRE who has been critically ill at her home at this place is reported a little better.

Rev. C.W. JOHNSON of Cook Dell, Va., filled the pulpit at the Methodist church Sunday night, in Rev. WEBB'S stead.

Mr. J.A. MCGUIRE visited Tazewell Saturday.

The closing exercises of C. B. High School will take place on Thursday night, Friday morning and Friday night of this week.  Rev. J.S. FRENCH of Tazewell will deliver the annual address.

The new Methodist Parsonage is almost completed, and will be ready for occupancy soon.

Mr. C.E. SCOTT of Belfast Mills is in town this week.

Mr. J.H. GILLESPIE has purchased a lot just east of the school property and is preparing to build an addition to the house on same.

SHRADERS


After the usual 10th of May rains, frosts and freezes, summer weather has come again.

The recent frost and freezes have proved to be very destructive to the fruit crop, not only in this section but all over the country, as well as to a good many varieties of garden vegetables.

Rev. D.A. DAUGHERTY, preacher in charge of the West Tazewell circuit, filled his regular appointment at Presley's chapel, in Crockett's Cove, on the 1st Sunday in this month.

Mr. H.G. MCGUIRE is in the employ of Peery & Co. of North Tazewell woolen mills.  He is paying the market prices for wool and is selling goods at the usually factory prices.

Our quite western portion of this vicinity was suddenly disturbed a few days ago, by the appearance of a mad hog, which created a great excitement.  The hog was killed and the scare abated.

Mr. Dudley MCGUIRE whom we have mentioned on our last letter, as having afflicted eyes, is better.

Mrs. Grat MCGUIRE and Mrs. Nancy CROCKETT, mentioned in last weeks communication as being sick is able to be out though, somewhat convalescent.

Mr. Webster SAYERS, son of C.D.G. SAYERS, if farming in the Cove this season.

POCAHONTAS

Miss Sadie BAACH and Miss Patsy LANDON, left Saturday for Richmond on a pleasure trip.

G.A. GEISON spent part of this week in Roanoke on business.

Floyd BLACK spent Sunday in Radford.

J.T. NEFF and wife spent Sunday in Graham.

Frank LANDON left Sunday for the north on a pleasure trip.

T.G. GREGG, of Kimbell was in our city Sunday.

P.W. POFF and wife of Bluefield spent Sunday in our city.

Miss Jane BALDWIN of Bluefield was a guest of Miss MCGEE Saturday.

Miss Kate MCGEE spent Monday in Bluefield with her friends.

Rev. M. RUSSAK was in Bluefield Sunday.

C.A. HOWARD and wife left Saturday for Richmond on a pleasure trip.

S.A. DANIEL and wife were in our city Friday.

John W. CROCKETT of Tazewell was in our city Friday.

June 1, 1900

LOCAL TAZEWELL PERSONALS


Mrs. J.J. HELDRETH is on the street again after a severe and protracted sickness.

Mr. L.D. SNAPP and Mrs. Kelly GROSCLOSE, of Burke's Garden, were trading in town yesterday.

J.W. HICKS, attorney of Graham, was transacting business before our court on Monday.

J.H. SUMMERS and Will SHANNON, progressive young farmers of Bluestone, called this week.

Rev. J.H. WYSE will fill the regular appointment of Rev. W. H. GREEVER at the Episcopal Church next Sunday.

Messrs. C.C. WILSON, and son Baxter, E.P. MOORE, J.T. FRAZIER Jr. J.W. DEATON and P.P. DILLON, were among prominent Pocahontas citizens in town this week.

Commissioner John H. LEWIS has been busy for some time listing property in town.

S.D. MAY and his two daughters, and Major R.R. HENRY, are attending the Confederate Reunion in Louisville.

Miss Annie ELY, of Lee County, has been the guest, for several days, of Mrs. W.G. HARRISSON, on her return from Virginia College, Roanoke.

The closing exercises of Burke's Garden Academy, commenced last night and will be concluded tonight.

Mr. and Mrs. D.H. LITZ were in town shopping recently.  They are now in the country with Mr. John T. LITZ.

Mr. W.N. SURFACE and family went to Russell last week.  Mr. SURFACE has returned.  Mrs. SURFACE and little son will prolong their visit several weeks.

Prof. P.H. WILLIAMS has just returned from the historic and romantic precinct of Bear Wallow and looks none the worse for wear.

Miss Kate GILLESPIE, daughter of Lewis GILLESPIE, of Graham, is visiting Miss Laura NEWTON, of North Tazewell.

Mrs. Joseph YOUNG, and son, of Lick Creek, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Ras. LOWDER.

Misses Mabel and Ella CRABTREE, of Thompson Valley, were shopping in town on Wednesday, and brightened our Sanctum by a visit, which was highly appreciated.

Col. J.S. BROWNING, of Pocahontas, was in the city on Wednesday.  The Col. Is likely to be a candidate before the next republican convention, of the Ninth District, of Congress, if rumors count for anything.

The Norfolk and Western Railway has restored the Sunday passenger train service on the Clinch Valley Division, which was discontinued some time ago.  We understand that there is some criticism of this action of the Railroad authorities by the ministers of the town, but it should be remembered that the leading men of the churches signed the petition, asking for the Sunday train.

Prof. & Mrs. G.L. BYRON left on Monday for a three weeks sojourn to Tennessee and other sections west.

Thomas BEAVERS, son of James BEAVERS, of Maxwell, shot William HALL, at Pounding Mill, on Monday last, inflicting a painful wound.  We have no particulars as to the cause of the difficulty.

ALMOST A FIRE

What might have been a very destructive fire was narrowly averted Wednesday night.  A lamp, at Mrs. Elizabeth PEERY'S, seemed about to explode, and was thrown out of doors, landing close to the house of Mr. O.G. EMACHWILLER.  This threatened his home, in case of an explosion, and some one again picked up the lamp, throwing it into the street.  This time the blazing lamp fell near enough Col. T.G. WITTEN'S stable to catch a lot of hay, and a big fire seemed imminent, as Coffee's livery stable adjoined, and was filled with hay.  By prompt action the fire was extinguished, but not until the entire town, almost, was aroused.  Had the accident occurred later in the night, the result might have been serious.

COUNTY COURT

Judge STUART'S Court closed yesterday.  Only a few important civil cases were tried during the term.  The Pocahontas cases were continued on account of small pox in the vicinity.  The HESS case was continued on account of the sickness of an important witness, and the other cases continued on account of absence of witnesses.

DEATH OF MISS OLLIE WINGO

The sad death of Miss Ollie WINGO occurred last Thursday afternoon, at 7 o'clock.  She was the second daughter of L.C WINGO, and sister to Mrs. W.G. RATLIFF, of our town, and a young lady of, not only beauty of form and feature, but of character as well.  She was wanting only a few days of 19 years old, and death never seemed more cruel or less discriminating than when he stuck down this promising and beautiful girl.  She had been sick about 8 months with consumption.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Philip JOHNSON, her pastor, in the Christian Church, last Sunday afternoon, and the remains were taken to Falls Mills, the old Mullins home, for burial.