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Staunton Spectator: October 18, 1859 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Opposition Convention
(Column 1)

Summary: Emphasizes importance of upcoming Opposition convention in Richmond.

Rumored Insurrection
(Column 1)

Summary: The first reports have reached Staunton of a possible slave insurrection at Harper's Ferry.

Full Text of Article:

Rumors reached this place last night, about 8 o clock, by telegraph, of a negro insurrection at Harper's Ferry. The dispatch was from the operator at Richmond, and stated that the negroes, under the lead of white men, had taken possession of the arsenal, and sent wagon loads of muskets and rifles to slaves in the surrounding country, and that large numbers had been killed.--They had cut and destroyed the telegraph wires. It is further stated that Gov. Wise had left Richmond with several miliary companies, and that two companies from Washington with three twelve pounders had gone from that city with orders to take the bridge at all hazards by midnight. Troops from Old Point Comfort had also been ordered out, and companies from Baltimore had also repaired to Harper's Ferry. The payhouse is said to have been robbed of a large sum of money.

These rumors may be exaggerated in some particulars, but there seems to be no doubt, from what we learn of Mr. Baskin, the operator at this place, of the fact of the insurrection. We think it probable, however, that a rebellion among the white operatives at the Armory has been mistaken for slave insurrection; though it is probable that some negroes may have been induced to join them.

Chapter of Accidents
(Column 3)

Summary: Roster of accidents that have happened in Waynesboro recently.
(Names in announcement: Spotswood Harrington, Dr. Waddell, Dr. King, James Bush, John Bush, J.B. Smith, L. Shaw, David Bush)

Full Text of Article:

A correspondent from Waynesboro writes us during the past few days, that very serious casualties have occurred in that community. A son of Spotswood Harrington, fell from a Hickory tree into which he had climbed to gather its fruit, a distance perhaps of 30 feet.--He came down head foremost, throwing out his hands to protect himself, the whole force of the fall was received upon the arms, the right wrist crushed, the bone protruding through the flesh, entered the ground from one to two inches; the other wrist was broken or badly dislocated. The face of the little sufferer, (for he was under 12 years old,) was much bruised, and the concussion being of course great, affected him generally. Drs. Waddell and King were soon on the ground, rendering the needed assistance, and the boy is doing as well as could be hoped for.

Another--Young James Bush, son of Mr. John Bush, whilst in the act of sending up a bucket of stone and earth from the bottom of a well, which he was digging f! or J. B. Smith of Waynesboro, was surprised somewhat, by the return of bucket and contents on his head and shoulders, a distance of 25 to 30 feet, the bucket weighing near one hundred pounds. Death was supposed to be the consequences, but not so; Bush was terribly bruised but is getting well.

Another case of well doing which occurred in our village some time since, perished for want of a chronicler. It fell out on this wise: Mr. L. Shaw abandoned a well he was digging, after obtaining a depth of 60 feet--the mouth of the well was covered with loose thin plank, barely sufficient to support a man. Mr. David Bush's horses had escaped the enclosure and were playing in the vicinity of the well; two of them, large, able-bodied and fat fellows, leaped together upon the plank crossing the wells mouth, which gave way, and together they descended to it dismal depths. Reader, you will say they were instantly crushed to death--not a bit of it--by the skillful management of stalwart men, and by means of ropes and pulleys, they were brought to light and life, and marvelous to say, very little injured.

Agricultural Fairs
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces upcoming State Agricultural fair, where Stuart is scheduled to speak.
(Names in announcement: Alexander Stuart, Bolivar Christian)

Departure of the "Shackleford" Negroes
(Column 4)

Summary: Story of the departure of 37 freed slaves from Amherst County to a free state. Another 7 stayed behind, "preferring to remain in servitude in Old Virginia, rather than enjoy their freedom elsewhere." Claims that the others would have preferred to stay as well, but were forced out of state.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Republican

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Married on October 4.
(Names in announcement: Rev. John Pinkerton, Henry Life, Fanny Crawford)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Married on October 6.
(Names in announcement: Rev. John Pinkerton, George Kyle, Mary Eubank)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Married on October 4.
(Names in announcement: John Blain, J.W. Coarsey, Irene Pauley)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Married on October 6.
(Names in announcement: Rev. John Blain, C.F. Crawford, Lizzie Mackey, S. Mackey)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Married on October 11.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William Pinkerton, Archibald Sproul, Eugenie Bumgardner, James Bumgardner)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Harriet, age 64, died on October 10.
(Names in announcement: Harriet Hensley, George Hensley)