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Staunton Spectator: August 7, 1860 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

West Augusta--Liberty and Union
(Column 1)

Summary: Spectator recalls the brave and patriotic actions and spirit of citizens of Augusta County during the Revolutionary War, and notes the danger in which the country currently is placed by the divisive political situation. Calls upon the divided Democrats who will soon be meeting in Staunton and Charlottesville to unite in support of the Constitution and the Union.

Home Destroyed by Lightning
(Column 1)

Summary: During a storm, the house of William Donaghe was struck by lightning and destroyed. Several of Col. Opie's slaves were awakened by lightning as well and were stunned but not injured.
(Names in announcement: William Donaghe, Col. Opie)

Terrific Storm--Great Loss--Staunton Nearly Ruined
(Column 2)

Summary: Report of a massive storm that swept through Staunton causing destruction of a great deal of property, mostly via flooding. Pavement was completely washed away on some streets and many businesses and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Large individual losses cited include those to Dr. H.S. Eichelberger, Druggist; Benjamin Crawford, Dry Goods merchant and Grocer; Mrs. L.J. Snyder; Mrs. Kelley, milliner; J.B. Antons, confectioner; J.P. Hulst, grocer; J.B. Evans, tobacconist; P.H. Trout & Co., druggists; William Miller, shoemaker; Charles T. Cochran, Tobacconist; Dr. Young, druggist; J.B. Scherer, confectioner; J. Beck, confectioner; T.J. Michie, lawyer; James Hannan, Bar-Room; John O'Hare, Bagatelle Saloon; Messrs. Bledsoes and Davis, Dry Goods merchants and Grocers; O.C. Morris, Grocer and Dry Goods Merchant; A.M. Bruce, Grocer; G.F. Elick, Saddler; Lyman R. Blake, Shoe Store; P.N. Powell, Commission Merchant. The gable end of the home being built for G.W. Imboden collapsed.
(Names in announcement: Dr. H.S. Eichelberger, Benjamin Crawford, Mrs. L.J. Snyder, Mrs. Kelley, J.B. Antone, J.P. Hulst, J.B. Evans, P.H. Trout, William Miller, Charles Cochran, Dr. Young, J.B. Scherer, J. Beck, T.J. Michie, James Hannan, John O'Hare, Mr. Bledsoes, Mr. Davis, O.C. Morris, A.M. Bruce, G.F. Elick, Lyman Blake, P.N. Powell, G.W. Imboden)

Presentation of Banner and Picnic Near Brown's Spring
(Column 3)

Summary: Report of the two local military companies travelling to Fishersville to witness the presentation of a flag to the Augusta Rifles. Detailed account of the proceedings, with military units led by Capt. Koiner of the Augusta Rifles, Capt. Peck of the Cavalry, and Capt. Imboden. Lieut. James Bumgardner presented the banner. Turner's Band provided entertainment. The storm that passed through the county produced an early end to the proceedings. Capt. Peck, Dr. King and Mr. Reed were struck by lightning, which marred the occasion, but it was otherwise an entire success.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Koiner, Capt. Peck, Lieut. James Bumgardner, Capt. Imboden, Capt. Peck, Dr. King, Mr. Reed)

Escapes from Drowning
(Column 3)

Summary: Report of a number of people who nearly drowned during the storm, including "Old Uncle Sam," a "servant" of Benjamin Crawford, who was saved by James S. Crawford.
(Names in announcement: Benjamin Crawford, James Craford)

Busy Scene
(Column 3)

Summary: Street Commissioners are busy repairing the damage done by the storm, making streets concave instead of convex so that water flows to the center of the street rather than out to the pavement and onto building foundations. Spectator hopes the street will be repaired in time for the Douglas Democrat convention on August 16.

Struck by Lightning
(Column 3)

Summary: During the storm, Capt. Henry H. Peck, Dr. King and Mr. Reed were all struck by lightning on the porch of a house at Brown's Spring near Fishersville. All were stunned but none was seriously injured.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Henry Peck, Dr. King, Mr. Reed)

Abolition
(Column 5)

Summary: Author addresses his letter to N.K. Trout, Gen. Harman and Capt. Baylor, arguing that citizens are always ready to rise up and oppose anyone suspected of abolition sentiments, but that there are other types of people who harm the institution of slavery even more than abolitionists but are never criticized. He refers specifically both to those who nominally own blacks but who allow them to act as freemen and hire themselves out and to those who allow their slaves to live in separate houses and work for themselves. The author calls on public officials to ferret out these cases and prosecute them for evading slave laws.
(Names in announcement: N.K. Trout, Gen. Harman, Capt. Baylor)

Full Text of Article:

To N.K. Trout, Mayor, and Gen. Harman and Capt. Baylor, Commonwealth's Attornies [sic]--

Nothing is more common than to hear our citizens declaim against the abolitionists. If a stranger comes into our midst who is even suspected of entertaining or inculcating abolition sentiments, the whole community is at once and justly in an uproar. Yet we have among our own people two classes of persons who do more harm to our slave population than all the abolitionists of the North combined. I refer, 1st., to those who stand as nominal masters for negroes, who are really free, and who are permitted to hire themselves out, and go at large at pleasure. I have reason to believe there are negroes in Staunton and in the country who are living, trading and acting as free persons, who have bought and paid for their freedom, except a nominal balance which is permitted to remain unpaid, merely as a device to evade the laws.--These cases should be looked after. And 2nd, there is another class, who permit their slaves to live in independent houses from their owners, to keep house, work for themselves and pay to their owners a portion of their earnings. This matter ought to be inquired into by our Mayor and Commonwealth's Attornies [sic] and Grand Juries. If orders were given to the public officer to ferret out all such cases and report them to the proper authorities, a good service would be done to the public.

Observer.

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