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Staunton Spectator: October 6, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Gen. Francis P. Blair's Speech
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper prints a speech of Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Francis P. Blair arguing that the best way to save the republic is through separation of the races by colonization of African Americans.

Augusta County Fair
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that Augusta's County Fair is fully prepared, and praises Mr. Wm. Pratt for his leadership in planning the event. The Fair will take place from the 27 through the 29th, and promises to be a fine and profitable exhibition.

Full Text of Article:

Our Fair may now be regarded as a fact accomplished -- an established Institution.

The Fair Grounds, which have been bought and paid for, contain over twenty acres of land lying within three quarters of a mile of the Court House from which they are reached by a road of singular beauty following the course of Lewis' Creek and passing in full view of the beautiful grounds of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. The shape of the grounds is so admirably suited to the purposes of the Fair to make us wonder why they have not always been so used, and yet it would be difficult to find anywhere a prettier landscape than is presented by the little Valley nestling among the surrounding hills.

It would be unreasonable to expect the fitting up of such an establishment to be complete in all its parts in time for the first Fair -- but we are assured that under the energetic and efficient direction of Mr. Wm. A Pratt, such progress has already been made as to render it certain that the beautiful trotting course will be ready and that sufficient buildings will be provided for the comfortable accommodation of Exhibitors and Visitors. To develop fully the great beauty of the place and to fit it thoroughly and permanently as Fair Ground, Park and Pleasure Grounds is a work which requires time and taste and money.

We are gratified to learn that already over Fifteen Thousand Dollars have been raised by subscription among our people for this excellent purpose, and we doubt not that Augusta county will be found both able and willing to provide whatever sum may be found necessary for a work which seems to have taken a strong hold upon popular favor.

The first Fair takes place on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of this month, and from all parts of the county we hear notes of busy preparation. The Premium lists and Programme which have been published present an attractive Bill of Fare, and we have no doubt that the entertainment will fully equal the public expectation.

We have reason to expect fine displays of Implements and machinery from Richmond and Baltimore, and a number of herds of fine Stock have been promised from different parts of the State. If our own county people will only determine to bring to the Fair the best they have, and at all events to bring something, we will have an exhibition worth seeing.

We are glad to see that the Directors of the Fair are disposed to regard money premiums as of subordinate importance and value. We only wish they would abolish them altogether and let the people compete for the gratification of success, and the reputation due to merit.

The address of Commodore Maury is a great feature in the programme. He has more reputation as a man of Science, the world over, than any man in America, and he is now devoting his great talents to the industrial and material development of Virginia. A talk from him will be worth hearing.

We hope to see at the Fair the greatest turn out of the people of Augusta county that has ever been known. If the men and women and children of Old Augusta meet together in mass, it will be a sight which of itself will attract thousands from abroad, who wish to see the sturdy yeomanry, who in war or in peace are earnest in purpose, and steady in action.

A Chance for Investment
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper endorses investment in the refurbishing of Variety Springs, which could come to equal the White Sulphur Springs in popularity.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: A. McR. Blain of Augusta County won first prize at an Illinois fair for a machine for paring, coring and slicing apples.
(Names in announcement: A. McR. Blain)

Further Increase of the Public Debt
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports that expenditures on reconstruction have again led to a net increase in the national debt this month.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper argues that unrest in the West and South demonstrates the terrible state of the country. "The Indians are fighting Federal troops in the West, and the niggers and scallawags are destroying the peace of society in many portions of the South."

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Excerpt from the Rockingham Register. Concerns the effects of the completion of the Manassas Gap Railroad, and claims that this railroad has harmed the agricultural trade of Rockingham by diverting trade to Harrisonburg.

Full Text of Article:

We clip the following paragraph from the Rockingham Register. We know that our friend made the statement with very mournful feelings. We would, however, suggest to him to wait a little while, and "he shall see what he shall see." He will find that there is more life in this old town than he has dreamed of.

THE VALLEY PRODUCE TRADE. -- To one who was familiar with the business transacted at the depot at Staunton, in produce trade, months ago, and who has had his attention directed to the amount shipped from that point the present fall, it is very clear that the penetration of the lower Valley by the Manassas Gap Railroad, has had a very deleterious effect upon the trade of the "City of the Hills." -- Since the cars have been running to Mt. Jackson, nearly all the produce of Rockingham and most of that of Northern and Western Augusta has been transported to that point. When the road shall have been completed to Harrisonburg, the effect will be more marked upon the business of Staunton. Already it is in contemplation by several of the business men of that place to remove to Harrisonburg, which is destined to be the great business centre of the Valley.

Augusta County Bible Society
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta County Bible Society will hold an anniversary meeting in Staunton's M. E. Church, South. All interested persons are invited to attend. A report on the activities of the organization will be delivered, and the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge of Richmond, President of the Virginia Bible Society, will address the meeting.

New Freight Arrangement
(Column 01)

Summary: An arrangement between the Chesapeake and Ohio and York River Railroads and the Powhatan Steamship Company led to the ability to ship freight from Baltimore to Staunton in 24 hour's time. This equals the speed of express companies and will help lower rates.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Town Council responded to an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce of Norfolk to participate in a commercial convention by naming delegates.
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart, J. B. Baldwin, M. G. Harman, B. B. Donaghe, R. G. Bickle, J. B. Evans, W. A. Burke, B. Christian, J. C. Covell, R. Mauzy, E. M. Taylor, John Echols, H. M. Bell, W. H. Tams, J. H. Skinner, William Frazier, E. W. Bayly, William N. Kayser, N. K. Trout, M. H. Effinger, G. E. Price, H. Ker, James F. Patterson)

Staunton Lyceum
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Lyceum will debate on Friday whether the scriptural law of non-resistance should be read literally. Next week they will discuss whether parents should amass money to leave a large inheritance for their children.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. I. Miller, George B. Taylor, Rev. James A. Latane, John L. Clarke, Maj. Marshall Hanger, Col. Bolivar Christian, Prof. Pike Powers, Col. George Baylor)

Augusta Greets Norfolk
(Column 02)

Summary: The Norfolk paper hails the appointment of Augusta delegates to the Norfolk Commercial Convention.
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart, Col. James H. Skinner, John B. Baldwin, Gen. Echols)

Origin of Article: Norfolk Virginian

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: William T. Lightner of Augusta and Miss Dora M. Lightner, daughter of William Lightner of Highland, were married in the residence of the bride's father on September 17th by the Rev. J. W. Canter.
(Names in announcement: William T. Lightner, Dora M. Lightner, William Lightner, Rev. J. W. Canter)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Major Houston Hall of Augusta and Miss Emmie E. Moseley, daughter of the late Dr. William P. Moseley of Buckingham County, were married at Wheatland, the residence of the bride's mother, on September 23rd by the Rev. Thomas N. Johnson.
(Names in announcement: Maj. Houston Hall, Emmie E. Moseley, Dr. William P. Moseley, Rev. Thomas N. Johnson)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: A. G. Bolton and Miss Sarah C. Trusler were married near Stuart's Draft on September 24th by the Rev. W. R. Stringer.
(Names in announcement: A. G. Bolton, Sarah C. Trusler, Rev. W. R. Stringer)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Daniel P. Whitesell and Mrs. Mary E. Davis were married near Staunton on October 1st by the Rev. W. R. Stringer.
(Names in announcement: Daniel P. Whitesell, Mary E. Davis, Rev. W. R. Stringer)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Philip Keesey, formerly of Staunton, died suddenly in Middlebrook on September 24th. He was 69 years old.

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Catherine R. Hollingsworth died at the Waynesboro residence of her son-in-law, Capt. J. B. Finks, on September 23rd. She was 72 years old.
(Names in announcement: Catherine R. Hollingsworth, Capt. J. B. Finks)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Bettie Heflin, daughter of John M. and Mary E. Heflin, died at the Staunton residence of her grandfather, Henry Bare, on August 25th. She was 12 years old. "This sweet little girl was one of a pair of twin sisters, and had been the inseparable companion of the remaining sister, who is now the only child left to the stricken parents, whose sole consolation in their bereavement is found in a remembrance of the attractions that made up the beautiful character of the 'loved and the lost.'"
(Names in announcement: Bettie Heflin, John M. Heflin, Mary E. Heflin, Henry Bare)