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Staunton Spectator: December 8, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Case of Mr. Jeff. Davis
(Column 01)

Summary: Recounts developments in Jefferson Davis's treason trial.

Chesapeake and Ohio R. R.
(Column 01)

Summary: A letter from A. H. H. Stuart discusses the advantages of the Chesapeake and Ohio R. R., and asks for government funding to complete the Road.
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart)

Full Text of Article:

The National Intelligencer of the 2nd inst. contains a long and able letter from Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, setting forth generally the manifold advantages of the Chesapeake and Ohio R. R., and specially the importance of its speedy construction to the city of Washington. Senator Sherman having declared recently that, unless proper railway communications be speedily furnished between Washington city and the Western States, measures will be adopted, within five years, to remove the seat of Government to some more accessible point. Mr. Stuart shows that the completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio R. R., with its connections, would furnish the railway communications necessary to render Washington accessible from all parts of the country, and remove all fear of the removal of the seat of Government.

Mr. Stuart's letter concludes as follows:

"The only remaining point to be considered is, how can these lines of communication be secured? In my opinion, it would be but fair for the National Government, in view of the national importance of the Chesapeake and Ohio road, to extend to it substantial assistance. This can be done simply by a loan of its credit. The Chesapeake and Ohio road has already expended some six or eight millions of dollars in the prosecution of the work. If the United States Government will now endorse its bonds to the extent of ten millions of dollars, payable in thirty years, and take a mortgage on the whole work to indemnify itself, the whole road can at once be put under contract and completed within two years. The only difficulty will be in regard to the payment of interest on the bonds while the work is in progress. -- After the work is done there can be no doubt of the ability of the company to pay the interest, and ultimately redeem the principal. -- Here the city of Washington might render efficient service, by assuming or guaranteeing the interest for three years, by which time it is to be presumed the road will be in active and successful operation.

Respectfully yours, &c.

ALEX. H. H. STUART.

Be on the Alert
(Column 02)

Summary: Colonel Withers, the gubernatorial candidate for the Conservative party, has returned to his position as editor of the Lynchburg News. He warns the citizens of Virginia to prepare to vote against the Underwood Constitution and its provisions on "negro rule and negro supremacy."

Full Text of Article:

Col. Robt. E. Withers, who was the candidate of the Conservative party of Virginia, for Governor, in the recent Gubernatorial canvass, and who, as such, canvassed the State with such distinguished ability, activity, and fidelity in opposition to the monstrous instrument adopted by the scalawag Convention, yclept the State Constitution, is again Editor of the Lynchburg News, and is now using his pen in the same good cause with as much efficiency as he then did with his eloquent tongue.

Like Jas. Barron Hope, the able Editor of the Norfolk Virginian, he earnestly warns the citizens of Virginia to be on the alert, and to be organized and prepared to vote down the State Constitution whenever it may be submitted for ratification or rejection.

In the issue of the Lynchburg News, dated Dec. 1st, Col. Withers says:

"We think the signs are unmistakable, that Virginia will soon be called upon to vote upon the Underwood abomination, mis-named a Constitution, and we take occasion to warn our people to be vigilant and watchful, to go to work, and perfect their organization so that its defeat may be assured. This negro abortion can be defeated, and it must be done, at whatever hazard. It requires but a slight effort on the part of the white people of Virginia to effect this consummation, and we urge them by all they hold sacred to prepare for the fight, and not be taken by surprise.

The notes of preparation by the radicals for the battle, reach us on every hand, and he is deaf indeed who does not hear them, and criminally derelict in his duty, if he fail to be warned in time and to arouse to the immanency of the danger which threatens our proud old Mother, should her sons prove recreant. -- Let all, then sleep on their arms, and when the battle joins, strike sturdy and decisive blows upon the radical foe who seeks to force upon us all the horrors of negro rule and negro supremacy!"

The Sharks Gathering
(Column 03)

Summary: The Lynchburg Virginian hopes that Gen. Stoneman will extend the stay law beyond the 1st of January. If this does not happen, creditors and speculators will repossess hundreds of farms.

Full Text of Article:

The hope that Gen. Stoneman does not design to extend the stay-law beyond the 1st of January, is already causing the sharks and the blood-suckers to prepare to pounce down on their prey as soon as the law expires. The Washington correspondent of the Baltimore Gazette says:

"It is understood here that General Grant will not authorize any extension of the Virginia stay-laws, and consequently hundreds of the best farms in that State will soon be offered for sale under the hammer. In view of this result, it is rumored that an association will be formed, with a large cash capital, for the purpose of buying up these farms for speculation, as they will no doubt be sold at a great sacrifice.

The expiration of this law will turn loose upon our devoted people hordes of greedy cormorants, and we shudder as we contemplate the wide spread misery that will surely come upon us. Gen. Stoneman has generally managed the affairs of this district in a wise and commendable manner, and it will be deeply regretted should he lend himself to the schemes of those who are seeking to bring irretrievable ruin upon our people. That the General will yet disappoint them of their prey is the earnest and heart-felt wish of every humane and right-thinking man in the State. -- Lynch. Virginian.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: "A Citizen" writes that the majority of Augusta's people favor the extension of the stay law. Also recommends the formation of a committee to offer appeals to Gen. Stoneman for this end.

Full Text of Article:

MR. EDITOR: -- In view of the short time in which our county can act out the sentiments of an unquestioned majority of our people, in favor of the extension of the stay law, I urge the necessity of the County Court appointing two intelligent and discreet citizens a committee to wait on Gen. Stoneman and urge him to continue it in existence. Not only ours but the salvation of our State depends on it. No time is to be lost. A gentleman writing to a citizen of this county says "get your newspaper to say that unless a large majority of the counties do as Bedford, Nelson, Fauquier, and other counties have done, appoint committees at once to wait on Gen. Stoneman, he will not interfere. He will pay no attention to the private letters sent him. All the Courts must act and that very promptly."

Now let me urge our County Court at the next term to act efficiently in this matter. Some member of the bar, or citizen can be found who will urge it upon their attention. No time is to be lost. A CITIZEN.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The revival meetings conducted in Staunton's M. E. Church South by Rev. J. L. Clarke, pastor, concluded on Sunday. Over 50 people converted, and 40 joined the church.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. L. Clarke)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Several prominent citizens delivered speeches at Staunton's Court House in favor of the county subscription to the stock of the Valley Railroad Company.
(Names in announcement: Col. M. G. Harman, David Fultz, Thomas J. Michie, Jacob Baylor, Capt. James Bumgardner, Col. George Baylor, Maj. H. M. Bell)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Detective Knox of Richmond arrested, in Staunton, an African American employee on a Chesapeake and Ohio freight train. He is a suspect in the W. E. Burton murder case.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Fire Company thanks the citizens of Staunton for aid in manning the engines in a recent fire. Mr. D. A. Kayser is singled out for his donation of $100.
(Names in announcement: D. A. Kayser, J. H. Waters)

Temperance
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper praises the rapid growth of Staunton Council, No. 47. The group promises to become a banner temperance organization, and many women are joining as associate members. "We hope their efforts may prove successful in the salvation of many from the evil effects of the intemperate use of ardent spirits."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: A juvenile concert will be given at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution. Admission is 50 cents. The proceeds will go to support Dr. Brown who "gives gratuitous instruction in music for the juveniles."
(Names in announcement: Dr. Brown)

Election for the Valley R. R. Subscription
(Column 01)

Summary: The reported results of the vote on the Valley Railroad Subscription are listed, broken down by precinct.

Full Text of Article:

On Saturday last the vote was taken in Staunton for the subscription by the town of $100,000 to the stock of the Valley R. R. Company, and, on the same day, the county vote was taken on the question of subscribing $300,000 on the part of the county.

The result of the vote of the town was: For subscription, 396 -- against subscription, 4.

But few of the precincts in the county have been heard from, officially. The following is the reported vote, so far as heard from up to the time of going to press:

PRECINCTS FOR AGAINST Precincts in Staunton 302 15 Waynesboro' 44 62 Fishersville 22 7 Churchville 41 12 Greenville 88 8 Middlebrook 42 2 Swoope's 14 5 Mt. Sidney 47 132 Mt. Meridian 2 57 New Hope 7 100 Midway 27 0 Parnassus 16 0 Spring Hill 23 46 Mt. Solon 64 86 Newport 00 00 Craigsville 00 00 Deerfield 00 00 Stuart's Draft 00 00

Two Dwellings and Cabinet Shop Burnt
(Column 02)

Summary: The dwelling and cabinet shop of Robert Johnson burned. The dwelling of P. Byron Hoge also caught fire. Mr. D. A. Kayser's residence was saved by the fire company. Mr. Johnson sustained $3000 in damage; Mr. Hoge $4000. Neither had insurance. "The unfortunate sufferers, by this fire, have the sincere sympathies of this whole community. As Mr. Johnson is an old man and lost nearly all he possessed, the citizens of this place immediately subscribed sums of money in proportion to their respective abilities to enable him to re-build his house."
(Names in announcement: Robert Johnson, P. Byron Hoge, D. A. Kayser)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: J. Rice Harris of Rockbridge and Miss Rusha Meek, daughter of Mrs. Meek of Augusta, were married at the house of the bride's mother near Midway on October 3rd by the Rev. Horatio Thompson.
(Names in announcement: J. Rice Harris, Rusha Meek, Mrs. Meek, Rev. Horatio Thompson)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Miss Ellen Baxter Brown, daughter of Mrs. Ann T. Brown, and George W. Wilson, all of Augusta, were married at the house of Charles Berry near Middlebrook on November 26th by the Rev. Horatio Thompson.
(Names in announcement: Ellen Baxter Brown, Ann T. Brown, George W. Wilson, Charles Berry, Horatio Thompson)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Samuel Hoover and Miss Betsy A. Matthews, both of Augusta, were married on November 17th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Hoover, Betsy A. Matthews, Rev. Martin Garber)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: John H. Sites and Miss Elizabeth A. Myers, both of Augusta, were married on November 19th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: John H. Sites, Elizabeth A. Myers, Rev. Martin Garber)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Capt. James W. Allen, formerly of Augusta, and Miss Mary E. McCune, daughter of Capt. John S. McCune of St. Louis, were married in St. Louis on November 24th by the Rev. Dr. Brooks.
(Names in announcement: Capt. James W. Allen, Mary E. McCune, Capt. John S. McCune, Rev. Brooks)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Samuel H. Hale of Augusta and Miss Mary E. Tutwiler of Rockingham were married on November 26th by the Rev. J. C. Hensel.
(Names in announcement: Samuel H. Hale, Mary E. Tutwiler, Rev. J. C. Hensel)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Charles E. Haines, formerly of Winchester, and Miss Rosalie Armentrout, daughter of Mr. G. A. Armentrout of Staunton, were married at Staunton's Trinity Church on December 2nd by the Rev. James A. Latane.
(Names in announcement: Charles E. Haines, Rosalie Armentrout, G. A. Armentrout, James A. Latane)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: George Covell, son of Prof. J. C. Covell of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute, died of croup. He was 5 years old.
(Names in announcement: George Covell, Prof. J. C. Covell)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Willie R. Dunlap, son of Robert B. and Salome F. Dunlap, died at Elizabeth Furnace, Augusta County, on October 23rd. He was 2 years old.
(Names in announcement: Willie R. Dunlap, Robert B. Dunlap, Salome F. Dunlap)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Miss Lucy Jane Snyder died in her Staunton residence on December 2nd. She was 72 years old.
(Names in announcement: Lucy Jane Snyder)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mr. F. Wood died in Staunton of pneumonia on November 18th. He was 32 years old.
(Names in announcement: F. Wood)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Lucy Henry Ast, daughter of John Ast, died on October 25th. She was 18 years old. A poem, "To Our Lucy in Heaven," is included.
(Names in announcement: Lucy Henry Ast, John Ast)