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Staunton Spectator: October 18, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

More Freshet News
(Column 05)

Summary: Editor commented further on the extensive damage in Page County due to the recent flood.

Congressional Nominee
(Column 01)

Summary: Judge John T. Harris of Rockingham was nominated for representative of the district including Augusta at the Conservative Congressional Convention. The editor accused Harris of not working for the interests of the voters. "Had the delegates in that Convention fairly and truly represented the sentiments of their constituents, he could not have been nominated, for it is palpably evident that he is not the choice of the District." Although he opposed Harris' nomination, the editor still endorsed his campaign.
(Names in announcement: Judge John T. Harris)

Death of Robert E. Lee
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper announced with sorrow the death of Robert E. Lee. The columns of this week's issue have black borders as a sign of mourning. The editors issued lavish praise of his character, a brief biography, and an account of his funeral.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Southern Pantomime Troupe will perform Wednesday at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Joseph Trimble shot James Hoover through the thigh and the hand in an altercation near Staunton on Monday. Dr. A. M. Henkel extracted the ball from Hoover's leg. Fortunately for Hoover, the wounds appeared to be merely flesh wounds.
(Names in announcement: Joseph Trimble, James Hoover, Dr. A. M. Henkel)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta County Fair opened today. The county expected smaller crowds than usual because of the recent flood.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Memorial Association for the Confederate Dead will assemble in the rotunda at the fair grounds on October 19th to fully organize the association. James H. Skinner, president, will preside.
(Names in announcement: James H. Skinner)

An Omission
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper added Reuben D. Hill to the list of those commissioned as directors of the Western Lunatic Asylum.
(Names in announcement: Reuben D. Hill)

In Memoriam
(Column 01)

Summary: The bells of Staunton tolled upon receiving news of the death of Robert E. Lee. Citizens met at the Court House to mourn his loss. The Mayor of the city closed all businesses on Saturday and ordered the citizens to display badges of mourning.

Tribute to Gen. R. E. Lee
(Column 02)

Summary: Reported on meetings held to commemorate the passing of General Robert E. Lee. Printed the resolutions adopted and the names of those selected to attend the funeral ceremonies at Lexington
(Names in announcement: Col. Bolivar Christian, Thomas J. Michie, Col. James H. Skinner, A. H. H. Stuart, J. B. Baldwin, Dr. F. T. Stribling, F. M. Young, N. K. Trout, Charles D. McCoy, William L. Bumgardner, Dr. Charles C. Phillips, Charles T. Arnall, Dr. Carter Berkeley, William H. Gorman, Frank Berkeley, William N. Bumpus, L. S. Hendry, J. Howard Wayt, J. Wayne Spitler, Rev. H. H. Kennedy, Ed Echols)

Full Text of Article:

At a meeting of the citizens of the town of Staunton, held in the Court-house on Friday the 14th inst., to express their deep concern at the death of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and to appoint a Committee to represent the town on the occasion of his funeral.

On motion of Col. B. Christian, Thomas J. Michie, Esq., was called to the Chair,and Col. Jas. H. Skinner was appointed Secretary.

The object of the meeting was feelingly announced by the Chairman.

Thereupon the following preamble and resolutions were offered and their adoption moved by Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, who, in presenting them, paid an appropriate tribute to the exalted genius and virtues of the illustrious dead:

The citizens of Staunton having learned that the family of the late Gen. R. E. Lee have expressed a desire that his mortal remains shall, for the present, be deposited in the Memorial Chapel of Washington College, and that the funeral obsequies will take place on Saturday, 15th inst., at 12 o'clock.

And the citizens of Staunton feeling a strong desire to testify in some public manner, their profound love and veneration for the memory and character of this illustrious man, who has shed so much honor, not only in his native State, but upon human nature;

It is therefore resolved that a delegation, on behalf of the citizens of Staunton, be appointed to visit Lexington and unite in the ceremonies intended to mark the deep sense of the great calamity that has befallen Virginia in the death of him, who, next to Washington, enjoyed in the largest measure the affection and confidence, esteem and gratitude of his fellow citizens.

Col. B. Christian seconded the resolution and briefly explained to the meeting the resolutions of the General Assembly of Virginia, which had been transmitted through him by the Legislature of Virginia, to the family of the deceased, and the response made by Gen G. W. Custis Lee to the request therein contained.

The preamble and resolutions were then unanimously adopted, and the following gentlemen appointed a Committee to attend the funeral obsequies: A. H. H. Stuart, Bolivar Christian, J. B. Baldwin, Dr. F. T. Stribling, F. M. Young, N. K. Trout, Chas. D. McCoy, Wm. L. Bumgardner, Dr. Chas C. Phillips, Chas. T. Arnall, Dr. Carter Berkley, Wm. H. Gorman, Frank Berkley, Wm. N. Bumpus, L. S. Henry, J. Howard Wayt, J. Wayne Spitler, Reyd. H. H. Kennedy, Ed. Echols.

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Russell N. Wallace and Mrs. Mary Batis, both of Augusta, were married at the American Hotel on October 15th by the Rev. H. H. Kennedy.
(Names in announcement: Russell N. Wallace, Mary Batis, Rev. H. H. Kennedy)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Lorenzo S. K. McCutchen of Augusta and Miss Hattie Dill of Rockbridge were married on September 22nd by the Rev. Mr. Riley.
(Names in announcement: Lorenzo S. K. McCutchen, Hattie Dill, Rev. Riley)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Robert Coyner, Jr., and Miss Lizzie V. Vanlear, both of Augusta, were married on October 3rd at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. William E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: Jr. Robert Coyner, Lizzie V. Vanlear, Rev. William E. Baker)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Samuel D. McCommon of Rockingham and Miss Mattie D. Hailman, daughter of B. F. Hailman of Augusta, were married on October 11th by the Rev. A. A. J. Bushong.
(Names in announcement: Samuel D. McCommon, Mattie D. Hailman, B. F. Hailman, Rev. A. A. J. Bushong)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Josie B. Richardson, wife of C. A. Richardson, died in Staunton at the residence of her husband on October 13th. She was 18 years old.
(Names in announcement: Josie B. Richardson, C. A. Richardson)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Robert Mayer, son of William and Mary A. Mayer, died near Parnassus on September 26th. He was 17 years old.
(Names in announcement: Robert Mayer, William Mayer, Mary A. Mayer)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Rebecca F. Kinney, wife of William Kinney and daughter of the late Gen. Robert Porterfield, died in her Staunton residence on October 7th. She was 73 years old.
(Names in announcement: Rebecca F. Kinney, William Kinney, Gen. Robert Porterfield)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: John H. Ast died in his Staunton residence on October 17th. He was 70 years old.
(Names in announcement: John H. Ast)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Peter Frenger died at Arbor Hill on October 7th. He was 66 years old.
(Names in announcement: Peter Frenger)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: "FAIR PLAY" wrote a satirical article responding to another contributor who complained about the way Female Schools make their purchases at only one or two stores. Offered as a solution to the problem the idea that merchants should all get together and print up circulars to pass out to the schools so that the principals will buy from everyone equally. Claimed he ran this by a friend and the latter found the idea ludicrous

Full Text of Article:

MESSRS. EDITORS: -- In your paper of the 11th inst., there is a short article, copied from the Vindicator over the signature of "Observer," in which the writer complains of the manner in which the Female Schools of our Town make their purchases. He calls it a "perilous custom." We fully agree with "Observer," but how can we remedy it. By the way, it is a pernicious custom not entirely confined to the Schools; other institutions, and even private citizens make all their purchases at one or two stores. We think this thing altogether wrong, at least so far as it concerns the public institutions and Female Schools of the Town, especially, when we consider that these public institutions and large Female Schools were gotten up, for the exclusive benefit of the mercantile community of the city of Staunton. -- No doubt the Legislature of Virginia, when it chartered them, had that object solely in view. We have thought seriously over the matter, and talked with friends about it, and believed we had fixed upon a plan, which would entirely break up this "pernicious custom." The plan we had agreed upon was this: The merchants all to meet in the Town Hall, the handsomest man among them to be called to the chair, and the next handsomest to be Secretary; pass condemnatory resolutions, get a number of circulars printed, and send them to the friends of the pupils of the different Female Schools in this place. No doubt, the Principals of the Schools would take great pleasure in furnishing their addresses, and any other information that might be wanted, such, for instance, as the amount of clothing, book and stationery, jewelry, cakes and candies, &c., &c., that each pupil might probably purchase during the session. Such information being obtained, it could the better be shown forth in the circulars, how great the advantages to be gained by making all the purchases in Staunton. The custom should be distributed among our merchants, in proportion to the capital employed in their business. As the pupils would not need any articles in the grocery, hardware, or tobacco line, the other merchants should be required to lay out a certain per cent of their incomes derived from the Schools, with these branches of trade. Some of the friends of our scheme think it would be well, through the circulars, to request the patrons of the Schools not to bring any more clothing with them for the pupils than one change of garments, of the cheapest sort. This would do away with the necessity, which every traveller knows is a great bother; as trunks, clothing, cakes, and candies are everything else needed to make a complete outfit for young ladies entering first class Seminaries, can be had in Staunton on the best terms, especially if they have the money to pay down for them. We thought, after reflecting over our plan that it was first rate, and would soon effect the desired reform -- but alas!

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men.

Gang aft a-gley."

On our way to the printing office, to get some handbills printed, calling on the merchants to meet at the Town Hall, we stepped in to see an old friend and laid our plans before him. We had a rough draft of what we intended doing, which he read. After a short pause he raised his head, threw his spectacles up and quietly remarked, "that our plan was not worth the paper it was written upon." Said he -- "Don't you know the Principals of our large Schools are persons of some independence, and like many others of our citizens, make their purchases where they think best, without any regard to what some of our merchants may say, or think about the matter."

We then asked him, if he thought our City Council or the Virginia Legislature could do anything to remedy this terrible evil. He said what I was well aware of before, that, "our City Council and the Virginia Legislature were very important bodies indeed, and possessed of great powers, but did not think that they could render us any aid whatever; but would advise us to apply to the Congress of the United States to have the Schools reconstructed; he thought it might come in as the Seventeenth Amendment of the Constitution." We asked him why not as Sixteenth. He said -- "he believed it was generally reserved for an article on woman's rights." And there it seemed would be another difficulty in our way; we feared this Seventeenth Amendment would be an infringement on woman's rights, though he thinks there would be no difficulty on that score, as it could all be managed very well on old Thad. Stevens' plan, outside of the Constitution.

FAIR PLAY.