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Staunton Vindicator: January 11, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Meeting in Highland
(Column 3)

Summary: The people of Highland county have declared in favor of submitting the question of whether or not to hold a State Convention to a popular vote. The Vindicator disagrees with this position because the State needs to take action before the 4th of March.

Free Negroes
(Column 3)

Summary: There are a number of free blacks living in Staunton who are unregistered and have no business in town. The Vindicator urges the authorities to notify the free blacks to leave or suffer the legal consequences.

Full Text of Article:

Free Negroes

There are a number of free negroes about town, who are not registered, and consequently have no business here. It is the duty of the proper authorities to forthwith commence the correction of the serious evil by notifying them to leave, or suffer the penalty imposed by law of remaining.

Another source of great annoyance to our town is the policy of permitting slaves to hire their own time, or get persons to stand as their masters. The habit induces idleness among slaves, and is the cause of all kinds of trafficing [sic] among them, which is more or less connected with petty thefts. These evils should be radically corrected without delay. The quicker the better.

Wood Measurer
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator believes that Staunton needs a wood measurer, and urges the town council to pass an ordinance creating such an office.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Fast day was generally observed in Staunton. A Union prayer meeting was held in the Lutheran Church, and a large audience attended.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: The New York Herald called on the President to call out 60,000 troops to protect Washington from an invasion on March 4, the day of Lincoln's inauguration. The Vindicator sees this call as another example that "the North is becoming united on the policy of coercion."

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: The South Carolina government has laid a tax on slaves in order to raise money. If the wealthy men of the state do not make a $400,000 loan for military purposes, coercion will be used. The Vindicator likens this threat of coercion to the reign of terror of the Jacobin Clubs of France.

Gov. Letcher's Message
(Column 1)

Summary: Gov. Letcher gave a lengthy message touching on many questions of importance, including Virginia's relations with South Carolina and Southern attempts at convincing Northern states to abolish personal liberty laws. The Governor does not favor calling a State Convention.

"Is Western Virginia All Right?"
(Column 2)

Summary: The Vindicator believes that the editors of many eastern Virginia newspapers have whipped themselves into a fury over a question that "no sensible man in Western Virginia scarcely ever dreamed of--the division of the State."

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The Vindicator disagrees with the Spectator's assertion that the majority of Augusta voters oppose the plan to hold a State Convention.

Full Text of Article:

"He is in favor of a Convention but we have no doubt he will, in accordance with the sentiments of his constituents, vote against it."--Spectator

The above sentence we find in a paragraph in the last Spectator, referring to Col. J.M. McCue, one of the delegates in the Legislature from this county. Upon what authority the editor of the Spectator bases the conclusion that the people of Augusta are opposed to a State Convention we are at a loss to conjecture. We venture the assertion that ten out of every twelve voters in the county are decidedly in favor of a Convention. Our acquaintance extends to every portion of the county, and to members of all parties, and we have not conversed with half a dozen men, within the past month, who are not for Virginia taking her position through the action of a Convention. Certainly two out of the three representatives in the House of Delegates from this county will vote for the call of a Convention. We have not heard the views of Mr. Massie expressed. Mr. Stuart, our Senator, we understand, is, as now advised, opposed to such a step. But we are very sure, if the gentlemen who represent us wish to do it properly, they will all, without hesitation, favor a Convention and speedy and prompt action.

We should like to learn the Spectator's authority for making the broad charge that the people of Augusta are opposed to a Convention. Col. McC. has not been in this State for several months, and consequently, does not know precisely where his constituents stand; but we can inform him that, according to our understanding, he could not more fully represent the sentiments of his constituents, than by voting in accordance with his own convictions in favor of a Convention.

Coercion
(Column 3)

Summary: Argues that the federal government cannot maintain the Union with coercive means.

Desperate Negro Woman
(Column 3)

Summary: A slave woman who belonged to Joseph Cline, who lives four miles from Staunton, chopped off three of her fingers to prevent her master from selling her.
(Names in announcement: Joseph Cline)

Full Text of Article:

Desperate Negro Woman

A fine looking negro woman aged about 28 years, belonging to Mr. Joseph Cline, living about four miles from Staunton, becoming unruly, he determined to bring her to town and sell her. While she was going to get her clothes, she picked up an axe which she had concealed, and deliberately cut three of her fingers off, taking two licks at them. She was brought to town, placed in jail, and her hand was dressed by Dr. Baldwin. She did the act for the double purpose of preventing her sale and taking revenge upon her master.

Vallandingham of Ohio
(Column 4)

Summary: Praises Vallandingham, who voted with the South and against the resolution of approbation offered on behalf of Major Anderson's actions at Fort Sumpter.

A General "Stay Law"
(Column 4)

Summary: Advocates the passage of a law that would protect the property of debtors during this period of economic chaos.

The Commencement of Hostilities--The Cause and the Blunder
(Column 5)

Summary: Criticizes South Carolina for making a gross blunder and relying on the "promises of the treacherous Buchanan."

Abdication of Buchanan--Gen. Scott Acting President
(Column 5)

Summary: Claims that Buchanan turned against the South after his defeat of Douglas and has essentially turned over power to General Scott.

Richmond Correspondence
(Column 6)

Summary: Correspondent claims that popular opinion in Richmond holds that "danger of civil war is imminent, certainly on the 4th of March, if not sooner." The halls of the Legislature are crowded with anxious spectators.

Trailer: Augusta

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Disagrees with the Spectator's assertion that the call for a Convention is a disunion movement.

Delay is Dangerous
(Column 7)

Summary: Argues that, unless the North backs down, the State Convention should "adopt measures preservative of the honor, integrity, and sovereignty of Virginia."

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: During the past year, many men have spoken of their devotion to Virginia and to the South. The Vindicator hopes that these men will come forward and fight in the militia, should such action become necessary.

Message of Governor Letcher
(Column 1)

Summary: Summarizes the Governor's message given on January 7. He seeks to hold the Union together, and so opposes a State Convention. He argues that slave property must be protected in the District of Columbia and in the territories. He also calls for the abolishment of personal liberty laws.

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Married on January 3. Miss Beard is from Columbia, South Carolina.
(Names in announcement: Rev. W.A. Gamewell, Joseph S. Coiner, Sallie F. Beard)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Married on December 25.
(Names in announcement: Rev. B.H. Smith, Jas. M.C. Hall, Maria L. Baker)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Married on December 25.
(Names in announcement: Rev. B.H. Smith, Nathaniel Shepherd, Caroline Huff)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: Emily Gamble died on January 4 at age 24.
(Names in announcement: Emily E. Gamble, Philander Gamble)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: Henry Hobbs, son of Elizabeth and the late James Hobbs, died on December 14 at age 3.
(Names in announcement: Henry Hobbs, Elizabeth Hobbs, James O. Hobbs)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: W.H. Loudermilk died on December 26 at age 2. His windpipe was blocked by a grain of corn.
(Names in announcement: W.H. Loudermilk, Samuel Loudermilk, Elizabeth Loudermilk)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: Mary Wonderlick died on December 26 at age 53.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mary Wonderlick, Joseph Wonderlick)