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Staunton Spectator: June 26, 1860 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Singular Affair
(Column 4)

Summary: Story of an escaped slave "passing" as white in Greenbrier County, where he managed to establish a family before being recognized years later and reclaimed by his former master.

Origin of Article: Lewisburg (Greenbrier County) Chronicle

Full Text of Article:

Some six years ago, a man came to this place, or rather its vicinity, calling himself Heriff, and has since then worked for numerous gentlemen in the county, as a day laborer. Although of rather dark complexion, no one ever supposed him to be akin to the descendents of Ham. After living here sometime, he won the affections of a pretty white girl whom he married. Things went on 's quite prosperously for some time, two children gladening the happy father's heart, when, alas! his felicitous existance was unexpectedly terminated. A negro man, in town, seems to have conceived the idea that all was not right with Heriff, and that he bore the indications of being more closely connected with the sons of Afric's burning sands, than is countenanced on Southern soil, and communicated this idea to a gentleman, who upon seeing him, immediately recognized him as the same individual once belonging to a gentleman at or near the Hot Springs in Bath county, and from whom he had run off. The gentleman was informed of the fact, and on the 2nd inst. he arrived here, in company with someone who could substantiate his claims. He met Heriff in one of our stores, and informed him that he had come for him and claimed him as his servant. He seemed rather indignant, upon receiving this unpleasant piece of information, but after a few words, he acknowledged his true character, and accompanied his master home.

For the Spectator
(Column 7)

Summary: Author recounts tale of bravery and fine horsemanship by Captain Polmer.
(Names in announcement: Captain Polmer)

Trailer: "L.L."

Proceedings at Baltimore
(Column 1)

Summary: Brief summary of the proceedings of the Democratic National Convention now meeting in Baltimore.

The Democratic Nominees
(Column 1)

Summary: Laments the breakup of the Democratic party and the need for it to nominate two separate tickets (a Douglas ticket and a Breckenridge ticket). Predicts that the party's division will lead to victory for neither Democratic ticket. Spectator asserts that the country's only hope is that the Constitutional Union party will be able to accrue enough electoral votes to win the election. They exhort Democratic voters to break from party labels and give a patriotic vote for Bell and Everett.

Car Coupling
(Column 2)

Summary: Announcement that John D. Imboden has bought a five year interest in the railroad car coupling recently invented by L. and W.H. Waddell of Staunton, which allows for self-coupling of cars and for uncoupling at the flip of a lever.
(Names in announcement: Esq. John Imboden, L. Waddell, W.H. Waddell)

New Book
(Column 2)

Summary: Spectator has received from New York the second volume of children's "Oakland Stories," written by Rev. George B. Taylor of Staunton. This volume is entitled "Cousin Guy," and the Spectator approves of the work.
(Names in announcement: Rev. George Taylor)

Population of Staunton
(Column 2)

Summary: According to the totals of Major J.B. Watts, local census marshall, the population of Staunton is 3,716, not including students in the Augusta Female Seminary, the Virginia Female Institute, the Wesleyan Female Institute, or the Staunton Male Academy. Including these institutions, the population is over 4,000.
(Names in announcement: Major J.B. Watts)

The Railroad Difficulty
(Column 2)

Summary: The difficulty between the Central and the Orange and Alexandria Railroads has been resolved and mail and passengers now come through on time.

Junior Blues
(Column 2)

Summary: A juvenile military company calling itself the Junior Blues held a public parade led by Captain Lilley.
(Names in announcement: Captain Lilley)

Mossy Creek Academy
(Column 5)

Summary: Report of closing exercises held at Mossy Creek Academy, at which J.L. Mohler of Augusta County delivered an introductory speech, A.B. Roler of Augusta County received a medal from the Literary Society as Best Debater, and Hugh W. Sheffey of Staunton delivered the annual address.
(Names in announcement: J.L. Mohler, A.B. Roler, Hugh Sheffey)

Trailer: "Pendleton"

Military Meeting
(Column 5)

Summary: At a military meeting of a volunteer company to be formed at West View, F.C. Roberts was named Chair and J. Olin Hobbs was named Secretary.
(Names in announcement: F.C. Roberts, J. Olin Hobbs)

Trailer: F.C. Roberts, Chairman; J. Olin Hobbs, Sec'y

The Loch Willow Exhibition
(Column 6)

Summary: Report of proceedings at the Loch Willow school exhibition, under the management of J. Hotchkiss and Mr. Grinnan in the male department and Mrs. Hotchkiss in the female.
(Names in announcement: J. Hotchkiss, Mr. Grinnan, Mrs. Hotchkiss)

Trailer: "A Virginian"

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: W.D. Lange married Louisa Marple on June 7 at the Virginia Hotel.
(Names in announcement: Rev. W.E. Baker, W.D. Lange, Louisa Marple)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: George W. Freed married Margaret H. Barger, both of Augusta County, on June 7.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J.R. Wheeler, George Freed, Margaret Barger)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: George Gollady married Martha A.A. Williams, both of Augusta County, on June 14.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J.R. Wheeler, George Gollady, Martha Williams)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: John Taylor Blair, son of James A.R. Blair, died at the house of his grandfather, Dr. John McCheeney, in Augusta County at age 17.
(Names in announcement: Dr. John McCheeney, John Taylor Blair, James Blair)

Trailer: "E."