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Valley Virginian: August 15, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 07)

Summary: This article from the Rockingham Register asserts that "our want of a Railroad will be sadly felt by our people this Fall, when the immense corn crop which now covers the face of the county all over, begins to mature. The crop will be so immense that our people will hardly know what to do with it. Thousands of dollars will be lost because there are no adequate means for its transportation beyond the limits of the county. How long we are to suffer and to lose on this account, we wish scheming, bargaining Railroad Presidents would tell us."

Origin of Article: Rockingham Register

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that "a riot occurred in Washington on Wednesday between the white and negro troops stationed there."

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper claims that a report by Generals Steadman and Fullerton decided conclusively that the Freedman's Bureau should be removed from the South.

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper reports that "a negro man is to be hung at Grayson Court House, Va., on the 24th inst., for outraging the person of a white girl, only 12 years of age."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that a woman in Philadelphia hired two black men to kill her husband. The plot failed when the police arrived after hearing the husband's cries. The three are in jail. "It is noticeable that the Radical papers don't make much fuss about 'outrages' of this kind when they occur North," the paper asserts.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Secretary of the Treasury rescinded the "restrictive regulations" for the "removal, under bond, without prepayment of taxes, of taxable products or manufactures within the limits of the late Confederate states." That way "the manufacturers and producers of those States will be allowed to ship their goods, under bond without prepayment of taxes."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: This excerpt from the National Intelligencer asserts that the Radical Republicans will not allow the South any peace.

Full Text of Article:

The National Intelligencer, speaking of the present condition of the country, says:

The South is to have no peace; every incentive is to be used to create and intensify the antagonism of races at the South, and every outbreak will be so much clear gain to Radicalism. We have fallen upon the unhappy times, when selfish partizans find that the best way to attain power is to unchain the furies. What will liberty, what will property, what will life ultimately be worth in this country if this horrible diabolism is sanctioned by the endorsement of the people.

The Truth of History
(Column 02)

Summary: The editors discuss some criticisms they have of Dabney's Life of Jackson. They assert that Catholic clergy served the brigade well, and, along with the Sisters of Charity, exerted themselves in efforts to aid the wounded. Father Bixio served the Maryland line as well as hospitals in Staunton, Charlottesville, and Gordonsville.
(Names in announcement: Father Bixio)

Virginia Hotel, Staunton
(Column 02)

Summary: This article from the Richmond Whig reviews favorably Staunton's Virginia Hotel.
(Names in announcement: Bernard Peyton, B. F. Webb)

Origin of Article: Richmong Whig

Full Text of Article:

Staunton is fast resuming the energy and industry which were leading characteristics of its business population before general adversity fell upon all parts of the country. In no department is this more discernible than in its fine and capacious hotels. Travelers, once partaking of the excellent fare and delightful quarters they receive here, go on their journey more than pleased. The old and well known Virginia Hotel is one of the most complete establishments in the country. The Messrs. PEYTON, in reopening its ample accommodations, have spared no expense in giving convenience, style and elegance to the apartments and the outfit in every particular. With their own is given the polite attention of the superintendent, Mr. B. F. WEBB and Mr. BERNARD PEYTON.

The guest, on his entrance, is made to feel that he has around him not only the ease and freedom of "Old Virginia" hospitality and courtesy, but that he is invited to all the comforts and luxuries of a first class city establishment.--Richmond Whig.

Notes By the Way
(Column 03)

Summary: This letter describes a trip through Augusta and Rockingham counties, and highlights the recuperation of the Valley from the devastations of war. The towns, businesses and buildings of the area are described in detail.
(Names in announcement: Col. Harman, Bowman, Mr. Roller, Imboden)

Full Text of Article:

It is certainly very gratifying to a dweller in our lovely Valley, to note the rapid progress our people are making in restoring our war-stricken country to its former thrifty appearance. The changes are apparent to the eye of a stranger, but to one that, with a sad heart, saw Sheridan's ruthless devastation and witnessed the destruction, as it went on, of four years of vandalism, and can tell when each scar was made that so marred the features of this loveliest of lands, these changes for the better are eloquent in speaking of the past and cheering for the present and the future.

It is needless to speak of the improvements in Staunton, they are "not done in a corner," the town is filling up and spreading out, as far as the water pipes will let it, especially is the town creeping down the Valley Turnpike, where the houses, some very good ones, have already topped the hill, the fences have resumed their old places and near the little chopping mill on Fanny's Run, Col. Harman's fine new Merchant mill, running like clock-work, first attracts attention after getting into the country--and it is well worth a visit, if for no other purpose, to see how well everything has been done there. I am sure a good roll would taste all the better if the eater knew the flour had been ground in so neat a mill. The fine crops, the fences, the improvements that have been made to houses and barns, speak well for the industry of the farmers, as we go towards the Augusta Church, and there the fine new building that is nearly completed for the school of the Messrs. Bowman and the New Cemetery that is nearly enclosed and is to be neatly and tastefully laid out and ornamented, speak well for the public spirit that is still alive in the old land. Mt. Sidney gives few signs of life we are sorry to say: the hotel has a new sign and the smoke rises from the oven of the pottery, but the end has fallen out of the school house and the weeds grow in the streets, even the toll gatherer was "non est." As we near Burke's Mill two steam saw mills give an active look to the little Valley of the West Branch of Naked Creek, and Capt. Burke's new mill looks as though Sheridan's crow might replenish his haversack there, provided--well, we're reconstructed--The whole place is alive from the steam mill to the stage stables. Pleasant Grove Academy is sadly in need of a tenant, but the huge new barn of Mr. Roller near by proclaims that that fine region has not been sold for taxes yet. Mt. Crawford looks very well, except the church, which always had a forward look, the reservoir in front is more than ever a scar on the body politic, or the corporation, (for all the towns in Rockingham, such as Mt. Crawford, Bridgewater, Dayton, &c., are incorporated.) It speaks well for the place that they are fixing to use the fine water power of Cook's Creek at one end of the town, and are making crocks from the marsh at the other end. The hand of steady industry is apparent all the way from Mt. Crawford to Harrisonburg, this portion of the country was made very desolate, but one could hardly tell that anything had ever happened to it, surely no one ever saw finer crops of corn, or such fields of grass, so many new fences, to say nothing of the new houses and new finger boards. The big spring even had a new look, as though it had recuperated after resting from the many calls of the many.

Harrisonburg does not give many external proofs of prosperity, but the town appears, upon closer acquaintance, to be getting along very well. The Female Seminary is said to be very flourishing, but the outside of it looks as though it were in a state of siege: it needs a little paint and some trees. The new bank will be a very nice building, but the head gear of it looks too much like an old fashioned lady's high-topped comb. General Jones has improved the outside of the old stone church, and the lots of tools he has stowed away inside when they get into the hands of the farmers will do much to improve the country. The Collector of the U. S. taxes goes into the old bank, where he will, no doubt, have more deposits than the new one. The Register office looks much the same as of yore, but it has a fine power press that beats all our Staunton new mills, but the establishment reminded us of Imboden's big mule and little cannon that came down to help us fight the battle of Port Republic. The "boys" all thought the mule was too big for the gun, and we thought the press was too big for the room it had, we don't mean anything more, for we venture that in a short time they will have "the thing" going by steam. The Register is "an institution" still in Rockingham, and its Senior evidently enjoys, (and who would not?) the crowd of the old and young, male and female, that at an early hour on the day of publication crowds his Sanctum eager for the appearance of the paper. It always does us good to see people enjoy themselves as the editor and his subscribers seemed to enjoy themselves. We can't say much for the hotels, and, as for merchants the "Mammoth Store" seems to have swallowed all the others, and surely a store that took in ninety thousand pounds of butter in one year ought to swallow well. The lawyers appear to have taken Harrisonburg as the Doctors have Staunton--and lest you should weary and say we have taken too many notes we will stop.

Yours, &c.
Z.

Staunton Male Academy
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Summary: This excerpt from the Richmond Whig praises the excellence of the Staunton Male Academy, its Principal Mr. Pike Powers, and his associate Mr. Young. The article notes that Staunton "has long been famous for its schools," and has a "highly refined and attractive society" as well.
(Names in announcement: Pike Powers, Young)

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper prints the following report from New Orleans on the aftermath of the riot: "The negroes are very docile now, very polite, and anxious to cultivate the friendship of the Southern whites. They declare that the riot was the fault of men whom they do not intend to have any further connection with."

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper asserts that "the public will be gratified to know that General Schofield has relieved Gen. Terry in command of this Department."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: "Successful religious revivals are reported in Rockingham, Augusta and Rockbridge counties."

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper reports that "four freedmen" were put in jail and charged with stealing from George Shuey below Summerdean in Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: George Shuey)

Arrivals
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Summary: The paper estimates that there are over 2,000 tourists in the mountains. 629 people arrived in Staunton in the previous week; 356 at the American and 273 at the Virginia.

True Reconstruction
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that Col. C. A. Wells, late of the first New York Veteran Volunteers, wrote a letter thanking the Ladies' Cemetery Committee for the work they did on the graves of U. S. soldiers. "The brave honor the brave."

Base Ball
(Column 02)

Summary: This article declares that "Staunton started Base Ball in Virginia." H. F. Richards, a Baltimore native living in Staunton, introduced the sport, and "may properly be called the father of the game in this State." Staunton's pioneering efforts have led to the formation of clubs in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond as well.
(Names in announcement: H. F. Richards)

Our Town
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper is gratified to report that workmen have returned from the town outskirts and are now engaged in repairing pavement on Main Street. The gas lamp posts are also being put up. "Now if the Council would order the removal of all obstructions; cellar doors, porches, &c., we will be all right. Who is the man in the Council bold enough to take this matter in hand?"

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that "the colored people of Harrisonburg" raised over $100 at a dinner heavily attended by whites. "The ministers of the various denominations addressed them and the best of feeling prevailed among all parties. We are always glad to chronicle such pleasant facts about our colored population in the Valley, which we believe is the best in the South."

W. A. Sterrett
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper confirms a "painful rumor" that W. A. Sterrett, "Little Will," is dead. He passed away in Santa Fee, Missouri. "Staunton will mourn the loss of one of her favorites."
(Names in announcement: William A. Sterrett)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Richmond Whig reports that the "public spirit and enterprise of Staunton are generally up to, if not ahead of our large cities."

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Summary: It is announced that the Augusta Female Seminary will open on September 17th.

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Summary: The paper reports that a federal soldier who had been wounded and held prisoner in Staunton sent a $1 contribution to assist the ladies' efforts to decorate the graves of the Confederate dead. "This fact speaks volumes to some of our people."

A Way to Sleep
(Column 03)

Summary: A reporter who had trouble sleeping occupied himself by counting all the widows and widowers in Staunton. The result: 21 widows and 82 widowers. "He then started to count the pretty girls, counted 627 and went to sleep, dreaming of Mahomet's Heaven."

Crops
(Column 03)

Summary: A trip through Augusta, Rockbridge, and Allegheny counties results in information on the crops. "The corn has improved wonderfully lately, and in some portions farmers will not be able to house their crop. The splendid crops have greatly encouraged the people, and everything is looking up. Now for the Valley Railroad--we can afford it, and it must be built."

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Lieut. Robert H. Fisher, of Richmond, and Miss Ellie H. Taylor, of Staunton, were married on August 9th by the Rev. J. N. Latane.
(Names in announcement: Lieut. Robert H. Fisher, Ellie H. Taylor, Rev. J. N. Latane)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: John A. Bickle, of Staunton, and Miss Bettie N. Lockridge, of Rockbridge, were married by the Rev. Mr. Preston on July 25th.
(Names in announcement: John A. Bickle, Bettie N. Lockridge, Rev. Preston)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Miss Elizabeth Gochenour died in August 7th near Hermitage. She was 18 years old.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Gochenour)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Sarah A. Kennady died on August 10th near Hermitage. She was 34 years old.
(Names in announcement: Sarah A. Kennady)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that at a fair for the benefit of soldiers' and sailors' orphans held in Washington, D. C., and "conducted almost exclusively under New England auspices, orders were issued not to admit colored persons."