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Valley Virginian: November 28, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Situation
(Column 02)

Summary: This editorial asserts that the South is ignoring politics and making rapid progress toward material prosperity while the North wrestles with the question of reconstruction.

Full Text of Article:

The general appearance of affairs, of interest to our people has not changed materially in the last week, for better or for worse. The Southern people are still hammering away on the pressing question "of how to make a living," and they are doing it earnestly and effectively. A portion of the Northern people are, or seem to be, very mad at the conduct of our Southern brethren, of the Confederacy, in not endorsing their proposed Constitutional Amendment. They call us all sorts of names and even surpass their ingenuity during the war in telling lies about "Southern Rebels," their "barbarities," &c. The body, called a Congress of the United States, meets on December 3rd, and will soon decide, as far as they can, what is to be our fate. Till then we can only watch, wait, and work--with the same patience and stern endurance that has characterized our course since the surrender.

No people ever exhibited so grand a spectacle of moral courage; so devoted an attachment to their country, and so thorough and practical a devotion to the "Land we love," as the Southern people are now showing. It is all very well for some people to brag about the energy and enterprise of the Yankees, but suppose even that untiring race, of devils on earth, of energy incarnate, overpowered, overrun, stripped, plundered, taxed--and what would they do? Can we imagine them going bravely to work; can we imagine them exhibiting the courage that gives up all for a cause, regretting only an inability to do more and then, with but a feeling of pity and sympathy for the negro, striving as men never did before, to reconstruct and revive a country? Never! The flight of imagination that can conceive the idea of a Yankee doing any thing for the sake of a principle would surpass even that of a Herald newspaper correspondent. And let us be understood by the term "Yankee," we mean the character that has cursed this country, and has made the word signify what no other word can--a mean, a low, a scheming, and an unscrupulous man. He has no particular place to be born, though the breed originally came from "Plymouth rock," or thereabouts, and the nearest are the so called "loyalists" of the South.

Important changes in the habits and thoughts of our people have, and are taking place. Old fogy notions are giving way to new ideas, and the prejudices of ages are being ground to powder in the mill of necessity. The Farmers and planters of Virginia recently assembled in Convention have discussed, with the ability that was always a proud characteristic of the Virginia agriculturalist, the grave questions now pressing upon us for solution. In the main, the views taken by this body are encouraging, and the facts elicited by the debates, reports, &c., will do much towards giving proper direction to the mind and hands of our people. The people themselves are at work and, having thrown politics "to the dogs," are doing wonders. Times are hard, but the steady, persevering efforts now being made will, in a few years, bring us to the topmost round of the ladder of material prosperity. The prospect for good crops was never so promising before, and it seems at last that Providence, which has satisfied as to be so sorely oppressed, is about to smile upon us once more.

European News, like American, is still dull and uninteresting. There are all sorts of rumors sent over the cable, headed "important," only to be corrected by others equally nonsensical the next day. Even Mexico has to be tried by those indefatigable sensations, the Yankee papers, to get up an item, and poor Maximilian is daily run, telegraphically, between the Halls of the Montezumas and a mysterious Austrian man of war, said to be laying somewhere on the Mexican coast. The Emperor Napoleon the 3rd is daily and hourly reported dead or dying, and the next day news gives full accounts of the improved health of himself and family. Some rebel Tycoon or other is weekly reported as having rebelled and cut off some body's head in Japan, and the chronic "rebellion" in China and South America furnishes a never failing theme for learned and erudite leaders, on the "destiny of man," for the daily papers. Austria has subsided since the late war, but that mysterious and wonderful Prussian, Bismark, is always ready to hand, when a poor devil reporter in Europe is out of "copy" for the steamer. The Pope is daily expected to be forced to leave Rome and give up his temporal power, by the enthusiastic devotees to "Italian unity," and is nightly prayed for and sworn by, temporally and spiritually, by millions, as one who rests upon the "Rock of Ages." Spain is continually in a hubbub and the telegraph sometimes almost makes one believe he cares a -- about Spain or what becomes of her. And even "down trodden Africa"--the house of God's chosen people, according to our Northern philosophers, comes in for a share of this infernal telegraph news, and some body is conjuring up a gigantic scheme to bore the poor devils there with Associated Press dispatches. Heaven help the poor African!--we can't.

"But what does all this, about the whole world, amount to?" we hear some bored "sensationist" exclaim. To about the same all articles on the situation must account to now--absolutely nothing!--The Northern people have got an "elephant" to handle and don't know what his "trunk" contains. They fear a financial crash; and we, with the rest of the world, have the same animal to attend to. There is "the situation." Is there brains enough on this continent to direct a solution of the problem? We can only patiently await an answer.

A Letter from Staunton
(Column 03)

Summary: This letter to the editor of the Examiner recounts a trip to the town of Staunton, discusses the remarkable construction projects in progress, and describes some of the churches and hotels in town.
(Names in announcement: N. K. Trout, Kayser, Piper, Funkhouser, P. H. Trout, S. H. Hilb, Isaac Witz, M. E. Fagan, C. E. Wood, H. H. Peck, John Echols, A. T. Maupin, W. M. Poole, Summerson, Turner, Rev. William E. Baker, Pike Powers, Peyton, O'Ferrall, John A. Noon)

Full Text of Article:

Staunton, November 18, 1866

To the Editor of the Examiner:

I ask a small space in your widely circulated and popular journal to say a few words of Staunton, its improvements, its hotels, and the public spirit and energy of its inhabitants.

Upon taking a walk this pleasant Sabbath morning around this beautiful town, I was truly amazed at the amount and extent of the improvements made since the close of the war. The spirit of improvement has seized everybody, and extended even to the corporation authorities. The Mayor, N. K. Trout, is one of the most pleasant, agreeable, intelligent and popular men I ever met with; and the street commissioner--Mr. Kayser--is indomitable in the discharge of the duties of his office. Under his administration the sidewalks are being put in splendid order, and the streets are kept clean to a surprising degree.

Besides, this city of hills is every night brilliantly illuminated with gas. But I think it is the absence of "gas" in its rulers that accounts for its present cleanly and healthy condition. On every street, and in every ally you can see workmen renovating old and beautiful new homes. At least forty houses have been erected here since the close of the war, and it is hard to say how many old and unsightly structures have been converted into comfortable and beautiful residences and places of business.

Among the places of business that have recently been put in thorough order, we may mention Piper & Lunkhouser's, P. H. Trout's, S. H. Hilb's, Isaac Witz's, M. E. Fagan's, C. E. Wood's, H. H. Peck's and others. General John Echols has made a new place out of the old Valley Bank property, and A. T. Maupin has converted the old National Hotel property from a harbor for negroes and the lowest of the degraded whites, into a fine dwelling and boarding house and two elegant stores with open fronts, now occupied by Messrs. W. M. Poole and Summerson and Turner. The Postoffice is also in the same property. Mr. Maupin has done as much, if not more, to improve the town, than any man in it. Two new foundries are also in full blast and doing well. Staunton is not idle. She does not stand idly holding her hands and lamenting her sad misfortunes, but like true and brave people, her citizens have discarded politics and have gone to work to rebuild their fortunes, and they will do it.

Becoming somewhat tired by our long walk, we halted at the Presbyterian Church, one of the first Churches in the State, and heard a most excellent sermon from that most able man, Rev. William E. Baker. He made no attempt at display, but preached a sound practical sermon from the text, to be found in the tenth chapters of Romans, from the sixth to the eighth verse inclusive.

There are seven other churches in Staunton with regular ordained ministers--two of them colored. This place has three large and well patronized female Institutes, besides several private and select schools for ladies. It is very deficient, however, in male schools--although that thorough gentleman and scholar, Pike Powers, has a very fair school. It should be ten times as large.

Returning from the Presbyterian Church, much impressed with the excellent sermon we had heard, we repaired to the Virginia House and partook of a most elegant dinner, as cheering to the material man as the discourse we had just heard was to the spiritual. In fact, the Virginia is one of the very best hotels in the State. There every want of the guest is anticipated by those prince of landlords, Messrs. Peyton and O'Ferrall. Long life and success to them.

There is another fact that is no doubt very gratifying to you, Mr. Editor, and that is, that there are more Examiners taken here than any other three Richmond (secular) papers put together. That enterprising newsboy, John A. Noon, sells about one hundred Examiners daily. Long may it flourish.

An Editor's Convention
(Column 03)

Summary: The editor of the Clarke Journal seconds the suggestion of Maj. Garber, editor of the Valley Virginian, to hold a convention of newspaper editors at which a uniform newspaper price will be fixed.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Federal Burial Corps selected ground along the Charlottesville Road, one mile from Staunton, as the site of their new cemetery. The land had been intended for a fair ground and race track.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. M. G. Harman will serve as Augusta agent for the Hollywood Memorial Bazaar Association.
(Names in announcement: M. G. Harman)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper announces that the removal of the Confederate dead from Piedmont has commenced.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that the platform at the Staunton depot is filled to a height of ten feet with coffins for burial of Federal dead "scattered for fifty miles around Staunton."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The editors ask that the Corporation of Staunton publish a statement of the town's financial condition, including how tax money has been spent.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The court appointed the following officers for A and B companies of the town militia: Company A--David Drake, Captain; James H. Smith, 1st Lieut.; and C. C. Wheat, 2nd Lieut. Company B--James W. Crawford, Captain; E. S. Trout, 1st Lieut.; R. P. Phillips, 2nd Lieut.
(Names in announcement: David Drake, James H. Smith, C. C. Wheat, James W. Crawford, E. S. Trout, R. P. Phillips)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The editors suggest that the town council appoint extra policemen to deal with the increased amount of thieving which winter usually brings.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that the Federal government owes a Staunton man $750 for "hard work," but he cannot collect his check until he takes the "ironclad oath." Since he cannot take the oath, he stands to loose his money. "And this is the 'best government the world ever saw,'" the editors retort.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Staunton lyceum debated whether or not novel reading was "prejudicial to society." Pike Powers, J. Hotchkiss and Rev. Mr. Armstrong argued in the affirmative, while J. H. Skinner and Bolivar Christian dissented.
(Names in announcement: Pike Powers, J. Hotchkiss, Rev. Armstrong, J. H. Skinner, Bolivar Christian)

The Stonewall Band's Fair
(Column 02)

Summary: Some of Staunton's Ladies propose to hold a fair for the benefit of the Stonewall Band, who will give a concert at the same time. "This organization is not only an honor to Staunton, but has become, from associations connected with it and its positive merits, one of the Institutions here. We are glad to hear of the proposed benefit and predict for it a brilliant and remunerative success."

The Lecture
(Column 03)

Summary: Oliver P. Baldwin delivered a lecture at the courthouse on November 20th entitled, "Fighting--considered as one of the Fine Arts." "The most intelligent audience ever gathered together in Staunton pronounced it superior to any lecture ever delivered" by him. He also lectured on "Fast and Slow People," before the Staunton lyceum.
(Names in announcement: Oliver P. Baldwin)

County Court--November Term
(Column 03)

Summary: James Wilson presided over a recent meeting of the county court. John Wayland and M. W. D. Hogshead qualified as notaries public, and J. G. Stover renewed his qualification. Emily Poindexter and John E. Lamb, two African Ameican children, were ordered to be bound out. Joseph Wright, John Hanger, G. F. Ary, Russell N. Wallace, Jacob Kunkle, and D. Propus were appointed road surveyors. An order was issued for the rebuilding of a bridge near Hansbargers mill. Commonwealth vs. Martin H. Shott, for felony, was sent to circuit court for trial.
(Names in announcement: James Wilson, John Wayland, M. W. D. Hogshead, J. G. Stover, Emily Poindexter, John E. Lamb, Joseph Wright, John Hanger, G. F. Ary, Russell N. Wallace, Jacob Kunkle, D. Propus, Martin H. Shott)

Are We a Business People?
(Column 03)

Summary: This article praises Circuit Court Judge H. W. Sheffey for the efficient manner in which he is expediting court business. He is aided in his efforts by the excellent service of Circuit Clerk Joseph Ryan, his Deputy Mr. Paris, Captain Samuel Paul, and the Sheriff and his Deputies: John Towberman, A. B. Lightner, W. L. Mowry, W. H. Gamble, S. N. Patterson, W. H. Wayland, George Harlan, and Calvin L. Swink.
(Names in announcement: H. W. Sheffey, Joseph Ryan, Paris, Samuel Paul, John Towberman, A. B. Lightner, W. L. Mowry, W. H. Gamble, S. N. Patterson, W. H. Wayland, George Harlan, Calvin L. Swink)

The Fireman's Fair
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper declares the recent Fireman's Fair "the greatest success in the way of a Fair and Supper ever known in Staunton." The town hall was decorated with banners and evergreen wreaths. "Benjamin Fifer organized a gang of negroes, about a span long, and had them dancing, 'Kicking up behind and before,' for the amusement of the crowd." A ball and dinner at the American Hotel concluded the evening. $580 was raised for the Firemen. The following won door prizes including bedsteads, dress hangers and a gold watch: William Miller, E. M. Cushing, Col. O'Ferrall, Sandy Taylor, J. Wilson, Fred Scheffer, and C. A. Gladkey.
(Names in announcement: Benjamin Fifer, William Miller, E. M. Cushing, Col. O'Ferrall, Sandy Taylor, J. Wilson, Fred Scheffer, C. A. Gladkey)

Circuit Court--November Term
(Column 03)

Summary: The session of the Circuit Court continues. The case of Brown, Lanigan and Co., vs. Forrer, is still underway. General Echols, Col. John B. Baldwin, Mr. J. Y. Menifee, and A. H. H. Stuart argued for the defendants. The case of John W. Trayer and wife vs. Dr. H. S. Eichelberger for "assault and battery upon the person of Mrs. Trayer, then Mrs. M. R. East, during the war," was decided against the defendant and the plaintiff was awarded $300 in damages. The case aroused much local interest because "it was all about a 'stray' pidgeon." Many cases are in progress involving debts due in Confederate money contracted during the war. In the case of Michael O'Brien vs John Hair, "action of defendant in order to recover the value of a cow; verdict of $40 in favor of plaintiff." The case of Matthew Tisdale vs. J. S. Timberlake for assault and battery was decided in favor of the defendants. In another matter, it was decided that local newspapers would bid for the right to print legal notices from the Clerk, lowest bidder taking all. In the case of Mary Seely vs Rachel Phelps, (white); A. Shovler and others (black), an injunction was granted by Judge Harris preventing Shovler from building on the lot in controversy. David Fultz argued for the plaintiff, and Echols and Stuart for the defendants.
(Names in announcement: Brown, Lanigan, Forrer, General Echols, Col. John B. Baldwin, J. Y. Menifee, A. H. H. Stuart, John W. Trayer, H. S. Eichelberger, M. R. East, Michael O'Brien, John Hair, Matthew Tisdale, J. S. Timberlake, Mary Seely, Rachel Phelps, A. Shovler, Judge Harris, David Fultz)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: William H. H. Cox and Miss Sallie J. Cross, both of Augusta, were married on November 15th by the Rev. E. H. Jones.
(Names in announcement: William H. H. Cox, Sallie J. Cross, Rev. E. H. Jones)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: W. F. Harner and Miss M. M. Swisher, both of Augusta, were married on November 15th by the Rev. C. Beard.
(Names in announcement: W. F. Harner, M. M. Swisher, Rev. C. Beard)