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Valley Virginian: January 8, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Pen and Ink Sketches of the Living and the Dead--Exodus From Richmond--The Capture of Mr. Davis--Dahlgren's Raid Upon Richmond--General R. E. Lee
(Column 04)

Summary: Account of the last days of the war.

A Negro Opinion of White Radicals
(Column 07)

Summary: The paper jokes that African Americans are refusing to enthusiastically join the radicals because they are hostile to the "white trash" element in the party.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: J. R. Crockwell announces that Maj. A. M. Garber, Jr., has taken entire control of the Valley Virginian Editorial Department. He is responsible for everything that appears on the editorial page.
(Names in announcement: J. R. Crockwell, Maj. A. M. GarberJr.)

Only a Word or So
(Column 03)

Summary: This article describes the situation in Virginia under radical rule. The radicals, referred to as "agents of Satan" impose unfair taxation and use blacks against their former masters. This article is a call to the men of the North to honor the terms of surrender and remove radicals and others vindictive whites from office in Virginia.

Full Text of Article:

The present condition of the Southern people, the wonderful capacity for governing shown by gentlemen who nobly stood by the country, while "foolish boys," deserted it, and got killed, wounded or robbed in the Confederate States service forces us to think of
"The perils which do environ,
The men who meddle with cold iron." And then of the trials beset those left to struggle for existence, against the "life tenure in office," the taxation, the power for wrong, the Military Bills give such men as Pierpont and other "mean whites," to say nothing of negroes, poor creatures, who these agents of Satan have been, and are still, leading a "Devil's own dance" to death and destruction.

It was hard for 8,700 Southern soldiers to surrender to 150,000 brave Yankees, at Appamattox [sic], but to daily see the terms of surrender broken; to have all the filth of the North; all the camp followers, "scavengers," "bounty jumpers," of the Army, together with the scum of Southern loyalty so called, poured out upon an unfortunate but noble people, by Radical venom and hatred, is almost too much.

"How long, oh! Lord, how long? Are this sorely tired people to be be-deviled, persecuted and swindled by this infamous gang of scoundrels, who prey upon us like the "locusts of Egypt," and disgrace even the negroes they associate with. Decent white men North, brave soldiers who honestly fought against us, answer, and give us the chance to live your honor was pledged forat Appomattox.

In Memoriam
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper mourns the loss of Gen. Kenton Harper, who it declares one of Augusta's "most honored, loved and respected citizens." "We would write more but the sad memory of the 'loved and lost' who served with Gen. Harper; the recollections of his many acts of kindness to us, causes feelings beyond our powers of expression."
(Names in announcement: Gen. Kenton Harper)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports that Richmond voted a $2,000,000 subscription to the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company. "Certainly Augusta, richer than Richmond, can vote $300,000."

The Chesapeake and Ohio Subscription in the Counties
(Column 04)

Summary: Article stressing the importance of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad to the future prosperity of Virginia. The author points out several prominent Augusta citizens who support it.
(Names in announcement: Stuart, Judge Sheffey, Col. Baldwin, Michie, Bell, Trout, Waddell, Echols, Christian, Harman)

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

Death of Gen. Harper
(Column 04)

Summary: Notice mourning the death of General Kenton Harper as a loss to all Virginia.
(Names in announcement: Gen. Kenton Harper)

Origin of Article: Norfolk Journal

Death of a Well-known Virginian
(Column 04)

Summary: Obituary and short biography of the late General Kenton Harper.
(Names in announcement: Gen. Kenton Harper)

Origin of Article: National Intelligencer

Lecture
(Column 01)

Summary: Maj. J. C. Covell will lecture before the Staunton Lyceum.
(Names in announcement: Maj. J. C. Covell)

Aid for the Deserving
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper endorses plans to found a Mechanic's and Working-man's Loan Association in Staunton.

Christmas
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that the streets of Staunton were crowded with pleasure-seekers on Christmas Day. No fights were reported, and only a few quarrels and "accidently drunks."

City Council
(Column 02)

Summary: The January session of the City Council met, N. K. Trout presiding.
(Names in announcement: N. K. Trout, Crawford, Hope, Points, Bickle, Dr. A. M. Atkinson, Jed Hotchkiss, Evans, Bunch)

Full Text of Article:

Council met January 4th, 1868. N. K. Trout, Mayor, presided. All present except Crawford, Hope, Points, and Bickle, (sick.) The Mayor presented the bond of Dr. A. M. Atkinson for payment on Market House and lot, which was approved. The interest on the public debt of the city, amounting to $29,860 was allowed and the Treasurer ordered to pay same. The usual accounts for preceding month were allowed. The account of Major Jed Hotchkiss, for services as city Engineer, was not allowed, because it was not certified to by Commissioners of Streets. A proposition to open a subscription of $50,000 by the city of Staunton to the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company was laid over for consideration at next meeting. It was ordered that all accounts allowed by the Council, for sums under five dollars, shall be paid hereafter by the Chief of Police, on the certificate of the clerk of Council. Mr. Evans submitted an ordinance requiring owners of property, fronting improved streets, to clean the snow from their sidewalks. Rejected by a vote of 5 to 3. The Overseer of the Poor was authorized to employ a city Physician for the poor, at a compensation of $30 per annum. (As the competition for this office and salary will be very great, we advise aspirants to make early application to Mr. Bunch, O. P.) True Council, painfully impressed with the magnitude and importance of the labor performed and, no doubt, hearing the horrifying rumor concerning Brig. Gen-Governor Schofield's intention to order an election for city officers shortly, adjourned to meet, if allowed, the 1st Saturday in February.

Report of a Meeting at Hall's School-house, the 28th of December, 1867.
(Column 02)

Summary: At a schoolhouse meeting, the speaker warns of the dangers inherent in a new Constitution. The principle fear is that Radicals will shift power into the hands of the black citizens of Virginia, thereby creating an unfair representation by those with the least property. This will in turn create problems regarding race relations between property holders and their former bondsmen. Overall, this speech warns that Conservative white citizens will go to any measure to avoid the "disgrace" of "Negro rule."
(Names in announcement: J. S. Ellis, Capt. C. Hall, W. L. Hunter, J. A. Fitch, B. F. Cochran, Alex Coiner, G. Herman, Capt. C. G. Miller, George Nihergall, David RankinJr., M. B. Coalter)

Full Text of Article:

Whereas, the Congress of the United States have required a Convention to be called in the State of Virginia for the purpose of creating a Constitution of the State,

And whereas, from the action which has been taken by similar Conventions which have been held in other Southern States, there are good grounds to apprehend that the Virginia Convention now in session, may recommend to the people a Constitution which will bring the State under control of the negro race;

And whereas, in the opinion of this association, such a result would be most disastrous to the best interest of the State, by transferring the political power of the State to the most portion of its population, and ultimately burthening the land and property of the people with enormous taxation, imposed by those who would own but a small portion of the property of the State, therefore

1st Be it resolved that, in the event of the adoption of such a Constitution by the Convention, we pledge ourselves to each other, and to our fellow citizens generally, to make every fair and honorable effort to defeat the ratification of such constitution by the people; and to that end we will not only vote against its ratification ourselves, but we will diligently exert ourselves to induce every voter in our respective neighborhoods to attend the polls and record their votes against it.

2nd Resolved, that we will cherish the kindest feelings toward the freedmen, taking care to explain to him how his best interest will be promoted by cultivating friendly relationship with the people with whom they live.

3d. Resolved, that our great aim should be to escape negro supremacy in the State, and that we will exert ourselves to the utmost extent of our power and influence to save ourselves and our race from this calamity and disgrace.

On motion, the Chairman appointed leaders of tens whose duty it shall be to obtain signers to the above.

The following gentlemen were then appointed, to wit: J.S. Ellis, B.F. Cochran, Alex Coiner, G. Herman, Capt. C. G. Miller, George Nihergall and David Rankin, Jr.

M. B. Coalter, Secretary

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Patrick O'Toole and Miss Kate Collins, daughter of the late Richard Collins of Staunton, were married in St. Francis Church, Staunton, by Father Weed on December 31st.
(Names in announcement: Patrick O'Toole, Kate Collins, Fr. Weed, Richard Collins)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: John Donovan and Miss Mary Scherer, daughter of John B. Scherer of Staunton, were married in St. Francis Church, Staunton, by Father Weed on December 31st.
(Names in announcement: John Donovan, Mary Scherer, John B. Scherer, Fr. Weed)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Dr. G. M. King of Waynesboro and Miss Ida C. Campbell, daughter of J. L. Campbell of Charles City County, were married on December 18th by the Rev. Noah B. Price.
(Names in announcement: Dr. G. M. King, Ida C. Campbell, J. L. Campbell, Rev. Noah B. Price)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Charles P. Bryant and Miss Amanda C. Burkholder of Augusta were married on December 31st by the Rev. E. F. Busey.
(Names in announcement: Charles P. Bryant, Amanda C. Burkholder, Rev. E. F. Busey)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: S. M. D. Shiflet of Augusta and Miss Sarah Armentrout of Rockingham were married on December 26th by the Rev. Mr. Beard.
(Names in announcement: S. M. D. Shiflet, Sarah Armentrout, Rev. Beard)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: W. F. Sherman and Miss L. M. Miller, both of Augusta, were married on December 26th by the Rev. Beard.
(Names in announcement: W. F. Sherman, L. M. Miller, Rev. Beard)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: W. D. Wood, of Albemarle and Miss Rhoda L. Brown of Augusta were married on December 18th by the Rev. W. R. Stringer.
(Names in announcement: W. D. Wood, Rhoda L. Brown, Rev. W. R. Stringer)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: James F. Davis and Miss Rebecca J. Bolen were married on December 30th by the Rev. W. F. Baker.
(Names in announcement: James F. Davis, Rebecca J. Bolen, Rev. W. F. Baker)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Martha R. Bledsoe, wife of Thomas A. Bledsoe, died in Staunton on January 3rd. She was 32 years old.
(Names in announcement: Martha R. Bledsoe, Thomas A. Bledsoe)