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Valley Virginian: October 7, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Situation
(Column 02)

Summary: The author suggests that the political situation, although seemingly dire, nevertheless offers a ray of hope for white southern people. A letter of the Hon. B.H. Hill illustrates that despite maltreatment of white southerners, they are not without power. Supposedly, this message is making an impact in northern states.

Full Text of Article:

The political contest which lately enshrouded the friends of Seymour and Blair has been, in a measure, dispelled, and greater confidence now animates the Democratic masses. General Reynolds has issued an order forbidding an election in Texas; and the same policy may be anticipated in Virginia and Mississippi.

The last political sensation is a controversy between Hon. B.H. Hill, of Georgia, and Horace Greely. Mr. Hill's letters are having a good effect North and have cleared up matters a little. Mr. Hill closes with the following vigorous, truthful, and spirited paragraph: "Ten millions of white people (Americans)--wearied with repeated offers of Union, exhausted with protestations of good faith and sincerity, voiceless with vain pleadings for peace, hopeless of the redemption of pledges, impoverished with insatiate exactions, sick with fruitless concessions to malignity, distracted because they will not consent to dishonor, despised because they will not be , oppressed because they will not agree to be ruled by slaves, maligned as rebels because they will not submit to pillage by negroes led on by strangers, and driven by a terrible experience to the final conviction that in themselves alone is their protection--such a people, though deserted by all mankind, are not POWERLESS."

The election soon to come off will decide who is to be President. Till then the best judges know nothing, and we can only say watch and wait!.

A Mystery
(Column 02)

Summary: This vehement attack on "idle young gentlemen" shows the dismay expressed by laborers against members of the upper class who, according to the author, somehow feel above honest labor. The mechanic who wrote this short and direct article suggests the lazy "gentlemen" should be severely punished.

Full Text of Article:

How the young gentlemen of our town, who walk about the street and lean against pumps and street corners from morning till night manage to dress so nicely. We are quite sure that their parents are not able to support them in their idleness, as the most of them are compelled to work. These gentlemen, for the most part, look upon honorable labor as something never intended for them, but loaf around stores and offices for the purpose of sponging off of men who work hard in order to keep out of debt, and to contribute something to the support of their aged parents, whose lives have been devoted to their interests. The poor, ignorant, lazy young "gentlemen" who turn up their nose at mechanics as they pass them from a day of hard labor should be arrested and placed in a work house or kicked out of a community which they disgrace by their damnable presence. A Mechanic.

Guard Your Civilization
(Column 03)

Summary: This article defends the idea of a superior southern civilization. Although speakers in the North, such as the Dr. Sears mentioned here, have suggested that the South wishes to introduce "elevating influences" of northern civilization, the author denies this emphatically. Virginia, he claims, will only adopt northern ways once its citizens become a "fawning race of cowards." This has not happened and, implies the author, never will.

Full Text of Article:

Peculiar dangers threaten the civilization which Virginia received at Jamestown and our fathers have nourished through successive centuries. Our enemies seek to impose new systems upon us, and obliterate the proud landmarks which were our colonial glory.--The inequality of man has been recognized through ages save in New England. We know nothing of man's equality beyond what has been told us in a modern school. Let no one be deceived by such popular clap trap.--God Himself has impressed a distinction in race upon the whole human family. It is idle to assert the contrary. Guard well your portals against the introduction of novelties which will disturb our peace.--Virginians nourish a noble history--a noble blood--a noble civilization! Cling to it with a tenacious grasp. Defend it against intrusion. It was the richest legacy of our fathers--it will prove the most precious inheritance we can transmit to our children.

Dr. Sears, General Agent of the Peabody Fund, in a recent speech at Boston, gave those Athenian boosters his impressions of the South as obtained while visiting our section on business connected with his agency. His address taken as a whole, was honest and manly--a pretty fair reflex of Southern sentiment. But he libeled the South when he declared that he discovered amongst us "a desire, which the people scarce dared to whisper, to have introduced the elevating influences of Northern civilization." Observe the words which we have italicized and tell us, dear Mr. Sears, where did you obtain your information? When you were endowed with that divine penetration which grasps an idea before it is uttered? You are greatly mistaken, Mr. Sears. Virginians do not credit the "elevating influences of Northern civilization," and we will have none of it. Powerful as is the sword it can create a new civilization only when the old is in the custody of a cringing, fawning race of cowards, demoralized by defeat and stripped of manhood.--Virginia has not yet reached that point.--brave men still are reckoned among her jewels. While these remain we shall cherish the civilization of our fathers.--Petersburg, Express

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Augusta produced a surplus of 100,000 barrels of flour in 1867. It will be one-half more in 1868.

Cattle
(Column 01)

Summary: Cattle men from the Southwest are moving stock through Staunton. The price for good stock cattle is going for 4 to 6 cents "on the hoof." Several thousand have passed through town.

A Mistake
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper retracts its statement regarding a diphtheria outbreak in Staunton. So far, only one case has been reported.

Thieving
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper complains about the frequent reports of robbery or attempted robbery in town. Most recently, Lara and Timberlake's tobacco factory was entered, but the attempt was halted by the arrival of Mr. Timberlake.
(Names in announcement: Lara, Timberlake)

Terry vs The Central Bank of Virginia
(Column 02)

Summary: Harvey Terry, a citizen of Pennsylvania, is suing the board of directors of the Central Bank of Virginia for $8,800 owed him.
(Names in announcement: Nicholas K. Trout, William H. Tams, Henry H. Peck, B. F. Points, F. M. Young, H. W. Sheffey, H. G. Guthrie, J. Wayt Bell)

County Court
(Column 02)

Summary: Proceedings of the Augusta County Court.
(Names in announcement: J. Marshall McCue, William Chapman, George W. McCutchen, E. L. Houff, John M. Kinney, James Bumgardner, John Stoner, Elias Pirkey, J. D. Craig, Judge John Kenney, Margaret D. Lyman)

Full Text of Article:

The COunty Court met on the 28th ult., J. Marshall McCue, Presiding Justice. Wm. Chapman and Geo. W. McCutcheon renewed their bonds as Notaries Public. E. L. Houff and Jno. M. Kinney were appointed Surveyors of roads. Ordered that James Bumgardner be instructed to examine and report whose duty it is to keep in repair the road between the Railroad bridge and the U. S. National Cemetery. License was granted to John Stoner to keep private entertainment at Buffalo Gap, and also to Elias Pirkey, at the Cave of the Fountains. Petition of J. D. Craig and others to change the road near Weyer's Cave was granted. According to report of Commissioners and Surveyors, the road running through the lands of Judge John Kenney and Mrs. Margaret D. Lyman was ordered to be made of lawful width. About 47 cases were disposed of on the motion docket.

Matrimonial
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that "matrimonial fever" is raging in the mountains. 10 couples got married last week alone. "There seems to be a general desire on the part of the young people to renounce a life of single blessedness and plunge into the mysteries of housekeeping." The paper jokes that Dr. Bagby should be consulted for a cure for the epidemic.

City Council--October Session
(Column 02)

Summary: Proceedings of the October Session of the City Council.
(Names in announcement: Mayor Trout, Maupin, Baird, Benedict, George M. CochranJr., E. W. Bayley, Dr. Stribling, Rev. J. I. Miller, A. H. H. Stuart, John B. Baldwin, M. G. Harman, B. R. Donaghe, R. G. Bickle, John B. Evans, Bolivar Christian, J. C. Covell, R. Mauzy, E. M. Taylor, John Echols, H. M. Bell, W. H. Tams, J. H. Skinner, N. K. Trout, William Frazier, M. H. Effenger, William B. Kayser, John Gregory)

Full Text of Article:

For the first time in two months, the Council met last Saturday night, Mayor Trout presiding--all the members present except Messrs. Maupin, Baird and Benedict. A petition was presented from Geo. M. Cochran, Jr., and other tax-payers asking that steps be taken to improve New street. Referred to Street Commissioners. A petition from E. W. Bayley and others for making a pavement from Dr. Stribling's to Coulter street, was refused as impracticable, at present. The Street Commissioners were ordered to examine and report at what places in the city additional lamp posts are required. The petition of Rev. J. I. Miller was referred to Commissioners of Streets. A. H. H. Stuart, Jno. B. Baldwin, M. G. Harman, B. R. Donaghe, R. G. Bickle, Jno. B. Evans, Bolivar Christian, J. C. Covell, R. Mauzy, E. M. Taylor, Jno. Echols, H. M. Bell, W. H. Tams, J. H. Skinner, N. K. Trout, Wm. Frazier, E. W. Bayley, M. H. Effenger, and Wm. B. Kayser, were appointed a committee to represent the city at the approaching Commercial Convention in the town of Norfolk. The Water Works Ordinance was amended so as to punish interference by unauthorized parties with the same. The petition of M. G. Harman to reconsider the tax of $100 levied on Express Companies was referred to the Finance Committee; also petition of W. H. Tams for reduction of tax upon Insurance Companies. The water tax upon one of B. T. Bagby's brickyards was remitted. Thos. E. Coleman's Hotel liscense for present year, was reduced to one eighth of the amount assessed against him. The public hydrant at Jno. Gregory's corner was ordered to be discontinued. The tax imposed upon the Staunton Building Association was referred to the Finance Committee. The Mayor reported that the city officers had done their duty. The Law Library Association was allowed the usual $30 per annum for use of Library. One hundred and twenty dollars was appropriated to repair the road leading from Dr. Stribling's to the Fair grounds. Council adjourned to meet the first Saturday in November.

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: A. G. Bolton and Miss Sarah C. Trusler were married near Stuart's Draft on September 24th by the Rev. W. R. Stringer.
(Names in announcement: A. G. Bolton, Sarah C. Trusler, Rev. W. R. Stringer)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Daniel P. Whitesell and Mrs. Mary E. Davis were married near Staunton on October 1st by the Rev. W. R. Stringer.
(Names in announcement: Daniel P. Whitesell, Mary E. Davis, Rev. W. R. Stringer)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Col. Houston Hall of Augusta and Miss Emmie E. Moseley, daughter of the late Dr. William P. Moseley of Buckingham County, were married at Wheatland, the residence of the bride's mother on September 22nd by the Rev. Thomas N. Johnson.
(Names in announcement: Col. Houston Hall, Emmie E. Moseley, Dr. William P. Moseley, Rev. Thomas N. Johnson)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: William T. Lightner of Augusta and Miss Dora M. Lightner, daughter of William Lightner of Highland, were married at the residence of the bride's father on September 17th by the Rev. J. W. Canter.
(Names in announcement: William T. Lightner, Dora M. Lightner, William Lightner, Rev. J. W. Canter)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Philip Keesey, formerly of Staunton, died suddenly in Middlebrook on September 24th. He was 69 years old.
(Names in announcement: Philip Keesey)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Catherine R. Hollingsworth died at the Waynesboro residence of her son-in-law, Capt. J. B. Finks, on September 23rd. She was 72 years old.
(Names in announcement: Catherine R. Hollingsworth, Capt. J. B. Finks)