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Valley Virginian: February 11, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Pay Your Small Bills
(Column 07)

Summary: The paper stresses the importance of paying off small bills and debts. It can mean the difference between success or failure for a tradesman.

More Territory
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper supports annexing St. Domingo as "the very best place in the world for colonizing our new citizens."

Judge H. W. Sheffey
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper praises Judge H. W. Sheffey as one of the greatest in the state. They hope party prejudice will not cost him his job.

Examples Worthy of Consideration
(Column 02)

Summary: This article uses examples of other states to show the difficulties with disfranchisement. The author suggests, as do papers form other states, that the "new movement" can save Virginia from the rapacious carpetbaggers. Although some say that most Virginians do not support the movement, the author claims this is merely the argument of Governor Wells and a few of his carpetbagger supporters.

Full Text of Article:

That influential journal, the Republican Banner, of Nashville, says:

"There is but one key to the solution of the reconstruction problem. The New York Tribune has found it, and urges upon Congress its immediate application. It lies in the simple, lucid comprehensive platform of universal amnesty and impartial suffrage."

As Tennessee has preceded Virginia in having to endure disfranchisements, negro suffrage, a State militia, and the like, her experience is worth something to the people of Virginia. The counsel of her leaders and her press ought to be weighed by the Old Dominion. The people of Tennessee would be only too happy to day to secure relief from State disfranchisement in consideration for universal suffrage.

So, too, Virginia has the advantage of Georgia's experience, both what she gained in a good State constitution by conceding the demand for impartial suffrage, and by what she has risked by running against the will of Congress in the matter of negro eligibility to office. This experience ought to have its uses for other communities in like case; We observe that the Macon Telegraph--a most judicious and able paper--warmly endorses the new movement in Virginia, and says that by it the authors, if they succeed, will "save their State."

The meaning of this is, that the capital and industry of the people of Virginia will be "saved" from the rapacious exactions of the carpet-baggers who wish to eat up their substance. With a keen instinct, the latter class, as soon as they heard of the "new movement," saw in it death and ruin to all their schemes of oppression and plunder; they rushed to Washington, carpet-bag in hand, to counteract the efforts of the committee of nine, and for weeks have been working their game as well as they could. The principle weapon in their armory is the persistent opposition of the "last ditch" men, and their reiterated allegation that the new movement does not receive the support of the Virginia people. This was the main point relied on by Governor Wells to induce the Reconstruction Committee to adopt his views; but it may be doubted, after all, whether, in case of his success in attaining power, he will require those who have rendered him, at a critical pinch, such very effective aid. National Intelligencer

A Southern Scalawag on Carpet-Baggers
(Column 03)

Summary: This writer, a Virginia scalawag, suggests that carpetbaggers are the most vile, base individuals in Virginia. They are concerned only with personal self interest, they have duped blacks into supporting them, and will not hesitate to slander a gentleman's good name for their benefit.

Full Text of Article:

Hunnicutt, the Richmond chief of the Virginia scalawags, expresses his opinion of carpet baggers in this fashion:

These miscreant adventurers, having no character of their own to lose, and no property to tax, and no responsibilities resting on them, meanly, basely and cowardly seek to build up a reputation with the colored people by lying and defaming and trying to pull down the good names of gentlemen who would scorn any association with them whatever. Beggars, they seek their fortunes by whining and crying for office. Producing nothing, they would suck the last drop of blood from the veins of every Virginian to fill their own empty pockets, and then, in justification of their own base acts, would filch from them that which is worth more than all the sordid wealth of the earth--their fair reputation, their good name.--These ravenous, devouring wolves in sheep's clothing, who go poking about throughout the country, whispering, writing, publishing and circulating infamous lies and slanders against the true and tried men of Virginia, merit the execration of all good men and the eternal anathemas of a just and righteous God. Their sins will find them out, and they will be brought to shame and infamy at last.

The Great Endorser
(Column 04)

Summary: The article supports A. H. H. Stuart who asserted in his speech in Staunton that Robert E. Lee endorsed the "New Movement." "He knows that negro suffrage exists now, and that it can never be taken away. He would save the honor of his State from degradation; he would prevent her from being trampled under foot by the negroes and the plunderers who have been thrown into power by a revolution."
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart)

Origin of Article: Norfolk Journal

Value of Virginia Bonds
(Column 04)

Summary: This article illustrates an important consequence of radical rule, the "Bayne Constitution," and old fogeyism. Essentially, if the Committee of Nine's propositions are rejected, white Virginians will fail to wrest control from those promoting "negro rule." Thus, as in North Carolina, state stocks will plummet.

Full Text of Article:

The rise in Virginia stocks is to be attributed to the prospect of the old Commonwealth being delivered from the despotism of the negro. They rose the moment that it became even probable that the propositions of the Committee of Nine would be accepted.

How different is the result in the case of North Carolina, whose stocks have under her reconstruction exhibited a downward tendency, as well as they may, when the capitalists of the country behold the reckless manner in which Holden and his Radicals are running her in debt.

If such is the case in North Carolina, where the Radicals constitute a far more influential and respectable class than they do in Virginia, what will be infallibly the result in the latter State should Bayne's Constitution be carried?

It does seem to us strange indeed that any can be found in Virginia directly or indirectly concerned in maintaining the credit of the State, who are so insensate as to oppose the plan of some of the old Commonwealth's most patriotic and distinguished sons. If the old fogies, by the help they are giving Wells and Underwood, should succeed in subjecting Virginia to the negro, the bonds of the State will not be worth the paper they are printed on; while if the committee succeed in their efforts, in a few months they will rise to par.
Norfolk Journal

Baptist Church
(Column 01)

Summary: The revival continues in the Baptist Church. A large number have professed and been baptized. The Rev. Dr. Broaddus is aiding the pastor.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Broaddus)

Vote of Thanks
(Column 02)

Summary: The Augusta Fire Company passed resolutions of thanks to the black and white citizens of Staunton for their assistance at a recent fire.
(Names in announcement: B. F. Fifer)

Produce
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper notices that many shipments of bacon, lard, and produce that used to be handled in Staunton are now being made from Harrisonburg. The editors urge construction of the road to Staunton to stop the economic damage.

A Card
(Column 02)

Summary: J. Ambler Weed, pastor of St. Francis Church, Staunton, thanks the Augusta Fire Company and the citizens of the town for their help during a fire at the church's school rooms. "The services of the colored men present deserve special notice."
(Names in announcement: J. Ambler Weed)

Liberal
(Column 02)

Summary: The members of Staunton's Catholic Church subscribed $250 to rebuild their school house that was destroyed by fire. They raised $50 at a recent tableaux, and $30 from citizen contributions. "The work of rebuilding has already commenced, and by the latter part of March it is hoped to have the building ready. In the mean time, the Fire Company, with marked charity, have given use of their Hall, so that youths of the congregation will lose no time."

Corporation Court
(Column 03)

Summary: This piece is a brief list of criminals, their infractions, and punishments. Included are those who have committed petit larceny as well as a man who was convicted for selling obscene material.
(Names in announcement: Thomas C. Elder, Henry Jackson, George W. Hardeman, Margaret Marshall, Alex Patterson, Michael Sullivan)

Full Text of Article:

At the February term of this court for the town of Staunton, Thos. C. Elder, Esq., was duly admitted to practice.

Henry Jackson (colored) on an indictment of petit larceny, sentenced to thirty days in the county jail.

Geo. W. Hardeman, on an indictment for obtaining property by false pretense, sentenced to thirty days in county jail.

On two several indictments for petit larceny, Margaret Marshall (colored), was found guilty--sentenced in one case to 20 days and in the other 30 days in county jail.

Alex. Patterson (colored), on indictment for petit larceny, found guilty and sentenced to six months imprisonment in jail.

Michael Sullivan on indictment for selling obscene books, found guilty, fined $200 and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment in jail.

Also for selling cards with obscene prints, he was found guilty, fined $100, and sentenced to 6 months confinement in jail.

The Grand Jury found 42 indictments.

Another Fire
(Column 03)

Summary: Account of the fire at St. Francis Catholic Church's School House. Col. Nick Cleary made early efforts to stop the fire from growing to dangerous size, but failed. The Fire Company and many helpful citizens could not save the building, but they did prevent the spread of the fire. "It gives us more than ordinary pleasure to notice the almost superhuman efforts of several colored men, and more especially John Briggs and William Venerable, blacksmiths, each of whom done the work of any five men." The editors say the incident draws attention once again to the need to properly fund and outfit the Fire Company, and suggest holding a public meeting for those ends.
(Names in announcement: Col. Nick Cleary, John Briggs, William Venerable)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Staunton Council, Number 47, Friends of Temperance, passed resolutions of sympathy and respect upon the death of their fellow-member William H. Wilson.
(Names in announcement: William H. Wilson, J. S. Libscomb, James W. Baldwin, N. S. Hall, J. F. Maupin)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: William W. Obaugh, formerly of Mt. Solon, and Miss Maggie E. Ferren of Ohio were married in Ohio on January 7th by the Rev. J. Grant.
(Names in announcement: William W. Obaugh, Maggie E. Ferren, Rev. J. Grant)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: George A. Coiner and Miss Mary E. Ewing, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of the bride's father on February 4th by the Rev. H. Tallhelm.
(Names in announcement: George A. Coiner, Mary E. Ewing, Rev. H. Tallhelm)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Darius Edward Drumheller and Miss Mollie Ann Gochenour, both of Augusta, were married on January 28th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: Darius Edward Drumheller, Mollie Ann Gochenour, Rev. Martin Garber)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Margaret B. Whitmer, wife of Samuel Whitmer, died near Parnassus on January 1st after a short illness. She was 62 years old.
(Names in announcement: Margaret B. Whitmer, Samuel Whitmer)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Alexander Fountaine Murray, a native of Augusta, died in West Virginia. He was 88 years old.
(Names in announcement: Alexander Fountaine Murray)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Samuel J. D. Fisher, formerly of Staunton, died in West Virginia at the house of his father, John Fisher. He was 24 years old.
(Names in announcement: Samuel J. D. Fisher, John Fisher)