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Valley Virginian: April 21, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Page or Shenandoah Valley Railroad
(Column 01)

Summary: This article outlines the various possible routes currently being surveyed for the Valley railroad. The author hopes that the line will pass through Staunton. While he stresses that the people of the city do not expect to make any sacrifices on their account, he invites surveyors to closely inspect the surrounding area to assure them that a route passing through Staunton will be best. Of course, he also points out the many benefits a railway would bring to Stauntonians.

Full Text of Article:

Our people have heretofore regarded this enterprise as a shadowy myth--a thing rather to be talked of, than executed. But it begins to look as if there was some substance in it. Two parties of Engineers are now actively engaged in surveying the route from Front Royal to some point on the Lynchburg & Tennessee R.R. at or near Salem. One party commenced operation at Front Royal, and will proceed to survey the route, with all practicable dispatch up to Port Republic. These two points seem to be established to a moral certainty. The second party will survey the road from Port Republic to the Southern terminus. The line of the road from Port Republic to the Tennessee Road is yet undetermined. Three routes are spoken of, viz.,

1st. The Eastern route up the Valley of the South River, by way of Waynesborough along the pine flats South of Greenville to the interlock between the head waters of the South River of Rockbridge--thence along the Valley of the latter stream to its confluence with North River and Buffalo Creek or James River (as may be found most expedient) to Buchanan.

2. The middle route which would commence at Port Republic and follow the Valley of Middle River for a short distance and then diverge from it and pass west of New Hope on to Fishersville, and thence by the most practicable route to Rockbridge.

3. The Western Route along the Valleys of Middle River and Lewis Creek to Staunton, and thence by the easiest grades to Rockbridge.

We understand that each of these routes will be carefully surveyed, and the decision of the Board in regard to the route to be adopted will be governed by the developments of their comparative merits which may be made by the actual application of the instruments.

From what we hear it is the purpose of the company to seek the route which shall be found to possess in the highest degree the following important requisites--1 shortness of distance--2 ease of grades and 3 absence of curves.

There will of course be much anxiety felt by the people along the several routes, as to the ultimate decision of the Board. As for ourselves we cannot pretend to say which route is best. The compass the chain and the Theodolite alone can furnish the data on which an intelligent judgment can be founded. Of course we hope the Road may come to Staunton, but we shall not be so unreasonable as to wish that the company should make a sacrifice of their important interests for local accommodations. Let it take which route it may, it will be an important matter for our county, and so viewing it, we shall rejoice to see it constructed. But we think the interests of the majority would be best subserved, if it can be conveniently brought to Staunton. The junction of the two roads at that point (to say nothing of the Valley Road) will very soon cause our town to grow to such dimensions as to afford a home market for much the larger portion of the products of our farms and thus the people of all sections would be benefited.

The engineers engaged in the survey, are gentlemen of character and professional skill and in all respects worthy of the favorable regard of our people, and we hope they will, in their transit through our county, receive all those attentions and hospitalities which they doubtless deserve. It would be well if the intelligent gentlemen in each neighborhood would ride with them, and give them full information in regard to the topography of their respective neighborhoods. Much useful knowledge may thus be imparted, and we would be gratified if the opportunity could be afforded to these intelligent strangers to understand something of the disposition and character of our people as well as of the topographical features of our noble Valley.

Reorganization of the Public Debt
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper applauds the suggestion of the governor that the public debt draw immediate attention from the legislature.

Communicated
(Column 03)

Summary: This article condemns the state legislature for not having provided relief for those suffering under the burden of the enormous debt soon to be collected by a "compulsory process." The author suggests that although husbands and brothers killed in the war cannot be brought back, their houses and lands can be saved for their families. He stresses that these are the wishes of an overwhelming majority of Augustans.

Full Text of Article:

More than half the session of our Legislature has passed, and the members have not lost sight of taking care of each other, yet so far, have been entirely oblivious of the wish of nineteen twentieths of the people of the State that some relief should be provided for them, against that monster, the crushing incubus of Fifteen millions, five hundred and fifty-seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-six dollars and thirty seven cents, of anti-war debt, now in a situation to be collected by compulsory process. The members when at home, profess to be in favor of some mode of relief. The Enquirer & Examiner well says the weight of argument is in favor of relief, whilst the influence against it is concentrated and powerful. In support of this declaration scan the names of the two hundred and seven petitioners from Augusta lately sent to the Legislature against relief, and single out those who before, during and especially since the war have cut deeply, in collecting interest, &c. Hear the clap trap they use about widows and orphans being made the sufferers, if relief is extended to the people, when it is notorious that more of this class than any other lost everything by the investment by fiduciaries of their funds in Confederate securities.

You hear it said the dead husbands and brothers cannot be brought back, yet the houses they left to their wives and little ones can be saved to them. See a case exactly in point in this town, in which executions now hang over the homes of two young widows whose husbands fell in defense of him and his broad acres, for whose benefit, they and their young are to be sent adrift on a cold and heartless world. Whilst this case is mentioned as existing here, there are thousands of similar cases all over the State.

As some writer justly says: "Woe be to the unlucky representative who fails to secure some mode of substantial relief, to the great majority of the people of the State." A desire to do right suggests the way to perform it, and the Legislature, if it can find or originate nothing better, let it adopt the popular plan known as the Georgia law "for the relief of debtors and a settlement of debts on principles of equity." It has obtained the sanction of the Supreme Court and has been sustained by the popular sentiment as an approximation of justice. Believing it to be the wish of ninety-nine hundredths of the people of this county, they will, as soon as a vacancy occurs in the resignation of Mr. Cochran, give evidence of this sentiment in the support of Robt. W. Burke, Esq., at THE POLLS.
Enquirer copy

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Inspector B. F. Fifer inspected the following number of barrels of flour since January: 1157 family; 7889 extra; 809 superfine; 84 fine; 29 middlings; 10,468 total.
(Names in announcement: B. F. Fifer)

Dramatic Reading
(Column 01)

Summary: Prof.. Scharf will give a dramatic reading in the Town Hall on Tuesday night.
(Names in announcement: Prof. Scharf)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Grady's Circus will perform in Staunton on Tuesday. It is rumored to be one of the best in Virginia.

Judge John N. Hendren
(Column 01)

Summary: The author of this article welcomes the election of John N. Hendren as Judge of the County Court. Listed are Hendren's several virtues as well as the assurance that every man in the county will be satisfied with the Judge's tenure in office.

Full Text of Article:

We are gratified to be able to announce to our readers the election of John N. Hendren, Esq., as Judge of the County Court of Augusta. The election took place on Saturday last.

Mr. Hendren is known to the people of Augusta as an educated and accomplished gentleman; a sound and learned lawyer, and a man of strong well-balanced and masculine intellect. All his pursuits and habits of life, as well as the structure of his mind, qualify him, in a high degree, for a judicial position. He has never cultivated the arts of an advocate, and therefore, he has not been addicted to one-sided views of cases. His duties as master commissioner in chancery, have led him to weigh dispassionately, the evidence adduced before him, and to endeavor to arrive at truth and justice in every case. His success as a commissioner is attested by the fact that after Mr. Hendren had reported in a case, which was fairly presented before him, counsel rarely thought it prudent to except to his rulings.

No man in Augusta county possesses a larger share of the confidence of her people, than Mr. Hendren, and we think we hazard nothing in saying that this election will be hailed with sincere pleasure by almost every man in the county.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: This article describes the various contending parties involved in public improvements, including designs for street extensions, and various railway companies. The author offers his ideas of which improvement will first be completed. Based on some seemingly insignificant evidence, he suggests that the city's street commissioners will ultimately triumph by successfully pushing through legislation in their favor. Thus, the extension of Lewis Street will win the "great contest."

Full Text of Article:

"The combat deepens! Oh ye brave
Who rush to glory or the grave
Wave Munich! All thy banners wave;
And charge with all thy chivalry!"

Some months ago we adverted to the animated contest which was imminent between the directors of the Chesapeake & Ohio R.R. on the one hand, and the Street Commissioner of Staunton on the other. The matter in issue between the high contending parties was, whether the Rail Road to the Ohio, or the extension of Lewis street from Spring Lane to the Middlebrook road, shall first be completed. The antagonists have been surveying each other with jealous eyes, for some months past, apparently measuring each others strength, before they engaged in the death-grapple!

New interest has recently been imparted to the contest by the introduction of new parties, which gives to the struggle a four-sided character. The Baltimore & Ohio R.R. Co., and the Page Valley Company, attracted by the fame of the forthcoming tourney, have also entered the list as contestants for the laurels of Victory!

Vigorous preparations have been made on all sides. The Chesapeake & Ohio Co., are daily sending crowds of operators to work on their road. The Baltimore Company have a corps of skillful engineers surveying a route for the extension of their road from Harrisonburg to Salem. The Page Valley Co. determining not to be outdone, have three corps of equally scientific and accomplished gentlemen, with compass in hand, endeavoring to find the best track for a road from Front Royal to Bonsacks or Salem--to be built forthwith.

We have heretofore expressed our confidence in the ultimate success of our Street Commissioners in accomplishing their Herculean task! This confidence remains unshaken! We believe they fully realize "the situation!" They know that the eyes of the world are on them! And nothing daunted by the gigantic preparations of their adversaries, they will, gallantly, "come to time!" They are not the men to be caught napping! It is confidently asserted in well informed circles, that the senior member of the Commission was seen a few days ago, entering Spring Lane, with a Jacob's staff under his arms!-- another was observed, in a meditative attitude, on the corner of the street, with a cigar in his mouth!--and the third, it is rumored, walked rapidly up the street, (on the shady side) with a paper (whether written or printed is not certainly known) in his right hand!

From these insignificant facts, we infer, that the most vigorous measures are being adopted to push through Lewis street, at an early day, and thereby win the Victory in the great contest which now occupies so large a share of public attention!

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: J. Henry Clemmer and Miss S. Jennie Snider, daughter of Adam Snider, all of Augusta, were married on March 24th by the Rev. A. A. J. Bushong.
(Names in announcement: J. Henry Clemmer, S. Jennie Snider, Adam Snider, Rev. A. A. J. Bushong)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: George Rivercomb, late of California, and Miss Mary Jane Blakemore of Augusta were married in Mt. Solon on April 7th by the Rev. James M. Follansbee.
(Names in announcement: George Rivercomb, Mary Jane Blakemore, Rev. James M. Follansbee)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Miss Catharine Calhoun died at Glen Allen, Augusta County, the late residence of her brother-in-law, Gen. Kenton Harper, on March 27th. She was 76 years old.
(Names in announcement: Catharine Calhoun, Gen. Kenton Harper)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Willie Welch Bumgardner, infant son of Capt. James and Mollie Bumgardner, died near Staunton at the residence of his parents on April 11th.
(Names in announcement: Willie Welch Bumgardner, Capt. James Bumgardner, Mollie Bumgardner)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Justis George died at his residence near Waynesboro on April 8th. He was 78 years old.
(Names in announcement: Justis George)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Mary Ann Hazel, daughter of David P. Garner, died near Sherando on April 8th after an illness of 12 hours. She was 17 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary Ann Hazel, David P. Garner)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Henry T. Sheets, son of Benjamin E. and Mary A. Sheets, died in Spring Hill on March 11th. He was 2 years old.
(Names in announcement: Henry T. Sheets, Benjamin E. Sheets, Mary A. Sheets)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Miss Garland, daughter of J. R. and Caroline Garland, died in Augusta County on April 11th. She was 27 years old.
(Names in announcement: Miss Garland, J. R. Garland, Caroline Garland)