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Valley Virginian: November 17, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The 'Good Time Coming' Near at Hand
(Column 01)

Summary: This article both rejoices in the many victories across the country in the last election, as well as predicts even more success in the future. Conservatives have gained a great deal of ground since Radicals held the majority in most states two years prior. The author suggests many former Radicals abandoned the party and predicts that this trend will continue. Within two years, he says, the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania will be securely in the conservative column, and within time, a conservative will be elected president.

Full Text of Article:

On last Tuesday week, the sovereign people of eighteen States of the American Union evinced by their votes that they are the rulers of America, and not the Congress of the United States--not the individual members of that body, as was and is impudently asserted by strutting members of Congress on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The people on that memorial day sounded the death-knell of Radicalism--of thieving and corruption in high places. All the lies of Forney and false hopes held out by Greely to the "sick men" to live, will not save him from his inevitable doom, or breathe a spark of vitality into his flagging pulse. His end approaches, and all the prescriptions of Radical doctors to save him from an ignominious death is but a useless waste of bad medicine.

We do not claim to be gifted with prescience, but the writer of this predicted two years ago that the Radical party were on, the straight shoot to the devil, as a party, and it does look as if--in fulfillment of the prophecy--the Radicals had reached the half way house on the road to "Davy Jones' locker."--By the next two years they will have reached their journeys end, according to the double rule of three in political arithmetic. In the present Congress there are fifty-two democratic or conservatives and 170 Radicals. By the 4th of March next there will be--as decreed by the recent election--108 democrats and conservatives, and 123 Radical corruptionists. Now, if the democrats gained one hundred percent in two years, is it not fair and reasonable to suppose that they will gain the ascendancy by the end of the next two years and thus seat a democrat in the presidential chair in Washington, which is disgraced by a nincompoop and political knave.

The political earthquake out in gallant, grand Missouri, give every indication that "the skies are bright and brightening!" --Things were "done up brown" in that State by Gratz Brown rolling up 40,000 for the democrats! There was an overwhelming majority in favor of the Rads two years ago; but the sensible ones left the sinking ship, got converted, came out form the thieving party and were born anew. We only cite Missouri as an instance of what has been done in other States and what is possible to be done in the next two years. We feel assured that everything will work right the next two years. It only remains for the invincible democracy to carry the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania--with those they have already carried out and will carry again--to insure a majority in the next electoral college! A long stroke and a bold stroke for right and liberty, is bound to win Ohio and Pennsylvania. Let not the democrats and conservatives idly fold their hands as if the field was won, but let them, work with might and main, until the sun goes down on the 4th of March, 1872, and then we will see the morning of the "Day of Jubilee," throughout the length and breadth of the land.

Bosh
(Column 02)

Summary: This brief article denies claims of bolters that Harris was not the choice of the Conservative party. Further, it shows that despite work against Harris by bolters and Radicals, Harris nevertheless won the majority of votes in the district, far surpassing the votes of both Independent and Radical combined.
(Names in announcement: John T. Harris)

Full Text of Article:

It was asserted and duly proclaimed from the house tops and public places, by the bolters and disorganizers, that Judge Harris was not the choice of the Conservatives of this District. We think by this time they ought to whistle out of the other side of their mouth. The returns are all in, and show a majority for John T. Harris of about 2500 over Bolter Reynolds, and a majority of 2000 over Radical Gray and Independent Reynolds, combined. Figures don't lie; yet, forsooth, Judge Harris is "very unpopular."

Official Vote of the Sixth District
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper gives results for the election for congress for the 6th district. Augusta delivered an 800 vote majority for Reynolds, but Harris won the district overall.

A Grand Concert
(Column 01)

Summary: Madame Ruhl, Miss Apperson, Prof. Sneider, Dr. Brown, J. W. Alby and others will perform in a grand concert at the Town Hall on November 22nd. The concert will raise money for the Odd Fellows to purchase a carpet for their hall. All members and the general public are invited. Prof. A. J. Turner's orchestra will also be there. Admission is 50 cents.
(Names in announcement: Madame Ruhl, Miss Apperson, Prof. Sneider, Dr. Brown, J. W. Alby, A. J. Turner)

Protracted Meeting
(Column 01)

Summary: Rev. N. M. Wilson, at the request of Rev. Williams, is leading a protracted meeting at the Baptist Church. The meetings will go on for two or three weeks. All the Baptist Churches in the area are requested to attend. "There is nothing more needed here than a thorough revival of religion."
(Names in announcement: Rev. N. M. Wilson, Rev. Williams)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Queen Sisters and Troupe will perform in the Town Hall and at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute. While many have attended these unique performances in the past, the paper expresses surprise that more have not, and encourages a large turnout.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: This article communicates recent activities of Commissioners assigned to certify the results of the recent election. Because of a number of reasons, ranging from negligence to the lack of properly sworn officers, several of the poll books were thrown out throughout the 6th District.
(Names in announcement: William H. Bell, E. M. Cushing, N. G. Stout, David S. Bell)

Full Text of Article:

We, the undersigned Commissioners appointed by the Judge of the County Court of Augusta County, under section 40 of the Election Law, approved May 11th 1870, proceeded at the Clerk's Office of the County Court of said County, on Thursday, the 10th day of November, 1870, to perform our duty as such Commissioners, in canvassing and certifying the general result held on Tuesday last, 8th inst. For Congressman at large, Congressman of the 6th District of Virginia, and for County, and Township Officers. That in making such examination, and certifying the result of said election, we threw out the Poll Books at Centreville, Parnassus and Sangersville, in North River Township, in said county, upon the ground, for the want of certificates as provided in section 28, of the general election law, the judges of election having failed to sign their names to such certificates; the Poll Book for Folley Mills, in Beverly Manor Township, Verona, in Middle River Township. Midway, Middlebrook, Sherando and Barterbrook, in South River Township, Buffalo Gap, Deerfield, Craigsville and Lebanon Springs, in Pastures Township, were thrown out on the same ground. The Poll Book at Hebron Church upon the same ground, and for the further reason, that it does not appear that the Judges and Clerk, at said precinct had ever been sworn as such officers. The Poll Book at Peaco's Mill in Beverly Manor, was also thrown out upon the ground of informality in the certificate required by said Sec, 27, and for the further reason that the certificate of the number of Electors showed there were twenty five votes cast when in fact there were thirty seven votes cast. The Poll Book at Churchville in Pastures Township was not taken into count with the general result, because of its having been taken from the Clerk's Office of the Court to which it was returned before the meeting of the Commissioners for reasons above stated the vote at the several places of voting named in this certificate was not taken into consideration, believing, as they do, that the law will not justify them in so doing.

Given under our hands this 10th day if November 1871.
Wm.H. Bell,
E.M. Cushing,
N.G. Stout,
David S. Bell,
Com'rs

A Brutal and Cold Blooded Murder
(Column 02)

Summary: This article recounts the events surrounding the murder of Joseph M. Black. George W. Smiley, housemate, co-worker and friend of the deceased, apparently killed Black with a large carving knife after an exchange of words. The author also provides a list of jurors that render a "verdict in accordance with the facts stated," as well as the announcement of a reward for the capture of Smiley, still at large.
(Names in announcement: Joseph M. Black, George W. Smiley, William Jordan, John B. Scherer, S. H. Lushbaugh, P. M. Young, Joseph F. Tannehill, M. P. Funkhouser, G. G. Bunch, George A. Smith, Y. M. Bickle, H. Ker, William L. Balthis, John B. Hoge, M. Doom)

Full Text of Article:

Between the hours of six and seven o'clock, last Saturday evening, one of the most brutal and cold blooded murders that has ever come within our knowledge was committed in this city. It appears that Joseph M. Black, of Keezletown, Rockingham county, and George W. Smiley of Mt. Crawford, Augusta county, were in the employ of Wm. Jordan as bricklayers. They not only worked together but boarded at the same house (Mr. John W. Bush's) in this place, and appear to have been very good friends. On the evening of the homicide they ate supper together, and if there were previously any ill feeling between them it was only known to themselves.

After supper Black went into the front room and remarked to one of the females of the house that he believed Smiley was mad with him (B) about something. Subsequently Smiley left the house, and in a few minutes returned again, entering at the front door. He then went to a bureau in the front room, took a carving knife there from, and proceeded at once to the dining room, where Black was engaged in conversation with Mrs. Bash, and ordered him out of the house, and at the same time commenced an attack upon him with the knife. When Smiley told Black to get out of the house, Black said "let me out, then." And, at the same time commenced retreating backwards through an intervening room into the front room, where Black picked up a chair and threw it at Smiley. Smiley retreated from the house by the front door, and Black ran out of the back door, fell a few steps from the house, and died in a few minutes. In the rencountre Black received a severe cut extending from the corner of his eye through the temple artery: another deep stab just above the left hip bone, another a few inches above and to the left of the last, a slight cut just below the navel, and a severe cut on the right hand, in all, seven stabs with the huge carving knife.

His Honor, Mayor Trout held an inquest over the body of Black at 8 P.M., the jury consisting of the following well known gentlemen:

Messrs. John B. Scherer, S.H. Lushbaugh, F.M. Young, Joseph F. Tannehill, M.P. Funkhauser, G.G. Bunch, Geo. A. Smith, Y.M. Bickle, H. Ker, Wm. L. Balthis, Jno. B. Hoge and M. Doom. Upon an examination of the wounds by Dr. Hanger, and the hearing of the evidence in the case, the jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts stated.

After committing the atrocious murder Smiley took out for parts unknown, and is still at large. Mayor Trout has offered a reward of $100 for his arrest, and upon the return of Gov. Walker from New York, he will also, no doubt, offer a State reward for the capture of Smiley.

Official Vote of Staunton
(Column 02)

Summary: This table lists the official vote of Staunton, showing Reynolds with a clear majority over Harris and a slight lead over Gray.

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Gabreil H. Kennedy and Miss Margaret C. Ayler, both of Augusta, were married near Spring Hill on November 10th by the Rev. C. B. Hammack.
(Names in announcement: Gabreil H. Kennedy, Margaret C. Ayler, Rev. C. B. Hammack)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Leander Sheets and Miss Susan E. Bridges, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of Mr. Christian Wine on November 13th by the Rev. C. B. Hammack.
(Names in announcement: Leander Sheets, Susan E. Bridges, Christian Wine, Rev. C. B. Hammack)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: J. C. Baxter and Miss Annette L. Reeves, both of Augusta, were married on November 3rd by the Rev. John Pinkerton.
(Names in announcement: J. C. Baxter, Annette L. Reeves, Rev. John Pinkerton)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: William D. Wren and Miss Annie P. Blair, both of Augusta, were married on November 10th by the Rev. John Pinkerton.
(Names in announcement: William D. Wren, Annie P. Blair, Rev. John Pinkerton)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: T. H. Young of Augusta and Miss P. C. Nickell, daughter of G. W. Nickell of Monroe, were married in West Virginia on November 1st at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. J. J. Simpson.
(Names in announcement: T. H. Young, P. C. Nickell, G. W. Nickell, Rev. J. J. Simpson)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: John Rutherford of Staunton and Miss Lila Sheffer of Shenandoah were married in Woodstock on November 3rd by the Rev. John Climer.
(Names in announcement: John Rutherford, Lila Sheffer, Rev. John Climer)