Thursday, February 22, 1917
A fog in February means a frost in May. This rule holds good as we never remember a February without a fog, and but one May without a frost. Another proverb is that a rain in February is worth as much as manure. A dark and gloomy February means a good season. The ancients said that Jupiter, the god of lightning, fertilized the spring showers. And the modern scientist says, of course, lightning precipitates nitrogen, the most important of all plant food.
– – –
The city of Staunton is busy trying to establish an automobile pike from Norfolk to Parkersburg, utilizing the Staunton and Parkersburg pike. This line of road would pass through this county and Pocahontas should be ready to do her part, as she always is.
– – –
A farmer friend came to town the other morning showing some signs of excitement. “Yes sir, a ten pound boy, the finest that ever was born, branded with a U. S. right across the hips.”
– – –
In advocacy of an immediate declaration of war against Germany, the Journal reprints a rabid editorial from the New York Sun. Any man who is willing and expects to go to war himself and not merely to send his wife’s relations has the right to talk war if he wants to. But we object when the Journal says the New York Sun is “loyal to the cause of Democracy and a staunch supporter of President Wilson.” The best thing the Sun ever said of a Democrat was that a Democrat was not necessarily a crook, but that all crooks were Democrats.
– – –
Dunmore – Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Pritchard entertained delightfully Saturday evening February 17th at a birthday party given in honor of their daughter Jean’s sixteenth birthday. A most delightful evening was spent in playing games. At a late hour after enjoying delicious refreshments all returned home having spent a most pleasant evening and wishing Miss Jean many more happy birthdays. The guests were Misses Melia Pritchard, Virginia Hevener, Mary Campbell, Emma and Lolla Gray Grimes; Maud Smith, Irmie Shinaberry, Madeline Noel, Mollie McLaughlin, Dorsie Geiger, Mrs. J. E. Pritchard, Mrs. June McElwee, Mrs. V. B. Mann; Messrs. Fred Pritchard, Lyle and Marvin McLaughlin, Gay Campbell, Winfred McElwee, Carlon Pritchard, Lyle Nottingham and Ernst Campbell.
GREENBANK
James Wenger, of Arbovale, was in town Monday on business.
That old ground hog ought to have died when he was a baby, then we would not have had such cold weather and people would not have lost all their potatoes. They were high enough before, now they can’t be bought at all.
CASS
R. S. Hickman has returned from the eastern markets where he has been for the past two weeks purchasing his spring stock.
We have been having quite a few cases of “bootlegging” in the Justice court here the past week. This has a tendency to increase the cost of high living materially.
OAK GROVE
It begins to look as though the ground hog had done his do and we will again have some pleasant winter days. During the recent severe cold spell, it was reported from upper Pocahontas that it was 30 degrees below zero.
The spelling match between Oak Grove and Bruffey schools last Friday night was largely attended. The Oak Grove spellers won the contest.
The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sutton died of membranous croup Sunday, February 14th. Interment at Wesley Chapel on Monday afternoon. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of the entire community in the loss of their little one.
Squire J. B. Sutton had an interesting term of court at his office last Saturday. The lawing factions were sons of sunny Italy.
THORNWOOD
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Armstrong, Feb. 11, a daughter.
Mrs. Kisner has returned from a Baltimore hospital much improved.
Dr. C. S. Kramer spent last Wednesday night with friends at this place.
BOYER SIDING
Several of our people were filling their ice houses last week.
Some of our people attended the Social Center meeting at Cherry Grove Tuesday night and report a nice time. Charlie Spencer and Davie Moore carried away the honors for best spellers.
Joe Simmons had the misfortune to lose a finger or two on one of the mill saws a few days ago.
TOP ALLEGHANY
John A. Beverage cut his leg pretty badly one day last week. He was carrying a trough and an ax on his horse when something caught the trough and jerked the ax out of his hand; it hit his leg at the edge of the knee cap and inflicted an ugly cut. Dr. Hull rendered surgical aid and he is now getting along very nicely.
W. H. Barkley has moved to his farm at Cloverlick.
Loring Kerr went to Durbin Saturday. He was accompanied by Miss Ruth Wilmoth.
The Monterey mail did not get through Saturday on account of snow drifts.
ISAAC McNEEL, ESQ.
Isaac McNeel, oldest son of John and Harriet Lockridge McNeel, was born April 24, 1830, and died in the Lord February 16, 1917, aged 86 years, nine months and 22 days. His was a very busy and active life and spanned almost a century.
When Mr. McNeel was 16 years old his father died. It is only reasonable to presume that cares and responsibilities now rested upon the eldest son of the family, that only those alike providentially situated can understand and realize. He received his education at the Hillsboro Academy. That he was a young man of promise and of executive ability is shown by the fact that before he was 21 years of age he was serving as deputy sheriff of his county. He was sheriff of Pocahontas county during the Civil War. That he served his people faithfully in this capacity is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen to serve his county and district as follows: He served as a member of the County Court and was president of the same body; Justice of the Peace and member of the Board of Education of the Levels District. He was also for some time Jury Commissioner…
Mr. McNeel was twice married. First to Miss Mary Gold, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, who lived only about a year. March 27, 1866, he was married to Miss Miriam Nancy Beard, of Hillsboro, who after a long and happy life, preceded her husband to the spirit world April 23, 1912. To this union were born six children, four of whom, namely, Summers, Winters and Lanty McNeel and Mrs. W. A. Browning, all of whom, with one brother M. J. McNeel, survive him…
MRS. HORACE LOCKRIDGE
Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Lockridge, wife of Horace M. Lockridge, of Hunters-ville, died of pneumonia Sunday night, February 18, 1917. Sunday night before, after returning from church, she was taken violently ill…
Mrs. Lockridge was born in Fayette County, Iowa, October 1st, 1857. Her parents, William and Margaret Hole Milligan, came to this country from England a few years before her birth. Her father was born at Kircudbright near Glasgow, Scotland. Her mother at Clifton, England. Before leaving England their two oldest children J. W. Milligan, of Marlinton, and Mrs. J. Abernathey, of Portland, Oregon, were born, both of whom survive their deceased sister.
Mrs. Lockridge was married to Horace M. Lockridge September 4, 1888. Together they made their home in Huntersville. To this union was born one daughter, Ethel, now Mrs. Everett Herold.