Thursday, June 23, 1921
CIRCUIT COURT
Circuit Court finished with the jury late Saturday afternoon. One man, James Stopher, was sentenced to hant, and four go to the penitentiary, Holmes Sharp and Cyrus Bowers, two years each for maliciously wounding William Gibson; Nazareno Chambello, seven years, second degree murder for killing James Persi; and Tony Gradiscen for life for robbing and killing a Russian on Cranberry.
KILLS A BEAR
Fred Galford, of Williams River, got himself another bear a few weeks ago. It was a big sheep killer and one of the smartest in the woods. His weight was estimated at 400 pounds, fat and fine. The fur was still in good condition and the hide measures five by six feet. Fred has been trapping a long time for this particular bear. His range was but a few hundred yards from Mr. Galford’s house, and he had been killing sheep all around the neighborhood. This was an old bear and had been in captivity some time or other, as someone had marked both ears, cutting an under-bit out of each.
Ten years or so ago, a number of cubs were caught on Cheat mountain and kept a while, and it may be this bear was one of those. It was a favorite pastime for this bear to spring the trap, rob it of the bait, leave his sign and go on about his business. Seven or eight times this happened. One time, he sprung the trap by wallowing on it. A few hairs were left, evidently from his chest. Fred says a man ought to be able to think up something that even an educated bear don’t know, so he kept on setting his trap. Beside every bear trap, he put some sticks, to guide the bear in as they are cautious about knocking anything down. At the far end, he lays another stick, which they won’t step over. A bunch of moss hides the trap.
This was pie to this old bear. He made it a point to step over the stick and then would dig out the trap. He never failed to eat the bait, and he never failed to leave sign to show his contempt. To circumvent him, Mr. Galford fixed up the place like he was setting a trap, but put the trap where the bear would set his foot when he stepped over the stick. This he did and things were then only tolerable like around there. He tore up trees and broke down brush and carried on generally. There was a heavy pole attached to the trap as a drag, but he soon broke that away and he traveled all over Black Mountain. Finally, he retired to a laurel patch, and waited for the men to come up and fight it out. There, Fred and his father, John Galford, found him.
Fifteen families of the neighborhood enjoyed a feast of bear meat.
TURNER-GRIMES
On Wednesday, June 15, 1921, at six o’clock p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Dunmore, Ruth Bland Grimes and John Cambell Turner were united in marriage. This event marked one of the greatest social triumphs in this part of the state. Nothing that could add to the grandeur or finery of such an occasion was omitted.
The wedding party proper assembled at the home of the bride Monday evening. That night, a delightful marshmallow toast was held on an unmolested spot nearby.
Tuesday morning, the party went in cars to the Minnehaha Springs in the Allegheny Mountains, where they remained for a luncheon. Early in the afternoon they returned to Dunmore, from whence they were taken, to the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Scofield at Raywood, where a very delightful evening was spent at a dinner party.
Wednesday was the day that marked the climax of the series of delightful social events. Long before the hour of the wedding, many cars were parked at the little church and when the six o’clock hour had arrived, fully half a hundred cars were packed in every close available spot.
It was a church wedding abounding in elaborateness. Extensive decorations were the order of the day. Promptly at six o’clock, Mrs. R. C. Charlton sang “Mavis,” by La Fere. Following this the organ pealed forth those glorious strains of the famous “Bridal Chorus” in the “Wedding March” from Lohengrin by Wagner, while the bridal party marched down the aisles.
Following the bridesmaids down the left aisle was the bride escorted by the maid of honor, while down the right aisle the groomsmen march-ed, followed by the groom, escorted by the best man. Ring bearers and ribbon girls followed in order.
A semi-circle was formed in front of the altar. Then Mrs. Charleton very charmingly rendered that very beautiful wedding solo from Robin Hood, “Oh, Promise Me,” and the ceremony was read by Dr. G. D. Smith, of Buckhannon. During the ceremony the organist, Mrs. Ruth Donley, played “The Melody of Love.”
The double ring ceremony was used with much impressiveness.
The bride on the arm of the groom marched out, followed by the bridesmaids on the arms of the groomsmen, while Mendelssohn’s Wedding March was played.
The wedding party was taken to the home of the bride where a delightful five course dinner was served. There were about seventy-five guests at the dinner.
The maid of honor was Miss Emma Grimes, the sister of the bride. The best man was Joseph Hoffman, of Wesleyan College, a former classmate of the groom. The other bridesmaids were Jean Pritchard, Dunmore; Delphia Lee Bond, Clarksburg; and Dorsie Jane Geiger, Greenbank. The other groomsmen were Amos Thornburg and Perry Emmet O’Brien, of Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, and Kyle Curry, of Dunmore.
The young married couple leave in a few days for Beaconsfield, Iowa, where the groom is Pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
PUEBLO
Mrs. Mary Sheets Burns, of Pueblo, Colorado, a survivor of the flood, writes her mother, Mrs. Carpenter, as follows:
Dear Mother;
I got your letter sometime ago and was very glad to hear from you.
I was also glad you were down to see Tone’s.
I have not much to say, but that we had a flood here that mopped out the town almost. The business part of the town is clear gone, ever so many lives were lost. It did not only rain, it poured, and it sure was an exciting time. We sat up nearly all night.
I was afraid you might hear it and be uneasy about me. But we are on safe ground. The streets and avenues were rivers. Several houses burned. It is terrible to see the wagons passing with drowned bodies.
There was a train of thirteen coaches with two hundred persons due here, and running into the flood water, the coaches were tuned over and all lost their lives.
I do not know whether this letter will reach you or not as no train can come in or go out.
I am so nervous I can hardly write, so you write me a letter soon.
With love,
Mary
