Thursday, October 27, 1921
On Saturday evening, October 22, 1921, the body of Charles Gum arrived home for burial. He died in France in the year 1918 from being gassed while serving in the World War. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Gum, of Cass, and was 24 years, seven months and ten days old at the time of his death.
Funeral services were conducted at the Galford graveyard Sunday afternoon October 23, by Rev. Fred Gray. A very large crowd attended.
He leaves behind his father, mother, two sisters and one brother. He is the ninth member of this family to be laid in the grave.
We are very sorry to see our Pocahontas boys come home this way but they have been true to their country. Heartfelt sympathy is extended to the bereaved family.
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The body of Ward Houchin, a Pocahontas soldier who was killed in battle in France, was buried last Sunday in the family plot on Back Alleghany. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Houchin, of Hosterman.
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Ten prisoners made their escape from the Lewisburg jail Sunday afternoon. The jailor’s wife had gone into the jail and, as she opened the door, the prisoners made a break for liberty. They knocked the woman down and walked over her. Seven of the ten were soon captured. One of the three to escape was Merrick Alderman, convicted on a charge of moonshining. Alderman was tried in the recent session of the Pocahontas court.
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The sale of the lots in the Kennison addition at Hillsboro last Saturday was very successful. About 100 lots were sold, and the gross sales amounted to about $9,000.
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A good game of football was played at Marlinton last Saturday afternoon between Ronceverte High School and Edray District High School. Neither side scored.
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Squire G. M. Kee tells us that the water is lower in the springs and streams than any time in forty years, since the dry season of 1881.
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Report of Swago school first month, ending October 14. Pupils enrolled, 19; Nellie C. Hefner, teacher. Pupils on Honor Roll: Eva Beverage, Edith Armstrong, Glenna, Mary, Pearl and Grace Barnes, Johnnie Hause, Lonnie Armstrong, Rex McNellan.
CIRCUIT COURT
Granville Madison, four years for stealing; Jim Astin, three years for stealing; Forest and Benny Syms, two years each for stealing; Asa Ryder, two years for stealing an automobile. This party of young men – poor, ignorant boys, rather – started last Saturday on their long trip to the penitentiary.
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Thumbnail sketches of the men who were summoned from Pocahontas county to serve on the Mingo jury, continued…
John H. Beverage, 35, of Bartow, is a farmer and a member of a religious organization which does not believe in capital punishment. Thought the guilty should be punished, but felt that he could not meet the extreme penalty in the face of his religious beliefs. He was excused from service.
Emory Adkinson, Raywood, 41, is a lumber inspector. Had lived at Raywood practically all his life. Had read the daily newspapers but had formed no opinion regarding the merits of the case at bar. Had not discussed the case and felt that he could render a true verdict. He had never served as a juror except in a justice’s court.
Sterling McElwee is a farmer living at Minnehaha Springs. He had read accounts of the Matewan shooting and of the Hatfield trial but had no undue opinions and would carry no such opinions into the jury box. Had no feelings against the coal operators, the miners or the Baldwin-Felts detectives.
Summers Galford is 36 and married. He is a farmer by occupation. Said he was opposed to capital punishment, and for this reason the court excused him from duty.
W. J. VanReenan is a shipping clerk employed at Marlinton. He was excused when he said he was opposed to capital punishment.
A. E. Irving, Howard Buzzard and Meade Curry were excused on account of illness in their families.
J. P. Townsend, 59, is a civil engineer. Said he was opposed to capital punishment. He was temporarily excused.
Sandy Rose, of Mill Point, is 32, and a farmer. Said he was opposed to capital punishment and was excused by the presiding judge.
J. W. Kramer, Clover Lick, farmer, was excused on account of illness in his family.
J. T. Swisher, laborer, 47, said he was opposed to capital punishment and was excused. He lives at Clover Lick.