Thursday, May 1, 1924
Dale Adkison and other high school boys have been exploring a cave on the M. J. McNeel farm on Swago, the cave being known locally as the Big Tub. The entrance to the cave is small but once inside it assumes large proportions. About a hundred feet in the mountain, the explorers came upon the jawbones of some unknown animal. The teeth back on the jaw are deeply indented and present the appearance of the cutting teeth of a cross cut saw. This indicates a meat eating animal but the teeth are a little large for panther or a bear. Some research is being done to identify the animal.
MILLPOINT
In spite of the cold weather, the grass is growing fine, and the farmers are busy getting ready to plant corn and sow oats.
The dipping vat at Millpoint is a great thing.
We dipped 372 head in less than three minutes per head and one could see the lice dropping off after they pass through the dip. This writer thinks that it is the greatest thing for horses, cattle, sheep and hogs that has ever been in the country.
Lice costs the farmers from $2 to $3 a month in the way of fed.
TROUBLE IN ALLEGHANY
On last Thursday afternoon, Prohibition Officer McManiway, of Alleghany County, and Sheriff C. A. Gum, of Bath County, met an automobile at Flynn, Va., being driven by a man named Scott and Sam Palmer. Sheriff Gum wanted Scott for breaking jail, and stopped the car to arrest him. McManiway went after Palmer, and shooting began. The officer was instantly killed and Palmer severely wounded in the chest.
The sheriff had his man down, and was struck three times on the head with a heavy pistol by Palmer. Each blow cracked the skull. Scott got away and is still at large, but Palmer was too badly wounded to go far.
In the hunt for Scott, the militia at Clifton Forge was called out. While searching the woods, they came upon a man operating a still. He failed to stop when called upon and he was shot through the body. He was McKinley Smith, a brother of Ben Smith, who was before the Pocahontas court sometime ago on a moonshine charge.
Sheriff Gum, Palmer and Smith are in the Clifton Forge Hospital recovering from wounds. Also, one, Sam Thacker, who was shot in the intestines when he resisted arrest when officers raided his still on Monday, April 21. All this trouble occurred in Alleghany County, Virginia, near the Bath county line.
Editor Times:
The boarders at the County jail enjoyed a bounteous Easter Sunday Dinner which filled their hearts with joy and thanks for the liberal treatment received at the hands of jailer W. A. Eskridge, who is a highly efficient officer and evidently believes in justice. Tempered with mercy also the best way to reform offenders is through the direct appeal to the man through the medium of good food, well cooked, and in abundance. Great and permanent good may be accomplished through this method of treatment of prisoners as it may inculcate a sense of shame at their humiliation and disgrace that will have a lasting influence on their future lives, and a vivid recollection of the Easter Message the lilies bring. The spirit of Easter, born in suffering and grief, voices the highest aspiration of the human soul. – Prisoners
DIED
Miss Eula Ray Lightner died suddenly and unexpectedly at the home of her brother, Henry Lightner, in Philadelphia, Sunday afternoon, April 27, 1924. Her age was 22 years. Her mother is Mrs. J. K. Ray, of Upper Camden, Marlinton. On Tuesday, her body was brought here, and will be buried at the Buckley graveyard on Buck’s Run Thursday afternoon.
HUSBAND LOST
I want to know the whereabouts of my husband, Edgar R. Varner, who left his home five weeks ago, headed for West Virginia. No word has been had from him. Age 22; weight, about 130. Anyone knowing anything about him, please write:
Mrs. E. R. Varner
Alamogordo, New Mexico
