Thursday, April 7, 1921
Congress meets next week in response to the class that at the beginning of the Great War was known as the “Godsakers.” This kind of a man went up and down the land crying like a voice in the wilderness, “For God sake, do something…”
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We are very much pleased with the way that the Legislature is conducting itself. We say this knowing full well that the Legislature does not give a darn whether we are pleased or not. That is the kind of a Legislature to have. One that hews to the line and lets the tips fall where they may. It is a kind of a cold body of men… They had one bill there that made it harder to get married in this day and generation when, in spite of the certainty of hell and damnation, there is such a tendency on the part of the ungodly to shirk the duties of keeping the world alive. Under the new bill, the impulse to marry was stifled by forms of law and delay. The legislature should reject the bill. The proponent said that it would keep down divorces. He is most happily right. Without marriage, there can be no such institution as divorce, just as without life there cannot be death. To be perfectly honest, the marriage ceremony should contain a covenant to be true until death or divorce do part. There is too much complaint about the wise and salutary laws of divorce, anyway. It is better than death, but not so powerful much better…
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J. E. Carwell, owner of the Monterey Hotel, Monterey, Highland county, Va., mysteriously disappeared from his home on Saturday night, March 26. Since then, no trace of him can be found. He had some money, and his pistol is not in the room. A thorough search by his neighbors and the county authorities has failed to bring to light any clue as to his whereabouts. Carwell is a man of middle age, with three motherless children.
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The peculiar weather conditions of the early spring have been followed with an unprecedented dry spell in April. Contrary to all precedent, the April Circuit Court has met, unaccompanied by the usual wet weather that has been a feature of the previous courts. Most of the farmer jurymen find it highly inconvenient to attend court at this season for any length of time, and there is a good deal of discontent manifested by others who are present to answer indictment for various misdemeanors, principally connected with the unlawful manufacture and sale of spirituous liquors.
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Kenney Dilley, on Elk, had a number of his three year old steers to get very sick last week. He called Dr. A. C. Barlow, but in spite of all that could be done two of them died. The veterinary found evidence of vegetable poisoning, and that the dead cattle had eaten a great many carrot like roots which had been plowed up in ground prepared for oats. Some of these roots were sent to Washington through the County Agent’s office, and the word came back after so long a time that the roots were those of the water hemlock, a plant of the carrot family and poisonous.
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J. L. Baxter, Fordson dealer, and J. H. Buzzard, International dealer, gave tractor demonstrations on Wednesday at the field above the bridge. Plowing and discing was done to the best of farming taste. Doing a week’s work in a day and doing it so well ought to keep a lot of young men at their places on the farm.
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Forest fires in many parts of the mountains this week, and the wardens and their neighbors have been kept busy. Dry windy days have been bad for fires, but the damp nights have given the fighters a chance. In Buckley and Marlin mountains, on Droop and the head of Stamping Creek, the fires have raged.
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Tax Commissioner Hallahan has ruled that all male persons over fifty years of age, except paupers and insane persons, must pay an annual capitation road tax of one dollar. The assessors have been notified to collect this tax. Heretofore, all men over fifty have been exempt.
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There will be a combined entertainment and box supper in the Greenbank High School Auditorium Thursday night. The purpose of this is to replace the seniors’ invitation money, which was lost in a recent fire. The Senior class treasurer had collected the money but had not mailed the order and did not reach the house in time to save it. No admission will be charged but we hope the girls will all bring boxes and the boys come determined to have a good supper regardless of the price. The hearty cooperation of the people in neighboring towns will be greatly appreciated.
CIRCUIT COURT
The case of the State vs Brown L. Galford was called. This is the case tried last year. Galford, a special police officer of Marlinton, shot and killed Geo. W. Duncan, a prominent contractor. On an indictment for murder in the second degree and a verdict of murder in the second degree, a sentence of 15 years was imposed. On an appeal to the Supreme Court, a new trial was granted. When the case came up this court, the defendant made a motion for a change of venue, which was granted and the case sent to Randolph county for the term of the court beginning on the 17th day of May…
BUCKEYE
We are having fine weather now after the cold spell. Most of the fruit is killed.
Most of the farmers here have their plowing done and are patiently waiting for the planting season.
Wayne Jackson has purchased a Ford.
The pie supper given by the Boys and Girls Club, Saturday night at the Swago school house was well attended and a good time was enjoyed by all. About $30 was realized.
Sunday schools have been organized at Swago and Buckeye churches, and we hope for a good year’s work. Let everyone take part and help with this good work.
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lock McNeill, April 2, a 10-pound boy.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed Moore, April 1, 1921, a daughter.
