Thursday, December 15, 1898
The hog case of Charles N. Ervine vs D. W. Sharp was heard by Justice Bird last Wednesday, and attracted considerable attention, McClintic appeared for the plaintiff and Bratton for the defendant. The evidence disclosed that D. W. Sharp had taken two large hogs, valued at $15 each, from the place of Samuel M. Gay. The plaintiff had not seen the hogs since corn hoeing, 1897. He swore to the hogs, as did also several others. One of the most important questions arose over the mark. Were the hogs marked in the right ear with a “slit or a split,” was the burning question of the hour. After the suit had been brought, the largest hog, which had been ailing ever since it had been hauled in the wagon, died. The Plaintiff recovered judgment for the living hog and $7.00 for the dead hog. A writ of possession was issued by the court, but when the constable went there, the pig pen was bare, and at present the whereabouts of the hog is a mystery.
– – –
The sailor John Anderson, a Swede, was hung at Norfolk last week. The rope broke and he had to be hung up a second time. The crime for which he was executed was the killing of the captain and mate of the Olive Pecker last year. The schooner had sailed from Boston loaded with lumber. When off the coast of Brazil, Anderson, having had an altercation with the captain, killed him and then the mate. He compelled the rest of the crew to burn the ship and abandon it.
MOONSHINERS
Moonshining must be going out of fashion in West Virginia. Only three stills destroyed during the year. – West Virginia News.
There was a drummer in Marlinton a few days ago who had an experience with the moonshiners in Logan County. He was driving along a secluded road when he was held up by three men with Winchester rifles. He had seen a deer cross the road a few minutes before, and had thought the men were probably deer hunting.
They inquired his business and went through his pockets and examined his papers. Finding a number of orders for goods from the Logan merchant, and other evidences that he was what he claimed to be, and not a deputy-marshal, he was allowed to proceed.
The men were moonshiners and determined not to have their business broken up.
THE LEGISLATURE
The latest received from both sides is that any villainy that may be practiced can be laid at the door of the other side. There never was so much self-righteousness exhibited in politics before.
The public is relieved to hear that there will not be any troops around at the State house.
The writer has received most of his information as to the villainous intents of either party from the Intelligencer and the Gazette, both of which are equally reprehensible as partisan newspapers.
We believe that the vote as returned from the several counties is correct, and that any change made by the exercise of the arbitrary power given to the two houses of the legislature will in all probability be wrong, or that it will be so considered by the people at large and retribution will follow…
THE HAMRICKS OF WEBSTER
There are a great many Hamricks in Webster County. On the mountain between Leatherwood and Bergoo Creeks is the Hamrick schoolhouse, built by Nathan Hamrick. The three trustees of the school are Hamricks, the present tea-cher’s name is Hamrick, and each of the fifteen pupils enrolled answer to the name of Hamrick. – Webster Echo