Thursday, April 16, 1900
RICH AND POOR
Do those who denounce the rich merely for the possession of riches wish us to assume that ability should be given other reward?
Shall the capable rise to the top or the incapable? Should the strong govern us or the weak? How shall we distinguish the fit, except by the success achieved along the lines of effort that most commend themselves to the majority of our fellow citizens? The failures spend their time in attacking the successful – shall we accept the failures as our leaders? To us it seems that the failures can only leave us in the predicament they have reached – they are the trapped foxes who ask us to give up our tails that we may be like them. Let us remember that, in the fable, the wise foxes refused the sacrifice their caudal appendages to gratify the self-esteem of the minority.
A War Incident
Mrs. Anthony Kincaid, of Marlinton, received a clock from the estate of her father, George Brown, of Brownstown, Greenbrier county, which has been running forty years, and is still in excellent order. A pistol bullet embedded in the base of the clock recalls the following incident of guerilla warfare in this section.
One night in May 1862, a detachment of Federal troops, belonging to Averill’s command stationed at Beverly were quartered in the house and barn. That night a company of the Greenbrier Cavalry rode up to the house and demanded their surrender. Upon a refusal being given, firing commenced through the windows and doors which were soon completely demolished.
When the Yankees retreated, three dead and eight severely wounded were found in the one room, and it was then that the clock was struck by a pistol ball. Later, the Yankees returned and taking nearly all the bedding in the house, loaded their dead and wounded on wagons and transported them to Beverly, passing this place enroute. Mrs. Kincaid was then a young girl and remembers very well the terrible affair.
Left to Die in the Alaskan Wilderness
The reported death of Mr. D. A. A. Keyser, of Covington, Va., who left two years ago with two others for the Klondike gold fields, has been corroborated by a letter recently received by J. D. Leighton, Secretary of the Covington Masonic Lodge, from F. G. Kimball, of St. Michaels, Alaska, evidently himself a Mason. The letter is dated Dec. 30, 1899, and is as follows:
Dear Sir and Bro;
I am informed the body of a man supposed from papers on his person to be D. A. A. Keyser, of Covington, Va. was found by some prospectors about 60 miles up the Igloo river which flows into the head of Norton Bay, about 75 miles from its head.
The body was found in a cabin wrapped in a robe. A very small amount of provisions were found in the cabin. I learned these facts from one of the party who had found the body and buried it. The papers, among which was a diary, were in the hands of another of the party whom I did not see. My informant states that Keyser had written in his diary that his partner (named Scott) had quarreled with him and was leaving him while he was sick
My informant also said that Keyser was a Mason and was from Covington, Va.
This man also stated that a man named Wm. W. Wright was lying dead on a sled farther down the river and he is supposed to have been murdered.
There is a deputy U. S. Marshal up there now investigating the matter and he will procure Keyser’s papers and take care of them.
Fraternally yours,
F. G. Kimball
DILLEY’S MILL
The frogs cherk, the grass grows, the birds sing, and the song still goes on.
Robert Dilley lost a fine cow last week.
Newton Fertig is erecting an addition to his house.
We learn that Wm. Bowers, on Browns Mountain, accidently shot himself in the face with a Winchester.
H. M. Grimes moved from Elk to his old home in the Hills some days ago.
Mrs. Margaret Grimes lost a fine cow last week.
SUNSET
The weather changes but still the frogs holler.
William Hevener from Highland County passed up the Creek with a drove of cattle one day last week.
Our popular Doctor, J. B. Lockridge is kept busy day and night.
BUCKEYE
The railroad is still being pushed. The blasting has for a few days been unusually heavy. T. M. A. and Lewis E. have flown to the thickets and will not return until the blasting is over. Their nerve was shattered during the Civil War.
The Sabbath school has been organized at Bethel and the prospect is the school will be interesting. We hope it will result in much good being accomplished. Prof. Auldridge is Superintendent and Theology Expounder.
M. Dorman has sold his farm to N. C. Rodgers, of Jacox. Mr. Dorman will move soon and in him we lose an honest, useful citizen – and my, but the boys look sorrowful. We welcome Mr. Rodgers and hope he will be pleased with his new home.
WANLESS
A little colder and some snow, and everybody is out of hay.
Give us men – sound men, who will not allow whiskey shops along the public road – to fill our county offices. Mr. Prosecuting Attorney, send the Sheriff and arrest and send them to jail if they can’t give bail. We want this violation broken up.
J. H. Galford, who has recently recovered from his sixth attack of pneumonia, rolled three acres of new ground Tuesday.
Singing at Wanless by A. M. Oliver was largely attended Sunday, but some rowdies came from the saloon and set the thing afire.
WEDDINGS
Cards are out for the marriage of G. L. Clark and Miss Bertie Beard, and Ira Beard and Miss Cordie Wooddell, April 18, 1900, at 11 a.m.
Now you are married, you must obey,
You must be true in all you say,
You must be kind, you must be good,
And help your wife to chop the wood.
DEATHS
Died April 15, 1900, at her home, Mrs. Louisa Sheets, wife of W. R. Sheets. A husband and eight children are left to mourn her loss. Peace to her ashes.
– – –
Died on the morning of April 7, Mrs. William B. Hannah, aged about 80 years. Her remains were buried in the Cloonan graveyard, funeral services conducted by Rev. Atkinson.
Her maiden name was Rhinehart. She leaves a husband and four children, James, near Marlinton; Jenis, near Clover Lick; Burley, at Locust; Mrs. Kenny Kennison, of Buckeye. She has been a member of the M. E. Church for a number of years and was ready for the summons.
How calm is the sleep of the dead;
How dear is the slumber they sleep;
Where the eye hath no tear to shed,
The heart no sorrow to weep.