Thursday, February 23, 1899
Hereafter all criminal executions in West Virginia will take place within the walls of the penitentiary. Murder, arson and rape are punishable with death by the laws of West Virginia. This was the first bill signed by the Governor.
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The great fall of snow has been a great benefit to W. McClintic in the way of enabling him to transport supplies to his camp. One day, 13 loaded sleds went into the camp. He has established a depot of supplies at the Burgess place fitting up a commodious camp and stables.
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Miss Lena Duncan, of Buckeye, came to Marlinton last week on ice skates and returned, moving swiftly as a trolley car, and there are others equally expert.
Knapps Creek
We are informed by Mr. A. W. Moore that there have been 20 snows this winter, making 60 inches of snow in all; 36 and a half inches in February.
It snows and rains and we have some cold weather, too. As near as we can tell, about 15 head of cattle froze to death on Knapps Creek during the recent storm.
DURBIN NEWS
Sunday night, February 12, as William Hill was coming back from Beverly with a load of goods, he came to Greenbrier River which was badly frozen on each side. He drove to the opposite side, but the horses could not pull the wagon up on the ice. The water was deep and horses fell down in the water. Messrs. Greathouse, Beverage and Kerr heard him and came to his assistance. They got one horse out on the bank where it sunk in the snow, and the other horse was drowned. Hill stayed in the water with his horse until it floated down the river some distance and the horse went under the ice. Then he was persuaded to let it go and get out of the water. He had been in the water over an hour, part of the time in water up to his neck, with the temperature at 12 below zero. He was nearly frozen before he got to the fire. But soon got so he could walk home. They put some blankets over the horse laying in the snow and it was left to die. Next morning, it was alive, and men were sent for to help get him out. He is doing well now.
DEATHS
Prof. M. G. Mathews, so wildly known in our county in public school circles, died Saturday afternoon, February 18, at the home of his friend Samuel M. Gay on Indian Draft near Edray. His age was about 53 years.
By common consent Mr. Mathews was regarded as one of the most remarkable citizens of his time, and for reasons readily understood by all who know his personality and individual history…
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Mrs. Mary Ann Hogsett, wife of William Perry Hog-sett, age 74, died February 14, 1899, on Browns Creek. Her decease was very sudden and a great surprise to her family and neighbors. She heard the clock strike three Wednesday morning, spoke of it, and seemed perfectly well. At four, Mr. Hogsett noticed her labored breathing and on speaking to her, received no answer. When he raised her head, she expired at once.
Mrs. Hogsett was the only daughter of the late Hugh McLaughlin, Esq., of Hunt-ersville. Her children are Rev. Wellington Hogsett, S. Renick Hogsett, Mrs. John F. Wanless, Mrs. Ada C. Moore, Mrs. Sheldon Moore and Mrs. Jasper Dilley…
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Alvin Burr, age 38, died at his residence east of Hillsboro February 20. He was a much respected person for his integrity and industry… The interment took place Wednesday at the McNeel cemetery with Masonic honors.
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Mrs. Martha Lewis unexpectedly died at her home near Academy February 20. Two children, George and Annie Lewis, survive her; her husband, Christopher Lewis died five years ago. Rev. A. M. Cackley D. D. of the Baltimore conference was a brother of the deceased. Mrs. Lewis was an acceptable member of the Methodist Church.
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Mrs. Margaret Priscilla Slaven, 67, relict of the late J. Randolph Slave, of Huntersville, died February 8, 1899, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. McClintic at Marlinton.
She was born at Green Bank. Her parents were John Wooddell and Mary Slaven, persons representing pioneer families of our county. The names of Wooddell and Slaven are identified with the annals of our section of West Virginia for more than a hundred years. By industry and good citizenship, the Slavens and the Wooddells have served a good and influential part in giving tone and character to society…
August 12, 1852, Mr. and Mrs. J. Randolph Slaven were married. About the time they were gathering around themselves the comforts of an established home and making a fair start in life, the war intervened and it is needless to repeat here how Upper Pocahontas was “scattered and peeled” during those mournful years.
About 1871, believing Missouri would be a favorable place for their young and growing family of five sons and two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Slaven migrated to that State. Not finding the prospects such as had been anticipated, the family returned to West Virginia immediately. On the journey home, several members of the family were stricken with fever, and they were delayed several weeks. While thus delayed, our lamented friend saw three of her children suffer unto death: Lucas aged 12; Oliver, aged 5; and Willy aged 3…