Subject: KFY: Mt. Vernon Signal Newspapers, 1897, Rockcastle Co ---------------------- Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 From: DBXP64A@prodigy.com (C.L. C_R_A_W_F_O_R_D) ---------------------- Aug 20, 1897 John Gaught is visiting Lexington Bob Nortin has a big boy at his house Editor Mrtz is travling for an Ohio house Mrs Susan Henderson was in town Tuesday Egbert Walton was injured by a run away team Peter Shutts was in from Quail last Saturday N.M. Shumate was here from his farm Monday A.W. Stewart and John Coffey were here Saturday B.P. Martin has moved from Rowland to Stanford J.M. Cress of Garrard is attending Brodhead fair R.W. Boulware of Kinston was visiting relatives here Reuben Mullins has a hotel sign erected at his new house Mrs W.T. Brooks of Paris is wisiting her parents here H.C. Jones of Brodhead neighborhood called on us Saturday AmM. Bentley the wreck boss was up from Livingston Tuesday Sam Myers near town died las night of consumption Miss Maymee Jones has been visiting her uncle R.L. Jones at Stanford James and John McHargue and J. Robinson was in Saturday from Pine Hill J.S. Reppert and wife of Ravenwood were visiting the family of J. W. Nesbitt Saturday last Jeff and Joe Mitchell who were our old school mates at Lowell in 1870 are two of Ricemond's solid citizens J.P. Reeder of Knoxville, one of the cleverest traveling men on the road gave us a pleasont call last Saturday J.W. Cornelius and J.G. Reedy of Montpelier, Ind were here on business Saturday and were the guests of George McCoy A. Clontz bought a bulea Engine and gris mill at Rowland Miss Georgia Creed of Middlesboro is visiting relatives here F. Kruger bought a lot of Willis Adams lying just west of the lime kiln Henry King of Gumsulphur and others subscribed for our paper this week Ike Preston snared a large rattle snake near Pine Hill and captured it alive John Watson and daughter of Pulaski were visiting the family of Jonas McKinzie Andree, who lett Spitzburgen in July by balloon for North pole has not been heard from Isaac Snodgrass is fireman on the stem drill and telegraph operator at Murrays crusher Deputy Nels Griffin arrested one Purmese in Estill county last week charged of moonshinging Jonas McKenzie is agent for he Champion mowing machines and Birdsell wagons Mrs Mary Hayes near Wildie had a $50 dollar cow to choke to death from eating apples one day last week J.M. Norton who has been thresing wheat says that it is better than ever known before in tis county. He has been a resident for twenty years. Mrs Polly Cummins mother of Wm and Charlie Cummins, died last Friday at her home near Bordhead. She remained in a stupor and slept nearly all the time for fourteen days. The burial took place Saturday The following names are mentioned in connection with the office of U.S. Commissionership to be established at this place: James I. White, S.D. Lewis, Dr. S.C. Davis, J.S. Joplin, J.B. Fish and Sam Ward. Teh appointment will be made about Sept. 1st, when Judge Barr returns from his summer vacation Jack Adams sold to J.R. Baulware of Kingston 18 head, one and two year old steers for $504 Mrs Jones accompanied by Mrs Maret and a party of their young friends made an excursion in wagons to the Jones farm and Rockcrusher Tuesday T.J. Pennington and Miss Ardilla Tyree of this place were married at Gum Sulphur last Saturday. Their many friends extend best wishes for their future welfare Cam Menifee says the Lord is still on his side. His tema ran away with him and he was almost skinned but managed to patch himself sufficiently to come to town two days afterward to carry a dollar to the SIGNAL Our devil, Charlie Davis one of the most industrious and best boys in the county has set all the type for the Signal since last Thursday when our exellent foreman S.C. Franklin went to Lexington with his wife to visit his father and mother who lives near Lexington On a recent visit to Richmond we found our good friend R. Lee Davis head over heels at work on the Register which is now ably editing. Mr Davis is yet a young man but we are told he and Craddock began newspaper work about the same time. The reason this is sadi of him is the excellent work he turns out, but we know better Bob is a natural born pencil pusher. GUMSULPHUR Tom Cress is teaching Copper creek or trin to Mr Editor I see from your colums that old Buck Varnon is yet alive Mirs Ardilla Pennington iz teaching our skule and they all like her splindid Rev Morgan preached two surmins hear Sunday and they was good ones too Crops in jenneral look purty well. Arch Roberts leeds in the water mellon crop. Granville Leece in the hay crop Jeff Fennington pade us a visit Sunday and plaid the point of gitting him a wife, Miss Ardilla Tyree and Squire Owens he tide the not at the house of Bill Kings Allow me to take my old pen and tri to elucidate you just how much J. Wesley i mean, John Wesley Bker iz going to flax Henry Katern it makes me feel like axin wher is I but there is no use to tell yer fur yer will see 575 iz morgority jist tells what Dick will doo fur the other man, will be a plenty. Iz mity notion hollowing riter hear fur Dick WABD Mrs Alice B. Cromer has moved her store near Wildie Henry the little son of Wm Warrens is very ill Mrs Mort Owens who has been sick for some time we are glad to say is some better George Cummins little daughter Beckie has been very sick but is improving at this writing On last Saturday night some unknown parties ent to Geo Levissays watermelon patch and after eating all they wanted then destroyed them the damage is about $25. We are sorry to say we have such people in our ne Possum Holler, Ky Now in the days of the rein of Billy the first. Billy whose sur name is mcKinley I took up my pen to rite and i rit, for i had much to rite about that consurns my people. On my return from my unplesent trip i made last nov. i find times hard and getten, harder and munny scase and getten scaser; and that twin sisters of deth, that german corn of h-I-debt, rainin in lmost every house. The nuseof the passge of the tariph law by cong was haild with joy by our republican nabers but the Bryan men sat in sckcloth drest withashes and whin our only hannacrat learned that sd tariph had advanced shooger 1 cent per lb and that egs, "the pore mans dearest frend" had fallen to 4 cents per doz he kicked his self until he was too sore to st fur votin the aid society ticket last year, but we,ll just let him kick. It's the advance in shooger that hurts him not the advance in gold. Truly surkimstances do alter cases and the parable of the farmer and lawyer which is on record in that immortal book the blue back speller shood be read often by them with appropriate emphsis and comment. Corn crps air prospurous but trade is at a standstill, schools are better attended so fart his session than usual. Nothing is soken concernin election yet but we presume as the days get cooler pokitiks will bile fur the Bible sed when "Greek meets Creek the tug of war gegins" therefore we will look fur the fur to fly before the ides of Nov be past. Mr editor as "Job's turkey" has bin spoken of rovially when referring to poor burtes we would naturally suppose it to be the poorest living animal on earth but it now fills only a secondary place fur one of my nabors bot a hog last week of M.W. Deborard who had starved it untill it had to be soked in strong brine 3 days and nites before its hide wood hol slop, now spell if you can and ifs former owner was a kind harted man too but such is the effect of the Sing Gold Standard. Dr. Price affirms that sd hog had actully digested its own stomick. We presume that prosperity was frmly mounted on the wheel of confidnse when Bill Mc sined the tariph bil, but we predict that it will get frost bit bafore dog dase is out & the whole durnd thing will collapse before it reaches us. Yours in faith, Buck Varnon (spelled as written) John Gaught is visiting Lexington Bob Nortin has a big boy at his house Editor Mrtz is travling for an Ohio house Mrs Susan Henderson was in town Tuesday Egbert Walton was injured by a run away team Peter Shutts was in from Quail last Saturday N.M. Shumate was here from his farm Monday A.W. Stewart and John Coffey were here Saturday B.P. Martin has moved from Rowland to Stanford J.M. Cress of Garrard is attending Brodhead fair R.W. Boulware of Kinston was visiting relatives here Reuben Mullins has a hotel sign erected at his new house Mrs W.T. Brooks of Paris is wisiting her parents here H.C. Jones of Brodhead neighborhood called on us Saturday AmM. Bentley the wreck boss was up from Livingston Tuesday Sam Myers near town died las night of consumption Miss Maymee Jones has been visiting her uncle R.L. Jones at Stanford James and John McHargue and J. Robinson was in Saturday from Pine Hill J.S. Reppert and wife of Ravenwood were visiting the family of J. W. Nesbitt Saturday last Jeff and Joe Mitchell who were our old school mates at Lowell in 1870 are two of Ricemond's solid citizens J.P. Reeder of Knoxville, one of the cleverest traveling men on the road gave us a pleasont call last Saturday J.W. Cornelius and J.G. Reedy of Montpelier, Ind were here on business Saturday and were the guests of George McCoy A. Clontz bought a bulea Engine and gris mill at Rowland Miss Georgia Creed of Middlesboro is visiting relatives here F. Kruger bought a lot of Willis Adams lying just west of the lime kiln Henry King of Gumsulphur and others subscribed for our paper this week Ike Preston snared a large rattle snake near Pine Hill and captured it alive John Watson and daughter of Pulaski were visiting the family of Jonas McKinzie Andree, who lett Spitzburgen in July by balloon for North pole has not been heard from Isaac Snodgrass is fireman on the stem drill and telegraph operator at Murrays crusher Deputy Nels Griffin arrested one Purmese in Estill county last week charged of moonshinging Jonas McKenzie is agent for he Champion mowing machines and Birdsell wagons Mrs Mary Hayes near Wildie had a $50 dollar cow to choke to death from eating apples one day last week J.M. Norton who has been thresing wheat says that it is better than ever known before in tis county. He has been a resident for twenty years. Mrs Polly Cummins mother of Wm and Charlie Cummins, died last Friday at her home near Bordhead. She remained in a stupor and slept nearly all the time for fourteen days. The burial took place Saturday The following names are mentioned in connection with the office of U.S. Commissionership to be established at this place: James I. White, S.D. Lewis, Dr. S.C. Davis, J.S. Joplin, J.B. Fish and Sam Ward. Teh appointment will be made about Sept. 1st, when Judge Barr returns from his summer vacation Jack Adams sold to J.R. Baulware of Kingston 18 head, one and two year old steers for $504 Mrs Jones accompanied by Mrs Maret and a party of their young friends made an excursion in wagons to the Jones farm and Rockcrusher Tuesday T.J. Pennington and Miss Ardilla Tyree of this place were married at Gum Sulphur last Saturday. Their many friends extend best wishes for their future welfare Cam Menifee says the Lord is still on his side. His tema ran away with him and he was almost skinned but managed to patch himself sufficiently to come to town two days afterward to carry a dollar to the SIGNAL Our devil, Charlie Davis one of the most industrious and best boys in the county has set all the type for the Signal since last Thursday when our exellent foreman S.C. Franklin went to Lexington with his wife to visit his father and mother who lives near Lexington On a recent visit to Richmond we found our good friend R. Lee Davis head over heels at work on the Register which is now ably editing. Mr Davis is yet a young man but we are told he and Craddock began newspaper work about the same time. The reason this is sadi of him is the excellent work he turns out, but we know better Bob is a natural born pencil pusher. GUMSULPHUR Tom Cress is teaching Copper creek or trin to Mr Editor I see from your colums that old Buck Varnon is yet alive Mirs Ardilla Pennington iz teaching our skule and they all like her splindid Rev Morgan preached two surmins hear Sunday and they was good ones too Crops in jenneral look purty well. Arch Roberts leeds in the water mellon crop. Granville Leece in the hay crop Jeff Fennington pade us a visit Sunday and plaid the point of gitting him a wife, Miss Ardilla Tyree and Squire Owens he tide the not at the house of Bill Kings Allow me to take my old pen and tri to elucidate you just how much J. Wesley i mean, John Wesley Bker iz going to flax Henry Katern it makes me feel like axin wher is I but there is no use to tell yer fur yer will see 575 iz morgority jist tells what Dick will doo fur the other man, will be a plenty. Iz mity notion hollowing riter hear fur Dick WABD Mrs Alice B. Cromer has moved her store near Wildie Henry the little son of Wm Warrens is very ill Mrs Mort Owens who has been sick for some time we are glad to say is some better George Cummins little daughter Beckie has been very sick but is improving at this writing On last Saturday night some unknown parties ent to Geo Levissays watermelon patch and after eating all they wanted then destroyed them the damage is about $25. We are sorry to say we have such people in our ne AUG 27, 1897 POSSUM HOLLER Everyboyd is sick or complaining in this fair land of ours. J.N. Brown, W.H. Brown Sr., Joe Brown and quite a number more are and have been on the sick list. Dr. T.J. Price is having quite a extensive practice and good success. He hails from the Eclectic School of medicine. The following dispatch from Frankfort to the Louisville Times recalls a shocking tragedy that occured near Buckeye, this county when gurard George (Pomp) Ball was killed by a convict who was in a gang of twelve. He was taken from the depot here to work on grading of the K.C. railroad. Four convicts excaped while the rest went to camp and reported the facts and wrere shortly pardoned by the governor on the recomendation of Captain Craig the inspector at that time. Smith with Johnson and the others were recaptured and we believe Johnson and Smith got life sentences from the Rockcastle court. the records ought to show whether Johnso is guilty. Henry Smith a negro convict confined hare has written a letter to Capt Hyde, his Sunday school teacher, in which he confesses that he and not Morgan Johnson killed Gurard Pomp Ball in 1891. In his letter he in substance says: " I want to make a statement about Morgan Johnson. he is confined for a crime he did not commit. I Henry Smith and others made up a plot to kill Ball and Morgan Johnson knew nothing of it and has already suffered too much for our wrong, falsehoods and wickedness. I, Henry Smith am alone to blame for Pomp Ball's death. Morgan Johnson is unjustly confined. he has no money, or firends or any way to put the facts before you. I paray that you do soemthing for poor Morgan. he needs mercy. I am at your service for further facts. The governor will at once investigate the truth of Smith's story. The funeral Samuel Myers occured last Friday. The services were conducted by Revs Forrer and Boswell. The procession to the grave was conducted by Willis Griffin, undertker. Teh following were pall bearers, Joshua Boreing, W.M. Poynter, M.T. Fish, Armstead Lair, Mshack Gentry and S.D. Hysinger. The interment took place in the family burial grounds. The deceased was an upright and honorable man and was universally liked and respected by hsi neighbors and all who knew him The Board of Examiners for free scholarship in Mt. Vernon Collegiate Institute met on Aug 14, and awarded scholarships to the following candidates: County at large, Miss Carrie Butner, Mt. Vernon district, Iola Hansell, Roundstone Maranda McKenzie, Livingston, Lee Chestnut, Bordhead, Wade Leece, Scaffold Cane, Corrked Creek and Walnut Grove districts not represented at the meeting. They are requested to have a representative present on September 4 when another examination will be held and scholarships awarded. Our fellow townsman D.r D.N. Williams received the following letter from a tenant on his 20 acre Skaggs creek farm: Hansford, KY July 26, 1897 Mr. David Williams Dear Sir; I have got your otes cut. I am sorry to inform you it has bin a vary sorry otes yer. You only had fore dozen bundles to your part. Gentry Evans mule was about to ete them up so I had to te them in the top of a saplin. So you hed better send a teem after them as the birds and buzzards and things is about to devour them. My corn crop is very lite one to the hill. My cabage looks very well, especial where the stable stood. The corn looks very well it is about ne hi. I think it will make 11 1/2 gallons. we have had plenty of beens. I guess you hey. We had a fine corp of blackberries except the left hand hill sied it sorter scorched. I think in a few more days Gentry Evans mule will have the larbord end of yore farm ete up. Bill Lick was over a few days ago looking over yore farm. Sed he woood like to rent it next yere but as I am already here I wood like to stay. Hope I will see you against I shere mi ogs. Yours truly, Bill Jaxon WABD Chrlie little son of James Payne is quite sick J.J. Bray sold a span of mules last weekfor $197 Henry Catron candidate for sheriff was here last Thursday W.A. and Wm Cummins went to Livingston on Saturday last Misses Sarah Alice Hayes and Carrie Searcy visited Mrs A.K. Gooch near Bee Lick on Saturday last E.J. and Sam Wyrick of Dndrews were the guest of James Payne and also attended the Brodhead fair last week ORLANDO Mrs L. B. Hundley is very sick Tom Bowles made a flying trip to Mt Vernon Monday J.L. Ball continues to build verandas to his dwelling John Robinson is visiting friends in Clay county this week Abe and Bill Evans who have typhoyd fever are convalescing K. Hundley has just returned from a business trip to Jackson county. He come in via Egypt Louis Reams is letting a contract for a new dwelling. He has had a peach tree switch twistd to see where to sink a wlll BRODHEAD Rev S.D. Forrer preached here Sunday last Miss Lizzie Heron of Stanford was here last week W.G. Tharp and wife are visiting relatives in Marion county J.B. Hayes and family, of Livingston attended fair at this place Mrs Henry Tharp of Richmond is the guest of her sister Mrs J.R. Cass Misses Berta and Susie Hilton of Rowland visited relatives here last week Master Ora Frith gave a party to a large number of friends on Friday night last Mrs Pearl Parsons of Lebanon Junction attended the fair and is the guest of her brother and sisters the Newland family Messrs Wlater Miller, Jon Jarret, Walter Hunt and Jesse Baker who have been with the stone gang for some time quit Saturday A.E. Albright's store was broke into on Thursday night the 19th. The loss is unknown. Yet nothing much is missing. The money drawers were torn up and a valise carried out and cut open which belonged to Smith Prewitt. They took a suit of clothes, pair of shoes and some other things belonging to Mrs Prewitt CONWAY Mrs Ella J. Agee is visiting her father at Cove Silas Baker and wife visited at London last week Miss Nannie Johnson has a severe attack of malarial fever Ben Lair and Bennett Riddle of Brindle Ridge was with us Sturday Johnny McKenzie aged two years died of cholera infantum on the 21st Miss Mattie Johnson and Mary Thomas visited friends near Snyder Sunday Rev Williams failed to fill his appointment at this place Sunday on account of sickness Uncle Johnny Dobbs aged 75 years, who has been very sick for several days is some better Quite a number of people were in our town Saturday and nearly all of them were Dick Williams men Jesse Singleton killed a rattle snake near this place which measured five fee and no inches and 15 rattles John Itson died a few days ago near Snyder's Switch from hun shot wound in the hop which he received about a year ago Our next Sheriff, J.W. Baker, passed through our town last week. The boys seemed pleased with the prospects of his election BRODHEAD FAIR The Bordhead Fair wound up in a blaze of glroy last Friday when some 1,700 people witnessed the splendid program well carried out. The attendance as ususal with fiars, for the first wo days was not large but all who come seemed to enjoy the show. Adjoing counties sent good delegations and fine stock. Among them we noticed Col. Durrett Tribble of Madison county. The floral hall contained a wide varied and beautiful display of womans' handiwork. This hall also contained displays of agricultural products. The pantry display was creditable. Fruits farm and garden melons showed up well. In the right for little girls from fourt to six years old with our esteemed friend, E.C. Walton as one of the judges, much interest was taken. Little Lila Boyd of Atlanta look the blue and Mattie Lee Wimott, Brodhead, the red ribbons. Among the riders in the ladies ring appeared half dozen pretty girls who competeded for the premioum for the most graceful lady rider. Miss Rosa Gentry of tis place was awarded the blue. Miss Gentry received a premioum last year in a similar ring. The bycycle races were good and greatly enjoyed ty the admireres of the silent steed. In one of the reces a hrse belonging to Dink Farmer of Lincoln ran away after a preliminary heat and made things lively by going around the ring ten or more times. everything and everybody had to clear the track. After making a new start of it this horse came out second best. As is the case at nearly all fiars of any consquence the "pointer" machine was on had to get a few nickels. One of our old friends who owns a big farm and yet feels unable to tak his county paper played one of these machines until he had blown in over a hundred free silver dollars. He stopped at that, begged, coaxed, plead and threatened the man in charge until he recovered the most of it. He may invest a dollar of it in the SIGNAL and keep better posted in the future. The best order prevailed throught the three days exhibition. The Bordhead band furnished the delightful music. The officers and managers are to be congratulated on the success of their second venture to give Rockcastle a first class fair and we second the motion of the Interion Journal to have them continue in the positions they now occupy on the board of directord, etc. Brodhead simply did herself proud in the way of entertainment. The hotels had fine run of custom and the guests were well looked after and cared for. F. Francisco at Hotel Frith hardly slept for three days and nighs, Albright Hotel was also crowded. Anderson Carr and his minstrel troup attracted large crowds at all times on fair grounds. We are under no obligation to the directors for favors extended. We also remember Harvey Dunn. Judge Champ Mullins and wfe of Livingston were present. Tony Brooks, O.W. Turpin and wife of Hazel Patch were there. Alfred Owens of East Bernstadt was not far away. J.M. Cress of Sweeny called the second day. Dr. G. H. Albright of Barbourville was on hands advertising hsi fair which takes place on 1,2 and 33rd of September. J.B. Hays, J.E. Griffin and others of Widie; J.L. Brooks, B.C. Richardosn and otehrs of Conway friends were at the fair. N.M. Shumate had charge of the stables. Judge Morrow was represented by his W.B. who also visited Mt. Vernon. Judge Denton of Somerset was among visitors. hamp Reynolds who took the prmioum last year in the ugly man's ring was distanced this time by Sol Norther. you can set it down that he is no beauty. ********************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.