Dickenson County VA - Newspaper Articles, 1890-1900's

Submitted by: Louise Vanover Vore <eowl@worldnet.att.net


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SHERIFF OF DICKENSON CO. FATALLY WOUNDED
  When Wm. P. Stanly Went to Arrest John Bartley, a Desperado,
   He Received a Bullet

FREELING, VA., June 16 [Special] - John H. Bartley, a tough character from
Kentucky, shot and probably fatally wounded William P. Stanly, sheriff of
Dickenson  County, on Thursday evening.  The particulars of the occurrence
are these:  a warrant charging Bartley with feloniously striking a man with
a horseshoe, was placed in the sheriff’s hands, and he went to arrest the
accused.  When Bartley, who was in a house, saw the sheriff coming he told
him several times to “stand back” to which the sheriff paid no attention,
but advanced towards the man, til within a few yards of him, when Bartley
fired  a 38-calibre pistol at him.  The ball entered the officer’s right
cheek,
passed through the neck, and lodged in the right shoulder.  Dr. Phipps who
is in attendance upon the wounded man says that....

   THE POTTER GANG INDICTED
     BY A DICKENSON JURY

FREELING, VA.,  July 28-[Special]-Dickenson County court has been adjourned
for the term.  There was a grand jury in session, and something more than
sixty indictments were returned.  The Potter gang was indicted for
“banditing” as a tumultuous assembly, while the members were indicted
individually, for separate offenses.  Reports received are to the
effect that they are in the fastness of Cumberland Mountains.

William P. Stanly, Sheriff, who was shot by a tough from Kentucky, is
growing worse daily, and can not survive many days longer.  Bartley, who
shot him, has not yet been captured.  It seems that there is little effort
being made to bring him to justice.

A force of Hungarians has just arrived at this place for the purpose of
making staves. They seem to be thrifty and willing to work.  There is a
large quantity of oak timber in this section.

Lightning is doing much damage in this section.  Recently, while Robert
Harris and some others were sitting in his house, lightning struck the flue
of the stove pipe and was conducted down the pipe.  No great damage was
done; but some of the people were considerably shocked.

SHERIFF STANLY DEAD
Victim of Kentucky Ruffian Passes Away at Freeling
[Special To the News]

FREELING, VA., July 20 (?) - News has just reached here of the death of
Sheriff William B. Stanly, who was shot by a Kentucky tough some weeks ago.
Stanly was about thirty-five years of age.  He leaves a wife and several
children.  Bartley, the man who did the shooting, has never been caught.

SHOT FROM AMUSH
A DICKENSON COUNTY MAN KILLED:
WOMAN FATALLY HURT.

CLINTWOOD, VA.,  October 13 -(Special)- In an altercation, on Sunday
between William Bartley and John W. Crabtree, near Bogg’s store, in this
county, the latter was fatally shot. Three balls entered his body-- two in
the breast, and one in the head.  Mr. Bartley and his wife, who was with
him, started back to their home, near Clintwood, at a point on Long Fork.
After night they were fired upon from ambush and Mrs. Bartley
was fatally wounded.  The trouble came up over an old grudge.  Bartley is a
brother of John H. Bartley, who killed Sheriff Stanley last summer and
Crabtree was closely related to Stanley.  More trouble is expected and
considerable excitement prevails.

FREELING, VA.,  October 13 -(Special)- Eli Phipps, a farmer residing near
this place, has suddenly become deranged.  It is thought that the state of
his financial affairs is the cause of the trouble.

The 1-year-old child of Robert Stanley, near here died a day or two since.

DICKENSON HOMICIDE
WILLIAM VANOVER SHOT BY JOHN BRYANT MONDAY

FREELING, VA., Nov. 11 -(Special)- On Monday evening John  Bryant shot and
instantly killed William Vanover in an altercation near this place.  No one
was present at the time but Bryant’s brothers and they say the act was
justifiable. They are from Kentucky.  The Vanovers had taken out a warrant
for the Bryant’s arrest for some violation they had committed and they had
left; Vanover had come here on some business when they met......balls were
found to have entered Vanover’s body. The Bryants are in the hands of the
authorities.  Vanover was a leader of the Vanover faction in the
Potter-Vanover feud.  Much excitement prevails.

HIS COW REARRANGED HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE

FREELING, VA., Dec. 14 -(Special)- While Robert Reid’s family was absent
for an hour or so, an unruly cow found her way into the interior and made
herself at home. The order of the rooms was not to her liking, for she took
the liberty to rearrange nearly everything found therein.  She helped
herself to whatever she found to eat, dispatching about a bushel of dried
beans, which were hanging upon the wall of the kitchen.

HEARD GHOSTS IN OSBORN GAP
GHOSTLY EXPERIENCE OF TWO TEAMSTERS
THROUGH SCENE OF MURDER

FREELING, VA., Dec. 14 -(Special)- Nelson Ratcliff and Isaac Willis (?), of
this place, recently came across Cumberland mountain after nightfall, and
they tell a story of a ghostly occurrence on the way.  Many murders are
known to have been committed by bordermen in the vicinity of Osborne’s Gap,
a pass through which the road leads.  One of their victims was Dick Hall, a
noted desperado, who was killed a few hundred yards down the north side of
the mountain.  It was quite dark when they reached this spot and all
bedlam seemed to be turned loose in the darkness, they heard the rattling of
chains, the ringing of bells, the groaning and growls of - they knew not
what.  They stood not upon the order of their going, but went at once.  The
noise followed them for some distance, but gradually subsided as they left
the spot where the ghost of the murdered outlaw holds his nightly revels.

A COLD BLOODED MURDER IN DICKENSON COUNTY

CLINTWOOD, VA., July 9 - Last Thursday Jacob Holifield, a young man of
about 18 years, shot John Baker, the wound proving fatal.  The particulars
of the affair were about as follows: John Baker, John R. Vanover and Jake
Holifield left Baker’s house on Thursday morning to go to Eli Phipp’s, a
distance of four or five miles.  Holifield insisted on taking Baker’s pistol
and fired, the ball taking effect in Baker’s body, from which he died of
about 10 o’clock next day.  So far as I have learned no cause is assigned
for the
perpetration of this rash deed.  Baker is said to have been an upright
citizen.  He leaves a family.  Holifield it is said, has left the
Commonwealth, and so far as I know, there is no effort made to arrest him.

DICKENSON
A CITIZEN MURDERED BY A NEIGHBOR -
THE MURDERER STILL AT LARGE

CLINTWOOD, VA., July 9 - A sad affair occurred in “the mountain”, a distance
of three or four miles from here on last Thursday.  The particulars as I
have obtained them, being about as follows:On Thursday morning, John Baker,
John R. Vanover and Jake Holifield, left the former’s house to go to Eli
Phipp’s, about four miles.  So far as I can learn, they were all on good
terms with each other, but when within a short distance of Phipp’s,
Holifield
drew a pistol and shot Baker, the ball taking effect in his body, after
which he ran to Phipp’s house, falling as he reached the door.  He died
about 10 o’clock next day, and leaves a family to mourn his loss.  the
shooting was done with Baker’s pistol.  When they were leaving the former’s
house, Holifield insisted on taking the pistol which he carried. He is about
18 years of age.  No cause is assigned for the perpetration of this rash
deed.

DICKENSON MARRIAGES

CLINTWOOD, VA., June 18 - There have been quite a number of marriages in the
county within the past week, among whom I will mention, Mr. Ira Vanover to a
Miss Parsons, of Wise county.

 Two of our young townsmen, R. E. Chase and F. P. Phipps, have returned from
the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, where they have been taking
a law course. They did not stay the full term, and consequently did not get
diplomas. They express themselves as being highly pleased with the school
and surrounding country. They were frequently amused at the old Professor
Alfred Holbrook, whom they describe as an eccentric old man of about 80
years.

THE DEAD BODY OF M. F. KENNEDY FOUND IN THE ROAD

CHATHAM, VA., August 30 - Special- The dead body of M. F. Kennedy, was
found in a woods near Greenpond Church about twelve miles northwest of
Chatham, Saturday evening.  Kennedy came here several weeks ago from Bedford
Alum Springs and stopped at Hotel Chatham.  He represented himself as an
insurance agent, though  when here he mingled with some acquaintances made
at the  Springs and attended no business.
After a stay of perhaps a week he left town and spent several days,
returning under theinfluence of liquor.  He became boisterous and disorderly
and was arrested by  Officer  Graves.Some friends secured his release and he
left again the next morning and has since
been in different parts of the county and in Danville.
He has been seen in the neighborhood in which his body was found quite
often in the last ten  days.A well-known grocer states that he met him very
early last  Tuesday morning on upper Main Street he was coming down to open
his store.The last time he was seen was Tuesday afternoon when a colored man
saw him pass  along the road in the neighborhood of Greenpond Church  from
where body was found.
The colored man says Kennedy inquired the way to Mr. C. W. Anderson’s
andseemed in a very bad condition from the effects of excessive drinking.
He acted like a
wild man.  The body when found was in such a state of  decomposition that it
could not be
lifted about.  It seems that no inquest was held, but the remains were taken
up with
shovels,
placed in a box and buried.  There is a diversity of opinion as the whether
or not he was
murdered.  He had many rights in the county in different placed and a report
was received
this morning that at Museville Saturday a week he whipped five men after
which he was
terribly beaten by two men whose names are Myers and McCrickard, and that
the dispute
was not settled.

CLINTWOOD NEWS
MAD DOGS AND A WOMAN PREACHES IN DICKENSON
Correspondence of the news.
Clintwood, Va., July 8 - Your correspondent learns that several dogs have
gone
mad in the vicinity of Stratton, this county.  The people there are very
alarmed over the
affair.  It is reported that one man has been bitten and that cattle and
hogs are frequently
bitten by them.

There has been  Rev. Mrs. Osborne holding forth in the McClure Creek section
of the
county, lately in the capacity of a preacher.  This is a novelty which
Dickenson county
never enjoyed before.  She is said to be a fluent speaker, and is of the
Methodist
persuasion.


DWALE,  VA., March 10 - Your correspondent learns that John McRose, pioneer
settler of this county, died last week at his home, on McClure Creek, at an
advanced age of 83.  He came originally from near Burnsville, N. C., and
settled on a farm near where he died.  There he lived until the death of his
first wife, which occurred a few years ago. He then “broke up” and lived
with.... He reared a family of nineteen children, all of them being stout,
healthy
and robust men and women.

Deputy United States Marshall B. B. Colley seized an illicit distillery on
the “Big Ridge” a night or two since.  The moonshiners heard the Marshall
and his men coming and ran off.

Mrs. Jefferson Fleming is seriously ill, and her recovery is thought to be a
matter of certainty.

DICKENSON COUNTY
COUNTY COURT-MOONSHINERS HAVING A HARD TIME

CLINTWOOD, VA.,  December 14 -(Special)- County Court is in session here
this week, having convened on Tuesday last, and will doubtless continue for
several days yet, as there is an unusually full docket.  Several cases of
some importance are likely to be disposed of at this term.  A special grand
jury was empanelled for the purpose of considering the evidence of the
Commonwealth against “Christopher Columbus” Dulney,
Walker Rose, Milburn and Albert Mullins, who are charged with stealing corn,
as was noticed in this correspondence a few days ago.  It is quite probable
that a number of other indictments will be returned.

There is an unusually large crowd in attendance at court this week.  Horse
swapping seems to be the principal attraction.  It looks as if almost every
man who owns a horse has had him well groomed, and is on “Jockey Street”
with him, where, if he has no “pedigree” to recommend him, he is fortunate
enough to show good qualities.

Sherman Vanover, of this place, lost one of his children the other day.  It
died of whooping cough.

We notice Colonel John C. Summers of Abingdon, on our very streets.  The
Colonel seems to be very popular here, and is usually surrounded by a crowd
of men, all eager to hear him relate his anecdotes, of which he seems to
have a vast fund.

The moonshiners are having a hard time of it in this section.  Uncle Sam’s
marshals are continually disturbing their interests.  It is to be feared
that this will cause “moonshine” to advance in price, so that we shall have
to plead for want of funds, and resort to the “cold water cure”

DICKENSON COUNTY
TAKEN TO AN ASYLUM-FINE HORSE KILLED-COUNTY COURT

CLINTWOOD, VA., April 16 -(Special)- Dow Dunbar, whose insanity was noticed
in this correspondence last week, has been taken to the asylum at Marion.
He became perfectly rabid, trying to fight almost every one who came within
his reach, and as he is heavy and robust, he was dangerous.  At times it
took four or five strong men to manage him.  It is thought that the cause of
his insanity was partly due to disappointed love, as he was
known to be strongly attached to a young lady who did not reciprocate the
passion.  His mother is aged and infirm, and the misfortune of her son has
completely prostrated her.

Wesley Swindall, of Osborn’s Gap, this county, lost a fine horse a day or
two since.  He had the horse in a plow, and he took a scare and ran away,
they plow cutting him so he died.

STOLEN CORN

Two or three days since, Kenus (?) Fleming, who lives in the vicinity of
Dwale, was out in a stretch of woodland about his farm, when he came across
a heap of corn in the ear, which he at once recognized at his corn, and in
looking about for tracks of those, who he suppose had carried it there, he
found another heap containing a larger  quantity.  This latter he did not
believe to be his corn, and as William Fleming’s corn-field is nearer to
that point than his own, he concluded that his neighbor’s corn had been
stolen also.  He found tracks to and fro between the other field and heap he
discovered, as well as between the other field and heap.  He then went to
the other gentleman and informed him concerning what he discovered.  The
conclusion between them was that whoever had carried the corn from the
fields would probably remove it that night, and so they gathered a crowd of
men to watch for the rogues.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

The watchers concealed themselves near the corn-heaps, and in an hour or two
after night fall four men came with sacks and horses to plunder away.  The
guard waited until they began to fill their sacks  with the corn, and then
rushed upon them, demanding their surrender.  They were very badly
frightened, and soon they were securely being tied with ropes, and were
marched off to jail.  These men had been operating a moonshine distillery,
and were trying to steal the corn for that purpose.  Their names are
Christopher Columbus Dulaney, 56 years of age; Walker Rose, aged 20; Milburn
Mullins, aged 18; and Albert Mullins, age 16.  They had a preliminary
hearing before Mayor Greer, of this town on yesterday, and were bound over
to await the action of the grand jury.

Circuit Court for Dickenson county is in session here this week, Judge W. T.
Miller, of Wise, presiding.  Considerable business is being transacted at
this term. The visiting lawyers are: E. M. Fulton, and T. M. Alderson, of
Wise; W. H. Werth, of Coeburn, and Colonel James B. Richmond of Gate City.

The campaign is progressing smoothly here, but much work is being done in a
quiet way. Party lines will be closely drawn.

Submitted by Annette Damron, Robert Beverly, Rachel and Louise Vanover Vore

VIRGINIA LETTER
CLINTWOOD, VA., APR. 24, 1895

EDITOR FREE PRESS
At last we are glad to see the advent of spring; for the past winter has
been the
most rigorous we have had for many years.  But now that old Winter has
hauled down his
cold, ice-fringed flag, and departed for a more congenial clime, vegetation
is beginning to
show the effects of the breath of spring, and we see the tiny leaves peeping
forward, the
little yellow and pink flowers ornamenting the wood-land dells, and we are
glad.  These
are the messengers of spring, and we will hail with rapture and delight the
approach of
May-day, when the may-pole is reared and ornamented with flowers and vernal
wreaths.
But this is not to be a spring “pome”, and so I must desist writing this in
strain.

Primary money in the United States today is, strictly speaking gold alone.
This
result has been brought about not by act of Congress, but by the decision of
the Secretary
of the Treasury, that the holders of greenbacks and Treasury notes can
demand their
redemption in gold, although legally payable in either gold or silver coins.
The effect of
this decision is to make gold alone money of ultimate redemption.  Silver
dollars are not
directly redeemable in gold, but this redemption can be effected indirectly.
See Answer
57, August 4.  Nickel and copper coins are token money, and therefore not
redeemable.
There is supposed to be about $350,000,000 of greenbacks outstanding, and
about
$150,000,000 Treasury notes.  It is very difficult to estimate the metallic
money now in
circulation.  The number of silver dollars coined between 1878 and 1800 was
about
$400,000,000 Treasury notes.  It is the endeavor of the Administration to
keep
$100,000,000 in gold on hand for redemption purposes.  To keep this fund
full bonds
were issued to the extent of $262,000,000.  The banks of New York City have
agreed not
to ___ the reserve fund at the present time.  Unpopular feeling is beginning
to run a little
high on this subject, and they are afraid that another bond issue at this
time would assure
Mr. Bryan’s election.

Rev. L. M. Vanover, of the Missionary Baptist persuasion, has written and
will soon have
published a volume on the subject of baptism.  The author differs from most
of the
theories advanced upon this subject.  I have had the pleasure of examining
the manuscript,
and feel assured that the work will interest those who are studying the
subject.

HAUNTED MOUNTAIN
A GRUESOME STORY FROM DICKENSON COUNTY

CLINTWOOD, VA., June 8 -(Special)- Your correspondent learns that there is a
place
near the top of Cumberland mountain which is haunted.  One Samuel Baker is
the
occupant of the place, and through him the information was received.  Baker
says that
while he was in the field with his children working, the other day, suddenly
the most
hideous noises were heard in the air, seeming to come from every direction.
There
seemed to be mysterious voices like those of men cursing and quarreling, and
women and
children praying and crying.  This frightened the children so that they left
the field and ran
to the house.  Baker looked all around, but could see nothing.  Meanwhile,
the noises
continued, and he grew somewhat frightened too and went into the house also.
Not one
of the family went back to the  field til the next day, when they heard the
same mysterious
noises all around.  Then a more extensive search was made, and a pair or men
’s shoes was
found in the brush, just outside of the field, covered with blood.  No other
traces of
violence were discovered, but Baker thinks some one has been lately murdered
there.

HAS A BAD NAME

It is said that this is a common occurrence in that place.  The road leading
from Virginia to
Kentucky in that vicinity passes through Osborn’s Gap, a notch in the
mountains, and this
place seems to be a rendezvous for the fugitives from justice from both
States, and many
depredations are doubtless committed there.  Formerly, there was
considerable travel done
through this gap, but for the last two or three years the place has had such
a bad name that
people who have occasion to cross the mountain into Kentucky will go several
miles out
of the way to avoid the route.  The mail, which was for several years
carried from
Clintwood, Va., to Pikeville, Ky., has been suspended.  The refugees who
seek shelter
there regard themselves safe, for the authorities do not care to risk
themselves in that
place.

DICKENSON DOTS

CLINTWOOD, VA.,  Jan 17 - County court is in session this week, having
convened last
Tuesday.  There were several visitors: Mr. Speer, the dentist of Lebanon,
was here, and
also the well known salesman, W. S. Lotspeich, among others.  There is being
an unusual
amount of business transacted at court.  The grand jury has been in session
since the first
day of court, and will probably continue through the week.  Some thirty-five
or forty
indictments have been found, several more are expected.

We have a new lawyer here, who is from Henry county.  He is a young man by
the name
of Worth; is an intelligent and well looking young man.  He tells me he is a
graduate of the
law department of the University of Virginia.

Prof. J. F. Vicars, former editor or the Protectionist, opened school of
this place with
some sixty or seventy pupils.  Prof. Vicars is an excellent teacher and gave
general
satisfaction when he taught here last winter.
      F. M. BEVERLY

Miss Nancy Mullins, who owns and runs a farm two miles near below Clintwood,
has had
several bee-hives stolen for the honey by some sneak-thieves lately.  The
hives were
carried away in the night-time, a short distance from here house and bust
open, and the
honey taken out.  Miss Mullins has accumulated considerable means through
her own
management, and the ____ people are disgusted with the treatment she is
receiving from
these unprincipled persons.  Miss Mullins has conclusive proof as to who the
guilty parties
are.

Dr. Elmnuel Phipps, of this place, was married near ___  town, Tenn., last
week and
brought his bride home yesterday.  She was a widow Wells, her former husband
having
died a few months ago.

A BLOODY GAP
REPORTED MURDER OF A PEDDLER
IN THE FAR SOUTHWEST

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., August 5 -(Special)- Your
correspondent has reports from a reliable source to the effect that a
peddler was murdered
at or near Pound Gap a short time since.  As will be remembered, that is
where the Mullins
family was murdered in 1892, by Doc Taylor and the Fleming boys.
The report says that a peddler left Donkey, a little hamlet at the base of
Cumberland mountain, to go over into Letcher, a border county of Kentucky,
with is
wares, but so far as can be learned, he never reached there, and a
blood-stained trail, of
something that had been dragged over the ground, was visible near the notch
or gap.  The
trail seemed to extend in the direction of the woods, and no one seems to be
willing to
follow it to the end.  As the peddler can not be traced further than between
Donkey and
the gaps, it seems to be regarded as almost certain that he was murdered,
and that what
money and valuables he had were taken.  Depredations are being committed all
the time
along the top of the mountain from Osborne’s Gap to Pound Gap.  Only  a few
day ago....

IMPROVEMENTS AT WISE
COMMUNICATION WITH SURROUNDING
COUNTY COMPLETE

WISE VA., Sept. 23 -(Special)- Your correspondent came over yesterday from
Dickenson
county, a distance of twenty miles, over rough mountain roads, on horseback.
County
court is in session here; but there does not seem to be any business of
importance being
transacted.  The attendance does not seem nearly so large as I anticipated.

Wise has some substantial buildings.  A new court house is in the process of
erection,
which will cost $35,000 all told.  I learn that about seventy-five hands are
at work daily
upon this structure.  Most of the stone used in the building was shipped
from North
Carolina, while the brick used in the outer walls was all made in West VA.

A new building for the Gladeville College will be commenced soon - Carpenter
D. C.
Kelly, of Clintwood, I learn has the building contract.  While Wise is about
five miles from
Norton, it has telephone connections with the latter point, and messages are
regularly
received twice each day from a some three miles distant.  It is carried in a
sack.

Farmers Home Journal:
The young chick requires constant attention from the nest.  They should be
fed
regularly on such food as their bodies can assimilate.  Cooked potatoes and
milk are
excellent food.  They should have plenty of clean water.  Be very careful
about where
biddy goes with her brood, especially if any of the surrounding grounds are
low and wet,
as the run of such places in conducive of gapes, besides being exposed to
other dangers
that will certainly lessen her family.  Again I say, do not forget the
chicks.  If you would
raise them successfully, you must give them your constant care and
attention.

JUDGE RHEA AT CLINTWOOD
A LARGE CROWD GREETS HIM IN
DICKENSON COUNTY

CLINTWOOD, VA., - Judge Rhea, Democratic candidate for congress delivered
an address about two hours length to a large and appreciative audience at
Clintwood on
yesterday.  Many ladies were present, and seemed to greatly enjoy the
address.  Not a few
republicans were on hand and were attentive-so much so that I think I may
safely venture
the hope that the remarks may prove as a seed sown upon good ground.  I do
not think it
was ever my pleasure to witness so large and appreciative audience at
Clintwood.
The Judge opened his speech by paying his respects to the ladies present,
and a
tribute to Virginia womanhood.  He regretted that he could not arrange his
appointments
to meet the people of Dickenson county on court day; but after three weeks
correspondence with General Walker relative to appointments for joint
discussions, he had
been compelled to give away to the force of the circumstances.
Mr. Rhea then presented Walker’s record in congress in a plain, unvarnished
light,
and in a way that must have carried conviction in some degree home to that
gentleman’s
constituents; for they seemed to be held under his reasoning and logical
presentation.  I do
not think it has been my pleasure to hear political questions handled in
such a clear and
logical manner for many a day -- if indeed I ever did.  He said that his
opponent has the
greatest facility for changing his views upon any questions touching
political issues of any
man now living; that he was originally a democrat, and that one  of the most
abusive of the
republicans-but that he had ultimately changed his politics and become a
free silver
republican, and that he was elected to congress by that party in 1894, upon
a free silver
platform.  Then when the republicans.....

Submitted by Annette Damron, Robert Beverly, Rachel Vore and Louise Vanover
Vore



A SHOOTING AFFAIR IN DICKENSON
PRIDEMORE FLEMING PERHAPS FATALLY
WOUNDS JAMES WILLIS

DWALE, VA., August 23 -(Special)- At a gathering in the vicinity of Ava,
this county, a
day or two since, Pridemore Fleming and James Willis became involved in an
altercation,
which resulted in the latter being perhaps fatally shot.  They first engaged
in a fistcuff, but
Willis wrenched a large bottle from the hands of one of the bystanders and
struck Fleming
with it, where-upon Fleming drew a pistol carrying a 18 calibre ball and
shot Willis, the
bullet taking effect in the left side near the ends of the lower ribs, and
ranging towards the
backbone.  Dr. Phipps pronounced it a dangerous wound.  Fleming surrendered
himself to
the authorities, and will have a preliminary hearing soon.  There seems to
be considerable
excitement over the affair.

MAY BE MURDER
PRIDEMORE FLEMING SHOOTS JAMES
WILLIS - A BOY KILLED

DWALE, VA.,  Aug. 23 -(special)- In an altercation between Pridemore Fleming
and
James Willis, in Ava yesterday, the latter was perhaps fatally shot with a
pistol carrying a
18 calibre ball.  Fleming at once surrendered himself to the authorities.


Two of Floyd Casebolt’s boys, aged ten and twelve years, were playing with a
gun
yesterday, when the older accidentally discharged the gun instantly killing
the other.

SCHOOL-BOOKS FOR DICKENSON
LIST OF THOSE SELECTED-MUCH INTEREST
WAS MANIFESTED

DWALE, VA., September 15 -(special)- The County School Board of Dickenson
county,
met at Clintwood Tuesday to adopt the school books to be used for the next
four years.
There was a lively wrangle over some of the books.  Johnson’s Primer,
Merrill’s Speller,
Johnson’s Readers, White’s Arithmetics, Hyde’s Grammars, Maury’s
Geographics,
Jones’s United States History, and Maury’s History of Virginia were adopted.

SOUGHT TREASURE THERE

Far up in the mountain heights we come to Baker’s Cave, so named from the
fact
that an old man by the name of Baker seems to have discovered it, and from
signs he saw
there concluding that treasures were hidden there.  He dug holes in the
cave; but never
found the visionary treasure he sought.  There is a maple tree standing near
the entrance to
the cave, in the smooth bark of which he carved the initials of his name,
“H. B.” (Hick
Baker).  These letters, though plainly visible now, will ere many years
pass, become
distorted by the growth of the tree, with its effects upon the bark, till
they cannot be read.
I may add that the old man lived out his allotted three score and ten years,
when the
inevitable happened, and he went to his reward.
The entrance to Baker’s cave is an opening through some rocks, and is
circular in
form, about three feet in diameter.  Once through the opening you are in a
spacious room
perhaps sixty feet in length by thirty feet in width.  It is solid rock over
head and on all
sides, though rather irregular as for stone.  It is quite.........

THREATENED TO SHOOT HIM

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., February 25 -(special)- Isaac Mullins alias
“Black Ike”, attempted to shoot Phillip Fleming, one of his neighbors, who
was passing by
his house on Thursday.  He had an old grudge against Fleming, and when he
saw him
passing by he threatened him, with violence, using some very inappropriate
language and
ran into his house, returning with his gun, which he fired at the man,
though without
effect.  A warrant was at once procured from Justice Keel, and Mullins was
arrested and
placed in jail at Clintwood.  Mullins returned from the penitentiary about
two months ago,
where he had served a two-years’ sentence for attempting to burn the county
jail.

A VOICE FORM THE TOMB
THE DICKENSON COUNTY SCRIBE SINGS A
MOURNFUL DITTY

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., February 12 -(special)- Well, we have
been literally shut in here for nearly two weeks, while the great world
beyond moves on
regardless of us.  We have been at a standstill, hardly knowing whether the
“ground-hog”
month (February) had arrived or not.  And, small-pox at Coeburn,
twenty-three miles
away, and only in a light form at that, did it all.  I shudder to think what
it would do, were
it right here in our midst, and of a robust, vigorous, muscular type.
One day we hear that the Coeburnites are not in the least excited; that
they knock
the small-pox around any way, merely regarding it as a weakling; that there
are only two
cases there, and that one of them is almost well, the other is getting on
nicely--but that a
young man in that vicinity is now feeling rather badly, is looking pale, and
is probably
developing a case of the disease; though, to be frank, the preponderance of
evidence tends
to show that he was jilted by his best girl.  Another day we are gravely
informed (by some
croaker) that there are nineteen cases of the epidemic right in Coeburn, and
that two or
three deaths have resulted from it within a day and night past, while the
doctors predict
that it will be all over Southwest Virginia.  It seems to ye scribe that
such a prediction is
extravagant and uncalled for.  If a doctor’s opinion carries weight along
with it, it is a very
dangerous assertion.  Suppose it comes to pass, literally, who will be
responsible?  If it
fails to make its appearance over all the aforesaid section of Southwest
Virginia, then a
man with only one eye, and a very inferior article as that, can see the
utter extravagance of
the assertion.

SHUT OFF FROM THE WORLD

But I started out with the avowed object of telling you that we have had no
communication with the outside world through mostly mails for nearly two
weeks.  (But
thanks to Gracious, Uncle Sam is going to move her out).  We have not known
what Tom
Reed (sometimes erroneously called Congress) was doing; neither can I tell
positively
whether my poems are going to be accepted by the editors or returned.  But I
presume
they are using all due diligence to get back to me.  It will be some little
trouble; but if they
do not get back to me I can write more.

CHARGED WITH COUNTERFEITING

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., July 5 -(special)- W. G. Rose, of Clintwood,
has volunteered his services, and left for the war.  Mr. Rose is the first
and only volunteer
from this county.

Noah Mullins, of Nasbie, was before United-States-Commissioner Rush, at
Clintwood
yesterday on a charge of counterfeiting.  The proof was against him, and he
was bound
over in a bond of $1,500 (?) to answer to an indictment in the Federal Court
at Abingdon.
He is a ___ young man.

OUT IN DICKENSON
ONE YEAR IN THE PENITENTIARY
WAY-LAID AND ROBBED

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., March 21 -(special)- the case of the
Commonwealth vs. David Fleming, charged with making a felonious assault upon
his
cousin, Tandy Fleming, last June, was concluded in the County Court Friday
evening, the
jury finding him guilty of the charge, and fixing his punishment at one year
in the
penitentiary.  It was expected that the case would consume the whole of this
week, but,
through some compromising measures, the trial was shortened.  The attorneys
for the
defense moved the court to set aside the verdict of the jury, as contrary to
law and
evidence, but the motion was overruled, and the defendant committed to jail.
Fleming is a
young man, and was married only a few months ago.

Your correspondent has just received intelligence to the effect that a young
man, whose
name was not learned, was passing through Pound Gap, a notch in the
Cumberland
mountain, a day or two since, when three masked men came out of the brush,
and
demanded his money and “valuables”.  They secured only $3 and a pocket
knife.  There is
no clue as to the identity of these perpetrators.

SMALL-POX IN DICKENSON

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY., VA., February 3 -(special)- There is still a great
deal
of talk of small-pox.  It is said that there are about twelve cases in
Pound, in the edge of
Wise county, a point about ten miles from here and that about fifty others
have been
exposed to it.  So far as I can learn, no deaths have resulted from the
disease, and it seems
to be only a matter of a few days’ duration.  The general impression that it
is not
small-pox is stronger among thinking people daily, notwithstanding the
assertions of some
medical authorities to the contrary.

Mrs. Cornelious Hibbitts, of London, Ky., is now at her father’s near
Clintwood, being
treated for cancer in the face by John Crabtree.  Mr. Crabtree has
successfully treated
several cases.

ROBBERY IN DICKENSON COUNTY

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., May 11 -(special)- Another robbery was
recently perpetrated in the vicinity of Osborne’s Gap, a pass in Cumberland
mountain.  A
young man by the name of Bartley was crossing the mountain, when he was
beset by three
men, probably masked, one of whom he recognized, and some money and other
things of
value he had about his person were taken.  There is said to be a band of
these outlaws
infesting the mountain between Osborne’s Gap and Pound Gap, and depredations
of this
kind are being committed frequently.

Wilbur Phipps, a farmer of Freeling, had his barn destroyed by catching fire
from some
burning leaves about his chestnut orchard.  There was fodder and oats in the
building, and
also a horse in one of the stables, but the animal was taken out.  The barn
was located only
a short distance from the dwelling-house, which narrowly escaped the same
fate.

Mrs. Josephine Hogston and Alexander Mulins, both of Freeling, were married
Saturday evening.

Submitted by Annette Damron, Robert Beverly, Rachel Vore and Louise Vanover
Vore


A COMPLAINT
DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA.

January 23 -(special)- Everybody is scared over the report of small-pox at
Coeburn.  That
place is quarantined, and it is difficult to get any definite news as to
the
actual condition
there.  A guard has been organized at Clintwood (county seat) and all
accessible points are
being guarded.  No one is allowed to enter or leave the place, and while
this being done at
the expense of the entire county, the county is left with no protection
what
ever.  Several
wagons from Clintwood, en route for the railroad for goods, were turned
back
a few days
ago, and if this state of affairs should continue long, the supplies in the
stores will become
exhausted.

AN OLD-STYLE HOLD-UP

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA.,  January 23 -(Special)- Intelligence has just
been received here tot he effect that two lawless characters of
Craftsville,
just across the
State line on the Kentucky side, held up a traveling man near that place at
an early hour
Sunday night and relived him of $70 in cash, a pair of saddle-bags, and a
revolver valued
at $13.  The affair has created quite a sensation.

A little 5-year-old son of Wilbur Fleming, of this place, had the
misfortune
to have one of
his hands cut open with an axe on Sunday.  The children were out in the
wood-yard
playing, and one of them, in handling the axe, struck the boy’s hand, with
the above
results.

DEATHS IN DICKENSON

DWALE, VA.,  December 8 -(special)- Mrs. Charlotte Phipps, an aged lady of
Freeling,
this county, died Sunday of heart failure.  Her husband, David Phipps, died
about fifteen
years ago.  They reared a large family, having settled in Cumberland
mountain about fifty
years ago.

James A. Holbrook, aged 48, a Kentucky logging man, was thrown from a log
wagon near
Sergent, a few miles from here, yesterday, and perhaps fatally hurt.  His
left arm was
broken to pieces, and will have to be amputated.

HEARD IN DICKENSON
THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE CONCERNING
CONVICT DAVID FLEMING

DWALE, VA., April 14 -(special)- A letter has been received from Governor
Tyler by
Andrew Phipps, of Clintwood, in which he offers to commute the sentence of
David
Fleming, who was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary, to imprisonment
in the county
jail, provided the Judge and the Commonwealth’s Attorney will agree to it.
This offer is
made on account of quarantine regulations.  The matter is not yet settled
as
to what will
be done.  There is trouble between the two Fleming families, which arose
over a felonious
attempt David Fleming made upon his cousin, Tandy Fleming, and for which he
is now
under sentence.  The breach has been growing wider ever since, and it is
feared the matter
will culminate in serious trouble.

DEATH FROM INJURIES

DWALE, DICKENSON CO., VA., Sept. 11 -(Special)- James H. Mullins, a
prominent
farmer of George’s Fork Creek, died yesterday after a confinement of
several
weeks.  He
had the misfortune to get hurt some....

Mrs. Rose, widow of Rev. Elias Rose, died yesterday of fever, after
lingering a month.
Her husband died two weeks ago of  the same disease.

DEATH OF A.C. JOHNSON

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., September 22 -(Special)- Andrew C.
Johnson, proprietor of Hotel Fairview, of Clintwood, died about 4 o’clock
this morning of
typhoid fever.  He was taken ill about a week ago.  Mrs. Johnson, wife of
the deceased, is
now confined with fever, and is doubtful about her recovery.
Mr. Johnson came her from Kentucky, and had been in the hotel business
about a
year.

CUTTING AFFRAY IN DICKENSON

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., December 29 -(special)- Your correspondent
learns that there was a cutting affray near Stratton, this county, on
Monday, between
Floyd Smith and Floyd Sutherland, in which the latter received twenty-one
gashes, while
the former only received one, or two slight cuts.  Full particulars of the
affair have not yet
been received here yet.

Interest has lately been revived in a cave near this place, in which it is
said an old
counterfeiter plied his trade, some seventy-five years ago.  This man,
whose
name was
Mullins, came from North Carolina, and after spending some years here, went
to Georgia,
and subsequently came back to Logan Co., West. Virginia, where he died many
years ago.
A human skeleton has been unearthed in the cave, which is under a cliff in
a
sequestered
nook.   The bones show some signs of decay, and are something above medium
size.  A
mold, somewhat, resembling a bullet-mold of our ‘daddies’, has been found.
It looks as if
it would mold a piece of metal about the size of a quarter of a dollar.

SKELETON IN A CAVE
PLACE WAS ONCE OCCUPIED BY A COUNTERFEITER

DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., June 19 -(Special)- Interest has lately been
revived in a cave near here, which was occupied by a an old counterfeiter
some
seventy-five years ago, when this section was almost a perfect wilderness.
This man,
whose name was Mullens, came from North Carolina, went to Georgia, and
subsequently
came back to Logan county. W. Va., where he died many years ago.  A human
skeleton
has been unearthed in the cave, which is under a cliff in a sequestered
nook.   The bones
show some signs of decay, and are something above medium size.  A mold,
somewhat,
resembling a bullet-mold of our ‘daddies’, has been found.  It looks as if
it would mold a
piece of metal about the size of a quarter of a dollar.

DWALE, VA., July 30 -(special)- Your correspondent learns that one Doc
Mullins of
Cranesnest creek, was before a justice’s court yesterday, charged with
stealing an
overcoat, and also with carrying a concealed pistol.  He was found guilty
in
both cases,
and fined $30 in each case.

DWALE, Dickenson county, VA., April 20 -(Special)- L. M. Vanover, of
Clintwood, has
resigned as Commissioner of the Revenue of the Western District of
Dickenson
county,
and W. M. Lambert was appointed to fill the vacancy.

FLOYD COUNTY COURT
JUNE TERM 1828

John Fleming is appointed Surveyor of the road form the mouth of the Dry
branch to the
picture of the Turtle, in the place of Frederich Glambaugh removed.  And it
is ordered that
he call on the hands on Beaver above where Samuel Harris formerly lived,
and
down as
low as William Isaacs to post.  Him to keep the same in repair according to
law; cut smoot
fifteen feet wide, and dug six feet where digging is necessary.

KENTUCKY GIANT
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MARTIN VAN BUREN BATES
HE STOOD EIGHT FEET, AND WEDDED MISS ANNA H. SWAN

CLINTWOOD, VA., December 1 -(Special)- In reading the October No. of the
Strand Magazine, of London, I came across a well-executed photogravure
representing
Captain Martin Van Buren Bates, “The Kentucky Giant”, and his former wife,
and this
recalls to mind the now almost forgotten giant and giantess, who gained
such
notoriety
back in the seventies, not only in America, but in Europe also, and
thinking
that a sketch
of these characters “of generous proportions” would be acceptable to
readers
of the
Dispatch, I will record such facts in regard to them as I have attained.
Martin Van Buren Bates, was born in the year of 1847, in Letcher county,
KY.,
one of the mountain counties of the eastern part of the State.  He was
remarkably large
when a child, and his growth something phenomenal, his height on his
eleventh birthday
being six feet, and his weight around 170 pounds.  He was an awkward sort
of
country
boy, and attended the “deestrict schools” on the Kentucky river in the
winter.  It is said
that he was a dull student, and gave the old-time teachers who taught in
that section
considerable trouble in learning him the “A, B, C’s”.  In 1861, when Martin
was 14 years
old, he became a private in the Third Kentucky Infantry of the Confederate
army, and was
promoted to a captaincy at 16.  He distinguished himself in several
battles,
and was
severely wounded while in the service.  When he was 21 years old and his
weight was near
210 pounds.  His father was a man of more than ordinary stature, his height
being about
six feet, two inches, but his mother was not larger than the average woman.
His three
brothers were each about six feet and rather heavily built.

GREAT EXECUTION

In 1870, Bates made a tour through England, where he was exhibited to
admiring
crowds.  During this tour pamphlets were sold throughout that country
setting forth his
exploits in the civil war, illustrated by wood-cuts representing the giant
with an enormous
sword, the center of a miscellaneous whirl of loose arms, heads and odd
joints, during
tremendous execution among his enemies.  While on this tour he met Miss
Anna
H. Swan,
the “Nova Scotia Giantess”, who was only an inch or two less in height than
himself, and
tipped the beam at about his own figures,  They became acquainted and were
married a
year or two later.
For several years after their marriage they were on exhibition in various
parts of
Europe and America, and after gaining a competency they settled down to
private life on a
farm near Seville, in Medina county, O., where the Captain still resides,
having survived
his wife, who died some four or five years ago.

A BIG HOUSE

On this farm he had a dwelling erected, of which it is a difficult manner
to convey
an adequate idea of its proportions.  The doors in this dwelling are ten
feet high, width in
proportion, and the door-knobs are nearly as high as the average man’s
head.
The
bedchamber is on the ground-floor in the main building.  The couch upon
which the big
couple slept was made expressly for them, and it is said to be a curiosity
to look at.  It is
ten feel long, width in proportion, and nearly twice as high as a common
bed.  The
magnificent dressing-case is said to be a huge affair, with a glass upon it
nearly as large as
the side of  a house.

OUT FOR A DRIVE

It is said to have been an astonishing sight to see this couple out for a
drive, the
wheels of their ponderous carriage reaching almost the second story of a
house.  It was
drawn by six stout Norman horses.
Captain Bates was a familiar figure in this vicinity twenty-five years ago,
and your
correspondent, when a small boy, saw him riding along the road upon an
ordinary-sized
horse, and he remembers wondering how the horse could carry such a
ponderous
weight
upon his back.
I have been told that the Captain has married again since the death of his
first wife,
and that he wedded a small woman.

Submitted by Annette Damron, Robert Beverly, Rachel Vore and Louise Vanover
Vore


THE VANOVERS BADLY HURT
COUNTRY HOUSES TO BE ERECTED IN THE NEAR
FUTURE--SCHOOL FUNDS SHORT

CLINTWOOD,VA., December 12 -(Special)- Johnson Vanover, who lives on Camp
creek, this county, was driving a wagon the other day when his horse became
frightened
and ran away.  Mr. Vanover’s father (?) an elderly gentleman, was in the
wagon at the
time, and bother were badly hurt and the wagon considerably damaged.
Accidents of this
kind seem to be frequent occurrence in this vicinity, for one is brought to
ye scribe’s every
day or two.

The public school funds seem to be short for the amount we received in the
county last
year.  The schools were ___ to contract for five months, but owing to the
fact that the
funds are short the schools will be suspended at the end of four months.

MARRIED A SECOND TIME
HAD BEEN DIVORCED FOUR YEARS-ANOTHER WEDDING

CLINTWOOD, VA., December 22 -(Special)-  A rather novel marriage was
celebrated
near this place on yesterday.  The contracting parting were John Wright and
Nickati(?)
Mullins.  Three or four years ago these parties were married, and after
some
months spent
together in a very disagreeable manner, they separated, and divorce
proceedings were
instituted.  After this young Wright went to Illinois, where he stayed for
a
year or two, and
then returned.  When they saw each other the old passion, I imagine, was
rekindled, and as
a  result, they have met at the hymeneal alter the second time.

“Doc” Phipps and a Miss Cox, both of Freeling, this county, were quietly
married a day or
two since.  Young Phipps is of a respectable family, being a brother to
ex-County and
Circut-Court-Clerk Phipps, of this county.

Rev. Caleb Haynes has sold his farm on Cramp creek, and will shortly move
to
the famous
blue-grass region of Kentucky, I am told.

The Clintwood Gossip, F. Darwin Vanover, editor and publisher, has again
made its
appearance, after a suspension of some weeks.

YOUNG LADY SHOT

CLINTWOOD, VA., January 2 -(Special)- Your correspondent has just learned
that one
Miss Hall, daughter of Mitchell Hall, of Tarpon, was shot through the leg
by
one “Major”
Mullins.  The report says that “Major” had been taking “Christmas” after
his
own style,
and being still under the influence of its spell, he was handling a pistol
in a room where
there were several others, when it was discharged, the ball taking effect
in
Miss Hall’s leg.
Mullins then immediately sprang out a window and left.  I understand that
the general
opinion in that vicinity is that he did the act willfully.  The officers
are
making an effort to
arrest him.  Dr. Phipps, of this place, was sent for to attend Miss Hall,
but he has not yet
returned.

CLINTWOOD, VA., January 11 -(special)- For a week past the wedding bells
have been
chiming in Clintwood and vicinity.  IT has almost looked as if all the
marriageable people
in the immediate vicinity were going to marry.  Among the most prominent
weddings that
have taken place I will mention the following couples: Elizabeth Bumgardner
and Thomas
Hawkins; Serena Rakes and Stephen H. Senter; Mary Mullins and Ranson Bray.

DICKENSON COUNTY COURT
LAND SOLD FOR DEBT LOW PRICES

CLINTWOOD, VA.,  January 23 -(Special)- The case of the Commonwealth vs.
Isaac
Mullins for forgery, which has been on hand for about three years, and has
been heard two
or three times before, resulted in a verdict of acquittal.  He was charged
with having
changed the figures upon a receipt given him by the Constable for money
paid
upon a find,
from $10 to $20.  Rev. Joseph H. Ross, an elderly gentleman, was arraigned
for trail upon
two separate....justice of the peace.  Upon a hearing of the first charge,
he was acquitted,
but upon the second he was found guilty, and sentenced to fine and
imprisonment in the
county jail.

CLINTWOOD, VA., Jan 18, ‘95
Editor Virginian:

County court has been in session this week, Judge Geo. L. Counts,
presiding.  The
case of the Commonwealth vs. Isaac Mullins, indicted for felony, has been
heard and the
defendant acquitted.  This is something of a noted case in this court, as
it
has been on hand
for about three years and always upon a hearing, it resulted in a new
trial,
as the jury could
never before agree.  Mullins was charged with having changed figures upon a
receipt
given him by a constable for money paid upon a flue, from ten to twenty
dollars.
Rev. Joseph H. Ross has been arraigned for trial, upon two separate
indictments,
one for disturbing public worship, and the other for malfeasance in office,
as the reverend
gentleman is a Justice of the Peace.  Upon the first charge, he was
acquitted, and upon the
second I learn that he was found guilty; I do not know what punishment was
fixed upon
him.

Ex-sheriff Charles Willis, was arraigned before the mayor upon a charge of
drunkenness;
but by some jugglery he proved to the court that he wasn’t drunk when he
was.

JUSTICE J. H. ROSS “SKIPPED”

CLINTWOOD, VA.,  January 26 -(special)- Joseph H. Ross, a justice of the
peace of this
county, who was tried and convicted in the court here last week upon a
charge of
malfeasance in office, “skipped” before he could be sent to jail.  The
verdict of the jury
was a fine and one year’s confinement in the county jail.  His attorneys
were preparing to
carry the case to the Circuit Court, but it is presumed that Ross believed
he knew a better
way to fix it.  He is a well-to-do farmer.

DEATH OF MR. HENRY HALL

CLINTWOOD, VA., February 2 -(special)- Your correspondent has just learned
of the
death of Henry Hall, of Tarpon, this county, which occurred a few days
since.  Mr. Hall
was well and favorably know all over this section and had been engaged in
mercantile
pursuits for four or five years past.  He was some 65 or 70 years of age.
He had been sick
for some time, and was not expected to live.  He will be missed by the
people of Tarpon
and vicinity.

Jefferson B. Kiser, of Stratton, has announced himself a candidate for
Sheriff of this
county.  Mr. Kiser was appointed Treasurer of the county a few months ago,
upon the
resignation of Mr. Colley.  Mr. Kiser is a Democrat, and probably will have
a good
following.

The public schools have nearly all closed in this vicinity.  The funds were
only sufficient to
run them four months.  A subscription term will begin on Monday next, as
this place, with
Professor J. F. Casteel, of Scott county, as principal.

DEATHS IN DICKENSON

CLINTWOOD, VA., February 4 -(special)- Mrs. William Keel, of Freeling, this
county,
died on Wednesday last, after being confined to the sick room for several
months.  Mrs.
Keel was yet comparatively a young woman, and was always a healthy,
robust-looking
person and apparently bid fair for a long life till her last illness.  The
body was interred in
the family burial-ground, about three miles north of this place on Friday.
She leaves a
husband and five children, all small.

A child of Solomon Phipps, near this place, died on Wednesday, and was
interred on
Thursday.

DICKENSON BURGLARS CAUGHT

CLINTWOOD,VA., February 13 - (special)- The general store of I. E. French,
of this
place, was entered recently and a quantity of goods carried away.
Suspicion
pointed to
three boys of questionable character, who immediately went to Kentucky,
where they
peddled goods.  Mr. French offered a reward for the arrest of any or all of
the culprits, and
a day or two since some persons induced Paris Mullions, one of them, to
come
on this side
of the State line, when they promptly arrested him.  He was placed in jail,
where he now is
awaiting the process of the law.  It is said the proof against him will be
strong enough for
conviction.  The others have not yet been apprehended.

Rathburn Burke, a blacksmith of this place, has sold his property to Rueben
Cantrell, and
will soon move to Kentucky, where he will engage in farming.

AFFAIRS IN DICKENSON

CLINTWOOD,VA.,  February 9 -(special)- Farmer Phillip Fleming, who has just
been
appointed deputy sheriff and jailer for this county, moved into his new
quarters a day or
two since.  I presume that those who may have occasion to stop at the
“Hotel
Primitive”,
as it is known among the boarders there, will find Mr. Fleming a very kind
and obliging
“proprietor”.  Abraham Cantrall, the former “proprietor”, I learn will move
to Sand Lick,
this county, where I presume he will engage in farming.

MRS. CLIFTON ROBERSON DEAD

CLINTWOOD, VA., February 23 -(special)- Your correspondent has just learned
that
Mrs. Clifton Roberson, of the upper end of this county, died a day or two
since, after a
lingering illness off several weeks.  Mrs. Roberson was comparatively a
young woman,
being only a little past 50 years of age.

Quite a number of witnesses are being summoned from this county in the
trial
of Henan
Fleming, at Wise, for the murder of the Mullins family.  The trial is set
for next week.
Both the prosecution and defense have witnesses from this county.  There
will be a larger
array of witnesses sworn in the trail, as many are summoned from the
counties of Pike and
Letcher in Kentucky

There was a rather laughable episode occurred in the neighborhood of
Freeling, this
county, a few days ago.  Miss Clementine Vanover, had two suitors.  Enoch
Mullins and
Henry Stanly (not the African Explorer), and it seemed that she was
undecided as to her
choice between them, while her parents were decidedly opposed to Mullins.
Matters
seemed to have reached a crisis the other day, when Mullins presented
himself at the
homestead of his sweetheart’s parents, and demanded her hand in marriage.
The old lady
grew mad, and ordered him off the premises; but he seemed to “stand upon
the
order of
his going” and went not.  Then her ladyship seized a clapboard and begun to
soundly
belabor him with it, when it broke into pieces.  She then seized the next
most available
object with which she could cudgel her would be son-in-law, who left the
premises,
doubtless mediating vengeance; for he went straight to the office of the
mayor, and swore
out a warrant, charging the old woman with assault and battery.  She was
promptly
noticed to trial before she said Mayor; but upon a hearing, was acquitted
of
the charge.
Then with some show of ceremony, she turned the girl over to Stanley, who
bore her
away in triumph, while Mullins went away with only a broken-heart and the
sympathies of
his friends.




                                         HOMICIDE IN DICKENSON
                                  Killed in a Quarrel  Over a Game of Cards
 DWALE, VA., February 3,  - (Special) - Robert Baker, a lumberman of near
this place, was shot and instantly killed at Clintwood yesterday evening by
William Farmer, a partner.  The difficulty came up over a game of cards, in
which the two had been engaged in all day in a law office. When the dispute
arose  between the contestants , Baker told Farmer that he would kill him.
The latter arouse and started out, but was followed by Baker, who drew a
pistol and began to flourish it in a manner that indicated violent
intentions. Then Farmer drew his pistol and fired three shots, one taking
effect in the head and one in the heart, and the other in the body. Baker
failed and expired at once. I do not think anyone but Mr. McFall was in the
office at the time  of  the occurrence. As soon  as the deed was done Farmer
ran into the street and said that he had shot Baker, and wanted to put
himself in charge of the Sheriff, and he was at once placed in jail. Baker
was about 35 years of age.

                                       DICKENSON COUNTY

DWALE, VA.,  March 12 - (Special) County Court is in session at Clintwood
this week, having convened Monday with Judge George L. Counts presiding, A
special grand jury was empanelled , and found an indictment against William
E. Farmer, who is charged with killing Robert Baker, as reported in the
Dispatch some time ago. An effort was made by Farmer’s friends at this term
to secure bail for them. I hear that several well-to-do parties offer to go
on his bond.

        There has been a great deal of rain within the last day or two, and
the waters are very full.

        There are several persons making applications for the county school
superintendenship of this county, among them being the incumbent, James H.
Long.

                  MR. VANOVER SHOOTS HIMSELF IN DICKENSON

Suicide of a Young man Who Became Despondent - Liburn  Kelly Hurt With A Axe
                  ______________________________________________

FREELING , VA. - April 12 - Special - Weddington Vanover, age 20, son of
James
Vanover shot himself in the head with a pistol, from which death result in a
few hours. Nocause is assigned to the rash act.
           About a week before the suicide accident occurred he told some of
his associates that he was going to die, and gave directions as to the
manner of his burial, but it seems little attention was paid to this at this
time.
            He was sitting at the bedside  when the awful hour came, and
drawing a pistol, he placed the muzzle against his head, just above his
right eye, and fired, the ball passing thorough his brain.

    Liburn Kelly, a young man of this section, had the misfortune to  cut
his foot nearly
off with a axe a day or two since. The bones of his foot and ankle were cut
or broken by the force of the axe.

        There is considerable talk of the railroads operation now being
carried on at the
“breaks” of Cumberland mountain in this county.

         There are two companies working there now, the Chesapeake and the
Ohio , and the Ohio River and Charleston. Several hundred hands are at work
now.


Mr. James Damron, an attorney of this place and Miss Belle Sutherland, of
Buchanan,
were quietly married at the home of the bride the other day.  Miss
Sutherland is a daughter of Ezekiel Sutherland, a prominent official of this
county.

Mr. F. F. Repass, the Farmer’s Alliance lecturer of the Ninth Congressional
District, spoke here on Saturday to a rather small audience.  There would
have been a larger crowd had he speaking been sufficiently advertised before
hand.  His address was rather pointed but he did not define the position of
the order in regard to some important issues.


The weather has been cool for some time past, that vegetation is not doing
any good; corn has turned yellow form its effect, and its growth is greatly
retarded.

  Schofield Kiser Acquitted
[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]

 Clintwood, VA., April 25 - The trial of Schofield Kiser for the murder of
Aaron
Gibson about one year ago just closed.  It has been the most remarkable
trial ever
witnessed in this county.  The evidence has been volumuos, and the best
legal talents of this and the adjoining counties was employed.  The case was
given to the jury without any instruction from the court.  The foreman
handed in the verdict and the clerk read in a clear, distinct voice:  “We
the jury, find the defendant not guilty.”  Everybody is surprised at this
verdict and the jury is being severely criticized.


Clintwood, VA., Feb. 17 - Ex-Sheriff Samuel KEEL, whose illness was noticed
by this
correspondent last week died a day or two since, after lingering some weeks
between hope and despair, with intervals of each: but at length the summons
came and now the whole community is in a state of profound sorrow.  A
meeting of the....

[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]

Clintwood,VA., January 14 - The County Court has been in session since
Tuesday - the new judge, George L. Counts, presiding.  As everybody was
anxious to see him “take his seat”.  there was an unusually large crowd
present on the first day of the term.  This is regular grand jury term and
quite a number of indictments have been found up to this time,and there are
still many witnesses to be examined.


                         DICKENSON COUNTY  VA. NEWSPAPER
Drury Senter, son of Felix Senter, a prominent farmer, near this place, went
to Kentucky the other day and brought back a bride, whose maiden name was
Sanders.


Sheriff Hall, of Letcher county, KY., who is here on business at this term
of court, had the misfortune on yesterday to fall down the stairs in Hotel
Bessie, where John P. Chase was killed a short time ago.  He was severely
bruised about the head, but received no other injuries.


For the last two weeks I do not get the DISPATCH on time: in fact I
sometimes get them ten days old, and they have been rumpled and soiled,
showing unmistakable evidence of having been kept and read somewhere.  We
believe this mischief is being done between Clintwood and Cleveland.  I wish
Uncle Sam would learn some of them better “manners”.


Clintwood, Va., May 2 - A young man of this town has recently traveled over
a portion of the state of West Virginia, and according to his own statement,
he passed $300 in that State.  He found some one having this sum in said
currency and paid $2 in legal tender for it; and then, when he would have
occasion to spend money, he would present a bill of his “Confederate” and
ask for the change due to him, which in most cases, strange to say, was
received and the change returned.  A considerable portion of it was passed
to the moonshiners, who would supply him with what moonshine whiskey he
wanted and receive his money in exchange, giving him legal tender for all
that was due him.  He was caught in the trick several times, but would
always protest his innocence by saying that it had been “put on” on him.


  Clintwood Happenings
 From our regular correspondent

Clintwood, VA., August 2 - The teachers of this county are preparing for the
examination which will be held on the 4th and 5th days of the month.  There
will not be teachers enough to fill the positions this year, we hardly
think, as quite a number of them are going to Kentucky to “teach the young
idea how to shoot.”  We suppose Prof. R. L. Counts will teach the Clintwood
school again this year, with perhaps Miss Minnie B. Chase as an assistant.


P. S. Phipps, of this place, informs your correspondent that he intends to
take a course in a medical college, commencing this winter, provided he can
make the necessary arrangements, which he will not doubt do.  His brother,
Dr. E. L. Phipps, is making a success in the practice of medicine in this
county.


L. H. Kiser, of  “The Gap”, is going to buy up a lot of cattle to ship.  The
cattle trade in
this county has been on the dull order for a long time, but it is to be
hoped that there will be  a market opened soon.


Clintwood, VA., August 31 - Your correspondent has lately interviewed quite
a number of Alliance men in regard tot he political outlook.  Only one of
the number declared his
intention of voting the Third party ticket.  The Democrats of this county
will certainly
make a vigorous campaign.  Mr. Richard Counts, our chairman, is thoroughly
alive in this cause.  The people are all overjoyed in the nomination of H.
C. Wood by the Republicans at Bristol.....

William H. Werth, an attorney of this place, and his wife are visiting in
Bland county this week.

Miss Augusta Lipps and her little brother left here for their home in
Harrodsburg, Ky.,
accompanied by their aunt, Mrs. Nickels, on yesterday.  They had been
visiting at their uncle’s here.

A young man by the name of Belcher , from West Virginia, has been selling
sewing-machines in this county, and on yesterday as he drove through town in
his carriage he fired two shots from his pistol and was promptly taken in
hand by the authorities whenhe learned that it cost him about $10 for the
two shots.


Clintwood, VA., July 21. - Nathaniel Senter, a farmer living in the south
side of
Cumberland Mountain, this county, had the misfortune to have his arm broken
yesterday while hauling on his farm.  His team became scared and ran some
distance with the above result.

The store of Thornbury & Rush was broken into last night, but nothing has
been missed as yet.  The party or parties, whoever they were, must have been
after the money they supposed to have been in the store.  The clerks placed
the money they took in during the day in a small drawer and usually removed
it upon closing the store at night, which itsupposed the would be thief did
not know, for the drawer was torn up in the search for it.  Suspicions rests
upon two certain parties, who will probably be arrested soon.

George Arington, a young man of the vicinity of Bucu, this county, died of
consumption a day or so ago.

Robert Fleming, a farmer near this place, who had the misfortune to be
kicked in the face by a mule some time ago, is still in a critical
condition, and his recovery is thought to be a matter of doubt.

J. H. Ross and  J. E. Glenn have been trying their luck at angling in the
Pound River forthe last few days; but as to the extent of their “catch”, we
have not learned.

Clintwood, VA., July 12 -
A rich vein of hematite ore has recently been discovered in this
town, crossing Main street at an oblique angle.  There is a bridge over a
brook which
flows through town, and the water has washed the earth away, leaving the ore
exposed to view.  The vein seems to extend in the direction of a hill, which
lies just north of town.

Submitted by
Annette Damron
Robert Beverly
Rachel Vore Engle
Louise Vanover Vore