DICKENSON COUNTY VA, NEWSPAPER UNKNOWN - 1890-early 1900"s http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Dwale, Aug. 27 - Little Liota FLEMING, the 8-yr.-old daughter of Robert FLEMING, was bitten by a copperhead snake on yesterday and is suffering a great deal from the effects of the bite. She was in the woods with some other children and passing too near a log, his snakeship seized her by the foot, making two small punctures. He foot is very much swollen, and she is unable to walk a step. CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING Dwale, Sept. 1 - Two young men, of this place, Isom FLEMING & Patton TAYLOR, kidnapped one Silas RATLIFF, who was wanted by the authorities of KY, yesterday and conveyed him there. RATLIFF, it has charged, violated the revenue laws of that State, and was held in a bond for his appearance at court, but left, taking up his abode here, and his bondsmen offered these boys a sum of money to deliver him to them. Now RATLIFF’s friends have sworn out warrants for them, charging them with kidnapping, and they are to have a hearing before Justice KEEL this week. TAYLOR is also charged with another warrant with having carried a concealed pistol at the time of the kidnapping of RATLIFF. Dwale, June 7 - Chas. FLEMING, a young man of this place, was riding a young unbroken mare yesterday when the animal stumbled and fell, badly bruising his face and cutting an ugly gash in his head. Tandy FLEMING, who was hurt in an altercation with Dave FLEMING a few days ago, is improving now and is in a fair way to recovery. A Warrant is in the hands of the authorities for Dave FLEMING, but as yet they had been unable to locate him. It is thought that he is in hiding among the moonshiners on Cumberland Mountain. Andrew JOHNSON, proprietor of Hotel Fairview, of Clintwood, was arraigned in a justice’s court yesterday, charged with striking one “Shake” ROSS on the head with a brickbat. He was bound over to answer an indictment at the next term or county court, when a special grand jury will be empanelled. Mr. & Mrs. Harmon MULLINS have gone to Russell Co. on a visit to relatives and friends. George FLEMING went to Coeburn on business yesterday. Dwale, July 14 - A little 4-yr-old son of John MULLINS, of near this place, was bitten by a copperhead snake Sunday and is seriously ill from the effects of the bite. These snakes are quite numerous in this vicinity this summer. Dwale, June 10 - Dave FLEMING, who struck Tandy FLEMING, his cousin, in the head with a rock, last week, was arrested in a barn loft Tuesday night near this place. He had a preliminary hearing in a justice’s court today. He was bound over to answer an indictment in the next term of the grand jury; $1,500 bond required. Dwale, June 10 - Sherman VANOVER, Commissioner of the Revenue of the Western Dist. of this county, was in a justice’s court yesterday, charged with striking one “Shake” ROSS in the head with a billet. The case was sent on to the grand jury, and a bond of $200 required for his appearance to answer an indictment. Wesley SWINDALL, a lumberman of Osborne’s gap, had two yoke of oxen shot and killed yesterday, while they were out to range in the mountains. Mr. SWINDALL thinks he knows the minscrean who did the deviltry. Dwale, July 27 - In the rugged Cumberland mountains, which skirt Dickenson Co. on the west, the stranger is pointed to a cliff or cave where, in the bleak month of Dec. 1866, a little boy who had only passed his third milestone was frozen to death. The cliff is situated in a sequestered place, and looks as if it would afford some shelter or protection from the rigor of winter. The surrounding country still has the appearance I imagine it had in those primitive days, when the wild beasts roamed the forests unmolested by man. It is true some invasions have been made upon these wilds, and a little farm has been opened here and there, and rude log cabins are sighted by the passer by. This story is a very touching one, and will go straight to the hearts of parents who have these little prattlers about their knees. [story is illegible]. Mrs. Hulda FLEMING, whose illness we noted last week is improving. Dwale, VA., July 12 - Mrs. Elias ROSE, of near this place is critically ill with some form of dropsy. His attending physician, Dr. PHIPPS of Clintwood says that she can not recover. [wife of Rev. Elias ROSE]. [dated July 15, 1896] A laborer, while hoeing corn in a field near here the other day, dug up a stone which has some unique inscriptions upon it. The stone seems to have been nearly square, originally, but it is now triangular in form, having been broken. A portion of the inscription is missing. The characters remaining are: F. J. Wm. HILLI+- - -in one line the remainder having been broken off. Then in the central portion, just below that line, appears the day, “180” the last figure being nearly all missing but looks as if it had been formed 4. On the lower lefthand corner there is an index or hand, pointing doubtless, to something important which was on the detached portion. The inscriptions all have an old appearance and the relic cannot be accounted for by anyone in this vicinity. [* “F. J. Wm. HILLIS”] submitted by Annette Damron, Robert Beverly , Rachel Engle and Louise Vanover Vore DICKENSON COUNTY VIRGINIA NEWSPAPER 1890- EARLY 1900''s Name of newspaper unknown MARRIAGE Last week we reported the marriage of a man 81 years of age, and this week, we have the marriage of a girl only 12 years of age. The contracting parties in the latter marriagewere, Scott Dyer and Cora Reece. IT'S A BOY Roland E. Chase, our general postmaster, is now wearing an unusually pleasant smile. This is the first time Roland was ever pleased after this fashion, and it’s a boy. Clintwood, VA., November 26 - Nelson, son of Spencer Mullins, died at the residence of his father, near this place, on yesterday. He had been confined to the sick-room for nearly three weeks with fever. After his dastardly murder of Hylton, Hall fled the county and was not heard of any more until late in the fall. ARRESTED He went to Memphis, Tenn. and engaged as a cab-driver. Here things went well with him until he was at length recognized as the man who was wanted at Wise Courthouse for the murder of Enos B. Hylton. He was at once put under arrest and the authorities of Wise county notified of the fact. Parties at once went to Memphis and identified him, when he was turned over to the authorities and brought to Gladesville, where he was incarcerated at the March term of the County court. He employed the best legal talent in Wise and adjoining counties, and it may be presumed that everything possible was done to secure his acquittal; but in spite of all legal efforts he was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on the 4th day of June. TALT HALL HANGED THE NOTED OUTLAW PAYS THE PENALTY OF HIS MANY MURDERS Wise Court House, VA., September 2 - The long-deferred and hopefully-looked for execution of Talton Hall, the noted Kentucky outlaw and many times murder, took place to-day in the jail yard here. People from the surrounding country and from across the Kentucky border, the scene of most of Hall’s murderous exploits, had been trooping into town ever since yesterday, actuated by a morbid desire to witness the expiring agonies of the condemned wretch. There were fully 3,000 people in the village, and it is supposed among them many of the former followers and present sympathizers of the outlaw. NO ATTEMPT AT RESCUE Every precaution had been taken, how ever by the Sheriff and county authorities against any attempted rescue. If such a thing had been contemplated, the force present here today and armed as it was with Winchester rides, quickly changed the minds of the would be rescuers. Now that the execution is over, and judging by the peaceable and orderly conduct of the vast crowd, it is not believed that even the most reckless of Hall’s friends ever had any serious intention of resisting the lawful authorities of the county by an attempt to release the prisoner. THE HANGING Shortly before noon the iron shackles were stricken from Hall’s limbs; he was tightly pinioned with ropes and attended by Father Lockie, his spiritual advisor, he was escorted to the scaffold. Arriving at the foot of the gallows, Hall bid the good farewell, and he then firmly ascended to the platform. Only a limited number of persons besides the guards, county authorities, and the jail officials were allowed within the jail-yard enclosure. The Sheriff read the death-warrant, and then told the condemned man if he had anything to say he was at liberty to speak. Hall made a rambling speech, in which he stoutly maintained that he killed the constable Hylton, in self-defense. The black cap was then drawn over his features, the rope adjusted, and at 11:55 a.m. the drop fell. The fall as sufficient to break the neck and after a few muscular twitches the body hunglimp and in seventeen minutes life was declared extinct by the attending physicians. MANY OTHERS SLAIN BY HIM Hall was about 45 years of age, judging from his appearance, and a native of Eastern Kentucky. He has been identified with many of the terrible ways for which that section of the state is noted. Reports vary as to the number of men he has slain. Indeed, it is to be doubted whether he could more than approximate the number himself if he were to try. The woman with whom he was living at the time of his arrest for the murder of Hylton was married to one Salvers of Kentucky, when Hall became intimate with her and shot and killed her husband in his own house. Hall then took her and lived with her until his arrest last fall. KILLED ON CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN RICHARD HALL SHOT BY MARSHALL BELCHER IN A QUARREL OVER A GAME OF CARDS [Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., July 22 - Richard Hall, who lived near Osborne’s Gap, this county, was killed a day or two since. The particulars of the affair, so far as could be learned were substantially as follows: Hall and one Michael Belcher, a Kentuckian, and one of his friends, met by agreement just beyond the limits of the State line on the Kentucky side, and Hall and Belcher engaged in a game of cards. For awhile, the game went smoothly enough, but at length a dispute arose, and after some hot words Belcher drew his pistol and fired at Hall, the ball crashing through his brain, when he instantly dropped. But Belcher, not being yet satisfied fired two more shots, one ball passing through Hall’s arm and the other taking effect in his shoulder. STARK DEAD A gentlemen from near this place had been over in Kentucky, and as he ascended the rugged heights of Cumberland mountain on his way back home he met Belcher and his friend, who seemed to be in a very great hurry, and upon being interrogated as to the cause only halted long enough to say that Hall was shot and lying by the road side up on the mountain. Sure enough upon coming up the mountain some distance, there lay Hall stark dead, and his brains spattered over the rocks. Hall was a man of bad character, and was an near relative to Talt Hall, who was hanged at Wise Court House last September. The top of Cumberland mountain is a places resorted to by gambler, drunkards, moonshiners, and the worst element of this county to hold their revels. MARTIN VENTER’S FATAL MISHAP Clintwood, VA., September 5 - Martin Venters, formerly of this county but now of Wise, was seriously if not fatally hurt a day or two since. He was driving a wagon from Norton in the direction of Gladesville when the wagon was upset and Mr. Venters was thrown on a sharp snag, which penetrated his breast, making a terrible wound and injuring his lungs. The physicians pronounced the wound a fatal one. The man was under the influence of liquor, and as it was late in the evening when this occurred no one passed the road, and he lay there through the night. DOC TAYLOR’S TRIAL While at Gladesville I frequently heard the Doc Taylor case commented upon. It seems to be the general opinion that Taylor will be hanged too. Public sentiment is strongly against him. His trail is set for to-day, as he elected to be tried in the Circuit Court. There are many witnesses summoned from the county on both sides of the case. The Fleming boys who are indicted with Taylor for the murder, are said to be staying with their brother, about five miles from here. They were in the vicinity some time about three weeks ago and........ Calvin Fleming, a young man, near this place, was in Kentucky last spring, and while there he shot and killed a young man by the name of Wright, a cousin of his. He was taken into custody there but succeeded in making his escape from the officers of the law, and came back to his father’s where he has been staying since, till yesterday, when some parties came from where the crime was committed and lodged him in jail, while they were awaiting an answer form Gov. McKinney, upon whom a requisition has been made. The crime he committed is said to be willful and he will not doubt pay the penalty. Submitted by Annette Damron. Robert Beverly, Rachel Engle and Louise Vanover Vore MARSHALL THE COMING MAN He will have No Opposition at Richlands. Will Colonel Pridemore Run? Clintwood, VA., August 5. - Unless appearances are deceptive, there will be but one name before the congressional convention to be held at Richlands on the 17th, and that will be “Cyclone” James. W. Marshall. The sentiment from every section of the district favors him, and one else seems to have the shadow of a following. Your correspondent learns that the Republicans are to meet at Bristol on the 26th to take somedecisive steps in regard to the congressional elections, but it is generally thought that they will have no candidate in the field. AN “INDEPENDENT.” It comes from a reliable source that if Council Al L. Pridemore, of Lee County does not recape the Democratic nomination, he will run an independent race and carry the Republican vote of the district with the hopes of having some following from the ranks of our own party, and thus be elected over the regular nominee; but people are prompted to think better things of Colonel Pridemore. THE TWO FLEMINGS HIDING IN DICKENSON [Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., August 1 - The two Fleming boys, Calvin and Henan, who, together with Dr. M. B. Taylor, were indicted for the murder of Ira Mullins and others near Pound Gap, where they have relatives. There is an old farm-house in a secluded spot near here, where it is thought they hide themselves, their friends carrying provisions to them at night. The authorities of Wise county have been prosecuting a vigorous search for them there, and they had to change their haunts. ...together with Doc Taylor, are charged the murder of Ira Mullins, and others, left here and it is thought they have gone to Lawrence co., KY., where they have relatives living. They were hiding in this place for about three weeks, but finding they could not escape arrest long, they left here. They are young, neither of them being over 25 years of age...since their boyhood they have been known as desperate characters. This is a busy season with our farmers who have grass. There is more bay beings saved in this vicinity than ever known before. Grass is unusually good this year. The weather continues to be hot and for the most part dry. There have been some good rains in portions of the county, but by no means have they been general. IRA MULLINS’ GRAVE DESECRATED Ghouls Dynamite the Remains [correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., August 15 - The grave of Ira Mullins, the man who was murdered near Pound Gap last spring, has lately been desecrated in an inhuman manner. Some ghoulish wretches blew the grave up with dynamite or some other explosive substance, exposing the remains of the murdered man. In life he has some terrible enemies and their vengeance is not yet sated. J. F. Smith, of this county, has just returned from Montana, where he went for the spring. Clintwood Happenings >From our regular correspondent Clintwood, VA., August 6 - Our County Clerk, Columbus Phipps, was painfully hurt a day or two since. He and Jasper Colley were engaged in a playful scuffle when the former was thrown to the ground, which resulted in breaking the left clavicle. Your correspondent called to see Mr. Phipps to-day and found him doing unusually well. The examination of teachers closed here yesterday, but the work has not been examined as yet. There were 31 in attendance, though I do not think more than two-thirds of them will receive certificates. Not many of the older teachers attended. This was the first examination for many of them. Thornbury & Rush have removed their goods into the old Chase building, where they will be glad to have their customers call. CLINTWOOD COMMENTS Clintwood, VA., Sept. 1 - [Special] - The Primitive Baptist Convention was held at Stratton, this county, commencing on Friday. The attendance was large and some of the rougher element were under the influence of “moonshine” liquor. A deed has just been admitted to record here from Giden Campbell and others conveying 106,000 acres of land lying in Dickenson, Wise, Russell and Buchanan counties to the Virginia, Tennessee and Carolina Steel and Iron Company. These lands are occupied by people whom the company regard as “squatters”, and have brought a suit of ejectment in the United States Circuit Court at Abingdon. Col. James B. Richmond, of Gate City, is the company’s attorney. Reporter probably Frank Monroe Beverly ----------------------------------- RUBE STEWART KILLED The Noted Kentucky Desperado Accidentally Shots Himself Clintwood, Va., January 23 - Rube Stewart, a noted desperado of Kentucky, accidentally shot himself on Tuesday morning, the wound proving fatal. The occurrence, as related to your correspondent, was substantially as follows: Stewart had been hiding in the mountains of this and Buchanan counties to escape arrest for the murder of Dave Ratliff in Pike county, KY., last fall, and at the time the accident occurred, was staying with a friend, whose house is in the most isolated district of the county. On the morning of the occurrence Stewart was handling a large pistol, which he always carried and carelessly let it fall upon the floor, the hammer, which rested on a cartridge, striking first, when a loud report instantly followed, and Stewart cried out, “I am Killed”. Upon examination it was found that he ball had taken effect in his breast, inflicting a terrible wound, from which death resulted in two hours. A SLED AS A HEARSE His relatives wanted his remains interred in Pike county. An old fashioned sled was made and the body of Stewart laid upon it, covered with bed quilts and tied fast to the sled. Then the men fastened ropes to the end of the sled to pull by and commenced the perilous descent of the mountain over the snow and ice. Some places the snow was waist deep to the men, and the sled would slid and plunge out of sight into these drifts. After some narrow escapes the party arrived at the foot of the mountain with the body, which was placed upon a wagon and hauled to the place of burial. Rube Stewart was a desperate character and was terror to the people of Eastern Kentucky and the border ______ of this state. He has figured prominently in many bloody vendettas. William J. Robinson and Miss Jane Vicars, both of Sand Lick, were married at the home of the bride’s parents on yesterday. THE THREE C’S RAILROAD Work Soon to Be Commenced - It will Run Through Dickenson County. [Correspondence through the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., October 29 - B. A. Simmons of Connecticut, one of the stockholders of the “Three C’s” railroad has been in this county for some days past in the interest of the road. He stays the enterprise is placed on a firm financial basis and will be built in the near future. Work will probably begin early in the spring. The road when built will passthrough the county, it is thought near this place. The election is now a thing of the past, and while some are glad, others are sad or should say mad. Ezekiel Sutherland was defeated by Joshua Counts Circuit county clerk, by 61 votes. Several free fights took place at the different voting places on the day of the election; but fortunately, or unfortunately--owing to the stand point from which it may be viewed--nobody was seriously hurt. Miss Uriah Swindall, of Osborne’s Gap, and Mr. Noah Grizzle, of Grizzle, were married last Thursday at the home of the former. Rev. John C. Swindall officiating. Both of these young people are popularly known in society here, and have many friends. There is a great deal of complaint among our farmers who planted their corn crops in the early part of this month, of the bad stand, which does not exceed 30 per cent on average. Some are planting their entire crops over again. The fruit crop is almost an entire failure. The lumber industry seems to be going on at a lively rate. The logs are to be seen all over the county. This will give employment for the next two years. REPORTER. ARE THEY MORTALLY WOUNDED? Indirect Reports for the Hiding Place of the Fleming Outlaws [Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., July 12 - The two Fleming boys, who were shot by detectives from Big Stone Gap yesterday, are said to be mortally wounded. Henan, the eldest, is shot through the body with a 43 caliber Winchester ball, the ball entering his back and passing out at his breast. Cal is shot in the same manner, except the ball did not pass through him. It is not generally known where they are, but some of their friends and relatives are caring for them. Dr. Phipps, of this place, has gone to attend them. Parties who have seen them say they cannot possibly live. They believed they had killed four of the detectives and the report was circulated through the community, but it is now learned they escaped unhurt except a slight flesh wound that one of them received. THE MULLINS TRAGEDY It has now been more than a year since the murder of which the Flemings are accused was committed and they have avoided arrest,living most of the time in the woods in which they allegedly confessed their guilt and said that their arrest meant the worst to them; that they would rather die rather than submit to being arrested, and so they have grown desperate. Wiley Davis, who was stabbed by Jack Howell the other day, is thought not to be fatally wounded. Howell is in jail awaiting a preliminary hearing. WOUNDED BY OUTLAWS Rueb Stuart and Gang Fire on Officers - Operations of the White Caps [Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., December 16 - Your corespondent has just learned some particulars of a shooting affair on yesterday in the lower part of the county. Reuben Stuart, a desperate character, who is wanted for murder in Pike county, Ky., was on Grassy creek, where some parties attempted to arrest him, when he and one or two of his friends who were in company with him at the time opened fire on them. Two of the officer’s party were wounded. Sherill was seriously, if not fatally wounded in the back, and a man from Buchanan county whose name I cannot recall was wounded in the arm. The outlaws escaped unhurt so far as can be learned. SHOT A HORSE Robert Baker, a farmer who lives near this place, came into town yesterday, and being under the influence of liquor, fired his pistol in the street , the ball taking effect in the leg of a horse which was hitched to a post near by. He was promptly arrested. The horse belonged to James France, who has brought suit in the Circuit court to recover damages. The White Caps have been operating the vicinity of McClure creek, in this county recently. They whipped three parties severely, and I understand that some parties have been indicted for the act at this term of the County court. There was a school-house burned on McClure creek a few nights since. It is thought to have been the work of an incendiary, but as yet suspicion seems to rest on no one. DICKENSON’S NEW COURTHOUSE Present Structure Unsafe and Must be Torn Down [Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch] Clintwood, VA., April 19 - At a recent meeting of the Board of Supervisors of this county, steps were taken for the erection of a new court-house. A committee was appointed to draw up a plan and specifications. The board will meet on the 24th so let the work contract. The county builds a house in 1883, but as the foundation of the building is defective it has been pronounce unsafe for some time and will be torn down. Mr. Rueben Powers and Miss Nancy Roberson were married at Crane’s Nest on Sunday last. There is being considerable money invested in standing oak timber in this county. This section has fine oak timber as can be found in the country, and as much of it to the area. But little work has been done by our farmers as yet, in consequence of the bad weather. Clintwood, VA., Feb. 11. - As it has been quite awhile since I appeared in your columns, I will try to put in an appearance, though news items are very scarce at this place just now. There is considerable sickness in this vicinity. Geo. W. Robinson, who lives near this place, is not expected to live. He has a cancer in his eye and is old a feeble, his age being about 90. Wm. Fleming, is seriously ill with fever; but doctors think he will recover. There is some talk as to the race for the clerkship of this county. From present appearance, it seems as if, Ira Vanover and J. C. Counts, are to be the candidates. Phipps, the present incumbent, will not be a candidate for reelection. Having served two terms, he is willing for some one else to share the honors as well as the salary. Rev. Samuel Hensley, of the Freewill Baptist Fraternity, died at his home near Kenady, this county, a short time ago. His death was very sudden. He ate his dinner apparently in good health, and within two hours, he was dead. The deceased was bout seventy years old, and had many friends in the community where he lived who will sadly miss him. Our County Court will begin on next Tuesday at this place. We have had no court here since the September term, and so there will be considerable business to be transacted. There are several felony cases on the docket, to be disposed of. Mrs. Rush, of this place, who has been very low with typhoid fever, is slowly convalescing and will recover it is now thought. There are several cases of fever in this community, but there has only, as yet, one death resulted from this immediate vicinity. We hear some complaint of the schools being very irregularly attended throughout the county. There seems to be a lack of interest in both patrons and students and consequently our schools will not make as good a showing as they should. Your correspondent learns that Roland E. Chase, the present P.M. at this place, will soon resign and recommend L. M. Vanover for the position. Rather premature it seems; he might wait a while and save himself the unnecessary trouble. News has just reached here to the effect that Auxier Damron, a young man of this place, has been killed in West Virginia. He was unmarried and was addicted to bad habits. His parent were among the best people of our place and seem to be much affected by his death. Miss Minnie Chase, one of Dickenson county’s loveliest belles, has gone to Bristol, Tenn., where she will spend the holidays. Ye correspondent wishes her much pleasure of course. DOTS FROM FAR DICKENSON Clintwood, VA., September 22 - Mr. William A. Donaldson, a prominent farmer near this place, has sold his farm and crop to Rev. E. A. Dunbar and will shortly remove to Kentucky. Miss Emma Clark and Enoch Potter came over from Kentucky yesterday and were made one by Clerk Phipps. They came in about 12 o’clock and were at once united, when they left for home again, rejoicing. It is nearer here than to the county seat of Pike county from the upper end of the county, and consequently many couples come here to have the nuptial knot tied. POLITICAL Campaign matters are quiet at present, but we are expecting a warm time later on. Conservative men estimate this county safe for the Democrats by a good majority. The Third party will cut a poor figure here. In fact, I doubt whether they will poll a dozen votes in the county. Farmers have been busy saving their fodder for the past two weeks. Clintwood, Va. Joseph D. Hibbitts, of Long’s Fork, this county, and Miss Mary Dotson, of the same place, were united in the bonds of matrimony on Thursday. Hope they may find their path through life strewn with..... Hunting seems to be the order of the day since the snow fell. The birds and rabbits are having a hard time of it. John C. Smith, of Stratton, has just returned from Kentucky, where he has been engaged in teaching the “young idea how to school”, for the last five months. Mr. Smith is an estimable young man, and I bespeak him success in the profession of teaching. WEDDING AT LANG’S FORK Clintwood, VA., January 6 - Miss Mary Datson and Mr. Joseph D. Hibbitts, both of Lang’s Fork, were united in the bonds of wedlock on Tuesday last at the residence of the bride’s parents. Rev. John C. Swindall officiating. Most of the schools of this county will close this week making the terms four and one-half months in length. Our schools have not been as properous as usual this year, from some cause or other. A BIG BEAR There is a large black bear in Cumberland mountains, about five miles from here. He has been there since the snow fell about two weeks ago. Parties have been following him most of the time, but as yet only one shot has been fired at him, and it did not take effect. He is said to be an uncommonly large one. DICKENSON’S QUIET CAMPAIGN Clintwood, VA., October 29 - Outside appearances indicate a quiet campaign here, but there is much work being done by both parties. We have had only two speeches served here as yet. Mr. T. R. Jackson, of Scott county, is advertised to address the people at Stratton, this county on the 3rd day of November, and at Sand Lick on the 4th. Mr. Jackson is the chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Scott county, and is said to be an excellent campaign orator. It is thought here that Cowan, the Third Party candidate, will withdraw in favor of Wood. In fact, your correspondent had just heard from a reliable gentleman of this county that Cowan expressed himself to him in this wise: That if he ascertained that Wood is stronger than himself he would withdraw and give Wood his influence. I do not think there is any doubt but that we can elect Marshall. All Democrats, however, should be ______ if over-confidence. CLINTWOOD CULLINGS Clintwood. Oct. 23-[Special]- There is considerable complaint of the irregularities in the mails here of late. It is thought the trouble is at some office between here and Cleveland, in Russell county. Cannot honest John Wanamaker or some of his subordinates attend to this matter? Richard Hall and John McCombs were arrested a day or two since by Deputy Sheriff Hall upon a warrant charging them with having stolen a keg of brandy from the distillery of George Stanley in the “south of the mountain”. They had a preliminary hearing before Justices Hill and Adams on yesterday, in which Hall was acquitted and McCombs bound over to answer to an indictment at the next sitting of the grand jury. Samuel Stanly, a farmer living near this place, has sold off his effects and will soon remove to Illinois, where he expects to make his future home. Clintwood, VA., April 10 - James Sykes, a young man of Ava, this county, accidentally shot himself in the leg, at this place, on yesterday. The wound inflicted is an ugly one, but not dangerous. Sykes and some others were together testing some newly made “moonshine”, and Sykes, finding it first rate, tested his pistol also. HIDING PLACE OF THE MULLINS FAMILY MURDERERS. It is said that Cal and Henan Fleming, who are charged with the murder of the Mullins family at Pound Gap last spring, are again in this vicinity staying with their brother. Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Annette Damron. Robert Beverly, Rachel Vore Engle and Louise Vanover Vore