Selected Newspaper Articles, c1890's - c1900's - Dickenson Co. VA (Submitter note: News from Dickenson County, VA in 1890’s. Name of newspaper unknown.) PRIMITIVE CUSTOMS - DIGGING SANG - PLOUGHING UNDER DIFFICULTIES Dwell, June 11 - Your correspondent lately made a trip through the mountains in Cleburne, over in Wise Co., and en route passed through a neighborhood in the upper end of this county where the most primitive customs yet prevail; in fact, these savor strongly of ante-bellum days, and I could imagine that, the people were talking of “secesh” and “union”. The people still grow flax, “soak”, “scufch”, “hatchel” and spin on the old time spinning-wheel, when it is ready to weave into cloth upon the cumbersome loom that is given a place in the one-room log-house that serves as a dwelling. In an isolated, out of the way place, where it looked as if the bear, panther, or even something larger might be hiding, a decrepit old woman, who mast have seen the genseng stalks grow up, flourish and die 80 times at least, was observed a short distance from the path with a “sang-hoe”. Yes, to use a word now almost obsolete and always non-spellable, she was out ”___sangin’”. NEEDED STORE GOODS Poor old woman! She needed some “store goods”, and must “sang” to get them. She used to raise sheep and geese and had wool and feathers to sell, but since “the old man” had died, and her children had all left the old homestead, she could not any longer have the products named, and must dig “sang” to pay for her few supplies. She would get $2.24 per pound for it dried, but could not, upon the acreage, dig more a day than would make an ounce dried. I could not help ______ as I pursued my solitary way, whether she would “sang” in these hollers next year, or whether she will have gone to that bourne whence none ever return. At another point I passed by a little _____ where the serpentine rail-fence looked as if the ‘coon-hunters might have built fires out of rails stolen from it before the war, and saw a man ploughing an ox under a half-yoke. The poor animal looked as though these June days were too sultry for him, but he was slow and patient as his king. I shall look for this man to be like the one in the song, a stanza of which I quote: In July it was ankle-high. In September he laid it by, In October there came a little frost, And the seed of the corn the poor man lost. 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”] A MYSTERY (Expressly for FREE PRESS by Frank M. BEVERLY) There are some surpassingly strange things that take place in this world, and the narrative which I propose to relate is one of them; and my readers are at liberty to form their own conclusions in regard to the affair; but there seems to be only one natural conclusion, as to the origin of the cause that prompted the main action of the event. In the year 1872, there lived in my native village of C--, in one of the Southern States, a family who bore the name of STANFORD, consisting of five members, father, mother, one daughter and two sons. The girl, whose name was Evangeline was the eldest of the children, her age being 20 years, and the boys, George & Isaac, 18 & 16 respectively. This family had won the respect and good wishes of everybody in the entire community and was looked upon as a model family in every respect. Their dwelling was situated in the suburbs of the village. Mr. STANFORD owned a farm of 100 acres and was a farmer by occupation.....Evageline was also a student while school was in session, and helped her mother attend to the domestic affairs of the family. They were all fairly well educated, to have obtained their learning from the country schools. If a prize was offered at the close of the term for the best declamation in the senior class, it was saying in the village that one of the STANFORD boys was sure of the honor of wining it; and Evageline always stood high in her class, indeed in point of intelligence, she was equal to the two boys, and they found much pleasure in assisting each other in their studies. But happily as they seemed to be situated, a day came when clouds began to obscure their horizon the fact that all was not well dawned on them the curtain that hid the future from them seemed to be drawn aside, and they gazed upon a dark and dreadful aspect. The first omen of impending evil, came to them one morning when George related a dream which he had had the previous night. He seemed to be deeply effected, and as he related it, he could not restrain the tears, and they flowed freely down his now, somewhat pale looking cheeks. The dream was substantially as follows, omitting, perhaps some details, which are unimportant in this connection: “I dreamed last night that through the instigation of the devil, for it was none less, I was forced to take a gun and shoot Isaac dead. This I was forced to do, I had no choice in the matter. It was such a terrible thing that I can hardly bear to think of it; but yet I cannot get it off my mind.” A MYSTERY by Frank M. Beverly - Continued. Isaac laughed outright at what he was pleased to call George’s whimsical notions, and said that dreams mean nothing, that such dreams are the result of a disordered stomach, and that as for his part, he should not trouble himself about his dreams. Mrs. STANFORD did not look all together at ease; but she told George that as the first impressions of his dream wore off, he would not think the matter so serious; that she had had dreams her herself that troubled her while they were fresh upon her mind. Mr. STANDFORD and Evageline also pretended to view the matter in no serious light; but could you have seen their faces, you would have seen something like uncertain shadows spreading over their countenances. They, however, told George that it signified nothing; it was a nightmare, perhaps the result of too hearty a supper, that he should place his thoughts upon his studies, and by tomorrow it would have all have passed away, and it would give him no more trouble. After this conversation there was no more said about the matter in George’s presence but they all seemed to have some........ Mrs. STANFORD took the responsibility upon herself to arrange matters. It seemed a very strange thing to be taking precautions against an evil, the coming of which was suggested by a dream, but still they could not rid themselves of a presentiment and so in the afternoon while George was away, Mrs. STANFORD took the gun and placed it in the attic room and locked the door. Then she thought to make the matter doubly safe, she would take the key of the attic room and placed it in a shelf in another room and locked that door, taking the key of that door and hiding it in the old kitchen clock. Now, George knew nothing of all this, and it caused the fond mother’s heart to bleed from she said to herself that it looked to much like she suspected her son of some evil design, but God knew her heart. She thought that if he know where the gun and keys were in his waking hours that in his sleep some evil influence, which she cared not name to herself, might take charge of him and conduct him from the first key to the last where the gun was secreted in the attic room; but now she felt very sure nothing could happen. But the security which her thoughts pictured to her were false. She was not initiated into he mysteries of life, and so could not know the many strange things that are hourly taking place on all sides. She did not know that the evil influence, which she preferred to let remain nameless, could be brought to bear upon her son in his sleeping hours, that would lead him to the first key that was hidden in the clock, then the next one in the shelf, from there tot he bureau, then to the attic room where the gun was hidden, and force him to use it for any evil purpose. But yet such was the case. They retired for the night, the two boys were placed in separate rooms. O, God’ Could they have seen the dire event that was to befall them that night! I shudder to think! Yes, this world is full of mysteries, buy you may b e filled with wonder when I tell you that in the silent hours of the night, a loud report of a gun was heard in Isaac’s room which instantly awoke all the others, and they all knew only to well what it ment. Gentle reader, should you ever come to C---- if you will go to the village cemetery will read on a plain, unpretentious marble slab the following epitaph: ISAAC STANFORD Born August 20, 1856 Died Sept. 16, 1872 “A MYSTERY” Dwale, VA., June 18 - Mrs. Myrit HENSLEY, widow of Rev. Samuel HENSLEY, died a day or two since at her residence on Camp Creek. She was an extimable lady, far advance in years and will be sadly missed in the neighborhood where she resides. [ca. 1896?] Mrs. John F. TRIVITT, of Freeling, is very low with fever, and her recovery is thought to be a matter of uncertainty. Rev. W. C. HICKS, who has charge of the Clintwood mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, wedded a Miss WAMPLER, of “The Ridge”, a day or two since. Clintwood, VA., Jan. 2 - Some of the prisoners who were confined in jail here made their escape Tuesday night. The jailer, Abednego KISER, who is an elderly man, went into the jail to wait on the inmates, when two or three of the most athletic ran over him and passed out. It will be remembered that James ROSE and some others played the same trick on Mr. KISER last fall, by which means they effected their temporary freedom. VIRGINIA LETTER Dwale, Dickenson, Co., VA., July 14, ‘96 Editor FREE PRESS - An Indian’s grave was discovered in the vicinity of Dwale, a day or two since, and soon a party of curious persons gathered upon the spot, and decided to open it, and see what manner of trinkets had been placed in the grave to accompany the poor to the happy hunting ground. with spades and mattocks the party dug into the earth about one foot, where they found a layer of flat rocks, covering the entire grave over. After removing these rocks, they found various articles and trinkets, such as pieces of crockery, arrow-heads, curiously carved ____ rocks, pieces of isinglass, in size about ___ by three inches. Pieces of bones were also found, but they were in a bad state of preservation. Charcoal in small pieces were found intermixed with these things. It is said to have been the custom among primitive Indians when one of the number died, to bury all of his possessions with him, that he might at once, ___ his earthly career and take up his abode in the happy hunting grounds of his fathers. There are several legends in this neighborhood connected with the read men, two of which I beg to relate: There is a large popular tree, more than 25 feet in circumference, standing one-fourth of a mile from Dwale, which “forks” some 40 feet from the ground, each fork being larger than an ordinary popular tree. In one of these there is a knot-hole, in which it is said the Indians stored a quantity of silver, reaching that point of the tree by cutting a tree which lodged in the “forks” of the popular. To this log they ascended till they reached the desired point. After storing their silver away, they let the log drop to the ground by cutting off a stick as high up as they could reach, when the end would fall down; and..... ....ledge or mass of rocks one-half a mile in length, turning parallel with the Buchanan road, having a wide chasm in the middle of the rock, lengthwise, the whole distance. It looks very much like some herculean force had rent the rocks in a former age. In several places the rock on the lower side of it was broken, and great masses have rolled away, leaving large openings. The ground above the ledge is beautifully rolling, and almost the ideal loveliness, while below it the surface presents a striking contrast, being the very picture of ruggedness. There is space enough on two of these rocks in several places on the opposite side of the chasm from the road for a game of base ball to be played, almost perfectly level, and covered with a species of wild grass and shrubbery. Once upon a time there were some pious Indian living in their wigwams upon the rocks, and the Okes (the devil) hated them, because they were pious; but durst not do them any bodily harm. One day he caught them all away from their homes, and is destroy their habitations he rent the ledge in twain, and when they returned he told them in a very haughty, triumphant manner that this chasm should always grow wider, till the rocks broken off would all roll away. So these poor Indians left there sorrowing and some of the rocks have since rolled away, and the time will come according to the legend, when none of them will be left there to form the chasm, upon which many have gazed with wonder. A familiar figure has gone from the streets and suburbs of Clintwood. For many, many days past an old horse belonging to Mr. ROSS of that place, has been driven in a small wagon about that vicinity. Though the poor old horse was very lame, he seemed to take his daily task in the greatest of patience, and did a deal of work during his lifetime; but now, alas! He has yielded up the ghost and is no more upon this mundane sphere. May his ashes rest in peace--but stop--I cannot desist, without pluming my wings and sailing into the realms of poetry upon this occasion: The poor old horse his duty done, While here on earth he stayed, But still his master lingers on, Because to die he is afraid. Frank M. BEVERLY Clintwood, VA., Jan. 2 - the killing of WELLS and SALYER on Christmas-Day seems to have created something of a sensation through the whole county. It is now charged that the killing was uncalled for; and that POWERS and KENADY are guilty under the law. I hear that the feeling is so strong against them that POWERS has gone to Wise Co. for protection. Deputy-Marshall B. B. COLLEY, who was shot near Clintwood, a few days ago, is improving. Doctors BANNERS & WOLF, from Coeburn, VA., have been attending him and it is thought that he is in a fair way to recover. It seems that chicken-thieves are getting to be quite numerous in this community. A day or two since warrants were sworn out before the Mayor for Walker ROSE and Milburn MULLINS, in which they are charged with stealing chickens. These parties, with some others, were caught in the act of stealing corn a short time since, and are now under bond for their appearance at court to answer the charge. Dwale, VA., June 15 - There is some talk among our people as to the Gubernatorial contest. The sentiment among Democrats favor Hage TYLER. THE WORD “LEGHORN” Please tell me the right pronunciation of the word “Leghorn”. when applied to a breed of chickens. Some say the sound of the letter “h” is dropped; but I have no standard authority to refer to, except where the word has a different meaning. F. M. B., Dwale, VA. There is but one pronunciation for the word. The meaning does not change it. It is “Leg-horn” accent on the first, the “o” is in the second having the same sound as in not, and the “h” sounded. The pronunciation “leg-gern” is incorrect, though common. A FAMILY FEUD Dwale, M_- 18 - William ADKINS, who has figured in a family feud has recently lost a yoke of oxen and a horse, supposed to have been poisoned. This trouble grew out of some cattle of one member of ADKINS family getting into a cornfield belonging to another, and while no lives have been lost several have been fired upon from ambush and wounded. Serious trouble is looked for at any time, as there is bad blood in the family, and both sides seem to be fully aroused and determined. Dwale, VA., June 2 - Tandy & Dave FLEMING, cousins, who reside near this place, became involved in a difficulty yesterday, when Dave struck Tandy in the head with a rock cutting a frightful gash, and perhaps fracturing the skull. The trouble came up over some gossiping in which the wives of the two men had played a conspicuous part. Dave has probably gone to KY as the authorities cannot find him. The affair has caused quiet a sensation and further troubles are looked for. Dwale, VA., July 21 - A cloud-burst occurred in Letcher Co, KY, an adjoining county, day before yesterday doing considerable damage. the dwelling-house of Andrew WEBB, a farmer of Sergent, was flooded and the family forced to flee to higher ground for their lives. Ten feet of floating debris swept the house away..... STABBED HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW Dwale, Sept. 18, - David ADAMS, a farmer of Line Creek, just across the State line on the KY side, seriously if not fatally stabbed his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennie ADAMS, on yesterday. He also cut Miss Mary ADAMS, his sister-in-law, several times in the arms and legs. Your correspondent is not advised as to what the trouble came up over. ADAMS served a 3 yr. sentence in the KY penitentiary for stabbing one J. A. HOLBROOK in 1891. He is sad to be a reckless, desperate character. It is not learned whether he made his escape or not. It is unusually dry and hot here now. The creeks and springs have nearly all dried up, so that it is difficult for stock to get water. All the grists mills that were driven by water power have stopped, and most of our people find it difficult to get their supplies of meal. Dwale, VA., Aug. 9 - A little daughter of William ROSE of the “Ridge”, died of fever a day or two ago. There are several cases of fever in that vicinity. ANNOYING A LADY TEACHER Dwale, VA., Aug. 24 - Miss Sarah ROSE, a school mistress of Caney Creek, began teaching on the “Ridge” a few days ago, and there seems to have been an interruption kept up the whole time by some parties who are opposed to the teacher. A night or two since it is said that every seat was carried away out of the house, and the windows were also taken out. It is known who the parties are, and doubtless the authorities will take the matter in hand. The Republicans of this legislative district, composed of the counties of Wise, Dickenson, & Buchanan, will hold their convention at Clintwood on the 16th of Aug. So far as your correspondent can learn, Joseph HIBBITS, of Buchanan, is in the lead. Mr. HIBBIT’s has been county and Circuit Court Clerk of that county for many years. He will have some opposition in the convention, F. H. EVANS, an attorney of that county, will be an aspirant, also as was noticed in this correspondence before. Martin THORNBURY, a 12 yr. old boy of Clintwood, had the misfortune to break his arm some months ago; but it was apparently sound, when yesterday he had it broken again in the same place. Dwale, VA., Aug. 24 - County-School-Superintendent James H. LONG, of Clintwood had the misfortune to cut his leg very badly a day or two since. the accident has disabled him for some days. Attorney Roland E. CHASE, of Clintwood is confined to the sick-room with fever. Clintwood, VA., Oct. 2 - Saturday evening three of the inmates of the jail at this place effected... [an escape]...And Abner KISER, an elderly gentleman was placed in charge. On the evening in question, Mr. KISER went in to wait upon the prisoners, when William J. ROSE, “Son” MULLINS, and John HOPSON ran over him, passed through the door and left. ROSE was tried for the murder of his brother, Frank, at the last term of Court, found guilty, and his punishment fixed at 8 years in the penitentiary, but executions of the sentence was stayed 60 days in order to carry his case up to Circuit Court and ask for a rehearing. MULLINS was tried for a felonious attempt upon the life of one of his neighbors and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in the penitentiary, and execution in his case was stayed for the same purpose. HOPSON was fined for illicit traffic in whiskey, and being unable to pay the fine, was sent to jail William COUNTS has been arrested upon suspicion of some foul play on Deputy-Sheriff James SUTHERLAND and placed in jail No one but COUNTS was present when the occurrence took place, and he reported that SUTHERLAND shot himself, but it is stated that the two men had had some trouble that morning and had quarreled. Clintwood, VA., Sept. 12 - The Democrats of the legislative district composed of the counties of Wise, Dickenson, & Buchanan assembled in convention here Tuesday for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the House of Delegates. The meeting was largely attended, and many Republicans were present to witness the proceedings. Everyone seemed to be in the best of humor, and good feelings predominated. The conventions was called to order by Henry KEEL, county chairman, who briefly explained its object. W.H. BOND, of Wise, was elected as permanent chairman and Robert W. ERVIN, of Dickenson, secretary. Just at this juncture two large vicious-looking dogs came trotting into the court-room and began to fight vigorously, the crowd giving back each way and leaving and open space for the combat. R. P. BRUCE, Commonwealth’s Attorney of Wise, called for order, but the foreign visitors did not seem to know any parliamentary rules, and the fight progressed. However, the battle was soon over, and quiet restored. The superstitious might regard this as an ill-omen; but the convention was not the least bit superstitious and just simply “went ahead” and nominated a man, who “is bound to win.” Mr. R. W. IRVING, in a telling speech of 30 minutes, put in nomination Rev. William B. SUTHERLAND, of Dickenson Co. Attorney William H. WERTH, of Wise, seconded the nomination of Mr. SUTHERLAND, which was made by acclamation. A committee was appointed to wait on Mr. SUTHERLAND and inform him of his nomination. Soon he appeared before the convention and accepted the nomination on a short, but appropriate speech. Rev. William B. SUTHERLAND is a man of about 40 years of age, and has been..... Dwale, Va., July 16 - The Democrats of Dickenson County met in mass-meeting at Clintwood and appointed delegated to the Roanoke convention. The Co. is entitled to 5 delegates; and the following were appointed: James H. LONG, J. M. SKEEN, Charles W. POWERS, J. C. KERR, & Alfred A. SKEEN. After some wrangling the delegation was instructed for Hon. J. Hadge TYLER for Governor and for W. A. ALEXANDER for Attorney-General. Mr. Alfred A. SKEEN, of Clintwood, was appointed as county chairman for the next two years. Dwale, VA., July 19 - County Court has just adjourned. The grand jury was in session for 3 days and returned 13 indictments. Among the number was one against Dave FLEMING, for a felonious assault upon Tandy FLEMING sometime ago. Mark DAVIS was tried at this term for house-breaking and given two months in the county jail and fined $20. CURIOSITIES AT DWALE Frank M. BEVERLY, Correspondent Dwale, Dickenson, Co., Va., July 15, 1896 Mrs. Rev. Elias ROSE, of near this place, is critically ill with some form of dropsy. Her attending physician, Dr. PHIPPS, of Clintwood, says that she can not recover. SAD CASE IS THIS Dwale, VA., June 22 - Columbus COUNTS, of near this place, had become afflicted with some form of dementis. His mother has been similarly afflicted for some months, which seemed to produce a moody effect upon him, and it has almost developed a stage of acute mania. Young COUNTS is about 22, and unmarried. Dwale, VA., June 15 - Mrs. P. J. SCHLICK, who represents the interests of a large lumber company in this county, is very ill at Clintwood, and it is rather doubtful about his recovery. He has consumption. He is from the State of New York, and has been here for over two years. Dogs broke into a flock of sheep belonging to Miss Nancy MULLINS of this place last night, and killed seven of them. Dwale, VA., Aug 5 - William FLEMING, a detective of this place, has just returned from West VA. in charge of a man answering to the description of a one John HOLLAND, who is wanted at Knoxville, TN., for murder. FLEMING located the man at Eagerton, W.VA., where he was working at a saw mill. The man stoutly protests his innocence, and declares that he is well able to prove that he is not the man wanted. He was placed in Clintwood jail, where he will remain til FLEMING can communicate what the TN. authorities, and arrive at something more definite in regard to the matter. SNAKE’S EYES Dwale, VA., Aug. 19 - Mrs. Ira STANLEY, of near this place, missed her baby from the house yesterday and going into the yard to look for the little one, found it sitting there and a large rattlesnake crawling toward it within a foot or two of it. She snatched the child up before the snake reached it, and saved it from harm. Then she ran into the house and seized a fire shovel, with which she returned and soon dispatched the reptile. It is thought that Caleb LAND who killed Robert STANLEY, as was noted in this correspondence, is in hiding in the Cumberland mountains. STANLEY’s friends have offered a reward for this arrest and delivery to the authorities and some parties have been hunting for him. It is said that he has threatened to shot his father and brother-in-law and that they are [un]easy. .....This makes the third death in the family from the fever within a month. First the death of John W. SWINDAL, head of the family occurred; then James SWINDAL, Sheriff of Dickenson Co., died, and lastly, the death of George SWINDAL is announced. The decease is about 23 yrs of age, and leaves a wife and one child. DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN REV. E. J. ROSE PASSES AWAY IN DICKENSON COUNTY Dwale, VA., Aug. 13 - Rev. Elias J. ROSE died at his home on the “Ridge” early this morning of typhoid fever. Mr. ROSE connected himself with the Primitive Baptist Church over 20 years ago, and has long been officiating in the capacity of minister. He leaves a family. GOING WEST Freeling, W.VA., Mar. 21 - Quite a number of our people have recently emigrated to the State of Washington and several others (young men) are starting within a day or two. It is said that a party of 75 will leave Buchanan for that State within a few days. It begins to look something like an exodus. All those who have gone write their friends that they are well pleased with the country. Freeling, VA., Oct 29 - Hon. Samuel W. WILLIAMS & Walter DICKENSON, of Russell Co., met in joint discussion at Clintwood on the 27th. Mr. WILLIAMS had been advertised to speak on that day, and the crowd that assembled was the largest ever seen at the capital of Dickenson Co., being variously estimated at from 800 to 1000 persons. There were, perhaps, 200 ladies assembled. R. Walter DICKENSON was in town, and the Republicans asked for a joint discussion between him and WILLIAMS, but as DICKENSON had not the reputation of an orator, Mr. WILLIAMS did not care to enter in to the arrangement. This did not satisfy our friends-the Republicans- -and as they insisted so strongly for the discussion, it was arranged for DICKENSON to open with an hour and twenty minutes and WILLIAMS the same time, with reply and rejoinder of twenty minutes each. DICKENSON proved himself a mere pigmy, intellectually, beside WILLIAMS. Moses MOORE, a substantial farmer of Osborn’s Gap neighborhood, has his barn with some provender and tools and two horses burned up last night. Mr. MOORE saw the barn burning, and started out to let the horses loose, but was fired upon twice before reaching the building, when he ran back to the house. Some parties are suspected, but no arrests have been made as yet. Freeling, VA., Apr. ___ - There were four persons sentenced to the penitentiary at the April term of Dickenson Co. Court. John W. BOGGS, 3 yrs. for burning Moses MOORE’s barn and horses last fall, and three McCOYS (brothers) for house-breaking, two years each. These parties all confessed and took the lowest penalty. Isaac LAMBERT, of the East End of this county, was killed by a falling tree a day or two since. He was felling trees for logging purposes. There are three applicants for the county school superintendentship of this county--J. H. LONG, the incumbent, J. E. FRENCH, and Henry KEEL. As each of the aspirants are warm personal friends the contest is waxing warm. Dec. 13 - Alex. BRYANT formerly of this place but now____, was fatally shot in the head _____ Tuesday night. BRYANT has a wife and two or three children. Clintwood, VA., Mar. 8 - Gordon C. CLINE, of Wyoming Co., W.VA., is here representing a Richmond nursery. Some of our people seem to be subscribing quite liberally. A great deal of nursery stock has been brought into this county within the last five years. Clintwood, VA., Feb. 6 - Ex-Sheriff Samuel G. KEEL, who lives near this place, is in a critical condition with fever, and is not expected to live. He has been ill for about two weeks. Dr. E. L. PHIPPS is in attendance upon him, and informed your correspondent to-day that he considers his a hopeless case, as the fever seems to be beyond control. Mr. Reuben CANTRELL, a merchant of this town, has sold his property here and will soon remove to Ervinton, a little village on the road that leads from here to Cleveland. The school-house on Rush creek, a few miles southeast of this place, was burned a few nights ago. It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. Edward SMITH, who was teaching there at the time the house was burned says upon leaving the house on that evening he extinguished the fire, and is positive that someone must have set fire to it. There have been several school-housed destroyed in this.... Wilburn KILLEN has sold his farm in the “South” of Cumberland Mountain, and will remove to Wise Co. the coming spring. Mr. KILLEN served 4 years as sheriff of this county from 1887 to 1891, and in that capacity he won the esteem of our people generally. He has purchased a farm on Bowl-Camp Creek in Wise, where he is going. Swinfield ROSE has just drawn a Federal pension. There is quite a number of these pensions in Dickenson County. Clintwood, VA., May 9 - Victoria TAYLOR, an unmarried woman, who has several children, shamefully beat the eldest one--a girl of some 8 years--on yesterday. The girl had stayed over night at a neighbor’s house with whom the woman was not on good terms, and when she came back home her mother seized a large tincup and beat her about the head and face, cutting her till the blood flowed so freely that she was nearly covered in it. She will probably be taken into hand by the authorities immediately. Her maltreatment of the child has been a subject of conversation among her neighbors for some years. Mr. Alfred SKEEN, a young man of this place who is preparing for the bar, has gone to Bluefield, W.VA., to prosecute his studies. A MICHIAGANDER MARRIES IN VIRGINIA (Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch) Clintwood, VA., Apr. 29 - Mr. D. P. VALLEY, of Michigan, and Miss Mary JONES, daughter of Judge JONES, of this place were married on yesterday at the residence of the bride’s parents. Rev. Charles L STRADLEY, of Wytheville, officiating. Mr. VALLEY is a strong young man of 21 or thereabouts and has been engaged in the walnut lumber interests he for the past 12 months. The couple will leave to-day for Michigan and other points up North. The other day Widow TAYLOR, who lives near this place, while on her way to town, was beset by several ruffianly characters, known in the neighborhood by the name of “CUDDY”, and badly beaten. One of the number knocked her down in the branch, which the road crossed at that point, and another, a woman, frightfully beat her on the head with a rock. Mrs. TAYLOR at once went to a justice and procured warrants for their arrest, and the woman who beat her with the rock is now in jail, and others of the gang will soon be lodged there. No cause is given for this rash act except that Mrs. TAYLOR had “talked’ about them. Clintwood, VA., May 26 - Old Mr. Lilburn FULTON, while fishing in the Pound river, had his right leg broken recently by the falling of a dead tree. A little 6-yr,-old daughter of Solomon FLEMING, near this place, was so badly burned this morning that she is not expected to live. She was standing near the fire, when her clothing caught in a blaze, and the efforts of her parents could not extinguish until she was frightfully burned. Mr. Charles TURNER, a prominent farmer, who lived near this place, has recently_____a steam grist-mill and located........... Clintwood, VA., Apr. 25 - The trial of Schofield KISER for the murder of Aaron GIBSON about one year ago has just closed. It has been the most remarkable trail ever in this county. Mr. KISER was found “not guilty” by the jury. Rev. James HILL of the Methodist Church died at his son’s near this place a day or two since, at an extreme old age and had been in the ministerial service for about 40 yrs. Matthew PERRY, a farmer of this county, died recently of fever. 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....... Clintwood, VA., May 18 - A meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held recently for the purpose of taking some steps in regard to building a new court-house, but nothing was done. The magisterial districts of the county are so arranged that two of the board favor the McClure section for the county site and the other two favor the present location at Clintwood. There will doubtless be considerable trouble over this manner. There are at this time only two candidates in the field for Clerk--Ezekiel SUTHERLAND & J. C. COUNTS. Sutherland is the more popular of the two, and the general impression is that he will be elected by a handsome majority. Clintwood, VA., Sept. 15 - About a year ago a man something past middle age came to this county and gave his name as J. W. MILLER. Nobody knew where he came from nor, in fact, anything of his past history. On yesterday he was arrested as one who filled the description, of a man who is wanted in Buffalo, N. Y., for swindling a life-insurance company. The man “wanted” had his life insured by the insurance company and left home, when his family made false proof that he died and drew the amount of the insurance. Parties who have seen the portrait are description say the MILLER “fills” the bill. Calvin FLEMING, a young man near this place, was in KY. last spring, and while there shot and killed a young man by the name of WRIGHT, a cousin of his. He was taken in custody there, but succeeded in making his escape from the officers 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 had him arrested. He is now in jail here awaiting an answer from Governor McKINNEY, upon whom a requisition had been made. The crime he committed in KY is said to have been willful, and he will no doubt pay the penalty. Clintwood, VA., Mar. 29 - Lawrence CANTRELL, a young man of this county, had the misfortune to get his foot so badly........Young CANTRELL seems to be doing well and his recovery is assured. Mr. Richard L COUNTS, ex-member of the Virginia Legislature, has sold his property in this place and is going to _______ in a few weeks. Clintwood, VA., Dec. 7 - A gentleman of this place has just returned from Coeburn, over in Wise Co., & reports that work is being commenced on the branch from that place to point on Crane’s Nest creek, in this county. The road will past through the Fuller Gap. There is much valuable timber and coal along this route. Mrs. RUSH, of this place, who was reported in this correspondence a few days ago as being critically ill, is slowly convalescing and will probably recover. Mr. William WALLIS, the Englishman, is here, yet examining the land records of the clerk’s office and will be for several days yet. Your correspondent called on him a day or two since with an autograph album, and found him kindly disposed to contribute something, as follows: “Virginia, named after my England’s Virgin Queen, As fair to look upon as any land ever seen, Thy mountains, with beauty clad, peer upward to the sky; Within thy soil’s skirt priceless, limitless treasures lie; Thy people noble, brave, hospitable, free and gay; Thy name, grand among nations, time cannot fade away.” William WALLIS English Attorney At Law Member of Virginia Bar. The latter part of last week Patton WILLIS, a young man of Ava, this county, carried a load of “moonshine” across the Cumberland mountains to supply customers in KY, when a marshal, whose name is unknown, interfered, and in an altercation between the two men, WILLIS drew a pistol and shot the other dead. As to further particulars of the affairs I haven not been able to learn them. A number of Kentuckians are in the vicinity of Ava hunting for WILLIS. Richard ALDRIDGE, of Boone Co., W.VA.& Miss Nancy PHIPPS, of Freeling, this county were married the other day, Clerk PHIPPS officiating. There is beginning to be considerable talk about the Spring election in this community. There are four candidates for the clerkship at this writing: J. C. COUNTS, Ezekiel SUTHERLAND (better known to your readers as “Uncle Ezekiel”, Ira VANOVER & Felix SENTER. The contest will be between COUNTS and “Uncle Ezekiel”, with chances in favor of the latter, it is generally conceded. Our postmaster, Roland E. CHASE, sent his resignation to the department a few days ago. There are two applicants for the position: Mr. W.M. DAMRON & Mrs. ____JONES. Clintwood, VA., June 16 - On Tuesday last three of Fayette WRIGHT’s children were frightfully burned--two of them fatally. They were alone in the house when the oldest one, aged 11 yrs., threw some powder into the fire while the others were standing near to see it. Mr. WRIGHT sent for Dr. PHIPPS, of this place, to-day. Gladys FLEMING, the 14-yr.-old daughter of Andrew FLEMING is very low with fever and may not recover. Martin VENTERS, formerly of this county but now of Wise, was seriously, if not fatally, hurt the other day while driving a wagon from Norton to Gladesville. The man was under the influence of liquor and the wagon was upset throwing him against a sharp snag, which penetrated his breast, inflicting a terrible wound and injuring his lungs. The physicians pronounce the wound fatal. It was late in the evening when the accident occurred and he was there till someone passed that way on the following morning. There were a great many people from this county went to Wise C.H. to see HALL executed, but were sadly disappointed when they found the execution was to be private. It is said the two FLEMING boys, Henan & Cal, are hiding near here, being cared for by their brother. It will be remembered that they are, together with Doc. TAYLOR, indicted for the murder of ______ MULLINS and others near Pound Gap, Wise county, last spring. They are between 25 and 30 years of age and are known to be desperate characters. Clintwood, VA., Feb. 27 - On Thursday night some ruffians entered the home of James COOL, a farmer who resides near Ava, this county, and after terrorizing the family by flourishing their pistols and making violent threats they assaulted COOL’s wife and daughter. Their names as far as learned were Dan HALL, Bill ROSE, Eli MULLINS and others whose names were not learned. They are all living in the same vicinity. Warrants were at once sworn out for each of these parties, but up to this writing only one arrest has been made--that of Eli MULLINS. He will have a hearing before Justice HYLTON on Saturday. Most of the people in this vicinity are very indignant over the affair. Ex-Judge H. M. JONES will remove to Grundy, Buchanan Co., in a few days. He intends to practice medicine there, and he is a physician of some note. Clintwood, VA., Dec. 3 - A short time ago one Mr. NEECE, who was moving from W.VA to Ervinton, this county, stopped over night at John NEWBERRY’s, a few miles below this village, and having a Winchester rifle with him it was placed in a conspicuous part of the house. Now, it did not “go off” and kill some of the NEWBERRY’s family, but it did “go off” with Jack BARTLEY, a suspicious character, who migrates alternately between this state and Kentucky. He went to Mr. NEWBERRY’s in the evening, presumably “to see the folks”, and seeing the Winchester, he must have taken a fancy to it, for he stole it away and went to Kentucky. An effort will be made to bring him to justice. Mr. VALLEY, from Michigan, is here buying figured walnut. He has purchased a considerable quantity and is paying good prices. CRAGGY CLIFFS’ CURIOUS CHASM A Remarkable Feature in Dickenson - Indian Legend (Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch) Cllintwood, VA., Dec 18 - Your correspondent lately visited something of a natural curiosity, about three miles from this place, on the road leading to Buchanan county. There is a ledge of cliffs extending parallel with the road on the lower side nearly the distance of half a mile and about the average height of fifty feet. By some might convulsion of nature in a former age these huge cliffs seem to have been rent in twain the entire distance of the ledge. The chasm is from four to five feet wide, but in several places the rock on the lower side of it has been broken and great masses have rolled out, leaving large openings. The ground above this ledge is beautifully rolling, almost the ideal of loveliness, while below it the surface presents a striking contrast, it being the very picture of ruggedness. There is space enough on top of these rocks, in several places below the chasm, for a game of base-ball, almost perfectly level, and covered with a species of wild grass and shrubbery. A LEGEND There is an old Indian legend connected with these cliffs which I think will bear relating here. This legend has been written in verse, but as it is somewhat too lengthy to appear in this sketch, I will substantially relate it: Once upon a time there were some pious Indians who dwelt upon these rocks in their wigwams, and the Okee (the devil) hated them because they were not of his people, but durst not do them any bodily harm because they are pious. One day he caught them all away from home and to destroy their habitations he rent the ledge in twain from one end to the other, and when they returned he told them in a haughty, triumphant manner that he had taken revenge upon them; that this chasm would always grow wider and the lower part would topple over in pieces. So they would no longer liver there, but removed their wigwams away, much regretting to leave this cherished spot. REMOVAL An effort will soon be made to have the McClure voting-place removed from SUTHERLAND’s Store to the mouth of the Open Fork on McClure Creek, about two miles. It is thought this place will be more conducive to quiet and peaceable elections. It will also be more convenient for the whole precinct. The post-office at this place will be removed this week to the east end of town. It has for some time past been kept in one room of the court-house building, but Mr. VANOVER, the postmaster, finds it more convenient to keep it in his dwelling-house. Clintwood, VA., Dec. 16 - Mr. J. C. KERR, formerly of KY, but now a citizen of this county, has bought a large number of popular trees on Jerry’s creek, three miles north of this place. He is having them cut and the logs hauled to the bank of the Pound River, where they will lie till a rafting or floating “tide” comes; then they will be rolled into the stream and floated loose till they pass over the falls at the “Breaks”. Here the logs will be caught and rafted, and then floated on to market, perhaps as far as Cincinnati. There is much fine timber in this section, and the exportation of it will soon form a considerable industry, as large sums are invested in standing timber all over the county. NO CHRISTMAS TREE Every Yuletide in the history of Clintwood has witnessed a Christmas-tree gotten up under the auspices of the Methodist church, but this time Santa Claus will have to hang his gifts somewhere else, for your correspondent has been informed by the leaders of this mode of celebrating Christmas heretofore that nothing of the kind will be gotten up here. Some regrets are heard, but there are always merry-makers that are too merry and it is with difficulty they are restrained by the officers of the law. Clintwood, VA., Dec. 16 - MAIL IRREGULARITIES There are still many irregularities in the mails between Clintwood and Cleveland over in Russell county. Only a few days ago some clothing was sent by registered mail for this place, but when the package reached here it had been torn open and a coat taken out. It could be plainly seen that it had been unwrapped by the bungled manner in which it had been re-wrapped. Judge JONES says he lost about $26, which he attempted to have transmitted through the mails. For the last week no registered mail has been sent out this route, but it is sent to Norton. “TUG” KISER’S CASE Our County Court commenced on yesterday, but there has been no business of any importance transacted as yet. The case of the commonwealth against “Tug” KISER will be continued again, as it has been upon some pretext or another since last spring. KISER is charged with having murdered Aaron GIBSON in March. George NICHOLSON, of Saginaw, Michigan, is here buying popular timber this week. He has bought quite a large lot of it in this and the adjoining county of Buchanan. Postmaster VANAUER, of this place, told your correspondent the other day that he thinks of “pulling up the stakes” and going to Kentucky. The people would regret to lose Mr. VANAUER’s services as postmaster for he gives entire satisfaction to all. Clintwood VA., Mar1, 1892 EDITRESS ENTERPRISE: Days have come and gone since I last “graced the columns of your excellent paper with my “say so’s” and now I resume my seat at my desk to think what I shall say; and while I may not say a great deal about it, I am thinking about those hardened old sinners who refused to pass the bill providing for ladies to practice law in this State..... UNCLE ABNER Death of a Remarkable Man Who was Both Old and Blind. Dwale, Aug 18 - Old Uncle Abner KERR, of Ava, whose illness was noted in this correspondence a few days ago, died at 11 a.m. today at the home of his son, J. C. KERR. His illness which was hemorrhage of the lungs, lasted something more than a week. He had been nearly ____ally blind for a year or two, but would ride over the country alone, apparently with as little inconvenience as a person with two good eyes could. About ten days ago, he went to KY, over the mountain by himself, to visit some of his relatives, and on his return he must have either fallen from his horse, or been thrown off, in the woods, for he regained consciousness and found that he was lying in the road, and had no recollection as to how he came there. After awhile _____ children passed along, and helped him to remount his horse, when her rode home, and has been confined to his room since. His wife has been dead several years. He was 86 years of age, only one man in the county being his senior. NOVEL MARRIAGE Dwale, VA., Dec. 26 (Special) - There was a novel marriage near Freeling this week. Mrs. Mary MULLINS, a widow, aged about 45, and the Rev. William HOSTSON, a widower, of 50 or 55 years of age, were united in wedlock at the residence of the former. HOGSTON has been married twice before, and has a family of nine children, while the widow has six. He lives in KY, but it is understood that he will move to his wife’s homestead. DEATH IN DICKENSON Dwale, VA., Dec. 26 (Special) - Your correspondent learns that Mr. Johnath L SIFERS, a farmer of Tarpon, this county, died of fever on yesterday. Mr. SIFERS was a well known, influential citizen. He was about 60 or 65 years of age, and had amassed considerable wealth, being worth from $35,000 to $40,000. His remains will be interred near the old homestead. FROM CLINTWOOD Pursuant to previous appointment, D. S. POLLOCK put in his appearance at Clintwood on yesterday, Oct. 14, to address the people of Dickenson Co. upon the issues of the campaign. Despite the rain, which fell all day, there was a large crowd on hand. Col. James B. RICHMOND, who represents the Indianapolis ticket, was on hand for a speech, too...W. H. WERTH, of Coeburn, introduced Mr. POLLOCK (who) entertained the audience for more than two hours. When Mr. POLLOCK had concluded his speech the republicans began to call loudly for RICHMOND, who arose and stepped upon the stand, but no sooner had he reached it than a tremendous hurrah for BRYAN went up from the throats of many Democrats...it was fully 15 minutes till order could be restored.... ASKED TO RESIGN CLINTWOOD, VA., Oct. 19 (Correspondence to the Post) - At a meeting of the BRYAN and SEWALL Silver Club of Clintwood, held Oct. 17, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: Whereas Charles T. O’FERRALL, Governor of Virginia, elected to office by the suffrage of the Democratic part, has aligned himself with our common enemy, the republican party, through the bolters, be it. Resolved, That this club depreciates the action of the Governor, and abhors the wanton ingratitude to the party which has so repeatedly honored him with office. Be it further Resolved, that Charles T. O’FERRALL, Governor, be requested to resign the position which he now holds under the regular democratic part of Virginia. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to Governor O’FERRALL by the secretary of this club. Frank M. BEVERLY, Sec. FROM CLINTWOOD The Democratic nominee for Congress, Hon. Samuel W. WILLIAMS, of Wytheville, and his opponent, Gen’l James A. WALKER, met here in joint discussion on yesterday...A unique feature of the gathering was a parade through the streets by the McClure Free-silver Club. They came on horseback, the foremost man bearing the ensign of the club....That the republicans were in the minority could be plainly seen upon the streets. A PIONEER KENTUCKIAN DYING Dwale, Dickenson, Co., VA., Jan 15 (Special) - Your correspondent learns that Miles WEBB, aged 76, a pioneer settler of Eastern KY, is dying at his home near Sergent, of a carbuncle which has been growing upon him for about sixteen years. He is a member of the remarkable old WEBB family, composed of three brothers and three sisters, ranging in ages from 74 to 86 years. Their portraits, with sketches, were published in several leading papers two years ago. “Uncle Miles”, as he was familiarly known, leaves many descendants. FROM DWALE DWALE, Oct. 18 - Mrs. Elizabeth BEVERLY, of Freeling is suffering from a relapse of fever. James D. TURNER is learning to ride a “bike” and has so far progressed that he can run over you if you don’t dodge. KILLED HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW DWALE, Aug. 11 (Special) - Robert STANLEY, a farmer, near Nasbie, this county, was killed by Caleb LANE, his brother-in-law yesterday. The men became involved in a difficulty over STANLEY’s dog biting one of LANE’s hogs, when LANE shot STANLEY, from the effects of which he died in a few hours. Reports received here are to the effect that LANE surrendered himself to the authorities, and will have a preliminary hearing. DICKERSON MAN TURNED DETECTIVE AND CAPTURED WRONG PERSON DWALE, Aug. 11 - The man who was recently arrested by William FLEMING on suspicion of being one John HOLLAND, who is wanted at Knoxville for murder, turned out to be the wrong man when taken there. It now transpires that he is John WHITE of West VA. FLEMING is badly beaten. He is out about $100 in money, as well as a considerable amount of time lost, and the man threaten to sue him for damages. He turned detective once before, and it turned out that he had the wrong man. DWALE, Oct. 18 - The usual activity in horse-swapping circles had been displayed at Clintwood during court. I presume that fortunes are made and lost on “Jockey Street”. A CHILD’S SAD FATE Written for the Free Press 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. 18--, a little boy who had only passed his third milestone on the road of life, was frozen to death...The mother, whose name was KILLEN, was at a neighboring house, weaving cloth on a hand-loom, as was then the custom, and three of her children, the little boy and the two elder ones followed her. Mrs. KILLEN’s motherly instincts so far forsook her when she saw them that she scolded them severely for venturing out into the snow-storm, which was then prevailing, and told them to go back home. As they turned to retrace their steps homeward, the little boy asked his mother for some bread and milk, when she very impatiently told him to go on home. The children left: it was growing somewhat late and the snow-storm became more violent, in fact, blinding. They became separated, the two elder ones reaching home without the younger one. A CHILD’S SATE FATE (continued) When the mother reached home, and found the terrible state of affairs, she gave the alarm, and the few that could be collected in that sparsely peopled neighborhood began a search for the lost child; but all through that long dreary night their efforts to find the little one were fruitless. Morning at some length dawned, the earth was covered with a mantle of snow, and the angry winds chilled every heart when they thought of the fate of the poor lost child. The search was kept up for two or three days, men turning out en mass for miles around, and joining in the search; but all to no purpose. If the child had been carried off the face of the earth, every trace of it could not have been more completely obliterated. The search was abandoned as useless, and the heart-broken mother had to bear her grief alone, for the father had been slain in the cruel war, which had just then closed. Time passed on, the sad event which had moved many hearts to pity and tears had almost been forgotten, when one day, farmer SWINDALL of that vicinity, happened to pass under that cliff and found a piece of a child’s dress, and some bones, which he took to be those of the lost child, who all alone in the darkness of that bleak December night, sought shelter from the cold and the blinding snow under the over-hanging mass of rock. The man took the piece of cloth to the woman, who recognized it at once, as a piece of her lost child’s dress. She had woven it herself upon the old fashioned loom in which she was plying the shuttle she so sternly sent the little boy away to meet him no more this side of the shores of eternity. ....bereaved mother some years ago and let us hope that she rejoined her little one and that the bitter past is now all forgotten. Frank M. BEVERLY DWALE, VA., Oct. 18 - There had been some political speaking at Clintwood the past week, the first of the campaign. Hon. Alex. St. CLAIR, the democratic nominee for State Senator, Mr. J. W. HICKS of Tazewell and Attorney WERTH, of Coeburn, delivered addresses. Mr. ST. CLAIR made a good impression on our people. Mr. ELSWICK for the house was here also. SEEN AND HEARD BYTHE WAYSIDE I have recently had occasion to make a trip into the fastnesses of Cumberland Mountain where the moonshiner might say with Alexander SELKIRK, “I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute” - except indeed at such a time as the U.S. Marshal take it into their heads to trespass upon his premises. This mountain serves as a dividing line between two of Uncle Sam’s states, viz: Virginia and Kentucky. I went so far in the direction of the “line” that I could not have accurately ascertained which State I was in without hiring a surveyor; which I did not feel disposed to do, as the matter did not involve any legal question of rights (or wrongs) with me. there had been some surveys made there, it is true; but through the cleverness of the ‘shiners all marks had been distroyed in order to argue the question with the authorities as to which State has jurisdiction at any certain point. From threats I heard made there, I have my doubts as to the safety of any one who shall attempt to locate the “line”. The wary ‘hiner is alert, and I was not the recipient of over much courtesy at their hands. I do not see why they should suspect me; for I assured them with as much gravity as I could summon and in good English as I could command that I was not a Marshall; nor ever had been one but that I would champion the cause of the ‘shiners, if treated just right. One of these fellow, a raw-boned six footer-and five said that I could stay overnight with him, “bein’ as its your” he added “but you mustn’t ask any questions” [remaining is missing] The regular Primitive Baptists are preparing to build a church-house on George’s Fork Creek. There seems to be general interest taken in the matter. Emanuel STANLEY, a farmer of Pound River, is seriously ill with a rising in his throat. His recovery is thought doubtful. Submitted by Louise Vanover Vore (Submitter note: These articles have been collected by Annette Dameron, Robert Beverly and Louise Vanover Vore. Transcribed by Rachel Vore Engle) **************************************************************** USGENWEB 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. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************