Tazewell County, Virginia, Newspaper Articles: Clinch Valley News--March 19, 1909 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Michelle Burress http://www.cvnotes.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clinch Valley News March 19, 1909 H.B. GROSECLOSE Burkes Garden, Va., March 16 The death angel visited our community last Thursday and called away one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens, Henry B. Groseclose. Mr. Groseclose's sickness was of short duration and his death was a terrible shock, not only to his family but to many of his neighbors, who bad really not heard of his serious illness. On Sunday he complained of not feeling well. On Monday Dr. Jas. R. Crockett was called in and pronounced his patient as being in danger of pneumonia. the symptoms developed rapidly and his depleted vitally could not withstand the strain and he soon succumbed. Medical skill and the kind hands of friends did all within their power to render aid, but the combined efforts were futile to ward off the dreaded enemy. Shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday morning his life went quietly out and his spirit returned to God, who gave it. His sons, Frank of Roanoke; and Kelly of Blacksburg, arrived a short time after their father had passed away. They came as soon as possible after they were summoned. His son, James, who is a minister in San Antonio, Texas, could not be with his father, nor could the married daughter, Mrs. J.R. Meek, who is confined to her home with sickness. On Friday at 3:00 O'clock pm the funeral services were conducted at Central church by his pastor, Rev. E. L. Richie, assisted by Rev. D.T. Miles. The church was well filled by the people of the Garden and and many from elsewhere, who desired to pay their respects to the mortal remains of H.B. Groseclose. The body was laid to rest in the quiet city of the dead adjoining Central church, there to await the resurrection of the just. The community has sustained a loss. It's sympathy goes out to each member of the family. May the God of peace and love be their guide and comforter. ------ MR. FOSTER Mrs. C.W. Jones and Mrs. A.M. Black received a message on Tuesday evening telling them of the death of their father, which occurred at near noon Tuesday at the home of their brother, Rev. W.C. Foster, in Alachua, Florida. The body will be brought to Farmville, Va., for burial. Mr. and Mrs. Black and Mrs. Jones left on Wednesday night's train to attend the funeral and will be gone for several days. Mr. Foster was personally known to many Tazewell people as he and Mrs. Foster have spent two summers recently with their daughters in Tazewell. Death came after an illness of only about two weeks as a result of pleurisy. HANKINS Hankins, Va. March 13 - The stork has visited the home of Luther Sparks and wife and left them possessors of a fine boy. Everybody radiant, even grand pa Joe. Sir Luther is carrying his hat in his pocket. Arthur Sayers has returned from Crump's Bottom, where he has been working and took up his old job, going to the Post office. Paul Pruett returned home yesterday from Berwind, WV., where he has been working for the past year. W.W. Linkous has just about completed a nice dwelling. A.R. Beavers has just returned from Tennessee, where he has been buying cattle. Otis Linkous has gone to work on the farm, cutting brush. It's going hard with him but it will be good for him if he can stand it. COVE CREEK Cove Creek, Va, March 15 - Messrs. William Robinett, John Gregory and John Igo, made a flying trip to Bluefield Friday. Miss Ruby Suiter was the guest of Miss Barnes Neel the later part of last week. The school closed at this place Friday, and Miss Robertson returned to her home at Crandon, Va., Saturday. Miss Dot Gregory entertained quite a number of her friends Friday night. Misses Lula Robertson, Nannie Gregory and Mr. Gregory called on Miss Ella Compton Friday evening. Misses Mary and Bessie Robinett and Mr. Howard Stowers called on Miss Barnes Neel Saturday evening. Mr. John Gregory attended the burial of Mrs. John Fox at Bluefield Sunday. Mr. Kelly Harman of Bluefield, was visiting friends and loved ones at this place Sunday. Rev. Chas. A. Pangle will preach at Mt. Nebo next Sunday at 11 am and at Bishops Chapel at 3pm. Miss Lizzie Compton left home Wednesday for Louisville, Kentucky, where she will enter college. ------ Mr. C.C. Long moved his family to Wytheville last Monday morning. He still retains his position here as General Manager of the Electric Light and Power Company, and will make occasional trips to Tazewell as may be necessary. Mr. Long has been a resident of this town for a number of years, and had proven himself a valuable and useful citizen. Perhaps no one man could leave this town whose services would be more generally missed, and his departure is regretted deeply. His good wife and daughters, as well as the "foot" of the family, will be missed. The best wishes of the community go with them. TIP TOP Tip Top, March 17 - J.D. Farmer, bridge foreman of the Norfolk and Western, with his force, has just finished putting in the big 86 inch pipe through the culvert at Bell Hill siding. They will now go to Honaker with the steam hoister, which is run by Marion Painter. Mr. Harvey Peery, of the farmer gang, was struck by a rope, which broke while hauling in the pipe at the culvert and one leg was broken. Dr. Pyott attended to the injured limb, until he could be taken to his home at Richlands, where his mother, Mrs. Lizzie Peery, resides. At last accounts he was getting along alright. We all hope for his speedy recovery. Ran Bevil's little child has been very sick, but is now improving some. RUSSELL COUNTY/LEBANON Lebanon, Va. March 16 - Lebanon is to have a Masonic building that will be a credit to the town. W.A Powers, the contractor for the stone and brick work, has the stone basement completed, and will commence the brick work as soon as the weather settles. Circuit Court closed last Saturday, Wade Holly, who killed Jim Ramsey, was tried at this term of the court, and the jury gave him 10 years in the penitentiary. Charles Lasley was tried for abduction and was sentenced to 3 years on the road in Russell county. Four prisoners are awaiting transportation to the pen, and before these lines go in print, there doubtless will be on the road to their destination. C.W. Powers, the best brick mason in the state, has just recovered from a severe spell of pneumonia. C.C. Balton, Postmaster at St. Paul, was here during circuit Court. Old Aunt Nancy Statzer, of Moccasin, is 96 years old and is remarkably active, and retains her mental faculties to a wonderful degree. She has cut several teeth which she says is her third set. Ab Artnip, near Cleveland, died last week, aged 26 years. He was sick but a few days. Javis Honaker near Russell old courthouse, was adjudged insane, and was sent to the Southwestern State Hospital, at Marion, on the 8th and died on the 13th. His remains were brought home Monday for burial. He was a man of family and was a good citizen. Nancy Baily, an inmate of the Alms house, died last week, aged 70 years. Mr. and Mrs. Marion Price of Rogersville, Tenn. are visiting Mrs. Prices father, W. E. Williams of this place. Miss Maggie Davis of Honaker, died last Sat. aged 58 years. She was a most estimable Christian lady. Two. R.F.D. routes out from Lebanon have been suspended by the Post office Department, on account of gates being in the way. This, I understand is final, and it puts a large number of the patrons to great inconvenience. M.P. Jackson and Mrs. Shoemaker left Monday for Cincinnati to buy their spring stock for goods for the respective farms. James Henritze, our efficient Postmaster, is building an addition to his property recently purchased from J.P. Gent, in the East end of town. TANNERSVILLE Tannersville, Va. March 16 - Mr. and Mrs. Riburn Patrick are visiting Mrs. Patricks parents, near Chilbowie. G.P. Holmes made a flying trip to Chatham Hill on Sunday to see his mother, also his brother, Dr. Ed. Holmes. Mr. J.N. Rhudy was in the valley part of last week on business. While here he was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Hilt. Mr. A.P. French, on of the valley's oldest citizens, is very sick with grip at this writing. Miss Bessie Rhudy closed her school at this place, and his returned to her home in Thompson Valley. The saw mills in this section are doing a thriving business. Mr. S.P. Goodman has one near Laurel Branch and Neal Brothers have one on Mr. A.P. French's farm. The Quigley Furniture Company is also thriving as two trains are employed almost daily to haul the lumber to Saltville, nearest railroad station. There will be preaching at Crabtree's Chapel next Sunday evening at 8 o'clock by Rev. Mr. Hakridge. March 19, 1909 BIG COAL DEAL AT POCAHONTAS The largest coal land deal consummated in Southwest Virginia since the boom days of Pocahontas, was closed last Monday between Col. Jas. S. Browning and Mrs. Browning of Pocahontas, and Thomas. T. Boswell, of Baltimore and Philadelphia, a well known coal operator of the Pennsylvania coal fields. Mr. Boswell comes into possession of the famous Browning mines at Pocahontas, which produces the well known No. 3 vein Pocahontas coal. The terms of the lease include a $200,000 cash payment, which will be made on April 1st, and in addition thereto, 15 cents royalty on every ton of coal mined during the life of the lease and 24 cents on every ton of coke made. The minimum royalty to be paid the Brownings for the first three years i $22,500 for each year, and after the first three years the minimum royalty is to be $45,000 per year for the life of the contract, which is for 50 years, unless the vein of coal is exhausted in the meantime. The lands embraced in the lease lie north of the top of the summit of Laurel Ridge, on the waters of Laurel Fork, in Tazewell County, the acreage of which boundary is estimated to be eight or nine hundred acres. The coal leased is No. 3 Pocahontas vein with al thickness of eleven feet of solid coal. The product of these mines has been used largely by the United Sates Navy, and construction work on the Panama Canal. Colonel and Mrs. Browning own about 4,000 acres of valuable grazing land, lying near the land leased, but is not embraced in the lease. There is a clause in the lease which permits the lessee, Mr. Boswell, to purchase the land embraced in the lease within a limited time for the sum of $1,200,000 in cash and the impression and belief here is that the lessee will take advantage of this clause and take over the land in fee simple under this clause. Colonel Browning, under the terms of the lease reserves the right to himself mine the operate at any time veins No. 2 and 4, which underlie and overlie No. 3 vein respectively. The No. 4 has a thickness of from four to five feet, and No. 2 lies forty eight feet below No. 3 and has a thickness of from six to seven feet. On account of the present low price of coal and coal lands in Southwest Virginia, and the business depression caused throughout the entire coal fields b this low price, this sale has given impetus to the coal business in Southwest Virginia, which will be very acceptable at the present time, as the price of coal has been so low in the past few months that very few operations in this section have been able to operate their mines at a profit, and many are unable to operate at all. Thos. T. Boswell is the owner of 16,000 acres of coal land in Bosewell, Pa. and is president of the Merchant Coal and Coke Co. of Bosewell Pa. Mr. T.C. Bowen, of Tazewell the well known lawyer, was instrumental in closing the deal in behalf of the Brownings. FALLS MILLS Falls Mills, March 16 - The relatives and many friends at this place were grieved to hear of the death of grandma Sink, which occurred at her daughter in laws, widow of the late G.A. Sink on Bluestone the 8th. Grandma lived here the greater part of her life, and was liked by all who knew her. May she rest in peace. The little boy of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Crawford, who has been so low with pneumonia, is improving. H.D. Dudley has sufficiently recovered from his recent illness, to sit up most of the time and to walk about the room. Hiram Compton is improving fast but his daughter, Ocie, is not doing so well. Eddie Belcher, who has been in bad health for sometime, is no better. Misses Havens, Shrader, Bertha Harry, Mabel Sarver and Gladys Ransom were calling at the home of H.D. Dudley on Wed. afternoon. There was a cake cutting at Johnnie Compton's Sat. night. Those present report a fine time. Johnnie Johnson, son of the late John W. Johnson, is in very bad health and there is little hope of his recovery. He was taken to the Bluefield sanitarium last week. William Kirtner has rented his property here and moved to the coal fields. ----- Joe Conley, 15 years old, son of Mrs. Jane Conley, a widow, was killed on Laurel Fork on Wed. He was digging coal in an old mine and the slate and rock fell on him. He lived only a short while.