Tazewell County, Virginia, Newspaper Articles: Clinch Valley News--March 19, 1915 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Michelle Burress http://www.cvnotes.com ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ==================================================================== Clinch Valley News March 19, 1915 STEELSBURG ---------------------------------------------- Mrs. Alta MANSFIELD, of Sword's Creek, Va. spent Saturday and Sunday the guest of her niece, Mrs. George W. ONEY. Mrs. J.H. MARTIN and daughter, Miss Hazel, visited Mrs. Henry LESTER last Sunday. Mrs. J.B. JACKSON has been sick for a few days. Miss Roxie MATRIN and Miss Norene MCGRAW spent last Sunday with Miss Lona BALL. Mr. and Mrs. Whitt WYSOR moved to Pounding Mill last Monday. Mr. and Mrs. William ROBINSON will move to Russell County next week. Aunt Mary LESTER spent Saturday night with Mrs. F.M. MCGUIRE. Daisy, the little of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. GRIFFITTS, who has been ill, is better. Master Frank HOOPER is spending a few days with his sister, Mrs. W.C. STEPHENSON. Mrs. R.B. STEELE, Misses Roxie MARTIN and Eula SMITH walked to Cedar Bluff to the "Old Maids" club last Saturday night. Rev. Dr. BURHMAN filled his regular appointment here last Sunday. ----------------- Magistrate George W. GILLESPIE, of Boissevane, was a party to an unfortunate shooting affray at Boissevane last Tuesday night, in which a number of men were shot and GILLESPIE was injured by being struck with the butt end of a gun. The following account of the affair is furnished by the Pocahontas correspondent: Last evening at 7:10 o'clock, at Boissevane, Va., Charles YATES, Thomas YATES, Charles BLANKENSHIP, armed with two Winchesters and revolvers, are alleged to have entered the company store of the Pocahontas Consolidated Collieries Company, and flashed their weapons, and after cooking them, invited Assistant store manager Walter WEAVER to step on the outside. WEAVER did not want to go, of course, but the men began to shoot around the office, it is charged, and it is reported met a small boy and held him up, but after the boy begged awhile they let him go. The men promenaded up and down the road, shooting and making the air blue, it is said. The night watchman, Bob ARRINGTON, went for Magistrate George W. GILLESPIE, who was at his home eating supper. Mr. GILLESPIE went out to arrest the men, and when he had gotten near the tipple, some 300 feet distant, the rowdies were called upon to halt. When Mr. GILLESPIE got hold of Ed BLANKENSHIP the latter drew his gun. Mr. GILLESPIE caught the weapon with his hand and while in the scuffle Charles YATES struck Mr. GILLESPIE in the mouth with the butt end of a Winchester. BLANKENSHIP'S gun was discharged about the same time GILLESPIE was hit, and the shooting commenced, with the result that GILLESPIE shot Ed BLANKENSHIP through the left side with a .38 caliber revolver, and Charles YATES through the right breast. Both YATES boys took to their heels and Charles BLANKENSHIP stayed with his brother, who was fatally shot. Charles YATES was able to get to his home, more than a mile distant, with assistance from his brother. Two of BALDWIN'S men, M.H. LUCAS and George SMITH, together with Deputy Sheriff A.J. LORRIS and Justice J.W. DAVIS, of Pocahontas, were sent to the scene of the crime. Their appearance was so unexpected that they found Charles BLANKENSHIP in the doctor's office with his brother and sent him, together with Chester SCHIPPS, to the lockup at Pocahontas and then went in pursuit of the two YATES boys. George YATES, the father of the two boys, and the father in law of Ed BLANKENSHIP, whose wife is dead, had come to Boissevane with Dr. Hamilton SLUSHER. He said his son was badly shot. The old gentleman seemed much grieved over the unfortunate affair. Charles BLANKENSHIP kissed his brother, Ed, who was on the surgeon's table, "goodbye" when the officer took him away and the dying man charged his brother to kill officer GILLESPIE in the event of his (Ed BLANKENSHIP'S) death, and he would do likewise if he lived. Mr. GILLESPIE was appointed a justice of the peace at Boissevane to preserve order, which he has done successfully since he has held the important office. He is a son of the Rev. James H. GILLESPIE, of Tip Top, and is fearless, and will discharge his duty regardless of consequences. The men who caused the disturbance are said to be well known characters in that community, who get drunk whenever occasion offers and try to take the towns. ASBERRY'S ---------------------------------------- Mr. Emory ELLIS, who is attending school at Ceres, Virginia, spent several days with home folks last week. Mrs. Mary SHRADER, of this place spent the day last Saturday with her daughter, Mrs. James TAYLOR, at Tannersville. Mr. and Mrs. A.J. LAMBERT had as their guests Sunday Mr. and Mrs. T.B. ASBURY. Dr. W.O. NEAL'S two young sons have been confined to their beds for several days - Stewart with pneumonia and Fred with the grip. Mr. Frank GRIFFITH was the guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John SHRADER Friday last. Mr. William LAMBERT, of Wythe County, spent Saturday and Sunday with his father, Mr. A.J. LAMBERT at this place. Little Earl GOODWIN is quite sick with lagrippe, and is not able to attend school. Mr. James ASBURY, of this place was visiting friends at Pounding Mill Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Wiley NEAL, who is attending school at Emory, was visiting homefolks here Saturday and Sunday. Mr. William WALK made a flying trip to Bluefield Sunday, returning to his work here Tuesday. The exact nature of his visit could not be learned. Mr. W.T. CORELL and little adopted daughter, Estella PATTERSON, are very low with pneumonia, but with doctor CROCKETT in attendance and a trained nurse, it is hoped and believed they will soon be well again. Mr. J.D. GOODWIN spent Saturday night with homefolks and returned to his work near Wittens Mills Sunday. Almost the entire family of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. VANHOOZIER are confined to their rooms with colds and the grip. Mrs. S.P. GOODWIN has been on the sick list for several weeks. Mrs. D.W. LYNCH, of Thompson Valley, is with the family of her sister, Mrs. W.T. CORELL, giving valuable assistance during their illness. Mr. R.B. LAMBERT of Ceres, was visiting friends and relatives here on Sunday. CEDAR BLUFF ---------------------------- On Saturday evening a play, "The Old Maids Club," wag given in the Town Hall by sixteen young ladies and two young men. The stage was profusely decorated in red hearts and mottoes. The costumes worn, were unique and typical of the old maid. Each member of the "club" deserves much credit for so cheerfully and faithfully contributing her share to the amusement of the audience. The house was crowded, the net receipts being $57.00 half of which will be used for the school and half for the church. Among the out of town guests who were here to attended the play were as follows: Mrs. Al HIGGINBOTHAM, Misses Mary MOORE, Elizabeth REED, Barbara BRITTON and supt. W.A. THOMPSON from Tazewell, Misses Margaret HURT, PHAAR, Messrs, George HURT, FRED and HARVEY G. GILLESPIE from Pounding Mill. Miss Kathleen ABOTT of Laurel was the weekend guest of Miss Mayo HURT. Mrs. Chap PEERY spent Saturday with Mrs. W.R. WILLIAMS of Richlands. Miss Lucy GALLAWAY of Jefferson N.C. spent last week, the guest of Mrs. L.H. LOGAN. C.H. PEERY and George HURT were business visitors at Tazewell Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Beverly WINGO'S little daughter, Gertrude who has Typhoid fever, is slowly improving. Roy KEYSER is suffering from a severe case of Typhoid pneumonia. A trained nurse came Saturday. Mrs. J. Marion MCGUIRE and Miss Pearl spent Sunday as the guest of Mrs. W.B. STEELE of Pounding Mill. Miss Mary BROWN, who has Typhoid fever is improving. Mr. J.B. CRABTREE, of Richlands, Miss St. CLAIR and Mr. W.A. THOMPSON of Tazewell visited the school last week and were very much pleased with the work which is being done this year. Miss ST. CLAIR was here to organize a canning club among the girls, she is being quite successful in this work. Mrs. ROBERTS of Bluefield spent Sunday with her niece Miss Maggie Lou BROWN. Mr. W.W. WINGO was a business visitor in Berwind Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. STEELE, Mrs. TAYLOR and Mr. NIPPER of Steelsburg were here Saturday night to attend the play. Mr. Albert MCGUIRE of Premier, West Virginia spent Sunday with her family. Mr. Grant LOWE went to Berwind Sunday on business. POUNDING MILL -------------------------------------------- The ground is covered with snow here today. W.R. SPARKS came up from Dante, where he holds a position, visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.M. SPARKS on Sunday and on Monday underwent an operation of the throat and nose, having his tonsils and adenoids removed by Dr. WILLIAMS at Richlands. His mother visited him yesterday afternoon and reported him doing nicely. Miss Rebekah WILLIAMS is reported as being much worse today as is also Mr. John ROBINETT. Their friends and relatives are very anxious about them. Miss Maude PETTS has been quite sick the past week. Dr. G.L. ZIMMERMAN has been on the sick list the past few days, but is much better. His illness is believed to have been caused from overwork. Mrs. Reese RINGSTAFF is reported as being no better. She is very ill. Miss Uva STEELE, who has had typhoid, came down stairs from her room for the first time today. Her desire to get to the table indicates that she is recovering. Mr. and Mrs. Walker RINGSTAFF'S little son is recovering from a mild case of typhoid. Mr. F. MYERS is reported much better. The new anti-toxin for rheumatism did wonders for him. His sister, Miss Maggie MYERS, of Portsmouth, came yesterday to spend sometime with him. W.M. MITCHELL is reported as not being as well. It is thought that the new rheumatism anti-toxine would benefit him, but he is not able to buy the medicine, which is expensive. Mrs. Robert PETTS, who gave birth to a fine boy baby. Miss Rosa BROWN, primary substitute in the school here, was at her home at Cedar Bluff the last of the week, and reports her sister, Miss Mary, who has typhoid, is doing nicely and hopes to soon be out again. Mrs. William JOHNSON, wife of engineer JOHNSON, of the N and W, came down from Bluefield Saturday afternoon to see her sister, Mrs. James JOHNSON, and incidentally get a few eggs, butter, etc. The latter being a scarce article here as well as elsewhere, she returned on No. 6 empty handed. Rev. Wiley YOST, of Gap Store, filled the Rev. Mr. GREER'S appointment here Sunday night, as the later was in a protracted meeting near Mr. YOST'S home. The Rev. YOST'S sermon was pronounced by those who heard it as one of unusual excellence. He was the guest of his cousin, Mrs. W.B. STEELE and family. Miss Nell GEORGE, of Tazewell, spent Friday afternoon with Miss Uva STEELE. Mr. and Mrs. C.M. HUNTER and little daughter, Charlotte, spent Monday night at Tazewell, and attended the Masonic banquet. Mrs. W.B. STEEL attended the Eastern Star Banquet at Tazewell on last Friday night and took the degrees. She was the guest of her cousin, Mrs. T.A. REPASS Jr. and reported a fine time. Miss Margaret HURT, returned Saturday from Tazewell. Her cousin, Miss Barbara BRITTAIN returned with her and is spending sometime here with relatives. Mrs. Jane A. MCGUIRE and daughter, Miss Pearl, of Cedar Bluff, spent Sunday visiting their relatives, Mrs. W.B. STEELE and family. Mr. Albert LOWE moved his family on Monday to the Birdine Claypool place on Claypool Branch. Little James MCGUIRE came up from that place with wagons and was a pleasant little visitor to relatives for a short time. W.B. STEELE, who has been suffering with a cold most all winter, succumbed to the inevitable today, and took to his bed and summoned a doctor. The Rev. W.S. BULLARD, pastor of the Tazewell Christian Church, has an appointment here for next Sunday at 11 o'clock. You should hear him. Thomas GILLESPIE, of Wittens Mills visited his brother, William here on Monday night. Mr and Mrs. Fulton ALTIZER have sold their house and lot on Pounding Mill Branch to Mrs. John PRUETT and will probably move to Cedar Bluff. Miss Mabel BOURNE returned Monday afternoon to Bondtown, after having spent nearly two weeks with Miss Uva STEELE. The following youngsters took a hay ride to the Old Maids Convention at Cedar Bluff on last Saturday night Misses Margaret HURT, Barbara BRITTAIN, Mary B. and Jessie GILLESPIE, Lois HURT, Messrs. George HURT, Fred and Harvey George GILLESPIE. They report a good time, and say the play was fine. About $56.00 was realized there from. Miss Velle BURNETT is out again after a few days illness with tonsillitis. Mrs. W.G. GILLESPIE was on the sick list a few days last week. Rev. Mr. HUGHES, the Episcopal minister, has an appointment here next Sunday night. Remember the date. Mrs. John AZBURY, of Richlands, who was here recently, looking after her new grandson, has returned. Mr. James NEEL spent Saturday night and Sunday with parents, Mr. and Mrs. William NEEL, near Paint Lick. Friends and relatives here were sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Elias WITT, an aged Confederate soldier, which occurred at his home in McGuire Valley about two weeks ago. He was a splendid man, is survived by his aged wife, who was Miss Amanda STEELE, daughter of the late Thomas and Jinsey STEELE, of near Paint Lick. He leaves a son and a daughter, both married. Dr. G.L. ZIMMERMAN was called to Maxwell Friday to help set James BEAVERS leg, which had been broken in two places. TANNERSVILLE -------------------------- Mr. R.W. HOLMES and son, Edward, of North Holston, and little Miss Sallie HOLMES of Broadford, were visitors at the formers mother, Mrs. Sallie HOLMES and G.P. and J.P. HOLMES Saturday and Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. W.M. TOLIVER were weekend visitors to the formers parents in the Cove. Miss Bessie BROWN, teacher at the North Holston school, spent from Friday to Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.F. BROWN. Miss Nannie TAYLOR and sister, little Miss Annie, of Broadford, were pleasant visitors of Mrs. I.L. PATRICK last Wednesday afternoon. Mr. W.S. TAYLOR has sold his farm of sixty acres recently bought from the W.S. BROOKS estate to E.L. OSBORNE and sons, of Broadford. The consideration was $40.00 per acre. H.J. WHITEHEAD was a visitor to Saltville Monday. Mr. John PATRICK, of Broadford, came up Sunday after Mrs. PATRICK, who had been the guest of her parents, here for several days, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. CRABTREE. Otis GRIFFITT, a worker at Saltville, was the guest of homefolks here on last Sunday. Lee PATRICK spent Saturday and Sunday the guest of his cousin, William PATRICK and family in Ward's Cove. Mr. and Mrs. G.A. FRENCH were visiting Mrs. FRENCH'S mother, Mrs. DOAN'S, in Smyth county Saturday and Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Blair BREWSTER'S baby has been seriously ill with pneumonia fever. Dr. R.E. HUGHES, of North Holston, has been called in consultation with Dr. E.A. HOLMES. Birt NECESSARY, who has been in West Virginia for sometime, is at his home here again. Mrs. John FRENCH and son, Albert, were the guests at their daughter's and sisters, Mrs. John ROBERTS, is Smyth County Sunday. Mr. J.N. HOPKINS and Curtis HOPKINS and Miss Belle WYATT, of Broadford, were the guests of Mrs. A. SIMS Sunday. F.S. GRIFFITTS and W.S. PATRICK, of this place attended church at Broadford Sunday night. As these boys are not regular attendants at home, there was evidently some other attraction besides the oratory of Dr. MORT. Mr. D.G. HENINGER, of Tazewell, moved his family here yesterday to his farm which he recently purchased from D.M. WIMMER. Mr. WIMMER is moving his family today to Thompson Valley. We regret very much to lose this excellent family from our community. Mr. Fulton BRYANT, of North Holston, spent Saturday night at the home of H.J. WHITEHEAD. Mr. J.H. PATRICK, of Broadford, was the guest of W.E. HILT Sunday. The following were afternoon visitors at the home of I.L. PATRICK: Mr. and Mrs. D.M. WIMMER and children, Mrs. H.J. WHITEHEAD, Mrs. W.M. KIRK and Mrs. R.P. HILT and Messrs. Palmer, Osborne and Ryburn PATRICK, of Broadford. Mrs. PATRICK has been real sick for the past two weeks, but is much better. Mr. G.P. HOLMES is soliciting subscriptions for a new school building here. It is proposed to consolidate the Laurel Branch, Little Valley and Valley View Schools into one. Mr. THOMPSON has assured the citizens here of his support if they will raise by public subscriptions $250, over half of which has been subscribed. Mrs. Sallie HOLMES will donate a suitable site. However, there are several that are opposed to this important change. As it is hard for two of these schools now to make their average of fifteen, the consolidation and compulsory education is the only way we see for any improvement at this time, so give us both.