Tazewell County, Virginia, Newspaper Articles: Clinch Valley News--14 June 1940 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 14 June 1940 Local News Charles W. ASBURY loaded up his squirrel gun, and called his neighbor, Stuart HILT, to his aid and round up the men who sawed out of Tazewell jail last Thursday night without having to fire a shot. The two men had been advised during the day by the sheriff that the escaped prisoners were headed in that direction. Mr. ASBURY was busy working near the road and saw them pass. It was then he hurried home to his house, got the artillery and bagged the whole bunch. The men were taking to the Saltville jail, and were transferred by sheriff Bowen THOMPSON and deputies to Tazewell where they will be held for penitentiary authorities. The six men, and the additional terms imposed on them for breaking jail are: A.P. HUNNELL, five years to six years. Bert LOWE, an additional year. His original sentence in Circuit Court was for five years, and being the third time he has been sentenced to the penitentiary, an additional ten years will automatically he added to the six. Arthur NEWMAN, one year to two. Dan SMITH, one year to two. Harry BAILEY, 12 months to 18 months. While Charles ASBURY had the men lined up in the road waiting for the Saltville officer one of them asked him what kind of shot he carried in his gun, and his reply was that if any one of the gang tried to get away they would find out, and they could tell by the cut of the Asbury eye that he meant what he said, and they meekly kept quiet. An effort will be made to have the Board of Supervisors reward these two Poor Valley (Freestone) citizens for aiding in the enforcement of law. The deserve a reward. Shortly after the men were returned to jail, another number was added to the jail population in the person of Ethel JOYCE, charged with taking files to the jail. It is said the Commonwealth has an eye witness to the transaction, and will prosecute the woman at the August term of Tazewell Circuit Court. She is said to be very fond of one of the escapees, but will likely be separated from him for many years. When the men were turned back into the cells one of them complained to jailor Trube HELDRETH that he needed a blanket and the jailor is said to have told him that he used to sky as cover the night before, and the stars at witnesses to his rest on the hillside, and that he needed everything else but a blanket. It was stated that one of the men attempted to fire the jail after he had been returned to his cell. A story is being told in the court house that one night recently Sheriff Bowen THOMPSON found it necessary to make a raid by himself. He caught one fellow and didn't know what to do with him while he went into the hills after another. It was said the sheriff wrapped the fellow around a sapling via the handcuff route and had him stay there until he returned with the other prisoner. The sheriff denied this, but........ M.C. OSBORNE, of Tannersville, has announced the marriage of his niece, Bessie Mae OSBORNE, to Mr. Charles Shipton PATRICK, on May 31, 1940 at Tazewell, Virginia. Mrs. PATRICK is a daughter of the late James and Maudie Brown OSBORNE, of Tannersville, Mr. PATRICK is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert PATRICK, of Asberry'S. Mrs. PATRICK graduated from the Saltville high school and State Teacher's College at East Radford, and was a very popular member of the Tannersville High School faculty. Mr. PATRICK holds a responsible position with the Kanawba Construction Company, being located at Beckley, West Virginia. After a motor trip of several days through West Virginia and points east, Mr. and Mrs. PATRICK returned to Little Valley, where they will make their home. The Tazewell Study Club's lending library has been moved to the Town Hall, through the courtesy of the Town Council, and is open to the public as usual, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for 3 to 5 p.m. The library contains nearly all the "best sellers" of the past few years and the rental fee is small. The study club hopes to establish a public library in the near future, using the present collection as a foundation, and contributions of books or money from interested and civic-minded citizens and organizations to complete it. Anyone wishing to donate to this worth while undertaking please call Mrs. Conrad LITZ or leave word at the library. The Shawver Mill Rural Youth Club held and outdoor meeting on June 5th, with a good attendance. A business session was held, at which time the club decided to send a delegate to the Short Course to be held in Blacksburg in July. The selection will be made at our next meeting. It was also decided that our next meeting would be outdoors and a committee of girls was appointed to plan a menu for that meeting. Later every one enjoyed a wiener roast which was planned by a committee composed of Van Davis PRUETTt, Roy GREGORY and Ralph FOX. Marshmallows followed the wieners, after which everyone sang songs around the bonfire. The Bonnie Witten missionary society met at Mays Chapel Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. CARROL presided over a short business meeting, after which Mrs. W.W. WITTEN, as lender, had Mrs. GREEAR, Mrs. GILLESPIE, Miss HARMAN, Mrs. CARROLL, Mrs. EVANS and Mrs. HURT give excerpts from the lesson. She then gave a talk on the lesson, bringing out the most important points, she taught the lesson well. Those attending were: Mrs. T.M. GREEAR, Mrs. T.H. GILLESPIE, Mrs. W.P. CARROLL, Mrs. Nancy V. EVANS, and Miss Josie HARMAN. The next meeting will be with Mrs. Joe HURT. Miss Julia Edmonia HOBSON and Mr. Monroe Litz GRAYBEAL were married last Saturday morning at eleven o'clock in Christ Episcopal church, Bluefield, West Virginia. The bride is a daughter of the Rev. Jennings W. HOBSON and Mrs. HOBSON, of Bluefield, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fields GRAYBEAL of Maxwell. For her marriage the bride wore a modest street length costume of spring violet crepe, with small felt turban trimmed with a veil that matched. She carried a bouquet of gardenias, tied with white moiré satin ribbon. Miss Mary Belcher HOBSON, a sister of the bride, was maid of honor. She wore a Persian pink creation of the same model as the gown of her sister. The bride's younger sister, little Miss Sarah HOBSON, carried the ring in the heart of a calla lily. The bride entered the church on the arm of her brother, Jennings W. HOBSON, Jr. who gave her in marriage. Her father, Rev. Jennings W. HOBSON, assisted by her uncle, Dr. Alfred R. BERKELEY, of Roanoke, performed the marriage ceremony. Mrs. F.T. RIDLY rendered a program of appropriate music preceding the ceremony. The bridal party entered to the strains of the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin. Ushers were: Albert PEERY, Bowen ROYALL, Joe JONES and Professor John RICHMOND, all of Tazewell. The bride is a graduate of Beaver High School and Randolph Macon College at Lynchburg. For a number of years she has been employed in Tazewell by the Virginia Smokeless Coal Company. Mr. GRAYBEAL is a graduate of Roanoke college and was a member of the Tazewell High School faculty one term. He is now associated with his father in the operation of the Bluegrass Lime Company at Maxwell. Mr. and Mrs. GRAYBEAL will make their home at Maxwell. POUNDING MILL The Rev. Curtis JONES will preach at union church Sunday night. The Rev. Lee HILL, Methodist minister, preached a good sermon here Sunday night. Rev. Curtis HANKS, the Church of God minister, preached Saturday and Sunday nights. Methodist missionary society met this pm at 2 o'clock, at the home of Mrs. Rex E. STEELE. 20 were present. A good meeting was held, after which refreshments were served. Mr. and Mrs. S.T. SPARKS returned home Tuesday from a visit to her daughter, Mrs. S.L. ONEY, and Mr. ONEY, Princeton, West Virginia. Mrs. M.H. CHRISTIAN returned Monday night from a visit to Fredericksburg and Lynchburg. Her niece, Virginia Ann, graduated at Fredericksburg. Miss Virginia WRIGHT went to Williams Hospital Monday for treatment for asthma. Mrs. C.H. ROBINETT took her S.S. class on a picnic Friday on the hill across the river opposite Mr. and Mrs. James MULKEY'S residence. Mrs. William MARTIN and 2 children visited her sister, Mrs. Mike FEKETE last week. Missionary meeting of Christian church was held at the home of Mrs. J.L. RINGSTAFF, Mrs. W.A. ASBURY, joint hostess; Mrs. C.H. ROBINETT, leader. Refreshments of cake, grape juice and home made candy served. Officers elected for the coming year were: Miss Callie MULKEY, pres.; Mrs. A.O. HILT, Vice Pres.; Mrs. C.R. RINGSTAFF, secy; Mrs. Elmer MCGEE, treas. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence GILBERT and three children and Mr. and Mrs. Deece SUTPHIN, all of McCOMAS, West Virginia, visited Mr. and Mrs. Aught GILBERT and son, Beecher, Sunday, Mrs. GILBERT is some better. Miss Hazel HILT, of Tannersville, spent Sunday night here as the guest of her sister, Miss Marie HILT, who is bookkeeper at the Quarry. Mrs. D.L. RINGSTAFF and son, Billy, Mrs. C.H. ROBINETTE and son, David, were shopping in Richlands Tuesday and visited Mrs. RINGSTAFF'S mother, Mrs. MCBREER. Mrs. Mary MARTIN, of Splashdam; is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Mike FEKETE. Mrs. Cartee LONG, of Bluefield, Virginia, visited her mother, Mrs. Laura MYERS and family, over the weekend. Mrs. Fred MORGAN, of Abingdon returned home Tuesday after visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. TRAYER and daughter, Peggy. Mr. TRAYER is on the sick list. Mr. and Mrs. J.S. MULKEY and Miss Marie JONES, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie RINGSTAFF spent Sunday in Tazewell with Mr. and Mrs. Andy MULKEY and children. Mrs. W.B. STEELE observed her 57th graduating anniversary on Tuesday, June 11th. She graduated in Cedar Bluff High School, in 1883; won two medals, one for highest grade of nearly 100 pupils and one for composition, 15 in class. Because she made the highest grade in school, she was made valedictorian. She wore her two medals here Tuesday. Miss Hazel Evelyn HAGY, daughter of Mrs. Lillian C. HAGY, of Saltville, and Mr. Charles Campbell SOWERS, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.L. SOWERS, of Tazewell, were married last Saturday, June 8th. The marriage took place in the Richlands Methodist church. The bride has been employed in the office of the Clinch Valley Clinic in Richlands. Mr. SOWERS is employed in the store of the Pocahontas Fuel Company at Amonate. C.H. PEERY, III, received last week from Governor Keen JOHNSON his diploma from Kentucky Military Institute at its ninety-fifth commencement in a graduating class of seventy-seven cadets. PEERY is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. PEERY, of North Tazewell. He was a member of Company A, was on the varsity track team and his company football team. He was awarded the Distinguished Military Bar and was a member of the rifle team, being awarded the Sharpshooter medal at the Kentucky military preparatory school. The Rural Youth Club was organized Tuesday night, June 11, at the home of Charles HAGER, with 17 percent. The following officers were elected: Charles HAGER, Leader; Jim HARRIS, assistant leader; Ethel KITTS, president; J.W. YOST, vice-president; Faye HARRIS, secretary-treasurer; Billy WILLIAMS, reporter. The club was divided into two groups: "Pushers" and "Pullers" with Mildred KITTS as leader of the "Pushers" and Helen HARRIS as leader of the "PULLERS." "Playmates" was adopted as the club's theme song. It was decided we should meet with Ethel KITTS on June 25th, to discuss plans for the year, after which the second Tuesday of each month will be the meeting date. Mrs. A.J. GEORGE passed away at her home in Big Stone Gap on June 5th. Funeral services were held in the Methodist Church at Cadet. Mrs. GEORGE was the former Molly CROCKETT, daughter of Thomas J. and Emmarline Whitley CROCKETT. She is survived by her husband, A.J. GEORGE, and the following children: Jim, R.L., Miss Nannie and Mrs. E.H. WOODS, all of Big Stone Gap. Mrs. GEORGE was the aunt of Mrs. Ed YOST, Mrs. Robert HELDRETH and "Slats" DUNCAN, of Tazewell. The Rev. Haskin V. LITTLE, rector of Stras Memorial Church at Tazewell, will be married Saturday to Miss Janet Koe KESSINGER at the Emmanuel Chapel of the Virginia Theological Seminary at Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Charles W. LOWRY, professor of theology, will be the officiating minister. Miss KESSINGER is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. KESSINGER, of Alexandria, Virginia and received her education at Covington High School and Washington University at St. Louis. Mr. LITTLE is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Virginia Theological Seminary. Plans for the ceremony state that the bride will wear white chiffon and veil, and will carry a white prayer book with streamers. Horace G. LITTLE, of Charlottesville, will be best man and Miss Katherine TAYLOR, of Alexandria, Virginia, will be maid of honor. The Rev. and Mrs. LITTLE are expected in Tazewell about July 10th and will make their home in the apartments now occupied by the Rev. and Mrs. JUNKIN. Judge Albert PEERY'S Trial Justice court featured a trail Wednesday in which the well known colored families of Baldwin, Buchanan, Thompson and Holloways, participated. The evidence indicated that a bloodless battle was fought recently because of the language used by the participants in the melee. It all came about through the arrest recently of a son of one of the people, who had contraband liquor on his person. Judge PEERY heard all the evidence and then threw the case through the window. Robert STEPHENSON didn't fare quite so well. Prohibition agents raided his place and found within a few hundred feet of his house a quantity of moonshine. The Judge evidently thought STEPHENSON knew something about it because he fined him $76.00 and gave him a two months suspended sentence. An appeal was taken. A couple of Richlands girls were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a married man who had a wife and six children. The evidence was inconclusive. A few drunks, the usual run of the hook, were on hand and were fined. The approaching marriage of Miss Mary Gray THOMPSON to Mr. Robert Edgar HELTZEL of Richmond, which is to take place in Main St. Methodist church on Saturday at 4 pm, has been the occasion for much social activity in honor of this popular member of the younger set of Tazewell. On the last Thursday afternoon, Miss Margaret BOWEN was hostess for a miscellaneous shower at her home. Misses Anne HARMAN and Frances HELDRETH entertained with a fireplace party at the home of Miss HELDRETH in East Tazewell Friday evening. On Monday afternoon Miss Katherine PEERY gave a bridge party. Misses Martha O'KEEFFE and Martha THOMPSON were hostesses for a luncheon at the home of Miss O'KEEFFE on Tuesday. Miss Sara Florence CROCKETT entertained at bridge at her home Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday Miss Mary Lynch CROCKETT gave an afternoon party at her home here. Mrs. Sam THOMPSON and Miss Ann THOMPSON were hostesses at tea Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bowen THOMPSON in the Cove. On Thursday afternoon Misses Rose Allen HIGGINBOTHAM, Nancy MOSS and Ellen BOWEN joined as hostesses to entertain with an afternoon party. The round of social functions will conclude on Friday evening when Mrs. J. Powell ROYALL and Mrs. S.J. THOMPSON will be hosts for a buffet supper at the Royall home. Mrs. Rufus HAGY and children of Tazewell, are in Richlands, guests of Mrs. HAGY'S sister, Mrs. Leslie NUCKOLS and family. Robert L. PEERY, North Tazewell, received his Bachelor of Science degree at the commencement exercises of V.P.I. June 10th. Mrs. Robert HELDETH was in Big Stone Gap last week to attend the funeral services of her aunt, Mrs. A.J. GEORGE. Miss Margaret JONES, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. JONES, left Tuesday for Richlands, where she will complete a summer course at Richlands High School. Billy HOOVER, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam HOOVER, entered Bluefield Business College Monday to take up summer work. Jimmy BUTLER has accepted a position with Jackson Drug Co., in the absence of Billy TARTER, who has resigned. Misses Inez and Helen RITCHEY, of Marion, Va; are in Tazewell, the guests of Miss Helen GILLESPIE and other friends. M.W. STANFIELD and S.D. SHARP have returned to Tazewell from Hillsville, Virginia, where they recently bought out a stock of goods. Miss Agnes JUNKIN was in Bluefield Saturday to attend the wedding of Miss Julia HOBSON to Monroe GRAYBEAL. Miss Anne THOMPSON has returned from Randolph-Macon College, Lynchburg, where she graduated with honors. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry THOMPSON. Douglas FLEET, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.F. FLEET, was in Lexington the past weekend to witness the closing exercises at Washington and Lee and to attend the dance. Mrs. H.S. BOWEN has returned to her home in Tazewell from a visit with her parents and friends in Fort Valley, Ga. The daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl WALLACE has been named Patricia Louise. Mrs. WALLACE and daughter returned to their home in Tazewell Sunday from the Clinch Valley Clinic. Judge and Mrs. L.M. MCAMIS and children, of Kingsport, Tenn., were in Tazewell the past weekend the guest of Mr. and Mrs. C.W. JONES. Misses Billie CRUISE and Ella MCCONNELL, of Tazewell, spent the past weekend in Hillsville, Va., as the guest of Miss CRUISE'S parents. Miss Kathleen LEFFEL has returned to her home at Shawver Mill, after completing a successful term as a student at Radford State Teacher's College. Mr. and Mrs. George LITTON, of Blacksburg, Virginia, were in Tazewell the past weekend the guests of Mrs. LITTON'S parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.C. BOWEN. Mr. and Mrs. Harry ELMORE and family of Gretna, Virginia, are in Tazewell the guests of Mrs. ELMORE'S parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Powell ROYALL. Miss Jane ROYALL, of Radford, is also the guest of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Steward IRESON and children, of Williamson, West Virginia, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. H.F. IRESON at North Tazewell. Mr. IRESON is recuperation from burns he received last winter. Miss Marguerite MULLINS has returned from a visit with her brother, Robert Spencer MULLIN and Mrs. MULLIN, at Dublin. Miss Sammy SCOTT has returned to her home in Tazewell from Petersburg, where she taught the past term in the Petersburg public school. Mrs. Grace Moore BAILEY and Miss Dora MOORE, of North Tazewell, left Monday for Knoxville, Tennessee, for a visit with friends and relatives. Miss Jessie WHITAKER manager of the Jessmar Beauty Shop, of Tazewell, left Monday for a visit to her home in Norton, Virginia. She was accompanied home by her neice. Among the out of town guests present for the marriage of Miss HOBSON to Mr. Monroe GRAYBEAL Saturday were; Mrs. Harwood HAYNES and Mrs. Francis WELLS, of Washington, sister and niece, respectively of the Rev. J.W. HOBSON, father of the bride; Mr. and Mrs. Fields GRAYBEAL, of Maxwell; Dr. Alfred R. BERKELEY, of Roanoke brother of Mrs. HOBSON, with his daughters, Misses Lelie and Bernard BERKELEY and Rev. Edmund BERKELEY and Mrs. BERKELEY, of Buena Vista, the former a nephew of Mrs. HOBSON. Attorney Hubert PEERY returned Thursday morning from a business trip to New York. Frank M. HURT, the well known and popular Springville citizen, was in Tazewell this week. Charley MOORE, Mac PUCKETT, E.R. KILGORE, Bill HUGHES and Vance BUCKLES, of Tazewell, were in Cincinnati, where they witnessed the Cincinnati-Brooklyn game the past weekend. They returned with new Fords for the Kilgore Motor Sales. Mrs. Robert MOSS fell last week at Blacksburg, breaking her hip and wrist. She is a patient in a Bluefield hospital. Mr. MOSS is a member of the board of visitors at V.P.I. Bane G. PEERY has returned to his home in Tazewell from V.P.I where he has been a student the past school term. GRATTON Sam and Bilton BURTON were home for the weekend. Both work in Keystone. Several of the folks of this community attended the show on Tuesday. Everybody has electricity and wants an electric stove. Mr. and Mrs. W.H. HAGER of Thompson Valley, spent Sunday with their daughter, Mrs. M.L. BURTON and family. Mrs. M.L. BURTON spent Wednesday with her mother, Mrs. W.H. HAGER in the Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Leland KITTS, of Keystone, spent the weekend with Mrs. KITTS sister, Mrs. Paul YOST here. Howard BOURNE had the misfortune to lose two cows, by being poisoned on stagger. Misses Ada and Ella BURTON left on Saturday with several others for New York to attend the fair. Misses Rosa and Ada BURTON motored to Coeburn last week for a few days to visit the Ashworths, Mr. F.A. ASHWORTH, the father, is better known as (Grandpa), is in his 94th year and is very active. He still goes to his shoe shop and works every day. He is a wonderful man. SPRINGVILLE Misses Frances YOST and Rosa Mae HARMON left Tuesday to enter the summer session at Duke University. Mrs. J.W. YOUNG, Jr. and her daughter, "Becky" of Gary, Ind., visited friends and relatives here last week, Mrs. YOUNG is the former Miss Letha WALLACE. Mr. and Mrs. Robert SCOTT and children and Mrs. Myra NASH were dinner guests of the YOSTS, Sunday. J.A. WALLACE is touring in New Orleans and other points with a group called the White Shrine. Ernest HAWKS, of Giles County, was a weekend visitor here. Miss Alice Marie MCKINNEY, of Bishop, was the weekend guest of Mr. and Mrs. Oren MCCOMAS. Mrs. Roy WILSON, of Skyland Camp, spent a few days with home folks at Wise last week. Ruth YOST and Edward TABOR spent Sunday in Roanoke as the guests of the latter's parents. Miss Mary Frances MCCOMAS spent the past weekend in Thompson Valley. Miss Edna CARROLL, of Logan, West Virginia, has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. W.P. CARROLL.