Lawrence County News Friday April 29, 1881

The editor was already urging the citizens of Lawrenceville to get up a glorious old-fashioned 4th of July celebration because Bridgeport had the celebration two years ago and Sumner last year. Additionally, he urged all to support holding a County Fair this fall. Last year the fair was crowded off the program because of the presidential campaign. Now people would have more time to devote to getting ready and preparing for the coming event. William T Buchanan was vice president of the agricultural board.

Isaac Poindexter was a new resident at the county boarding house (aka jail) indicted for an assault to kill. (Remember that Ike crawled out of jail several weeks ago leaving a note stating that he would come back in a few days but apparently he failed appear in a timely manner..) Sarah Gowens pled guilty to an assault on Mrs. Carl and was fined $5. The culvert on the cemetery road is nearing completion under the efficient management of Street Commissioner John H Roberts. The courthouse yard was cleaned this past week and the editor noted that the grass was beautiful and green. John Wolfe purchased the grocery stock of JR. Mulligan and moved the same to Lawrenceville to occupy the old Herald newspaper building.

The organization of the Lawrenceville board resulted in the selection of the following officers: Constable BH Propes, Treasurer E Schmalhausen, and Street Commissioner John Roberts. The new trustees of Lawrenceville were TW Roberts, C Cole, and James K Dickerson. Frank C Meserve, was elected clerk of the village.  A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was being called to appoint a county treasurer to fill the unexpired term of JW Whittaker, deceased.

An obituary was published for J W Whittaker who died at his residence, one mile and a half west of town on April 14, 1881, aged 44 years. Mr. Whittaker was born on November 19th, 1837, and married Mary J Fyffe on December 31, 1868, who survived him. He was the county treasurer, an efficient kind- hearted man, and won the respect of everybody and from all quarters came regret of his death. He was only sick for a few days with pneumonia when he was summoned to a higher abode. He was a member of the Christian Church of Lawrenceville for a number of years and generally loved by all who had met him.

The newspaper announced that Ford school would put on an exhibition at the old Plummer Store building at Bird Station. Immediately following this announcement was a news article with the headline “Bird Station Gore” reporting that a very serious cutting affray had occurred at Ford schoolhouse in Bond Township last Saturday night in which John Steffy Jr now lay on a bed of pain and probably would lose his life from the effects of eight severe cuts across the breast and back.  Young Wm. Lindsey accompanied by another man went to the Ford schoolhouse where preparations were being made for a school exhibition, and getting into the house, where none but members were expected to take part, cast their vote in some trivial manner. Young Steffy objected to their votes being counted as they were not members and in stepping out- of- doors a short time after, was stabbed with a knife in the hands of young Lindsey eight times, any two of them being enough to cause his death. Doctor NF Lindsay dressed the wounds. At last account the wounded man was resting at easy as could be expected. A warrant was sworn out; young Lindsey arrested; and pled guilty.  Esquire Rogers held him under a bond of $100 for his appearance at the next term of Circuit Court. (Apparently school art contests were taken very seriously then.

The editor opined why were some steps not taken to break up that class of rowdyism, disturbing worshipping congregations, public meetings, etcetera that had existed for some time in that part of the county? Once in a while someone was punished by a small fine and the recklessness increased or certainly did not diminish. The editor advised law enforcement to make the fine so unprofitable as to stop it forever.

 Mr. LG Pittman of Russellville had been engaged by the directors to teach summer school for two months and would commence on May 2nd. He published a notice that said he had to have the cooperation of the parents if the school was to succeed. Parents must aid the teacher by ensuring the regularity and punctuality of the pupils.

Mr. DL Gold working with the Civil War Pension affairs in Washington DC sent a letter for publication to the Rural Republican stated seeing that he was prohibited from assisting applicants except under the rules.  He advised that a larger personnel force was now at work on claims than in the past four years because of a limited budget. Every minute absence from duty by the clerks was charged up against them; every case taken up in regular order; and claimants informed as rapidly as circumstances would permit.

Mr. Victor Buchanan, Sr departed this life at his residence in the Buchanan settlement on April 23rd, 1881, at the advanced age of 74 years.  He was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky and came to this state and county upward of 60 years ago. Having attained his majority, he married and settled near the old homestead. Mr. Buchanan was an affectionate husband and father, a worthy citizen, a good neighbor, kind, generous and hospitable. He was warm-hearted and eminently sociable. He was a man of sterling integrity. He was elected by his fellow citizens to township offices of trust and responsibility and re-elected from time to time for a long series of years. He was an esteemed member of the Pisgah Presbyterian Church for a period of nearly 20 years, seldom failing to be in his place in church on Sabbath days. For some years past his health gradually failed to such a degree that he sometimes felt life to be a burden. Nevertheless, he would frequently repeat the words, “All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change comes”. At the appointed time his change came and now “he is not dead but sleepeth.”   

The following deaths were reported in Russell township: Mary Ann Foreman, March 26, aged 17 years; Carrie Baker April 11, aged 16 years; and Infant child of Sam Foreman March 27.

Died at the residence of Uncle George McCleave April 14, little Bertie Dickerson of typhoid fever. His sufferings were long and severe, but his little soul was now at rest.

 Wheat sold for 97 cents a bushel in Bridgeport. 16 train cars loaded with wheat were shipped from there. Wm Gray was the Bridgeport Street Supervisor. A stock dealer from Kenton Ohio was in town trying to buy a load of horses. The school directors concluded not to build the new schoolhouse on the old lots and purchased ground just west of the Presbyterian church.  Charlie Eshelman attended school at Lebanon Ohio. 

 Plank Road (Allison Prairie): Health was generally good. Wheat had improved. With suitable weather the almost bare fields could yet produce some wheat.  Spring plowing was slow. Ex-Sheriff Scott’s house was near completion. The new church was to be dedicated on May 15.  The school election was to be contested on account of illegal voting on the part of a young man.  It being a tie between Adamson and Carl, it was decided by drawing.

John H Potts was the first man to plant corn in the Sand Barrens vicinity. John Pittman and John Sparks were arrested for fighting with James Sheridan. Sparks was fined $25; Pitman’s trial would be held soon. Summer school was progressing finally under the care of William Waller.

Charlottesville health was not improving. According to the correspondent their town had been annoyed for the past week by a crazy woman, Mrs. Louisa Lewis.  After 8 days of illness, she had gone insane. Hog cholera was raging in the vicinity; the growing wheat was looking better. Milton Norris quit the glass business and went into the sawlog business. Garden making was the order of the day and some of the farmers were plowing for corn.

Dr McDowell was elected director of the Sumner public schools. The question of running this school eight months instead of 6 was carried in the affirmative by a majority of 71.