Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-08-12
A Piece of History.

In the Spring of 1869, Fl. H. Wells was nomi-
mated By a Radical Convention in Petersburg
as their candidate for Governor. Among all
the carpet-baggers he had been most distin-
gnished for the ferocity with which ne had per-
secuted our people. President Grant had
about that time sent in message to Congress
calling their attention to the condition of Vir-
einia then grooming under the heel of mill
tary despot He requested authority of Con-
gress to submit the Underwood constitution to
vote of the people in such manner as to al
low them to expurgate the test-oaths and dis
franchising clauses which it contained Wells
appeared before the Reconstruction committee
of Congress and made speech against the
proposition. The Convention which nomi-
mated him declared in favor of the adoption OF
the constitution with the test-oaths and dis
franchising clauses. R. W. Hughes, the Rad:
ical candidate for Governor of Virginia, edited
the State Journal, the organ OF the party In
that canvass, and defended its proscriptive pol
icy. Our people voted out the obnoxious
clauses. Hughes then urged Gen. Candy, the
military Governor, to apply the iron-clad oath to
| the legislature which we had elected. The eff
feet of this would have been to deprive the
Virginia people of all the fruits Of their victo-
ry over Wells. Gen. Candy. In accordance
with Hughes suggestion, issued an order that
no one elected should take his seat unless he
could take the iron-clad oath. Grant interpos-
ed and had Canby's order revoked. If it had
taken his seat, and Virginia would have be-
come the paradise of negroes and carpet-bag-
gers Yet this man Hughes now asks the peo-
plo of Virginia to forget his black record and
elect him Governor Warrenton hder.
BITTEN BY SHARK.-Jas. Green, aged 80
years. living on William street, near Charles, a
fisherman by occupation, made the acquain-
lance yesterday of shark, and came near be-
ing killed. At half-past 6 o'clock yesterday
morning he was assisting in drawing seine in
Chester river, when he suddenly perceived
shark swimming rapidly towards him. Green
started for the shore as fast as possible but in
a water race he was no match for the monster
then pursuing him. When within thirty feet of
the beach the shark, it is said, came up with
Green, and Selling his right leg, stripped it of
flesh from the bend of the knee to the ankle.
The shark afterwards contented himself with
swimming about the river for nearly half an
hour. The companions Of Green bandaged his
torn leg as best they knew how. and afterwards
placed him on board of the George Law, which
arrived at Lightstree wharf yesterday after
noon. The injured man was removed to Lom-
bard-street Infrmary, where the torn limb was
amputated at the knee, the bone of the leg
having been badly shattered by the teeth of
the shark. 1t was very singular adventure
and narrow escape.-Bah. Snn.
Fort Scott, Kansas, has been seeing snake
in the sky The Monitor says 1.-The sky was
clear and the sun rose entirely unobscured-
When the disc of the sun was about halfway
above the horizon, the form of huge serpent,
apparently perfect 10 form, was plainly seen
encircling it, and was visible for some mo-
ments" The editor declares that he has the
statement from two reliable witnesses, who are
willing to make affidavit to the above.
At the recent commencement of Bowden col
lege. Bowden, Carroll county, Ca, the distin-
guished degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred
upon the Hon. A. H. Stephens, amid great en-
tbusiasm.