The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-03-23
Written for The Spirit of Democracy
From Bethel elTOvvnship.

MARCH II, 1875.
ED SPIRIT: At this writing the gene.
raj health of this community is good,
notwithstanding there has been conside-
rdble of sickness during the past winter.
The wheat crop in many places looks
much revived since the late favorable
weather, but seems considerably dam
aged not only by freezes, but the heavy,
drenching rains after sudden thaw
tausing considerable of washes against
Gle side hits. -----:---------
Our winter schools, in several school
districts, are now being closei, aud l
have heard of none more interesting
than that of district No. 3 of this town
ship, taught by w. T Scarborough. Mr.
Scarborough entered the school stranger
to all, the school having the reputation
of being hard one to manage. During
the previous winter several of the larger
scholars were expelled in consequence Of
alleged disorderly conduct, and at the
present term l expected would have
been declared 'banditti" Mr.. Scar
brough seemed to think differently; that
the school room was good place to re-
form bad boys, and saw no cause for ex
pulsion or corporal punishment The
school seemed to be submissive, and all
vanced in their various studies satisfae-
tory to all, making the old adage good,
"He that seems to govern least governs
most" Many householders were pres
ent at the close, and added to the teach.
erIs large treat of candies quite an
amount Of choice cakes and pies,such as
fond mothers like to contribute to those
that have done their duty. After. the
feast there was an intermission, where
upon the larger boys divided and went
into that lively athletic favorite game,
base ball. Many citizens, male and fel
male, witnessed the perfofrhahce, being
the first time some Of them ever saw it
played pe3 & s.H is .1s.'ff
The boys played with much zeal, and
used many terms.not understood by US !;
but one thing we thought we did under
stand, Git caused much labor and poor
pay, and one of the current terms so Of
ten made use off, "Whitewashing each
other" seemed very appropriate. for by
the time the game was over some of them
looked as though they needed it. At the
sound of the bell school convened again,
and after some interesting speeches from
both young and old, adjourned, having
had a general good time, throughout
Mr.. Scarborough has earned goodrepu-
tation in this community for his more
than ordinary ability in the management
of the school. s e Ja. 1i
Now in this section farmers, both large
and small are impatiently waiting for a
few dry days. Look out then, the air
will be dense with the smoke of burning
tobacco beds; for, if the season will per-
nit, there must and will be large crop
of the weed cultivated, though at the ex.
pense of many indispensable things ;and
then in the. Fall, should the price be a
way, way down again,e US not grumble
we are the ones to, blame
! AS regards the proposed railroad
movement over there, we hope the citi
zens of Woodsfeld. and the county at
large will let no good opportunity pass
without improving it, in order to secure
that much needed enterprise. The inte
rior should be opened up by railroad,
penetrating it somewhere, and we should
not only ask each other "if railroad
was going to come," as if they did some.
times spontaneously do SC. but we should
try to convince the people OF its utility,
and then do as your Mr.. Jones, appeal
| to their pockets. That is the way such
! improvements come.
Woodsfeld has never had chance
from the beginning The Ohio River
on the East, the Central Ohio Railroad
OF the North and the NJ, ?. & c. r. r
on the Southwest, thus forming marke
or trading post on either side, thus de
priving Woodsfield Of the products O
her own county, whilst we of the border
would much rather turn our trade to oul
own capital and thereby build it up, en-
hancing the value of our own lands
Why should Woodsfield, one amongs
the Oldest towns in the State, and Ole
Monroe one of the stepping stones tt
: Ohio's immigration, be 80 long destitute
OF railroad advantages when SO many o