The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-13
HARRIsoNBURG.
OF THE FOURTH-PRODIGAL'S
RETURN-CROPS-POL PROB
ABLE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES-AC-
CIDENT, ETC, ETC.
HARRIsoNBURG, VA, |
July 1lth, 1876. (


EDITORS VIRGINIAN The mail for Staun-
ton leaving this place at O'Clock in the even
ing prevented me from furnishing the doings
in IIarrisonburg On the Fourth. At twilight
the ''anvil chorus' began, thirteen shots being
fired. At dark our citizens commenced illu-
minatng. The illumination was general, con-
sequenty success. Without desiring to be
nvidious, special mention should be made of
the residences of Hon. James Kinney, D. Nor
VIM. Loeb, The Old Commonwealth office ,Ad-
ans Express Office, j. d. Prices Real Estate
Office, the Post Office, l.. A. & II. Wises, A.
Fl. Wilson, j. X. Smith, the Hotels, and last
but not least the Court House. After the
s'sable curtain Of night had been drs wn and
pinned with star" the Rescue Engine, most
tastefully draped with national flags and ever
greens, seated upon which was one of our most
beautiful young ladies costumed as the Goddess
of Liberty, was drawn through the streets by
the members of the company preceded by the
Jonadab drum corps. AS the procession was
marching around the Court House square, the
pyrotechnical display commemorate was
decided success. After the procession had
traversed the principal streets, speaking was
commenced and continued for several hours in
the Court House Square. One orator an
nounced the news OF the death OF Mrs. Katie
Shepp, who has resided for over q century at
Keezletown, Mrs. Shepp died at s o'clock the
morning of the 4th Of July, aged, as {locnmen-
tary evidence fully establishes, one hundred
and twenty-six years. A full and interesting
account of her life, as well as citations estab-
fishing her age was published about two wears
ago. There was not an accident or single
occurrence to mar the harmony OF the day.
and the Centennial Fourth of July in Harris
onburg will doubtless be frequently referred to
as one of the days in Harrisonburg.
An amusing incident occurred at the resi-
dcnce of Peter kiger, ESD, a few days ago
Forty-two years ago Peter kiger. Jr., a lad of
sixteen, agreed to disagree with his parents
and left home. He played the Prodigal son to
perfection by never writing home, and his par
ents had years ago come to the conclusion that
he was dead. Peter, Jr., turned up few days
ago. He rode up to his fathers house, when
the following dialogue occurred:
Prodigal Son--Will you be kind enough to
give me glass Of Water2
Father--Yes.
p. S,-What Is your name?
F.--Peter Kger.
p. S.-Why, that is my name.
Els that so? Well, there may be a great
many of the same name.
Z. S.-4cs, but you and are related. lam
your son.
Els that so? Well, Peter, where have
you been for so long? Hadn't you better get
off your horse and stay all night?
cite this incident, Mr.. Editor. to show the
world what difficulties newspaper men labor
under, compared with days OF old, in getting
up reading matter. Now, had that event oc-
CURED about nineteen centuries ago, I could
have given first-class descriptive article, rela-
ting to the mysteries and miseries OF calf
hutchering, the toilets Of the ladies at the par
ty, the quantity and quality of the wines, and
several other matters Of interest. If the read
doubts this, refer him to the New Testament,
Chap. Nv, st. Luke. 1t was, however, one of
the very few (this is for bad bovs) successful
rnnaways Mr.. Peter Kiger, Jr., being one of
the wealthiest and most influential gentlemen
living in Wayne county, Indiana The singu-
lar part OF this family affair Is, that about one
month ago a daughter Of Mr.. kger, who elo-
ped with her husband thrty-two years ago;
paid her first visit to the old homestead.
Threshing of wheat has been very generally
commenced in different sections Of the country
From conversation with farmers from all parts
of the country,I learn that the yield is the best
since the war. The average Of this county
this season is computed at nearly six bushels
and one peck to the one hundred sheaves, Six
bushels has been heretofore considered large
yield. When you take into consideration the
extraordinary large number OF acres planted
i'll wheat the past season, you will readily con-
cur in the statement that Rockingham county
will tllresh more bushels OF wheat than any
J oHi ot'CC ptiC NfsI. EfNA dSbiltS Oi uiilpT6ut
labor saying machinery, learn that the farm
ers are generally pretty well supplied, a sure
sign of prosperity among that class Of our citi-
zens. The rains Of the past ten days have in
sured the corn crop. Oats are made and Il
large yield is anticipated. Fruit is not so
plentiful, There will be fair apple CROP
Peaches, plums and smaller fruits are scarce.
Vegetables OF every description are plenty and
cheap. The signs indicate an immense yield OF
Irish potatoes, the Colorado potato bug to the
contrary, Notwithstanding
IN political campaigEs you hear a great deal
OF the .sstreneth OF the party" The strength
Of the Tilden party of this place was tested on
last Saturday. The ''unwashed and unterrlfi-
ed'' concluded to erect a pole. They brought
three pieces OF timber to town whose united
length figured up to 1876 feet. After mature
consideration they concluded it was too heavy
to raise, and they cut off II feet. Pole raising
commenced at $3.50 and continued until about
10 O'Clock at night. The result Of the raising
at that hour being an elevation Of about 50 de
grees. Work was then discontinued unit
Monday morning. 1t was most pitiable ant
lamentabe exhibition of the strength Of tl,t
party The church goers on Sunday had
Il 10, A.,