The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-27
LETTER FROM HARRIsoNBURG.
HARR1soNBURa, VA, Sep. 20, 1877

LETTER FROM HARRISONBURG.
HARRIsoNBURa, VA, Sep. 20, 1877.
Editors Virgimiam:
The meeting OF the Democrats at the Court
house on Saturday last to demonstrate against
the utterances of Gen. James Walker, candidate
for Lieut.. Governor, i'll reference to the public
debt question, was only moderately attended,
The notice had been published but two days pre-
viousy. consequently it was not generally known
There were present possibly three hundred per-
sons. Col. G. T. Barbee of Bridgewater, was call
ed to the chair, and ]. Harvey Wartmann was
elected Secretary. The chair thanked the meet
ing for the honor. and stated that the meeting be
ing organized was ready to hear remarks. Capt
H. H Riddleberger of Shenandoah County, then
addressed the meeting, claiming that Gen. Walker
had abandoned the platform OF the Richmond
Convention. He then read series Of resolutions
which will doubtless be furnished the VIRG INIAs
by the Secretary-at all events have not bee
able to get copy. The p1th of the resolutions
was that a committee be appointed as confer
ence committee looking to holding Convention
at Charlottesville Oct. 4th, to nominate gentle
man in place of Gen. Walker, Hon. John 7. Har
rls, after the aiding of the resolutions, took the
floor and spoke against the resolutions. After he
had finish ed, Capt. Riddleberger replied, and un
fortunately permitted himself to stray away from
the question. In short, the debate between Rid
dleberger and DR.. s. II. Mofitt on the one side
and Judge Harris on the other side, was from
that on, until very few minutes before the meet
ing closed, a debate Of Harris" The fndigna
ton toward Walker had melted into Thin air" by
the disputants. and Harris" caught jesse. You
and your readers know that when it comes to
al bic oJ1o 1r,d
right hand had evidently not forgot its cum
ming. Instead of the meeting Assembling to dis
cuss grave questions OF Importance, it descended
during the debate, to squabble for office from
Congress down. Near the close. Hon. ]. D. Pen.
nybacker varied the perfo rnnance by introducing
q resolution which had been endorsed in 1867 by
Dr. Moflltt which whilst 1t was popular then does
not read well now. No doubt the accurate Secre-
tary of the meeting will give all Of the proceed,
ings Of this remarkable meeting. Large numbers
OF farmers who had coWe to participate in the
public debt question left in disgust at the personal
quarrel between Harris and Anti-Harris men
and when the resolutions offered by Capt. Riddel
berger, were voted on there where 36 ayes and q
hayes.
The Harrisonburg Guards were presented or
last Saturday evening by the ladies OF Harrison
| burg, with handsome United States Regulation
Infantry flag. The flag is feet by feet inches
made of tafeta silk, gilt stars trimmed with gold
bullion fringe and gold cord and tassel The staff
is ornamented with an eagle. The flag was made
by NJ. G. Lilly 6 Co. Of Columbus, o. The presen-
tation speech OF Col Chas. T. O'Ferrall was sim
ply 'grandly eloquent If the execution" did
not occupy so much space. would furnish your
readers with several extracts, knowing they
would appreciate them as a literary treat Col
l n, / I I'D 70 hun n 2 or
on part of the Guards in speech Of true SOL
diery ring. The flag was ordered for the ladies by
| Capt James L. Avis. Color Sergeant w. Scott
Corde bore the colors aloft with perfect martial
bearing and the Guards are of right proud OF
their handsome present.
| Whose business is it to attend to the neglected
graves corner OF Wolf and High streets There
| is not the faintest semblance of fence around
| the burying ground, and for years it has been a
public commons for the pasturage of cows. hogs,
and all animals suffered to run at large 1t is a
| disgrace to any civilized community. The tomb
stones show that some Of those buried there have
not been dead TWENTY-FIVE years-and so soon for
gotten! Handsome church ediices, cushioned
pews high priced organs, goo preachers, &C.,
may be all right in the sight OF God, but will be
cumsquizzled if that graveyard is all right in the
| sight of man. If there isn't something soon done
l
| town and publish the names on the tombstones
1t may be their relatives live away from here aud
| don't know how the thing is.
Three weeks ago mention was made in the VIR
G1NIAN that man named Geo. Hedrick had beer
knocked from his horse on the Dayton pike and
| robbed of over 500. The trial OF Commonwealth
VS.. Hiram Devier before Esquire Kisling on Satur
day last, developed the following facts: Hedricl
| and Dever were in town on the day referred to-
| They fell out about the speed Of two Alroy colts
| Hedrick called Dever liar, Dever said, "com'
| outside Of the Corporation. Hedrick swore HI
gave Dever $40 to take to his sister-all the mon
| ey he had. About three hours after. Hedrick
| with stone in his hand, mounted his horse ant
I followed Dever, caught up with him, and Deve
whipped him terribly. After the fighting He'd
rick showed two respectable gentlemen roll o
money which he said contained $s4. So the whole
thing summed up is. Dever did not get any mon
ey OF Hcdriok, but Hedrick got whipping from
| Dever. Dever was held in 5000 bonds for Grapt
| Jury for beating Hedrick.
| An immense excitement was created here Pr
/ Cfrcus day by the report that one John MsCal5y
had committed rape on young lady from Broad
way in corn field near the depot Several OF To-
| rail road employees heard the cry of Help IN uI
der. Help" issuing from the corn field, and hast
| ening to the scene. noticed man running ant
found the girl crying. The police were notlnee
| and McCarty arrested and identified by the girl
He was put in Jail. That evening magistrate Kis
ling released him, the girl refusing to appea
against him. McCarty says 1t was only fus
abont advance payment. The public mind wa
| just in that condition, that threats OF lynchn
McCarty were indalged in.
The Federal District Court, which held its Fal
Term at Lynchburg last week. was not very fruit
full of results to the cases Docket 1t will b
| painful to the numerous friends of the accom-
plished Judge Rives. to hear that he is still seri
ousy disabled by rheumatism, although he pre-
| sided in Court during the week, he was manifest
/ ly suffering to such extent, that the bar AM
| the suitors seemed disinclned to press case
upon him. Serious fears are entertained tina
! Judge Riy9s' condi.-o on will be SUCH that he will
be unable to hold his Fall Term here. He is no,
under the treatment OF DR.. Owen of Lynchburg
and it is greatly to be hoped that, thereby, hi
| suffering may be allayed, and our worthy Judg
restored to health and activity.
Rev. T. D. Bell delivered an impressive and elt
| quent discourse on temperance at the PreSby
| terrain Church last Sunday evening.
A horse attached to buggy, driven by Will
| Funkhouser last Saturday in Mt. Crawford, IA
| off totally demolishing the buggy.
The farmers OF this county are now busiIy en-
gagged seeding. f
Yours &C., FAX.