The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-07
:
LETTER FROM HARRlSONBURG.
MEMORIAL DAY-FoURTH OF JULY CELE-
BRATION-JOTrINGS IN AND ABOUT THE
OLD BURG. i

OLD BURG.
HARRIsoNBURG, VA, June 6, 1877.
To-day was Memorial Day. The morning
broke midst dark lowering clouds supple.
mented by heavy showers. The very heavens
appeared as clad in sable mourning land yiel,.
ing tears over the graves of the Confederate
dead. Despite the rain, quite number OF
citizens wended their way to the depot fol
the double purpose of bidding bon uoyage to
Prof. Clary's band, and wishing the passing
S.auntonians happy, pleasant time at Win.
chester. just here, Mr.. Editor, permit a
depression. evening several gentlemen
in discussing the jealous feud and town pi-
que which formerly existed between Staun.
ton and Harrisonburg, and the friendly in
terest and excellent feeling now existing,
arrived at the conclusion that this mos. de-
sirable amity was the result of two causes,
first the fair and impartial jotting down OF
Harrsonburg affairs by the editors Of VIR-
GILMAN and Spectator; second, the warm
feeling of mutual interest occasioncd alnong
a large number of the male citizens of both
places by the establishment of the Sons Of
Jonadab. Whatever the cause, it is safe
assertion that nine-tenths of the citizens of
Harrisonburg rejoice at all of Staunton IS
successes, either of business or pleasure, and
sympa:hize at any of its misfortuues.
At eleven O'Clock the business houses of
the town were closed, and the citizens as
sembled in the court house square. The
procession was formed in the following Or
der: Harrisonburg Guards, 80 muskets.
Young ladies representing the Confederate
States. Children dressed in white represent
ing the unknown dead.' Schools Of the
town, citizens of the town and county.
The march to the cemetery having been ac-
complished, the Guards went through the
usual military drill adapted to funeral occa-
sion. There were about five hundred per-
sons in the procession. The ladies repre-
senting the different States were: Virginia,
Misses Kate Christie and Maggie OFT North
Carolina, Misses Helphenstine and Hopkins:
South Carolina, Misses Warren and Effinger;
Georgia, Misses Sprinkle and Huston; Florida,
Misses Paul and Castleman; Alabama, Miss
es Roger and Braithwaite; Mississippi, Misses
Greiner and Messersmith; Louisiana, Misses
Shacklett and Bowman; Missouri, Misses
Daingerfield and Fletcher; Tennessee, Miss
Flora Rodges; Texas, Miss Mary Nicholas !;
Arkansas, Misses Willie McAlister and Ber-
tina Filbert; Maryland Gu mourning), Misses
Trieber and OFT. The civic portion of the
procession was marshalled by Hon. James
Kinney. at the cemetery every grave was
remembered, many being literally covered
with flowers. The few Union soldiers
graves were as profusely decorated as were
those of the Confederates After the graves
had been decorated the large crowd returned
to the Court House yard and were dismissed
The Guards marched to the south side Of
Court House square and were drilled for an
hour or more. The drilling was highly ap-
preciated not only by the large number of
country people. but by the citizens of the
town, all OF whom were of the opinion that
the Guards would be the .scrack', military
company of the Valley.
The Catholics will hold a fair in the
Thurmond building tomorrow and Friday
evening. 1t will doubtless be success in
every respect. Among other novelties. there
will be gold headed cane voted to the
handsomest gentleman in town.
The Virginia Land Bureau has sold n lot
gu feet front located on South Main street.
belonging to Col. N. G. Hartman, to DR..
Williams. for 81, 300. They have also rent
ed the UT corner to gentleman from
New YORK state, who proposes carrying an
the dry goods business exclusively, upon a
large scale.
Misses Campbell, who have been teaching
select school here for severa! wears. have
commenced erecting Seminary building at
the southern end of town.
Inc farmers from every section of the
county. report the different growing crops
and fruit, as promising an enormous weld,
Circuit Court is in session. The murder
trials, it is expected, will be tried at next
County Court term.
Col. Robert johnson is gaining many sup
porters for the candidacy for Governor, II
Malone, Daniels and Holiday fail in secur-
ing the nomination, should not be sur
prlsed at Col. Johnson's success. Virginia
would have an able Executive in case John
son was elected. In this connection, it may
be proper to mention that il the nominee
for Governor is not a Valley man. Senator
Moffett's chances for Lieut.. Governor are
considered excellent.
Those pugnacious pests, the English SPAR
rows, have made their appearance here in
large numbers, and, as a result, all other
feathered songsters are being driven ont by
the English DULLES.
The Commonwealth of tomorrow will
contain an editorial announcement Of
grand Fourth of july celebra-
ton to be held here. Your correspon-
dent is informed that eminent orators from
distance are expected, and that the Dec,
laration OF Independence will be read by
one OF the many beautiful yourg ladies of
the Valley: The military commands and
StoneWall Band OF your city, the First Va
Regiment, and all of the military, musical
and civic associations of the Valley will be
invited. Several companies OF the famous
Fifth Maryland Regiment, as well as the
FIfth's band, are looked for. Already prep
aratlons are begun to entertain the immense
crowd expected. The citizens of Harrison
burg, as well as many of our county people,
are making preparations to entertain invited
guests in that hospitable manner for which
Old Rockingham Is noted. Partizansliip is
buried; all parties are putting their shout
ders TO the wheel, determined to make the
Fourth OF July next the greatest day ever
seen in Harrisonburg.
Inc latest sensation in the northern end
OF this County is known as the TURNPIKE
war. 1t appears that the yearly rates have
been abolished by the management of the
Yaiiey turnpike Company, and tickets sold
IA stead. The farmers living near New
Market have protested, and signify their dis
approval by hitchlng south of the gate at The
south end of New Market and walking into
town. The contest has become very bitter,
SO much SO that the farmers in that region
propose putting test question to candi-
dates for the Legislature: Are you in favor
OF turning the Valley Pike over to the Coun-
ty authorities? do not think they will Sc
cure the election of a candidate of these
VIEWS for the simple reason that three
fourths of the County people derive no bene-
tit from this road, and are bur6lened with
enough road tax already. The President OF
the Turnpike Company is not remarkable
foc yielding point, and the war may con-
tlnle sometime.
The Harrisonburg Guards have received
an invitation from the First Virginia Regi-
ment to join them in ten-day encampment
at White Sulphur Springs next August.
During the encampment grand dress ball
will be given for the benefit of the Lee
Monument fund. 1t is thought the Guards
will accept the invitation.
The Board of Directors of the Washington
City, Cincinnati and St. Louis Marrow
Gauge Railroad are about completing the |
purchase Of iron and rolling stock for their
road, from this point to tile Coal fields, The |
purchase is being effected this week. The |
Chief Engineer of the Harrisonburg and |
Fredericksburg Narrow Gauge road is now
In Simmons Gap locating the permanent
route.
You newspaper men generally know ev-
erything. Will you please tell us why-it is
that it requires from two to six days for
freight to be transported from your city to
Harrsonburg? Our consignees may be
heard most any time gently humming,
"Thou art so near, yet so far"
The rains of this week came most oppor-
tunely. Garden truck was suffering from
-