Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-05-13
Our Fishersville Letter.

Our Fishersyille Letter.
FIsHERsvILLE, VA, May It'll, 1870
EDS. SPECTATOR Quite stir was occasion
ed in our usually quiet village on this morning
by the finding of a dead infant near here. In
formation was lodged with Justice Conner yes
terday by a negro woman, that Annie Brown
(colored) had murdered her infant, and steps
were at once taken by that officer to look into
the facts. He summoned a coroners jury, who
met at the alleged place of burial, and, after
having been duly sworn, they proceeded to dis
inter the body, which was scarcely hidden be-
meath the sod in a fence corner.
DR.. H. NJ. Dold, having made post naortem
examination, gave as his opinion that the in
FAINT had breathed, and further, that it had met
its death from strangulation, there being visi-
BILE external marks OF cord or something Of
the kind about the neck.
Witnesses were summoned, and Annie Brown
was arrested.
Upon hearing the evidence of the witnesses
and the statement of the prisoner, the jury
rendered the verdict that the child found was
that of Annie Brown, and that it came to its
death by strangulation at her hands. The pris-
oner was then sent to another Justice for COM
initial, and was by him ordered on to await the
action of the May term of Judge Hendren's
Court.
The girl is eighteen. a bright mulatto, and, to
judge from her face, could hardly seem fiend.
Her powers of endurance is unparalleled al
most. for at the time of her arrest her child Gf
it had lived) would not have been more than
% hours old, yet she bore the ordeal of a trial
without showing the least sign of weakness.
A. A. A.
FIsHERsvILLE, May 10Th, 1879.
EDS. SPECTATOR Your correspondent had
the pleasure of ride last week across South
River Township from this busy village to the
historic city of Sherando, and he now dots for
your columns such items as he has been able to
pick up on his pleasant little journey.
At Bethlehem church formerly Needmore)
we found VIM. D. Hensley, q former pupil of
the d., D. & B. Institution of your city, engaged
in mercantile pursuits. We learned that about
two years ago Mr.. Hensley began business
with capital of considerably less than 500,
and that Notwithstanding the fact that a thief
broke into his store few months after he be-
gan and stole about all he had In cash-more
than half he began with-he has SO prospered
in business that at the present writing he has
a fine stock of goods in store, and all paid for,
with money to spare. In addition to his store,
Mr.. H. puts into practice his knowledge OF
chair bottoming, learned at the D., D. q B. In
stitution, and has earned an honest dollar FREE
quently by this trade.
Mr. II. complains-and justly, we think-of
the Entertainment of the Postmaster General in
not allowing post-office at that point, not
Withstanding several petitions have been for
warded, asking that he establish one. This
could be done, without the least trouble or ex-
pense to the Department. by changing the
route as it now is (Fishersville to Sherando.
via Stuarts Draft and starting from Waynes-
boro', making it take in Bethlehem, and thence
via Stuart's Draft toSherando This would add
one office to the route, and make the route only
about two miles longer We hope that Mr.. Key
will grant the request Of the petitioners when
it reaches him, as we understand an addional
effort will be made soon to have an office at
Bethlehem.
Before reaching Sherando we were captured
by Mr.. z. 7. Wade, the popular and successful
teacher at Mo4ptaiH-Yiew school-hoqse. who
compelled us to remain at his school-house to
witness an exhibition by his pupils; and we
are glad that we remained, for it is seldom that
one passes an evening as pleasantly as we did
this one. Your correspondent is unprepared
at this time to give you the programme as per-
formed before a large and intelligent audience,
gathered from the various points of the COM
pass; suffice it to say, that the whole pro-
gramme was creditable alike to teacher pupils,
and patrons. The pupils were most tastefully
attlred, and (the girls particularly presented
most attractive appearance. So well has Mr..
Wade trained his pupils, that from the least
unto the greatest among them there was not
the slightest show of embarrassnent and, with
ola fIo oil ri nf II a
or two in length, as well as the tall, dignifed
maid of eighteen, tripped with siibness thro'
the parts assigned them.
Among those who contributed toward the
evening, were-Misses Dora Brown, - Brown,
- Brown, Addie Wagner, Annie Wagner, Lu-
la Padgett Kate George, - George, and Miss
Perry; Masters Stuart, Odie; and Charlie Wag-
ner; Spotswood, Charlie, and Willie Padgett;
the Masters Perry, Frank Phillips, and Brown.
The audience were unanimous in expression
of their high appreciation OF the excellence of
the performance. Mr. w. is doing good work |
for his people. apd they seem to appreciate
him. We wish him long and prosperous life
in the grand calling he has given himself to.
But we must hasten on to Sherando after
sharing the hospitalites of our old friend, A. L.
Wagner, for the night; yet we cannot leave him
in the morning until we visit his manganese
deposit. For many years it has been known
that this valuable mineral is deposited in this
region. Mines have heen opened, but aban-
doned from lack of means to properly develop
them. It was not until recently. however, that
the slightest idea, of the yastness ct the depos-
its, found existence. A slight rise in the creek,
which. being damned by debris carried down
by it, was turned out of the old channel. dis
covered the secret that had SO long remained
hidden. and now it will not be long until With
pick and shovel the treasure Will hs unearthed.
Specimens examined have shown to contain 80
per cent. Mr.. W. is in daily receipt of inqui-
ries as to price, &c, but having an eye to husi-
ness, wishes to make all ne can and will not
sell at the first offer.
The Messrs. Balsley, of sherando, have just
returned from Richmond and are opening their
purchases for the spring season. They claim
to be able to sell as low as the lowest, and they
mean business. Both ]. D. and biz tall cousin
C. F. have large ana carefully selected stocks,
ana We doubt not but they will make a success
full season. We hope so.
Mr.. D. ]. Hyden has nearly completed his
new mill on the site of the enc Whiah was 50
mysteriously hYrpt last winter. He has altered
the original plan to some extent, hut the pres
one viii be in all respects equal to the other,
and in some, superior,
Friend E4aTrison has erected very extensive
blacksmith shop; Bro. Grass has built stable;
Cyrus F. Balsley is building dwelling. and
Mr.. James Gibson is Preparing 10 build one
also, 4. A. A.
The best Goods ever offered for cents, in
this community, can be found at GLADKE's.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF LEXINGTON PRES
INTERVAL the recent meeting of Lexington
Presbytery at Churchville, the standing COM
mittees were revised and are now as follows:-
DOMESTIC MISSIONS.
Reys r. G. Walker, G. B. Stricken, D. D.; W.
E. Baker. F. H. Gaines, and J. Murray. ELDERS
y. "A. waddell, VIM, N Tate apd q, S. Bell.
EpUCATioN.
Raus I L Kirlnafrics u d. d A Peniclr