The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-12-30

evening, when the mail train on the c. & O
Railway reached Staunton, the police arrested
three colored men, Algernon Peasants OF
Staunton, Oscar Wimbush of Lvnchburg, and
Henry Thomson of Louisa. They were part
of a number of colored men who were going
home from the mines on a Christmas visit
They were intoxicated and disorderly, and
just west of this place got into difficulty with
Mr.. Snead, an officer on the train, and cut him
severely, inflicting deep and dangerous wounds
about the head and neck. DR.. McChesney
rendered the necessary surgical attention. The
prisoners were sent on for indictment by the
grand jury
CHRISTMAS DAY-Saturday last was rca
typical Christmas day. The snow lay deep OH
the ground and the trees were bent with their
white burden The holiday was more general
w observed in Stauntion than for long time
Nearly all of the business houses, except those
dealing in Christmas stocks, were closed ana
the town, for the season was given oveI to the
domain of mirth and jolity The streets were
crowded with men and boys, blowing tin
horns firing squibs and crackers, and shouting
at the top of their lungs, whilst mingled with
their uproar was the merry tinkle OF the sleigh
bells, and the joyous laugh of girls. During
the day the Fantastic Brigade went through
with their annual parade and created no little
merriment At night there were few pyro-
technics, but the display was not up to the
usual standard. No accidents of any imror-
lance occurred that we heard of, though it is
a wonder there were not, for it was generally
remarked that the number of breezy" men
was unusually large. Eggg-nog, apple-toddy
and the various Christmas beverages, were
plcntifully enjoyed, and the bars where they
were dispensed were well patronized. The
fun of the Juveniles ran, principally, in the
direction of tin horns, and the result was any
thing but comforting to nervous people.
DEATH OF A STRANGER-On Saturday
evening last, Z. NJ Gushing, Esq =, ofthis place
Coroner for Augusta county, received dis
patch from Waynesboro requesting his pres
ence in that place to hold an inquest over the
boIy of Mr. w. c. Edwards, of Providence,
Rhode Island, who had been stopping at the
Boarding House of Mr.. Thomas Jefferson tor
about ten days. Not knowing the circunl-
stances of the case. Mr.. Gushing went down
on Sunday morning, but as soon as he became
acquainted with the facts, was convinced that
there was no necessity for an inquest. Mr..
Edwards was representing Pittsburg House,
the manufacturers of a Saw Gum, which he
had been presenting to the mill owners OF
this portion OF Virginia for several weeks
He was accompanied by Mr. Smith. Some
days before his DEATH he was attacked with
pneumonia, the result Of exposure, and had
been kindly cared for by the family of the
proprietor of the House where he was stop
ping, and DR.. Myers, popular physician OF
Waynesboro Feeling much better, on Sat
urday last he went to the post office, to send
some money to his daughter residing in Prov
idence On returning to the house where he
was stopping, he seated himself before the fire
for some time, refusing to lie down. The
proprietor of the House called in DR.. Myers
again, for the purpose of influencing Mr.. Ed
wards to lie down. When the doctor arrived
he found the patient, on examination, lifeless.
congestion of the lungs, evidently, having
caused death.
Mr. Edwards is represented as fine look
ing man, aged about d or so years, and a
gentleman of culture and intelligence A let
ter from his daughter, found on his person,
indicated that he was Il widower, as in it ref
erence was made to numerous relations, but
no mention of her mother. Telegraph COM
munication was instantly opened with one of
the parties mentioned in the letter as the
uncle of the daughter, who was spoken Of as
prominent candidate Tor Chief of Police of
Providence, but we have not heard whether
response had been received. 1t was the
purpose to have his remains decently in
tered at Waynesboro, on Monday last, if di-
rection were not given to have the body for
warded to Providence.
1t was truly a sad death-away from those
who loved and were loved, among strangers
in strange land. Yet every kindness and
attention that strangers could render were
shown the deceased during his illness. The
best medical skill and careful nursing were
given him, but the summons came and I'M
soothed by kindred hands and affection, and
unmatched by loving eyes, the spirit and body
parted
[Since the above was in type, our cores
pondent at Waynesboro, refers to the death of
Mr.. Edwards, and gives more accurate partic-
ulars.