The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-12-09

CONVERSE, &C. &C.
HARRIsoNBURG, Va, Dec. 8, 1880
Editors N1yinsdn The noted theatrical
play of "A Celebrated Case" never excited as
much interest in an audience, as the last
"causi celebria" in this place On Saturday
last, Dr. John Miller, well known throughout
this and other States as the Doctor who cures
by laying on of hands" was arrested for retus-
ing to pay license as a practising physician
which had been assessed against him here by
the State and Corporate officials. He was re-
leased from arrest by writ of habeds corpus sued
out before Judge Byrd of the Circuit Court,
who held him for trial on Monday the 9th in
the extraordinary bail of fifteen dolIars. On Mon
day the court house was filled by representa-
tives of all classes, lawyers ministers, doctors
and the people. Capt. G. g. Grattan appeared
for the Commonwealth and Patterson IL o Fer
rail- for the prisoner The first witness was
the Doctor himself He stated that his only
license was the Bible, and his only diploma
the same book that he did not perform the
cures, but that God did that he only obeyed
the injunction of Christ, of whose people he
claimed to be one, in healing the. sick by the
LAYING on of the hands That he had never
charged person in his life, or ever authorized
his agent to charge anyone, that on the con-
trary his work was gratuitous and in many
instances lie gave money to the poor and fire.
quently fed his patients for weeks at time
He also stated that he had never been asked
for his license before Messrs. Sprinkle, Woolf
Gay, Logan and others were examined but that
the Doctor ever made any charge was not
proven. The verdict of nine-tenths of the peo
pie in the court house was, no case, but Judge
Byrd decided that he should pay a license and
in rendering his decision made use OF the fol-
lowing, to say the least, remarkable language:
"Dr. Miller claims to have commission from
God granting that he has commission of that
kind under the laws of Virginia. if he heals or
attempts to heal any one, he must pay the tax. :"
After the rendering of the decision crowds of
our professional gentlemen could be seen dis
cussng the celebrated case," on all of the
principal streets.
Henry A. Converse, ESQ.,, a prominent mem
Der of the Harrisonburg Bar, died Sunday
morning last after lingering Illness This
makes the third lawyer who has died here
recently DR.. A. NJ. Newman, the senior of
the bar, is lying now dangerously i'll.
Hon. Warren S. Lurty, d. Shetfey Lewis,
ESQ.,, and the Misses Lewis, with Capt. James
Steele as master of the hunt, enjoyed splen-
did fox chase on Saturday last. Reynard was
started at about 10 o'clock a. M, on the Aims
House farm and for five hours the chase was
kept up The ladies mount was excellent, and
five rails were leaped as easily as the most
veteran steeple chaser could have done. The
anxiety to secure the brush" caused some
rather reckless riding, but Reynard found
safety in mountain fastness A white dog from
the kennel of Capt. Steele led throughout the
chase Several of Mr. Shetfey Lewis hounds
were well up. and taking 1t all in ALL 1t was
most pleasurable hunt. After the chase the
hunters enjoyed a substantial lunch at d.
Shetfey Lewis residence. l learn that arrange
ments are being made for an extensive hunt in
few days.
AS part of the result of the revival meet
ing being conducted at the Methodist church
in this place, four persons, two males and two
females, were confirmed onsSunday evening
last.
Will Gambill met with painful accident at
the depot on Friday last. By amiscalculation
in coupling cars, he had his left hand caught
between the bumpers. He looses the index
finger, and the thumb is mashed out OF pro-
portion.
DR.. VIM O. Hill has. been appointed exam
lining physician to invalid pensioners by the
| Government officials of Washington.
J. d. Price. Esq, left on Tuesday last, for
business trip North. Between his exertions
in the coal and iron fields, and ]. w. Ale
mongs efforts in behalf of the narrow gauge,
the completion Of the road can not be far dis
| tant.
| Messrs Gibbs and Feddon two of our best
knights of st. Crispin, have invented an in
genious article in their line of business, pat
ent crimping machine. Experts pronounce it
most valuable improvement over the old
method.
On Thursday evening last the nuptial cere-
monies of Miss Ida V. Points and Daniel G.
| Wills were solemnized in the Methodist church.
| The throng to this large ediice certainly was
| gratifying test of the popularity of the bride
in this place by all classes. The groom was
not SO well known, but it is safe to say, "'twere
good match" Space forbids more extend
I'd notice than that everything was as merry
as a marriage bell" After the ceremonies the
25th anniversary of the BRIDES parents we'd
ding was celebrated at their residence A sill
yer wedding was novelty in this place and the
number of attendants challenged the space in
the Doctors mansion. Everything edible that
home and foreign markets could afford, was
| furnished in lavish abundance. Everybody
was happy and everybody declares that Doc
tor and Mrs. Points deserve a silver wedding
annually. The presents were numerous and
in many instances elegant one of the most
notable being a splendid silver castor from
Valley Lodge No. 40, 1. 0. 0. F., bearing the
inscription, presented by Valley Lodge, No.
40 |. 0. o. F.. to VIM. ]. Points, P. d. G.. M.
of Va, Dec 4th, $780," The castor was most
beautifully engraved with the different emblems
of the order. In an intrinsic sense this present
was possibly not nearly as valuable as some
others but the donors cause the Doctor and his
family to more highly appreciate it. 1t will be
long time before those who assisted in this
silver wedding will permit the pleasant re-
membrance OF the joyous occasion to pass
from their memories.