The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-06-10
South River Items.
[Reported for the v1Re1N1AN. I


One night last week, a thief, or gang o
bor Mr.. j. X Keiser, and carried off a frki1
containing large amount of lt.edge butter
and several crooks of cream and milk.
A couple of dogs set upon Capt. D. w. Patter
sons flock of sheep at an early hour last Thurs
day and before Mr. Thacker, who has charge O.
the farm, made the discovery, some eight o.
ten were killed and a number injured past re
covery. Mr. Thatcher knew the dogs and after
having fired upon them without further effec
than to scare them off the flock, he at once
started for the homes of their owners and OF
the arrival of the sheep killers was on hand tt
give evidence against them The dogs were
promptly killed.
South River abounds in black bass and 8
great many are being taken by the people liy-
ing along its course. On any fine day schools
of many hundred OF this gamest of all fishes
may be seen summing themselves in the mouth
of Back Creek and in the upper part of Mr.
Jack Palmer's dam.
Quite an excitement has prevailed for some
ten days in the vicinity of Thinking Spring
Church on account of the reported wandering
about the neighborhood of large bear. Several
persons are reported as having seen Bruin and
he is even charged with having called at the
one night last week. Mr.. John Ed. Hamilton
Informed your correspondent on last Wednes-
day that he was then making up party to go
in quest of the bear We have not as vet
ca rned the rusult of the hunt, but are safe in
once take the matter in hend that they Will
make the country too hot to hold that bar a
great while.
Mr.. Hite, of Page county. has been spending
week at the home of his son-in-law, Mr.. E.
Ham, near Fishersville. Mr.. H. is a charming
gentleman, with the faculty of making friends
Of all whom he meets We hope that he may
conclude to make his home in our neighbor-
hood as he expresses himself as highly pleased
with the country and its Inhabitants, and
would make quite a valuable addition to our
population should he conclude to buy and move
here.
There is not piece of land in Augusta that
has, i'll short time, shown as much improve
ment as has the little farm purchased less than
a year ago by John Plum. He has in that short
time entirely changed for the better the APP
pearance OF his possession and added at least
100 per cent. toits value.
AS late as the Goth of May, Mr.. S. w. Patter-
son concluded to try an experiment in late
planting of corn on sod land. So putting his
force to work upon the field he had it ready in
few daysa and without any fertlizing what
soever planted the crop. The ground was in
fine order and the weather all that could be
wished. and now the whole field is giving prom
Use of good a crop as the average. Cut
worms have been destructive upon the
earlier planted fields that in the majority of
fields the crop depends entirely upon the sue
cess of replanting that was made necessary
In some large crops of cabbage the plants had
to be reset not less than four times, and Dr.
Watson assured your correspondent that he
was sure that not one of the original plants
were standing. Such has been the case with
all early Planting, and in all parts from which
we can hear. But Notwithstanding all this
there is q fine outlook for full crop should the
season prove favorable.
AS to the wheat, the Oldest farmers fail to re-
member tue year in which the promise for
heavy harvest was so universally good. You
can not find what can be termed a poor looking
wheat field on this side of the county, and the
harvest will undoubtedly run a long way over
the average for years past. The same may be
said regarding the approaching hay harvest.
And it may be said truthfully that the farmers
have every reason to thank kind Providence
for this bounteousness up to this date in 1886.
Hundreds of worSmen are engaged in the
shipping tan-bark This industry is bringing
many thousands of dollars into that section
and giving employment to all who want work.
We have Just learned that Mr.. Kemper of
Fishersville came within an ace of losing his
lie Monday, by being set upon by an unruly
heifer which he was driving III a mixed herd
of cattle and sheep to Staunton to be shipped.
1t seems that Mr.. K. and Mr.. Frank Coiner
had Joined in driving the above mentioned
drove and were assisted by one or two others.
The heifer attempted to horn one of the party
when Mr.. Kemper struck her with his whip.
She turned Immediately upon him and gored
the mule upon which he rode and caused the
animal to throw him. She then made an effort
to horn Mr.. X. who was prone upon the ground,
but luckily she stepped upon chain which
was fastened about her horns This is all that
saved that gentleman from being most seri-
ously hurt if not killed. We give the partic-
ulars as we have them from Mr.. c. H. Reid
We have also just learned that fine bay
mare, the property of A. S. Lara, Esq, was
stolen from the pasture field last night. After
a diligent search for hel all day, nothing could
be heard from her up to p m. Hodges ghost
has quit roaming around these parts and it will
people to their senses.
The new store lately built by E. S. Wagner ia
quite an ornament TO our little city of Central
Point, and Mr.. w. Is beginning to reap good
reward for his venture. 1t is quite a conve-
nience to all our people, who are now enabled
to buy their groceries,, notions, &c, mile
nearer home than heretofore.
AS we close this a much needed fall of rain