The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-12-17
Augusta County News.

Augusta County News,
From the beginning Of December up to this
writing. Death has been busy il this portion Of
the county and hardly a day goes by that there
is not one OF more bu1als in cemeteries within
radius Of two miles from Fishersvile and Of
ten there are two graves at once awaiting their
occupants.
Within a week four of the Oldest residents of
this South River district have been called to
rest
On the End John Gilkeson Guthrie, aged rs.
died at his home on Christians Creek For a
number of years Mr. Guthrie was feeble ana I'M
able to attend actively to business, but had up
to the day of his death, been able to move about
his home. Nj. Guthrie was born at the Guthrie
homestead, near the spot now occupied by the
Hotel Brunswick, and up to the spring OF IS re
sided there He became a christian at an early
age and lived fully up to his professions all his
life. In 1850 he was made ruling elder in the
Waynesboro Presbyterian Church. Which posi-
ton he filed up to 1855 when, upon his removal
from that church to his late residence, being
thrown into the bounds OF the Tinkiing Spring
congregation, he was called upon to perform
the same official duties in that church, which
he did i'll the most acceptable manner. MIR.
Guthrie loved his church and the church loved
and honored him. He was held in the highest
esteem as neighbor and citizen. Those who
knew him best are loudest i'll their praises Of his
many sterling virtues.
His funeral, which was conducted by the Rev
G. Finley, took place on the 4th, at the Thinking
Spring Church, and although at the same time
and for several hours before leaving the resi-
dence for the church, the most terrific storm Of
rain and wind prevailed that this section has
known for generation, there was a goodly
number in attendance. Deceased leaves a
widow and five grown sons. These sons are
gentlemen of the highest standing, both at their
old home in Augusta and i'll the sections whore
they now reside. Z. T. aud H. r. reside on their
farms i'll the county, while w. c., j. Il. and L. L.
reside respectively at Port Gibson, Miss; Ash
more, ILL.,, and Point Pleasant, La
MI John Greiner, one of the Oldest if not the
Oldest, citizen of Waynesboro, of whose death
and burial we hayenot the full particulars, was
buried on the day succeeding that on which
Mr.. Guthrie was buried.
On Saturday, the 5th Mrs Rachel Baskiri, wild
ow of the late Thomas Baskin, died after I. long
Illness, at her home near Hermitage and within
three miles of the Old Bush homestead where
seventy two years ago she first saw the light
The funeral and burial took place Monday at
Thinking Spring, Rev. Mr.. Cooke of WaynesborG
conducting the services. Quite large process
sion followed the hearse from the late home OF
the deceased and these weF3 met by many 9th
ers who had assembled at the church from the
surrounding country.
Next week we will endeavor to give further
particulars concerning this most estimable lady
who without any doubt was more universally
beloved by those among whom she spent hel
long and useful life than any person of her day
and time.
Those who attended Mrs Baskin's funeral no
ticed in passing the new cemetery Mrs. u ;:
grave was in the old one) that there was al
open grave in that one also This, it was sooi
learned, was to be tenanted by another Of those
who have lived through the most of this centu
ry--Miss Ellen McLure who died ct the resi-
dence of her nephew, Samuel Kerr, Esq neal
Central Point, on Sunday night at II O'Clock
For Sc years Miss McLure lived where she wa.
born. She was the last member of that genera
ton bearing the honored name of Mcclure il
this section and of that family.
Miss Mcclure from childhood was a Christian
and member of the church. Long before the
present imposing edifce reared its head amons
the trees OF the grove, she worshipped in the
modest old Thinking Spring church, and every
Sunday found her in her accustomed place. I'M
til by the infirmities of her cid age, she was un
sAD-N
Miss Mcclure was surrounded by those who
loved her and who found pleasure in doing al
in their power for her comfort and pleasure
She was thus enabled to pass her closing days
under more favorable conditions than many
too many-who reach her age.
The death on Saturday last, at W. F. L. OF
Miss Lille Fisher, adopted daughter of G. w
c. KarneS and wife, was sad blow to her MANY
friends. Only week or two before she was will
her parents and in perfect health. On Monday
she was laid to rest in the NJ. E. Cemetery al
Fishersville Full particulars regarding this
young lady's DEATH funeral and burial will be
given in our next.
S. FL. Hunt, formerly of North Carolina, fol
the last twenty five years of Waynesboro, a mar
of the most estimable Character, died from
pneumonia. He leaves large family.
The community was as5onished on Sunday by
the announcement that Carey Smith had beer
found that morning dead in his bed. For time
doubts as to the correctness OF the report were
expressed, but by noon the report was confirm
ed, and to-day all that was mortal Of Carey
Smith will be covered III the earth.
There is great deal of sickness, and the phy
sicians are busy night and day. Most of the
sickness is caused by careless exposure during
the bright days. Too much care can not be
taken in the prevention of colds.
This should not be allowed to die out during
the fine weather, for when a cold snap comes
which it will invariably do--it requires at least
II hours to get house comfortably warmed up
again. Changing the clothing the person
from thick to thin garments is another source
of danger that few think of until too late.
The writer saw no less than four persons Sun
day who had contracted severe colds by simply
leaving off rubber shoes after having worn