The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-02-11
Litter from Grover >

Ny letter of two weeks ago announcing the
death of John A. Gilkeson, Esq.,. which occurred
on the night of December S0th at his home near
Thinking Spring, failed to reach you for the rea-
son that the friend to whose hand it was en-
trusted for mailing, forgot it, and carried it in
his pocket until day or two ago.
Mr.. Gilkeson's illness was but brief, and his
death was not only surprise, but a terrible
shock to the community. He had lived many
years in this neighborhood, and was one of the
foremost among the citizens of the drtrict. By
perseverance, strict honesty and excellent bu-
siness foresight he acquired during his life
time quite q snug fortune, which remains in the
family in the shape of several fine farms. Mr..
GilkeSon was a member of the Presbyterian
church, and was known of all men as most de-
vout, earnest and consistent christian. For
number of years he occupied the highest Off
cial positions attaineble by layman in the
church to which he belonged. He had reached
the age of sixty seven. and had died in the pos
session of the blessed assurance of q glorious
reign in the world beyond the grave. A widow
and three sons survive the deceased. Two of
the sons are highly esteemed citizens of Au
gusta county, and the other a minister in the
Presbyterian church. with his home at Beverly
W. Va. The funeral took place in Thinking
Springs church in the presence of a large audi
ence the Friday following. The remains
were borne to their last resting place by Messrs.
Henry H. Hamilton, Frank Bell, Jas. Il. Black,
and Benz. Ellis.
On Wednesday morning, December 3lst, at 6
O'Clock, at the residence of the BRIDES mother,
near BarterbrCok, Miss Deulah d. Newman was
married to Mr.. Samuel Harper by the Rev. Mr.
Skenk of the Bethlehem Lutheran church On
the night before the ceremony, the invited
guests assembled in the spacious family resi-
frI mt
the hour for the marriage arrived. At II p. m
g most sumptuous repast was served in the
long dining hall All the good things imasiRa-
ble-prepared as only the best Virginia cooks
know how to prepare such things, and arranged
in the most artistic manner-were then set
forth before the guests, and it is not necessary
to add that ample Justice was done by all con-
cernei. When the hour for the marriage ar
rived, the guests assembled in the large parlor
on the south end OF the building, and in q min
ute or two the ushers. Messrs Oscar Henkle and
Jos. Mote, Bowman and Croft, entered, closely
followed by the bridal pair. A more beautiful
and impressive ceremony than that which uni !
ted these young people for their Journey
through life was never performed. AS the
words fell from the lips of the eloquent minis
ter, every breath was hushed and every head
bent forward to catch each word.
The bridal party were dressed for travel, and
at the end of the ceremony that made them
one, they took their departure for tour north
where they Will spend a month or longer. We
bid them God-speed.
On Thursday of last week gentleman rode
up to the house of an English gentleman, Mr.
Wilkeson, near Barterbrook, to make a visit,
and when he re lched the yard fence, discov-
cred the roof to be on fire. Before anything
| could be thought OF, much less done, the house
was in ashes, and nothing saved except piano
and mattrass This is a very severe blow, the
more so as Mr.. Wilkeson is in delicate health
and unable to work. Only a few days before
the fire the family had received from friends in
England clothing valued at more than $3.50, eV-
cry stitch of which made food for the flames
nate family, and these have been given shell
ter in the hospitable home OF Mrs. Brown Pat
erson.
| On Wednesday of this week, Rev. Dr.. Finlt Y,
the new pastor will reach his home at the
manse and begin his work among our people.
| The prospects for 8 bright and useful future
were never more promising. DR.. Finley comes
with the very highest recommendations as q
minister and pastor, and he will be greeted by
unanimous congregation, every member CT
which will strive to do his part in upholding the
preachers hands. Success is therefore assured
| A son of Geo. X Koiner, we are told, and
about the age of the youth above mentioned
died in Staunton Saturday from pneumonia
He a student at one OF the city schools.
There is great deal of sickness in the county
son of Matthias Grove, aged II ears, bled tc
death from the nose few days ago.