Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-02-22
HEATHSXILLE

On last Sunday morn the hol
quiet was disturbed in the vicinit
of the Jail at this place by rapid foo
falls. While other minds were ben
on church going, Jerry Blackwell
lightly turned to thoughts of liberty
! lie bad been put ia prison only
few DAYS previous for stealing mea
from neighbor in Fair6elds. III,
found confinement tiresome, his hear
yearned for his native heath. 81
while the jailor aud attendant wer,
busy with the morning duties, ht
Suddenly made a bold stroke foI
freedom. Out of the cage, down the
steps, in the road-over the fence
through the horse lot across the
field went the gay and merry Black
well. The jailor, though fair
Splinter, didn't get to the quarter
post Blackwell gathered too quick
and often. He was told to halt, but it
was evident he didn't hear. He APP
peared to be entirely preoccupied.
1t seemed his sole aim and purpose
was to reach a certain thicket before
the man behind him. He succeeded.
No farewells were spoken. The sad
dest part remains to be told. After
being comfortably housed and fed for
two or three days, he left with his
bill unpaid.
The grippe has nearly everybody
In this nelghborhoOd now in its
embrace.
The quarterly meeting at this
place was well attended by the
stewards on last Saturday morning.
The Rev. Jos. Ii. Amiss preached
to good congregation at IL a. m.
the following day.
Everyone here regrets that Mr.. Jno.
Hall and sou did not get the contract
to paint the new courthouse. We
know nothing about the parties who
are doing this work, but had Mr..
Hall beer employed it would have
been well done. Some kind of a
yellow" lis being spread over the
walls, giving it the appearance of
hospital. Smiths limit expired on the
15th. The people are anxiously
waiting to see what kind of forfeit
the board will require. If the work
progresses as fast as it has in the past
few weeks, it will be ready for &C.
cupaucy sometime in the summer.
After the courthouse is done aud the
$4,000 paid, Mr., Smith ought to be
requested to rebuild the Jail, put up
town hall AID numerous other
cheap buildings, none, however, to
exceed $4,000. Sometime, it may
be, fun history of the business will
be sent you from The fret scaled
meeting" to consider the question of
building a new courthouse to its
completion.
News reached here this morning
that there are two genuine cases Of
smallpox in Fairfields district.
Miss Ii. G. Palmer, formerly of
this place but now Of Baltimore,
paid her sister, Mrs. J. G. Rice, a
two weeks visit recently after an
absence from here of four years.
The grippe is raging. DIR. Beale,
Mrs. DeShields, Mrs Suead and
Mrs. Randolph Brent are among the
sick in the village. Messrs. Randolph
Brent, Jas. Booth and Mason Brent
have about recovered.
Public school closed here Tuesday
and private school began the same
day.
Teachers Institute meets next
Saturday. Same attractive program
as for last meeting. Important
business.
A. S. Rice is still in Baltimore
having his eyes treated.
Board of Supervisors met Saturday.
No steps were taken as to fine to be
imposed for delay in completing
courthouse. 1t is suggested that
if Mr.. Smith pay the additional
expense it will be satisfactory, but
some think SO per day too small a
penalty for $4,000 Job.