Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-08-07
RAVEN, GATEWAY
TO BUCHANAN co.
Editors Visit to Make Sunday
School Address-The Rich
lands Choir-Officer Kills Man

spent last Sunday pleasantly in
the little town OF Raven on the Clinch
the gateway of Buchanan county, be-
ing near the line, and the outlet for
coal and lumber from the mountains
and hills to the north. Heretofore, all
travellers from this side into Buch-
anan went by way of Raven, or what
is now Raven, for the main road to
Grundy, the ugly name of the county
seat of the county, was built across
the mountains, coming out at this
point, where it intersected with other
roads. Nearly every lawyer now liv-
ing and practicing here, as we'll as
others of years ago-saddle- bags law
across the ridges to Grundy to attend
court. Now, since the railroad has
been built from somewhere on the
Elhorn up to within about 9 miles of
Grundy, lawyers and other important
and less important visitors go that
way instead of following the old trail
across the mountains from Raven, on
horseback. Gone are the old taverns
and stopping places of years ago,
where the lawyers, wagoners, anu
others stopped to "feed" at noon, or
to spend the night, and where, it is
said, an ,appetizing nip of Apple
happened not to have the same in
your. saddle-pockets, and as good a
meal as was ever spread of the best
the country afforded.
Major Henry, Judge Graham, Judge
Stuart, Judge Coulling, and other
lawyers have made the welkin ring
with their eloquence in other days,
and do yet, on occasions. Some great
legal battles have been fought in the
humble "cote house" at Grundy, by
and between some of the strongest
lawyers in the State, over land titles
and other causes of litigation. They
tell me that Grundy has changed New
buildings, schools and churches, fine
"cote-ouse" good sidewalks, and all,
have displaced the old, and that
Grundy has lost it's primitive looks,
and, of course, much of its charm,
for, as a matter of fact, the destruc-
tion of old landmarks around which
the memory of early joys, and even
sorrows, cling, is always regretted
by many. Buchanan is a wealthy
county and some day will make herself
felt in the affairs of State.
But, l intended to speak of Raven.
was invited to Raven by the Sunday
school people, to be present at their
Children's Day celebration, and make
l reached the town l was informed
that the celebration had been post
poned, and that had been notified of
the postponement by special delivery
letter, the evening before, which spe-
cial delivery letter was delivered on
Sunday morning, having been carried
by and returned from I3luefield. So,
there l was. However, had u good
day. 1t SO happened that the Rich
lands choir had an engagement tn
give a service of song at the church
in the afternoon, AMI there Was a
crowd, and of course l got in my oc-
casional and usual remarks, and a
pleasant day was spent. or course, it
could not have been otherwise than
pleasant to me, as Mr.. and Mrs. Geo
r. Mccall were the host and hostess,
with Mrs. DR.. j. H. Smith, Rev. and
Mrs. Morrell, of Richlands, present
as guests also. Everybody knows Geo.
Mccall for miles around, and also his
amiable wife, both of whom are de-
servedly popular.
Rev. Mr.. Morrell is pastor at Rich
lands, Doran, Raven, Big Creek, Lit
tie Creek, and goodness knows how
many other places, and the people
ike him.
The Richlands Choir.
There seems to be an effort to pro-
mote church music in many parts Of
the county. Choirs have been organ
lied, a leader chosen, and regular
practices held, and greatly improved
Richards choir is composed of aboIt
% or 80 people, young and old. Mr..
A. M. Buskell is the leader. On this
occasion he was absent, and Mr..
Campbell, of Richlands, welded the
baton. He has strong voice, beats
time," in the old way, has all the
class to "take the sound," each part
sounding the keynote, and all starting
out together, and they sing with the
spirit. There are some fine voices in
the choir, and they delighted the
crowd.
AS I sat and looked and listened
my thoughts back-tracked path trav
eled long ago, but which is still clear
and shining over the hills and through
the valleys of the past, and was
once more in the Singing SCHOOL, il
the old neighborhood. The "old-field'
teacher travelled around, gave 10 les.
sons for $1.00. A class of 25 or &c
would give him about $500 day fol
his services, and he was satisfied. He
taught the "rudiments," beginning
with teaching the notes, then running
the scale, then transposition, etc., ant
before the session of lessons expired
we could sing "by note," and keel
time. He had his tuning fork-a "C'
fork, to give the sound. There were
no musical instruments then in but ;
few churches in the country.
Last Sunday afternoon in memor!
/ heard the choir singing again, a
they used to sing in the long ago
From that day to this / have neve
heard man whose voice was a
clear and melodious as was his. But
here go again, wandering far afield
would like to give the names of tn
members of the good Richlands choir
but mislaid the list furnished me.
The Shooting.
A tragedy occurred at Raven o.
Friday night. which was the cause q