davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
VIRGINIA TOWN RAzEo.

The town of Grundy. Va. the county
seat OF Buchanan was almost
completely wiped out by fire last Sat
urday night, and OF a thriving town oil
one thousand inhabitants less than a
dozen houses now mark the site OF
where Grundy had been. Information
of the costly disaster was brought here
by persons who We're witnesses to IT.
and the loss is said to total not less
than $4,000.
The fire, according TO the story oil
eyewitnesses, was started at Stinsons
store by Christmas celebration who
were recklessly throwing explosives IN
all directions. From the mouth OF STATE
creek it swept all the upper part OF the
town to the swinging bridge, which is
near the Presbyterian college. The
courthouse was saved from destruc-
ton, but it was damaged to the ex-
tent OF approximately $4,000.
Hundreds of people have been made
homeless, and it is not thought that
the destroyed buildings can be restor-
ed, at least for the present.
Miss Kentucky Buskirk of this city
was the guest of friends at GrundS
when the town was destroyed. She IL
still in Virginia.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
WORK ON BRIDGE DELAYED,

Some time ago the fiscal authorities
of Pike-co. entered into an agreement
with fiscal agents of Mingo-co', west
Va. for the construction of free nigh
way bridge across the Tug river near
the mouth ( Pond creek in this county.
each of the two counties to pay its hait
of the expenses. For some reason TINS
work has never been started, although
II. H. Stallard, Judge Of the Pike Coun-
ty and Fiscal Courts, has signiheu ms
willingness for the work to begin ana
has even solicited the other parties TO
the contract to start the work when
has now been long delayed. The WORK
ought to have been started long ago
and this county has been ready right
from the start. If there is any sufhcieht
reason for this backwardness on the
mart OF our neighbors across the bor-
der. it ought to be forthcoming, be-
cause people of both counties need the
bridge.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

er of the boy had made frantic, but
vain effort to rescue him.
II appears from the report OF the
tragedy reaching here that Mr.. Pottei
was away from home, and that ms
wife, daughter and son-in-law, Il. w,
Sergeant, were the only occupants Oh
the home when the fire broke out from
an unknown cause, Cecil and his broth
er Cullen were sleeping on the second
floor. and they awoke to find the roof
Of the house in flames and brands of
fire falling all about them, Cullen ran
to the staircase and started to make
his way to safety thinking his brother
would follow; but the latter was strick-
en- with fear and would not descend
the burning stairway. Cullen told ms
father and mother and several others
that his younger brother was still In
the bedroom. Seeing no one else would
attempt to save her child Mrs. Sar-
geant climbed up at the end of the log
house by the light of the lurid fiames
to the second story, tore off some OF
the Notwithstanding from the gable
and called for him to come to her. The
fear stricken child refused to try, and
the mother chung to the wall and CAL
ed to him until her hair was burned
into crisp. She held on until she
dropped to the ground and was pain
fully injured. After the house had burn
ed to the ground the charred bones OF
the child were found in the ashes.
No more horrible happening has ever
been known in this county, and there
can be no more pitable object OF sym
patty than the boys mother. VINO
through mother love risked her HE
to save him.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
MAsoNs ELECT OFFICERS.

The Thos. C. Cecil Lodge +, & a. Nj
met at Masonic Hall Tuesday for the
purpose Of installing new body of Of
ficers to serve for the coming year
Those chosen were:
John NJ Hatcher Worshipful Mas
ter; John NJ. johnson, Senior Warden'
George Pinson, Jr. Junior Warden; a
r. Williams, Senior Deacon; X. Nj
Terrell. Junior Deacon; James stump
Chaplain; G. w. Pinson and NJ. c. Ma
gruder; Standards; John Layne, Tyler;
T. NJ. Riddle. Secretary; W. W. Gray
Treasurer.
Mr. Hatcher is one of the youngest
masters of Masonic lodges in Kentucky
and succeeds DR.. V. B. Pinson, who
served creditably in this capacity this
year.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
Joe, THE BOOK FARMER)
Continued from page ~
money!"

money"
ut amt that. daddy; it's investing II.
Mr.. Somervile got $307, half Of what l
made this year. straight farming. !
can make that again next year and
more, for I've got some experience
now. You pay him $3.50 rent. There's
over $3.50 that we could pay on the
debt next year and still be In as good
fix as we are right now. -Four years or
that would give us clear title to 1t"
That's SO" assented Tom Weston
what do you think OF the planr
Its all right"
Every well, then. Mr.. Somervflle,
wen trade. get S75 prize money.
which added to my $307 gives $3S2.
Out Of the SS2 I want to pay you for
that pig was telling you about. then
the rest am going to keep to buy fer
tilizer with and pay for help and buy
some stock
what sort OF stock. Joer' asked the
old gentleman curiously.
Little pigs and calves and yearlings,
I can pick them up cheap and raise
them for almost nothing and make
some money that way"
That's a good idee," said Tom Wes-
ton. Folks In town here Will sell good
blooded calves cheaper TO a person
that's goin' to raise 'em than to
butcher to kill"
! well. I'll have $500 I'll put with
dads 5000. and Wei pay you $5ou
down ON the place"
The three OF them went TO lawyers
office. and papers were drawn up. The
contract provided that the title to the
place was TO be vested In trustee for
| Joe and Annie: that Mrs. Weston and
Annie were to use II as a home as long
rs they lived. IL they desired. and that
| Joe, after all debts due on the place
were paid, was to have one-half the In
come. Joe and his father also bound
themselves each TO place in the bank
every year $50 for the benefit OF Mrs
| Weston and Annie rs an old age and
"rainy day" fund and to keep 1t at In
terest for them. The money was paid
and the kindly old merchant shook
hands with them.
I'm sorry the planting firm OF Yves
ton & Someryille has dissolved. I've
made money out OF 1t, but I've done
more than thnt-I'ye made two rattlinl
good farmers where there wasn't anJ
before. and the Influence Of Joe's work
is worth don't know how many thou
sands OF dollars TO this county" sale
the retiring senior partner,
As Joe and his father rode home 4
seemed a new world 10 them.
by the way. daddy, I've made some
thing on the trade too. We got IN,
farm fenced. all right. and there's tina
fifty bushels OF cotton seed can sell
ri have more money TO run on than
thought would"
"well, joe. we've shore got TO hustle
now and do some farmin' TO get tina
place paid for; but. thank God, She
ourn. an Wen come out all right"
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
LETCHER COUNTY
AND WHITESBURG
What is Happening in this
Rich Coal Territory
of Kentucky.

WHITESBURG, KY. Dec. 29.After
an Illness of two weeks Uncle Wiley w.
Webb Oldest and last surviving mem
Der Of the old webb family Of Letcher
county, descendent OF the pioneer Dam
ei Boone and one, OF the county's best
known citizens died in his home at
Mayking five miles from here at noon
Monday. In the ninety-iirst year Of his
age. Uncle Wiley was a remarkable
man during his day and retained his
thinking qualities up TO the time Of his
death. He was great reader, spend
ing much Of his time in book and news
paper reading. For several years he
held positions Of trust. serving Letch-
er county as sheriff for four years,
Among the children surviving are Ma =
jor John A Webb merchant OF this
city, Mrs John A. Craft. here, Mrs j.
Wash Adams. Mayhng; Mrs. Matte
Craft, Tanksley. KY, d. wesley Webb,
Kingston, KY: Ned l. Webb. Portland,
Tenn. and Mrs. DR.. Samuel Blair, of
Apache, Okla. h, Monroe Webb for
mer leading Whitesburg merchant and
son died several years ago at Norton,
va. The interment was in the old
Webb cemetery near Mayking Tuesday
afternoon His children AZ a distance
were notified by wire but. could not
come for the funeral and interment
Several hundred descendants survive
in Eastern Kentucky.
I ~
Train service over the North Fork
extension OF the l.. & N. is improving
right along since the disastrous wash
out, slips and slides OF two weeks ago
since which time trains have been run
ming late under many difficulties
Freight that had been blocked down
the. line since the first tide has been
arriving this week. two long trains
daily, and coal traffic was resumed to
normal conditions a few days ago. al
though mining business had been much
hampered. The l.. 4 n. lost thousands
of dollars in damage to its roadbed
especially between Hazard and Jack
son, in the vicinity OF Chavies. Humid
reds of men have since been employed
day and night In putting the roadbed
in condition for traffic.
I 49,
Members OF the First Baptist Sunday
School OF whtesburg in their resolu-
lions few days ago commended the
attitude of The East Kentucky News
and The Mountain Eagle the two local
newspapers Of Whitesburg for their
stand against the sale and use OF whis-
key and lawlesness so rampant In the
county, their attitude on the fight
against intemperance and law and or
der. The newspapers promise the sun
day school people their undivided sup
port In their efforts TO stamp out whis-
key. They will make n strong appeal
upon tho coming General Assembly
urgIng that more stringent laws be
pissed making II a,scvere punishment
for drunkenness, The Christmas just
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
NEW JUDGE WILL
PROBE ELECTION.

Iohn f. Butler, the new Circuit Judge
siect for the Pike-Letcher district, VIII
be sworn into office Jan. 3 as successor
to former Judge j, NJ. Robertson. and
the first term of the court for the new
year will convene on the third Monuay
In Feb. He is determined to put ana eno
for all time to corruption in Plke-co'
elections; but he feels that this court
alone cannot do it, and he will ask the
Kentucky Legislature to give assistance
in this titanic undertaking. He was one
Il the defense attorneys in the recent
bribery proceedings in this court
against l 100 indicted persons; but ne
felt professionally bound TO act in this
capacity, and he knew that under the
deficiency of the statute law II was I'M
possible to convict. In stating his views
Judge Butler said last Saturday:
while / defended people charged
nth bribery at the recent investiga-
tion held by the Pike Circuit Court, |
did II because my friends and friends
q the opposing candidate in my race
for Circuit Judge in 1912 had polluted
the election, and many people were
charged, against whom the legal evil
dence was insufficient. favor the pas
sage of corrupt practices act by the
Legislature, and in my own court VIII
demand a thorough investigation or the
recent election. Having spent no mon
az to procure my election ar Circuit
Judge. | feel free to hold to strict ac-
oountability the bride giver MS well as
the bribe taker l agreed not TO spend
any money and stood by my agree
uent Yet something like $4,000 was
spent in the election. The corrupt use
sf money in elections in this district
must come to a close but be-@fe the
very best results can be obtained the
coming session of the Legislaturf mnst
heed the pressing demand Tor an
amendment to the statute law govern
ing elections. The present statute law
while it perhaps has the right intent,
really has the effect of inviting the cor
rupt use of money. This fatal defect
must be remedied, with the addition oil
such penalties as will secure its en-
forcement."
Judge Butler has the unique distlnc-
ton of having received four commits
sions to office within the past twelve
years, twice as Commonwealth Attor-
ney, and twice as Circuit Judge At
torney ]. j. Moore will be the Master
Commissioners of his court.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
NEW CIRCUIT CLERK.

Circuit Court Clerk James A. Scott,
having honorably discharged the du-
ties of his office during the past six
years, will turn over the keys to the
new Circuit Clerk elect w b. Taylor
next Monday. Mr.. Scott has given sat
isfaction as Clerk and conducted the
office in way to reflect credit upon
himself and the county. The new
clerk is popular with the people, and
he will no doubt make a good official.
also.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
DANCERS WILL WATCH.

The Pikeville Dancing Club will give
a party at Hotel Jefferson from $3.50
.. M, Dec 81. 1915, to 1 a. M, Jan. l..
1916. This is to say, they will dance
the old year out and the new one in.
A large number of guests have been
invited, and the dance will also be in
honor OF the opening of the new addi-
ton to the hotel just completed.
Local talent will furnish the music
for the occasion.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
real STOCK FARMS
AT Reasonable PRICES

$50 acres within ~ miles OF cincin-
natl on Ohio river, in Boone county.
KY, on good pTlca near Fern Bank
Dam. 100 acres river bsttsm. $50 acres
blue grass rolling land.
1000 acres within four miles OF rail-
road near Webbville. Lawrence coun-
ty. Ky. so acres creek bottom. 600
acres blue grass hill land. $50 acres
timber, Fenced and cross fenced. No
agents
For prices and terms. IL you mean
business. see owner or write II. N.
FISCHER, ITO East Central Avenue.
Ashland, Ky. 11-12.-tf.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
LOW DEATH RATE.

The prophecy that paved streets
would improve health conditions here
proved true. The death rate has been
reduced to one-fourth OF one per cent.
for the last year Now get busy and
maintain that healthy average by i'm
proving sanitary conditions.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
scHooLeoYs RETURN.

After having spent short vacation
at home with their parents at Pikeville
a number of young men who have been
attending the various schools and col
leges of the country, will return to
school to resume their studies early in
January The larger number of the
party will leave Pikeville January 4.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

As tho l.. & ". road resumes carry
ing service mining activities continue
TO pick up throughout the coal fields OF
the county ana within few days nor
NAL conditions will be reached. All In
dicati0n point TO the banner year for
coal mining during the new year. op-
orators confidently expecting a pres
porous season
Representative elect John = Webb.
OF Thornton IL making arrangements
to leave for Frankfort Sunday 10 be
/ ready for the meeting Of the General
Assembly which meets Jan. 4. where
he viii assist in the shaping Of our
laws. Leon T.. webb his son will ac-
company him az candidate for PAGE
OF the House and win be elected AS no
has enough pledges already TO guaran-
tee his success.
- ttt
Mrs H. l.. Baker aud children ~
Hnmdcn were guests a few days ago ~
MIR and Mrs Il. o. BraHhenrs in Bent
ley Addition,
Prof and Mrs. J 4. Eastman arc
guests ~ relatives during the holidays
IN Somerset They win return soon AZ
Ter the first OF the year.
Mir J e. G1rnrtt the hustliDg frick
man - Hazard has been here calling
ON the trade
3 Miss May Wpodford bearing OF Lou
( Isyillc has been a guest u Mr. and Mira.
Judge bearing here She viii return 20
Louisville soon after The holidays.
Mir W r. Narlctt recently returned
from u trip ia Minnesota and wiseon-
sin where he spent sometime hunting,
Mir and Mrs ;, II. Fields are visit
ing their daughter Mrs Pearl Gillian
AT Renham. Ky.
/ Police Judge John u, W. Collins OF
jenkins was ia whltcsburg ON profess
sionnI business this week.
Policeman John Horn Of Hazard che
OF HAzard's splendid officials was hero
on business few days ago.
The Letchcr Building & supply Co.
viii HOon begin the erection OF ware
house in Lswis addition here
/ Mrs l.. A. Kramer OF Saratoga. Ga.
is guest Of Mr., and Mrs. Jesse Swai-
ley here. She will remain for sometime.
Jesse Swalley has been N at his
home here for several days, threatened
with pneumonia.
1 Mr.. J. II. Blair rturhed from a bus
mess visit In Pikevlle.
Attorney French Hawk was a bust
ness visitor IN Hazard this week
AIrs Ellie Gplding returned from a
pleasant visit up state
| SEQ marc thrp, fpr other Whites.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

passed when good win and general
thankfulness should have been abroad,
is fair example OF the ordinary Christ
mas in the county. Until whiskey Is
put down and out murder and riot Will
prevail, Let the officers enforce the law.
that law and order prevail in our good
county now entering upon the thresh-
hold OF great Industrial prosperity and
wealth.
fttt
Marriage licenses issued recently In
Letcher county are as follows:
Reece Ramsey. aged 81, to Addic Oil
yer. aged %,
Hassell Kincer. aged is. to Miss Lula
Craft, II,
Walter Hin to Stella Kizer. 20,
]. Il. whitaker, aged 81 to Candesta
Stamper, Is.
Francis Kesslneer to samantha Van
over.
Troy Cornett TO Lydia Adams,
Mccoy Whitson. 10. to Miss Carrie
Blair, 81.
q. w. Kelley TO Bertha Chudill
@. r. Hawkins To Cosa Hawkins,
Oscar Gilmcr. aged %. 70 Miss Ethel
Estep. 49,
wilmer II Jones, 25. to MISS Maggie
| d. owens. 23
Russell Powell. % to Miss clara Mus.
grove.
Martha Bradshaw, 10 to Gllmer
| Wright 81
Jasper Howard to Eulnnda short
H. r. Hess to Anna Pnlier
A heavy snow fell Christmas dny
over Letcher county. reaching a depth
of six inches in the valleys. while Il
was much deeper In the mountains
| Mondays sunshine, however, brought
much OF il on the ground So Gar th'
/ winter has been very inclcment.
ttTt
Every effort is being made TO get the
tanning acid factories soon to be estab-
llished In Eastern Kentucky by Armour
la Co, near or contiguous TO Whites
burg. whitesburg people viii offer ev-
cry inducement possible TO get the In
ldustries which will mean SO much foi
whitesburg and Letcher county. Rep
resentatives Of the company are, how
ever, looking over the section covered
by the North Fork branch Of the l.. a
N. with view OF getting "A location. i
is hoped they Will come 20 Whiteshnrf
or vicinity. az exceptional Inducements
are offered by property owners here
Thousands of people would be employ
ed in the plants.
tttt
Considerable sickness, largely grip,
and colds prevail over the county, ant
physicians have plenty to do. Much u
grippe : making scourge ~ the com
try. and that Il has hit this section 4
what physicians say Several deathl
have occurred In Letcher among ole
people within the past two or three
weeks. II Is feared general scourg,
will result.
Il Miss Matte Adams ~ the Whites
burg Telephone exchange who WA
called TO Jeremiah below here Christ
mas day or a sad mission, TO see he
brother squire" Adams, who was &c
cidentally killed, returned here and re
sumed her duties In the telephone OF
fice. She has the sympathies OF hos
OF admiring friends.
tttt
II is practically certain that Tn
South East Coal Co. operating a frs
I class new plant at Seco, one Of the hes
small plants in fletcher countys Goa
| fields. on Boone's Fork will open up
new plant on the Tilden Wright plac
/ between Sergent and Craftsville dur
7 ling the new year 1916, the initial worl
. to start soon. Already the engineering
I work has been done. or large part o
II.
; II is expected that work will star
within the next 60 days. The new de
velopment is awaited with much In
( terest and anxiety by the people in tn
: community.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
HEAVY MAIL SERVICE.

An unusually heavy parcels post ana
u,ail traffic was handled through the
PikevilIe post office during the Christ
mas season. To take care OF TINS iaree
volume OF business an extra force OF
clerks was kept busy during the gay
and far into the night for two weeks
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
HOUSE BURNED;
CHILD CREMATEp.

The home OF Noah Potter on Pigeon
creek, not far from Ellxhorn City. was
destroyed by fire last Saturday mhrn-
ing before daylight, and his grandson,
Cecil Sergeant, aged 10, was crcmnted
In the burning building after the moth
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

A male chorus to be made up oil
about 80 or more OF the young men OF
the League will be organized by MISS
Georgia Phelps, organist of the church
this evening. This chorus will hereat-
ter take the place of the mixed choir
at the Sunday services, beginning
with this Sunday.
New officers for the League viii also
be elected Sunday evening.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

Aunt Matilda Hale. an aged color
resident Of Louisa, died IN Illumination
. few days ago, the result Of burns.
She was sitting near a crate, when her
clothing caught FIRE. and before the
flames could Toe cStiuguished she was
nearly burned 10 crisp. She has
many relatives in Louisa.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

MAN wants but little hero heloY,
He's not so hard 70 please;
But woman tbless her little heafD,
Wants everything she sees" lg
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31
PIKE COUNTY NEWS

proceeding Christmas. The heavy nor
iday traffic now being over. the ppsi-
ness has returned to a normal stage.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

How. Boreas. foe to human kind!
Blow. clustering. freezing. piercing
Wind
BLOW. that thy force may rehearse,
while all my thoughts CONCEAL to verse
John Bancks.
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

See page three for other whites
burg letter
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-12-31

ITO BE CONTINUED
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-19
RIVER FIGHT IS ON
Demands Made for Improve
ment on the Missouri.
Continued in a Big Meeting at
Kansas City Today.

Kansas City, No. Oct. 19.-The
Missouri Valleys struggle for con-
tinuance of government support II
improving the Missouri river was con-
tiDued here today when scores of rep
resentatives of civic organizations,
shippers and farmers appeared before
a board of army engineers TO snow
why the board should not adopt the
report of Lieutenant Colonel Herbert
Deakyne, who, in April, 1915, recon-
mended that the $20,000,0O0 project
for the improvement of the waterway
be abandoned by the government as
impracticable.
over two hundred persons from the
territory drained by the river and from
tributary districts affected by a
change in government policy toward 1t
when the board convened. W. P. Bor-
land, representative in congress from
the Fifth district, on behalf or the sup
porters of the river, presented q
the stream. 1t contained testimony
from farmers, shippers and CONNER
cial organizations setting forth rea-
sons why improvements or the water
way should continue.
I'VE intend to show this board,
said Congressman Borland, that the
movement of traffic on the Missouri
river between Kansas City and ST
Louis has grown more rapidly tnan
the improvements of he river by the
government have progressed.
Railroads Are Inadequate.
"a great shortage of cars is occur
ring this fall on all the western rail
roads An additional line of railroad
from Kansas City to ST. Louis would
at present cost almost as much as the
twenty million dollars necessary 70
improve the river and would not FUR
nish equal facilities.
ITO abandon the improvement OF
the inland waterways at this time is
to kill the growth in the Mississippi
valley, in spite of the abundant sup
ply of raw materials and the mex
haustible resources of fuel.