davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1916-04-12

question, as everybody was
afraid of him. The minister
having to make u Journey to
Cumberland Gap 10 take the
oath and be paroled, stated his
trouble to a friend as he return
ed. Knowing the character Of
the man in the church, the
friend said: II will fx that
And he sat down aud wrote a
letter, purporting to come from
the United States Ollicer at Cum
berland Gap, sunlmoning him to
appear and answer for various
robberics and other crimes COM
mitted, which letter lie gave the
minister 10 deliver. 1t so hap
pened that the minister met tile
church occupant as he returned,
and he was very cordial, asking
for the news aud how he had
come out with the United States
Officers, and the minister after
answering him said: "By the
way, have a letter for YOU"
and handed it to him. The man
who could not read, but would
not admit il, said "Parsom |
have LETT ny specs at home,
you read it for me- Nothing
10th, the Parson read the letter
to him which was punctured by
many .'gruntsn from the man.
After the letter was read he
said: "Parson want you to
promise me that you will not
say anything about this letter,
and as for me, my wife and chill
dren, my old gray horse, and my
household furnitudc, we will be
in Kaintucll tomorrow morn
ing And he was.
When the value OF the Goals
Of Wise County were demon
strated, Big Stone Gap and Wise
County began 10 prosper, for
whilst as carly as the date
Thomas Jefferson prepared his
"Notes on Virginia, the exist
ance Of valuable Goals in the
mountains, west Of the Blue
Ridge, had been known; the re-
mote expectation of their being
developed and used, had caused
them to be held as of little val
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1916-04-12

considerable grading had been
done by free convict labor, sug.
costing that if a Company could
be formed to take over and com
plete the railroad i'll connection
with the purchase OF large tracts
of coal and iron lands, the com
bination should result in very
profitable business.
When General Imboicn re-
turned to Pittsburgh and made
his report, the people who had
sent him out, wanting iron ores
for immediate use, were not fur
ther interested, but being u man
of indomitablc energy and push,
he succeeded in organizinga par
ty Of business men, who made
the purchases, including the
railroad, which they recon
menced work upon.
This Company, known rs the
l'insalia Coal and Iron Company,
did not have sufficient money / i
carry on the work, and in The
Spring of 1881 sold their hold
ings to a strong party Of Phila-
dclPhia and Mauch Chunk, Penn
syl'ania, business men, who,
during that year, organized the
Virginia Coal and Iron Com.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1916-04-12
98 SOME HISTORY OF BIG STONE GAP 81

town was land oil and established,
Big Stone Gap was known rs
"Three Forks, and ii is well
authenticated that Daniel Boone,
in one of his several trips to
kentucky, passed through the
Gap crossing TO the headwaters
of the Cumberland in Kentucky.
Big Stone Gap was once in
the County of Fincasilc, which
then embraced all Of Southwcs-
tern Virginia and all of the State
of Kentucky, and SO remote
were some portions Of the Coun-
ty, that an Act was passed pro
viding that Jurors shall no, be
summoned from the waters of
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
more than once II year
In 1776, the first year of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Fin
castle was divided into three
Counties, one of them Kentucky
County, embracing the present
limits of that State and the 9TH
cr two Washington and Mont
gomery, embracing all of South
western Virginia.
The last Indian raid made in
to Southwestern Virginia was
by the half breed Chief Benge,
who was killed Mt the head wat
crs of Powellis River, not far
from Big Stone Gap, through
which the fronticrsmen passed
to the point where he was inter
ceptcd, and killed, tie stream,
to this day being called "Benge's
Branchn, and the rock upon
which he was laid after he was
killed being called "Bcnge's
Rock"
Big Stone Gap remained in
Washington County until 1872,
when new County was formed
from. Washington and named
Lee, after Light Horse Harry
Lee, General Robert q. Lees
father, which embraced Big
Stone Gap, until 1896, when
Wise County was formed from
Lee, Scott and Russell, having
been named after Governor
Henry A. Wise.
Long before there was any
thought of establishing a town
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1916-04-12

Dig stone zap. imboden City
struggled along until 1883, when
a company was formed known as
the Big Stone Gap Improvement
Company. which acquired large
boundary Of land, employed
skilled German Engineer, Mr..
John Nader, who laid off the
present town of Big Stone Gap
with its wide streets and beau
tiful park system.
In the Winter and Spring of
lSS9-A0. the town had verita-
bic boom and the prices scared,
lots selling as high as $4,000. 90;
more than $3.50, 10000 worth
having been sold at one auction.
This boom, of course, collapsed,
but after getting its breath,
the town began to build up upon
Ia solid foundation, with real
values, aud has continued to I'm
prove and grow since that time.
II was fortunate for Big Stone
Gap that from the time it com
menccd to grow, its citizens have
been strong ana virilc, coming
from many different States, in
ending many highly educated
men and women. 1t has grown
along broad lines, there being
fewer marrow people than are
found IN towns double lis size.
Nothing dauntcd by the col
lapse of its boom, its people set
to work to build up the town,
the only industries at that time
being an iron furnace and plan
ing mill.
The necessity for larger ac-
cnmnodations for the public
school became urgent and with
out hesitation bond issue was
made and commodious building
was erected, but was destroyed
10y fire a few years afterwards.
Not deferred by this misfortune,
a much larger aud imposing
building was erected, which is
the most complete and up to
date school building outside of
the cities, in the State.
The school has been the first
care Of the town. If revenues
we're short aud cut had to be
made nothing was taken from
the school appropriation, and
rather than cut a month from
the term, her liberal citizens
have more than once voluntarily
contributed money to continue.
Coming into the town Il stran-
ger has n very inadequate idea
Of lis size and Importance from
the fact that its length is three
miles, aud It's width two miles.
Many OF tile best residences are
not seen by u party coming in
and going out on huaimcss. 1t
has population 81 1out $500.
The enterprise embrace II
large extract plant and large
tauncry; wood working plant;
brick plant and many other
small industries.
Preparations are now being
made to put the iron furnace in
Operation, and the erection of IL
large cement plant here is being
considered. We have n large
and imposing United States Pub
lie Building, containing the
| Post Office, United States Dis
trict Court Room ana Offices,
Internal Kevenue Agent, Mar
shnl and United States Commits
sioncr's Offices,
The town has supply of pure
soft water, taken from Powell's
River, at the foot of Powell's
Mountain, six miles away, with
four hundred feet fall, three
million gallons capacity per day,
and full fire protection, without
engines.
1t has electricity for light and
power, supplied at very reason
able rates by the Electric Trans
mission Company of Virginia.
| a movement is on foot. look
n
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
RUSSIA AND JAPAN TO
FORM NEW ALLIANCE
Politicians See Long Period Of
Friendly Relations Of the
Two Countries

Toxic, Dec. S.-(By mail. )--Plans for
Strengthening the new alliance between
Japan and Russia are believed here to
be behind the selection of Viscount
Yasuya Uehida, former ambassador to
the United States and as japanese en-
voy to Russia.
Viscount Uchida fills the post vacat-
ed when Viscount Motone was recalled
from Petrograd to become foreign min
lister in the new Terauchi ministry.
Politicians here accept the conclusion
of the Russo-Japanese pact last spring
as only the beginning Of a long term Of
friendly political and commercial rela-
tions between the two countries The
general belief is that Russia has re-
quested Japan to wait until the close of
the war for signature OF additional
clauses of the new convention.
Viscount Motone is given credit here
for having laid the foundation for the
new alliance and his service as foreign
minister is expected to develop pro Rus
sian tendencies. Upon Viscount Uchida,
however, is placed the responsibility Of
promoting relations in Petrograd. SO
that, after the war, the two nations will
be even more closely aligned in promot.
ing their interests in the far east.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
French Soldiers Celebrate
Christmas in the Trenches
Believing War Nears End

and whose ideals render the carrying
out of the Christian life possible and of
choosing and fighting against those
whose acts show they would not permit
attainment Of Christ s ideals"
German efforts to fraternalize were
discouraged by grenades and trench
mortars. On one occasion the Saxons,
in an opposite trench, lifted up over
their parapet Christmas tree-and as
the Tommies facing it remarked" we
hung oranges, apples and bonbons on
it, Or IN other words, they deluged it
with grenades. 1t was observable that
the experiment was not repeatoed.
Troops resting in billets at the rear
began Christmas celebration with lunch
es, dinners and parties today. There
were amateur theatricals and Christmas
trees at the field Y. M. c. A. huts, the
Y. M. G, A. furnishing band music and
all extras.
In the meanwhile, those in the fore
most trenches awaited their relief that
they, too might celebrate.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
Text of Note

Berlin, via Sayville wireless Dec. 26.
-Germany today handed to United
States Ambassador Gerard for trans
mission to Washington her answer to
President Wilson $ recent peace note.
American diplomatic representatives
at Vienna and Conslantnople were al
SO handed the same reply.
The text reads:
'tThe high minded suggestions made
bg the president of the United States
of America, in order to create basis
dor the establishment of lasting peace,
has been received and considered by
the imperial government in the friend
ly spirit which was expressed in the
president s Communication.
"The president points out that which
he has at heart and leaves open the
choice of the road.
ITO the imperial government the i'm
mediate exchange of views seems the
most appropriate road in order to reach
the desired result. It therefore begs,
ia the sense OF it's declaration made on
December IL, which offered its hand
for peace negotiations to propose i'm
mediate meeting of delegates of the
belligerent states at q neutral place.
- Also the imperial government is of
the opinion that the great work OF
prevention Of future wars can be be-
gun only after the end OF the present
struggle of nations.
1T will (namely the German govern
ment willy when this moment shall
have come, be ready with pleasure to
collaborate entirely with the United
States at this exalted task"
The answer finishes with the usual
terms of international politeness.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
BY Henry Wood.

Omitted Press staff correspondent
With the French Armies in .Alsaee-
Lorraine, Dec. 25, via Belfort and Paris.
France IS soldiers celebrated Christ
mas with the absolute conviction that
they will spend December 25, 1917, at
home. They were all certain the victor
les along the Somme and at Nerdun
have established such an ascendancy
over the enemy that France and her
allies will make ''peace on earth, good
win toward men, a reality.
Especially was the conviction of
peace within year through France 3
victory strong in trench number four
at Belfort. There the soldiers spent
their Christmas defending first line po-
sitions.
"It's the men who are closest in
fighting contact with the enemy who
feel most strongly that they have at
tanned a moral and material superiority
over the enemy that makes victory
certain, explained an officer com
manding this trench. CAN my men
during today have been writing home
expressing the firmest assurance that
they viii pass next Christmas at their
own, firesdes. "
1t was this convietion--felt by ev.
cry poim-that made every soldier rise
to exceptional efforts to render today s
celebration memorable.
Hundreds of regimental letter car
riers became veritable - and heroic
Santa Clauses. They worked all Christ
mas eve night and Christmas day often
at great risk, under heavy she'll fire, de-
livering to the first line trenches all
Christmas packages. Opening of these
parcels was the only celebration pos
sible in the first line trenches.
But in the rear, the celebrations were
elaborate, There were Christmas tree
exercises at all churches. where oper-
attic singers, violinists and other musi-
clans now serving in the army made up
programs of entertainment.
I attended one of the celebrations in
a Protestant church whore the audience
was made up of soldiers from the
trenches, captain and villagers. There
was an elaborate program preceding
distribution of the Christmas presents,
and the minister, wearing rough field
leggings and the uniform of an army
chaplain, preaehed sermon
II was discourse declaring that not
only civilization but even Christianity
itself was at stake in the present con-
fliet.
"iThe new Christian duty" he de-
clared, "is that of choosing and fight
ing for the nations whose civilization
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
HOFER SEES
PROSPERITY COMING
ALONE AMONG 400
Railroad Conditions Bad, So
Was Trip, But the Lecture
Was a Hummer

Col. E. Hofer returned Monday morn
ing from three weeks spent in east
ern business centers and visiting rela-
tiyes in Chicago. He reports business
conditions good and the outlook for the
coming year as exceptionally bright.
There will be enough business growing
out Of conditions in Europe whether
there be peace or war, in his opinion,
to keep up high state there will be
tremendous activity developed in the
lumber industry which will become the
backbone of the west which will en-
Joy its long delayed snare in the cream
of things which ss passed around to
other industries in rich skimmings. He
believes with the revival of ocean
shipping the Pacific coast win have
longer enduring prosperity than the
middle west which is now reveling in
wealth.
Railroad conditions are not good. -
said Mr.. Hofer. While the railroads
are making more money, increased cost
of materials and operation seems to
eat up all their great earnings and they
cannot get hold of surplus or new cap
ital to keep up Or extend their plants
to meet the needs of the country. The
ear shortage is largely due to the fact
that terminal facilities in large cen
ters have been outgrown and there
seems to be no way to increase them
without large blocks of capital that is
not Forthcoming. In entering big cit
les like st. Paul, Minneapolis and Chi
cago one sees hundreds of acres of
ears, loaded and empty, standing idle
on the tracks. In many lines values
Of a loaded car have gone up so fast
that merchants and operators in the
necessities of life or merchandise have
preferred to pay demurrage by the
month to unloading them, making mon
ey by doing it.
Regulations at the hand of forty
odd railroad commissions and the in
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
English PRESS
MODIFIES VIEWS
ON WILSON'S NOTE
Sees Threat That Unless
Terms Are Satisfactory U.
5. May Join Allies
SWISS STATEMENT HAS
NOTIFYING EFFECT
South American Countries
Discussing Backing Will
sons Stand

Omitted Press staff correspondent
London, Dec 26.-English hostility
toward President Wilson appeared TO
have been considerably modified today.
The change was attributed to the latest
interpretations Of the motives which inns
PEELED dispatch of the American peace
note. London now regards it as having
been sent with the main purpose of fore
ing Germany to state her peace terms
and to carry the implication that unless
these terms are satisfactory" Amer
iea may enter the war on the side of the
allies There was, however, considerable
continued criticism of what was termed
the presidents s obseurity and "infelic-
ity" of language and his apparent re-
versal of principles since May 81, when
he stated that America was not con-
cerned with the causes and objects of
the war.
The declaration in the Swiss state
ment that the Swiss government was
" in touch' with President Wilson five
weeks ago was regarded as conelusively
disproving the almost universal initial
belief that the American proffer was
a mere appendix to the German peace
note.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
South America With Us.
BY Charles p. Stewart.

Omitted Press staff correspondent
Bunos Aires, Dec. 26.--Certain South
American chancellors are tentatively
communicating regarding the dispatch
of note to belligerents backing up
President Wilson 3 peace plea forward
ed here today. No official eonfiTma-
ton was to be obtained. The report,
however, went SO far as to suggest that
the A. B. G. (Argentine, Brazil and
Chile) governments were mainly con-
cerned in the move.
South America has generally applaud
cd the timeliness Of President Wilson 8
peace suggestions and saw in Secretary
Lansing's hints of America joining o
league of nations after the war to force
peace, can opportunity for a closer PAN
Apprehension. Lansing suggested that
the United States would first of all,
feel the desire Of joining with South
American nations in any such plan.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
STEAMER MARYLAND
REPORTED SINKING
Wireless Says Engine Room
FlOOded---Is About $50
Miles from Sandy Hook

New York, Dec. 26.-The steamship
Maryland is reported sinking about $50
miles OFF Sandy Hook, according to
wireless messages picked up here.
Four vessels are now on their way to
aid her. The steamship Savannah, the
cutter Achusnet from Boston, the cut
ter Seneca from Newport and the cut
ter Mohawk, which picked up the dis
tress signals at sea.
Wireless messages said the engine
rooms of the Maryland were rayidly be.
ing flooded.
There are two steamships in the mari
time register named Maryland. One of
these is British vessel Of 1862 tons
and the other is an American vessel Of
1899 tons. The latter was last reported
on December 49, leaving Philadelphia
for Liverpool or London. This is be-
lieved to be the ship in distress.
The American ship Maryland is own
ed by the New York, Philadelphia &
Norfolk railroad and when she left port
in Philadelphia on Saturday she carried
cargo of oil, iron pipe, fiber, paper
and miscellaneous merchandise. She last
reported her position as rs miles east Of
the Five Fathom bank lightship.
Because her wireless was weak no
messages giving cause of distress could
be interpreted at wireless stations here
The position reported, however, latitude
80, longitude 67, is in that region where
allied shipping was recently raided by
the German submarine U-53.
The Maryland was built in Wyan-
dotte, Mich for lake trade She ear
ried a crew of 20 while engaged in lake
traffic.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26

Berlin via Sayvile wireless, Dec. 26Germany today
proposed meeting Of delegates Of belgerents in her
answer to President Wilson's peace note.
Her formal reply to the American peace suggestion
made in note handed to United States Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin and at the same time the American
diplomatic representatives at the capitals of the other
central powers Vienna, Sofia, Constantinope.
venon Of future wars can be begun ony after the end Of
the present struggle of nations and declares when this
moment shall have come,' Germany will be "ready with
pleasure to coaborae entirely with the United States at
this exalted task"
The German note holds the mos appropriate road to
reach the desired result is immediate meeting Of dele
gates of beligerent- states at a neutral peace.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
PULLED HIS LEG

San Francisco, Dec. 26.-George s.
Park, Of Bend, Ore, guest at the
Winchester hotel, had his leg pulled
for $120 last night, he told the police
today. And it wasn't any figurativc
pulling either When George started
out TO celebrate Christmas royalty he
wore around his leg a purse contain
ing six $40 gold pieces. Somebody got
to the purse during the evening and
when Park awokc this morning ths
money was gone.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
Stocks Fluctuated
On Rather Dull Market

New York, Dec. 26--Gains Of a point
or more were made by many of the lead
ers Of last week s peace crash when The
stock exchange opened today.
Uuited States steel opened up ] Is
to 1-3 to 107 "a to 107 1-2. Cuba can
sugar, Reading, Atlantic GULF, Interna-
tional paper, Studebaker and marine
preferred gained full point eaeh on
first sales.
Crucible steel sold down point at So
and Lackawanna was down 1902.
The market backed and filled with
out definite tendency during the first
hour, during which 19l 900 shares were
traded. Crueible sold up to 81; Re
public was strong and United States
steel moved between 106 and 107 IL.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
SITE FOR THE PLANT

Washington, Dee 26.--The ruling of
the navy department that the proposed
$ll 100000 government armor fplate
should not be located nearer than 200
miles to the coast or any Of the Great
Lakes, has eliminated from the Ohio
cities available s4f but Ironton, Senator
Harding told the United Press today.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
Rumored Terms Are Stated
BY John H. Hearley

United Press staff correspondent)
Rome. Dee, 26.--Germany has hand
ed to the neutral nations whose sery-
ices she asked in forwarding peace
suggestions to her enemies, sealed
packet containing the specific terms
upon which she was willing to make
peace, according to a report in circula-
ton here today.
The report had it that this packet
was sent with instructions that it was
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
Helm on the WAY.

Washington, Dec. 26.--So serious does
the coast guard service consider the con
dition of the steamer Maryland, report
ed sinking l50 miles off Sandy Hook,
that the cutter Gresham has been add,
ed to those already on the way to help.
-Four government boats are speeding
to the Maryland 3 rescue.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
Packagea From Homo.

In the front trenches the fighters, be-
tween periods of watching and fight
ing, opened their packages from home.
For the most part these were trinkets
made by mothers. sweethearts or wives.
But for the Tommies who had none of
these there were plenty Of trinlzets and
Christmas gifts from volunteer friends
back in England, The procedure of this
opening of gifts was the snmc all along
the line-with the British Tommies, the
Anzacs and the Canadians.
Christmas eve came with stars shin
ing from cloudless sky. But that
great illumination in the east was not
the Star of Bethlehem star shell
(ContinVcd On paGo two.l
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
SIZES UP BILL SUNDAY

New York, Dec 26.--Dr. Appleton
Morgan, Shakespearean scholar and
author, has weighed the "mOvie I"
against Billy Sunday and "the movies" "
win.
DR. Morgan is heartily in favor of
Sunday motion picture shows, but he
wants "such saerilegious perform
ances" as Billy Sunday $ meetings con
fined to week days, that the Sabbath
may be kept holy"
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-26
Is Hard to Set.

Boston, Mass, Dec. 26.--Difficulty in
locating the Maryland is expected un-
less she can inform the rescuers of her
by wireless, according to
wireless, according TO wireless station
here. Nothing is being re-
ceived from her at the radio station
here and it is thought probable her ap.
paratus is out Of commission for some
reason