Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-09-23
VOTES
IN OLDEN DAYS
When Pccahontas Was In Its
'Swaddling Clothes Much Taze-
well Coin Found Its Way
There Election Days.

The Town of Pocahontas was char
tered by legislature of Virginia in
the winter of 1884 and the first
election for town officers was held
on the 4th Sunday in May, 1884.
There were two candidates for the
office of Mayor-P. P. Dillon and Jno.
w. Spots, the latter being elected by
a large majority. Mr.. Dillon was
elected three times after this, and
all the old timers remember esquire
Dillon" as he was generally known.
Tho Mayor tried the cases in those
days and this is probably the reason
for the term of esquire" Mr.. Dill
Ion and his family came here from
Horny county. He was a politician,
IL Republican and the colored vote
counted for as much as the white
vote, so for few years the political
elections were great occasions, not
only III the municipal elections, but
in the elections for the county and
state offices. Money was used very
freely to buy votes and other com
modities were given in exchange for
votes. AT every county election men
would come here from Tazewell to
buy votes. either for themselves or
for their favorite candidate. Bascom
Haney, assistant depot agent, SUE
ceeded j. W. SPOTS as Mayor if my
information is correct, but because Of
4 pressure of other duties he resign
ed and Harry ]. Rees, a Welshmall,
was appointed for the time being.
Rees was mine foreman here for
SIX years or more and man of good
education. He removed later to Blue
field with his family and died there
Sept. 15, 1901. A distant relative
Of his. Harry p. Rccs. was here at
the time and as a young man was
very popular with the people and
ith the company. He performed an
act of heroism at the burning Of the
A. Goodman building which won
for him much praise. Young Jacob
Weinocrger was sleeping in the up
per story. (third) { when he awoke to
find that he was cut off from all pos
sible escape from the inside and he
appeared Mt tho window crying for
succor. Seeing no other chance to
save him young Harry Rees. who was
then chief Of the fire department, Sc
cured foothold on railing OH the
second floor, leaned out and told the
arms and saved him, but the crowd
fully expected both of them to fall
backward to the pavement below.
Young Rees married Sarah Sincock,
the beautiful daughter Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Edward Sincock who were al
so Welsh people. He afterwards en-
gagged in business here md died sew
oral years ago, leaving widow. one
son, Carlyle and two lighters Glad
US and Virginia.
ID Di11O1 e,,o..Jal uo,..,,
Rees and after serving three times
was defeated by r. w. Witten in
1892. Dillon remained in Pocahon-
tas until his death several years ago.
His son preceded him to the grave.
He is survived by his widow and tw.
daughters Mrs. Abe Hogan and Mrs.
Roland Bryant Mrs. Hogan lives at
the old home place here and Mrs.
Bryant lives on Bluestone, near
Baley'5 Switch. John w. SPOTS re-
moved to Tazewell from here.
When the writer went to Poca-
hontas there was young lawyer
stationed there by the name of VIM
w. French. He married Rosa Baach
and lived here for several years at
forwards. When the Klondyke field
was discovered he determined to go
there and in company with a friend
of bis John NJ. Hoagland left for
Alaska. He lost his life while cros-
sing tho Valdes glacier in Alaska
during severe storm. His frozen
body was found, together with his
faithful st. Bernard dog and shipp-
ed back to Giles county his old home
for burial, The dog, though badly
injured by the cold was not frozen,
end was later brought to Mrs. French
by Mr.. HoaRland, j. M. N.