Year: 1886
The Landmark, Statesville North Carolina
Newspaper articles contributed by Twylla Teer and abstracted by Elsie Arcuri.
Some of these articles were almost impossible to read. PLEASE view microfilm before accepting it as fact.
Definitions:
ult. = last month
inst. = present month.
Periods intentionally omitted after abbreviations, initials, etc.
Jan 26, 1886
DIED
In Concord township, on the 11th inst, Mr Jesse Harper, aged about 65 years.
At Taylorsville, on the 27th of December, Edith, daughter of Mr R P Matheson.
Jan 29, 1886
The Last of Alexander Court
Correspondence of The Landmark
Court week has passed and everything will be dull up here for awhile. There is no one in jail. Judgment was suspended in the case against Austin Wilson last week, the only jail case at court, and he was bound in a bond of $200 for his good behavior and appearance at next term of court.
ALECK.
Taylorsville NC, Jan 24 1886
July 1, 1886
Items from Sulphur Springs, Alexander County
Correspondence of The Landmark
Visitors are coming in but it seems to be a difficult matter for them to get place to board. Improvements are being made about the springs, but “Shake” don’t believe that the world was made in a day nor that it is best for him to finish a job in a year.
Mr Jeff Davis is building a dwelling here that is quaint indeed, and shows that he is quite an architect. He will soon be prepared to accommodate boarders and I am sure that “social Jeff” and his amiable young companion could make people feel at home about their house.
Rev Mr Neeley, of Davidson county, will spend the summer here. He will be the guest of Mr Lewis Stephenson’s family who will move into their cottage in a few days. The new church edifice is nearing completion, and the Baptist Association will meet here in August.
While the congregation were gathered at the Baptist church last Sabbath morning a young couple on matrimonial business, drove up, halted “in de middle ob de road,” called for the pastor and presented the license. The pastor, Mr J Gwaltney, politely invited them to come into the church, but they declined, and they two were made one in the buggy.
The article in the last issue of THE LANDMARK on the railroad subject gives new encouragement to the people here. These people bet high on what they find in THE LANDMARK, I find in my travels that it is received gladly wherever it goes, but I think its readers in this vicinity are more enthusiastic than any place I have been.
The mail facilities of this section are not at all what they might be. The most of the mail that comes to Stony Point is either for the people of this immediate neighborhood of Reese Sloan’s store. These are both places of note, and there is a store at each place. The post office is kept at a private house about three miles from Sulphur Springs and over two miles from Sloan’s store. It would be much better to have an office at each of those places and discontinue the one between. More about the postoffice in the future.
SYLVESTER
June 8 1886
OBITUARY
Died on Sunday, June 27 1886, in Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, little Charley Barrett, son John T and Mary P Elder aged three years and one day. He was the grandson of ex-Sheriff H W Mays. The sweet bud nipped by death’s untimely frost had been transplanted in a brighter, fairer time. He has gone to the arms of Him who said ” Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not.”
J T A
DIED
In Cool Spring township, June 26th, 1886, Mrs E L Parker, in the 68th year of her. She had for many years been a member of the Baptist church and died in hope of a better life.
At Oak Forest NC, June 27th, Miss Sarah Montgomery, in the 26th year of her age. She made a public profession of faith in Christ last summer and united with the Baptist church at Oay’s chapel. In her sickness she enjoyed the comforts of religion.
At Cross Plains, Ala, on 2d ult, Mrs Puella Hudson, wife of S Hudson and daughter of J Frank and Mary A Tomlin, formerly of Iredell county, NC.
On the 19th ult, Frankie, infant son of J M Oxford Esq, of Alexander county.
July 22, 1886
Mr Ernest Miller wrote us, some weeks ago, a postal card, misplaced until now, saying that he had just then killed on the farm of M J W Miller, in Miller’s township, Alexander county, a short-toed eagle which measured six and a half feet from tip to tip of its wings and which had claws six inches long.
Aug 19 1886
The Bogle Family of Alexander County
“An Early Settler” in the Taylorsville Journal
Joseph M Bogle, the second son of Robert Bogle, was different from his brother William in that he had a great taste for public and political life, but had in common with him that good common sense and sound judgment that made him a good trader and successful manager. He traded in stock, engaged in merchandise, run a farm in both branches of the Legislature, and was sheriff of Iredell county for a number of years. He married Christina McKenzie, daughter of Kenneth McKenzie and a sister of Wm Bogle’s wife, and not long after settled on the Wilkes road about three miles from where Taylorsville now is (and where W F Jolly lives) where he lived and raised his family. When Taylorsville was located he moved here and built the dwelling where R P Matheson now lives, and occupied it up to the time of his death in 1860. His widow survived him a few years, and died at the old homestead eight or ten years ago. A double grave stone marks their resting place in the Taylorsville cemetery. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church. They raised a family of three sons and five daughters.
Joseph M the oldest son, completed his education at Davidson College; studied medicine; married Miss Margaret Gaither, who died not long after their marriage. He moved to Raymond, Mississippi, where he resided and practiced his profession until within the last few years, when he removed to Cherokee, Crawford county, Kan.
Alex. Maxwell, better known as “Lawyer Mack”, the second son, graduated at Davidson College; studied law under Judge Pearson; settled in Taylorsville and practiced his profession successfully for some years. His was an intellect of a high order and his mind was well informed. He represented his county in both branches of the Legislature; had a good practice in this and adjoining counties. “Lawyer Mack” was twice married. He first married Miss Mary Knox, daughter of Gillespie Knox, of Rowan county, and excellent woman, intelligent, pious, industrious, of fine personal appearance and a good wife. They raised three sons, Mitchell, Absa and Willie; but their mother died before they reached manhood. They were nice, intelligent boys and are still living-Mitchell and Absa in Kansas, and Willie in Mississippi. Mack’s second wife was Miss Mary Lawrence, daughter of Alexander Lawrence of Iredell. She was a good, pious woman. They had two sons-Lawrence and Joseph. Both parents are now dead, the wife preceding the husband only a few years. The oldest son, Lawrence moved to Mississippi after his father’s death and soon after was drowned while bathing. Joseph is a waif, not considered of sound mind; but has shrewdness enough to travel all over the country, from Washington City to Texas, without money; and few railroad conductors South have not at some time in the last few years encountered “Little Joe” among their passengers he has such a mania for wandering that no efforts of his friends have been successful in keeping him in one place long at a time.
Robert Lafayette, the third son, received a liberal education; studied medicine, and successfully practiced his profession; married Miss Temperance Kelly, daughter of Dr Kelly of Mocksville, and moved to Raymond, Hinds county, Mississippi, where he still lives.
The oldest daughter, Mary, married Wiley Gaither, and settled at Cross Keys, near All-Healing Spring, then Caldwell county, where he engaged in merchandise for some years; moved to Lenoir, built the dwelling now occupied by F Weisenfeld, followed merchandise for some years there, and then left the county. His wife, who was a worthy, intelligent woman, remained at her home until her death. They had several children, all of whom except one son died before they reached maturity. The son, Dr Wm Gaither, still survives; he married a Miss McCombs, of Mecklenburg county, where he has resided most of the time since.
The second daughter, Susan, married Stephen Howell. They settled in Mocksville, Davie county, where they lived and raised a family of three sons and two daughters. After the death of J M Bogle, Susan’s father, they moved to Taylorsville and lived here several years with her mother at the old home, where R P Matherson now lives. They then moved to Statesville, where Mr Howell died and where his widow still lives. Their sons, Joseph B, R L and Willie are all dead; only J B married, his wife being Emma daughter of A C McIntosh, who died not long after their marriage, leaving a daughter who is now 13 years old. Of their two daughters, Emma the oldest, married Thos J Dula, an attorney-at-law of Wilkesboro, where they reside and have raised several sons and daughters. The other daughter, Jane Maria, married W A Eliason, of Statesville, where they reside and have a considerable family of children.
The third daughter, Roxana, married Robert F Simonton, of Statesville, an excellent business man. They had no children. R F Simonton was instrumental in establishing the Bank of Statesville, and ran it as its chief manager or cashier pretty much while he lived. At his death Roxana became his executrix by his will, and for a short time continued the business of the bank. But on investigation it was found that the bank, from the effects of the war was not solvent. The estate was involved so that it was all required to meet the liabilities. However, Mrs Simonton retains her home in Statesville and sufficient, with her own good management, to keep her comfortable.
Jane C, the fourth daughter, married James Simonton, of Iredell, and moved to Mississippi. They had three children, Joseph, Ross, and Julia, who are yet living. Mr Simonton was shot and killed while sitting on his porch, by someone who had a grudge against him. After the death of her husband, Jane returned to North Carolina, where she lived and raised her children, and with the exception of a short stay in Missouri and Kansas and a short time at Old Fort, NC, has resided in Taylorsville near her son-in-law, J T McIntosh, until within the last few months, when she and a daughter moved to Cherokee, Kan. where she has a brother and other relatives living.
Selina, the fifth daughter, married J Wilson Jones; settled in Taylorsville and did business as a merchant several years; afterward leased and finally bought the Alspaugh factory; lived there and ran it during and after the war; sold out and moved to Kansas in 1867. After living there some years her health failed and she wished to return to North Carolina. They started but were obliged to stop at a friend and relative of Mr Jones, in Missouri, where she died. They had a considerable family of children. Mr Jones still lives in Cherokee, Kan.
Aug 19, 1886
Items from Sulphur Springs, Alexander County
Correspondence of The Landmark
Miss Mollie Bost, Mr I A Witherspoon, Mr A M Witherspoon and family and Miss Maggie Moose of Statesville; Mr Barnet of Mecklenburg, Mrs Wood, of Rowan, and Messrs Houston and Rodgers, of Mooresville, have arrived since my last communication.
Mr J W Davis has moved into his new dwelling here.
The building committee of the Baptist church has adopted a plan of finishing the interior of the church, suggested by Prof Hidden, which is said to be of modern and elegant style.
Prof York, our old friend, who founded York Institute, is among us and purposes teaching a grammar school at Rocky Springs. He is a worthy and useful man and makes grammarians wherever he teaches.
We are now having refreshing showers and the corn is “wearing of the green”. Upland corn needs but a few more rains to make good crops.
The blasting at the Hiddenite mine certainly reminds the old soldiers of cannonading around Petersburg.
I think it useless to reply to the article from J. W. M., as anyone can see by reading my previous communication that J. W. M. misrepresented me entirely. I think it was done unintentionally. “Esmeralda” sends a communication of the same nature. “Esmeralda” seems to be inclined to deal in personalities which I do not much admire. Neither do I admire the description he gives of the residence of one of the best families of the country.
The nights are quite cool here and some of the visitors seem to think they are sure enough in the mountains.
SYLVESTER
August 9 1886
DIED
In Alexander county on the 29th ult, Mr John Campbell, aged about 76 years.
IN Taylorsville on the 3rd inst, after a protracted sickness, Miss Harriet Matheson, wife of Mr A H Matheson, age 38 years.
Aug 26, 1886
Mr W P Ingram, of Alexander county, two weeks ago tied a grist of wheat on the back of an unbroken colt, two years old, and started to mill leading the animal. It got frightened, jerked loose from him and started to run. The grist swung around under its belly and it got its foot caught in the loose rein, fell and broke its leg all to pieces, so that the bone lay in pieces along the road. It had to be shot to be put out of its misery.
Aug 26, 1886
MARRIED In Taylorsville on the 17th inst, Mr Lee Mullis and Miss Mattie Waugh.
At the residence of Mr John Fries in Salem on the 20th inst, by Rt Rev Edmund de Sdhweinitz, Mr Frank Fries, and Miss Anna de Schweinitz.
DIED
Suddenly at the residence of her brother, Mr B R Knox, in Scotch Irish township, Rowan county on the 18th inst, Miss Mat. Knox of Iredell county, aged about 68 years.
At her home in Mt Ulla township, Rowan county, on the 21st inst, Mrs Annie Knox, wife of Mr Robt Knox aged about 24 years.
At his home on Hunting Creek, on the 22d inst, of consumption, Mr John A Sanders, aged 30 years.
Sep 2, 1886
OBITUARY
Died, of typhoid pneumonia, in Miller’s township, Alexander county, on the night of the 30th of August, 1886, Mr John W Sherrill. He was an elder-elect in Elk Shoal church, a good citizen, a devoted man to the Church and his family. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss.
W M HUNTER
Sep 9, 1886
DIED
At his residence in Burke county on the 28th ult, Capt James C Tate, in the 56th year of his age.
At her home in Montgomery county, on the 30th ult, of typhoid fever, Miss Mary Montgomery, only child of Mr and Mrs Geo W Montgomery and niece of Judge W J Montgomery.
In Alexander county on the 3th ult, Len R Daughter of J P and S C Brewer aged 3 years, 3 months and 3 days.
At the residence of her father, Judge A C Avery in Morganton of Typhoid fever, on the 6th inst, Mrs Gilmer Bentzer, aged about 21 years. She had been married but little over a year and leaves an infant two or three months old.
Sep 16, 1886
MARRIED
At the residence of the bride’s father, Deputy Sheriff D Boone Little, in Taylorsville township, Alexander county, on the 2d inst. by C T Sharpe, Esq, Mr J L Icenhour and Miss M C Little.
At the residence of the bride’s father, Mr E W Sills in Chambersburg township, on the 12th inst, by Rev James Wilson, Mr R C Bell, and Miss F S Sills.
Nov 11, 1886
Proceedings of Alexander County Commissioners
Taylorsville Journal, 4th
The board met last Monday – E M Stevenson, W R Sloan and V M Teague present.
Ordered, that the petition of Thos J Deal and others for a stock law election be received and an election be held on November 27, at Deal & Crouch’s store, with NC Robinett and D S Davidson as judges and Wesley Laws registrar.
Ordered, that C A Lackey be appointed overseer to cut out and put in good traveling order the road to be made from A T Morrison’s to Liberty Church, with the hands liable for road duty in one mile and a half of said road.
Nov 18, 1886
A Child Kills Himself Drinking
Correspondence of The Landmark
“Train up a child in the way he should be and when he is old he will not depart from it”, is often verified. The custom among our fathers of having spirituous liquors at all public gatherings is not forgotten by all of their children. At a corn-husking on the 6th inst, some of the children of the old school did not forget old Mr John Barleycorn, and had him riding around very gaily in a brown jug carriage. And in this convenient vehicle the young son of Mr Jones Lowrance, only about ten or twelve years of age, had the opportunity of taking an occasional ride until the old man threw him aside. He drank freely at the corn-husking, then went to the house and drank it as water. The young hopeful was carried home, where he lay in an unconscious state until the next night, when he died. Terrible death! Should we all shudder at such practices?
MAGISTER
Cedar Run, NC, Nov 9 1886
Dec 2, 1886
DIED
Suddenly of paralysis at his home in Little River township, Alexander county, on the 17th ult, Mr Elisha Robnett, aged 82 years.
At her home in Davidson township on the 20th of November, of intermittent fever, Mrs Mary A Bradburn, wife of Mr A B Bradburn, aged about 40 years.
In Lincolnton on the 23rd of November, Dr J C Rudisill, aged about 83 years.