Newspaper Articles 1889 – Alexander County, NCGenWeb

Year: 1889
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 3, 1889
Not A Killing Serape
It was reported here last Saturday that J.R.Mayberry, of Gwaltney township, Alexander county, had, the day before, killed Dab. Redman, of New Hope township, Iredell. It turns out that the affair was not so bad, but that Mayberry had simply knocked Redman cold with a wagon spoke or something of the kind. Redman married Mayberry’s sister and the couple had been divorced. Mrs. Redman and her child live with Mayberry and Redman, it appears, visited the premises and was making demands for possession of the child when he and Mayberry came in collision with the result as stated.

Jan 3, 1889
Makes a Trip to Alexander
To the Editor of The Landmark:
Leaving your smiling city Saturday, December 23d, I boarded the “Junebug” for parts more native-like in “Little Alex.” and found Taylorsville on a boom and all anticipating a Merry Christmas. Monday night I saw the Sunday schools of the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches assembled in God-like harmony around three large evergreens laden with the choicest presents Santa Claus could find. To see those bright-eyed boys and girls gathered with their parents around the bending boughs of the Christmas tree, regardless of sect, eagerly waiting to receive a gift as an emblem of that matchless gift of God, suggests a picture that the angels may delight to smile upon.

Tuesday night “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room” was exhibited to the satisfaction of all present.

The Christmas tree at Rocky Spring was also a source of enjoyment.
A visit to cedar Run Thursday revealed the fact that the school there is still flourishing and that the population of the place is being rapidly increased. Among the new-comers are Mr. Bowles, from Taylorsville, and Mr. Barnes, from Ashe county, both having located with their families. Mr. J.Y. Williams has about completed his handsome dwelling and Prof. J.J. Hendren is preparing to build. In some sections of Alexander the farmers seem to be monomaniacs on the Alliance question. Your correspondent had the pleasure of paying his repects to the venerable tillers of the soil at two points on his way to Statesville Saturday.

Apart from everything else, I ask this question: Why is farming as an occupation less honored in this than in some other countries? The answer it seems would be about this: Whenever a young man acquires sufficient education to farm successfully, he persuades himself that he is called to preach, practice law or do something else.
L.
Statesville, N.C., Dec. 31, 1888.

Jan 3, 1889
Marriage
At the residence of the officiating clergyman, by Rev. E.E. Pressly, Mr. H.L. Hines, of Alexander, and Miss Annie J. Morrison, of Iredell.

Jan 10, 1889
Taylorsville is undoubtedly coming along. A colored band has been organized there.

The Journal, says that Mr. Fielding McLain, of Gwaltney township, Alexander county, aged 75, dropped dead in his field while ploughing on the 1st.

Mr. A.C. McIntosh, Jr., has taken charge of the editorial department of the Alexander County Journal. he is a bright and cultivated young gentleman and we welcome him into the newspaper business and wish him success in it.

Our people are still going South and West. A party of about 15, from Iredell and Alexander, among the number the family of the late T. N. Punch, of Concord township, left, Tuesday, for Arkansas and Texas.

Jan 10, 1889
How News Grows
Last Saturday week it was told here that Bob Mayberry, of Alexander, had killed Dab. Redman, of North Iredell. Two or three days later it was stated that Mayberry had beat the stuffing out of Dab. with some sort of stick but that he would recover. Before even this modified version of the affair got into print, Dab. himself rolled into town and stated that Mayberry had struck at him but had not him. Thus news grows and then diminishes,and the newspaper, taking it as it finds it, prints it and gets up the reputation for lying. Papers print such news as they get; no respectable paper makes up lies.

Mr. Billy Barkley, of Aleck county, owns a cross-eyed cow which is said to be a queer looking animal indeed.

Jan 10, 1889
The News of Taylorsville and Alexander
Correspondence of The Landmark
I saw in the Salisbury Watchman of last week, and copied by several other State papers, that Taylorsville was building rapidly and putting on city airs. As to the first, it continues to build and increase, her population having more than doubled in the last year; but as to the latter I cannot say more than that she has a mayor, police and lockup, where several have been lodged since the opening of the bar room.

The new year is starting out very well. Not many business changes.

A.C. McIntosh, Jr. has taken charge of the editorial part of The Alexander County Journal. I hope our people will give this our county paper a liberal support. Take some pride in your county; build up her town; help to do this by subscribing for the Journal.

L.A. Jarvis, Esq., of Iredell, was here last week and rented Linney’s red soapstone house near the depot and will open a large stock of goods for the spring trade. Linney is to build a large warehouse. Then with camping house and stalls for houses and a large stock of goods we will have a wholesale and retail store, so that the country merchants of Alexander, Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany will not need to roll through the mud 20 miles or ship to Statesville when they come here to the depot.

J.L. Cooper & Co. have gotten out “Junebug Smoking Tobacco,” and “Little Aleck Chewing Tobacco.”
There has been quite a lively trade in mules here during the past week or two and from the way the sheriff was collecting taxes today something has been leaving some money in our county.

A. C. McIntosh, Sr., has been confined to his bed for the past week.
J.T. McIntosh has been quite sick for a week or more.
D. Mel. Stevenson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is here on a visit to his mother’s family near town.
C.T. Herman and wife left today for Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Rev. A.L. Crawford, of Lexington, filled the pulpit at the Presbyterian church last Sunday. I learn that he is thinking of coming here to live.
Our candidates for places in the Legislature , A.C. McIntosh, Jr. and C.T. Sharpe, failed to go to Raleigh, McIntosh on account of the sickness of his father and being editor of the Journal, and Sharpe just backed out–got himself an old Cleveland beaver and went home satisfied last Saturday.

E.H. Jones is attending the Grand Lodge of Masons at Raleigh this week.
The county commissioners were in session today. There was no business of Interest. Sheriff Sharpe filed his bond.
Aleck.
Taylorville, N.C., Jan 7, 1889.

Jan 24, 1889
Letter from Taylorsville
Correspondence of The Landmark
I will try to note the changes and news items from “Little Aleck” since I wrote you last. The biggest change of any importance was that Dr. Killian removed the drug store to the room in the hotel building lately occupied by E. L. Hedrick. By some little changing the room is now one of the handsomest drug stores in western North Carolina. Several parties have changed residence since the first of the year. Dwellings are scarce but a few good ones are for rent. Several parties have been here prospecting.

J.R. Shepherd, of Winston, thinks of opening a hardware store here in the spring, and another party a family grocery, besides a large stock of general merchandise in one of the new Alspaugh brick store rooms. There is a splendid opening here for a large stock of general merchandise — no better point in western North Carolina. It is also a good point for a hardware store and family groceries and we shall expect all by spring.

The mule trade has been lively here this week; more than 50 head changed hands yesterday and today, scattering four thousand dollars or more among our farmers. These, with what have been sold and what will be in the next month, will help our people. Nothing that is raised in our county brings in as much as mules and our farmers cannot give too much attention to this industry.

Next week, our court, will be another lively week in stock trade. Business in the court will be light. There are only 40 or 50 cases on the State docket and outside of a murder case they are small cases, and then there is almost nothing on the civil docket. There will be Judge Clark’s first court in our county, but his reputation has gotten here before him and he will have no trouble in “Little Aleck.”

A.C. McIntosh, Sr., is not improving fast, but it is hoped by his many friends that he will soon be able to get out to the post office again. Aleck.
Taylorsville, N.C.
Jan 22, 1889.

A.C. McIntosh, Sr., is not improving fast, but it is hoped by his many friends that he will soon be able to get out to the post office again.
Aleck.
Taylorsville, N.C.
Jan 22, 1889.

Jan 24, 1889
Blessed is He That Hath His Quiver Full of Them.
Correspondence of The Landmark
There are very few fathers or mothers who live to see or hear of the fifth generation. But one such parent lives in Alexander county, Mr. James Pool is the man. He has eight children, 38 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren. Thus his descendants are 70, and seem determined to obey the command of the great God to replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over it.

Jan 24, 1889
Marriage
At the residence of Mr. F.M. Miller, the bride’s father, in Shiloh township on the 10th inst., by J.D. Elliott, Esq., Mr. Henry Young, of Alexander county, and Miss Maggie C. Miller, of Iredell.

Jan 31, 1889
Maj. Robbins left last night for Taylorsville, having been called there by letter to take part in the defense of Gaston Barnes, charged with murder and to be tried in Alexander court this week.

Jan 31, 1889
Mr. J. H. Cornelius has sold his interest in a tract of land lying in Alexander.

Jan 31, 1889
Taylorsville and Alexander
Local Improvements – Court – A Good Population – Mules – Personal, Political and Otherwise
I came up here last night to see the court and to look around. It has been nine years this month since I was here last — I was here then to report a hanging. It had been two years then since I had been here — and that time it was to report a hanging. About eighteen months ago I started here and got as far as the depot. The occasion was the celebration of the completion of the railroad. How a crowd wanted all day at the Statesville depot for the boat which never sailed, is a fact which has passed into history. Mr. Jim Armfield immortalized it in poetry and song. There has been no hanging here today, no free barbecues, nor anything else sensational (except the trial of a bastardy [sic] case in court), but the turn the weather has taken will make the day forever a cold spot in my memory.

Taylorsville has undergone many changes since I was last here. It has improved greatly, and is improving beyond a doubt. This is especially true of the section around the depot. There are whole rows of quite new houses, substantial in appearance and a number of them in neat and modern design. One of the first to arrest the eye is the new red scapstone (sic) storehouse of Mr. Linney, which has just been rented by our countyman, L.A. Jarvis, Esq., who will soon move here to merchandise. Two brick stores which are being built by Messrs. Alspaugh Bros., on the main street, fronting the court house square, would do credit to any place. The addition to the Piedmont Hotel, recently made by Mr. E. L. Hedrick, increases the capacity of the house, adds infinitely to its appearance, and gives on the corner a store room which is occupied by the tidiest sort of a little drug store. The leading merchants of the town are Col. G.W. Flowers, Mr. J.B. Keever, and our former countyman, Mr. Azor Sloan, and they all seem to be doing well.

As has already been indicated, this is court week here. Judge Clark is presiding and this means business; solicitor Frank I. Osborne is prosecuting and this means that no guilty man is allowed to escape, W.C. Beckham, Esq., is foreman on the grand jury. The only visiting lawyers up to this time are Judge Furches (sic), Col. M.L. McCorkle and Mr. F. Lee Cline. The judge’s charge was short but tall of pith and interest. When the court adjourned for dinner the State and civil dockets had both been eased over and several cases on the State docket had been disposed of. It has been several times remarked today that this judge and this solicitor make “a team.” The grand jury has not yet found a bill in the case of the State vs Gaston Barnes for the killing of Wheeler Robinett; but the fact of the killing is not disputed and a true bill will be found. The case is expected to come to trial this week. Messrs. Linney, Fox and Burke will defend and Messrs. Osborne and Jones will prosecute.

I must go back to say that Sherill Sharpe makes an active and pleasant officer about a court house, and that Judge Clark, according to his custom, had the sheriff to put up a clock in the court room before the first day of the term was far spent.

There has been a considerable crowd at court today and I have been impressed by the appearance of these people. They are, as a class, well dressed, have intelligent faces and a well-kept look. There are few counties in the State, if any, that could show up a better-looking court-week crowd. The juries, grand and petit, were as intelligent looking juries as one sees anywhere.

There has been a large amount of business on the stock exchange today and will be more tomorrow. There are several stock-buyers here, but one hardly ever hears anything about horses. They are all after mules. Alexander County beats the world for mules. They are one of her chief sources of revenue. It is claimed that Alexander mules are better than other mules; that being raised exclusively on wheat straw, shucks and corn, they are hardier than mules that are raised on green grass, hay and clover. As to the difference in the profit between horses and mules, the mule colt is easier to raise, is worth $40 to $50 when he is weaned, and if not sold then comes into market as a work animal a year or eighteen months ahead of the horse colt. These things bring true the Alexandrian is wise in his generation in confining his stock raising to mules instead of fooling with horses. He is wise, too, in raising them for market, for there is a good profit in them. Maj. Sneed, of Wilkes, says of Alexander county that there is this peculiarity about it: that every man in the county can preach, make pegged shoes or sing by note; and the class that raises mules for sale can almost be said to include them all.

The cold weather, the crowd and the new bar room made business today for three policeman. There was only one arrest but there were constant manifestations of trouble which kept the officers always on the alert. Taylorsville gets $300 on the tax cut of its bar-room. The keeper of it has taken out his United States license also, but the county commissioners refuse to license him. How about a case of this kind? It is going to get into court.

That good old man, A.C. McIntosh, Esq., is, I am very sorry to learn, nearing the end of his journey. He is more than 80 years old, and for several weeks has been confined to his house. He has been somewhat better today but it cannot be hoped that the improvement is more than temporary.

R.P. Matheson, Esq., Alexander’s valuable member of the Legislature, is home for a few days during court week, and J.P. Matheson, Esq., is up from the collector’s office, shaking hands with his friend. Several citizens of Iredell are here at court also, some however, as defendants. The business of the most of them probably relates to mules.

Billy Bogle, of Taylorsville, is as well off as Billy Munday, of Statesville: they each have three offices. Billy Bogle is mayor, United States commissioner and justice of the peace. He is hoping, however, to be able to consolidate his businesses after the 4th of March — that is to say to abandon all three of his present offices for someone that is better: say United States post office inspector, or something of that kind.

Brer. (sic) Linney says he is ashamed of the d—d Patriots; that they are as bad after office as the clansmen were four years ago. By all accounts the Alexander Patriots are distressingly hungry. There are half a dozen or more applicants for every office and the petition business up here has come to be an insupportable bore to Patriots who have “intelligence.” Even an Iredell brother who wants to be route agent between Taylorsville and Charlotte invaded these precincts the other day with his little petition. The inclination of the brethren here was to duck him in Mr.Linney’s carp pond, but by a great effort they conquered it.

Rev. A.L. Crawford, of Lexington, has definitely accepted calls to the Presbyterian churches of Taylorsville and Wilkesboro and is now preparing to move to Taylorsville.

Alexander county has a bonded debt of $22,000 and Taylorsville a bonded debt of $5,000, all on a account of the railroad. The county debt bears 6 per cent. interest and the town debt 8 per cent.

The Junebug railroad and track are in excellent condition and a trip over the line is a pleasure. If there happens to be few passengers on board to talk to, Capt. Clarson and Charley Torrence are first rate company.
J.P.C.
Taylorsville
January 28, 1889

Jan 31, 1889
Mr. L.A. Jarvis, of New Hope township, has his property advertised for sale and is preparing to go to Taylorsville. This is the third merchant north Iredell will lose since the railroad has reached Taylorsville. Mr. Jarvis is one of north Iredell’s best man.

Feb 7, 1889
A.C. McIntosh, Esq., postmaster at Taylorsville, has resigned, and A.C. McIntosh, Jr., has been appointed in his stead.

Feb 7, 1889
Died
At her home near Sloan’s station, Alexander county on the 4th inst., Mrs. John Rufty, mother of Mr. D. O. Rufty, of Statesville, aged upwards of 60 years.

Feb 14, 1889
A Bill was introduced to prohibiting the sale of liquor within two miles of Stony Point church, Alexander County.

Feb 14, 1889
Sheriff Sharpe, of Alexander county, passed through Statesville one day last week on his way to Raleigh, taking to the penitentiary Gaston Barnes, who was convicted of manslaughter at the recent term of Alexander court and sentenced to four years.

Feb 14, 1889
A.C. McIntosh, Esq.
Died, a week ago this morning, at his home in Taylorsville, A.C. McIntosh, Esq., aged more than 80 years. He was a native of Iredell and among the first settlers in Taylorsville. For 40 years he had been an elder in the Presbyterian church there and superintendent of the Sunday school, and for more than 25 years had been postmaster of the town. Mr. McIntosh was a man of excellent intellect and business capacity and a man of the greatest dignity of character. No better man or more perfect gentleman ever lived, and no man in any station ever enjoyed in greater measure the respect and confidence of those who knew him. He had served his people in the Legislature and in other positions of trust, and from the day of his birth to the day of his death no scandal sullied his name. The purity of his character and the blamelessness of his life are a benediction to his children. Such men as A.C. McIntosh are rare, but they do not live in vain.

Feb 21, 1889
Notes from Alexander
Correspondence of The Landmark
Within the past month a few changes have been made, principally among the tenants. Our farmers laugh and whistle, and of course they get a nickel once in a while. They are looking forward to a large harvest and if their success is equal to their expectations next fall many an old rusty mortgage will come out from its hiding places and find its way to the grate. Just give us time.

The surrounding county would be benefited by a bridge at Liberty Hillford. Wagons loaded with flour and fertilizer are compelled to go via Sharpe’s mill, making the distance several miles farther to market. We must have the bridge or prohibition, or some one loaded with whiskey will be drowned. We hope that the good citizens of Iredell will make some preparations for it.

Statesville gets our trade. I guess the people think they get better bargains there than they would at Taylorsville.
The mile-buyers at Taylorsville court did not pay enough for mules; and those that went to Statesville court expecting a larger price, were disappointed, “Little Aleck” still has a few good mules for sale.

A few miles’ ride the other day revealed the fact to me that an average crop of wheat was sown last fall.
Riding along near Stony Point I met a mail carrier. I mistook him for a book agent, but he told me that he walked and carried the mail twice a week from Lackey to Stony Point.

Sloan’s Station is to have a steam saw mill soon, so they say. Then, with two stores, a large church and fine farming country that surrounds it the place certainly will build and increase its population. One thing they need and that is a school.

Owing to the inclemency of the weather, Rocky Branch school failed to meet Piney Grove school, at the appointed time, for a spelling match. Rev. Pressly and his school were the recipients of a good soaking. So Piney wears the “belt”.

The fear of measles and mumps is keeping our young folks at home. Why is it that all such disease are more prevalent in the spring than at other seasons of the year?
Respectfully yours
LAC
Clio, N.C.,
Feb 15, 1889

Feb 21, 1889
Mrs. M.A. Elliott, wife of Mr. W. E. Elliott, of Taylorsville, died at her home in that place on the 12th inst., of measles. Her remains were interred the next day in the cemetery at Mt. Pisgah church. The deceased was a daughter of Mr. Elam Brown, of this county, and before going to Taylorsville had lived in this community. Her health had not been good for some years. She leaves, besides her many friends, a husband and three little children to mourn their loss, though to her it be an eternal gain.

Feb 21, 1889
Mr. E. L. Hedrick, of Taylorsville, passed through Statesville Monday on his way to Hickory to live. He has taken a position with the Piedmont Wagon Company. Mr. Hedrick has been known, ever since the building of the Junebug Railroad began as “the Taylorsville boomer,” and Taylorsville will miss him.

Feb 21, 1889
At his home in Wittenburg township, Alexander county, on the 17th inst., Mr. A. P. Johnson, aged about 60 years.

Feb 28, 1889
Rev. Silas Hunsucker, colored, was given a second-grade teacher’s certificate in Alexander county, went over to Catawba, raised it to a first-grade by a twist of the wrist and went to teaching. The Aleck Journal is authority for the statement that they have run up on the young man and that he is now languishing in prison.

Feb 28, 1889
W.G. Bogle, Esq., of Taylorsville, mayor, squire, United States commissioner, etc., performed a marriage ceremony at Taylorsville last Thursday between two well known people of Shiloh township, Iredell county. The high contracting parties were Grier Carrigan, a son of our old friend Israel, and Vic. Johnson, who is half Caucasian and half African.

Feb 28, 1889
Mac Matheson Tells a War Story to a Newspaper Man.
Washington Correspondence Detroit Free Press.

One of the assistant doorkeepers of the House of Representatives is a canny Scotchman from the foot-hills of North Carolina. He is a tall-built man of five and forty, with a mild eye and a beard as long and red as the bravest clansman of the Chevalier wore. Ann empty sleeve tells the simple story of an arm left with the Lost Cause. Daniel Mac Matheson is a member of a noted family in western North Carolina. He lives in Alexander county, which has been represented in the Tarheel House and Senate by two of his brothers, and comes of a family prominent in the war period. The mountain region of North Carolina was honeycombed with Union sentiment during the war. Many families were divided in their allegiance between North and South, although as the section was dominated by the Confederates there were few enlistments in the Union army. Mr. Matheson tells an interesting story of the latter years of the war in connection with the escape of two Michigan officers from Salisbury prison.

“It was after I had lost my arm and been mustered out of the Confederate service, and well on towards the close of the war, “he said to the Free Press correspondent. “I was on my way to visit a favorite uncle of mine for whom I was named. He was known as an uncompromising and unterrified (sic) Union man throughout the war. I approached his farm house about dusk. As I was passing through an old field I came suddenly upon two persons lying concealed in the broom sedge and small pines. Dark as it was I could distinguish that the man wore Federal uniform. They were astonished to see me and I to see them. But their proximity to my uncle’s home explained the situation. They were escaping prisoners who were seeking the protection of a known Union man. I had often heard it reported that my uncle harbored Union fugitives whenever he got a chance, and here I had evidence. Here was an old Confederate soldier placed in a predicament. It took but a second for me to make up my mind what to do. As soon as the men saw me they started off, but I halted them with the assurance that they need have no fear, I should not betray them. I asked them if they were looking for Dan Mac Matheson, Sr. They said they were. I told them I was his nephew, and would take them to his house. They did not know whether it was best to trust me or not, but when I told them that a detachment of Confederate cavalry – Morgan’s or Duke’s – had passed through town that very evening, and were at the moment going into camp less than half a mile from where we then were, they concluded that they had better chance it. On our way we engaged in conversation, and I learned that they were Michigan officers. One was a captain and the other a lieutenant. They had escaped from Salisbury and been directed to my uncle for food and aid on their journey. They went with me nearly to my uncle’s house, and I went in and brought him out to them. We talked there for a long time and I then left them. My uncle directed them over the mountains and they got safely through the lines into east Tennessee. They wrote to my uncle after the close of the war. Although I had lost my arm in the Confederate service and sympathized with the South, yet nothing could have induced me to betray those men and have them sent back to Salisbury. I had been there a short time and knew something of the suffering of the prisoners – enough not to participate in sending men back who had succeeded in escaping.”

March 7, 1889
Alexander Notes
Correspondence of The Landmark
We are always anxious to get The Landmark. Its columns are filled with home news and occasionally a Tarheel in the distant West, where everything big is supposed to edge its way into its columns. The prodigals often write about the big hog, the parties, & etc., but after an absence of a few months many of them return to their native home.
Mr. Samuel Johnson, Jr., has taught another class in vocal music at Mt. Pisgah. It is not necessary to add that he is a good instructor as this is his second class there. He taught a practical school – one that will benefit the church.
Our young friend, Mr. H.L. Myers, left the other day for Tradesville, S.C.
So much has been said about hogs why not say something about sheep? J.A. Lackey has six ewes that have eleven lambs. Who can beat that?
Choppings (sic) have been the go for the past week.
People are making preparations for another tobacco crop.
Mr. Geo. Lackey died at his home in Gwaltney’s township last Thursday morning, in the 82nd year of his age. The remains were laid in the Lackey grave-yard. Mr. Lackey leaves a son and two daughters, besides many friends to mourn their loss.
LAC
Clio, N.C.
March 4th, 1889

March 14, 1889
The celebrated jockey, Marcus Lippard, of Alexander county, is on the road with quite an assortment of stock. He stopped on one of the hitching lots of our town and soon had the pleasure of trading one of his fine steeds to Mr. S.F. Burkhead for one of his very best. Mr. Lippard had in his drove a cow, a jenny, mules and horses. He made a number of trades before he left town and no doubt was considerably better off than when he came.

March 21, 1889
Magistrates for Alexander County
The legislature just adjourned elected justices of the peace as follows:
Miller’s – N.P. Alexander, E.B. Alexander;
Sharpe’s – Theo. J. Sharpe, R.C. Lackey, W.G. Gaither;
Gwaltney’s – W.F. Patterson, J.Y. Williams, J.M. Query, R.C. Allen, R.P. McLain;
Sugar Loaf – W.W. Gryder, J.P. Stevenson, Sion J. Harrington, J. Parfee Russell;
Little River – J. Walter Watts, Wm. W. Robinett, W.N. Barnes;
Ellendale – J.C. Bell, E.J. Teague, Wm.S. Reese;
Wittenburg – W.W. Teague, J.F. Downs, A.W. Robinson;
Taylorsville – C.T. Sharpe, Tobias Barnes, J.E. Chatham and Norman Burgess.

March 21, 1889
Jurors for the United States Court
The following named persons have been drawn to serve as jurors at the next term of the United States Court here, commencing the first Tuesday after the third Monday in April:
Alexander – P.E. Echerd, E.M. Stevenson, J.J. Teague, Daniel S. Davidson, W.N. Carson.

March 28, 1889
Died
Miss Ann Beckham, of Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, died last Saturday, and her mother, Mrs. Margaret Beckham, died Monday.

March 28, 1889
Married
At the residence of Mrs. Phineas Lackey, in Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, on the 16th inst., by T.F. Murdoch, Esq., Mr. James Durmire and Miss Louisa Lackey. Groom 21, bride 42 – just double.

April 4, 1889
Alexander County Jottings
To the Editor of The Landmark
Wheat looks well in this vicinity, yet there are some ready to complain as they do every year. Corn is 60 cents per bushel, flour $2.60 per sack. Those that have corn to sell have many calls from a class of idlers who are willing to promise, not pay, almost any price. This looks bad for this lovely land of ours. Idler, there is an ancient curse upon man that in the sweat of thy face then shalt eat bread. The idea that there is something intellectually degrading in cultivating the soil must be done away with. Go to work; sow if you expect to reap; grow less cotton and tobacco; try to make enough of grain for home consumption and pay as you go and the cry of “hard times” will cease.

A two-legged mink has caused quite a disturbance among the feathered tribe in this neighborhood. The hen house of Mr. William Adams, Jr., was visited the other night by Wesley Lackey, colored, and left minus five chickens. They were taken to a county store next morning. Mr. Adams went immediately to the store and found them. Lackey was arrested at his father’s residence in Sharpesburg township, Iredell county, last Thursday morning, the 28th. His preliminary examination took place before Wm. Patterson, J.P., of Gwaltney ‘s township, who bound him over to appear before the grand jury. His bond was fixed at $500, which he was unable to furnish. He was taken to Taylorsville jail.

So far and yet so near. There is a point in Alexander county, on the Wilkesboro road, where a person by looking in a southeastern direction can see the Statesville electric light. The lights resemble the evening star, and though a distance of thirteen miles five can be seen. Electricity in Franklin’s time was a wonder; now we make light of it. On a clear day a person can see the college and other buildings in Statesville.

Mr. J.C. Kennedy, the new miller at Sharpe Bros.” mill, has ground within the past three months upwards of 3,200 bushels of grain – 1,800 of corn and 1,400 of wheat.
Mr. J.J. Crouch is looking for a man from Charlotte to buy his mills. The Charlotte man wants to put in a roller mill. We Alexandrians would like to have the mill as it would give us a good market for grain.

We are indebted to Mr. J.A.D. Stevenson, who recently gave Alexander a good send off as to her mineral resources. Many a gay-hearted boy in this neighborhood will never forget Mr. Stevenson for the candy he gave him in ‘74. He had the children so interested in the rock business that their mothers were compelled to make their clothes pocketless to prevent them from wearing them out carrying rocks.

Well. Mr. Editor, we are indebted to you for the compliments you passed on our citizens at Taylorsville court. The people used to think that Alexander county was the home of the “moss-backs,” but taking everything into consideration this county will compare favorably with any of her sister counties.

There seems to be a demand for cattle and especially good milch cows.
What about fruit? The peach tree blooms came out in the dark of the moon.
Health is very good, but we will have a round with the mumps in a week or so.
It’s is strange that we’ve had no mad-dogs this spring.
The whipperwills (sic) and martins have come.
Very truly, CIVIS
April 1 1889

April 4, 1889
Married
On March 28th, by Rev. E.E. Pressly, Mr. J.M. Miller, of Alexander county, and Miss Emma Harris, of Iredell county.

April 18, 1889
Fires and Threatening of Fire
Last Saturday was a fearful day. All day and all night the wind blew furiously, driving dust and gravel in clouds through the streets and awakening in all minds the apprehension of fire. There had been no rain for some time and the wind drew out all moisture, leaving house roofs and everything else as dry as timber. The day was not only windy but cold, and the combinations of the elements was such as nobody cares to see soon again.

The apprehension of fire was not without reasons. Our exchanges report quite severe forest fires in different localities in the State. We learn also from private sources that the dwelling house of William McLeod, in lower Caldwell, near the Alexander line, was destroyed, and that fire was out in the mountains of Alexander county and burned the stable of Betsy Jolly.

May 2, 1889
Married
At the residence of the bride’s parents in Alexander county on the 11th inst., by Rev T.J. Daily, Rev. W.T. Nelson, of Taylorsville, and Miss Minnie Herman.
At Scott’s X Roads on the 11th inst., by Rev. E.F. Pressly, Mr. C.W. Beckham, of Alexander, and Minnie Hedrick, of Iredell.

May 9, 1889
Spring in Alexander
Correspondence of The Landmark
Life-inspiring spring comes with her balmy breezes, mellow sunshine and refreshing showers to clothe hill and dale with a flower bedecked mantle of green. Every specimen of nature seems to lift its head to breathe the sweet incense of the spring morning; the resonant symphonies of the woodland songsters blending so harmoniously with the cheerful lay of the noble farmer as he trips gaily out to his field, contribute to make this “corner of the earth” a perfect Elysium, and the many orchards, all abloom and looking like so many seas of white, the countless fields of wheat, and the immense area planted in corn, foreshadow a bountiful harvest.

It was your correspondent’s debut to hear a sermon at Bethel Sunday from that excellent man, Rev. L.P. Gwaltney, in which he represented Christ as not a “humanized deity” or a “deified human,” but as a God-man, a being possessed of both the nature of a God and of a man. He portrayed in terms sublime the picture of Christ during the tempest at sea — how, like a man, he fell asleep, dead to even the raging of the billows, the howling of the winds, and the creaking of the tottering ship. He surveys with a God like calmness the maddened sea; then, with all the dignity and all the majesty of a God, He rebuked the winds and the leaping surges fall down like a lamb at his feet. The scene at the fig tree and that at the grave of Lazarus were beautifully and impressively described.

Saturday, April 8th, there was an interesting discussion at Cedar Run on this subject: “Resolved, That women should be allowed to vote and hold office.” It was decided to let her “sufferance” be confined to the small compass of the home circle and the ennobling occupation of “bending over the wash-tub once a week.” The controversialists were Profs, J.J. and J.W. Hendren, I.A. and J.P. McLane, J.N. and D.V. Campbell, Rev. J.M. Shaver, S.L. Williams, F.C. Gwaltney and J.C. LInney. One of the most enjoyable features was some of was some of that soul-enrapturing music the string band of Messrs. Barnes & Co. always make.

The Cedar Run commencement will this year on the 24th of May. Iredell’s worthy Representative, Leazar, has consented to deliver the annual address. The school is still in a flourishing condition and bids fair to continue so.

To behold Statesville’s electric lights from the pinnacle of the Rocky Face is a sight indeed. They can be distinctly seen, even the fluctuation apparent to one on the streets of Statesville “Let your light so shine before men.” That Statesville is doing.

The Farmers Alliance is becoming quite popular around here and its ranks are constantly being swelled by enlistment of new members. Hope the association may prove a benefit, and it no doubt will, for nowhere can there be found clearer heads, purer hearts and cleaner hands than among the honest yeomanry.
Respectfully,
J.C.L.
Vashti, N.C. April 19 1889

May 9, 1889
The Two and Three Miles Liquor Laws
The Biblical Recorder publishes the act of the last legislature, known as the “Omnibus liquor law,” “to prohibit the sale of spirituous liquors within certain localities.” It provides that “it shall be unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of, with a view to remuneration, any spirituous liquors, wines or medicated bitters, or any other liquors or substance by whatsoever name it may be called, which produces or may produce intoxication, within two (2) miles of the following places.” Among the places named are these:
Alexander – Stony Point M.E. church, Macedonia Baptist church, Salem Evangelical Lutheran church.

May 9, 1889
Death of Mr. W.C. Miller
William Clark Miller died about 11 o’clock Monday night at the residence of his brother, Col. J.S. Miller, in this place. He had been in failing health for a long while and for the past four months had been confined to bed almost continuously. Sunday evidences of early dissolution presented themselves, and yet the announcement, Tuesday morning, of his death took the community by surprise; it was known to but a few that the end was so near. He had, moreover, made such a gallant fight for life, contesting every inch of ground, and had held out so long against such great odds, that it was believed by many that he would ultimately recover.

Mr. Miller was born in Alexander county September 22, 1835, and was therefore in the 54th year of his age. He came to Statesville before the was as a clerk in the store of J.W. Stockton, Esq.

He was the first agent here after the war of the Southern Express Company and held this position uninterruptedly until about eight years ago. He had meantime formed business relations of other kinds, in merchandise, & c., and continued in merchandise until some four or five years ago – first with Dr. J.F. Long and afterwards as a member of the firm of Miller, Lawrence & Co. A man of keen perception and unusual business sagacity, he was quick to seize upon the opportunities which presented themselves immediately after the war to men of his type, and laid then the foundation of the handsome fortune which he has since steadily accumulated. His dealings, apart from those as a merchant, were almost exclusively in real estate, and if not the largest individual property owner in the town his property is the most valuable in that it brings better returns than that of any other one of our local capitalists.

Mr. Miller was universally recognized as a man of very highest integrity. His character as a person of truth and honor was above all question and he enjoyed the absolute confidence of all who knew him. He always did more than he promised and not a dollar of the money that he made was got by any indirection. He was first and last a friend of Statesville and how much he did for its improvement his monuments on every hand attest.

For many years he had been a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. His funeral took place Wednesday morning from the church of this denomination here. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. D.G. Caldwell, who was assisted by Rev. W.A. Wood, and when they were concluded the body was conveyed for interment to New Stirling graveyard, in Shiloh township, where the parents of the deceased are buried. At New Stirling church a congregation was assembled and Mr. Caldwell held another service there, similar to the one held here, and then the remains of one of the most conspicuous figures in the business life of Statesville was committed to the earth.

Mr. Miller never married. He died of chronic catarrh of the bowels.

May 9, 1889
Died
At his home in Little River township, Alexander county, on the 26th of April, Mr. L.D. Robinett, Sr., aged more than 80 years.

May 16, 1889
Died
At his home in Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, on the 24 inst., Mr. James A. Lackey, aged about 80 years.

May 23, 1889
Died
At her home in Gastonia on the 9th inst., Mrs. S.R. Bolick, aged 78 years. She was a resident of Taylorsville, taught the first female school established there, and her remains were taken to Taylorsville for interment.

May 30, 1889
How the Taylorsville Post Office is made to Serve for Two Patriots
To the Editor of The Landmark
The question as to how two office seekers shall occupy one office has been solved under the present administration, and it may be the office seekers in and around Taylorsville will make ends meet in this way; out it does not give an inward satisfaction. It is well known that a coon (Gordon) was first appointed postal clerk on this route and afterwards transferred to make room for Mr. Campbell, and for the purpose of keeping the coons out of Little Alex. About six weeks ago, Z.N. Smith was transported to fields elysian (sic) by seeing in the Raleigh Signal’s roll of honor his name as postmaster at Taylorsville. Immediately he took out letters of apprenticeship under our efficient Democratic postmaster and has stuck to it like a leech, preparing himself for discharge of that duty incumbent upon patriots. Mr. Smith has waited anxiously for an official notice of his appointment. He wrote to the department to know why his commission was not forthcoming, but some others seemed to be doing some writing or wire-pulling, or at least it looks that way to a Democrat; for last Saturday Dr. T.A. Kerley was informed by wire that he was postmaster at Taylorsville, and thus you see two patriots have already filled one and the same office. Some call it “ditching Zeno“ and others say it is a plan adopted by the Republican State executive committee to make ends meet and let all the patriots feel how good and noble one feels in office. Zeno calls it by another name than that he learns at Sunday school, and he says men high, lean and dark; big, fat, strong and for haven proven false in promises made to him. That is double-handed back action machine goes on for six months there is some probability that the fifteen applicants in Taylorsville will get in and out.

Friday Swanson, Billy Bogle’s man, has been baptized in the Radical faith and is among us, warning the moon-shiners. He is assisted by Cephas Simmons, a new appointee, said to be of Mr. Linney’s selection. Mr. Linney is opposed to the internal revenue and thinks that by having another like Friday Swanson the infamous law can be repealed, Mr. Linney true to his word, will go back in the Democratic party next fall. He said in the last campaign that he would not affiliate with any party that maintains or approves of this infamous law. Mr. Simmons is as grateful to Mr. Linney as Zeno Smith is to some of his friends for past favors. It is not known yet what Republicans will succeed Cephas Simmons. If he holds office as long as Zeno Smith his term will expire in thirty days. Zeno says the old-timers have to give way to new converts – men who scarifies themselves for the good of the party in election times. It is now thought that this new administration, in order to abolish the internal revenue, will run Mr. Bogle’s or Mr. LInney’s Friday on the railroad. The other day our agent got a telegram from the State of Washington saying that a box of groceries shipped from here had turned up kegs of North Carolina corn liquor, unstamped and unclaimed, and the agent in Washington wanted to know what to do with it. Now, Mr. Editor, this may be a good country, but they can ask some mighty fool questions.

The feather men are still with us and are renovating hill and dale.
Mr. Linney is putting up two more large rock houses and they are good ones.
Dr. Kerley has bought a lot near the depot and will put up a saw mill on it.
Farmers are busy, times dull and money scarce if Harrison is elected.
Citizen
Taylorsville, N.C., May 27, 1889

June 13, 1889
Alexander County Jury Lists
The following is the jury for the next term of court – beginning July 20:
Miller’s – G.W. Martin, C.C. Payne, W.W. Sherrill, Sr., John A. Sherrill, Sr.
Sharpe’s – A.M. Lyerly, J.A. Patterson, J.C. Pritchard, A.T. Marsh, Jackson Smith
Gwaltney’s – W.E. Patterson, P.H. Mason, Abel Mayberry, D.F. Drum, E.S. Millsaps
Sugar Loaf – Silas W. Harrington, D.M. Baker, Alex. Mitchell, W.C. Kerley
Little River – Jno S. Price, Amon Bumgarner, M.R. Bumgarner, J.M. Watts
Ellendale – J.A. White, I.A. Oxford, David Bowman, H.M. Crouch
Wittenburg – W.T. Hefner, L.C. Bowman, Leander Bowman, S. W. Presler
Taylorsville – R.M. West, J.L. Sloop, N.J. Norton, Fred Warren, S.W. Jolly, J.E. Chatham

June 27, 1889
The News of Taylorsville
Correspondence of The Landmark
The rain this week is lifting and stretching the oats into a first class crop – something our farmers were not expecting. Wheat harvest is over and some have already garnered. Corn is rich, dark, and is clean. We are going to have a good crop of everything if the season holds out a few weeks and the farmers ought to be happy and will be when the learn that Col. Oliver H. Dockery has been appointed consul to Rio de Janeiro and will hereafter conduct his farming operations there.

A Mr. Albright, of Greensboro, was the last man in the State to feel the soothing touch of this administration. He was appointed by the general government to gather statistics on agriculture in this State. Last week he tendered W.G. Bogle the position to gather up statistics on agriculture in this county, (a good joke on our Farmers’ Alliances). We have about twenty subordinate Alliances in our county.

Area wide “patriots” are gathering for the Passover, July 1st; from the mountains and the low-lands they are gathering in. Last week one Barber, a colored school teacher of Wilkes, passed through holding a letter of promise. He said he was on his way to Salisbury to help make the transfer and get the messenger’s place. Others here are holding themselves in readiness to move when notified. The laborers are many but the harvest is small.

Old man William Sloop, living near Taylorsville, dropped dead this morning while dressing. He was about 70 years old and was in town Sunday at church. He was a good neighbor and very much liked by all who knew him.

Mr. Yeates representing the National Museum at Washington, is in our county looking after our mineral interests. He wants to see all kinds of minerals except gold and silver. Mr. Yeates is a son of ex Congressman Yeates formerly of this district.
Citizen
Taylorsville, June 25 1889

July 18, 1889
Died
In Sharpe’s township Alexander county on the 9th inst., Mrs. Polly Davis aged about 81 years.

Aug 1, 1889
Alexander County Journal
The 25th, last Saturday night, Mitchell, a lad about 17 years of age confined in jail for burglary, made a key of a bucket bail and unlocked his cell door and the door of the cage cell, and passed between the cage and the wall to a window from which he tore a bar and, with the aid of a sheet, let himself down and skipped for parts unknown. On Monday Mon. Whitford turned his horse in the pasture while he came to town to see the show, and when he returned home it was gone. Someone resembling Mitchell was seen riding the horse in the direction of Hickory.

Aug 1, 1889
Alexander
The All Healing Spring and the Superior Court – Good Crops, Heavy Rain and Hard Times —The County News, & c.
This is the week for court in Alexander county and The Landmark is represented, as usual. Owing to the schedule on the “Junebug”, I had to leave home Saturday night, and in company with Mr. J.S. Ramsey, of Statesville, I went out to All Healing Spring Sunday morning and spent the day with Mr. Wilbar, the proprietor, I found a number of Iredell citizens there. Among them were the family of Mr. J.S. Ramsey, Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Barron, Mrs. Benson and daughter Miss Phinie, of Statesville, Mr. Wilbar has some 15 or 20 guests, 3 or 4 families living in the cabins – in all 30 or 35 persons. Monday teo ladies from South Carolina and Tuesday the family of Mr. C.S. Tomlin and his sister, Miss Ida, of Statesville, passed through Taylorsville on their way there. All Healing Springs is quite a nice place to spend a few days. The scenery around about the place is very pretty and the table is supplied with the very best of things and everything cooked delightfully. Persons going there will find four things in abundance: good things to eat and plenty of them; good, pure, sparking water; plenty of fresh air; and last but not least, “jiggers” by the wholesale.

Sunday is a field day at this place. The young men from around the neighborhood come in with their “donies” and take dinner and drink of the “finest water that can be found anywhere,” as Mr. Wilbar expresses it. Sunday evening the people flock there and exchange the news and drink water as if they were trying to drink enough to last them until next Sunday. This water is like the fish Uncle Billy Westmoreland catches in the Catawba river and of which he says “you can eat’em all day and then come again.”

Monday morning I went down to Taylorsville to see if I could do The Landmark any good. Judge Shipp is presiding over the court with his usual dignity. Capt. A.T. Marsh was made foreman of the grand jury and Mr. S.J. Lumsden officer of the body.
The docket was not a very large one and the cases were all of a petty nayure except one or two larceny cases. One case where a little negro boy stole two chickens took up about three-fourths of a day, costing the county at least $100.

I tried to gather up some news but the heavy rains are about all the news that one hears. It has been raining every day in Alexander county for over four weeks and no outlook for its clearing up.
I find that a good many of the farmers have their oats still in the field. They are moulding [sic] and in some cases almost ruined.
Corn is looking fine on upland. The cotton and tobacco crops are growing excellently.
I have been going to Alexander court for the last 7 or 8 years and I have never found money as scarce as it is this year, notwithstanding the “patriots” promised that if Brer (sic) Harrison was elected we would have good times and money would be plentiful. Everybody’s cry is “no money”.

Quite a large crowd was present Tuesday and the horse trading was brisk. Some of the animals on the exchange looked as if they had not seen an ear of corn in five years. But when it comes to mules little Aleck, like the bed bug, “gets there” every time.
There were fewer lawyers present than usual. Your Uncle Locke McCorkle, from Newton, was on hand, and if the town authorities don’t have some guards and barriers put up around an excavation on “Junebug” avenue some of the Joneses will go over there and drink too much brandy, fall in and sue them for damages.

There will be plenty of apple brandy made in Alexander this year from the outlook at present. Some 50 or 60 brandy distilleries will be bonded and the fruit crop is the heaviest in years.
About two weeks ago some one entered the store house of Mr. J.W. Linney, near York Institute, and stole about $150 worth of goods and $50 in money, and about a week later an attempt was made to enter again but the parties failed to get in.
The Landmark is still the best paper in the State; so say all who know it. J.A.B.
P.S. – The court adjourned yesterday (Wednesday) on account of the high waters keeping jurors, witnesses and others away.
A little cyclone swept a mile west of Taylorsville yesterday and was plainly seen from the town as it rose and dipped.

August 8, 1889
The Business in Alexander Court
Following is a list of the cases tried in Alexander Superior Court last week:
State vs. Isaac Lewis and Caroline Sherrill, fornication and adultery; not pros.
State vs. Avery Keller, carrying concealed weapons; not pros.
State vs. Wm. Hefner, larceny; guilty; three years in penitentiary.
State vs. same, judgment suspended.
State vs. Wm. Bumgarner, forceable (sic) trespass; guilty; fined $20 and costs.
State vs. Lewis Jenkins, affray, not guilty.
State vs. Leen Hines, W.F. Hines, Holmes Lowrance, assault and battery; guilty as to Lee and W.F. Hines; not guilty as to Lowrance; fined $5 each and costs.
State vs.Isaac Lewis, assault and battery; not pros.
State vs. Simpson Bowles, carrying concealed weapons; not guilty.
State vs. Barney Bunting and Wicker Connelly, disturbing religious congregation; guilty. Bunting $10 and costs; judgement suspended as to Connelly.
State vs. Thos. Barnes, assault and battery; not guilty.
State vs. Wm. Ingram, retailing; guilty; $20 and costs.
State vs. Chas. Cody, carrying concealed weapons; submits; judgment suspended on payment of costs.
State vs. J.C. Marley and Jane Fox, fornication and adultery; Marley submits; judgment suspended on payment of costs.
State vs. Jackson Bogle, larceny; not pros.
State vs. Wesley Lackey, colored, larceny; guilty; one year in the penitentiary.
State vs. John Emerson, assault and battery; guilty; thirty days in jail.
State vs. V.E. Teague, assault and battery; submits; $25 and costs.
State vs. Henry Russell, murder; the negro that was supposed to be the murderer of Thompson); not pros.
State vs. J.D. Brown amd L.C. Lackey, assault and battery; submit; Lackey, $20 and costs; Brown, $10 and costs.

Aug 8, 1889
Taylorsville Items
Correspondence of The Landmark
The rain broke up the court last week on Wednesday morning, those who were interested in the civil business not being able to attend on account of high water. A great many of the citizens enjoyed (?) the novel sight of a cyclone the same evening, as it passed about a mile west of town, one end of the long, whirling column twisting the tops of the trees and the other making great commotion among the clouds. It could be seen distinctly from the time it started in the southeast near Barrett’s mountain, until it disappeared across the Brushy mountains in the northwest.

The board of supervisors of the public roads of the township met at the court house last Saturday. The county commissioners met Monday. Rather small crowd in town.
The usual number of claims were issued. Some delinquents were allowed to make tax returns. Notice was issued to the keeper of the poor house to have the premises thoroughly cleansed for the better protection of the inmates. Certain repairs and alterations in the court house were ordered to be made.
One day last week while a client was talking to the register of deeds, in his capacity as an attorney, about bringing an action for divorce another applied to him in his official capacity for license to marry. That’s the way of the world – the ins’ want out, and the outs’ want in.

Sherrill Sharpe left for Raleigh this morning, taking Hefner, white and Lackey, colored to the penitentiary. Both sent up for larceny.
Threshing machines are at work in and around town.
M. – Taylorsville, August 6, 1889.

August 15, 1889
The Sightless Jacob Stepped Off Grade
Correspondence Alexander County Journal
A gentleman from this section on his way to court with a blind jack, crossed at the Linney’s bridge. The jack became excited at his new adventures, and stepped off the bridge into the river.

August 22, 1889
Taylorsville Items
Correspondence of The Landmark
Last week Prof. Melver held the county institute in the court house. The number in attendance was very good during the whole week, and the institute work is likely to produce good results. If the teachers follow Prof. Melver’s instructions and there is every reason why they should, there will be a revolution in the educational work in this county. A large crowd of citizens and teachers in the court house Friday morning enjoyed the professor’s address on the relations of the people to education. The address was full of good, common sense, and presented the subject in an attractive and forcible manner. Four teachers passed the examination and received certificates good for three years. Public entertainments, exercises consisting of music, recitations and reading, were held two nights during the week. After the close of the institute the teachers met for the purpose of forming an Educational Association. The county superintendent, Prof. Hendren, was chosen temporary chairman and Mr. A.C. McIntosh, secretary. The meeting for permanent organization will be held about the first of October. Notice of programs will be given beforehand.

The alarm of fire was heard in town this morning about 11 o’clock, the first alarm in many months. Some children playing in the house of Mr. E.A. Wombie overturned a lamp and broke it. Mr. Wombie, in trying to remove the oil from the floor, happened to ignite it. Timely assistance only prevented the house from burning.

Miss Nettie King, of Iredell county, who was visiting Mrs. D. P. Carson, was called home today by the sickness of her brother.
The infant child of Mr. J. Frank Milstead died yesterday.
Cadet R.L. Flowers is at home from Annapolis spending his vacation.
A.C. McIntosh.
Aug. 20, 1889

Sept. 5, 1889
Died
At the home of the parents at Taylorsville on the 19th inst. The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Jarvis.

Sept. 12, 1889
Items from Stony Point
Correspondence of The Landmark
Crops are generally good in this section except cotton, which is very late and is estimated at about half crop.
Mr. L.E. Combs has a cotton stalk 7 1/2 feet high.
The farmers are busy breaking fallows for wheat.
Meesrs. Harris & Bell are doing a good business at their saw mill.
Mr. W.R. Sloan has a good stock of goods.
J.W.M.
Stony Point, N.C.
Sept 7, 1889

Sept 12, 1889
Married
At the residence of the bride’s father Mr. Elam Brown in Sharpesburg township on this 5th inst. By Rev. L.P. Gwaltney, Mr. E.S. Millsaps of Alexander county, and Miss Delia Brown.

Sept 12, 1889
Two marriages recorded for last Thursday, Mr. J.D. Mayberry and Miss S.J. ? (can’t read) of Gwaltney township and Mr. E.S. Millsaps of this county and Miss Delia Brown of Iredell were married on the same day.

Sept 12, 1889
There have been several sick with fever in Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, but there has been only one death, that was Mr. Edward Beckham about three weeks past. He was the son of Julius Beckham. He is missed by all, was one of our best young men and about 21 years old.

Sept 19, 1889
Jurors for the Federal Court
The following is a list of the names of persons who have been drawn to serve as jurors in the United States court to be held in Statesville beginning the third Monday of October, to wit;
Alexander county – J.C. Bell, William Watts, Tilford Lowe, William Smith, J.W. Linney.

Sept 26, 1889
Taylorsville Items
Correspondence of The Landmark
The equinoctial gale struck us Monday evening.
Last week was an unusually busy week in trade. The streets were full of wagons bringing in produce.
Wednesday and Thursday of this week were appointed for the Sunday School District Convention to hold its annual meeting here, but for some cause the representation does not promise to be large, no delegates having as yet reported.
Friday night is the time fixed for the County Educational Association.
Taylorsville will lose three young men for a time. Cadet R.L. Flowers returns to Annapolis; Mr. Clarence Matheson goes to Baltimore to study medicine, and Mr. Jas. W. McIntosh goes to Nashville, Tenn., where he has a scholarship in the Normal College. They all left this week.
Mrs. A.C. McIntosh has found on a tree in her garden several large, well-developed June apples – the second crop for this year

There was a magistrate’s trial in the court house last Saturday night, which lasted almost til Sunday. One man had indicted another for shooting at him. The defendant was on the stand when the following cross-examination took place:
Prosecuting Attorney – “Well, you have been raising Cain up in that country for some time, haven’t you?”
Defendant – “Well, I don’t know; last year I raised a little, and this year I reckon I’ve got about half an acre”
Verdict, not guilty.
Thereupon the defendant’s counsel moved to tax the prosecutor with the cost, and the prosecuting attorney moved his client out of court in double quick time, while he was making an eloquent appeal to the justice. The court still has the costs – under consideration.
Sept 25, 1889

Sept 26, 1889
Died
At the residence of his father in Taylorsville on the 13th inst. of typhoid fever, Robert, son of Mr. A. Hall Matheson, aged about 19 years.

Oct 3, 1889

Taylorsville Items
Correspondence of The Landmark
The Alexander County Educational Association met in the court house last Friday night. It was the first regular meeting and quite a good crowd was present. The exercises consisted of a public debate on the subject, “Should the State Establish a System of Compulsory Education?” This was followed by one or two essays and some readings. The permanent organization was completed by electing Capt. A.A. Hill president, J.L. Gwaltney and J.W. Hendren vice president, and A.C. McIntosh secretary and treasurer. The next meeting will be held the last of October.

R.B. Burke, Esq., and Miss Hattie, daughter of Rev. A. L. Crawford, were married last Saturday evening. September 28th , by Rev. W.T. Nelson.
M
October 1st , 1889

Oct 10, 1889
Call Accepted
Rev. W.A. Pool, of Lenoir has accepted the call to the Baptist church of this place and will enter upon his duties here the first Sunday in November. Mr. Poole is a native of Alexander county and was formerly clerk of the Superior County of that county. He is a good preacher and a thoroughly good man and the Baptists of Statesville are fortunate in having secured him as their pastor. He has a number of acquaintances and friends here and will receive a cordial welcome to Statesville.

Oct 10, 1889
Mr. E.S. Millsaps begins a public and subscription school at Hiddenite in Alexander county on the 14th. He is a bright promising ambitions young man, is well equipped for the work of the school room and the people of the neighborhood in which he is to establish himself are fortunate.

Oct 17, 1889
Crops and Roads in Northwest Alexander
Correspondence of The Landmark
The farmers in this part of the county expect to sow a large crop of wheat this year. The tobacco raisers south of here are curing their tobacco. They have large crops and it is cured well. There is little tobacco raised in this neighborhood, but south from the foot of the mountains it seems that the soil is adapted to the raising of this crop. Corn is better than was expected. I think there is something over a half crop in this county.

The public roads are in bad condition. They have washed out until they are almost impassable. If they are not worked before winter sets in it will be impossible for the public to travel.
B.
Grade, N.C., October 8th, 1889

October 17, 1889
A telegram received here yesterday morning by Mr. L.C. Deitz, brother-in-law of the deceased, announced the death of Dr. R.L. Lackey at Blackstocks, S.C., where he has lived for the past three or four years. Dr. Lackey was a native of Alexander county, and for several years lived and practiced medicine at Amity Hill, this county, moving from there to Third Creek and thence to South Carolina. The remains came up on the Charlotte train last night and were taken on to Alexander county for burial.

October 17, 1889
Married
At the residence of the bride’s father at Elk Shoal, Alexander county, on the 13th inst., Mr. Charles Gaither and Miss Minnie, daughter of D.T. Pritchard, Esq.

Oct 31, 1889
Mrs. Mary Griffin, quite an aged lady, died at the home of her son-in-law, Mr. Dick Honeycutt, of Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, a few days past. She was ready and waiting for her Saviour’s [sic] call.

Nov 14, 1889

One of His Ancestors Old Sign, Sure Enough – Hon. A.E. Stevenson and His Ancestry
To the editor of The Landmark
In your last issue you copy an extract from the Wilmington Review, in which the Review, claims for the Hon. A.E. Stevenson, of Illinois, that “he is a descendant of one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and has kinfolks scattered all through the Charlotte section,” with which you take issue, claiming for him an Iredell ancestry of peaceable disposition and non- belligerent habits.

While this is true as far as it goes, there is still some ground, if my information is correct, for the statement of the Review. It is true that his father, Turner Stevenson, was a native of Iredell county and was taken about the year 1814, when he was yet an infant, by his James Stevenson, to Christian county, Ky. They removed from the place now owned by J.A.D. Stephenson, one and three-fourth miles west of Statesville on the Taylorsville road.

The father of this James Stevenson was William Stevenson, the great ancestor of almost all the Stevenson’s now living in Iredell and Alexander counties, who spell their names with a v instead of ph – the “Little Gabriel” of Foote’s Sketches of North Carolina, who settled just west of the Third creek bridge on the Western North Carolina Railroad near the residence of John and Jo. Stevenson, his farm extending to and embracing the Cowles place on Third creek.

It is true also that his mother, Eliza Ewing, was also a native of Iredell, and about the same time, when an infant, was taken to the same county in Kentucky by her father Adlai Ewing; her mother being a daughter of “Gentleman John Wallace,” of Elk Shoal, now in Alexander county, who owned and lived on the place now known as the Peeples place, on Elk Shoal creek.

But the wife of James Stevenson, the mother of Turner Stevenson and grandmother of the Hon. Adlai E., was a Miss Brevard, of Lincoln county, (if I mistake not) a near relation, if not a daughter, of Dr. Ephraim Brevard, one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and a brother of this James, viz: Joseph Stevenson, who died in what is now Alexander county, near the Broad Shoal on lower Little river, about the year 1838 or 1839, married for his first wife another of the same family, of whom Mrs. Myra Neill, the mother of William, Alphonso and Thos. Neill, the wife of John Neill, of Fallstown neighborhood, was also a daughter. So you will see that there is some truth in the statement that he “has kinfolks scattered all through the Charlotte section.” And also that he is descended from one of the signers or from some of his near kindred.
E.M. Stevenson
Taylorsville, N.C.
Nov. 8 1889

Nov 21, 1889
Paragraphs from Northwestern Concord
Correspondence of The Landmark
Sunday morning, the 3d, was quite dark and gloomy, but by and by the sun came out and gave the writer of this courage to start to Mt. Pisgah camp meeting where he found a nice little concourse of people enjoying themselves eating dinner while a few on the outskirts, as usual, seemed to be enjoying the effects of brandy. The pews were soon filled and presiding Elder Moore delivered a doctrinal discourse, and the pastor, Rev. T.J. Dailey, and others, worked earnestly to the end of the meeting and gathered several new members on the church book for their reward.

A protracted meeting began last Saturday night at Stony Point church and has not broken yet. There seem to be many desiring to turn their backs to the world and seek a home in heaven. Rev. Dailey is the pastor and shepherd, and he is now about to finish his year’s labor. He can surely say, “God has blessed my labors with a golden harvest.”

The death of Mr. Charles Miller, of Taylorsville, was very sad news to me. Many a romp we had while school boys, which does not seem long ago, but many others who were with us have passed off, one by one, and all soon will be gone. His body was interred in the graveyard at Stony Point church yesterday. His age is about 30 years. He leaves a wife and 3 or 4 small children.

I am pleased to learn that my estimable young friends, Mr. George W. Harris and Miss Frances Fleming, daughter of William Fleming, will be united in matrimony this afternoon. It is not necessary that I should say much as they are loved and respected by all who know them. I hope the sea of life will be calm and smooth while they go on their voyage.
My respects to my weekly visitor, The Landmark.
Stony Point, N.C.
Nov. 14 1889

Nov 21, 1889
A Probable Homicide in Alexander—A Father Shoots His Son
In Gwaltney’s township, Alexander county, 200 or 300 yards from the Iredell line, George Daniels, aged 45 to 50 years, last Friday, the 15th, shot and probably mortally wounded his son Dock, aged about 21. The elder Daniels and his family had separated, his wife and children living as renters as the place of DR. J.E. King, in Sharpesburg township, Iredell county, while he continued to live on the home place in Alexander, which was rented to Wash. Millsaps. The title to the home is in Mrs. Daniels’ name, but her husband claims it. A good deal of contention has grown out of these conflicting claims and they doubtless had most to do with the separation of this family. Daniels was very disagreeable and some years ago became insane and was sent to the asylum where he remained until about two years ago when he was discharged greatly improved. The family separation had taken place before he was sent to the asylum, and upon his return he took up his residence at the home place, the family continuing to reside in Iredell.

Last Friday his sons, Dock and one or two others, went with wagons to their mother’s farm to get the rent corn. The father was present during the division and claimed a part of the corn. His claim was ignored, the rent corn was loaded up and the boys started back home with it. About a mile from the home place Dock, who was driving the foremost wagon, got down to change to the one behind, and as he did so his father came up and leveled a rifle on him. The youth started toward him, saying “You are not going to shoot me, are you? Don’t shoot, “ when, seeing his father’s purpose, he turned to run. The father fired and the boy dropped to the ground, got up and started to run again but again fell. The old man fled but Wash. Millsaps and his boys pursued and caught him and he was taken before Abe.Mayberry, Esq., who committed him to jail at Taylorsville in default of bail of $3000. Mr. Frank Mayberry, whose buggy had broken down and who was stopped on the roadside just at the point where Daniels overtook the wagons, was a witness of the whole occurrence.

Dr. J.E. and afterwards Dr. Ed S. King saw the wounded boy. The rifle ball had entered the hip where the thigh bone joins the pelvis and, they think, passed into the cavity. At last accounts the prospects for recovery were very slight. Dock Daniels is married and is the father of one or two children.
Information received sense the above was put in type is to the effect that the young man is better, and it is thought will recover.

Nov 21, 1889

Farm For Sale
I offer at Private Sale a farm of 100 acres at the foot of the Brushy mountains in Gwaltney’s township, Alexander county. A part of the farm is well timbered and a part is good bottom land on the waters of Rocky creek. The land is adapted to grain and grass and fruit-growing, and the farm will be sold at a reasonable price and on favorable terms. There is a store house on the place and the stand is a good one for a country store. Good water and healthy location.
D.W. Mayberry
Grade
Alexander Co. N.C.

Nov 28, 1889
The latest information from Dock Daniels, the young man who was shot by his father, George Daniels, in Gwaltney township, Alexander county, on the 15th, is to the effect that he is improving and is now expected to get well. He has been moved to his mother’s home in Sharpesburg township, this county.

Nov 28, 1889
Taylorsville Items
Correspondence of The Landmark
Rev. T.J. Dailey left to attend the meeting of Conference this morning. He has been on this circuit for two years, and there is a petition gotten up asking for his return next year.

An interesting meeting was carried on in the Methodist church last week by Rev. Dailey, assisted by Rev. Mr. Shively. Preaching has been continued this week in the Presbyterian church by Rev. A.L. Crawford.

Rev. W.A. Pool, who has been called to the Statesville Baptist church, was in town this week and preached at the Presbyterian church Tuesday night.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, the turkey trade is on the increase, and the gobbler begins to hunt a higher limb.
Taylorsville High School has enrolled 106 pupils during the last three months.

Messrs. Hitchcock and Moore, two sportsmen from New York, spent a few days here last week, hunting birds.
We have good Republican authority for the statement that “possums” are now ripe in Aleck.
Taylorsville, N.C.
Nov 26, 1889

Nov 28, 1889
Married
At the residence of the bride’s father in Shiloh township on the 21st inst. By A.J.K. Thomas, Esq., Mr. Charles S. Fox, of Alexander, and Miss Ella Byers.

December 5, 1889
Taylorsville Items
Correspondence of The Landmark
Thanksgiving Day was generally observed in town last week. The stores were all closed, and services were held in the Presbyterian church by Rev. A.L. Crawford. A collection was taken up for the benefit of the Presbyterian Orphanage lately established in Charlotte.

The revival meeting, which had been in progress for several days, closed last Friday night. An interesting meeting is said to be going on at Antioch church in the northern part of the county.

Monday was commissioners’ day, which brought many people to town. All the members of the board were present. E.M. Stevenson was re-elected chairman for the next year.

D.G. Bumgarner, treasurer, W.E. White, surveyor, J.L. Gwaltney, register, R.M. Sharpe, sheriff and J.T. McIntosh, clerk of Superior Court, all filed their official bonds, which were accepted and approved. The register, clerk and sheriff also filed their annual reports for the year just past.

E.C. Sloan was elected standard keeper. DR. H. McD. Little was elected physician for the poor for next year.

It was ordered by the board that no pauper outside of poor-house, with one or two exceptions, be allowed more than fifty cents per month.

The board was in session two days and issued the usual number of claims.

The board of education was also in session Monday. Most of the time was taken up in making a transfer of names from one district to another. Two petitions were filed asking for new districts.

A branch association of the North Carolina Building and Loan Association was organized here last Monday with the following officers; E. M. Stevenson, president; A.E. Alspaugh, secretary and treasurer; McIntosh & Burke, attorneys; E.C. Sloan, J.P. Matheson, E.A. Womble, R.P. Matheson, J.N. Correll, directors.

Mr. E.L. Hedrick of Hickory, spent Sunday and Monday at home. Mr. L.V. Moore, of Asheville, is also at home on a visit.

Dab. Redman was put in jail here last week for failure to pay costs.

M.
December 3d, 1889

December 19, 1889

Deaths in Alexander and Iredell, and other Items of News
Correspondence of The Landmark
The death of Mrs. Nannie E. Cornelius, wife of George D. Cornelius, yesterday, brings tears to every eye and sympathy to every heart for her bereaved husband and two small children. Yet their loss is her gain. She was a member of the M.E. Church, South. Rev. T.J. Daily conducted the funeral today at Stony Point church. She was my neighbor all her life and a school-mate while at school, ready at all times to speak a word of friendship. Her age was about 24 years and 6 months; disease, typhoid fever.

I learn that Miss Lucy Goodin, of Sharpesburg township, also died yesterday, of heart disease. She lived a quiet, exemplary life of about 65 or 70 years, a member of the M.E. Church.

It seems that Monroe Sharpe, colored, did what every person was looking for when he killed Aleck Watts, colored. I Have not seen any one yet but says: “ that fool negro, Aleck Watts, has got killed at last—just what I have been listening for a long time.”

While traveling in a portion of Shiloh township, a friend told me if the marrying wasn’t soon stopped the country would be too poor to afford a wedding. One minister has been tying from one to two knots every day.

Christmas will soon be here but Uncle Santa Claus has not raised enough cotton this year to give his little folks many Christmas angels.
I wish the good editor of The Landmark and its many readers a happy Christmas.
L.
Stony Point, N.C. Dec. 16, 1889

December 19, 1889
Mooresville
Correspondence of The Landmark
The grim messenger has again visited our quiet town. Little Willie, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Cooper, ate his supper, well and hearty, Saturday night. He awoke about 11 o’clock and called for water, and soon after began vomiting. Mr. Cooper thought it only a slight attack but soon became alarmed and sent for a physician who saw at once that nothing could be done for the little one. He died about 7 o’clock Sunday morning. It was a terrible shock to the whole town, all of whom feel and express the deepest sympathy for the family. The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church at 11 o’clock, a.m., yesterday. Rev A. L. Crawford and wife, of Taylorsville, came down on the 10 o’clock a.m. train to attend the funeral of their grandchild.

December 26, 1889
The Alexander County Journal says that Mr. A.J. Blankenship, who recently left Taylorsville for the west, accompanied by Messrs. R.Z. Linney and Thos. B. Campbell, cashed a check for a stranger in Chicago and is now $50 short.

December 26, 1889
At the saw mill of Messrs. Thomas & Bros., of Alexander county, on the 13th, both bones of the left leg of Mr. Henry B. Thomas were broken by a log rolling on it from the top of a pile at which he was working.

December 26, 1889
R.Z. Linney, Esq., of Taylorsville, passed through town Tuesday on his way home from his visit to new State of Washington. He was looming, but he has no immediate purpose of moving out there. He saw Pat Winston while he was away.

December 26, 1889
The mill house, cotton gin and a quantity of fodder belongings to Mr. J. T. Hedrick, of Miller’s township, Alexander county, were destroyed by fire on the 13th

December 26, 1889
Married
At Taylorsville on the 19th, Mr. A.H. Matheson and Miss Annie Lefler.

December 26, 1889
Died
At her home in Taylorsville, on the night of the 19th, Mrs. Eliza McCoy, aged about 76 years.