Year: 1890
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 2, 1890
Letter from Alexander
It is seldom, if ever, you see a letter in The Landmark from Hiddenite. But if the many readers of The Landmark’s interesting columns will bear with me a few moments, I will try to tell them something of this new and raising town. Upon the completion of the Statesville and Taylorsville Railroad a depot was built here, which was the beginning. Slowly, but surely, it has increased ever since. A number of people from the country have bought lots here, built houses and moved in.
There are two stores here, each of which enjoys a good trade. There is another house ready for occupancy. We think there is as much money in the mercantile business here as anywhere, according to the size of the town, and we would be glad to see some one put up a large stock of goods to the new store.
There is a second saw mill here also which does an immense business. Its enterprising manager, Mr. J.C. Thomas, is the very man to make money out of a saw mill, but pushed as he may he cannot keep orders filled.
The town is situated or laid out on a beautiful level ridge alongside of the railroad. Perhaps a more beautiful location for a town could not be found anywhere in the country. All we need to start a boom is a few men of capital and energy to engage with us and utilize the advantages which nature has so lavishly bestowed around here. There is, perhaps, as much water-power near Hiddenite as anywhere else in the country and but little of it is being utilized.
There is nothing to hinder this section from building up rapidly, save its extreme poverty. The people are not so poor but that they live as well as any people, but they have not the means to build up its undeveloped resources and start it on the road to prosperity.
We gladly welcome all who come among us, and if any of the readers of The Landmark contemplate a change we would be glad to have them cast their lots with us.
The dry kiln of Mr. J.C. Thomas was recently burned. It contained about 4000 to 5000 feet of lumber.
The school at Hiddenite is doing well. We have a large attendance.
Rev. W.A. Pool preached for us Saturday and Sunday. He is a preacher we never tire of hearing.
In a future article I will continue to show some of the advantages of Hiddenite.
Success to The Landmark.
Hiddenite, N.C. Jan 1890
Jan 9, 1890
Taylorsville Items
Next week is Alexander court.
It is customary now for everybody to have the “grip”. Several persons have been trying to keep up with the fashion here, and it is hard to determine whether they have the “grip” or the “grip” has them.
A. Mr. Summers, from Abingdon, Va., passed through town last Saturday on the search for a stolen horse. He said the person supposed to have stolen the horse was James James, a former resident of this county, who was arrested at Church’s store, in Wilkes county.
It was also reported here last week that William Lael, who has been known somewhat in the courts of this county, had gone out to Tennessee, and had been killed in a difficulty out there.
M.
Jan 1890
Jan 16 1890
A Report on Washington Which is Direct and Reliable
Mr. A. J. Blankenship, of Alexander county, a carpenter and a good one, recently went to the new State of Washington. In a letter about business from Spokane Falls, to the editor of The Landmark, he says: “I have done very well so far. The snow has been quite a drawback on the laboring class. I have been keeping a memorandum of the weather since I came and it has snowed more or less every day except four. The prospect for work is good. Wages range from $3.00 to $3.50. It’s a fine country for laboring men but that is about all the good I can say for the new State. Parties desiring to leave North Carolina for the purpose of hunting a new home and expecting to better themselves, had better come and see the country before selling out. This country is badly misrepresented in the East”.
Jan 16, 1890
A Serious Accident – An Unfortunate Family
Mr. George Millsaps, son of Mr. Jas. F. Millsaps, of Sharpesburg township, this county, while working at the saw mill of Mr. W.G. Gaither, near Liberty church, Alexander county, Monday morning, was thrown, by the slipping of a plank which he was handling, on the lead wheel that runs the carriage. His right leg was caught in the cogs and drawn in to the knee and stripped of its flesh. The whole calf of the leg was torn off, the muscles cut to pieces and the bone laid bare. Chucks of flesh were thrown about in different directions. Tuesday morning Drs. M.W. Hill and Thos. E. Anderson, of this place, responded to a telegram from DR. R.B. Killian, of Taylorsville, to meet him at the scene of the accident, and the three amputated the leg of the unfortunate young man three inches above the knee. It is learned this morning that the young man died yesterday afternoon.
This seems to be an unfortunate family. The grandfather of this youth, Mr. Hezekiah Millsaps, was thrown from his horse and had an arm broken, calling for amputation. Some years ago his father, Mr. J.F. Millsaps, got his arm caught in a piece of machinery, rendering amputation necessary, and about two years ago the fingers of his remaining hand were lacerated in a cotton gin. Mr. J.L. Millsaps, uncle of the youth, was shot to pieces in the war and had the bone of one arm and a stiff elbow, and the young man some years ago lost four sisters within a week of each other. They are a good, substantial set of people and it is not for wrong-doing that they are thus stricken.
Jan 16, 1890
There was quite an exodus of Iredell people Tuesday for the West and Southwest. Mr. D.C. Campbell and son, W.C. Campbell, of Cool Springs township, left that morning for Texas; on the noon train that day M.W. Shook, Esq, and family, and Mr. Gus Troutman, of Shiloh, left for Kansas; Mr. J.Y. Moore, of Shiloh, for Oklahoma; Mr. Milas Cline, wife and ten children, Mr. J. Rufus Alexander and Mr. Lewis Strikeleather, all of Shiloh, and Mr. Wm. C. Prichard, of Miller’s township, Alexander county, for Arkansas.
Jan 16, 1890
Alexander Court and Other Alexander County Items
Alexander court is in session this week, Judge Phillips presiding. I.N. Sharpe was chosen foreman of the grand jury. The judge’s charge was concise, clear and forcible. Up to Tuesday evening the following cases were disposed of:
J.A. Teague vs Mose Johnson and Wm. Brookshire, injury to personal property. The value of property and costs paid by defendants.
State vs John Missimore, bigamy; continued
State vs Alex White and John White, affray; guilty; $10 and costs.
State vs Charles Murdock, larceny; plead guilty; judgment suspended on payment of costs.
State vs Austin Barnes, murder; alias capias (sic).
State vs Marcus James, releasing prisoner; deferred until 29th inst.; 45 witnesses summoned.
State vs Mitchell Matheson and W. J. Elder, affray; submitted; judgment suspended on payment of costs.
State vs W.J. Purlear, cruelty to animals; not guilty.
State vs Marcus Lippard, assault and battery; guilty; judgment not rendered.
State vs John Pool, for costs; continued.
State vs Junius White, disturbing religious meeting; guilty; judgment suspended on payments of costs.
State vs Nan McLelland, larceny; guilty; four years in penitentiary.
State vs G.W. Daniels, assault and battery; jury decided defendant insane’ ordered to Western Insane Asylum.
State vs G.S. Goble, assault and battery; guilty; $20 and costs.
There were five cases on the warrant docket, twenty-one on the civil docket and nine on the summons docket.
There was one amusing and one very interesting case tried. In the injury to personal property case it was shown that some boys proposed a little fun by overloading and bursting a shot-gun, the property of another. During the progress of the trial a witness took occasion to inform the counsel for the defence [sic] ( in answer to the question whether the gun had a hole in it or not) that a gun was useless without a hole in it. It was proved to have had three holes in it. The defendants offered ( by way of compromise) to pay plaintiff fifty cents, forty-five for the gun and reserve five cents for a life policy, having shielded him from the danger he would have been liable to in the event of his bursting the gun himself.
The interesting case was an indictment for cruelty to animals wherein it was shown that the defendant had knocked his horse on the head with an axe, gouged his eye out with a rock, belabored his ribs with a fence rail and finally leveled up the job with a rake, and at the conclusion of the raking the animal trotted down the road as “peart” [sic] us ever.
The writer was an eye witness to the kicking of an “Alex” man by an “Alex” mule. The mule’s right hind foot met that man in the street and the next instant that man was turning a double summersault with a deep gash in his forehead. A few grunts were heard, a little dust and blood rubbed off, and the man was ready to swap in the exchange again; whereupon it was remarked that you could not kill an “Alex” man, and from the result of the above mentioned trial the writer concluded that it would be a hard matter to kill an “Alex” horse or convict an “Alex” man of cruelty to animals.
There is plenty of land in Taylorsville to build a town on; but it was all occupied Monday with “Alex” stock, even to the extent that the mayor was appealed to clear the most public places for the benefit of pedestrians. But his honor, upon reflections, wisely concluded that the judiciary had already been exhausted, and that “Little Alex” might swap to its heart’s content.
Taylorsville is ostensibly a dry town and the writer could not account for the haversacks, knapsacks, gripsacks, tow sacks, tin boxes, swelled pockets and other small portables he saw among the great throng of court people in that growing town. I was informed by a prominent merchant that “Alex” farmers had corn, tobacco, flour and bacon that they had not yet put upon the market, and upon the whole it appears that “hard times” have not yet stared the people of “Alex” in the face so fully as he has some counties in the State. I heard but little grumbling, and had the pleasure of meeting quite a number of “Alex’s” kind hearts and cheerful faces.
Maj. W.A. Graham, of Lincoln county, and R.B. Hunter, assistant editor of the Mecklenburg Times, and also State Lecturer for the Alliance, addressed a large and attentive audience at the court house at 12 o’clock Tuesday. The importance of the work of the Alliance was very forcibly impressed upon the farmers.
January 1890
Jan 16, 1890
Married
In Sulphur Springs church, Alexander county, on the 23rd inst, by Rev W.A. Pool, Mr. John W. Miller and Miss Ida V., daughter of J.L. Davis, Esq. All of Alexander.
Jan 23, 1890
In Alexander Superior Court last week Marcus Lippard was granted an absolute divorce from his wife on the ground of infidelity. Marcus James was convicted of breaking into the jail in 1880 and releasing Calloway Marley, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
Jan 23, 1890
The Commissioners’ Proceedings and Other Alexander Items
I give you the most important proceeding of the county commissioners’ meeting today. The returns of the stock law election held last Saturday for Miller’s, Taylorsville and Wittenburg townships, not already in the stock law, were canvassed as follows:
Votes cast for stock law………….163
Votes cast against stock law………158
Majority for………………………….5
This will take in the territory along the Catawba river and will save keeping up about twenty miles of fence.
A petition was flied asking for a stock law election to Sugar Loaf township. This was ordered for the 1st of March. It is to be hoped that the entire county will adopt the law, and Caldwell county will follow, and then there will not be so much fence to keep up.
M. Lippard, keeper of the poor, came before the board and gave up the contract, having sub-let it to Jno. Z. Little, who filed bond which was accepted.
There were a number of claims issued and some other matters attended to.
E.B. Jones, Esq., was elected county attorney for the year 1890.
Dr. T.A. Kerley has bought another steam engine for his mill here and started up again with Lieutenant Robt. West chief engineer, and a Mr. Burgess inside the mill house.
The Highland Buggy and Wagon Works are also having an engine and boiler placed in their works.
A large quantity of Lumber and shingles are being shipped from this place. This is as it should be, only the lumber ought to be finished here. Some one could do well to locate here with machinery for finishing lumber, making sash and doors, & c. There is a large engine and boiler here that ought to be running some kind of machinery, and as there is an almost inexhaustible supply of lumber, an industry of this kind ought to be started.
Ho
Taylorsville, N.C. Jan 1890
Jan 30, 1890
Weather Comments and Crops in Alexander
This has been the finest winter that the oldest citizens can remember. We have had but a few days that were cold enough for the people to kill their hogs. Small grain is looking fine. I hear no complaint of the fly damaging the wheat yet. It has been so warm that the grass is growing and the buds upon the trees are putting out and peach tree are blooming. The forest and especially the old field pines, have been completely covered with honey dew. Honey is so plentiful that it would drop off the pines until the ground is covered with it, and the bees are getting rich from the dew that they gather these warm days. I do not remember ever seeing honey dew in the dead of winter before, and if any of the readers of The Landmark ever saw honey dew in January I would like to hear from them. The pine leaves are completely waxed with it and the honey can be seen falling in showers.
The heath of this community is good excepts colds, but I fear that is grippe or pneumonia will follow such severe colds.
I have no deaths or marriages to report this week, but some accidents, but no serious damage. Mr. J.P. Williams bought a wagon from Mr. J.F. McLain a week or so ago. It was nearly a new one, and after he paid for it, he hitched his horses to it and his brother, E.A. Williams got in and drove off. They had to go a very narrow and rough road and their horses got frightened and ran away. The wagon ran in a zigzag and from side to side until it was overturned and threw Mr. Williams and a sack of salt into the branch. The wagon was completely wrecked and the horses were hurt but not very badly.
A team belonging to Mr. J.R. Mayberry ran away last Saturday. They ran about a hundred yards and stripped themselves of wagon and harness and went on. There was no one in the wagon. No damage except that one wheel was demolished.
We are all glad to see Mr. M.C. Williams back home again from New Mexico. He has much to tell about New Mexico, which is interesting to us.
B.
Grade, Alexander county, N.C.
Jan 21, 1890
Feb 6, 1890
Died
At her home in Gwaltney township Alexander county on the 9th inst., of pneumonia, Mrs. Angeline Adams, wife of Mr. J.W. Adams, and sister of Messrs J.A.D. and J.W. Stephenson and aunt of Chief of Police A.A. Patterson, of Statesville, aged about 48 years.
Feb 6, 1890
Marriage Last Evening
A large crowd gathered at the Baptist church here last night to witness the marriage of Mr. W.P. Hedrick, of Taylorsville, and Miss Effie O., daughter of Mr. H.A. Bost, of this place. Three arches of flowers and evergreens had been arranged in front of the altar, and promptly at the hour, 7:30 o’clock, the bridal party proceeded up the aisle and took position under these, while Miss Effie Kilpatrick, of Taylorsville, played the wedding march. The ushers, Messrs. J.L. Rasberry, of Taylorsville, and Allie Clayton, of Statesville, preceded the party, which followed in this order: Mr. N.A. Bost of Statesville, and Miss Florence Hedrick of Taylorsville; Mr. E.L. Hedrick of Taylorsville, and Miss Emma Ross of Statesville; Mr. A.S. Barnes and Miss Linwood Bost, both of Statesville; the bridal couple. The marriage ceremony was performed by the pastor of the church, Rev. W.A. Pool, assisted by Rev. W.J. Fulford, of Cool Springs, and immediately thereafter Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick and the attendants took carriages for the station and left for Taylorsville on the 8:30 Statesville & Western train. The Landmark presents to the newly-married pair its respectful compliments and assures them that it speaks for the community when it expresses the hope that they may live long and very happily.
Feb 20, 1890
Deaths
At his home in Miller’s township Alexander county after a long sickness, on the 17th inst., Mr. A.T. Morrison, aged about 60 years.
At his home near Sloan Station, Sharpe’s township Alexander county, on the 18th inst., Mr. J.T. Harris, aged about 30 years.
Feb 20, 1890
Taylorsville Items
Mr. W.P. Hedrick and wife arrived on the train the night of the marriage last week. A reception was given them at the Piedmont Hotel and several invited friend joined in giving them a hearty welcome. The welcome given by the “calathumps” (sic) outside was none the less hearty and sincere, judging by the noise made. It does seem that this relic of barbarism ought to be buried to sleep its long sleep. The question, “Is marriage a failure?” has not been answered yet to the satisfaction of everybody; but on the question of the “calathumian serenade “ the opinion is unanimous.
A violent storm of wind passed over the town early last Friday morning. It blew down a small kitchen belonging to Mr. W.L. Bruce, and also blew down the shed over the engine at Dr. Kerley’s mill, bending the pipes and otherwise damaging the machinery. The shed has been rebuilt and the engine will soon be at work again. Another engine belonging to Dr. Kerley at his saw mill west of town got the boiler cracked in some way last week and is now laid up for repairs. The doctor shows energy worthy of a better cause than a steam saw mill, and we wish him better luck hereafter.
Early last Friday morning those who were fortunate enough to look found the long-sought-for end of the rainbow. The writer knows where it was but he hasn’t had time to dig for the pot of gold. Others, however, saw it at a different place, and the matter may still be unsettled. At any rate, a very brilliant rainbow could be seen apparently a few yards away, resting on the ground. It was bright enough sometimes to cut off the view of objects beyond.
Mr. Jackson Mays, who was working about a spring last week, found a live, active rattlesnake lying under some rocks. Jack says the snake had three rattles and a button and was of very good size for his age.
The papers say the grip has gone from the North. Some of our citizens are lamenting the fact that it has not “let up” down here.
Rev. Robt. Teague, son of Mr. Lawson Teague, of this county, died in Madison county last Friday. His body was brought home for burial, and was buried at Antioch church on Monday. He was a young man, a preacher of the Baptist denomination, and at the time of his death was engaged in teaching.
M.
February 18, 1890
Feb 27, 1890
Stony Point
Miss Margaret E. Cornelius has about lost her eye-sight; she has and should have the sympathy of all.
My estimable young friend and neighbor, Mr. Barron Fleming, and Miss Mollie, daughter of Mr. Henry Bustle, of Sharpe’s township, Alexander county, were united in matrimony at the home of the bride’s parents on the 13th inst. At 7 o’clock p.m. W. R. Sloan, Esq., performed the ceremony, and did it well.
Mr. Tice Rufty, of Alexander county, came home last week from Rowan county with a pretty little bride. I hope she is worthy of him; he is one of our best young men.
Well, Mr. Editor, if the county commissioners need any tar I will furnish them with some. Can some one else furnish the feathers?
Good wishes for The Landmark
L.
Stony Point, N.C. Feb. 20, 1890.
Feb 27, 1890
Death
In Alexander county on the 18th inst., James Roscoe, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Mayberry, in the 7th year of his age.
March 6, 1890
Died
At the home of the parents in Sharpe’s township Alexander county on the 29th of February Willie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Davis aged about 4 years.
March 6, 1890
Proceedings Alexander Commissioners and Other Items
The county commissioners were in session on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The most important items of business before them were as follows:
Ordered, that the sheriff publish a list of delinquent taxes in the Alexander County Journal.
A.L. Robinett was allowed to redeem land and was relieved of double tax.
Clerk of Superior Court flied report of half fees in cases of spring term 1890, and claims were ordered to be issued. Dr. H. McD Little’s claim, $16, as county physician was allowed.
The judges of election for the corporation election in Taylorsville in May next were appointed as follows:
Judges—- J.L. Sloop and W.B. Matheson; registrar – C.W. Harris.
E.M. Stevenson was appointed a committee to settle with D.G.Bumgarner, county treasurer.
A petition was flied asking that the late stock law election be set aside, the request was not granted.
J.P. Smith and John Shoemaker were appointed overseers of the stock law fence in the new stock law boundary.
A gate was ordered to be erected across the Arnt’s ferry road, near the Catawba river.
The petition of D.G. Bumgarner and others asking for three gates across the public road in Little River township, was filed, and publication ordered to be made.
The report of the jury to lay off a public road from the Newton and Taylorsville road by way of Alspaugh’s mills into Wittenburg township was partially confirmed and the remainder left open until receipts for all damages and expenses in laying off said road were filed.
The usual number of claims to paupers and on stock law were issued.
Mr. C.W. Sewer did not sell his lot, which he had advertised for sale on Monday.
E.E. Woodman, of Washington City, is in town, looking up the amount of indebtedness of the county for the census bureau.
Mr. Elisha Oxford, a prominent citizen of Ellendale township, died Tuesday, February 24th, aged 75 years.
Willie, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Davis, died at the residence of Mr. J.P. Matheson, Friday, February 28th, aged 3 years. The funeral service was conducted on Saturday by Rev. W. A. Pool.
M.
March 4th , 1890.
March 20, 1890
Items from Taylorsville
Mr. William Watts, who lived near Ellendale, died on Wednesday, 12th inst. He was buried at Three Forks church on Friday with Masonic honors. The deceased was about 70 years of age.
Mrs. Lydia Kerley, mother of Dr. T.A. Kerley, died at her home in this county on Monday, 17th, and was buried at Three Forks church.
Mr. Jas. C. Linney, who has been teaching in Union county for sometime, has returned home and is again a pupil of Taylorsville High School. This school is in a flourishing condition at present. The principals have had the rooms furnished with new desks, and new pupils are being enrolled every week.
Messrs. Linney, Jones, Burke and W.G. Bogle are in attendance upon Lenoir court this week.
Mr. J.A. Matheson, who is a member of the senior class at Davidson, spent a few days at home last week.
Mr. E.M. Stevenson has just completed a large and handsome dwelling on the lot adjoining his residence. The house will be occupied at once by Rev. A.L. Crawford. The Presbyterians expect to commence building a manse as soon as arrangements can be made.
Some of the citizens are somewhat exercised over the opening of a new street in the southeastern part of town, but the matter will probably be adjusted without much difficulty.
M.
March 18, 1890.
March 27, 1890
Jurors for the Federal Court
Following is the list of jurors drawn for the spring term of the United States Court, to be held in Statesville on the third Monday in April:
Alexander— F.M. Herman, Jacob Lenix, Newton Beckham, Fields Ingram.
March 27, 1890
Mr. B.C. Bogar went to Alexander county in February to get seed oats; was what he told his folks and neighbors; and behold when he returned he fetched back one of the Alexander ladies. It was quite a surprise to most of the young folks to be fooled in such a way, and you may know what a belling they got.
April 10, 1890
Taylorsville Items
Alexander county Farmers’ Alliance held their quarterly meeting here last Friday.
The Alexander County Journal suspended week before last. Want of support the cause. Mr. C.W. Sower, the publisher, intends returning to southwest Virginia.
Arrangements are being made for the publication of another paper here to be called The Clansman, or some other suitable name. The first number will be out about May 1st. It is to be hoped that our people will give this paper better support. We can easily support a paper and take The Landmark and other papers.
Mr. Jno. L. Rasberry, who has been with Messrs. Alspaugh Bros., left Monday morning for Asheville.
E. B. Jones, Esq., will leave for Winston, his new home, next Monday.
Taylorsville High School will give a musical entertainment in the college building next Friday night, April 11th.
But little business of importance was transacted by the board of county commissioners at their meeting yesterday. Some little excitement and ill feeling had been stirred up in territory that at the recent election had adopted the stock law, and an effort was made to keep the commissioners from ordering up the stock. The fence will be completed along the Caldwell and Alexander county line by April 15th, and the stock will be ordered up May 7th. This includes a strip along Catawba river from Iredell county line, or near Caldwell county.
But little is being said about our coming town election, May 5th, there not being much pay attached to the office of mayor and commissioners of the Junebug city. Then the Farmers’ Alliance have no choice of these officers. A new registration of votes is required for the reason that the registration book has been lost or misplaced since last election.
Sheriff Sharpe has been offering land for taxes yesterday and today, but is finding but few purchasers.
The Methodists are building a very nice parsonage on depot hill for the Alexander circuit; also several new dwellings are going up in the city. Though if any one should want a cheap home in a good, healthy place they can find it here either for sale or rent. Property is cheaper here now than before the railroad was completed for the reason that prices were run up too high, then expecting a big boom in real estate, and the consequence was that but little was sold.
Junebug
Taylorsville, N.C., April 8, 1890
April 17, 1890
From Alexander and Iredell Corner
The farmers are preparing for corn planting. There has been very little work done in this neighborhood yet.
Fire broke out on King’s mountain last Friday and burnt up two or three hundred panels of fence for an old darkey who lives on top of the mountain.
Mr. W.V. Williams is selling goods in the Mayberry old store and is doing a good business.
Messrs. J.P. Williams & Co. have completed their saw mill on Rocky creek, at the Williams mills in New Hope township.
Mr. J.R. Mayberry is going to repair his mills this summer and is going to put in a burr mill, which is greatly needed in this neighborhood.
Mr. A.N. Barker’s school closed Thursday. He had a good school.
B.
Grade, N.C., April 5 1890.
April 17, 1890
Letter from Taylorsville
A musical concert was given by the music class of the Taylorsville High School in the college chapel Friday night, April 11th, 1890. The patrons and friend of the school were highly entertained for two hours and the principals, Jno. N. Correll and A. C. McIntosh, together with Miss Ella Kilpatrick, deserve the thanks of all and it is hoped that they will repeat soon. I would like to say something about how each performed his or her part but suffice it to say all did well and showed that they have had good instruction.
Miss Blair Eliason, of Statesville, has been visiting Miss Emma Howell and attending the concert.
Miss Nettie Moore, of Catawba, has been visiting Miss Bessie Judson.
Messrs. Anthony S. Davis, of Port Deposit, Md., and J.W. Robertson, of Morgantown, N.C., have been prospecting for a few days past with the view of locating a plant here for working lumber and making a market for the lumber cut by our saw mill men. Our citizens have offered them a lot on the railroad for their business if they decide to locate here.
E.B. Jones, Esq., left this morning for Winston, his new home. Our people are very sorry to see him leave but wish him success in his new home.
A.C. McIntosh, Esq., has taken the law office vacated by Mr. Jones, and will attend to all business not finished up by him before leaving.
Below are the names of the list takers for Alexander county appointed by the commissioners at their meeting the first Monday:
Miller’s Township – Thos. A. Hudson;
Sharpe’s – Thos. F. Murdock;
Gwaltney’s – Wm. F. Patterson;
Sugar Loaf – D.M. Baker;
Little River – Thos. Barnes;
Ellendale – J.B. Eckerd;
Wittenburg – V.W. Teague;
Taylorsville – C.T. Sharpe.
The erection of a new parsonage on depot hill is far under way, and will be occupied by Rev. Dailey immediately after its completion.
Miss Mary Hill, of Clio, Iredell, accompanied her father, Mr. Robt. R. Hill, this far on his way to Lenoir, and spent Friday and Saturday with Misses Linney and the Misses Hill.
Mr. Fields, the new mail agent, is confined to his room with mumps. Mr. W.P. Coone, of Statesville, is acting for him.
The young people of Taylorsville High School have organized a reading club. They made Prof. McIntosh president, Miss Hessie Linney vice president and Prof. Correll secretary. The club meets Friday night of each week.
Taylorsville, April 15, 1890.
May 1, 1890
Mr. Milas L. Lentz of Elk Shoal, Alexander county, sends The Landmark some very fine strawberries which he picked on the 24th of April. Mr. Lentz says he had new Irish potatoes, as large as hen’s eggs, for dinner on the 2d of April. They had grown from volunteers that stood in the patch over winter. Mrs. M. Misenheimer, of this place, pulled ripe strawberries Tuesday, the 29th ult.
May 1, 1890
Items from Alexander
I made a short trip to your city (Statesville) this week and was very much pleased to see so much improvement since my last trip to that place. Corn whiskey seemed to be the article much used at the Federal Court from the appearance in the back lots, especially among the revenue officers, who made themselves a nuisance among the wagoners. (sic)
Wheat looks well in this part of the county. The people are getting along very well planting corn in this neighborhood.
Mrs. Sue Mayberry has the finest garden in this community. She has onions and lettuce of this year’s growth to eat, which is early for this section. She always has the earliest garden of any one in this neighborhood.
Mr. D.W. Mayberry’s store was broken into some time ago and some money was taken. Suspicion rested on no one until a week or so ago, when he got a piece of money which he recognized to be a piece that was taken from the store and upon investigation he got evidence sufficient to swear out a warrant against two young men of good familys (sic) in this neighborhood. The affair has caused an excitement among the people. The young men deny the charge against them, but have gone to parts unknown.
The health of this community is good so far as known. No deaths of late.
B.
Grade, N.C., April 25th 1890
May 1, 1890
Died In Little River township, Alexander county, April 29th, Mr. William F. Robinett, aged 90 years. Near Taylorsville, April 26th, Vance Ingram, youngest daughter of Fields Ingram. The funeral took place Sunday at Macedonia church, Rev. J.B. Pool conducting the service.
May 8, 1890
Taylorsville Items
The county commissioners were in session Monday, but the crowd in town was rather small for the first Monday. The most important business transacted was as follows:
The sheriff filed his report of land sold for taxes, showing only 12 tracts sold, 1418 acres. The time for the sheriff to settle county taxes was extended to the 20th of May.
The board levied 25 cents on $100 worth of real estate in the new stock law territory to build the fence.
A.C. McIntosh was elected county attorney for the year 1890.
The usual number of claims were issued by the board.
Monday was also the day for the town election. The result of the election was Thos. Peden, mayor, J.M. Matheson, E.C. Sloan and W.D. Deal, commissioners. There was a light vote and no excitement.
The young people of the town had made preparation for a picnic at Rocky Springs last Saturday, but the rain interfered to prevent their going. They compromised by taking their picnic dinner at the college.
Mr. John McCrary is at home again after being absent several weeks in South Carolina.
The newspaper to be started here has been christened The Taylorsville Index the first issue of which will be out this week or next.
Mr. R.B. Hunter, an Alliance lecturer, will address the people of the county at All Healing Spring next Friday and at Taylorsville on Saturday.
Mr. D. McI. Stevenson, of Cincinnati, is at home on a visit.
Mr. R.B. Burke has purchased the lot formerly owned by Mr. Sower.
Mr. R.Z. Linney let the water out of his pond one day last week to catch some fish, but upon examining the pond he found the largest fish had all disappeared. They probably got out while the water was running and went on down stream. At any rate, they could not be found in the pond.
M.
May 6th 1890
May 8, 1890
Died
At his home in Miller’s township, Alexander county, on the evening of the 6th, Mr. John Lackey. He was in his eighty-third or fourth year. He leaves a wife, a daughter and two grandchildren at home, besides three sons who are in different parts of the country.
May 15, 1890
The first number of The Taylorsville Index, Mr. E.L. Hedrick, editor and proprietor, is to hand. It has a considerable amount of local news, and otherwise makes a creditable beginning, though we regret to see it start out with a chip on its shoulder for Statesville and an invitation to us to knock it off. We hope the Index will be peaceable and prosperous.
May 15, 1890
Died
Near Grade, Alexander county, on the 6th inst, of Flux, H U Brewer, son of Mr. J.T. and Mrs. M. E. Brewer, aged 1 year, 11 months and 7 days.
Near Hiddenite, Alexander county, on the 18th, of flux, little two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. Durmire.
June 1890
Most of the articles unreadable – None found for Alexander County
July 3, 1890
Mrs. Effie Bost Hedrick, wife of Mr. W.P. Hedrick, of Taylorsville, and daughter of Mr. H.A. Bost, of this place, died last Sunday morning and the remains were brought here Monday for interment and, after services at the Baptist church, by Rev. W.A. Pool, were buried at Oakwood cemetery. In March last she went out of the church of which she was a member, a bride; this week she has been carried into it a corpse. How quick and how sad a transition! The hearts of two communities are moved with sympathy for the husband, father and other relatives in the loss of one so young.
Mr. C. F. Bost came in from Huntsville, Ala., to attend the funeral of his sister, Mrs. Hedrick. He left again this morning for Alabama, accompanied by Miss Linwood Bost, his sister, who goes to Huntsville on a visit.
Died
Near Hiddenite, Alexander county, June 17th of typhoid fever, Mrs. Nancy Drum, wife of Cyrus Drum, aged about 66 years. She was a good Christian woman, kind and ever ready to visit and administer to the wants of the sick.
At Hiddenite, Alexander county, June 28th, of neuralgia of the heart, Mrs. Dovie Patterson, wife of Curtis Patterson, aged 64 years.
July 10, 1890
Crops, Health and Politics in Alexander
News in northeast Alexander is very scarce this time of year. Wheat is about all up now and is very light, about one-half crop. Corn is looking fine; has been worked well and the people are laying by now. We have had good seasons, it has been hot and showery this summer. Everything is growing fine. Oats is looking very well. No sickness in this neighborhood. No marriages nor deaths to report this week. Business is dull in this part of the county at present. Politics can be heard whispered around a little but not much yet. But you bet your, bottom dollar the Republicans are not talking very loud. They are ashamed of what they have done.
B.
Grade, Alexander county, N.C.
July 5, 1890
July 10, 1890
Death of Mr. A.S. Barnes
Mr. Albert S. Barnes died of typhoid fever at his home on Park Street Monday afternoon, aged 23 years. He was a native of Alexander county and had been living here about two years as one of the book-keepers of Messrs. Key & Co. He had always borne himself in an exemplary manner and added constantly to the number of his friends. The funeral took place from the residence Tuesday forenoon, with exercises by Rev. W.A. Pool, of the Baptist church, the pastor of the deceased. The burial ceremonies were conducted by the Masonic fraternity and the Iredell Blues, of both of which Mr. Barnes was a member.
July 10, 1890
Sheriff Sharpe, of Alexander, was in town yesterday. Alexander Superior Court will convene the last Monday in this month but the docket will be light, for the reason, as explained by the sheriff, that “ Aleck belongs to the church”.
July 10, 1890
Died
Near Hiddenite, Alexander county, on the 5th last, of dropsy of the heart, Mrs. Sallie Jenkins, wife of Mr. David Jenkins is a very peculiar man; he would not see his wife after she died nor go to the burial service.