Submitted by Julie Hampton Ganis
April 14, 1859, NC ARGUS (Wadesborough, Anson County, NC) – A very sad occurrence took place, on Saturday last, at the mill-dam of Col. John E. AUSTIN, of this county, on Rocky River. The river was quite high, and a party, consisting of two brothers and two sisters, children of Mrs. Jacob LITTLE, of Cabarrus or Stanly county, who had been to Charlotte with a wagon, and were returning home, undertook to cross the river above the mill dam, in flat, at a private ferry belonging to Col. AUSTIN, where another wagon had crossed in the flat but a short time before, and were carried by the force of the current towards the dam. One of the poles used to guide the flat slipped out of the hands of one of the parties, and the flat became unmanageable. Mr. Wm. AUSTIN and one of the LITTLES, perceiving that the flat would inevitably go over the dam, jumped out and swam ashore. The other Mr. LITTLE and his two sisters were carried over with the wagon, four horses and the flat. The wagon ran forward and off the flat, excepting two wheels, which caused the flat to keel up at one end and throw the young ladies out into the river. The young man, their brother, recovered them and replaced them in the flat, and finding that he could do nothing with the flat himself, after floating down the river some distance, told his sisters to hold on to the flat while he would swim ashore and seek help and return to their rescue. He did swim ashore, and ran to Mr. GREEN’S, about a half or perhaps a mile, and returned and found the flat floating down the river, the wagon loose and his sisters gone. One of the bodies of the young ladies was afterwards found lodged against a raft. The body of the other had not been found at last accounts. They were both undoubtedly drowned. It is thought they and the wagon were thrown out at a rapid and rough shoaly place in the river, or that they had attempted to grasp hold of a small tree which bent over the stream and near to the water, and were dragged in that way and drowned. It was a deplorable fate for the poor, helpless young women, and is a heart-rendering accident to their widowed mother, as well as their brothers, and everybody. It is wonderful that they were not all lost; and it is probable that if they had all remained in the flat, and kept their presence of mind, they might all have been saved. One of the horses broke loose and swam out but the other three drowned. [note: The girls that drowned were Nancy E. LITTLE (b.1834) and Delphia L. LITTLE (b.Apr 14, 1836), both daughters of Jacob. W. “Jack” LITTLE and Margaret “Peggy” LOVE] (photocopy)
No Date Given
-State of North Carolina, Stanly County – In Equity: Robeson LISK, William J. LISK, John P. LISK, Thomas B. HASKELL and wife, and Susan LISK. Against: D. N. PATTERSON and Hampton LeGRAND, Executors of Clinton LISK, deceased, and Martha Ann VAUGHAN [resides out of state]….
Thursday, March 5, 1863 N. C. ARGUS (Wadesborough, Anson County, NC)
-An esteemed friend writes us from Stanly county, that Mr. Alexander MISENHEIMER and Brother, who own mills in that County, and have a good supply of wheat on hand, are grinding it up and selling it to soldiers’ wives at ten dollars per barrel, when they could get thirty-two dollars for all they can grind within sixteen miles of their mill. This is practical patriotism. Honored by Alexander MISENHEIMER and his Brother, and their children and children’s children! The poor soldiers whose wives and little ones they are supplying with bread, will hear of this and bless them. And when the battle is joined again, as joined it must be, they will strike with a steadier arm and a stouter heart, for they will feel that they have some friends who remember them, and who are caring for their families while they are risking every thing for their country. Our friend adds that the two gentlemen above referred to, were both Union men up to LINCOLN’S proclamation.
Wednesday, May 16, 1866 N.C. ARGUS (Wadesborough, Anson County, NC
-State of North Carolina, Stanly County, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, February Term, A.D. 1866. Lafayette GREEN, Adm’r. of Josiah FLOYD, vs. Heirs at law of Josiah FLOYD, deceased. Petition to sell real estate. It appears to the satisfaction of the Court that Robert SNUGGS and wife Anna SNUGGS, two of the Defendants, are non-residents of this State…. it is therefore ordered by the Court, that publication be made for six weeks….
Thursday, June 28, 1866 N.C. ARGUS (Wadesborough, Anson County, NC)
-On Sunday last two negroes who had been arrested in this county were carried to Stanly county, charged with breaking into and robbing the store of Messrs. SMITH & WATKINS, at Norwood (or Center) of about $100 worth of goods. A part of the goods was found in their possession, and a great part of the balance was found in Rocky River, where the thieves had thrown the articles to elude detection. At the time they did it they were closely pursued by the officers.
Thursday, June 4, 1868 N.C. ARGUS (Wadesborough, Anson County, NC)
-Removal of Disabilities – We have before us the bill passed by the House of Representatives, “To relieve certain citizens of North Carolina of disabilities,” and now awaiting action upon it by the Senate, and find all the counties in the State represented in it except twelve; these are Anson, Caswell, Cabarrus, Clay, Gates, Hertford, Jones, Mitchell, Onslow, Tyrrell, Wautauga (sic), and Yancey. The citizens of the counties named must either be so “loyal” as not to need any Congressional “white washing,” or else they are so “disloyal” as to be beyond the pale of the Congressional clemency. We find the following persons recommended from the adjoining counties:
Stanly county—Joseph MARSHALL, James E. MALDEN, Dumas COGGINS, Daniel RICHEY, Lafayette GREEN, Allen BURRIS, Franklin A. LAFTON and John A. MORTON.
Thursday, December 17, 1868 N.C. ARGUS (Wadesborough, Anson County, NC)
-State of North Carolina, Stanly County. Justice’s Court, Dec. 5, 1868. A. J. EUDY vs. J. T. HARWOOD. Original Attachment. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that J. T. HARWOOD is not a resident of this county, it is directed by the Court that publication be made for two weeks in the Wadesboro’ Argus, requiring the defendant to appear at the Court House in Albemarle, on the 2d day of January, 1869, to replevy or demur, otherwise the Court will proceed as though he had been personally served with process and had failed to appear and plead. Witness, J. O. ROSS, at office, the 5th day of December, A.D., 1868. J. O. ROSS, J.P.
Thursday, June 17, 1869 N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC)
-In Justice’s Court Stanly County – James M. REDWINE, Administrator, vs. Allen CARTER. Summons and Attachment. It appears to the court by affidavit, filed that the defendant in this cause is indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of $200, for damages of which occurred in Oct. 1865, and it further appearing that the said Allen CARTER is not a resident of this State, a warrant of attachment has been issued, returnable before me, at my office in Albemarle, 17th July next. These are, therefore, to request the said Allen CARTER to appear at the time and place stated above, and answer the complaint of the said plaintiff, a copy of which is this day filed in my office. Given under my hand and seal. This June 14th, 1869. J. O. ROSS, J.P.
Thursday, March 14, 1867, THE PETERSBURG INDEX (Petersburg, Virginia)
-David KENDALL, Esq., of Stanly county, has recently sold his place, four miles above Albemarle, on the Salisbury road, to
two gentlemen from the North, who are making arrangements to work it for the gold they have reason to believe is in it. The
indications are very rich. One of the purchasers, who had some experience on California, says that they are as rich as the
richest placers in that State.
Thursday, January 29, 1874, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC)-State of North Carolina, Stanly County, Superior Court, January 26th, 1874. Daniel DOBY and wife Sarah DOBY and others, Plaintiffs, Against Richard GLOVER, William THOMPSON and wife Rhoda THOMPSON and others, Defendants. Petition to sell land for Partition…… William THOMPSON and wife Rhoda THOMPSON defendants to the above named proceedings are non-residents of this State…. …said Defendants to appear at the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Stanly county at the court-House in Albemarle on Tuesday, the 10th day of March, 1874….J. M. REDWINE, C.S.C.
Thursday, February 19, 1874, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC)-State of North Carolina, Stanly County – In the Probate Court, January 26th, 1874. David M. MILLER, Against Martin SHOFFNER, Administrator of Jacob SHOFFNER, Dec’d. Petition to remove Administrator. …Martin SHOFFNER, the Defendant, is a non-resident of the State….. Defendant will take notice that if he fails to appear before the Judge of Probate of Stanly county at the court-house in Albemarle on Tuesday the 10th day of March 1874, and shew cause why he shall not be removed as administrator of the estate of Jacob SHOFFNER, dec’d, Judgment will be granted pro confesso against him….. J. M. REDWINE, Judge of Probate.
Thursday, April 9, 1874, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC -State of North Carolina, Stanly County, Superior Court. April 4th, 1874. Bryant S. BURGESS and wife and others Against Daniel S. M. EFIRD, et al. Petition to sell land. In this case, it appearing to the Court that the defendants, Daniel S. M. EFIRD and Eleanor EFIRD reside beyond the limits of this State. ….notifying them to appear at the office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Stanly county, at the Court House in Albemarle, on Friday the 17th day of May, 1874, and if they fail to appear and answer, judgment will be granted “pro confesso” against them…. J.M. REDWINE, C.S.C. Stanly County.
Thursday, January 21, 1875, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC) -State of North Carolina, Stanly County, Superior Court. Jan 6th, 1875. Rebecca A. SIMON, Plaintiff against Isaac LOWDER and wife Lydia, and others. Petition for Dower. In this case it appearing to the Court that Chesley BOONE and wife Nellie, and Martin BOONE and wife, Eliza, defendants in this action, reside beyond the limits of this State….. [lengthy legal notice ordering them to appear at court Feb 27, 1875.]
Thursday, March 11, 1875, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC) -Mr. ROSS. Young Mr. ROSS, son of Allen ROSS, of Stanly county, who was brought here last week, and had an operation performed for a fracture in his skull, is lying in a very critical condition. His father and mother are with him, and his case is receiving the special attention of Dr. ASHE. Everything will be done for him that medical science and good nurturing can accomplish.
Thursday, October 14, 1875, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC)-North Carolina, Superior Court – Stanly County. Oct. 4th, 1875. Isaac LOWDER and wife Lydia and others, Plaintiffs vs. Chesley BOONE and wife Nellie and other Defendants. Petition to sell Land. In this case it appearing to the Court that Chesley BOONE and wife Nellie BOONE, and Mortin BOONE and wife, Eliza, defendants in this action, reside beyond the limits of this state….. [lengthy legal notice ordering defendants to appear in court November 1875.]
Thursday, November 4, 1875, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC) -State of North Carolina, Superior Court – Stanly County. Sept. 30th 1875. Order of Publication. J.O. ROSS and others, vs. Bennett RUSSEL and others. Petition to sell land for Partition. In this case it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that William STEWART and wife Alice A., Green MELCHOR and wife Frances, Wesley GERMAN and wife Mary, John W. CARTER, Augustus CARTER, James M. CARTER, and Garrott CARTER, defendants, to the foregoing Petition, are nonresidents of this State…… [lengthy legal notice ordering defendants to appear in court Nov., 15, 1875.]
Thursday, January 27, 1876, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC) -Raleigh Sentinel: Intelligence has been received at the executive office of the arrest and lodgment in jail in Yell county, Arkansas, of Allen CARTER, who brutally murdered Bushrod LILLY in Stanly county, in 1867. The Governor has appointed W. W. HEARNE, Sheriff of Stanly county, agent of the State to go and bring accused to this State for trial. The authorities have been on the track of this man for some time past, and the news of his arrest will be gratifying to the good people of Stanly county. [also see the Feb. 10, 1876 issue of the NC Argus, and the Feb. 25, 1881 issue of the Statesville Landmark] —-
-Married: On Thursday, January 20, 1876, at the residence of the bride, near Ansonville, by Rev. Dr. John L. KENDALL, William ALLEN, Esq., of Stanly county, and Mrs. Jackbyrah S. EASON, of Anson, daughter of Mr. Isaac SULLIVANT. Raleigh C. Advocate please copy.
Thursday, February 17, 1876, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC) -The following items are sent to us by a correspondent at Norwood, Stanly county: A Lodge of Grangers was organized at Norwood last week, the first and only one in Stanly county….
Thursday, April 6, 1876, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC)-The trial of CRISCO, the murderer of CAGLE has been removed to Monroe, Union, and will come up before next term of Union court, which convenes in Monroe Monday. Through a gentleman from Stanly, we learn the opinion most prevalent there is that the killing was in self-defence (sic).
-SURRENDERED HIMSELF. – D. A. CRISCO, who killed Geo. CAGLE, in Stanly county on Tuesday last, has surrendered himself and been committed to jail in Albemarle. A gentleman who arrived in the city last evening from that section, thinks it very doubtful if any true bill is found by the Grand Jury against the slayer. He believed that his wife was unfaithful to the marriage vows, and that CAGLE was the cause of the infidelity, and it is probable that he will be able to establish this. If so he will be but lightly punished. CRISCO is a young man; CAGLE was an old man
Thursday, June 1, 1876, N.C. ARGUS (Wadesboro’, Anson County, NC –Obituary: Daniel P. BILLINGSLY was born in North Carolina, December 11th, 1850, was raised to manhood in Stanly county, of the same State, moved to Texas in the 21st year of his age, settled, and lied in Panola county 5 years and 4 months. He died in the 26th year of his age. The day he died, he said he had not had a well day in Texas; and that no tongue could tell what he had suffered. He had consumption and a swollen knee, that made him a cripple and gave him acute pain. Notwithstanding his great suffering he never murmured or became fretful. While he was lying on his anguishing bed about 20 months before he died, a revival of religion was in progress at which about 40 professions were made. Special pray was asked for and offered up for the afflicted widow’s son. God heard and answered his and the prayers of the church, and granted pardon and peace to the troubled breast. He said when he got well he intended to join the church. But his going to church was over on earth. So he was debarred this precious privilege…. G.W. BUTLER, Wood’s P.O., Panola co., Tex. May 20.
February 25, 1881, The Statesville Landmark, (Iredell County, N.C.)
-A Visit to the Penitentiary – Editorial Correspondence Reidsville Times. Raleigh, N.C., Feb. 10, 1881. – I visited the penitentiary yesterday. There are in the pen, 303 convicts not counting those out at work on the roads…. Sitting on a bench in the dining room was an old man reading the Bible through spectacles. This was Allen CARTER, of Stanly county, his age 69. At the close of the war, in a dispute in the field with his neighbor, with one blow of the knife he murdered him. He fled to Arkansas, bought land out there, and twelve years after the deed he was arrested, returned to North Carolina, and his life commuted from the gallows to the penitentiary. “I had taken two drams that morning,” said the old man. “My neighbors will tell you it was the first dispute I ever had, and me and him were good friends, and I wouldn’t a killed him for ten thousand worlds…..”
October 4, 1883, THE NORTH STATE (Greensboro, Guilford County, N.C.)
-David FRALEY, who killed a revenue agent in Stanly county last February was convicted of manslaughter at Concord last week. He was sentenced to twelve years in the penitentiary.
February 14, 1890, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION (Atlanta, Georgia)
-Charlotte, N.C., February 13. – [Special] A very remarkable case of attempted highway robbery is reported tonight from Cabarrus county. Yesterday, Jona LITTLE, a Stanly county merchant, was returning home through the country in a covered wagon, which was loaded with merchandise, and when about ten miles out of Concord, he heard a childish voice near his wagon call out, “Halt there.” LITTLE stopped his wagon, and raising the canvas a queer sight met his eyes. A thirteen-year-old boy in knee breeches stood by his wagon, and with a double-barrelled gun leveled square at him, commanded the driver: “Throw up your hands, or off goes your head.” LITTLE was dumbfounded, but seeing from the lad’s eyes that he meant business, up went his hands in compliance with the youth’s command. The young highwayman was prepared to overhaul the wagon, when the Stanly merchant suddenly jumped down upon him, and before the lad could realize the change of situation, he was slapped down and his gun taken from him. Getting on his feet, he ran for dear life. His name was Willie COLEMAN, the son of a Cabarrus county farmer.
December 1, 1892, THE LANDMARK (Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina)
-The Stanly News says some days ago Mr. Augustus TAYLOR got his left hand caught in PARKER’S cotton gin at PENNINGTON’S mills, about 10 miles from Albemarle, and his hand was torn off and his arm badly mangled. Only a short time before he lost his right hand in a similar way.
October 5, 1900, THE LANDMARK (Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina)
-Charlotte Observer, 3d – A telephone message to the Observer yesterday morning from Dr. A. J. AUSTIN, Oak Grove, Union county, states that Mr. Vann SIKES, of Stanly county, and the wife of Sam NOTS, colored, have been arrested on a charge of poisoning Dr. S. J. LOVE, on the 31st of last August. A telegram to the Observer yesterday afternoon from Monroe states: “A telephone message received there a short time ago says that Mr. Vann SIKES, a prominent white man, and a negro woman, have been arrested, charged with poisoning Dr. S. J. LOVE and others at Mr. Tom LOVE’S a few weeks ago. The woman has confessed that SIKES gave her $5 and the poison for doing the deed. The prisoners are guarded near the scene. About fifty people are collected and the highest excitement prevails.”
An account of this poisoning was published in the Observer of September 5th – the day following the death of Dr. LOVE. In this publication it was stated that on the 31st of August Mr. and Mrs. Thomas LOVE, whose residence is just across the river from LONG’S Store, in Union county, had their wheat threshed, and, following the usual custom, entertained at dinner all the men engaged in the threshing.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas LOVE, Dr. LOVE, who lived with his parents, and his brother, Wade, and his sister dined with the large party of threshers. The meal was the ordinary bountiful repast for such an occasion. Within 15 minutes after it had been eaten Dr. LOVE became violently ill, suffering with intense nausea. His mother, sister and brother and five of the threshers also became sick with the same symptoms. Though suffering greatly the latter were taken to their homes and recovered; and all the members of the LOVE family recovered except Dr. LOVE, who died four days later.
Since the poisoning the legal authorities have been diligently at work on the case, with the result that the NOTS woman was arrested yesterday morning. Dr. AUSTIN phoned the Observer that she made a confession of her guilt to the officer making the arrest, and had implicated her husband’s brother, John NOTS, a negro named HAMILTON, and, finally, Mr. Vann SIKES.
The woman was a cook at the LOVE residence at the time of the threshing. According to Dr. AUSTIN’S information she said yesterday that John NOTS had given the poison to her and told her to poison Mr. and Mrs. Thomas LOVE, Dr. J. S. LOVE, his brother Wade LOVE, and a thresher named TAYLOR. The poison was in the form of a white powder, and was, presumably, arsenic. In giving the powder to her, she said, John NOTS explained that he had received it from a negro named HAMILTON, and that it had been given to the latter by Mr. Vann SIKES, who would pay $5 if it was administered.
The prisoner said that she sprinkled the poison over tomatoes, which she served at dinner and which were eaten by others in addition to those she intended to kill. After the white people had concluded their meal she removed and threw away all uneaten tomatoes to prevent the poisoning of the negroes in the kitchen. From the information supplied Dr. AUSTIN no malice on the part of the woman thus far appears. She committed the murder for the $5.
[Later information is that Mr. SIKES was acquitted, the effort to implicate him being the result of a conspiracy among the negroes. The negro woman, Ellen NOTS, and her brother-in-law, John NOTS, were committed to jail. Another negro named HAMILTON, who was arrested, was acquitted.]
August 22, 1901 The MONROE ENQUIRER, (Union County, NC)
-Mr. John YOW, of Stanly county, is a vegetarian, not from a standpoint of health, but from taste. Mr. YOW is thirty seven years old and has never tasted meat….
Tuesday, November 17, 1903, THE MONROE JOURNAL (Union County, N.C.)
-Mr. J. C. LITTLE of Leo, Stanly county, was in town Saturday and reported that one of his neighbors, Mr. John YOW, got his back broken a few days ago. In shouldering a large sheet of cotton he gave his back such a wrench that he was rendered perfectly helpless and is likely to remain so, as the doctors said the spinal column was broken.
Tuesday, November 24, 1903, THE MONROE JOURNAL (Union County, N.C.)
-The Wadesboro Messenger and Intelligencer says that Messrs. T. L. CAUDLE, L. J. HUNTLEY, G. W. HUNTLEY and Henry HANEY, all of Wadesboro, have bought the well known Rocky River Springs property, in Stanly county, and will make improvements sufficient to make it a first class resort.
Tuesday, April 26, 1904, THE MONROE JOURNAL (Union County, N.C.)
-Wadesboro Messenger and Intelligencer
-Stanly County News: Mr. Lindsay LOWDER is happy over discovering gold on his place 2 ½ miles north of Albemarle…
Norwood, NC Fire, Apr 1904
FIRE AT NORWOOD
A fire which broke out at Norwood, Stanley county, at 5 o’clock Saturday morning destroyed seven frame buildings on the north side of Main street, extending from HARRIS & McANLY’S brick storerooms to SAM BLALOCK’S livery stables. The BLALOCK block, which contains the Central Hotel and the storerooms of U. B. BLALOCK, caught on fire, as also did the BARNHARDT building, on the same side of the street, but by desperate work and the bucket brigade these buildings were saved, with very little loss to buildings or stock. The total loss is estimated at $10,000, with little insurance.
The Landmark Statesville, North Carolina 1904-04-26
Friday, August 31, 1923, The Monroe Journal, (Union County, NC)
-There will be a picnic dinner at the home of Mr. Israel LITTLE in Stanly county, near the SIKES’ mill, Wednesday, September 5th. This day will be the 85th birthday of Mr. LITTLE and he is the only one of the family living. He has many relatives in this county and they are all invited to be present.