Roanoke Beacon Blog

From the Roanoke Beacon:

At a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Washington county held Monday, March 6, 1899, with Jas. A. Chesson, Jos. Skittletharpe and J.M. Reid present, the following business was transacted.

• Ordered that Louis Basnight be released of poll tax until further orders, on account of bodily infirmities, including poll tax for the year 1898.
• Ordered that Lonie Smith be released of poll tax for the year 1898, on account of poverty and infirmity.
• Ordered that C.M. Norman be released of poll tax for the year 1898, on account of poverty and infirmity.
• Ordered that Jno. L. Phelps, Sheriff, be and he is hereby authorized to collect a single tax from any and all delinquents on the tax books for the year 1898.
• Ordered that Sarah Garrett be released of tax on $150.00, part valuation on her lot in the town of Plymouth for the year 1898, the building having been burned off said lot.
• Ordered that Joseph Swain, keeper of the poor house, be allowed $3.50 per M. for splitting 3,000 rails, for repairing the fences around the poor house lanes, when the work is performed.
• Ordered that the bridge across the public road near Roper, known as Beaver Dam or Secil Landing, be, and the same is hereby made and declared a county charge.
• Ordered that C.J. Spear be, and he is hereby authorized to furnish half-rations to Levi Collins, Levi Clayton and Fred Littlejohn until further orders.
• Ordered that M.M. Alexander be, and he is hereby authorized to furnish whole rations to Daniel Overton and Thaddeus Lamb until further orders.
• Ordered that Richard Elliott be, and he is hereby authorized to furnish whole rations to Willis Boyd and Ebenezer Phelps until further orders.
• Ordered that N.B. Mizell be, and he is hereby authorized to furnish Ann Davenport, Annis Hassell and Joseph Elliott whole rations until further orders.
• Ordered that W.M. Bateman be allowed the sum of $20.79 for bills of stationary bought of Edwards & Broughton for S.C. Clerk’s office, ex. charges, &c, on same and certified copies of Sheriff and Register of Deeds’ bonds to State Auditor.
• Ordered that Jno. L. Phelps be allowed the sum of $62.60, his account for feeding jail prisoners, turnkeys, &c, as per acct. filed.
• Ordered that W.C. Hassell be allowed the sum of $25.79, his accout for supplies furnished poor house and outside poor for Feb. 1889.
• Ordered that R.P. Barnes be allowed the sum of $4.80, his acct., for conveying B.W. Lewis to Plymouth jail and serving 12 bond orders.
• Ordered that Joseph Skittletharpe be allowed the sum of $5, his acct., for cash paid for coffin and expenses burying Elizabeth Purlington.
• Ordered that R.E. Flora, Sheriff Currituck Co., be allowed the sum of $5.00 for arrest, board, &c., of Thos. Jones.
• Ordered that W.H. Stubbs be allowed the sum of $69.14, his acct, for services as Clerk Board Co. Commissioners, and for other services or fees, as per acct. filed for months Oct., Nov., Dec., 1898 and Jan and Feb 1899.
• Ordered that Roanoke Beacon be allowed the sum of $3 for publishing proceedings of the board for Feb. 1899.
• Ordered that Jno. C. Gurganus be allowed the sum of $15.83, his acct. for 2 months service as keeper of the poor house for Jan. and Feb. 1899.
• Ordered that J.M. Ambrose be allowed the sum of $21.48 for provisions furnished to T.S. Lamb, Levi Clayton, Fred Littlejohn, Thomas Blount and Levi Collins for past 4 months.
• Ordered that Jno. L. Roper, Lumber Co, be allowed the sum of $12, their acct, for lumber furnished and smith work on Mackey’s Ferry bridge in Sept. 1898.
• Ordered that Jno. L. Roper, Lumber Co., be allowed the sum of $42.24, their acct., for lumber furnished and labor repairing Lee’s Mills bridge.
• Board adjourned to meet on the 1st Monday in April 1899.

On Ancestry.com, there is a book titled Branson’s North Carolina Business Directory: containing facts, figures, names and locations, revised and corrected annually – that includes some information about Washington County. I thought it would be of interest to share an excerpt here as many of these names I have come across in the newspaper:

COUNTY OFFICERS
Clerk of Superior Court – J.A. Nelson
Coroner – Theophilus Ash
Commissioners – R.S. Goelet, Ch; J.B. Chesson, jun.; M. Jackson, A.M. Phelps, G.W. Jones
Register of Deeds – John Carroll
Sheriff – J.M. Bateman
Surveryor – H.F. Phelps
Solicitor 2nd District – Joseph J. Martin
Treasurer – Levi Jackson, jun.

Hotels & Boarding Houses
Hotel, Plymouth – Spruill & Davenport
Hotel, Plymouth – Mary Lee (col.)
Sanders House, Plymouth – R. Sanders

Lawyers
Armistead, T.S., Plymouth
Collins, Josiah, Scuppernong
Jones, E.W., Plymouth
Johnston, S.L, Plymouth
Latham, L.C., Plymouth

Physicians
Hardison, H., Scuppernong
Lewis, H.G., Mackeys Ferry
Norman, H.H., Scuppernong
Wolfe, H.E., Lees Mills
Walker, Barry M., Plymouth
Ward, W., Plymouth

There is more here, so if you have an Ancestry membership, it’s worth checking out [link here], not only for this county, but others. If you

Roanoke Beacon – 22 Jul 1898

Cupid’s Capers – The M.E. Church at Roper was the scene of a pretty marriage last night at 8 o’clock, the contracting parties being Mr. W.B. Jones, a popular salesman of that town, and Miss Florida Spruill, one of Washington county’s most lovable young ladies.  The attendants were: Miss Alice Cahoon with Mr. Johnnie Hassell,  Miss Bessie Brown with Mr. Clem Chesson; Maid of Honor, Miss Eloise Johnston; Best Man, Mr. Jas. Spruill.  The wedding march was played by Mrs. J.T. Lewis.

After the ceremony the bridal party, with a few invited friends,  repaired to the home of the bride’s parents, where a reception was held until 11 o’clock.  Our best wishes are extended to the happy couple.

From the 25 Mar 1898 Roanoke Beacon, pg. 3

The M.E. Church at Roper, with its decorations of evergreens and flowers was the scene of a pretty marriage on Wednesday evening last, the contracting parties being Mr. J.T. LEWIS and Miss Lelia SAVAGE.

At the appointed hour the bridal party entered the church in the following order: The groom, escorted by his best man, Mr. E. CHRISTIAN, entered the left aisle, being preceded by usher Mr. W. N. COOPER, of Plymouth, the bride, with the Maid of Honor, her sister, Miss Anna SAVAGE, entered the right aisle, preceded by usher — LEWIS. At the alter they were met by Rev. E. H. DAVIS, who performed the ceremony which made them man and wife.

After the ceremony the bridal party repaired to the residence of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. SAVAGE, where a magnificent reception was held. The bridal presents were numerous and costly. We join the many friends in extending congratulations.

Roanoke Beacon
21 Jan 1898
pg. 3

It was Infanticide
So said the coroner’s jury. Pearl Lewis charged with the murder of her innocent babe.

On Friday morning last J.T. PETTIFORD appeared before the Clerk of the Superior Court and made affidavit to the effect that he had cause to believe that the infant of Pearl LEWIS, colored, had ocome to its death by foul means. Upon this affidavit, the Clerk appointed J.P. HILLIARD, Esq., Coroner, with the following jury to investigate: A.D. SAWYER, J.E. HINNANT, Thos. BEMBRY, David HARRISON, Emperor SPRUILL and Benj. LEARY.

The corpse of the infant, which had been buried, was taken up and carried to the jail where the coffin was identified by undertaker W.T. NURNEY. In the absence of the county physician, Dr. W.H. WARD, Dr. B.F. HALLSEY, of Roper, was called to hold the post mortem examination. After a thorough external and internal examination, the doctor rendered the opinion that the child had lived and that it came to its death by strangulation. There were two marks on its throat as an evidence that the infant had been choked to death.

After an investigation the jury rendered a verdict that the child had been murdered by parties unknown. Circumstantial evidence pointed strongly to the mother, Pearl LEWIS, and on Saturday a warrant was issued for her arrest. She being confined to her bed the warrant was served and Isiah PETTIFORD was placed guard over her body until she is in condition to stand trial.

Such a heinous crime in our midst naturally creates excitemen and indignation. The law should be fully carried out, and the perpetrator of this, the most inhuman crime that has ever stained the history of our town, should pay the penalty.

Marriage Licenses
January 3, 1890
pg. 3

The following marriage licenses were issued by Register, J. P. Hilliard, during the month of December, 1889:

• White:
  • L L Newberry and Lena Reid
  • W A Forbes and Katie Johnston
  • Charles Martin & Bertha Newberry
  • Ellis Davenport and Mary Lamb
  • James Craddock and Carthia Lamb
  • Wm. Ange and Mary Reddic
  • W. W. Chambers and Jennie Skittletharpe
  • A S Johnston and Inez Lewis
• Colored:
  • N B Bell and Susan Armistead
  • James Clagon and Eliza Kenedy
  • W H Pettiford and Mary Moore
  • Wm. Cooper and Clemie James
  • Wilder Smith and Mary Reddick
  • Amithy Giffer (Anthony Giliam) and Caroline Phelps
  • Littleton Ford and Jane Carter

issuejan31890

Married
January 3, 1890
Pg. 3

At the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. G. W. Lewis, at Roper, on the evening of Dec. 31, 1889, Mr. A. S. Johnston, one of the popular salesman at T. W. Blounts and Miss Inez Lewis, one of the most charming daughters of that place, Rev. C. W. Robinson officiating. The Beacon extends best wishes for a bright future.

issuejan31890

Mackey’s Ferry Letter
December 20, 1889
Pg. 2

(Dated Dec 16, 1889)
Mr. Editor: Yesterday (Sunday) was a day of changeable impressions to your humble writer. The first impression was the scene of the death as I beheld the lifeless body of the late widow of Dr. Lewis, but who was married to Mr. J. B. Vincent, of Murfreesboro, NC.. She departed this life on the 18th inst., after an illness of only four days. There was a large assemblage of relatives and friends gathered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 10 o’clock Sunday morning to pay their last respect to their honored dead.

We are often reminded that we too must die by the repeated scenes of our friends passing away to a world unknown, one by one.

The second impression was preparitory to the first, made by the Rev. C. W. Robinson, in his sermon at Hebron Church, in which he set forth the unmistakable fact that man’s duty is to live a sermon more impressive than any that has or may be preached from the sacred desk. A man or woman full of the Holy Ghost and of faith is “an epistle read and known of all men.” Think not, dear reader, if perchance you belong to some denominational church simply, that you will live all your life or even a great part of it and men take you to be a christian. The Lord has said that “a tree is known by its fruit; a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit, neither can a good tree bring forth corruptable fruit.” “By their fruit ye shall know them.” It was teh first time I have had the pleasure to hear him preach, and I think I may safely apply his text in my communication: “The son of consolation, a man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.” Doubtless many will be added to the Christian church through his ministry. Truly his sermon was not a failure in no sense, for there were many cheeks bathed in tears and many hearts were exultant with joy as he rehearsed charitable circumstances that had come under his observation. Men full of the Holy Ghost going to and fro administering unto the necessity of the poor, is a sermon that will never spend its force this side of eternity, it will gather strength in every heart until at last when seated around the great white throne of God, beyond the possibilities of this life, it will take up its reward about the anthems of praise among the redeemed of heaven.

issuedec201889

“Flipp”
October 18, 1889
Pg. 3

He spends a night with an Alliance man – takes in the town and has a chat with some our business men.

Mr. Editor — I never did write any for a journal before and may not succeed now, but I am in town again and to occupy my mind I will write you a short letter.

I was out in that rain on Sunday night last, was coming up the second road in a cloud of dust when night sod and the rain came on. I stopped all night at a man’s house don’t remember his name, but this I do remember, that he was an Alliance man – gave me ‘liance for supper and for breakfast so I left next morning determined to be an alliance man myself. I came into town by Mr. B. F. Owens house, which I notice is one of the handsome residences to be seen on the road between Plymouth and Columbia. I noticed many other fine and comfortably situated residents on this street among which are J. M. Reid’s, A.O. Gaylord’s, E. A. Carter’s, J. F. Norman’s, E. R. Latham’s and others.

While driving in I was wondering where to stop my horse, and remembering that I saw the name of B.F. Owens in the Beacon, I drove up to that large stable of his, and just as you said, he keeps polite grooms and everything in order. Why Mr. Editor them darkies were so dog gone polite one of the fall down over the other to get to my horse first. Mr. Owens waled out of his office, whip in one hand, cigar in the other and was so courteous that I accepted his invitation to look at his fine stock, and bless my life that man talked so fast that before the boy got the harness off of my horse I had traded for a fine black and we were on our way down to D.O. Brinkley & Co.’s to get a, no not a drink, but one of the best cigars you ever puffed away at. Mr. Brinkley told me that his partner, Col. Fitchett, was up in the mountains and would be home in a few days, but if we wished anything in the way of accommodation just call on him. I tell you he is one of the finest men that ever mixed a cocktail, he gave us a knock down to his clerk, Mr. Louis Landing, who Mr. Owens says is the best boy that ever slung red liquor over a bar counter. Just here let me say that I never visited a bar that was kept in a more orderly manner, everything is quiet and every one has to behave when in this bar so “Dave” says.

Here I left Mr. Owens to go back to his stables and I walked across the street to see S. Adler. I was surprised to find such a large and well assorted stock of general merchandise, the old man was standing in the door and said as I came up, “py tam its wet come in,” we went in and were glad to see behind the counter the handsome face of Mr. E. S. Chesson, he seems to be quite proficient in the manipulation of the yard stick. Behind the other counter Master Tommie Rogerson was just appearing out of a barrel of flour. We walked back to the office where, upon a high school at his desk, found Mr. T. J. Lewis he seemed sorter glad to see us but brushing the hair back from his brow, asked us to excuse him as he was quite busy, we did so and walked out of the store.

[...] Murray the medical man and E. E. Murray the dentist, both busy, they are doing a big business. We did not get chance to talk to them as the medical man was called out and some man came in with about three yards of red flanel on his jaw and told the dentist that the tooth ache, they [..] his office and in a few seconds reappeared leaving the red flanel and aching tooth behind, the patients face was about ten inches shorter, and with a smile of satisfaction he said, “Dat air doctor gits there.”

After leaving the Murray Drug Store I loafed down to Reid & Duke’s and after pushing and shoving for several minutes I succeeded in getting through the immense crowd of customers and into the office, here I met Mr. E. F. Duke and Mr. J. E. Reid the junior members of the firm, they told that Mr. J. M. Reid, the senior member, was out at the time attending to some business around their shingle yard. Taking a look down behind the long counters I saw Mess. R.H Brown, Joe Norman, C A Walker, E R Marriner and two other salesmen moving with lightening speed from one customer to another. Turning to Mr. Duke I asked if those men were kept as busy as that all the time and he said “almost and said “almost and sometimes we have to leave the office to help them.” From the office I made a visit to the meat department where barrel after barrel of pork and fish was roled out. From here I went to the second story where I found the furniture and clothing clerks busy. From there I made my way to the street, satisfied in my own mind that Reid and Duke were getting their share of the public patronage.

Weary with my days adventure, I wended my way home, hoping to find a good supper waiting for me, but instead, that wife of mine had been down to Mrs. S. A Blount’s Millinery store and bought one of those new winter hats, which she had to take around and show to all the neighbors, and asked their opinion iof it and tell them how cheap it was, hence I found no supper, but as she seemed to be so happy over the hat I said nothing and went to bed. Thus ended the day. — “Flipp”

issueoct181889