Falmouth Outlook Friday 28 Apr 1922 Vol. 15 No. 47 Pg. 1 Col. 1 OLD ACADEMY PROPERTY SOLD UNDER HAMMER (Long article about the old academy building and its history.) The Board of Education of the Falmouth School District sold last Saturday at public auction, the old academy school lot and building. the sale was conducted by A. E. Foster & Sons of Covington, in a highly satisfactory manner to the school board. The plot of ground was divided into ten lots, six of which were 48x100 feet, and four 48x150 feet. The ten lots averaged $1,291 each, or a total of $12,910. An immense crowd attended the sale, the most of whom were attracted by the $50 prize which was given away. Mr. Foster acted as auctioneer, and proved to be one of he best ever heard in this city. The bidding was spirited from the beginning, and not a lot in the plot went begging for bidders, as each of the lots is a desirable building site. The lots went to the following: Cecil Lea, 1 corner lot Methodist Church, 2 front lots J. M. Mason, 1 front lot Sol Goldberg, 2 front lots J. B. Woolery, 1 east lot Clarence Wilson, 1 east lot J. E. Fossett, 1 west lot F. M. Shoemaker, 1 west lot D. W. Beckett bid in the brick school building which stands on the ground at $610. He will raze the building and use the material for the erection of a new house. The $50 in gold was given away in $5 prizes, after the sale of each lot. The prize winners were: J. W. Ballinger, Carl Stump, Dugan Piercefield, William Wellman, Dudley Peddicord, A. T. Schafer, Mrs. J. Galloway, Bernard Fields. The stewards of the Falmouth Methodist Church bought lots No. 2 and 3 for the church. It is proposed by the congregation to erect a new edifice on this site, facing on Fourth Street. Back in the very early part of the 19th century the State Legislature passed a law giving to the organized counties at that time public land to be used for the establishment of schools. Pendleton County was given 1300 acres of land, but the record we have does not state where that land was located, but it does state that the land was sold for $310.50, and two lots in the town of Falmouth was purchased with the money and a one-story brick schoolhouse with four windows on each side was erected. The two lots were purchased of Reuben Turner. On Saturday, April 2, 1814, a contract to erect the building was let to Jacob Turner. The Trustees at that time were Alexander Monroe, Sr., Samuel Lockwood, Stephen Thrasher, James King, Press G. Kennett, Henry Childers, James Nailor and John Skirvin. James Wilson was requested to superintend the erection of the building. The Board of Trustees resurrected Prof. Andrew Foster, and his salary was fixed at $280 per annum, and he tool the subscription to the school as a guarantee. The Board of Trustees fixed the price of tuition as follows: For orthography, writing and arithmetic, $8 per annum; grammar, $16.00; geography with the use of globes and maps $16.00; mathematics, $20 per annum. In 1847 the Board of Trustees at that time purchased five more lots for a total of $62, which addition to the grounds made it the present size. The school was maintained by private subscription. This building still stands on the academy school grounds and is the old part in the rear. The house was added to from time to time to accommodate the increase in children. ST. ANDREW'S LODGE NO. 18 CHARTERED IN FALMOUTH We find a little interesting local Masonic history in looking over an old record book of the Pendleton Academy, a private school established in Falmouth in 1813. The record shows that four men, Alexander Monroe, Samuel Lockwood, Stephen Thrasher and Jas. King, appointed themselves a committee to establish a school in Falmouth. The first meeting was held on July 12, 1813, and plans were formed to build a brick schoolhouse the following year. On April 14, 1814, when the contract was let to erect the one-story brick schoolhouse, the trustees, being Masons, submitted the following proposition to the Masonic Lodge of Falmouth: "On motion of James King in behalf of sundry members of St. Andrew's Lodge No. 18, F.&A. M. it is ordered that they be permitted to build and have access to a room in the second story of the Seminary by incurring the additional expense of raising the house two stories high, and pay all additional expense, and have access to the same without let or hindrance, except in school hours, provided that no detriment shall be done or suffered thereby. Provide the school shall have the use of the second story except in lodge hours." There is no record that St. Andrew's lodge accepted this offer. We would like to know how Cynthiana became the possessor of this Masonic charter. Falmouth Outlook Friday 28 Apr 1922 Vol. 15 No. 47 Pg. 1 Col. 3 DEATHS MRS. MARY ELIZABETH HAMILTON Age 68 of McKinneysburg, died Wednesday, 19 April 1922 at the home of her son, J. W. Mains five miles east of Falmouth on the Milford Pike, where she had gone for a visit. Mrs. Hamilton was born 9 May 1853, the daughter of the late James and Lucinda McKenney and was the last surviving member of a family of ten children. In 1874 she united in marriage to F. B. Mains. He died 16 Jan. 1888, and on 11 Sept. 1890 she married T. N. Hamilton. He passed away 1 Aug. 1921. She was the mother of five children by her first marriage and one by her second marriage. The children are: Lucy, who died in infancy; Mrs. E. V. Colvin, Gibson City, IL; James W. and R. F. Mains, Pendleton Co.; Bert Mains, near Berlin, and George Hamilton, Pendleton Co. She is also survived by five step-children: Newton, Charles, Leslie and Ab Hamilton and Mrs. Myrtle McKenney. She was buried in the Oakland Cem., Pendleton Co. MRS. LAURA A STITH Age 67y,6m, 20d, died Friday 21 April at her home in Shelbyville, IN. She was the widow of ALbert J. Stith who died several years ago. Mrs. Stith was born 1 Oct. 1854, near Gardnersville, and is the daughter of the late Jackson and Mary Gardiner. She married Albert J. Stith 6 Oct. 1875 and they had nine children. Five sons and two daughters survive: William, Sunman, IN; Rev. Allie Stith, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Tipton, IN; Alex, Clarence, Edwin Stith, Shelbyville, IN; Mrs. Anna Oliver, Covington; Mrs. Maggie Harmon, North Vernon, IN. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Ophelia Pope of Covington. Buried in Pleasant Ridge Cem. MRS. MARGARET A. McCANDLESS Age 78, died Wednesday, 19 April 1922 in Covington. She was a native of Pendleton Co. and widow of Robert McCandless, who died many years ago. Survived by three sons and three daughters: Robert J. McCandless, Covington; J. L. McCandless, Henderson; W. F. McCandless, Morgan; Mrs. Charles L. Wadsworth, Mrs. J. R. Thompson and Mrs. B. F. Hand of Morgan. Burial was in Morgan Cem. MRS. EMMA SMITH Wife of David A. Smith, died in Hartford, IN on 15 April 1922. Buried in Mt. Sinai cem. in Indiana. She leaves husband, one son, two grandsons, one brother, Charles Nunnery, of Covington, one sister, Mrs. Al Smart of Covington. Falmouth Outlook Friday 28 Apr 1922 Vol. 15 No. 47 Pg. 1 Col. 4 DEATHS WALTER WRIGHT Died 20 April 1922. Born 5 Aug. 1859 at Grant's Lick. Son of Joseph Wright. He was in mercantile business first was a clerk for his father and later as co-partner until his father's death. Married Maude Thacher, 4 Nov. 1896 and they had two children: Malcolm Wright, now of the firm of Wright & Baker at Grant's Lick and Miss Neva Wright at home. Also survived by three sisters and two brothers: Mrs. jake Schreck, Meridian, MS; Ed. F. Yelton, Boston Station; MRs. J. A. Caldwell, Southgate; Willie Wright, Grant's Lick. Burial Oakland Cem. Grant's Lick. MRS. SARAH DUVALL She was sister of Mrs. Mary Applegate and died in Charleston, IL, Tuesday. Born in Pendleton Co. on Licking River near Bunker Hill, Aug. 1854 and would have been 68 years old in August. Daughter of Jospeh M. Watson. Widow of Dr. Permethus Duvall also a native of that part of the county. Survived by one son and one daughter: Leslie Duvall, who is with the army of occupation in Germany and Miss Kittie Duvall, Charleston, IL. She is also survived by one brother, J. P. Watson and two sisters: Mrs. Mary Applegate, Falmouth and Miss Martha Watson of Charleston, IL. Falmouth Outlook Friday 28 Apr 1922 Vol. 15 No. 47 Pg. 1 Col. 7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE The children of Mrs. Sarah Aulick, of Hightower, gave her a happy surprise last Wednesday, April 19th, the occasion being to celebrate her 80th birthday anniversary. Mrs. C. F. Parker and Mrs. Mary Bardsley prepared a most elegant dinner for this occasionand all the children were invited to the old homestead to spend a happy day with mother. She was born in Harrison Co. near Havilandsville, and was the daughter of Francis and Cynthia Browning. She is a Baptist. Present were: Miss Luella Aulick, C. L. Aulick, J. W. Aulick and daughter, Bernice, H. E. Aulick and family, F. L. Aulick an family, D. F. Parker and family, Mrs. Margaret Aulick, Mrs. John Aulick, George Jones and Walter Hobday. Falmouth Outlook Friday 28 Apr 1922 Vol. 15 No. 47 Pg. 6 Col. 1 NEIGHBORING COUNTIES BRACKEN COUNTY James Humble, age 62, died in Augusta Easter Sunday, 16 April. Mrs. Ben Brown, age 20 died in Cincinnati, 15 April, in childbirth. Daughter of Mrs. Jennie Bravard named Lura. Cornelius Denzler, Sr., died in Augusta 13 April, maybe the oldest man in Augusta. James Foley, age about 60 died in Rural, OH 15 April from dropsy. Lived in Bracken county for many years. George (Heenan) Ginn, age about 63 years, died 14 April 1922 in Newport of kidney trouble. Thomas Abbott, age about 58 died in New Richmond, OH 15 April 1922 of cancer of the throat and stomach. Son of "Ott" Abbott. James McMath, age about 65 years, died at his home at Chester, PA, 15 April 1922 from paralysis. Brother of D. A. McMath and Lew McMath. His wife is a sister of A. C. Weisbroudt, the Bradford Merchant. He is survived by wife, two sons and one daughter. Burial was in Chester, PA. Thomas Molloy, aged 72 years, died near Mnerva on Tuesday. Falmouth Outlook Friday 28 Apr 1922 Vol. 15 No. 47 Pg. 7 Col. 2 The Snake that Never Existed In the beginning this story we wish to frankly state that the subject never existed as herein described but the other characters referred to did and were personally known to the writer. There are also many other persons living today near the scenes of their activities who can bear witness to the facts herein mentioned. All the parties that directly figured in this story have long ago passed to their reward and for the sake of invigorating interest we will name them but with the greatest respect and admiration. The scenes of the story are located in and around Foster, in Bracken County and it happened between 1885 and 1887 before the C. & O. Railroad was constructed. The writer doubts if any person over 50 years of age residing within 15 miles of the little village but can recall the incidents that make the worth reading, if for no other reason than to refreshing the memories of the events that were so interesting at the time and of bygone days. Thomas Connelly, a highly respected citizen and a well-to-do farmer, residing at the outskirts of this little village, owned a large orchard that was on an elevated part of the farm overlooking the Ohio River and valley. It was a very productive tract of land notwithstanding its ruggedness. In this orchard grew many blackberries and many varieties of choice fruit. During the berry and fruit season many people visited the orchard, some coming quite a distance to pick berries and they would take much of his choice fruit on their departure. Mrs. Connelly being of a very generous turn of mind did not object, but they indulged in one bad habit. They left his gates oven, broke down his fences and he was therefore annoyed very much by his cattle getting out in his neighbors crops. Posters and other methods of warning were repeated, but to no avail. No relief was in sight. There was but one remedy left, and he did not feel disposed to prosecute any one for that. Now what we are going to tell here we are not sure was the product or the ingenuity of Mr. Connelly's mind, but regardless of its origin it actually came to pass. The report was current that Lizzzie Preston, a neighbor lady, while picking berries on a recent occasion near this orchard was the melancholy spectator of a huge black snake that stuck its head up over the bushes in front of her and lapped its tongue in her face and in her description of it she stated its head was as large as a quart cup. However, it was later learned that this story purported from one whose veracity was not generally known to be much above par and the story soon lost its influence. A few days after this report, County Sheriff Truax, coming down the pike leading into Foster and which led near the orchard, reported that he became very much frightened at the sight of a monstrous snake crossing the road in front of him; that both ends of it were hidden in the weeds on opposite sides of the road; that his horse became frightened beyond control at its appearance. This report carried some weight with it and had its influence upon the public from such a reliable source as the Sheriff. It was soon lost thought of when a Mr. Craig, taking the report a joke, followed up the story with one more ridiculous. His story was to the effect that one morning very early while he was attending the steamboat coal fleet that was located a short distance down the village wharf , he was frightened beyond consciousness at appearance of the same reptile, which came down the hillside from the orchard to get a drink out of the river; that is laid itself out across two coal barges and took a drink, turned and went back up the hill to its home; that as its tail was tuned it knocked off in the river eight tons of coal. The story was so ridiculous that much comment was indulged in by citizens. Some doubted, others believed. But the doubting Thomases had their minds changed a few days later when some citizens visiting the Zoo at Cincinnati found a large skin that some monstrous reptile there had shed and in some way some one had secretly secured it and brought it to Foster. They took it to the orchard and there between two small bushes neatly placed it near a path frequently traveled. It is easy for the reader to imagine what happened on the path of the person who found it for with a throbbing heart and his blood running cold he brought it to the little village. Its appearance brought to mind all the past stories that people had doubted, for here was the impeachable evidence that a monstrous reptile must surely exist somewhere in a cave in that orchard. The question of where all the sheep, young calves, pigs, etc. had gone was no longer a mystery to the public. The shredded skin was stretched on a long bench on the village hotel porch, where it was not only the attraction but the topic of conversation for many months. The citizens experienced no trouble in getting their children in of night off the streets and the citizens who did not have snakes in their boots saw them in their dreams for many months that followed. A reward was offered for the capture of the monstrous reptile. A man by the name of Glespie residing in on the hills of Kinkaid almost eight miles south of Foster heard of the reward. He became much interested and he and his two oldest sons spent several days on this farm with a large rope seeking this snake, carrying a rope with a lasso noose to throw around its neck should they see it. After several days' search in vain they abandoned the hunt and returned to his farm. Someone probably told him it was a joke. For a long time, though, Mr. Connelly's fences and gates were intact and the blackberry and apple crops came and went unmolested, but this huge reptile never existed as was thought. A large snake was seen by Lizzie Preston, and as no others saw it, it never grew any less in proportion, but it increased until it became too large to exist in Kentucky. This is a story of a reptile, the largest that ever existed in Bracken County, if not in the state. Dempsy +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Items of interest to: Doug Harper Biloxi, MS