Thank you, Jack! That was enjoyable and educational reading. We learn that in 1902 the Floyd County area apparently had a lot of rain creating very muddy roads. It must have been pretty rough because so many people complained about the mud. Some writers hoped for a railroad line to go through the county ("...The rr whistle is not heard as yet in our town."). Anticipation--even excitement--was expressed about the telephone lines soon to be extended into the county: "News can go flying as we are having phone lines erected in this thriving little town." (referring to the town of Duncan.) There were many little communities mentioned that I had never heard about before, but I found a website with information about nearly all of them: http://virginia.hometownlocator.com/VA/Floyd/ One man reported seeing a "large catamount" (mountain lion)...there were camp meetings, literary society meetings, deaths, illnesses, and people visiting people... So many interesting tidbits. Thank you for sharing. Paula Kelley Ward ChaChaLady@sbcglobal.net Genealogists never die - they just haunt cemeteries -----Original Message----- From: vafloyd-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:vafloyd-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Jack Spangler Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 5:49 PM To: VAFLOYD@rootsweb.com Subject: [VAFLOYD] Current Events Floyd County 1902 Years ago local correspondents kept the Floyd Press up to date on the happenings in the various communities. Here is a sampling from 1902 issues of the Floyd Press. Maybe someone will recognize a relative. Other may just enjoy hearing what was going on. ========== ALDERMAN NEWS Mr. Sam Hylton is still Improving. Mrs. Eliza Hylton, of Santos, is not expected to live. Mr. Owen Harman and wife and others of this place, attended the funeral of Mr. Rufus Dickerson at Maple Shade Sunday. Mr. W.J.H. Barringer is getting along fine with his rolling mill. We wish him success. As we have not heard from Clodnocker for some time, we would like for him to come again. OLDEST GIRL (September 11,1902) NEWS FROM AMOS Emmett Goodykoontz, who has been away from home around nine years, has returned and is meeting and greeting former friends and acquaintences. Services at "Shelor's Grove" Sunday evening were ably conducted by Rev. J.K. Harris. He will preach again on 3rd Sunday, September. Misses Malinda Castle and Sallie Hogan of Willis spent Saturday night with the Misses Dillon. There were services at West Fork Saturday and Sunday. Mrs. Ruth Howell and Mrs. Will Weaver were received into the church and baptized. Miss Turpence Dillon is spending this week with friends at Abraham. Messrs. Scott and Proffit of Floyd, typoes of the Weekly Herald, attended services at Amos Sunday. Harvey Hylton has had a phone put in his store which will prove a great convenience to all. The neighborhood was in a fever of excitement last week over the closing of the public schools and just how to get to the schools through the mud seemed a puzzle which could not be solved. Kemper school, taught by Miss Florence Harman, closed Saturday and despite the inclemency of the weather the house was filled with visitors, which seemed to surprise the teacher, as they were not expecting anything of the kind. The scholars acquitted themselves honorably In every respect. Most of them recited recitations amid cheers of applause after which some of the visitors were called upon to address the crowd, who were; Messrs. J.B. Dillon, C.L. Simmons, Green Hall, and last but not least, Mr. Dennis Vaughan, who on being called upon, arose and paid a glowing tribute to his teacher and "dear" school mates. May his intellect expand until he reaches the oratorical ladder of fame, side by side with his father, who is well known for his oratory. The Amos string band, consisting of guitar, mandolin and banjoes, played by Messrs. Bob Goodykoontz, A.C. Vaughan, Dennis and Archie Vaughan was one of the main features of enjoyment. PALMETTO (March 13,1902) ANGELS REST NEWS The meeting at Camp Creek is still going on. Rev. Cole is conducting it. Rev. Cole preached an interesting sermon last Sunday at Bethlehem. There was quite a number of young people at Angels Rest Sunday. All seemed to enjoy themselves very much. Some of our young people complain of not having a nice time. Whose fault is it? Make yourselves agreeable with your companions and you will soon not complain. BROWN EYES May 5,1902 BASHAM DOTS The wheat crop is an entire failure here. The Quarterly meeting at St. Mathew was largely attended. The people here are very particular about religon as they would not sell a pound of butter on the sabbath, which is right. Let them buy on Saturday. NERO (May 8,1902) BAY ITEMS Mr Thomas Hale' school was out last Saturday. There was a large attendance of patrons and teachers. Supt. P.P. Shelton was also present. Music was furnished by FrankBoone and Cleveland Lawrence. Thus ended one of the bestschools in the Locust Grove district. C.E. Boone has killed four owls off the same nest, oneeach spring for four years. Commissioner C.W. Vest has been taking the list of dogs and other property here. EMETTE March 31,1902 BROAD SHOALS HINTS We are glad to know our town is improving so rapidly. L.G. Akers has moved into his new house. Most of the young men attended the large show on Friday night, Aug. 22nd, which showed the effect of strong drinks, such as coffee, tea, and cider. (September 11,1902) BUFFALO BREEZES Vaughan Brothers have added a $160 wheel and governor to. their extensive lot of woolen machinery. They are doing a good work and under the dillogent foremanship of J.T. Dunn, we predict for them a bright future. Under the experience management of Mrs. Venie Porter, Plunk Valley school did good work last winter and we think there were a good many others did the same. PATIENCE May 22,1902 BUFFALO BRIEFS Mr. M.A. Maberry was baptized last Wednesday evening at Burks Fork by Rev. Carbaugh. Quite a large crowd was in attendance. Mr. J.A. Alderman visited his sister Mrs. John Poff of Mira ForklastSunday. Professor Rutrough was in the neighborhood last week. We hope the railroad will be through Floyd soon. LUXMORE June 16,1902 BUFFALO NEWS Mr. John Dickerson and little daughter Laura are in our neighborhood visiting relatives and friends. Mr. Adam Slusher has had his house painted. Mr. Paris Alderman has gone to West Virginia to seek his fortune. Miss Hattie Webb and others from our neighborhood attended Mr. Dillon's singing at Topeco last Sunday. Mr. Eli Sowers has a bouncing big boy at his house. BUGLEHORN (June 26,1902) BURKS FORK NEWS Farmers are about done cutting corn and molasses making is the order of the day. Mr. and Mrs. John Poff of Mira Fork visited in the place last Saturday and Sunday. Miss Lillie Mayberry made a flying trip to Floyd last Saturday. QUEEN ANN (October 2,1902) CAMP CREEK SIFTINGS Preaching at Stuart school house Sunday was largely attended. Eld. S.P. Reed delivered an excellent sermon. Mr. M.F. Scott and family visited near White Oak Grove Sunday. Miss Kate Cummings spent Saturday with her brother, near Tindall. SADIE RAY June 4,1902 NEWS FROM CABTHAGE The Press Is always a welcome visitor in our community. Mr. J.A. Bishop saw a large catamount near Mr. J.R. Alley's a few days since. Lightning struck and killed a hog belonging to W.C. Akers in 15 yards of his door last Wednesday. Mr. Syl Reed has purchased the property of J.F. Rakes, the well known postmaster of Ego. Mr. Reed is preparing to sell goods at Ego. We are sorry to report the sad news of the death of Mrs. William Thompson. She departed this earthly life Wednesday last. The remains were taken to Hall's Graveyard and laid in the cold and silent vault to await the resurrection morning when all the earth shall be gathered together and judged according to the deeds done in the body. The deceased leaves a husband and one little girl four years old to mourn their loss. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed by the name of the Lord. B.H. ALGONQUIN (February 26,1902) COPPER VALLEY HUSKINGS The Literary Society of Copper Valley schook house was largely attended Saturday night, especially by the ladies and several good speeches were made. The school is progressing nicely under the management of Miss Millie Boothe. We can boast of having the roughest fords and slickest roads, from Ego to Copper Valley, of any other section of the county. Messrs. Bently and Kyle Altizer, Leonard Teel and John Bishop were visiting at Mr. M.E. Gordon's Sunay. Mr. A.L. Akers, our popular merchant, made a trip to Indian Valley this week. Shingle hauling and fox hunting seems to be the principal occupation of the people this week. EX-BACHELOR January 27,1902 DTJLANEY SHIFTERS Our school is progressing nicely under the management of Miss Lillie Reed with an enrollment of 39 scholars. Mr. Lemuel Lester has bought him a farm near White Rock. Mrs. Charlie Earles is very sick yet. TWO WINTER FLOWERS December 6,1902 DUNCAN CHAT The farmers are having a boom in the haytield. The weather is fine tor the business. The work on the telephone line is progressing nicely. The 20th century will likely be one of progress in our mountainous country. The rr whistle is not heard as yet in our town. The shingle factory is doing quite a business in the manufacture of shingles. DTJLANEY SHIFTERS Our school is progressing nicely under the management of Miss Lillie Reed with an enrollment of 39 scholars. Mr. Lemuel Lester has bought him a farm near White Rock. Mrs. Charlie Earles is very sick yet. TWO WINTER FLOWERS December 6,1902 DUNCAN CHAT The farmers are having a boom in the haytield. The weather is fine for the business. The work on the telephone line is progressing nicely. The 20th century will likely be one of progress in our mountainous country. The rr whistle is not heard as yet in our town. The shingle factory is doing quite a business in the manufacture of shingles. E.F. Strong is putting up a comfortable dwelling house which adds very much to the value and appearance of his property. A DISFRANCHISED VOTER (July 21,1902) DUNCAN DOTS Rev. Abe Hylton and wife visited E.F. Strong's Sunday. Quite a large crowd visited Hiley Reed's Sunday. Rev. Wyatt Reed preached an able sermon to a large audience at Dunoan's Chapel Sunday. A JOHNNY JUMP UP (August 7,1902) DUNCAN GOSSIP E.P. Strong has just finished burning a brick Mm. The shingle factory is about to resume business again. Rumor has it that a tram road will be built up Obediah Creek as long as there is white pine large enough for a shingle. The boss has paid all dues and has shown himself a gentleman. RAMS HORN October 11,1902 . DUNCAN HAPPENINGS The health of this community is good. Mr. J.K. Guthrie and others left a few days ago for North Dakota. Mr. Fleet Slusher said he had gone to stay till the last trumpet sounded. We wish them good luck in all their undertakings. I will just say to the Burks Fork Supervisor that he had better give the bridge near S.P. Willis' Roller Mill some of his attention. Two ladies on horseback attempted to cross the bridge but could not get the horse on the bridge on account of the roaring of water. They were compelled to get off with their unhandy load and lead their horses across. The upper side of the bridge ought to be weather boarded to prevent the sight of water. News can go flying as we are having phone lines errected in this thriving little town. The Hylton school of this place is progressing very nicely under the careful management of Mr. J.K.L. Gunther. Mr. Cain Dickerson returned home from W.Va. last week. Miss Naomie Keith will start to Smith County in a few days to visit her sister. ROSEBUD (March 6,1902) EAST VIEW ITEMS East View is on a boom. The contractors are kept busy erecting and repairing dwellings. They have just repaired the Jenkins house, now owned by Mr. Joseph H. Dillon. They have converted it into quite a handsome residence. In about 10 days the erection of a large church will be commenced at this place. Our merchant at this place, Mr. J.T. Draper is having an extensive trade. GALICON November 3,1902 EAST VIEW SUMMARY I will give a few of the ups and downs of the southeast corner of Floyd County. Miss Emaline Lee of Tuggles Gap is right sick. The health of this vicinity is very good except your scribe who feels like he had been knocked out in the first round. NEDO TODD November 30,1902 EGO ECHOES The health of this community is good at present. Trading seems to be the order of the day. Messrs. Thomas and James DeHart, our mail carriers, report the roads very rough from Ego to Copper Valley. The school in this place is progressing nicely under the management of Miss Loula Diokerson. THE WIDOW (February 27,1902) EPPERLY ITEMS Mr. Jacob Spangler attended the singing of Mr. R.E. Conner at Pine Creek Sunday. Mr. C.W. Vest the assesor was in our midst last week. What has become of all the correspondents to the Press? We love to hear from every neighborhood. Mrs. Eliza Epperly and Mrs. Lydia Spangler visited Mrs. Sarah Coles of Terry's Fork, who has lagrippe, Saturday. Rev. Keith of Pleasant Valley, preached at Red Oak Grove Sunday to a large congregation. The Roanoke wagoner keeps on wagoning, regardless of the mud. (March 13,1902) FAIRVIEW ITEMS Mrs. E.A. Hall has gone to Mother's Home for treatment. We hope her a speedy recovery. Misses Melissa Hall and Magdaline Weddle attended meeting at Topeco last Sunday. It seems Dupuy Vaughan likes to call at Hall's Store very often, especially on Sunday afternoon. PET (October 7,1909) FALCON NEWS I will rub the dust from my pen and give the news of this place. The school taught by Miss Minnie Tice, closed very pleasantly last Friday. Come back again Miss Missie. Our vicinity is on a boom. Messrs. Julius and Cornelius Dickerson are erecting a dwelling house at the store. The Dunkard brethren are going to build a church here In the near future. BUTTERFLY (March 27,1902) ITEMS FROM FLINT Misses Lucy and Nannie Boone of Walcot and Annie Peters of Franklin visited with W.M. Vests Sunday. Mr. John Boone of Bay was in town Saturday. Mr. George Rutrough of Little River was in our midst Sunday looking after his devotional interest. BABY GIRL (July 28,1902) PLINTLETS The smallpox scare seems to be over and we hope it may stay over. Mr. Scipio Light of Simpsons was at this place Saturday. Amos Hale returned from Roanoke and reported bad roads. The farmers are right much behind with their work, owing to the rough weather. The school at this place, taught by Mr. Albert Basham, one of Little River's best teachers, closed Friday. The wedding bells are again ringing in our neighborhood. TWO SISTERS (March 20, 1902) FRED HAPPENINGS Killing hogs and hunting rabbits seems to be the order of the day. Mr. James M. McNeil of Bay made a flying trip to Floyd Thursday, passing: this way. Our school is progressing nicely under the managment of Mr. James Angle. The whooping cough is still raging among the children. I understand that Mr. Jacob Moses, who was so badly scalded last week while cleaning hogs, is slowly recovering. I wish him a speedy and safe recovery for his is a first class miller. He would be greatly missed in this community. OLD TIME METHODIST (December 25,1902) GAGE GOSSIP Religious services of the Dunkard Brethren at the grove here was largely attended. Interesting sermons were delivered by Elds. Jacob and Solomon Hylton to an attentive audience. The mercantile firm of Hall & Son received a supply of goods at the depot Friday. There are prospects of a large acorn and chestnut mast in this section. The February thaw has come and we now have a March snow to add to our large supply of mud. Mr. Charlie Agee of Pax, who represent Stark Bro's Nursery Co., Louisiana, Mo., was in this vicinity a few days ago. When wireless telegraphy and the air ship is completed, when we build a railroad to the planet Mars, when we get rural free delivery in Floyd county, and last but not least when all of the old bachelors get married, we can look forward with bright hope for the dawning of the muchdoubted and much-expected Millennium. (March 13,1902) GOLDEN HILL ITEMS Mr. Giles and Dallas Basham left March 37th for West Virginia, where they expect to work this summer. Some of the young girls of this place are talking of going West. We wonder why? BIG FOOT (April 10,1902) Jack Spangler Ellicott City, MD ********************************** Note from List Administrator!!! The Second Sunday in each month will set aside for a "Brick Wall" Roll Call. Please always put the surname you seek in the subject and tell us something about your Brick Wall person. 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