DICKENSON COUNTY VA NEWCLIPS 1890'S MAYBE EARLY 1900'S Collection of Annette Damron, Louise Vanover Vore and transcribed by Rachel Vore Engle DECISION SUSTAINED The case was then carried to the higher courts, where the decision of the lower court was sustained. Meanwhile, Hall had been carried to Lynchburg for a f---eeping, and when the case was passed upon in the Supreme Court of the State, he was brought back here to be resentenced. An effort was made to have the Governor commute the sentence to life-time imprisonment, but the Executive would not interfere. So there was nothing left to do but carry the sentence into execution, and now the country will no longer dread the lawlessness of "Talt" Hall, the notorious outlaw, and will no doubt, breathe freer than the volume of crime will be diminished by his exit from the stages of action. OTHER CRIMES Hall was acquitted of the cold-blooded murder of Harry (?) Maggard in 1866. He killed Daniel Pridemore (?) in 1875 and was acquitted; a cowardly jury acquitted him of Nat Parker's murder in 1881, and he went free when he murdered his brother-in-law, Henry Triplett in 1882 (?) (the rest illegible) Ruffianism in Dickenson (Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch) CLINTWOOD, VA., February 27 - On Thursday night some ruffians entered the home of James Cool, a farmer who resides near Ava, this county, and and terrorized the family by flourishing their pistols and making violent threats . Their names as far as learned by your correspondent are Dan. Hall, Bill Rose, Eli Mullins, and two others whose names were not learned. They are all living in the same vicinity. Warrants were at once sworn out for all these parties, but up to this writing only one arrest has been made - that of Eli Mullins. He will have a hearing before Justice Hylton on Saturday. Most of the people in this vicinity are very indignant over the affair. Ex-Judge H.M. Jones will remove to Grundy, Buchanan county in a few days. He intends to practice medicine there, and he is a physician of some note. (illegible) Steal a Keg of Brandy (Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch) CLINTWOOD, VA., October 27 - Richard Hall and Wilson McCombs were arrested a short time since by Deputy-Sheriff Hall upon a warrant charging them with buying stolen a keg of brandy from the distillery of George Sionly (?), in the "South" of the Cubmerland Mountain. They had a preliminary hearing before Justices Hill and Adams yesterday. Hall was acquitted, and McCombs was bound over to answer to an indictment at the next sitting of the grand jury. He failed to give the bond the justices required, and was sent to jail. These parties came from Kentucky, and are said to be desperate characters. DICKENSON SUPERVISORS Will Lie in Jail Til the Moss Grows on Their Backs - Howell Sentenced CLINTWOOD, VA., December 21 - (Special) - The Board of Supervisors of this county were tried upon a rule issued against them by the court for failure to act upon the matter of building a new courthouse. Upon the refusal of the members to do so they were given comfortable quarters in the county jail. These members are Reva. (?) James W. Smith and William B. Sutherland. They further showed their contempt of court by saying that they would "lie in jail till the moss grows upon their backs." Before they would act in this matter. The trouble is that these two men live in the McClure section of the county, and they want to postpone any action in the matter till they can make an effort to have the county-site moved to that section. The County Court has just adjourned, after a session of more than a week. Several cases have been dispersed of. Jack Howell, who was tried for stabbing J.W. Davis last summer, was found guilty, and given twelve months in the penitentiary. Howell is a disagreeable man, and was always in a difficulty with someone but as he is a young man it is to be hoped that he will be reformed. HE KILLED A WOMAN Reported Murder of the Widow Mullins by "Orb" Fleming This Young Desperado Following in the Footsteps of His Brothers - Courts, Weather, and Timber Trade CLINTWOOD, VA., February 15 - (Special) - Your correspondent has just learned that "Orb" Fleming, a brother to the outlaws, Cal and Henan, shot and killed a woman in the vicinity of Pound Gap, where the Mullins family was murdered in the spring of 1892. This woman was the widow of Wilson Mullins, one of the murdered persons of that family. The report says that she was walking about the premises of her home, and was shot by some one secreted in the brush some distance from the house, and circumstances point to Fleming as the perpetrator of the foul crime. The supposed motive is that Mrs. Mullins was the material witness in the case against Keenan Fleming, she was killed to destroy this evidence against him. IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS Young Fleming is a desperate character, and is following in the footsteps of his brothers, despite their terrible fate, and his course will inevitably bring him to the same end. He is not more than ? years of age. Mr. I.E. French, a prominent merchant of this place, has purchased a farm a short distance from town, and will remove to it as soon as he can have the necessary improvements put upon it. Mr. French intends to devote most of his time to the farm as he thinks it will prove more satisfactory. THE COURTS Circuit Court is in session this week, with Judge H.S.K. Morison on the bench. This is also the week for County Court, but in consequence of the other court being in session there will be but little done during this term. The weather is very warm and pleasant here now. We have had but little cold weather during the whole past winter. The timber industry in this county is growing quite lively, and will give employment to many of our idle hands. Dickenson county is one of the finest timbered counties in the State. CLINTWOOD, VA., March 13 '94 Editor Virginian: County Court is in session here this week, with Judge George L. Counts on the bench. There is a full docket and probably the term will continue several days. Granville Cox is now in jail, awaiting trial for shooting one Elkius, of this county, sometime ago. It is said that a strong case will be made against him. He was tried at the last term of this court upon a charge of having murdered one Dolph Wright, in December last; but was acquitted upon some technical grounds. James D. Turner, a young jeweler of this place, and Miss Dicey Damreu (?), were married a day or two since, Rev. Joseph H. Ross officiating. A general invitation was extended, and many guests were present at he ceremony, as well as at the reception given by the bride's parents. A literary society has been organized here recently. The name given to the organization is "The Stonewall Literary Society." Several of the most prominent persons of the town, including both ladies and gentlmen, have connected themselves with the organization, which now numbers about fifty. The Commissioners are surveying the lands of John P. Chase, deceased, with a view to partitioning the same among his heirs. There area some 1,500 acres of these lands, and the boundary includes some of the most valuable lands in the county. MR. DAVID PUCKETT DEAD A Nephew of the Fleming Outlaws Under Bond - Proposed Improvements. CLINTWOOD VA., February 9 - (Special) - Mr. David Puckett, of Tarpon, this county, died on Tuesday, after a few days confinement with fever. Mr. Puckett was a farmer and a good citizen. He was about 90 (?) years of age. George Washington Fleming, a nephew of the noted outlaws, was arraigned before Justice Ross on a peace warrant. After a hearing the Justice required him to give bond in the penalty of $500 for his behavior for twelve months. On trial it was proven that Fleming had threatened the life of one Newton Ramey, and had even lain in wait for him. There is a prospect of considerable improvement being made in Clintwood the coming spring and summer. The county-seat question seems to be settled now, and there will soon be considerable work going on. A SENSATION IN DICKENSON Two County Officials Tender Their Resignations - One Accepted - Land Sold CLINTWOOD, VA., April 17 - (Special) - County Court has just been adjourned after being in session for the greater part of the past week. There was no business of any grave importance in the routine of court affairs transacted during this term, but a general surprise was created by the announcement that two of the county officers had tendered their resignations to the court. It is regarded as such a hard thing here to secure an election to office that people are not accustomed to thinking of an officer surrendering the honor and the salary of his own violation, but yet such a thing does actually occur when L. Fulton, Commonwealth's Attorney, and James M. Colley, County Treasurer, tendered their resignations this week. Fulton's resignation was accepted, and Russell S. McFall, a young attorney of this place, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Colley says that, owning to the hard times and the almost utter impossibility to collect the taxes, he is forced to take this step -- bu! t his resignation has not yet been accepted; it probably will be at the next term of court. "Mac" Austin, who killed Ed Cox a few days ago, is still at large, and an effort is being made to bring him to justice, so far as I can learn. It is said that he slew Cox without a cause. Austin had just returned from the penitentiary, whither he was sent from Wise county. He is about 18 years of age. The murder was committed in Wise, just beyond the borders of this county. Patton Willis (?), of Tarpon, this county, was arraigned before United States Commissioner Rush here yesterday upon a warrant charging him with counterfeiting. He was released upon a hearing, but it is said that a second charge will be proffered against him for the same kind of offence, in which the evidence will be much stronger than it was in this case. Young Willis (?) is a very reckless boy, and doubtless his course will lead him into serious trouble yet. Your correspondent has just learned that William A. Donaldson, formerly of this place, died in Laurel county, Kentucky, a short time since. Mr. Donaldson is remembered by our people, and they will regret to hear of his death. There is some active building going on in Clintwood and vicinity, after a lull in business for some months. Since the county-seat question seems to be settled, the town is showing new life and energy. DICKENSON'S NEW COURT-HOUSE. It Is Let to Contract at Last and Will Be Finished in Eighteen Months. CLINTWOOD, VA., March 21 - (Special) - A new court-house is to be erected her in the near future. The job was let to contract at this term of the County Court, C.F. Mays, of Pikeville, Ky., being the contractor. He took the job at $8710. The work is to be commenced in May and completed within eighteen months from that time. The structure is to be of brick, and to be finished in every respect suitable of such a building. The old court-house has proven to be defective and is regarded as unsafe, so that no business has been transacted in it for more than a year. Farmer James Lipps, of Osborne's Gap, this county, had a mule, a cow, and a sheep bitten by a rabid dog a few days ago. The cow died, but the other animals as yet have not shown any symptoms of hydrophobia. The dog left Mr. Lipp's premises and he has not been seen since it is supposed that he has died. A NEEDLE BREAKS OFF IN A CHILD May Cause the Infant's Death - Dickenson's Jail on Fire CLINTWOOD, VA., November 28 - Mr. Cas. Attrip, of Ava, this county, on Friday last brought his little year-old son to Dr. Phipps for examination, as he said there was something the matter with it, but he could not tell what. Dr. Phipps began to examine the child's body and found a needle sticking in one of its hips up to the eye. The needle had a thread in it, strange to say, and yet had not been discovered by the child's parents. The Doctor attempted to pull it out, but the point broke off, and several efforts to extract it proved ineffectual. Dr. Phipps thinks it a critical case, and says that the point of the needle may work in a direction that will result in the child's death. The jail at this place came very nearly being burned last night. The structure is mostly of wood, and some of the inmates, it is supposed, took some coals from the stove and placed them where they set the building afire, and the timely discovery of the jailer prevented the destruction of the building. Attorney Roland E. Chase, whose illness was noticed in this correspondence, last week, is improving. IMPROVEMENTS IN CLINTWOOD A Lumber Company's Building - Two Big Mortgages on Lands CLINTWOOD, VA., April 6 - (Special) -- Columbus Phipps is erecting a large store building on the south side of Main Street, just in front of the court-house. The Yellow-Popular Lumber Company is to have the use of it and will put a large stock of goods there as soon as it is ready. This company is doing a large business here as lumbermen, and as they own large interests in this county they will probably be five years or longer in the business. Two of the longest mortgages ever recorded in this county have just been admitted to record in the County Court's Clerk's office here. One is from the Virginia and Tennessee Coal and Iron Company to the Baltimore Trust and Guarantee Company to secure a loan of $100,000. The property mortgaged is lands and coal lying in Wise and Dickenson counties. The other is from Clinch Valley Coal and Iron Company to Henry S. Grove and George McCaul, of Philidelphia. The property mortgaged in this conveyance is in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Wythe counties. Each record fills about forty pages. Affairs in Far Off Dickenson (Correspondence of the Dispatch) CLINTWOOD, VA., November 30. - Mr. John W. Kerr, a young man of this place, was thrown from his horse and seriously hurt yesterday. The horse took a scare as he was riding along the road, and springing up quickly threw Mr. Kerr to the ground, breaking his nose and bruising his face and otherwise injuring him. He was brought home and has been confined since. Mrs. Thomas Atkinson, of this place, whose illness was noticed in this correspondence last week, died yesterday, and her remains were interred in the graveyard below town yesterday. Mr. Atkinson recently moved here from Patrick county, Va. MURDER COX JAILED He Feels Confident of His Acquittal - Sentiment in His Favor CLINTWOOD, VA., January 12 - (Special) - Granville Cox, who shot and killed Dolph Write a few weeks ago, has been arrested, and was lodged in jail on yesterday. It is said that he made no attempt to resist the officer. It was rumored a short time ago that he intended to surrender himself and stand his trial, as he feels confident on his acquittal. Mr. Cox is a man of about 45, is of powerful build, and is always seen heavily armed. Public sentiment, however, is in his favor, as young Wright is known to have been a bad character. Mr. William H. Mullins, of Ava, this county, was brought before United States Commissioner Rush yesterday by a deputy marshal under a charge of having violated the revenue law. The case was heard and the party acquitted. CAUGHT IN KENTUCKY I learn that Fawlkes, who was implicated in the murder of Savage at Coeburn some time since, was caught in Kentucky recently by a brother of the murdered man. He is now being held in custody till a requisition can be made upon the Governor of that State when he will be brought back to Wise to answer the charge of murder. A VOICE FROM THE TOMB The Dickenson County Scribe Sings a Mournful Ditty DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., February 12 - (Special) - Well, we have been literally shut in here for nearly two weeks, while the great world beyond moves on regardless of us. We have been at a standstill, hardly knowing whether the "ground-hog" month (February) had arrived or not. And, small-pox at Coeburn, twenty-three miles away, and only in a light form at that, did it all. I shudder to think what it would do, were it right here in our midst, and of a robust, vigorous, muscular type. One day we hear that the Coeburnites are not in the least excited; that they knock the small-pox around any way, merely regarding it as a weakling; that there are only two cases there, and that one of them is almost well, the other is getting along nicely - but that a young man in that vicinity is now feeling rather badly, is looking pale, and is probably developing a case of the disease; though, to be frank, the preponderance of evidence tends to show that he was jilted by his best girl. Another day we are gravely informed (by some croaker) that there are eighteen cases of the epidemic right in Coeburn, and that two or three deaths have resulted from it within a day and night past, while the doctors predict that it will be all over Southwest Virginia. It seems to ye scribe that such a prediction is extravagant and uncalled for. If a doctor's opinion carries weight along with it, it is a very dangerous assertion. Suppose it comes to pass, literally, who will be responsible? ! If it fails to make its appearance all over the afore said section of Southwest Virginia, then a man with only one eye can see the utter extravagance of the assertion. SHUT OFF FROM THE WORLD But I started off with the avowed object of telling you that we have had no communication with the outside world through the mails for nearly two weeks. (But thank Gracious, Uncle Sam is going to move her out.) We have not known what Tom Reed (sometimes erroneously called Congress) was doing; neither can I tell positively whether my poems are going to be as accepted by the editors or returned. But I presume they are using all due diligence to get back to me. It will be some little trouble; but if they do not get back to me, I can write more. Our mail supply come from Coeburn via Clintwood; but the city dad of that place; or other parties not known to ye scribe - or known, but not mentioned - decided that Uncle Sam's servants who carried the mails should not enter that place, and so a number of valiant men, and true, were placed at various points of access to grapple with the monster small-pox, should he demand admittance. o