Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The West Virginia News, The Greenbrier Independent, White Sulphur Star, and other publications archived since 1852.
1897 – 125 years ago
Arthur Mathews accidently shot and killed himself while hunting near Williamsburg on April 8.
The governor appointed Major Jas. M. Lee of Lewisburg as one of the regents at West Virginia university.
Thomas Hall accidently shot himself through the hand near Rupert on April 9.
Walton Venable of Charleston is the guest of Judge H. A Holt. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Syme of Washington are guests of Capt. Alex. Mathews. Rev. and Mrs. Geo. H. Echols of Huntersville are visiting town.
1922 – 100 Years Ago
CHILD DREADFULLY HURT.
The startling and revolting report reached here Wednesday evening that a little child of Bee Bailey and wife, who reside near Union, Monroe County, had beer. decapitated by the father while in a demented condition. The Baileys formerly resided in Ronceverte. It appears that the report first heard was greatly exaggerated, the Monroe Watchman giving the following account of it.
“A little three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bee Bailey, who live on the Knobs, three miles west of Union, suffered a horrible injury April 12, at about one o’clock in the afternoon. Just what occurred is not clearly disclosed, but a brother of the little victim ran to Union with a message for the doctor to come in a hurry. Dr. J. E. Roles and Deputy Sheriff Ira P. McCormick went to the house promptly. It was found that the baby boy’s scalp had been literally torn off. His head was almost encircled by what seemed a sharp incision and the scalp rolled back and under. Dr. Roles gave the necessary surgical attention and took 35 stitches in restoring the scalp to its place. The wee baby boy suffered dreadfully, but will probably recover, though such an injury is necessarily serious. The explanation the father made was that the little fellow was riding on horseback with an older brother and when entering the stable door, the horse fell and the baby’s head struck against the side of the door or perhaps a nail. The character of the wound, however, was not such as usually would be made by such an accident.
Mr. Bailey some time ago was adjudged insane and committed to the state hospital. Later he was sent home on probation, though not discharged by the hospital authorities. Recently it has become apparent to his neighbors that his mind is still unbalanced, and he is a source of uneasiness to the community.”
Unfortunate as it is, there is not a doubt but that the last statement of the Watchman is true as regards the mental state of Mr. Bailey. His former neighbors in Ronceverte were in constant terror lest an irresponsible outbreak occur to the great dan. ger of his family and neighbors, and it is unlikely that his condition will ever materially improve. The unfortunate invalid should be placed where he will not be a menace to himself and his family and neighbors.
CHILD INJURED.
“Red” Anderson, of Lewisburg, driving a Ford car up Monroe avenue Wednesday afternoon accidentally ran over the six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hanifin in front of their home. The little girl was standing on the curb as the car approached, and when only a few feet away, started to cross the street. The car struck the child and passed over it. Immediately the child was rushed to the Greenbrier general hospital, where it was examined and given treatment. No bones were broken, but an incision from a recent operation for appendicitis was torn open causing a painful injury. The child was taken home Thursday and is recovering according to report today.
1947 – 75 Years Ago
CIRCUIT COURT
The regular April term of Greenbrier circuit court opened on Tuesday, with Judge Mark L. Jarrett on the bench, The grand jury was sworn in and sent to their chambers. The following indictments were returned late that afternoon, and the grand jury was dismissed:
Robert Flint, felony. Forgery.
Roy S. Kessler (two cases), felonies. Stealing two autos.
Shelton Mayhew, felony. Wounding Leta Keene.
Kenny Lawson, felony. Wounding Glenn Barker.
Denny Blake, felony. Wounding Erma Walton.
Orval Blake, felony. Wounding Geo. Walton.
Casey Jones, felony. Wounding Eric Redden.
Cecil Lowe (two cases), felonies. Stealing money and watch.
Albert Crookshanks, felony. Breaking into building of L. L. Crookshanks.
Bernie A. and Franklin Blankenship, felony. Stealing auto of Margaret Sanford.
Robert Giles, misdemeanor. Selling property.
Billy and Rommy Sims, misdemeanor. Mutilation of cow.
The petit jurors reported on Wednesday morning.
VET SERVICE IN LEWISBURG
The Veterans administration has established itinerant service in Lewisburg and a contact representative will be at the U. S. Employment service office every second and fourth Wednesday of each month to advise and aid veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled.
These benefits include insurance, veterans’ loans, readjustment allowances, retirement pay, pensions, compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education benefits, medical treatment, hospital care and domiciliary care.
Veterans of World War II may reinstate their lapsed national service life insurance with only two premium payments and a comparative health statement stating that their health is as good as at time of discharge. The deadline for reinstatement of insurance on their basis expires on August 1, 1947, and will require a physical examination thereafter.
WHITE SULPHUR AIRPORT
The War Assets administration announced the transfer of the 255 acre airport at White Sulphur, which before the war was owned by the C. & 0. railway company and operated in connection with the Greenbrier hotel, to the town of White Sulphur.
The airport consists of one hard surfaced runway, taxiways, parking aprons, and administration buildings, a hanger, one auxiliary building and all equipment necessary to the operation of an airfield and was turned over to the town, without reimbursement but with certain restrictions.
D. R. AGNEW NAMED
The Greenbrier Valley Country club the capital of which was recently increased from $10,000 to $25,000, on Friday night at a reorganization meeting elected D. R. Agnew of Fairlea president and Don Bartholomew vice president, and the following directors: John A. Lile and Nickell Kramer for three years; Lewis Edgar Smith and Col. Joe Moore for two years, and J. C. Shanklin and G. H. Gall for one year. The secretary and treasurer will be chosen by the directors.
FIRE NEAR LEWISBURG
Fire of an undetermined origin completely destroyed an outbuilding on le Fred B. Neely farm Saturday night. Due to quick action of the local e company the flames were kept on spreading to an adjacent barn and a house on the farm.
1972 – 50 Years Ago
VICE-PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE HERE TOMORROW
Vice-President Spiro Agnew will arrive in Greenbrier County Thursday according to his staff officials.
Agnew will land at the Greenbrier Valley Airport at approximately 10:30 a.m. and travel by car from there to The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
The vice-president will speak to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association at a morning session of the organization’s convention at The Greenbrier.
No information is available on the length of Agnew’s visit.
VICE PRESIDENT ARRIVES
Vice-President Spiro Agnew arrived in Greenbrier County this morning to address the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
Agnew’s plane landed at the Greenbrier Valley Airport at 10:50 a.m. and he traveled by motorcade from there to the White Sulphur Springs resort.
Approximately 100 people were on hand to greet the vice president at the airport.
Vice President Agnew arrives. |
DISABLED VETERAN GIVEN CAR
Floyd Herbert Ferrell of White Sulphur Springs recently received a new 1947 club Oldsmobile, one of many given by the government to disabled war veterans. He was wounded in European action, and is partially paralyzed, having the use of one leg.
DIRECTORS NAMED
Cleveland K. Benedict of Maxwelton and William M. Dickson of Second Creek have been named to the Board of Directors of the State Fair of West Virginia, Inc.
Dickson also was named treasurer of the organization.
Benedict, a dairy farmer, is the owner of Ben-Buck Farms near Maxwelton.
Dickson, a native of Second Creek, last week was elected president of the First National Bank of Ronceverte.
C.T. Sydenstricker, secretary-manager of the State Fair, today announced the appointment of Edward Rock of Lewisburg as assistant secretary-manager. Rock, an instructor at Greenbrier Military School, has served as assistant manager of the Fair office for four years during the summer months.
1997 – 25 Years Ago
Ronceverte Man Dies After Traffic Accident By Christine Jerman
One person was killed and two more were injured in an accident on Friday night in Monroe County.
Brian Keith Pusey, 25, of Ronceverte died Saturday as a result of the accident which occurred at Hillsdale Road.
Pusey was traveling on Rt. 3 in a 1992 Hyundai coupe about two miles east of Union when a Monroe-Raleigh Milk Transport, Inc. truck pulled out from Hillsdale Road in front of him, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy G. Bland said.
The accident occurred at about 9:30 Friday night, according to Bland.
Marcus L. Ratliff of Union, the driver of the milk truck, was not injured, according to Bland.
“Pusey slammed his brakes on but couldn’t stop,” Bland said. Pusey’s vehicle rammed into the milk truck, he continued.
Pusey was transported from the scene of the accident to the ballfield, where he was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, according to Bland.
David William Elmore, 29, a passenger in Pusey’s car was also airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
No one was available at the hospital this morning to provide information about Elmore’s condition.
Another passenger, William Shane Patton, 23, was transported to Columbia Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea by the Union Rescue Squad.
Patton is in stable condition today, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Ratliff was cited for failure to yield right of way, Bland said.
All three occupants of Pusey’s vehicle were wearing their seatbelts, according to Bland.
Attorney Challenges Client’s Adult Status In Sexual Assault Case By Christine Jerman
An attorney filed an appeal on Monday of a court ruling to try as an adult a juvenile suspected of two area rapes.
Paul Detch, the juvenile’s attorney, had until today to file such an appeal with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, according to Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Burnette.
Greenbrier County Chief Circuit Judge Frank E. Jolliffe ordered the 17-year-old youth to be tried as an adult during a hearing held in February
Jolliffe also ordered bail set at $50,000 for each of the two counts.
The teen from eastern Greenbrier County was unable to post the bail and so was sent to juvenile detention.
The youth has been charged with second degree sexual assault of two area women. The first alleged assault occurred in August and the second in November.
The high court could take several months to hear the appeal, Burnette reported.
Even though Jolliffe has ordered the teen to be tried as an adult, he legally will remain a juvenile until and unless the Supreme Court either refuses to hear the appeal or hears the appeal and denies it.
If the decision stands, however, the juvenile’s file and identity will become public, the prosecutor has said.
The teen remains in juvenile detention, Burnette said.
Deer Problem Discussed By Christine Jerman
Members of the Lewisburg City Council listened to recommendations from a local Division of Natural Resources officer about the deer herd in Lewisburg.
At previous council meetings, city police officers have stated there are at least 100 deer roaming through town.
“You’ve got a deer problem,” DNR Conservation Officer Barry Kaizer said.
A mild winter and people feeding the deer were cited as contributing factors to the large number of the animals within city limits.
City code prohibits shooting a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, officials said at Tuesday’s meeting.
The code also prohibits electric fences, which could be used to protect gardens from damage done by deer, Kaizer said.
The large number of deer are viewed differently by different people. Some view the deer as akin to pets and encourage them to come into the city while others view them as potential threats to gardens and human safety, the officials said.
Kaizer and several council members noted that when a herd of any animal gets too large, Nature takes over and thins the herd out: they begin dying of hunger and/or disease.
In addition, deer get hit by cars, causing damage to the vehicle and potentially injuring the driver and occupants, Kaizer said. Furthermore, there is the potential for a lame deer to be roaming the city after such an encounter, he continued.
“The only way to control the deer is to kill them,” Kaizer said.
At the same time, however, he said he was open to any suggestions on other ways to control the deer.
“Contraception doesn’t work as well as you think; you would still have 100 deer to deal with even if you stop them from having fawns for a year,” Kaizer noted.
Trapping and moving the deer, another alternative, is costly, he explained. “Il would be too expensive for the city,” he said.
Kaizer suggested authorizing one city officer to shoot the deer before they come into the city limits.
He said that permission to shoot the deer would be required from the landowners before such a plan could be executed.
No decision was made on Tuesday. Council tabled the issue pending authorization from the DNR, permission from landowners and information from the city’s insurance carrier.
“This is the best idea I’ve heard to date,” Councilman Mike McClung commented.
If the city follows this recommendation, any deer killed would be donated for food, Kaizer noted.
The issue will be taken up again at the May council meeting.
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