30 Years Ago – Week of April 20, 1995
Seneca Rocks Had Visitors 7,000 Years Ago
Archaeologists working at the site of a visitor center to be constructed at Seneca Rocks have discovered that people have gathered under the majestic cliffs of Seneca Rocks for at least 7,000 years.
One of West Virginia’s top tourist attractions, the Pendleton County site also may have been an ancient trading center.
“I imagine people came here then for many of the same reasons they come to this area now: for the fishing, the hunting and to be near the rocks,” said Ruth Brinker, an archaeologist for the Monongahela National Forest.
“There’s evidence of a trail going west out of the valley and another one going up the gap to the east,” Brinker said. “We’re looking for exotic raw materials as evidence of trade, and we’re finding some.”
Researchers have found tools similar to items found in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Kanawha Valley, Brinker said. There also is evidence of a permanent settlement, she said.
The archaeological survey is being conducted before the National Park Service builds the new visitor center to replace one that burned down in 1992. Construction is expected to begin next spring.
More than 250,000 people visit Seneca Rocks each year.
Sugar Grove: Dandelions Set Example for All
Dandelions . . .stop and take a good look at a colorful and sturdy dandelion. Consider its bright yellow color that festively decorates your lawn. Its fuzzy flower head is composed of hundreds and hundreds of tiny individual yellow petals—each a miracle in its own right. They put down deep roots while the flower stem stretches and strains to reach the sun. When the flower goes to seed, they are prepared to go where they’re sent by the wind and take root where they land.
Yesteryear in Pendleton:
Recycling Materials Is Older Tradition
By Janet H. Conrad
Recycling is not a new thing! Only the term is new. My grandmother saved everything that came into her house. If it was not used in its original state, it was substituted for another need.
Strings were rolled into balls — each type on a different ball. Paper bags (pokes) and wrapping paper were folded and stored.
Grease and meat rinds were used to make soap. Old clothing was stored into woolen, linen and cotton boxes. The softer linens were torn for handkerchiefs to be used in the cold season. They were hemmed or used torn, depending on the housewife. Sheets were turned — the outside moved to center seam or the best parts were made into pillow cases.
Rags were cut for carpets for both cotton and woolen rugs and usually woven in the home.
Leftover breads, cakes and cookies were crumbled and used in baked dishes.
Egg shells were placed in the oven to dry, then smashed into small pieces and fed to the laying hens for calcium in their diet. Table scraps, extra milk and bran (the inside shell of the wheat kernel that was brought back from the mill when the wheat was ground into flour) were fed to the farming hogs.
The dogs and cats were fed table scraps. But mush was made for that favorite hunting dog!
Buckwheat was grown near the colony of bees for hone that was made from the bloom of the buckwheat flower was considered more flavorful than other kinds.
Rich pine knots were brought from the woods to start the fires. These were split into sharp kindling and would burn with the touch of a match. Coal oil (kerosene) was used only in the lamps — this had to be bought. Dry chips from the woodpile were collected and piled on the kindling to help start the fire.
Actually, one could say that the quilt is really a product of recycling. Each scrap of material was saved, and the housewife’s need for beauty in her home was the source of her creativity in making a design that could use those small pieces — a challenge met and conquered. Not only did the quilts and comforters satisfy that hunger for beauty, they gave warmth in the unheated bedrooms.
At hog butchering time, I have heard the expression, “They use everything from the hog except the squeal!”
Buttons were cut from the garments and used over. The button box held memories of many past events. Buttons from great-grandfather’s Confederate uniform, Aunt Susie’s wedding dress, Baby Robert’s christening dress, and many others. Playing with the buttons on a rainy day was a treat, for grandmother had time to tell stories as she mended.
60 Years Ago – Week of April 22, 1965
100 YEARS AGO – By LON K. SAVAGE
Editor’s Note—This is the last in a series of Civil War articles that have been running during the past four Civil War Centennial years.
Johnston Surrender As Civil War Ends
Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army to Federal General William Tecumseh Sherman in North Carolina 100 years ago this week, and the fires of four years of Civil War sputtered out.
Johnston’s surrender was made without a fight; it was just so much book work, in fact after the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox on April 9. But with Johnston’s surrender, the war could be called legally at an end, although other Confederates continued fighting in isolated pockets for weeks thereafter.
Even before Appomattox, Johnston knew his little army could not defeat Sherman’s 60,000 veterans, and now that Lee was gone, he had to face both Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant. On April 12, Johnston had conferred with Jefferson Davis, president of the now-dead Confederacy, who was fleeing South from Richmond, and they had agreed that Johnston must follow Lee’s example.
So, Johnston sent a message from Durham to Sherman at Raleigh suggesting the surrender, and Sherman immediately began the negotiations. Messages went back and forth, and the two men met April 17 and 18 near Durham to work out the details.
The agreement they worked out brought only trouble for Sherman. The terms treated of political and civil matters; they allowed the Confederate soldiers to stack their arms in their own state capitals, and they gave certain recognition to state governments of the South.
Sherman sent the agreement to Grant, and it came back with a firm disapproval by both Grant and the cabinet in Washington. Moreover, it was published throughout the nation and criticized as being too lenient on the South.
Grant, himself, came to Raleigh to oversee the final surrender, and it was achieved without further ado, on the same terms that Grant had given Lee at Appomattox. Except for Sherman’s reputation, the fuss over the surrender meant little.
There still were loose ends to be wrapped up in the war, and first among these was the capture of Davis. That, too, came about in due time.
Davis, his cabinet and a detachment of troops had steadily moved South after Appomattox, and at every city, the traveling party grew smaller. Once in Georgia, Davis dismissed his cavalry escort and made his way farther South with his wife and a small retinue.
On May 10, Davis’ party was surprised in camp near Irwinsville, Ga., by Federal troops, and he was captured. He made one last attempt to escape by running from the camp, wearing his wife’s shawl and cloak which he had thrown around him in the haste of his departure. The incident gave rise to the widely published report that he was trying to escape the country disguised as a woman.
And so the war ended. Soldiers, cabinet members and officials of the Confederacy made their way to their homes or were captured; Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of State, fled the country to England. The last of the Confederate soldiers gradually disappeared; the last of the Confederate ships were hunted down, and the experiment in rebellion slowly died away.
105 Years Ago – Week of April 23, 1920
THE BOY SCOUT HERO
A Play in Two Acts With Demonstrations of Scout Activities will be given at the Franklin Auditorium, Monday evening April 26th.
SYNOPSIS FOR PROGRAM
Act 1. Bing tries to make a sale. “We don’t eat stolen chickens.” “Deze ain’t stole; dey wuz jest swiped when de farmer wasn’t lookin. “Red Mike in search of Bing. The accusation and the attack. “No you don’t.” Scouts overpower Red Mike and bind his hands and feet. Bing starts to leave. “Stay here in camp with us.” “Gimme a chance, fellers, won’t ye?” Red Mike threatens the boys and is reminded of a safe robbery for which he has been hunted. “I don’t wanna talk to no sheriff.” Red Mike released. “I ain’t got nobody now but youz guys an’ I’m goin’ to make good or bust a suspender.”
Act 2. Two years have passed. Skinny relates a thrilling adventure in which Bing has proven a hero. “Here’s the snake’s rattle. “We’re proud to have you in our troop.”
CHARACTERS
- “Bing Baker, A member of the Alley Gang…..Gabe Warner.
- “RED MIKE” FOGARTY. Bing’s Uncle, Burglar and Ex-Barkeeper…..Paul Lukens.
- “DEACON” PARSONS, Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Scout Troop…..Ernest Bowman.
- “CURLY” COOVER. Patrol Leader of the Troop…..John Dice.
- “SCOUTMASTER” MR. BROWN…..R. L. Thacker.
- “RAZE”, The colored Cook of the Camp…..Richard Boggs.
- “HAPPY” Holmes, The wit of the Camp…..Harlan Calhoun.
- “SKINNY” Ford. Who Fights Rattlesnakes…..Casey Harrison.
- “PUDGE” PETERS, Who Tells of the Rescue…..Caroll Boggs.
- “BUDDY” RUDDY, A Live Wire…..Brooke Boggs.
- “TOOTS” WEAVER, The Troop Burglar…..Elliott Priest.
- “DICKY” BYRD, A small scout but a good one…..Maurice Campbell.
- “STUFFY” WYMAN, Always around at Meal Time…..Rush Kiser.
- “PIGGIE” BACON…..Roy Simmons.
- “HEINE” MEYERS…..Samuel Murphy.
- “SCOTTY’ McGregor…..Lester Simpson.
- “DENNY”…..Denver Fleming.
THIRD ELEMENTARY DIPLOMA TEST
The third test for Elementary Diplomas will be held May 13-14 at the following places: Circleville District, Circleville. Franklin District, Franklin. Mill Run District, Schmucker. Union District, Riverton.
Very truly yours, 4-23-3t John A. Fultz.
SUIT INSTITUTED TO SET ASIDE WILL OF JOHN McCLURE
A suit has been instituted in the Circuit Court of this county by the heirs of the late Leonard Hammer whose wife was a niece of Colonel McClure to set aside his will on the grounds of incapacity and undue influence.
Under the will an estate valued at some three quarters of a million dollars was devised to about fifty persons, the Town of Franklin, and the Franklin Presbyterian Church. The will was made about eighteen months before his death, which occurred April 10, 1915. The suit which the law required to be brought within five years, was delayed until a few days before the expiration of the time limit. In the meantime the estate was practically settled up by the executors and all of the legacies were paid, including the sum of $500.00 to the parties instituting the suit which they accepted under the will and receipted for.
In the eighteen months after the will was made, a number of large land deals were made by Mr. McClure, all of which have proven to be of great value to his estate.
As President of The Farmers Bank of Pendleton, a member of the large mercantile firm of McClure & Bowman Bros., and in the management of his large livestock business, he was brought constantly in touch with the best business men of the county who can testify intelligently as to his mental condition.
Probably more than one-half of Mr. McClure’s estate was devised to his widow, Rebecca J. McClure, whom he always regarded as his partner in business and whom he credited with being responsible for a great portion of his success. Those best acquainted with the family relationship were surprised that so small a portion of the estate was devised to Dr. Dyer and Mrs. Kitte Anderson.
The suit was instituted within a few days after the death of Mrs. Anderson’s husband, the late W. R. Anderson.
This suit, if it comes to trial will be an issue out of chancery and tried by a jury and will probably involve the largest amount ever at issue in the circuit court of this county.
