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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Jan 07, 1909
Page
2
Naples reports say a tidal wave may have struck the Strait of Messina, with steamers carrying refugees missing. Rome notes government relief efforts under way as troops occupy Messina. An earthquake’s death toll could top 200,000. President Roosevelt plans a congressbound relief message. Local social notes list gatherings in Bridgeport and surrounding towns.
In Wyoming West Virginia deputy sheriff Floyd Lusk and Ira Boyd were killed near here after a quarrel over a local woman. Luke Milam returned fire after Boyd resisted arrest, killing Lusk and mortally wounding Boyd before Milam surrendered. Milam proved the better marksman in a brief gunfight.
Parkersburg West Virginia January 2 Governor A B White returned as a private citizen. He plans to seek the congressional nomination in two years and may buy Dispatch News plant to help that aim. White endorsed Hon B R Kingsley for speaker, calling him the leader in the race and predicting caucus selection.
Roy Powell a Germania West Virginia rail way mail clerk working Cumberland to Durbin on the Western Maryland Railroad was arrested at the Cumberland postoffice after decoy letters containing money were found on his person. Inspectors Koons Robertson and Sergeant Steepe led the investigation following numerous complaints from merchants along the line. Powell admitted guilt, stating he rifled letters and destroyed them after taking money, with one unopened letter and marked funds recovered. Powell is married and resides in Germania.
Ex sheriff A R N Means formally retires from office transferring duties to new sheriff Okey A Hefner at 7 pm. Thirteen state and U S prisoners are in custody. four were moved to Clarksburg for hearings. Means relocates to Parsons block to finalize sheriff duties. notes 1908 tax collection remains. He praises Means for promoting capable leadership and strong county credit.
The governor-elect conducts inspections of state educational institutions starting with Morgantown’s large school this week. Monday he plans to visit institutions in the Eastern Panhandle, continuing his tour through the state’s educational facilities.
Dear Friend claims XXX ABSORBENT OIL is the greatest and fastest remedy for pain, promising permanent replacement of all other liniments. It supposedly cures internal cramps and colic, and external pains from cuts, sprains, lame back, rheumatism, and more. Sold by drug stores and county merchants with a guarantee.
In his regular monthly predictions for January, Rev Irl Hicks of St. Louis outlines multiple storm periods, blizzards, and cold waves across the country, with harsher conditions expected in the north and near-term shifts in barometer readings. He cites periods centered on the 1st, 6th, 9th, 16th, 21st, and 28th, predicting rain, snow, sleet, and possible thaws, followed by high barometer and cold snaps. He also notes a January thaw around the 25th amid winter thunder and lightning, then a late-month cooling trend. Hicks plans visits to Kx to inspect preparatory schools, then Romney for the deaf and blind, and Shepherdstown for the Normal school to assess state appropriation claims.
An exchange unfolds with a curious line of dialogue about blindness. The speaker Uses archaic phrasing and odd spellings, referencing a tired figure and a New York Glebe setting. The fragment hints at a moral or social moment but lacks clear names, places, or dates.
D Bonafede a main street fruit and confection dealer estimates about 59 former Grafton residents were in the Italy and Sicily earthquake and tidal wave area Sunday. He fears many deaths and places fatalities among Grafton exiles may reach around 90.
A historical letter from tunnelton writer Will Hunt, a Rock Hill College student near Baltimore, describes a rhymed Christmas note home to a Baltimore classmate. He mentions family ties to Grafton, his school life, upcoming speech, and holiday wishes, weaving school life and homeward longing into a playful verse.
The Kansas City Times notes Alexander weeping as reporters dismiss the moment as trivial. They demand at least a 2 percent knote per hour to record such events, prompting the emotional response.
Mrs V J Hesgen beloved wife of Bernard Hesgen of 327 East Main street died after a long pneumonia related illness. Born in Virginia she came to this state after the Civil War, lived in Kingwood and Grafton, nearing 68. Funeral plans private at home with Rev H Howard. interment Bluemont. Sentiments of sympathy from friends.
John Wyckoff aged 82 died Sunday at 11 50 a m at his home near Simpson from old age and related illnesses. A prosperous county farmer who never had children, he leaves an adopted daughter Mrs Augustine West and two brothers Harmon Wyckoff of Flemington and Solomon Wyckoff of Ohio. Funeral planned Tuesday at 11 oclock from Simpson Baptist Church with Rev P H Murray assisted by Revs Snyder and Cupp. interment by W L Hyson undertaker.
Cleveland January 4 The executive council of the National Window Glass Workers decided not to call a convention as provided in a Sandusky local resolution. President Faulkner says the strike for a 25 percent wage increase is won and 14 plants remain on the new scale, supplying 474 pots or 80 percent of prior production.
New York January 2 Thornton J Hains testified his brother Peter C Vallins twice tried to kill William B Annis before the Bayside tragedy The defense seeks to use the transient insanity plea parole transitoria to counter unwritten law charges Capt Hains will not seek acquittal on that form If jurors accept it they may avoid confinement In August Thornton restrained Peter and Annis was removed They met again and Peter attacked With Annis present Peter suffered furia transitoria Thornton feared seeing Annis would trigger another attack District Attorney Darrin ceded office to Frederick Dewitt.
Charleston January 2 Gov Dawson signed papers appointing T C Townsend to succeed resigned A B White Townsend a Fayetteville native and former coal miner draftrun digger and lawyer rose from chief clerk to legal adviser before promotion at age 34 an energetic Republican merit rather than political reward
Charleston West Virginia January 2 Governor Dawson received a telegram from Chief Mine Inspector John Laing at Switchback describing the Lick Branch mine disaster. He reports the last body has been taken from the mine bringing the total to forty nine and that a final inspection will be completed today with a report by phone tonight.
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