This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 12 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Jul 09, 1908
Page
2
A devastating fire swept the central section of the city causing extensive property damage and widespread shock. Authorities report flames fueled by strong winds and rapid spread through commercial blocks, with several structures leveled and sirens heard for hours. Firefighters battled the blaze into the night, evacuations underway as neighborhoods assess losses.
July 4 1887 in Grafton West Virginia a Fourth of July picnic ends in a devastating fire that consumes thirty two buildings. Parkersburg engineer Patrick Flannery leads a rapid relief train arriving in 2 hours 31 minutes, saving central danger and aiding firefighting efforts. The blaze wipes out Main Latrobe corner and surrounding blocks with losses over 50000 dollars but Grafton survives to rebuild.
Grafton, a once modest industrial town in West Virginia, has endured hardship and now stands as a thriving modern city. The transformation from yesterday to today highlights its growth and resilience.
John Luther Cassell infant son of Mr and Mrs John J Cassell of Market Street died at 5 15 this morning after weeks of illness a bright seven month old. Funeral from Market Street residence under Undertaker T B Cole services by Rev A Richardson pastor of St Paul Saheran Church. Family gratefully receives community sympathy.
Dr Elbert Jones offers veterinary services for horses cattle and other animals in Grafton and vicinity. Day or night calls answered from Ward's livery with both phones. Advertising rate listed as $39 per month. Mr Louis Ritter the insurance man reappears in community life as philanthropist and benefactor of widows and orphans.
A Victoria Mines Fourth of July celebration ends with a court scene at Hardman Switch. W P Bridge Luther Johnson and A L Rowe faced Squire Charles R Lilly after a brawl following beer spigot taps and brick as witnesses testified. Fines total about 61 dollars for Bridge Rowe and Johnson, with Rowe paying 10 and Johnson an order on the sheriff for brief accommodation plus 10.
A mad dog escaped confinement in Newburg yesterday afternoon, mauling chickens, injuring a man near the knee, and possibly others as it roamed for miles. The dog, owned by Joseph Bolyard, fled after being among town residents and is thought to be severely wounded after being shot. The incident left a hospitalized victim and fear of further attacks as authorities seek to corral the roaming animal.
Goldie Gillis aged nineteen was struck and killed Sunday afternoon at Lumberport by a coal mine yard engine backing toward the bridge. She attempted to flee toward the end of the trestle but fell between the cars as the entire train passed over her. Though life lingered, she died before transfer to a hospital in Clarksburg.
General Elliott seeks 57 young men meeting strict height weight and moral standards to fill second lieutenant vacancies in the U S Marine Corps. A October 15, 1908 preparation deadline is noted, with exam passage and Navy secretary approval required for appointment and a starting pay of 1700 dollars per year.
The East End mourns for eight week old child of R L Bunner who died July 4 after brief illness. Interment at Bluemont Cemetery conducted by Undertaker McCabe. Also, infant son of M A Riffey died Sunday morning and was buried at Hepsabah Baptist church cemetery under Rev C L Trawin. Katherine Jones died July 4 at eight months. Interment at Bluemont Cemetery by Undertaker McCabe. The Sentinel extends condolences to the families.
Newburg July 6 notes a calm Fourth of July with picnics at Newman Grove and Chestnut Ridge, patriotic talks, a Calitham parade led by W C Parriott as Uncle Sam, a Father Time impersonation by Clayton Owens, and a baseball game Bonafield 8 Hiorra 3. Evening shin-die dance drew crowds, few arrests, and ample Reymann and Tygart Valley spirits.
In the 1887 fire sketch in the Sentinel the omission of George W. White from the property loss list is noted. White, Latrobe street cigar maker, is now the oldest local businessman, has 31 years under his own name, and built a West Virginia reputa tion through quality. He rebuilt after the conflagration in the same building.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.