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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Jul 16, 1908
Page
3
Jon Kunst barn was struck by lightning during a violent storm late last night. The structure burned to the ground despite efforts by nearby residents to save it. No injuries reported. Local authorities are investigating the incident.
The Daily Sentinel recalls Taylor County's origin with the 1844 first court in a Pruntytown barn, the burning of the old Methodist church that housed early courts, and the formation of Taylor County from parts of Barbour, Harrison, Marion, and Preston counties led by Capt. John S. Burdett and L. S. Johnson. It notes the 1843 petition drive, Armstrong's election, and the 400 to 4,000 vote growth by modern times.
F W Baumer & Co announces a week long sale at 1416 18 Market Street offering sample shopworn and second-hand pianos at low prices. Prices quoted include $400 for a Cecillian Player Piano $150 for a Cecillian Player piano new $75 for a Simplex Player and other deals like $275 for a Stultz Bauer mahogany second-hand, $225 Krakauer, $190 and $225 two Kranich Bach. Buyers encouraged to view pianos and other bargains.
The passage describes bustling trade and travel on the old National turnpike with stage lines and wagons laden with produce. It recalls the burning of the old fist court house in Kunst barn, noting the event as a revived slice of Taylor County history gathered by Central West Virginia's Sentinel for public interest.
In a Daily Sentinel editorial, readers are urged to discard doom and gloom about hard times. Local business leaders report trade decline at most 10 to 15 percent, with many workers still earning steady wages. The piece argues optimism, discouraging hearsay that worsens economic fear and harms the wider community.
Citizens urge city purchase of the riverfront park to convert it into a public resort with a bath house pavilion and playground. They cite rising crowds, a natural sand beach, and potential revenues to cover costs, calling Grafton’s park model a guide for municipal ownership and development. Also reported is the loss of valuable draft horse belonging to Thomas Stilwell from lung fever, valued at about 175 dollars.
Carrie Belle Martin of Springfield Missouri and Samuel D. Fitch of Spokane wed in the Spokane county courthouse. The bride cradle her 15 month old son as Justice George W. Stocker officiates. Fitch had once loved Martin while she was widowed after her first husband Jim Fitch died in a Santa Fe wreck. Fitch later won her again, returning to Springfield, then Spokane, where the couple married with the newborn son present.
The Pruntytown state reform school adds two large hounds to its four trained animals to track escaped boys. E. B. Smell brings the dogs from Moundsville via Morrison, with one large English imported hound and one American bred hound. The new pair strengthens an already effective trail system for escapes.
The West Virginia Second District Democratic Convention in Keyser chose Hon. Benjamin Hiner of Pendleton County as the congressional nominee to oppose incumbent George Sturgis. Harry Swisher of Morgantown was permanent chairman and Samuel McCray of Hardy County named secretary. May or Kenny of Grafton was named Taylor county Democratic Executive Committee member. The gathering adjourned at 3 p.m.
Officers searched eastern Ohio for a black fiend who Saturday noon assaulted Mrs. Mike Hudy near Kennon Belmont County tearing off her clothes and leaving her unconscious before escaping. The same night a thunderstorm caused a fatal lightning strike killing three cows near Pruntytown and two near Boothscreek, with others injured. Public notices and ads follow.
In Butler Pennsylvania on July 13 a storm and a farmer tale link a 40 foot cherry tree to presidential politics. The Abers farm tree, uprooted during Parker Roosevelt events, was reuprooted after a 1904-like revival and blown down again as Bryan’s nomination rises. Republicans fear the tree will regrow if Taft wins and fall if Roosevelt or Bryan prevail.
Baltimore & Ohio announces special low rate excursions to Atlantic City Cape May Sea Isle City Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach on select dates. Major conventions include Knights Pythias Republican National Convention Prohibition National Convention and educational gatherings with full details available from ticket agents.
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