Mt. Vernon Signal, 25 Nov 1887, Rockcastle Co


Hello All,
My intentions are to post as much information from the MT. VERNON SIGNAL
NEWSPAPERS from ROCKCASTLE COUNTY as I can find time for.  I bought many,
many rolls of newspapers and there is so much information in them that I
would like to try and share for all searchers.  I cannot promise how much
or how fast it will be posted but sure hope someone gets some information
from this.  I will start with the earliest I have and move along as time
permits.  I work a full time job, have two teen sons, building a new house
and my husband and I own our own business which he runs and I do the books.
 So you see my time is limited.

The Mt. Vernon Signal was first called the Mountain Signal.

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Friday Nov 24 (25), 1887

Editor           James Maret
Assoc Editor     W.B. Fox

BRODHEAD
Mr. Hardin from NC was in town dleiver trees.  He put up a the Union Hotel
on College Avenue.

Miss Eva Adams a handsome and stylish young lady of Preachersville paid a
weeks visit to Miss Alma Carson and Miss and Mrs Conn Saturday Bennett Conn
paid a flying visit to his brother S.J. Conn at Altamont.

Our town has been in an unusual state of excitement for some time.  First,
the protracted meeting at Boones Fork conducted by the Rev's Shackleford
and Owens.  The week following the Baptist held a series of prayer meetings
and the womans Christian Society gave a party which was quite a success
socially as well as otherwise.  The began a meeting at the Baptist Church
conducted by the Revs Pike and Tyree.  Both this and the meeting first
mentioned were marked with great warmth and good feeling and doubtless have
been productive of lasting good in the community.   ESTER SUMMERSON

FROM GUM SULPHUR
Henry N. King has palpitation of the heart

A.M. Hiatt of Crab Orchard was with us Sunday

Miss Eva Adams is the gurest of Mrs. F. Francisco.

Joe Robertson's little daughter Carrie has been very ill

Bros Colyer and Ludington are protracting a meeting at this place

B.R. Wilmot bought corn of Luther Langham at $2.50 per bbl.

Our thanks are due W.T. Brooks for a nice reception given us the 18th.

W.R. Cress school closes Dec 3rd

Jas F. Wallin has returned home from a surveying tour in the eastern part
of the state.

F. Francisco has moved to the Mat Rowland property recently vacated by
Eubanks Robertson.

H.T. Brooks better known as Neighbor contemplates moving to Conway where he
is connected with a tie firm.

There is some little rumor that we will have a wedding here soon.  Jas Tate
and Miss----- are the contracting parties.

Bogue Allen's little daughter Maggie died Friday.  The people of this place
extend their sympathies to the bereaved family.

W.D. Mullins has bought the Garnett farm and inteds to try a farmers life
for a while.  It will be remembered that he has been connected with a
publishing house in Virginia for the past three years.

FROM LEVEL GREEN
Bro Hiatt will begin a protracted meeting here Saturday

Misses Amanda Ping and Mattie Rowzee of your town were visiting relatives
and friends here Sat and Sun

E.M. Denney our enterprising merchant is now in Louisville purchasing a
large stock of winter goods for his store at this place.

George Denny our colored boy sportsman accompanied by two white boys
invaded rabbitdom killed 37 and let as many more escape and says "it was
not a good day for rabbits, nuther".

J.M. Taylor who has been recommended for appointment to fill the office of
Justice of the Peace in this precinct made vacant by the resignation of
C.D. Burnett has been reading Blackstone's Commentaries both night and day
for four weeks in order to post himself in the duties of Squire.

E.M. Denney erected a still house on his farm Sat.  He has purchased most of
the surplus corn, and will begin stilling as soon as the waters rise.
"Uncle Sim" although most 100 years old attended the house raising,
assisted with his advice, and occasionally took a wee drip of the critter.

PINE HILL
The Harris Bros have been delivery their fruit trees according to the
promise.

Rev James Hiatt of your place preached for us Saturday night and Sunday
morning.

Peter Langfor of color, took his departure for Jellico to work a few days
on that section.

Big dance at Joe Ramsey's house on Skaggs Creek.  Boys report a fine time.

Mrs Willis Griffin of Mt. Vernon paid relatives and friends a extended
visit at Pine Hill last week.

"Tolerable Fat" a fine mare second only to "Mollie McCarthy" is now owned
by Bud Suttles near the Sinks in this county.

Prof W.A. Owens, Eastern Kentucky minerologist of London paid Pine Hill a
visit Sat.  Will can still laugh and make others laugh.

Our esteemed friend Capt. G.W. Fagan of this place received the following
note from Walker Gentry, dated at Pittsburg.  I took Anderson Miller to
London on the 14th.  He took capital premium and is now stipping at the
restaruant on the Madison road.  If convenient you will please ship Bill
Cress and John Doan to me by local freight by next Sat ,arked COD.  Mr
Fagan informs us that he has no way to bos the above named freight to
prevent incarring some damag, and is confident if damaged in the least, Mr.
Gentry would have no use for them in his business.

WABD
D.M. Cress little child is very ill at this writing

J.M. Hail of Stanford is in this section buying mules

D.M. Cress is preparing lumber to build new houses

George Livesay is putting in a mill on little Skaggs Creek.

John Renner, W.H. Debord Jr. and J.S. Bullock paid Wabd a flying visit
Sunday

George Livesay, of this place was visiting relatives in Pulaski county Sat
and Sunday

Rev's F. Warren and Nathan Singleton will begin a protracted meeting at
Skaggs Creek church Friday night.

A glorious meeting was held last week at the Jasper Francisco houses by
Revs A.J. Pike and Jessee Tyree.  Sixteen confessed.

J.T. Livesay and wife were visiting at his father in laws Sunday-something
I expect to do if I ever have the good luct to rob some man of his dear
daughter.

CONWAY KENTUCKY
J.W. Baker of Berea has moved to Conway and is selling goods

Mrs J.G. Clark was buried at Scaffold Cane last Sunday having died of
consumption

A.W. Hart has gone to a point near Chicago where he has some real estate.

We learn that Granville Clark, of Brush Creek had a large number of staves
burned.

The dwelling of J.W. McCullom was burned to the ground Friday having caught
from a defective stove pipe.  Loss about $200.  Mc has the sympathy of all
MOGUL

FROM CRAB ORCHARD
Miss Edie Shivel is sick

Mrs D.C. Payne is quite ill

Little Annie King has the whooping cough

Our esteemed friend J.W. Brooks is in town

Miss Rebecca Stewart is visiting Woodford County

Miss Katie Holman who has been sick so long seems to be some better

John Grover and wife of Stanford were the guests of Mrs Joe Rinehart

A.E. Gibbons of Danville was here recently on important busines

L.B. Carson and Robet Fisher of Danville were here hunting several days

Mr. Wilson and wife of Campbellsville are visiting her father A.M. Hiatt

John Proctor and wife of Danville have been the guests of Mrs J.E. Carson

Miss Amanda Hutchinson is making a protracted visit to relatives in
Missouri

The new tin roof on Bown Gover's dwelling house improvs it appearance very
much

Little Jennie Evans has been very ill for several months at her sister's
Mrs J.H. Hutchings.

Instead of waiting until Jan Grove Kennedy will take possession of his new
home this week

W.B. Hansford editor of the Blue Grass Herald was in town Tuesday in the
interest of his paper

Mrs Bettie Buchahan attended the marriage of her sister Miss Mildred Lewis
at Stanford Wed

J.F. Holdam was very much worse Sunday and Dr Bailey of Stanford was
telegraphed for to see him.  He is much better now.

S.D. Hardin and G.B. Harris wait upon the publich behind George James
counter during J.F. Holdam's illness.

After a discontinuance of several months the steam grist mill near Agust
Koehler's blacksmith shop has again resumed operations.

After a very successful term Miss Mollie Brooks has closed her art school
here and will probably soon go to your town to teach as several there are
very anxious for her to do so.

We enjoyed the privilege of being present at an elegant dining at Mrs Joe
Rineharts several days since.  An abundance of good things was spread for
the guests and we all partook of them with a relish that certainly proved
their excellence.

The Sunday School Convention wa a very enjoyable ocassion though there were
not as many present as was expected.  The exercises were participated in by
Misses Luella Bright, Maggie Dunn and Eliza Smith, Rev R.H. Caldwell and
Messsrs. S.S. Myers and J.R. Bailey.  All acquitted themselves in a manner
worthy of praise.  Miss Louana James, who is organist at the Baptist church
furnished the music for the occassion.

J.H. Griffith writes from Rockcastle county that he beat Russell's tree.
He cut and hauled one which measured 67 inches at the butt and 53 inches at
the end of the 4th 12 foot cut.


LOCALETTERS
C. Mullins of Livingston called on us Saturday.

James Kitts has moved to Orlando with his family.

Why dont some one in this place build an ice house?

Mrs Sarah Welsh made our office a pleasant call this week.

Mrs. J.E. Vowels wants a good girl, to do house work

S.J. Brown, of Bee Lick, paid this office a call Monday

James Duke sent a good mule to Richmond Monday to sell

The date on our first page should be 25th instead of the 24th.

A new comer at Mr. Frank Mullins named James G. Blaine

Boon Conn of Conway died of Pneumonia Nov 19th.

Logan Lynn Step son of E. Bullock has necrosis of bone of the leg

Jesse Chastaine of Crab Orchard was granted apension Tuesday

Fire and religion seems to predominate in our columns this week

Fred Hart and Bro., of Conway are building a platform in front of the
postoffice

Dr. Searbough, of Skaggs Creek, has just completed one of the best barns in
this county

The steam mills are having a picnic in grinding, now as no water mills are
running

Our young friend R.C. White is making a success in the book agency business

D.N. Williams would like to know who bogged his stove wood a few nights
since

The intese smoke Saturday was caused by log men burning drift on Skaggs
Creek.

John Welbern, of TN has been holding a meeting at Union Church near Gauley
Mountain.

Trial of Mullins for hitting old man Smith was put off until Wednesday Nov
30th

This week a great many took advantage of the cold snap, and are having a
hog killing time

Judge Carter wants to sell his home farm, situated three miles south east
of Broadhead for $2000.

Adam Towry, who lives in the Bullitt precinct, lost 200 panels of fence by
fire last week.

Nellie, a little daughter of J.W. Smith fell into the fire, and was very
badly burned Tuesday

Walter B. Smith has sold the farm he recently bought of Frank Myers to
Colby Hayes for $450

W.G. Mullins of Crooked Creek, has moved his saw and grist mill from
Crooked Creek to Roundstone.

James M. Reynolds child that has been so low is now better.  The patient is
under the chard of Dr. Davis.

A milk cow strayed to the farm of Wm Towery, on Skaggs Creek, some two
months ago and is still there.

The wife of J. M. Perkins of Broadhead presented her husband with a boy,
says a special correspondent.

Chesnut and Kitts of Orlando received a voucher from the tie inspector for
the K.C.R.R. for $473.80

David Hurt and James Adams were up from Brodhead Sunday, and of course
subscribed for the Signal.

R.G. Williams is our traveling solicitor and business transacted with him
will be proptly attended to.

Mrs. Margaret Taylor was stricken down Sunday night with heart disease.
She was some better at last accounts.

H.C. Gentry has a twin turnip, or twin turnips, the two growing on the same
stem, or oroot, one above the other

Dr. Brown has been doing some excellent work for the Signal this week for
which he has the thanks of this office.

A company from Missouri are making crossties on the land bougfht of D.N.
Williams, to ship to Big Sandy R.R.

Smiling Davie, not contened with supplying Mt. Vernon with notions branched
off to Wabd, and sold George Livesay a fine supply.

Eld. PJ Hiatt of this place has returned from McKee where he had been
holding a series of meetings with thirteen additions.

Localetters 

The ladies of D.N. Williams gave the boys in this office lots of taffy last
night.  They sent it over on a plate, and it was excellent, Yum, yum, yum.

They young ladies of this countya re requested not make a mash on our
traveling solictor, R.G. Williams.  We rather think he is "mashable", and a
good catch being stricly a ladies man but we want to keep him hustling
around amoung the dear people this winter and not burning wood and lights
of prospective fathers in law.

The reformers of Mt. Vernon seem to be well please with the way Eld. John
Carmical wields the sward of the Spirit; in fac the is near enough a
Reformer to be counted in the list, his father and mother both living and
dying in that faith.

Capt. Frank Harris has been transferred from the St. Louis Division and
appointed Master of Trains on the Henderson Division of the L & N with
office at Earlington.  HIs friends will be glad that he is back in Kentucky
and renew their hipes to have him on this division again.  Interior
Journal.

Our thanks are due to a number of kind friends for their assistance and
efforts  in giving our paper a good send off.  C.C. Williams, always a
friend to the newspaper man subscribed and paid up for six copies which he
sends to his friends in the west, besides inducing an number of others to
subscribe.

Last week we noted the fact that Wm. O. Buford and Nancy Townsend, or
Bryant of this place had been refused a license to marry in Laurel County.
It seems they were not to be faffled however for this week they went to New
Albany, Indiana and were married.

Jacob and eight year old son of H.C. Gentry of this place while out in the
yard playing with his dog, had the animal to run between his legs and throw
him to the ground with such violence as to break his collar bone.
Aphysician was called and reset the bone and the little fellow is doing
nicely.

Yesterday our office was invaded by Mrs. J.H. Brown, Miss Ida Adams, Mrs.
M.C. Williams and Mrs Jack Adams.  Such an array of beauty, intelligence
and refinemanet is a rarity in an editorial den, and the working force was
nearly paralyzed for a time.  They rallied however and enjoyed the visit
hugely.  Call again, ladies.

C.W. Ping left Sunday night to take his position as drummer boy.  This
makes the third time we've had this item printed.  We know he's gone this
time for we sat up and started him on the train.  We may be previous
sometimes, but manage to get there sooner or later.

The following note was received yesterday from our old time friend J.A.
Owens, who is the station agent at Altamont.  It explaines itself:  Note
received; you bet; don't you give old Dude out he's slow but shure; paper
received; we like the Signal splendidly.  It's chock full of news homepun,
with a good portion of old Rockcastle Democracy; just the kind we were
raised upon.  Please send us 125 cents worth.  Enclosed find dust for same.
 Long live the Signal.

The saddest occurance we have had to chronicle is the accident that
happened to Nellie, a twin daughter of the J.W. Smith of Garrad, who fell
into the fire Tuesday and was so badly burned the she died in untold
agonies Wednesday morning following.  She was a very bright little
creature; and the idol of her parents, who have the sympathy of the entire
community in their deep affliction, and loss of their little darling.  To
add to the sadness of the occassion, Miss Maggie Adams while on her way to
the bedside of the sufferer, was thrown from her horse and dangerously
injured.

J.M. Anderson, Predestination preacher, of London, KY. wished to wed E.G.
Wilson's daughter Lizzie, but Wilson said it was predestined that they must
wait a year.  Anderson indeavored to pass the time by killing the horses of
his prospective father in law pouring coal oil in his well and blowing hm
up with dynamate.  The neighbors declare that it was written before the
flool that they will everlastingly string Anderson up by the neck if he
comes back......Kentucky Citizen

Smith Adams a well known citizen of the western part of this county, aged
45, was found dead in the rod four miles south west of Brodhead Friday
night with his head crushed and back broken.  It appears that he had left
home early that morning and gone on horseback to Buck Creek to look after
some hogs he had out on the mast.  He carried some shelled corn in a sack.
On his return he stipped at a wayside store and bought a plow point, which
he placed in the sack.  It is thought that the way the sharp ;oow point cut
its way through and the corn spilling frightened the horse which ran away
and threw him against a tree, with the above result.  Mr. Adams leaves a
larg family.  The burial took place Sunday.  Nearly three hundred people
followed the remains to the grave.

BRODHEAD (SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE)
Miss Katie Butner is visiting at J.C. Albright's Maretbur.

J.G. Frith is building a very neat two story dwelling on High street.

L.A. Cass operator at Sinks, paid Brodhead a flying visit Saturday.

Mrs Bertie Frith returned from a visit to her parents near Stanford.

Miss Eva Adams, of Garrard county has been visiting Mrs. Conn the past
week.

Mr. Bower has returned from Ohio where he has been looking after his oil
lands.

Mrs. L.A. Cass, of Louisville has been visiting her son, J.R. Cass, the
past week.

R.S. Martin, of the firm of Martin & Perkins is in Louisville on business
this week.

Miss Lizzie Butner has returned from a visit to her father at Mt. Vernon
who has been very sick.

Martin & Perkins have built a new store house and will soon be ready to
move into the same.

Andrew Sutton, of this place leaves for West Plains, MO in a few days,
where he expects to make his future home.

Larkin Hicks who has been confined to his bed on account of a cut on his
thigh with a foot adze, is improving and thinks he will soon be able to get
around on crutches.    Dick

CULPEPER
H.C. Cromer bought a yoke of cattle from Albert Minks for $85

John McClure has sold his 12 1/2 acre farm to D.P. Bethuram for $32

There has been a new post office established on Rockcastle river by the
name of Andrews.  A.P. Norton is postmaster.

John Nicely has swapped his yellow horse to A.W. Minks for a span of males
for which Nicley paid $79 boot.

Sam McClure ha s120 sawlogs on the bank of Skaggs Creek, ready for
measurement by the American Lumber Company.  Hurrah for Sam.

Miss Nannie Elrod has eight more days to teach before her school is out.
The pupils are all very sorry that the time is so near at hand.  She is a
good teacher and is well liked

At a dance at Joe Ramsey's las Friday night, a youn man fired his pistol
off in the crowd which created much excitement but no damage was done. Too
much pine top, I suppose.

FROM LIVINGSTON
Casper Williams paid our town a visit Monday

Sames Sam Brooks returned from Cincinnati Tuesday

Mrs Henry Burton who has been sick for two weeks we are glad to say is able
to be about again.

Geo. Denny of Lancaster who has been with us the past week looking after
his coal mine returned home Wednesday.

After a number of years smoothe sailing our Grand Master has struck a snag
in the person of G.D. Cook, the L&N pumper and concedes his defeat to tht
gentleman.  Having succeeded in renting all his property he thought
everthing in readiness for his departure the first of January, but upon his
return from a business trip he finds that Mr. Cook has induced two of his
renters to abandon his house and take up their quarters in his (Cook's)
property and why Mr. Cook picks upon these particular renters remains a
myster that puzzles the mind of even the Grand Master to solve.

DISPUNTANTA
Judge Culton, of Mckee will preach here tonight

Miss Nannie Taylor is visiting Wm. Cook and family

Louis Rowlette and James Black are friendly again

W.J. Roberts will move to Madison county next week.

Some of our farmers are killing hogs, but they look a little lean

Mr. and Mrs. Thurman of Somerset are visiting John Stephens of this place.

Nov 24, 1897   Localetters (continued)

Eld P.J. Hiatt of this place has returned from McKee, where he had been
holding a series of meetings, with thirteen additions.

Mr. Tanner of London who recently went on bond for William Burke is here on
the lookout for him.  Burke is supposed to be in Arkansas.

Dan Purcell and Miss Elizabeth Spoonemore were married yesterday by Rev.
P.J. Hiatt at Mrs Welsh's store.

Charles R. Vestal, who has the reputati9on of being the best operator in
these parts, has been assigned to night duty at Jelico.

While Rockcastle is grumbling about having no road laws Marion county is
kicking on the account of having more road law than they want.

Arrangements will be agreed upon at Sunday school next Sunday for holding a
Christmas tree.  A good attendace is desired.

Frank Bryant is making the shingles fly from the roofs of several houses in
town, and replacing them with new ones.

Joe Petrey and Miss Gelina Siler came down from Lily Monday morning, and
were married returning home on the evening train.

Dr. Davis and J.E. Vowels are duly authorized to receive and receipt for
subscriptions, advertising or job work, for this office.

R.G. Williams our traveling solicitor is fast increasing our subscription
list.  Fully one hundred names have been added in the past week.

An infant child of Lee Coffey's living near Wildie, died Tuesday, and was
buried Wednesday in the family burial grounds near Jeff Coffey's.

There will be a Christmas Tree at the church or courthouse on Christmas
eve.  Let everybody contribute to make it a complete success.

Rev Pike preached the funerals of Smith Adams, his mother and three
children last Sunday, embracing five funerals in one sermon.

Wm Henderson one of our substantial farmers, has the thanks of this office
for favors in way of subscriptions and good words.

W.M. Williams, formerly of Ohio, has bought of W.G. and W.M. Mullins, 90
acre of land near Freedom Church for $600

The interior journal says John M. Williams, formerly of this place is now
clerking for D.W. Vandeveer at Stanford.

M.N. Langford has opened up another vein of coal on his farm, forty inches
thick.  This is the second vein he has on his place.  Both near the
K.C.R.R.

In case all the Royal family of Germany become extinct by death, lunacy,
etc., this place could furnish several subjects that would make healthy old
emperors.

For the next sixty days Thompson & Bro. will colsoe out their stock of
goods at reduced prices, for cash or produce.  Please call and see how they
sell before parting with your money.

J.H. Browne and wife of Lancaster are here on a visit to her parents.  The
many friends of Mrs. B. are glad to see her and her gallant husband in our
town.

Some of our young people received special invitations to attent the
entertainment at College Hall, Crab Orchard, last night.  They were
delicately wroded missives.

Gov. Buckner writes us, inclosing a years subscription.  If this thing
keeps on we may get reckless and squander some of our wealth on a suit of
store clothes.

Wm Baker living in the western parto of the county, has just completed some
improvements on his dwelling which is now one of the neatest in that
section

In two weeks more the school in the Prewitt district will close.  The
patrons speak in high terms of the efficiency of the teacher, Miss Maggie
Starnes.

Mr. Singleton who recently moved from Wm mcClure's to a farm on Skagg's
Creek, died of dropsy Sunday morning.  He leaves a wife and grown son.

A two year old child of Henderson Nuckols of Copper Creek fell into the
fire Saturday and was so badly burned it died in great agony a short time
after the accident.

We have received a graphic description of a cave near Grance Berthurams
which will appear next week.  The crowded state of our columns prevents us
publishing the same this issue.

J.J. Cazait of Parksville was here Saturday night owrking the wores during
Mr. Evans absence.  Logan Westerfield relieved Mr. C., who went to Jellico
Sunday night to fill a similar position.

The old newspaper man, C.S. Nield, of Altamont, was in town Saturday.  He
knows how it is himself and did that which best pleases the heart of an
editor--paid a years subscription to our paper.

Our readers will not fail to notice the full page advertisement of L.B.
Adams, on our eight page.  This enterprising house does a rushing business
and knows the value of printers inkl.

Missed Lena Newcomb and Mollie Coyle favored our office with a pleasant
call Tuesday.  Of course we were pleased with their visit and hope they
will find occasion to repeat it often, and brign their lady friends with
them.


I apoligize for my typos but some of the spelling in these papers are typed
just as it is written.  Look for more to come.  If anyone has a problem
with my sending these articles please let me know by e-mail.

Cindy

From: Cindy Crawford
DBXP64A@prodigy.com 
10 May 1998