Volume 13, 1881

Containers:

Box 1, Folder 6

Scope and content:

[A note in the back of this book says 32 snows fell in the winter of 1880-81].

January 3, 1881: "8 degrees below zero, wood getting very scarce. E. B. Simpson went to Harrisonburg today with snow shoes, they are about six feet long and six inches wide. Oh this is fearful weather, a great deal of slaying going on."

January 6, 1881: "Professor Geason gave a Grand Free Exhibition of Scientific Horsemanship today and commenced a class with 20 or more pupils at $2.00 per pupil."

January 21, 1881: "the horse tamer is in our town today."

February 6, 1881: "Niggers had a fight in African Church tonight." [Drew 3 black heads]

February 7, 1881: "I H. Smals made a pair of boots for a Mr. Stokes that he wore for 25 years, please beat that. There were 26 persons at the young mens prayer meeting in M.E.C. to night."

February 12, 1881: Sam Williams was fined $10 and bound over the Peace for 12 months. Jos. Williams the same and Oliver Failer was fined $5 and bound over for 12 months for fighting in the African Church last Sunday in Bridgewater, VA."

February 17, 1881: "Allemony's Cattle Sale today. His yearlings sold at $16 per head."

March 2, 1881: Stuart Lindsey lead union prayer meeting in M. E. Church at 5 o'clock.

March 6, 1881: "Mr. McNeal came to our town to see his sweet [sketch of heart] and I tell you she is very Handsome. he lives in Hardy County."

March 7, 1881: "Engineers and Simpson gone on the route of the railroad." [sketch of surveyor's level] Rev. Mr. Whisner came to Marg Areys. A good many preachers went through our town to Harrisonburg to Conference."

March 27, 1881: Rev. Bush had his first sermon in M. E. Church.

March 28, 1881: "Joseph Williams taken to jail by Hopewell for fighting in Methodist Church, Colored."

March 29, 1881: "Joseph Williams taken to jail for fighting in Methodist Church, colored. The Engineers Simpson and Bell came home from their Byrds Eye Survey."

April 1, 1881: Preaching at M. E. Church by Rev. Deans.

April 14, 1881: "F. K. Speck went after Uncle Adam Rader who died on the 7 of the present month at Culpeper County near Brandy Station."

April 16, 1881: "Uncle Adam Rader has been brought to this town to be buried in our grave yard this evening."

April 23, 1881: Jesse Fry shot Dr. Jones cow in his wheatfield with small shot."

May 5, 1881: "Adam Smals commence the brick church at Mossy Creek today with 6 hands."

May 7, 1881: Colored people's 1st Quarterly meeting held in this place."

May 8, 1881: "Preaching by Rev. Price in M. E. Church at 7 ½ oclock. Mrs. Stickler lost 2 $5 Dollar Notes some where between the M.E. Church and home."

May 24, 1881: "This is the most powerful year for Locus Blooms I ever saw. I hope will get a good corncrop."

June 15, 1881: Mr. Wm. S. Perry sold a calf 10 days old for $5.75 to Frank and Will Ervin."

June 21, 1881: "Thrush Sellers finished Mrs. Covington's fence today at $8.00." [sketch of iron fence] "He finished a lattice fence the next day." [sketch of lattice fence]

July 1, 1881: "John Carpenter Brought an Engine Thresher to Bridgewater. Daily mail commences between Bridgewater and Stribling Springs."

July 2, 1881: "Quarterly meeting commences this morning at Sangerville. Presiding elder is I. S. Martin. President Garfield was Shot in the City of Washington, District of Columbia."

July 8, 1881: "A Colored Festival in Mt. Sidney today and night. Realized $50."

July 13, 1881: "Dr. Brown tapped Mrs. Showalter near Mt. Solon, 10 pints of water from her abdomen." [Dr. Brown was often noted being present at births].

July 18, 1881: "Dr. Brown had the first Roastnears in our town." [sketched ear of corn] "GrandMaster Crowder from Staunton will be with us in our lodge tonight as Odfellows." [Belongs to Ancient Odfellows of Bridgewater Lodge. Frequently writes in some kind of "lodge code"]

July 21, 1881: "The Negro Band gone 4 miles above Staunton today to a lawn party. They get $10 for the trip."

July 24, 1881: "Mr. Looses, Mr. Hartman's, Mr. Minoss, and Mr. Allemony's cows died from eating molasses cane today."

July 26, 1881: "John Allemony's other cow is very sick. A Negro shot himself near Mt. Solon today with a pistol accidental."

July 29, 1881: "The Colored People have a Lawn Party in our Odfellow Hall tonight and tomorrow night." [Aug. 10 and 11-White lawn party held on school grounds]

August 20, 1881: "Cora Crickenberger cut her throat and stabbed her self in the head two or three times."

August 23, 1881: "This day District Conference commence 2 oclock in M. E. Church. Preachers present. Conference organized at 3 oclock this evening, John S. Martin in the chair, a good many preachers present and a large Lay Delegation Present. Preaching at 8 oclock this evening by Rev. A Weller. Conference lasted all week."

August 29, 1881: "all the preachers gone home today."

September 2, 1881: "Mrs. B. Kyles lamp exploded this evening but did not hurt any one."

September 4, 1881: Rev. Tailor had prayer meeting at M. E. Church.

September 9, 1881: "A Lawn Festival held in M. E. Church lot to night, Realised about $25."

September 10, 1881: "Festival Lawn Party tonight in churchyard. Colored People have a picknick [sic] today at their church."

September 20, 1881: "Shef Lewis and Wise fought a duel today. Neither of them hurt."

September 22, 1881: "Henry Smals I appoint you as Stuart for the Corporation of Bridgewater Council given under my hand for the sum of two Dollars for Services Commencing on the first of July 1881 and Closing July 1, 1882." _ M. Stickler, Mayor

September 24, 1881: "A Lawn Party at Mt. Solon by the colored people."

September 25, 1881: Rev. Hildebrand preached at M. E. Church.

October 1, 1881: "Colored band gone out to play for a picknick near Pleasant Valley in Rockingham County."

October 5, 1881: "James Clary open his Degarian [?] Saloon at Robert Funks."

October 6-7, 1881: "Colored at Allemony's this evening at 8:00. . . .Colored meeting still going on in this town."

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