Proctorville, Ohio News 1888

Proctorville, Ohio, Correspondence to the Ironton Register published newspaper on Feb. 23, 1888, writing about matrimonial, criminal, personal, and interesting locals. Barbara Madden submitted this story.

Not having seen any news in your paper from this place for some time, I thought I would drop you a few items. Right here, I want to say, on last Sunday morning, while the birds and fowls were yet upon their perches, and before the sun had peeped over the eastern hills, and the stillness of the Sabbath had not been disturbed, when a knock was made against the door of ‘Squire’ Ollum’s residence.

The ‘Squire’ was yet on his couch, in the arms of Morpheus, dreaming of the angels and everything blissful, except launching someone out upon the sea of matrimony, when presently he was aroused by a second knock.

He arranged his toilet as quickly as possible, and as he neared the door, he heard somebody on the outside sigh. The thought struck him that someone was after a warrant for arresting someone who had committed terrible depredation.

The door was opened, and the stranger was invited in. The light was turned up, and a second look revealed the haggard and woebegone face of our newly made County Clerk, J.W. SAYRE, who had put in the night thinking of the responsibilities he had already taken and was about to take. He had gone through the ordeal of being sworn into office, glanced over the books, thought of the work in the present term of court, and that all would be too much to go alone.

John was raised in the country, and the many temptations that a country boy is liable to come in contact within the city necessitated his making new resolves, one of which was to read the Bible. He first began reading Genesis, 2nd chapter 18th verse; “And the Lord God said it is not good that the man should be alone.”

He stopped, scratched his official head, and said the scriptures must be fulfilled.  Straightway he donned his best garb and took a boat for Proctorville, where at 9:15 a.m. at the bride’s residence, J.W. SAYRE and Miss Fannie MARKS were made one, ‘Squire I.W. Ollum officiating.

John left for Huntington, West Va., to take the 10:55 train for Ironton to be in his official capacity in the Courtroom Monday morning, but before going, he showed great nervous excitement. He breakfasted at the Metropolitan hotel and, on leaving, was careful to get a better hat than his own. The mistake was not discovered until about the time of his departure.

It was too late to correct the mistake. So, Mr. Editor, if he has a difference in his countenance, it is not all due to his getting married, for the hat has something to do with it. Mr. SAYRE has won a pearl of a great prize from Miss MARKS. She is one of our best young ladies with a kind and amiable disposition.

• Last Saturday night, Mr. Henry SPEARS, who lives about one and a half miles back of town, discovered that his wife had let, taking with her $138. Mr. Spears is a poor man and about two months ago received a small pension, having disposed of all his money except the above amount. He has been married for about 25 years and always got along peaceably, and he cannot account for her rash act. She has been an invalid for several years, and it may be that she is mentally wrong, but Henry thinks she has gone with a handsome man.
• Dr. W.W. REYNOLDS has returned from the West and purchased the property and goodwill of Dr. W. H FEURT, who will leave for Huntsville, Ala. On March 1st, he will go into the stock business and practice medicine.  While on a prospecting tour a few weeks ago, the Doctor traded his two stallions, Black Prince and St. Paul, for a fine imported Arabian spotted stallion valued at $3,800.  He is perhaps the prettiest horse in the state, having a perfect shape and jet-black and snow-white spots. He has a very heavy black mane and tail. The people of Lawrence County, Ohio, will very much regret losing the Doctor, and much credit is due to him in his endeavor to improve our stock’s quality.  Our loss will be Huntsville’s gain. May success follow him in his new field of labor.
• W.R. WISEMAN has purchased a small farm three miles back of town, upon which he has built a house. He will make a business of raising poultry.
• Henry MAGEE contemplates embarking on the livery business in the spring.
• H. B. MAUCK, the genial coal oil manipulator of  D. B. MAUCK  & Co., is rusticating in the rural districts of Gallia Co. with his mother, brother, sister, cousins, and aunts, and with somebody’s daughter who lives on the head of Possum creek. We imagine we can see Harlow sitting by the side of the murmuring brook “and his girl,” with his feet dangling in the crystal waters, pondering over the happy, sunny Summer days of his youth.
• Joe V. RICKETTS has fully recovered from typhoid fever and returned to his studies at Miami Medical College, Cincinnati.
• Joe FELIX of RICKMORE’s Dry Goods house was in town last Sunday and Monday, looking after a claim he is working up among some of the fair sex.
• The quarterly meeting took place at Rome church last Saturday and Sunday. The meeting will be protracted.
• Gen. ENOCHS, E.V. DEAN, Julius ANDERSON, and Rob’t MILLER were on our streets last week.
• Augustus MAGEE, of this place, was awarded the contract of carrying the mail between the Ohio river R.R. and this place, beginning the 20th. We will get our dailies at 7:25 p.m.
• T. J. GILLETT has purchased the farm of the late R. T. CARTER.
• C. I. BUSH was called to the bedside of his daughter Minnie, who is suffering from a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism, at Oberlin, O., where she is attending school.
• Dr. ATKINSON, who came here a short time ago, is getting good practice. As the Doctor becomes acquainted, he is much liked by the people.
• H. C. WALTERS, the high hatted gentleman of fast horse fame, is enjoying a short vacation in Cheshire, Middleport, and Pomeroy.
• J. P. REALL was closing out his stock of general merchandise and rented his rooms to D. B. MAUCK & Co., who will open a store of the same kind on March 15th. W. A. WATTERS, of Cincinnati, will have charge of the store.

 PROCTORVILLE ITEMS

Thursday, January 17, 1880 – Having seen nothing from here for many weeks, we have decided that the second town in our county deserves notice. So we will attempt to jot down a few items for your valuable paper.

Correspondence of the Register

• Revival meetings are in full blast. Many of our young people attended the very successful meeting at Rome conducted by Rev. DRUMM. In contrast, others are faithful in their attendance at Guyandotte and seem much more interested in Rev. SIMON’S sermons, which he illustrates with pictures while he tells a story.
• G. B. SULTER arrived from the sunny south a few weeks ago and took a bride to himself, one of our social lights, the happy lady being Miss Alice BLAZER. We are glad that this young couple will make this place their home.
• The season’s social event was a young ladies’ tea party at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. G. BUSH last Tuesday evening. Needless to say, the evening was an enjoyable one as all know Mrs. Bush to excel as a hostess. Seventeen young ladies were present, and the evening was spent in intellectual and social games and music after an elaborate tea.
• The organization of a literary society was debated as the young ladies decided that such an institution would elevate the tone of the already good society of our little place. Take the advice of the “News” boys, and win if you are inclined, for the girls are interested in higher things.
• Our schools are progressing finely under the leadership of G.W. O” NEIL. Messrs. BRUBAKER and SAYRE have executed some fine photos of the schools. However, whooping cough interfered considerably with the groups, as many children have been withdrawn because of that malady.
• The drama club of this place is preparing to give entertainment sometime shortly.
• We regret to state that Mrs. Lydia PROCTOR is quite ill.  J. V. RICKETTS, who spent the holidays at home, has returned to Miami college.
• H. B. MAUCK, the efficient clerk of  D. B. MACK & Co., will soon leave to fill a more lucrative position.
• Merrill RICKETTS was in town Monday.
• E. G. CURTIS left for Cincinnati last week.
• Our choir has been reorganized and will endeavor to keep its former good reputation under the leadership of R. M. MAGEE.
• Our Sabbath school has reorganized and held its annual election. G.W.O’NEIL is Superintendent with A. R. O.THOMAS assistant, and some new teachers have been appointed while some of the old ones have been retained.
• Our townspeople unite in saying that the Register is the best paper printed in Southern Ohio, and we feel honored to be contributors. If this meets your approbation, you will hear from us again soon.       JUSTICE

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1875

• The Hayes flag has been laid away to await the Presidential campaign.
• Messrs. Berry & Smith have moved their sawmill to this place. They will locate on the river bank at the upper boundary of R. W. Magee’s farm for the present. They will see only as they receive orders.
• Our school is progressing finely under Mr. C. W. Eakman, assisted by Miss Mattie Told of Millersport.
• Competition is very lively among the merchants of our thriving little place. We are selling out at very low prices to make room for the Winter stock. M. Forgey has J. H. Kelly assisting him in his store.
• The bridge over the main branch of Paddy Creek is in a very bad condition, so much be dangerous for any but foot passengers.
• A petition is circulating to have the Post Office removed from its present location to the upper end of town. A remonstrance is also circulating with a pretty good show of succeeding.
• There is talk of a wedding or two soon. So note it be.      BLIXEN.

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1877

• There was a meeting at Proctorville one day last week to decide the question of incorporating the town. About a hundred persons were present. R. W. Magee presided, and Wm. Reckard, H. M. Smith, G. T. Shirkey, C. Wilgus, F. M. Reckard, and others made speeches.
• The result was that the town’s incorporation was agreed upon almost unanimously. – Prof. Shirkey has surveyed the plat. The boundaries are the river, the Rome township line, until it strikes the road running back, thence to R. W. Magee’s barn, thence to the river, forming nearly a square.
• It takes in the schoolhouse and a large portion of the bottom back of Wilgus’s. Inside these boundary lines are almost 330 inhabitants. The meeting was an animated one. We understand that the town’s name will be Granttown, but Proctorville would, doubtless, be better, as that is in honor of some worthy citizens of this county.
• The immediate object of the organization, as we understand, is for the better government of the town. It is getting to be quite large and stirring and burdened with a saloon and whiskey shop or two, which makes some preparations to secure peace and order necessary.

IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1877

• It seems that at the incorporation of Proctorville, a variety of names for the town was suggested, among which was “Cherrington,” as a sort of a golden mean between Grant town and Proctorville, but the latter was adopted. Why not call it for short, Proctor, and thereby save a lot of useless writing? By the time a hundred years or so roll around, that unnecessary tail Ville, will have absorbed several days’ hard work. Amputate the tail.

PROCTORVILLE
IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1881

• Proctorville reminds one of the approaching Christmas holiday present displayed in every show window.
• We hear that the Sunday School at Rome will have a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Everyone was invited and a good time was expected.
• Frank Anderson is employed to teach the La Belle High School.
• Hen. Smith, Proctorville’s most popular young man, was off the Dugan a few days last week.
• Ben Robinson fills the place vacated briefly as a clerk in Jas. P. Beall’s store.
• Miss Ollie Carter is visiting friends in Gallipolis.
• Walker Williams is helping Jno. Parker.
• Clayton Hall, the clerk on Lizzie Johnson, was in town Sunday night. The girls smiled at Clate.
• Miss Sallie Becket is visiting friends in Haskelville.
• Rev. Taylor preached to a full Methodist church house Sunday evening. He preached here thirty-seven years ago.
• D. W. Clark of your city was in town one day last week.
• The boys attended The Farmers’ Association at Beulah.
• The quarterly meeting was well attended. The Presiding Elders were absent. Our Rev. Holliday conducted the meeting.       JENNIE.

PROCTORVILLE- IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1889

• School closed here last Friday. The schools adjourned to the intermediate room. Before the afternoon session was called, the house was thronged with visitors. The exercises consisted of recitations, dialogues, and music. One pleasant feature of the occasion was reading an original poem by one of the high school pupils.
• Miss Kate Bay presided at the organ, and Dr. J. V. Ricketts assisted in singing. Rev. Drum spoke for a short time and forcibly brought to the minds of the pupils the advantage of living in the Buckeye State, after which Mr. E. F. Gillen, one of the School Board, spoke a few words thanking the teachers in the name of the Board and the community for how they have conducted the schools. The school was dismissed at half past three. Patrons, teachers, and pupils parted with many regrets, all expressing themselves well-satisfied with the year’s work.
• Mr. O’Niel has been quite sick for the past few days.
• Dr. J. V. Ricketts, who was called home by the dangerous illness of little Eric Bush, returned Sunday evening to Cincinnati.
• Miss Lilly Hayes of Scott Town passed through on Monday to the Normal school at Hamilton, W. Va.
• John Gillen of Rockwood, who went to Kansas a short time ago, accidentally shot and killed himself. Last Tuesday, the remains were brought home and interred in the family cemetery near Union Chapel. His friends have the sympathy of the entire community.
• Another fire has visited our place. Mrs. Ratio Gillett’s house, occupied by the family of W. P. Martin, took fire and had burned for some time before it was discovered, as a tin roof covered it. With the aid of the engine, the fire was extinguished, but much damage was done to the house and household goods.

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1889

• Our first quarterly meeting of this conference year was held at this place on Saturday and Sunday, November 30 and Dec. 15, in connection with the church’s reopening. Elder M. V. B. Evans presided. Everyone expressed themselves as well pleased with our new church, the interior of which presents a beautiful appearance. An effort is now being made to purchase a new bell, which we need. The choir was reorganized with our reopening, giving new zest to the service.
• B. F. Beckett, a most worthy young man of this place, quietly took his leave for Gallipolis last Wednesday evening and married Miss Anna Blazer, a lady well and favorably known in Proctorville circles. We feel that this worthy couple is a valuable addition to our society. We extend a hearty greeting.
• Abner Smith, one of our oldest residents, is seriously ill.
• Mrs. D. W. Custer has been suffering from neuralgia for the past week.
• All of our merchants have returned from trips to the city, and the display in their show windows is magnificent.
• Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Watters entertained friends from West Va. Sunday.
• We frequently see hunters from town wending their way through our streets, bent on improving the few days allowed them for sporting.
• Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Burr of your city spent Thanksgiving there.
• Mrs. G. W. Bay returned Wednesday from a trip to Cincinnati.
• Later.- Mr. Abner Smith, whom we have mentioned before, has passed away. He was eighty-eight years old and had spent his whole life in this community, had many friends. He was known to all as “Uncle Abner,” and all had a friend in him. He has been seriously ill for several weeks, and through all, he hoped and prayed. His death occurred Sunday at 1 a.m. and 1 a.m. In that death, Proctorville lost an influential and respected citizen, the family a loving, thoughtful member, and the church a consistent Christian.        TRIMURTI.

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, JANUARY 15, 1891

• Capt. Ed. Magee came home from the South to spend the holidays with his family.
• R. M. Magee has engaged with D. H. Carpenter, of Catlettsburg, for 1891.
• Mr. Curtis caught enough ice in the river last week to about half fill his fruit house.
• Mr. J. W. Pritchard has a business house erected in Ceredo, where he expects to enter business in the Spring.
• The firm name of D. B. Mauck & Co has been changed to Mauck & Watters. The firm reports a business of $38,700.00 in 1890.
• The only unpleasantness that happened here during the holidays was the disturbance at the Red Hill Xmas eve, and the boys who created it paid for their fun by each contributing over $9 to Squire Ollom’s Court.

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1900

• · There is no start yet in the permanent improvement of the fire district. Mauck & Watters and Mr. Reynolds have put up wooden structures on the back part of the square and are inaugurating business again.
• They will probably erect brick buildings on the old sites later on. It is not known what Mr. Bush will do. He has not yet made up his mind.
• He talks of building a brick structure for his mill, but he hesitates because of this village’s lack of fire protection. This matter of fire protection is causing some discussion, and the Council may devise some economic plan for water supply and fire protection.
• Last Thursday, a committee of Messrs. Curtis, Thomas, and Custer went to Gallipolis to look into the matter. It is hoped that out of the present uncertainty and gloom, Proctorville will be better and greater than ever, and the fire will be forgotten, except as a calamity that was not altogether a misfortune.

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, JUNE 06, 1902

• · Misses Nannie and Nellie Suiter, Rachel and Sara Gillen, Kate and Ruth Bay, and Mrs. E. G. Dabney left Monday to attend a house party given by Mr. and Mrs. W. W. McGuffin in Sewell, W. Va.
• · Mr. Will Bay returned to his home at Ironton after visiting relatives here for a few days.
• · Mr. Halliday Rickets of Cincinnati arrived last week to spend the summer with his grandmother, Mrs. R. Rickets.
• · Mr. Will Alexander spent a few days at his home in Letart Falls last week.
• · Mrs. Mollie Miller and her daughter, Miss Ollie, returned to their home in Mexico Monday after an extended visit with Mrs. Miller’s father, Mr. John Wilgus.
• · Miss Bessie Watters returned last week from Lancaster after an extended visit with relatives.
• · Mr. W. E. Hobill of Columbus was a business visitor here last week.
• · Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bradshaw left last week to visit Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McGuffin.
• · Mrs. Rachel Dillon and Mrs. Henry Kouns of Sybene, Kans., were calling on friends here Friday.
• · Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Wheeler of Ashland moved here this week. Mr. Wheeler is now the proprietor of the Dabney drugstore.
• · Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Anderson moved here last week from Ironton.
• · Children’s Day was observed at the M. E. Church Sunday evening. The church was beautifully decorated, and children were well trained to make a most pleasing entertainment withal.

PROCTORVILLE – IRONTON REGISTER, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1908

• Mrs. Holroyd is ill with the grip.
• Misses Maud and Ada Johnson spent Sunday in Huntington.
• C. A. Johnson and son of Angel, W. Va., were Sunday visitors here.
• Kendall Johnson of Huntington is visiting C. A. Johnson and their family.
• Captain William Bay of Ironton was visiting relatives here yesterday.
• Irvin Hamlin is moving into Captain Bay’s house at the head of the grade.
• Miss Bess Watters and Mr. Lewis of Huntington were calling on Mrs. D. B. Mauck yesterday.
• Mrs. J. F. Suiter of Angel, W. Va., is here for a few days to visit home folks and attend to business matters.
• Mr. and Mrs. John Crawford spent Sunday as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Kerr at their home in Highlawn.