Valley of the Shadow
Newspapers (1857–1870)

Valley Spirit

April 4, 1860
Newspaper Images
Page 1

Douglas's Reply to Seward

(column 6)
Summary:

Summary of Douglas speech attacking Seward and the Republicans for violating the Compromise of 1820. Argues that the American people had already settled the question of slavery in the territories.

Page 2
Page Description:

Poetry, fiction

More Canonization of Abolitionists

(column 5)
Summary:

Article relates description of a memorial rally in Ohio for John Brown, attended by several fugitives members of Brown's party.

Editorial Comment:

"How long, we ask, will this infatuation of fanaticism continue to exercise its malign influence over a portion of our people? And how long will the sober-minded, conservative men of the country look with supine indifference on the daily increasing dangers that now threaten our dearest interests, and our very existence as a nation?"

Origin of Article:

Cleveland Plaindealer

Page 3
Page Description:

Poetry, advertisements

Page 4
Page Description:

Reprint of text of Buchanan's speech to Congress.

Post Office Affairs

(column 1)
Summary:

Complains of the time lag for mail between Washington and Chambersburg.

Excerpt:

"We have borne with vexatious delays in the transmission of our mail between Chambersburg and Washington City, till forbearance has ceased to be a virtue."

Full Text of Article

We have borne with vexatious delays in the transmission of our mail between Chambersburg and Washington City, till forbearance has ceased to be a virtue. Our letters and papers could be conveyed between these points by an ox cart in less time than they frequently take, and yet there is railroad all the way. Matter intended for last week's paper, and deposited in the Post Office at Washington Friday afternoon, reached us on Monday evening. It should have been here on Saturday, for the first morning train from Washington connects straight through. Our last week's paper, delivered at the office in this place on Tuesday afternoon, had not reached our Washington subscribers on Saturday evening.

These are not the only instances of delay. If they were, we should not complain. But this vexatious state of things has existed for six or eight months, and our letters and papers have very often taken from one to three days longer than above stated to pass between the points mentioned. Some months ago, after waiting for the evil to correct itself, we made a brief allusion to it, but without effect. We are now determined to thump out a remedy somehow or other, and we give notice to all concerned that we shall agitate this subject till the cause of our just complaint shall be removed.

The President's Protest

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Summary:

Article praising a recent speech by President Buchanan.

President and Vice President

(column 3)
Summary:

Washington paper proposes Democratic presidential ticket of John C. Breckenridge with Judge John Black (the Valley Spirit's nominee for President) as Vice-President, which the Valley Spirit said it would be happy with.

Origin of Article:

Washington City Star

"High Grounds"

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Summary:

Quotes article tearing down the Republican candidate for governor and Republicans in general.

Origin of Article:

Easton Sentinel

Page 5

German School

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Summary:

Praises Jacob Lortz's teaching in the German school, which was established by the Guilford school directors.

Names in Announcement:
Jacob Lortz

Homicide

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Summary:

An old man was killed in a drinking house in Mercersburg, when young man took offense to something he said and hit him hard enough to kill him.

Names in Announcement:
Solomon Weiner; McCurdy

A Convenience

(column 1)
Summary:

Jacob Heyser has opened a store to sell Nursery products.

Names in Announcement:
Jacob Heyser; William Heyser, Esq.

Penmanship

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Summary:

Mrs. Creaker has opened a penmanship school in Chambersburg.

Names in Announcement:
Mrs. S.L. Creaker

Excerpt:

"Mrs. S. L. Crocker an accomplished teacher of Pennmanship is now in this place soliciting pupils for a class in Pennmanship."

Full Text of Article

--Mrs. S. L. Crocker an accomplished teacher of Pennmanship is now in this place soliciting pupils for a class in Pennmanship. Her terms are $3.00 for eighteen lessons, one-half the amount to be paid in advance and the balance at the expiration of the term. This lady comes among us highly recommended for her excellent character and rare accomplishments, and we trust she will receive the encouragement she deserves. Her class opens on Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock, at the residence of Mrs. Ritner, on King Street, where application for admission to the class can be made.

What has Anti-Slavery Done

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Summary:

A list of wrongs that anti-slavery has perpetrated on the country.

Origin of Article:

Pennsylvanian

A Premature Burial

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Summary:

Story of a black man who was declared dead and was on his way to his funeral when his coffin overturned and he stepped out of it, alive.

Origin of Article:

Cleveland Plaindealer

Married

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Summary:

Married in Fannettsburg on March 29.

Names in Announcement:
John Witherow, Esq.; Asa Harris; Malinda Huffmanster

Married

(column 6)
Summary:

Married in Chambersburg on March 27.

Names in Announcement:
A. Fry; Rev. James Bishop; Rev. Frederick Gilbert; Lena Werner

Married

(column 6)
Summary:

Married March 29.

Names in Announcement:
P. McGarvey; Daniel Deatrich; Anna Arnold

Deaths

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Summary:

Died March 28, age 4 years, 4 months, 9 days.

Names in Announcement:
Ida White; Andrew White; Sarah White

Notice to Tax-Payers

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Summary:

List of homes in Franklin County where a tax collector will meet taxpayers.

Names in Announcement:
Benjamin Culbertson; James Junkin; Jesse Jones; Colonel John Wyncoop; Jeremiah Zellinger; William Bard; John Zimmerman; P. Cook; J.B. Cook; James McAfee; Jacob Elliott; James Scott; James Mullen; Andrew Shank; George Anderson; Francis Bouden; Thomas Pauling; John Tankersly; Martin Shoemaker; John Brown; John Gordon; James Richardson
Page 6
Page Description:

Poetry and advertisements

Page 7
Page Description:

Advertisements

Page 8
Page Description:

Market information from Chambersburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore; legal notices.

A Free Lover Rode on a Rail in Utica

(column 1)
Summary:

A household with a married couple who had each taken a lover and whose lovers lived with them was stormed by a mob and the man of the house was taken on a rail to the police station.

Origin of Article:

Utica Telegraph

A Suicidal Fray

(column 1)
Summary:

Discusses the support from Representative Black of Ohio for a bill to repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law.

Editorial Comment:

"With more than half of their representatives pledged to such doctrines, how can the People's Party dare to talk of Conservatism and the Union?"

Origin of Article:

The Evening Journal

Chambersburg Saving Fund Association

(column 6)
Summary:

Directors of Chambersburg Saving Fund Association.

Names in Announcement:
Dr. J.C. Richards; Dr. A.M. Senseny; Holmes Crawford; Samuel Senseny; Samuel Gilmore