Valley of the Shadow
Newspapers (1857–1870)

Valley Spirit

January 1, 1862
Newspaper Images
Page 1
Page Description:

Other general war news, including commentary on the Trent Affair; also report on tariff debates.

News from the South

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Summary:

A collection of articles from various Southern newspapers reporting anti-abolition, anti-Lincoln news.

Origin of Article:

Memphis Appeal, et al.

The Campaign in Missouri

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Summary:

Reports on campaign in Missouri, where federal troops captured 2500 Confederate troops and destroyed most of the Confederate boats on the Missouri River.

Excerpt:

"These are the fruits of the brilliant strategical combinations of General Halleck, which have been so ably executed by Generals Pope, Prentiss and McLean...."

Jefferson Davis' Message

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Summary:

Comments on Jefferson Davis' address to the Southern Congress and supports Davis' contention that an exhibition of Southern strength is needed to bring the contest to a close. The Post further agrees with Davis that the idea of reunification should be abandoned (this section is italicized by the Valley Spirit).

Origin of Article:

London Morning Post

Page 2
Page Description:

Fiction and humor

How Turkey Makes Nigger

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Summary:

Joke regarding slaves stealing turkeys from their master.

Page 3
Page Description:

Fiction and advertisements

Page 4
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Also reports on activities in Congress.

Mason and Slidell

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Summary:

Editorial which argues that the apology to England for the interception of the Confederate envoys Mason and Slidell was an insult to the United States and tantamount to recognition of the Confederacy.

Excerpt:

"But all of a sudden 'a change has come over the spirit of their dreams' and the insolent demand of England is to be complied with."

Fight in Kentucky

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Summary:

An unsigned letter from the 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, stationed in Hart County, Kentucky, on the North Branch of the Green River. Discusses a skirmish near Bacon Creek between the 77th and infantry regiments from Arkansas and Mississippi, and a Texas cavalry unit. Union troops were deployed as skirmishers and were able to repel the advancing Confederates, suffering 16 dead and 50 wounded, to 40 dead Confederates. The 77th hopes to follow the Confederates to Bowling Green for the "big fight," but their advance is held up by the need to repair the bridge over the Green River.

Abolitionists Rampant

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Summary:

Editorial arguing that abolitionist congressmen are trying to push Lincoln into illegally freeing the slaves. The author believes that the country would be better off jailing the abolitionists.

Excerpt:

"It seems, says the Police Gazette, as though we are never to get ride of the everlasting nigger, but that he is to be dished up to us morning noon and night, in some such form and shape as our tormentors think best adapted to their malignant purposes."

Full Text of Article

It seems, says the Police Gazette, as though we are never to get rid of the everlasting nigger, but that he is to be dished up to us morning, noon and night, in such form and shape as our tormentors think best adapted to their malignant purposes. The President is evidently just and conservative in his policy, which does not suit these fire eating Abolitionists, and they are determined, if possible, to drive him to following their plans. To this end they are holding caucuses, offering resolutions in Congress, making speeches and cutting up various other antics characteristic of the race, but they are destined to disappointment as we do not believe that President Lincoln will ever submit to become a party to their insane plans. Congress has no authority whatever to abolish slavery in any State; and if they should pass an act to that effect it would be void in itself, and we would be sure to elect men to the next Congress that would wipe the illegal enactment from the statute book. It is full time that something was done with these incendiaries, for they are really doing more injury to the country than the Secessionists, and if the President would direct his Marshals to take charge of one Lovejoy and one Stevens, who have obtained seats in Congress, and also about two or three hundred of their co-conspirators outside of Congress, and give them a berth at Fort Lafayette or Warren, he would do the country more good than could be accomplished by an army of fifty thousand men. These are the men who have been instrumental in plunging the country into war, and now they are doing everything in their power to prolong it, and to add to its horrors. They do not enlist either as soldiers or officers, for they fear to meet a hailstorm of leaden bullets; but they stay at home, seek for contracts or fat offices, and then occupy their leisure time in concocting schemes that must result in making the strife more sanguinary than the most blood-thirsty could desire. There must be an end put to their operations, and that soon, or more evil will ensue.

Chairman of the Democratic State Executive Committee calls a meeting....

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Summary:

Meeting set for Democratic State Executive Committee in Harrisburg.

Excerpt:

"It should be well attended--for to the perfect organization of Democracy throughout the loyal states, must our unhappy country look for deliverance from her present evils."

For the 'Valley Spirit'

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Summary:

Urges the Valley Spirit to take advantage of sentiment in Congress in favor of constructing railroads that avoid the South. Notes that the proposed Washington to Hagerstown, Maryland railroad would connect with various Franklin county lines and would provide several new stretches of railroad. Congressman McPherson has proposed a new line from Washington to New York through Gettysburg.

Trailer:

A Friend of the Road

Names in Announcement:
Congressman E. McPherson

Excerpt:

"Some are turning their attention to a road from Washington to Hagerstown, to connect with the Franklin Railroad, and then unite Washington with Philadelphia and New York by the roads already made, but we belive [sic] the citizens of Hagerstown are so indifferent to this immense interest to their town and County, that as yet, they have taken no action on the subject. Shame! shame! where they have property to advance in price, they surely ought to strike 'while the Iron is hot.'"

Full Text of Article

MR. EDITOR: It is an old saying, but true, "strike when the iron is hot." The zeal you manifested for several months after the Railroad Convention in Harrisburg, PA., in May 1860, if now applied in your paper, as it was there, might do a great deal of good. We are now engaged in a civil war, and when it is to end none but JEHOVAH knows. The Government must have facilities for transportation. Some are turning their attention to a road from Washington to Hagerstown, to connect with the Franklin Railroad, and then unite Washington with Philadelphia and New York by the roads already made, but we belive [sic] the citizens of Hagerstown are so indifferent to this immense interest to their town and County, that as yet, they have taken no action on the subject. Shame! shame! where they have property to advance in price, they surely ought to strike "while the Iron is hot." If a road were made from Washington to Hagerstown, then the Franklin Railroad could be used as far as Greencastle, then strike for Mercersburg and the Cove Gap, at Seylar's Foundry. This would enable them to have along the base of the mountain, until Cowan Gap, a very easy grade. This it is true would leave Chambersburg fourteen miles to make to intersect at London, and twenty miles to grade to Thadeus Stevens Tapeworm, and six more miles to lay with rails to Gettysburg, to be connected with Baltimore.

Our Congressman, Hon. E. McPherson, has brought the subject before Congress to have an Air Line from Washington through Gettysburg to the cities of New York and Philadelphia, and we give him credit for attending to his own interests as well as the Governments; for if the citizens of Washington County, Md., are too indifferent to attend to their own interests, we hope McPherson will prevail, with this addition, strike out the Air Line and insert Chambersburg, Broad Top and Somerset, ending at Pittsburg [sic], Pa. Then Washington, Baltimore and our Steam War Vessels would be easily supplied with the Broad Top coal, the products of Pennsylvania, and the great west, without being annoyed with Rebeldom.

The stigmas cast in this communication upon Hagerstown, may be equally applied to the citizens of this Town and County, and will fall with more force on us, than it can possible do on them, if we seriously reflect on our relative positions. What are we doing while the "Iron is hot," nothing and Echo answers, nothing. We have friends at court that we believe they have not. First, the Hon. Thos. A. Scott, Deputy Secretary of War, the road would pass his birth place. Second, Hon. McPherson. Third, Hon. Thadeus Stevens, an old resident of Gettysburg. Fourth, the Hon. Simon Cameron, now Secretary of War, may not forget his youthful days when he gamboled along the streams and sported in the woods of Franklin County, Pa, and now when in possession of power and influence in the National Government, and to aid that Government in economizing her resources, favor the county where his youthful days were spent, if his attention was properly called to the vast amount of money that could and would be saved to the United States if this road was made to Broad Top and Pittsburg [sic].

A FRIEND OF THE ROAD

The Trent Difficulty Settled

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Summary:

Relays the official correspondence in which Secretary of State Seward agrees to release the captured Confederate envoys and apologizes to Great Britain.

Origin of Article:

National Intelligencer

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Page Description:

Editorials and classified advertisements

Sunday School Festival

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Summary:

Describes the program held at the Lutheran Church on Christmas Eve. Lucy Eyster performed and Rev. Steck took up a collection for the Orphans Home in Pittsburgh. George Messersmith, Superintendent of the School, donated 350 volumes to the library.

Names in Announcement:
Lucy Eyster; Rev. Jacob Steck; Geo. R. Messersmith, Esq.

Mr. George Seilhamer

(column 1)
Summary:

Requests that Seilhamer repeat a poem delivered at the Franklin Hall on December 25.

Names in Announcement:
George O. Seilhamer, Esq.; J.D. Sharpe; T.B. Kennedy; J.K. Shryock; Geo. W. Brewer; Wm. H. Boyle; G. R. Messersmith; John Mull; J.P. Keeter; H.H. Hatz; Wm. Heyser, Jr.; Snively Strickler; W.S. Everett; G.H. Merklein; J. Cook; Geo. Eyster; Wm. Heyser; C.M. Duncan

We Want Our Money

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Summary:

Notice requesting that those who owe money to the Valley Spirit pay up.

Excerpt:

"Don't neglect to put that small trifle, that you owe the printer, in your pocket when you come to town ... we have the assurance of those who have tried the experience that a man never feels so happy in his life as at the precise moment when he pays off his indebtedness to his printer."

Proceedings of the Franklin County Teachers Association

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Summary:

A summary of the sessions of the Franklin County Teachers Association, held Wednesday December 25 through Friday December 27. A variety of pedagogical topics were discussed, and several addresses on subjects were given, including "Development of the Mind" (by T.M. Richards), "A Word of Encouragement" (Jennie Walk) and "Experience of a young teacher" (A.B. Wingert). The first resolution passed by the Association "deplored" secession and pledged its support to the federal government. Elected as officers were Rev. F. Dyson, President; A. McElwain and P.M. Shoemaker, Vice-Presidents; J.H. Montgomery, Recording Secretary; J. Eckhart, Corresponding Secretary; J.W. Coble, Treasurer; T.M. Richards, J. McMullen, J.F. Boult and J.B. Eckerman, Executive Committee.

Names in Announcement:
P.M Shoemaker; Mr. Enterline; F. Noble; Mr. T.M. Richards; Mr. Lehman; Mr. Shoemaker; Mr. Swiggert; Mr. J. Eckhart; Mr. Henninger; A. McElwain; Mr. A.B. Wingert; Mr. Detrich; J.S. McElwain; Mr. McMullen; Mr. Belz; Mr. W.H. Hockenberry; Mr. Gelwicks; Mr. Deatrich; Mr. Stach; Mr. Kuhn; Rev. F. Dyson; Rev. C.B. Wolf; Miss Jennie Walk; Mr. S. Swinney; Mr. W. Owen; J.W. Coble; J.F. Boult

Excerpt:

"Mr. Belz resumed Geography, speaking of the importance of Outline maps and large blackboards. Mr. Hockenberry made a few remarks. He said it could be studied without Outline maps--definitions should be thoroughly committed and illustrated by geographical charts. Mr. Gelwicks favored the charting system. Mr. Enterline said he heretofore opposed the charting system but now favored it. Mr. Deatrich favored a mixture, on order that a permanent impression be made on the pupil must study. Mr. Shoemaker recommended thoroughness in definitions. Mr. J.S. McElwain remarked that pupils were generally put to the study at too early an age, which caused teachers to be discouraged by not witnessing an advancement accordingly."

The Great Rebellion

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Summary:

Rev. Clark will lecture on the "History and Theory of Revolutions," at Franklin Hall to benefit the poor. Tickets are available for 25 cents from Mr. Augustus Bickly.

Names in Announcement:
Rev. Jos. Clark; Augustus Bickly

Married

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Summary:

Thomas H. Cook and Mary F. McGaffigan, both of Chambersburg, were married in Christ's Church on December 26.

Names in Announcement:
Rev. Father McKee; Thomas H. Cook; Mary McGaffigan

Married

(column 4)
Summary:

George McCleary and Caroline Knepper, both of Quincy Township, were married on December 26.

Names in Announcement:
Rev. W.H. Deatrich; George McCleary; Caroline Knepper

Married

Summary:

John G.S. Wingert, of Welsh Run, married Mary Helen Bowmen of "near this place" on December 26.

Names in Announcement:
Rev. B. Bausman; John G.S. Wingert; Mary Helen Bowmen

Married

(column 4)
Summary:

Samuel Croft of St. Thomas married Anna Mary Embich, daughter of Henry Embich Esq. of Chambersburg, on December 24.

Names in Announcement:
Rev. J. Steck; Samuel Croft; Anna Mary Embich

Causes for Trial at January Term 1862

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Summary:

List of suits for trail in January term of 1862. J.K. Shyock vs. M. Fitzpatrick. Holker Hughes vs. Thadeus Stevens. Alex B. Thompson vs. Alex. Groves's Administrators. Margaret McNultz, et al. vs. Jacob Garver, et al. Imbrio & Grove vs. Perry A. Rice, et ux. Imbrio & Groves vs. George Wertz, et ux. John Shorts v. George Wertz, et ux. David Lytles Executor vs. Wm. A. Hazlet. Michael Burkett vs. Jacob C. Monn. James Williams vs. Phillip D. Weaver. Samuel Wolff vs. Nicholas Uglow. John Newman vs. C. Hildebrand, et al. John Ditzler vs. John Lindsay. Sarah Heckman vs. Wm. McGrath, et al. Lewis Elliot vs. C. A. Knapper, et al. Geo. A. Corwells vs. Jacob L. Dechert. J. & S. Ealy vs. Franklin Funk. Johnston Henry vs. John J. Brumbaugh. James Gilbert vs. Joseph M. Heister. John Wolff vs. Susan Brewer. Mary Wineman vs. Mich. Kegerreis, et al. John Houser vs. William McGrath, et al. Second Term: William Crist vs. John Snyder, et ux. Keystone Insurance Co. vs. Wm. McClellan. Daniel Hawbaker vs. Joseph Whitmore. Hagerstown Bank vs. Wm. McGrath, et al. Abraham Carbaugh vs. D. Lytles' Executor. Commonwealth of Pa. vs. H. Easton et al. Polly Piper vs. James Dyarmon, et ux. Andrew Simmers vs. Samuel Reisher. Mary Piper vs. James Dyarmon. T.M. Durlisle vs. B. Phreaners' Administrators. G.W. Brewer vs. B. Phreaners' Administrators. Frances V. Beam vs. Sarah Small. Cristiana Bender vs. Joshua Bender. James H. Gordon vs. Francis Bowden. Solomon Eackert vs. John Nisewander. Quincy School District vs. Antrim School District. Casper Hug vs. M. Geiselman et ux. Frederick Divilbiss vs. James Tenly. William McGrath vs. John Beaver. J.H. Shireman vs. George Trittle. William Yorks vs. James Patterson et ux. J. & S. Ealy vs. Harman Barger. J. &. S. Ealy vs. Andrew M. Main. A.D. Kaufman, Prothonotary.

Names in Announcement:
J.K. Shyock; M. Fitzpatrick; Holker Hughes; Thadeus Stevens; Alex R. Thompson; Alex Grove; Margaret McNultz; Jacob Garver; Perry Rice; George Wertz; John Shortz; David Lyttles; Wm. Hazlet; Michael Burkett; Jacob C. Monn; James Williams; Philip D. Weaver; Samuel Wolff; Nicholas Uglow; John Newman; C. Hildebrand; John Ditzler; John Lindsay; Sarah Heckmann; Wm. McGrath; Obed Gsell; Edmund Little; W. Crook; A.B. Rankin; Lewis Elliot; C.A. Knapper; Geo. A. Corwells; Jacob L. Dechert; J. Ealy; S. Ealy; Funk; Johnston Henry; John J. Bumbaugh; James Gilbert; Joseph M. Heister; John Wolff; Susan Brewer; Mary E. Winemen; Mich. Kegerreis; John Houser; William McGrath; John Snyder; Daniel Hawbaker; William McClellan; Abraham Carbaugh; Joseph Whitmore; D. Lytles; H. Easton; Polly Piper; James Dyarmon; Andrew Simmers; Samuel Reisher; Mary Piper; William Bender; D.H. Yeates; T.M. Durlisle; B. Phreaners; G.W. Brewer; Frances V. Beam; Sarah Small; Cristina Bender; Joshua Bender; James H. Gordon; Frances Bowden; Solomon Eackert; John Nisewander; Casper Hug; M. Geiselman; Frederick Divilbis; James Tenly; John Beaver; J.H. Shireman; George Trittle; William Yorks; James Patterson; Harman Barger; Andrew M. Main; A.D. Kaufman

A List of Grand and Traverse Jurors

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Summary:

List of jurors.

Names in Announcement:
David C. Burkholder; John S. Brown; Peter Burkholder; Frederick Cressler; James Clymans; John D. Coldsmith; Jacob Frieze; John Grove; Daniel Grove; David Gordon; Daniel Hassler; Jacob Kendig; William Murphy; D.B. Martin; R.P. McFarland; Franklin Reed; Henry Riggle; John W. Ramsey; Issac Rosenburg; Issac Shockey; Hugh Smith; Jacob C. Secrist; John Thompson; Jacob Witmon; William Wilson; J.J. Austin; Josiah Allen; John Bowermaster; Samuel Brandt; John Brindle; David Byers; L.B. Brenner; William Clark; John Crisswell; Cristian Crider; Frederick Cook; Jacob S. Detwiler; James Elder; Maxwell Elliot; Mich. Fellon; Aaron Funk; Amos Gettys; Frederick Gloser; David Greenawalt; Charles Hartman; Benjamin Huber; James Kennedy; Wesley Koons; Alexander Kyner; Samuel Lininger; John Loughlin; David Lohr; Daniel Myers; William M. Means; Robert McCormack; William McCue; James McFerren; Josiah McKinnie; Jacob Overholtzer; Peter Plough; Michael Pfoutz; John Row; Jacob Small; Augustus Sheiry; Henry Small; Henry Stouffer; Samuel Small; Daniel B. Shannon; Ferdinand Senseny; David Simmers; J.R. Tankersley; James H. Alexander; Adam Aughenbaugh; Henry Bear; George W. Betz; Abraham Bair; Jacob Benedict; Samuel Brackenridge; William Creamer; Charles Croft; Charles Clark; Isaac Deardorf; Christian Deck; Jacob Deatrich; Samuel Frantz; Jacob Frick; William Gillan, Sr.; Frederick Gelwicks; Jacob Garver; George Gossert; John Gelsinger; Peter Hirst; Henry Henickle; Levi Hurst; Daniel Hawbecker; David Kuhnley; Emanuel Kuhn; Jacob Lehman; William A. Mackey; A.S. Munn; John McClellan; Dutton Madden; Alexander McDowell; Frances McDowell; John Piper; Noah Snyder; John Shirts; John Spreacher; George H. Snyder; George Summers, Jr.; Samuel Stover; Joseph Ripple; Samuel Richards; David Skinner; Melcher Speelman; George Sellers; R.K. Wright; Samuel Wright; John Walker
Page 6

Chambersburg Female Seminary

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Summary:

Advertisement for fall session of Chambersburg Female Seminary. Rev. Henry Reeves serves as principle; the board of trustees consists of Hon. George Chambers, Rev. B.S. Schneck, S.R. Fisher; Bernard Wolff, Esq.; F.D. Culbertson, M.D.; and William Heyser Sr., Esq.

Names in Announcement:
Rev. Henry Reeves, A.M.; Hon. George Chambers; Rev. B.S. Schneck, D.D.; S.R. Fisher, D.D.; Bernard Wolff, Esq.; F.D. Culbertson, M.D.; William Heyser, Sr. Esq.
Page 7
Page Description:

Classified advertisements

Page 8
Page Description:

Classified advertisements