Valley of the Shadow
Newspapers (1857–1870)

Valley Spirit

April 20, 1864
Newspaper Images
Page 1
Page Description:

Reports of troop movement and skirmishing in Tennessee and Louisiana, columns 4-5

Miscegenation

(column 1)
Summary:

Condemns several prominent abolitionist writers for reportedly supporting miscegenation.

Origin of Article:

London Saturday Review, March 12

Another Outrage

(column 3)
Summary:

Urges the Democratic newspaper in Monroe County to strike back against Republicans in that area after a group of drunken soldiers destroyed the paper's offices.

The Way the Shoddyites Carry Elections

(column 4)
Summary:

Accuses Republicans in Connecticut of unfairly rigging that state's recent election in their favor.

Origin of Article:

Monitor

Congressional

(column 6)
Summary:

Summarizes recent proceedings of the US Congress, including consideration of a bill to reduce fraud upon the Treasury.

Page 2
Page Description:

Poetry and fiction, columns 1-6

From Fortress Monroe Release of all the Union Prisoners in Richmond

(column 6)
Summary:

Reports that nearly a thousand Union soldiers and officers were returned to the North from Richmond prisons on April 7.

Page 3

Tomato Culture

(column 1)
Summary:

Gives overview of different techniques that can be used to grow "perfect" tomatoes.

Origin of Article:

Culturist

Page 4

Freedom of Debate

(column 1)
Summary:

Condemns the Republican "demagogues" in Congress for trying to expel a member who publicly suggested that the Democratic party could restore the Union.

The Maryland Election

(column 2)
Summary:

Mourns the loss of the "freedom of the ballot" in Maryland, where no "real" election has been held in the last three years. The editor says that the elections that have been held have been fraudulent since voters have been required to take loyalty oaths.

Personal Security

(column 3)
Summary:

Accuses the public officers of Chambersburg of exercising favoritism toward anyone who commits a crime but is a Republican.

Excerpt:

"There is a deep sense of insecurity beginning to pervade the minds of the community with regard to the protection of their persons and property. Lawlessness seems to prevail everywhere, in high as well as in low places."

Full Text of Article

There is a deep sense of insecurity beginning to pervade the minds of the community with regard to the protection of their persons and property. Lawlessness seems to prevail everywhere, in high as well as in low places. Those charged with the high and responsible duties of executing the laws and administering justice with an impartial hand, have been found shamefully derelict in the performance of their duties. That strict impartiality and inflexible integrity in the administration of the laws to which we were formerly accustomed, is now no more to be seen. Political prejudice and partisan bigotry are the influences that control the actions and decisions of many of our public officers; and the fact that a man belongs to this or that party, has much more to do with his obtaining justice at the hands of the executors of the law, than the merits of his case.

Is it any wonder that the people are growing uneasy under this sense of insecurity of their property, reputation and lives? Is it any wonder that they are beginning to inquire whether there is any longer any hope left for protection, save in their own ability to defend themselves? This is a serious question, involving the dearest interests and rights of every man, woman and child in the community, and should engage the serious attention of every well-wisher of society. We may, perhaps, have more to say on this subject in our next.

Legislative

(column 4)
Summary:

Notes that the state legislature has again proposed a bill to relieve citizens whose property has been damaged in the war. The editor wonders whether the Governor will decide to veto the bill again this year.

The State Capital

(column 4)
Summary:

Expresses opposition to a proposal to move the state capital from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. Argues that Harrisburg is more central and equally accessible to all sections of the state.

How the Rebellion is Abetted--The Folly of the House

(column 5)
Summary:

A Republican newspaper expresses outrage that members of Congress tried to suppress the speech of a congressman who supported Northern copperheads.

Origin of Article:

New York Times

Excerpt:

"How is it possible for true men so to misunderstand the American people, as to suppose they will submit quietly to this destruction of free debate in the council halls of the nation?"

Apportionment of the State

(column 6)
Summary:

Argues that the recent apportionment of Pennsylvania House and Senate districts is unfair to the Democrats. Franklin County was assigned only one member of the House and, with Adams County, one member of the Senate.

Page 5
Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 3-6, report of an explosion in New York harbor aboard the steamer Chenango, column 3

Court Proceedings

(column 1)
Summary:

Reports on recent court cases. In the case of Commonwealth versus Morgan R. Bryan, the defendant was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Frank Jones at the home of George Eyster, Esq. In the case of Commonwealth versus John Flory, the defendant was found not guilty of murder in the death of Henry Unger, a constable in Waynesboro. In the case of Commonwealth versus George W. White, the defendant was found guilty of aggravated assault and battery. In Commonwealth versus William Keyser, the defendant was found not guilty of larceny. In Commonwealth versus James McGowan, the defendant was found guilty of malicious mischief and guilty of assault and battery. In Commonwealth versus John S. Heagy, the defendant was found not guilty of larceny.

Names in Announcement:
Morgan R. Bryan; Frank Jones; George Eyster, Esq.; John Flory; Henry Unger; George W. White; Cyrus H. Gordon; William Keyser; James McGowan; John S. Heagy

The Pennsylvania Reserves

(column 1)
Summary:

Notes that the Pennsylvania Senate has passed a resolution asking the Governor what he intends to do about reenlisting members of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps after their terms have expired.

Information Wanted

(column 2)
Summary:

Asks that any information on Andrew or Henry Zink, refugees from Virginia, be sent to W. W. Porter of Chambersburg.

Names in Announcement:
Henry Zink; Andrew Zink; W. W. Porter

Died

(column 5)
Summary:

On April 7, James McClellan, son of James M. and Mary A. McClellan, died at age 10 months.

Names in Announcement:
James McClellan; James M. McClellan; Mary A. McClellan

Died

(column 5)
Summary:

Mrs. Mary Gryer died on March 31 at age 78.

Names in Announcement:
Mary Gryer

Died

(column 5)
Summary:

On April 1, James W. McCune, son of George McCune, died at age 1.

Names in Announcement:
James W. McCune; George McCune

Died

(column 5)
Summary:

George W. Shook, son of Harry and Margaret Shorts, died on April 10 at age 1.

Names in Announcement:
George W. Shook; Harry Shorts; Margaret Shorts

Died

(column 5)
Summary:

Mrs. B. Spring died on April 13 at age 79.

Names in Announcement:
Mrs. B. Spring

Died

(column 5)
Summary:

Catherine Kershner, widow of Joseph Kershner, dec'd, of Franklin County, died on March 28 in Benson County, Illinois. She was 73 years old.

Names in Announcement:
Catherine Kershner; Joseph Kershner, dec'd
Page 6
Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 1-6

Page 7
Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 1-6

Page 8
Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 1-6