Page 1
Page Description:
Page has a number of short quips on morality, especially regarding women and men. Article from the Frankfort Commonwealth about a Bell elector who switched to Breckinridge, column 6. Letter from Gov. Letcher regarding an extra session of the Legislature, column 7. Bottom right of page is illegible.
It Don't Pay
(column 4)
Summary:
Spectator laments what it sees as the decline of society into one in which people only act if it "pays" for them to do so. This has especially led to a deterioration in relations between the sexes as well as in domestic life in general.
Only a Few Weeks
(column 6)
Summary:
Exhortation from the Richmond Whig for people to get out and work for the victory of the Constitutional Union party, as there are only a few weeks left until the election
Our Platform
(column 7)
Summary:
Argues that the Constitutional Union platform is not new, but rather is based on tried and true principles of Union.
Page 2
Page Description:
Page has a number of short political pieces, some from other newspapers.
Meeting at Churchville
(column 1)
Summary:
Bell/Everett club will be formed at a meeting in Churchville.
Names in Announcement:
Esq. Hugh Sheffey
Meeting in Middlebrook
(column 1)
Summary:
Bell/Everett club will be organized in Middlebrook.
Meeting in Waynesboro'
(column 1)
Summary:
Bell/Everett club will be formed at a meeting in Waynesboro.
Our Mass Meeting
(column 1)
Summary:
A mass meeting of Bell clubs will be held on October 10.
Mint Spring
(column 1)
Summary:
A meeting will be held at Mint Spring to create a Bell/Everett club.
Col. John B. Baldwin
(column 1)
Summary:
Announcement that John Baldwin, who was scheduled to speak to the Staunton Bell/Everett club, will not be able to do so.
Names in Announcement:
John Baldwin
Meetings this Week
(column 1)
Summary:
List of places and times of Bell/Everett meetings this week in the county.
Col. Baldwin in Rockingham
(column 1)
Summary:
Announcement that Col. Baldwin will be happy to speak to meetings anywhere in Rockingham County if the people there will arrange for him to be brought from Harrisonburg.
Names in Announcement:
Col. Baldwin
ORGANIZE!
(column 1)
Summary:
Spectator urges the Committee appointed by the Central Bell/Everett Committee of the county to organize Bell/Everett clubs in those neighborhoods which do not yet have them.
GRAND RALLY!
(column 1)
Summary:
Spectator reminds citizens that a "grand rally" will be held on October 10 to celebrate and support the Bell/Everett ticket.
Proceedings in Harrisonburg
(column 2)
Summary:
Account of a political meeting of both factions of Democrats, held in Rockingham and Harrisonburg, with excerpted piece from the Rockingham Register describing the ruckus which occurred.
Democratic Discussion on Tuesday Night Last
(column 2)
Summary:
Account of a meeting held at the county Court House with members of both factions of Democrats, at which fights broke out.
Full Text of Article
On Tuesday night there was a discussion in the Court-house between Hon. Shelton F. Leake and Mr. Gallagher of Baltimore, the former for Breckenridge and the latter for Douglas. -- During this discussion and at its close, there was a repetition of the scene enacted at Harrisonburg the day before. Such a scene of noise and confusion, disorder and wrangling, cheering, shouting and stamping, was never before witnessed in this place, and it is hoped never will be again. After the discussion was over, a few of the "harmonious" brotherhood manifested their sincere fraternal affection by securing locks of hair from each other without taking time to go to the barbers. The ran into the embrace of each other with such impetuosity that fists and faces met in violent concussion.
It is generally conceded that Hon. Shelton F. Leake came off "second best" in this discussion. His friends say that he "was not himself," but fail to say who he was, if "not himself." We suppose that he had not recovered from the "indisposition" with which he was afflicted in Harrisonburg.
Fusion Meeting
(column 2)
Summary:
Further description of the meeting of Democratic factions.
Names in Announcement:
William Burke; Michael Harman; Jacob Baylor; Alexander Cochran
Our Club Meeting
(column 3)
Summary:
Report of a meeting of the Staunton Bell/Everett Club.
Names in Announcement:
J.B. Imboden; James Bumgardner; R.L. Doyle
Speaking at the Breckinridge Club
(column 3)
Summary:
Report of a meeting held at the Staunton Breckinridge club.
Names in Announcement:
Alexander Cochran; Howe Peyton
A Great Deal in Appearances
(column 3)
Summary:
Story about a man who came from Highland County to Staunton just to hear Douglas speak, but on seeing Douglas's appearance vowed to vote for Bell and Everett instead.
Names in Announcement:
Alexander Stuart
Greatness of Staunton
(column 3)
Summary:
Article singing the praises of Staunton, especially of the women of Staunton.
Delegates to the Farmers' Assembly
(column 3)
Summary:
List of local delegates to the Farmers' Assembly in Richmond.
Names in Announcement:
S.B. Finley; G.W. Mowrey; William Tate; J. Wayt Bell; James Walker
Mr. Stuart's Speech in Wheeling
(column 4)
Summary:
Report on Alexander Stuart's speech in Wheeling.
Origin of Article:
Botetourt Journal (Bridgeport, Ohio)
Names in Announcement:
Alexander Stuart
Speech of Col. J.B. Baldwin
(column 4)
Summary:
Excerpted article from Lexington Gazette on a speech of Col. Baldwin.
Names in Announcement:
Col. Baldwin
(column 4)
Summary:
Announcement of a meeting of the Bell/Everett club of Mt. Sidney.
Names in Announcement:
H.M. Bell
A Sensible Negro
(column 4)
Summary:
Story about a slave woman freed by her master who voluntarily re-enslaved herself.
Full Text of Article
Mary Elizabeth, a free woman of color, twenty-two years of age, who was emancipated by the will of Wm. Miller, sr., dec'd, voluntarily enslaved herself at the present session of the Circuit Court of Rockbridge, under the Act of Assembly of February, 1856, which authorizes the voluntary enslavement of free negroes. -- Lex. Gazette.
For the Spectator
(column 5)
Summary:
Proceedings of a meeting at Deerfield held for the purpose of organizing a Bell/Everett club.
Trailer:
Jacob Beck, President; J.W.H. Coursey, Secretary
Names in Announcement:
William Guy; Baxter Crawford; W.W. Montgomery; John Sellington; Thomas Clayton; Charles Dunlap; Thomas Montgomery; R.L. Doyle; Jacob Beck; J.W.H. Coursey; J. Marvin; James Guy; James Ramsay; K. Craig; M. Kerchner; Thomas Cross; J. Mann; J.W. Clayton; James Kincaid; John Cale; W.L.D. Rodgers
Bell Club Formed at West View
(column 5)
Summary:
Report of a Bell Club formed at West View.
Trailer:
John Edmondson, Chairman; F. McF. Swoope, Secretary
Names in Announcement:
Bolivar Christian; Dr. John Edmondson; F.M. Swoope; F. St. Clair Roberts; James Calhoun; Dr. William Walters; Henry Eidson; William Tate; Peter Eidson; Samuel Bell
Speech of Mr. Michie
(column 5)
Summary:
Excerpted article about September speech of Thomas Michie of Staunton, who defended the Yancey wing of Democrats against the Douglas wing.
Names in Announcement:
Thomas Michie
