Explosive Sounds of the Holidays

 (Originally posted Christmas 2013)

Holiday shooting? Christmas guns and "shooting in the New Year". . . it's older than you think.

We have quite a merry Christmas in the family; and a compact that no unpleasant word shall be uttered and no scramble for anything. The family were baking cakes and pies until late last night, and to day we shall have full rations. I have found enough celery in the little garden for dinner. 

Last night and this morning the boys have been firing Christmas guns incessantly- no doubt pilfering from their fathers cartridge boxes. There is much jollity and some drunkenness in the streets, notwithstanding the enemy's pickets are within an hour's march of the city

- From A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, John Beauchamp Jones, 1866

I gathered my corn, and then set out for my Fall's hunt. This was in the last of October, 1822 I found bear very plenty and indeed all sorts of game and wild varments, except buffalo There was none of them. I hunted on till Christmas, having supplied my family very well all along with wild meat, at which time my powder gave out; and I had none either to fire Christmas guns, which is very common in that country or to hunt with.

- Life of David Crockett: The Original Humorist and Irrepressible Backwoodsman - Davy Crockett

 1804.
 Robert Mitchell, Mayor, to the Governor
 Dec. 25, Richmond

Having a moment of time to spare, I take that opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter enclosing the advice of our Council of State, bearing date the 3rd of last November, and yours of the 19th of same month. It did not come to hand at that date or for many days after. I have done all in my power to prevent that evil of unlawful Gaming within this city pointed out by you; besides it encourages the unguarded youth in Idleness vice and Immorality. You may depend on my doing all in my power to prevent such violation of our laws, and punish them when detected. 

Your favor of the 24th Inst. came very late to hand on the evening of that day. Had I rece'd it early in the day I might have had it more in my power to have its contents put in execution more compleat in order to comply with your wish and my own desire. On the 23rd Inst. I wrote Maj'r Wolfe to furnish a Serg't Guard out of the militia, in order to aid our city Patrol to patrol the city and its Jurisdiction during the Christmas Holydays, which has been complyed with, but it does appear to me to be impossible to prevent firing what is called Christmas Guns, being an old established custom, although there is an ordinance of the city police fixing a fine of 5s. for every offence of firing Guns within this city. The addition of the militia to the city patrol may prevent in part the evil pointed out to me in your letter.

 I am &c                    

- From Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts: ... Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond, Virginia- Volume 9, Henry W. Flournoy, 1890

We have had frequent accounts of cannon firing about Norfolk for three or four days past, and which occasioned many conjectures, but last night we learned that the ships were only firing Christmas guns. I should have but a poor stomach for such mirth were I in their situation, which must be distressing. Indeed, I have heard from very good authority that Dunmore has been drunk and they say mad since his defeat at the Great Bridge.

 -Letter of Maj. Leven Powell, Loudon County Militia,  written December 1776, Williamsburg

March 1655-6    6th of Commonwealth  

                                                           ACT XII 

WHEREAS it is much to be doubted, That the comon enemie the Indians, if opportunity serve, would suddenly invade this collony to a totall subversion of the same and whereas the only means for the discovery of their plotts is by allarms, of which no certainty can be had in respect of the frequent shooting of gunns in drinking, whereby they proclaim, and as it were, justifie that beastly vice spending much powder in vaine, that might be reserved against the comon enemie, Be it therefore enacted that what person or persons soever shall, after publication hereof, shoot any gunns at drinkeing (marriages and ffuneralls onely excepted) that such person or persons so offending shall forfeit 100 lb. of tobacco to be levied by distresse in case of refusall and to be disposed of by the militia in amunition towards a magazine for the county where the offence shall be comitted.

- From The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619, William Waller Hening,ed. 1823

You will notice they made to sure to exempt weddings and funerals from the ban.

It should be noted that there was also the tradition of the "Christmas gun," a specifically childhood exercise, that consisted of boring a hole into a particularly stout log, filling said hole with gunpowder, and then setting it off.

A Christmas Tail - 1915

 Is this a feline version of a shaggy dog story? 

Or perhaps a cat owners big fish tale? 

Here find an odd animal tale of Christmas a hundred years ago. The writer places the scene in New Kent, as they often did with odd strange stories of that time; New Kent was a lightly populated, swampy, forested locale of great antiquity yet only a half hour from Richmond by train.

(edited for content and length)

USING TAIL AS BAIT TABBY CATCHES FISH 

Faithful Tomcat Outstrips Collie Dog That Gave Its Life to Be Near Place Its Master Was Last Seen— Charlie’s “Marster,” Ill, Was Provided For

                                               (By J. M. Bell.) 

As Christmas comes around again. Good stories follow in its train. 

With the advent of Christmas there will often arise recollections of former holiday seasons, where all was good cheer and where stories were told that linger in the memory of those who sat around the blazing log fire and festive board. The writer was one of a party who enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. S -— last Christmas. All went "merry as a marriage bell.” The apple toddy from the stone jug, the ten-year old Bumgardner from the generous cut glass decanter and the egg-nog from the jovial bowl were all sampled moderately and judiciously during our stay under the hospitable roof. The Christmas dinner was enjoyed to such an extent by all that no crevice were left to be Ailed as the gay company of ladies and gentlemen arose from the festive board and repaired to the large drawing room, hence it could be plainly seen that ail the company, well dined and well wined, were in a humor for an evening of real old-time Jollity. The shades of night were closing in, the snow, driven by a bitter northwest wind, was swirling outside. We could tell that the elements were at war, and that the turbid waters of old "Jeems” River were being disturbed, for once and awhile we could hear the Co-honk of a "v" of wild geese as they winged their rapid flight over the house, seeking a roosting place in a quite creek or estuary.

Music and Legends

 We had settled down do a Christmas evening. our host had thrown another big long on the fire. Myriads of sparks went dancing up the chimney only to die as they met the north wind.

 Our hostess opened the piano and we all stood to sing Christmas carols and old-time plantation melodies.

 A cut glass pitcher of apple toddy flanked by little pot-bellied glasses occupied the center of a side table. Dr. M., a guest and an important government official, but a fiddler withal, was drawing a good bow and when-the chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” was sung he fairly made his violin tell the story of Bobby Burns' famous poem.

 Singing makes the throat of an East Virginian dry. Apple toddy is even better than the most approved patent rough remedy on the market and especially where hoarseness must be gotten rid of, when singers are needed to blend their voices with the general chorus.

 Our host made the motion, the ladies declined, or only sipped, as the humming bird culls the sweetness from the heart of a blossom, but the gentlemen stood by to a man and with glasses raised and beaming looks drank cheerfully to all present and, to mankind in general.

 Here Dr. M., listening a moment to the hurtling blast outside, put down his empty glass and facing the assembled company, asked their undivided attention for a few moments. Gaining this, he recounted a pathetic story of a dog that had shown such devotion to its master that he had spent live years In front of a bank in which his master had entered, had been paralyzed and taken to a hospital, and there died. The doctor’s language was pathetic, graphic and altogether impressive. The dog, he said, lingered about the bank until the kind-hearted president, taking pity on him, had fed him regularly but one bitter cold night the mow fell and the north wind chilled to the bone. Nest morning a mound of snow at the bank door told the story Of the faithful collie’s supposed trust, and that he had been faithful unto death. 

Dr. M. stopped, his tale was told. All were impressed. tears glistened in the eyes of the more tender-hearted. 

         Our Host Tells His Cat Story,

 Nuts, fruits and Candy were passed around. The jovial company was somewhat subdued by the pathetic narrative of the doctor. An icy blast of wind, hail and snow flailed the north side of the brick mansion. All present naturally drew their chairs closer to the log fire which now threw out a cheerful glow, and at the same time the pitcher of apple toddy on the little side table still stood guard, for its contents were by no means depleted. The evening was young as the clock on the mantel had just struck the hour of ten.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said our jovial host, "The story just told by our guest Dr. M, I doubt not, touched the hearts of all present, setting forth as it does the well known and beautiful devotion so often evinced by the dog for his master. Now, if you will give me a few moments will tell you a true and simple story of how a cat saved his Master's life.” There was ready acquiescence on the part of all the company, so our host told the tale as follows: “Some years ago there I lived in New Kent county an old bachelor whom we will call "Uncle Nat.’ He was only possessed of most scanty means; His little tract of poor land and his small frame domicile being about the extent of his worldly goods (if you will except his Tom cat, Charlie.)

"Living alone and eking out a very precarious living, the old man led a very unobtrusive life.

"The little farm was isolated. Few neighbors called. The old man had been down in bed and sick with chills and fever for ten day a but his neighbors were unaware of his condition. He laid in his bed most of the time, alternately chilled and later  too hot to hardly breathe. 

"One day he, murmured to himself; that if he could get a nice meal of white perch he felt that he would get well. Charlie was curled up on the hearth, apparently fast asleep, but all of a sudden he rose, stretched himself and crossed the little room to his master's bedside, mewing and purring and  making every cat sign that he wanted to get out. 

"Painfully the old man dragged himself from his bed. hobbled across the room, opened the door and leaving it ajar, reached his bed and drew the faded coverlet over him. 

"Exhaustion brought on a troubled sleep from which he presently awoke. His fever-disturbed mind almost reeled. When, opening his eyes, he sow his oat enter the room with two fine white perch which, after depositing on the hearth, he jumped on his master’s bed and began to fondle him. Tears sprang in the old man's eyes as he realized this act of perfect devotion on the part of Charlie, for all of us know that it takes some sort of a cat to resist eating a fresh fish.

"Slowly Uncle Nat arose from his bed. built a small fire cleaned, cooked and ate the fish. (Charlie getting the heads, trimmings and bones).

"That night the old man slept very quietly. 

"The next morning, In fact every day for a week, Charlie brought a couple of big white perch. His owner was perfectly astounded, but he was, at the same time, recovering very rapidly.

The Mystery Solved

‘On a beautiful autumn morning the old man was sufficiently strengthened to admit of his going out for a walk, but first he cooked the last two perch that Charlie had brought him. These, with a strong cup of coffee and a hot corn pone, set him up.

"After his meal he laid down on the bed and Charlie went out. stealthily his owner followed at a distance, but always keeping his cat In view. Charlie went on down the little path which lead from the house to the Chickahominy River. His owner keeping in sight and this is what greeted his bewildered eyes as he neared ever the bank from behind a big pine tree. Charlie was seen walk out on a log that stretched far into the sluggish waters.  He seated himself on the log, allowing his tail to hang in the water. Suddenly he flirted a big perch out on the land, the fish having grasped Charlie's tall for bait, soon another perch was landed to like manner and Charlie strolled leisurely to the shore, took up the two fish by their tails and proceeded up the path home. Here was the explanation of the two perch each day for ’Uncle Nat,’ ” 

“Oh! what a beautiful story,’’ exclaimed the ladies in one voice. 

“Oh, dear, what a wonderful cat.” carolled another sweet feminine to the men. 

"Well I'll be dog-gone.”, chorused the men.

"I have never heard of such a thing," ejaculated Dr. M; "tops the dog story all round. Bless my soul, what a cat."

 The clock on the wall chimed 11:30. The fire was now only a mass dying embers. The pitcher of apple toddy which had stood on the side table was empty and the call to bed was imperative. As we severally fell asleep puzzling ideas floated our sleepy brains as some tried to study out just how that cat caught the perch with his tail for bait, how he understood in the beginning his "marster's" plea for fresh fish.

-The Richmond Evening Journal, 22 December 1915

Another Lanexa Train Wreck - 1908

 

 JOHN CHALKLEY RIDE TO DEATH

 Killed on Engine After Applying Brakes When Machine Jumped the Track. 

BAGGAGEMASTER AND FIREMAN BADLY HURT 

Fast Train Coming from Newport News Wrecked Near Lanexa Just Before Noon. All Passengers Uninjured.

 Engineer John R. Chalkley. one of the oldest employees of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway, in charge of one of the fast trains between this city and Newport News, was instantly killed near Lanexa to-day about 11:30 o'clock, while his train was coming to RICHMOND.

 The engine Jumped the track three hundred a mile this side of Lanexa, turning over on its side, crushing the life out of the engineer. The engineer died at his post, and to his rare presence of mind, his duty to those on his train, a Score might have been killed to-day.

 The train is one of the fastest on the road, and Engineer Chalkley, noted for his daring and coolness, has been pulling the train for years. An examination »f the engine shows that when it left the track the engineer shut off the steam and applied the emergency brakes. But it was too late to save himself, and the monster steel pile rolled over and caught him.

 The engine and the baggage car only left the track, the cars coming to a stop in short order. Not one of the passengers received more than a scare and a shaking up, with slight bruises. The fireman, Robert Walkley, was badly injured, and the baggage-master was a so severely hurt, the heavy baggage striking him and inflicting painful injuries. 

RUSHED AID TO SUFFERERS.

 Only the most meagre information of the accident came to the offices of the company for some hours, and this was promptly given out by the railroad people. The first thing done was to get a crew to man the wrecking train and to get coaches to send down to bring the passengers on to this city. Physicians were hurriedly summoned, and in an hour after the news of the accident the train had been made up, the surgeons were aboard and the train was on its way to the scene of the accident. Drs. Brock, Bryan. McCarthy and Taylor were on the train. 

 The train is one of the handsomest that goes out of the city. The cars are modern, heavy built, well appointed and substantial. Their construction is the very best possible, and the fact that the cars are of such build prevented the possible further loss of life when they struck the wrecked engine and baggage car.

 Just what caused the accident is not known. The point where the engine left the track is at a curve this side of Lanexa. The track is constantly watched by track-walkers, and every precaution is taken to prevent any sort of mishap.

 The passengers will reach this city same time during the afternoon, probably about 3 o’clock. The railroad officials say that the track will be cleared in ample time for the trains to pass through at 4 o'clock, when the fast train leaves here for Old Point.

 Engineer "Johnny” Chalkley was about fifty years old. He had been in the employ of the company for thirty years. His home was at 2306 East Broad street. The officials expressed great feeling for the unfortunate man when they heard that he had stuck to his post and gone down to death with his engine in protecting the life of his passengers.

 "He was one of the bravest of men. he was loyal to the company and to the welfare of his passengers,” said one of the high officials of the company today. “If it had been necessary for John Chalkley to have laid his arm across the track to stop the train or to save one of his passengers, he would not have hesitated a moment. I believe that he would have sacrificed his life to prevent injury to the train and passengers. He was a faithful and appreciated employee "

-News Leader, 19 September 1908

The engineer John Randolph Chalkley, 54,  is the same Engineer Chalkley from the train incident in July 1905 that killed two men that was posted here on November 10.

About fifty carriages were used In the funeral procession of John Randolph Chalkley. the engineer of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway who was killed near Lanexa Saturday, the last rites over his body having been held In the family home, 2306 East Broad street, and in Oakwood cemetery yesterday afternoon. It was one of the largest funerals seen In that section of the city In a long time. 

-News Leader, 22 September 1908

 

First Minister Corinth Baptist

 To Unveil Tablet To Church’s First Pastor 

NEW KENT, Va., June 18.—A tablet in memory of the late Rev. John Avery Richardson, founder and first pastor, who served faithfully for 21 years, will be unveiled at Corinth Baptist Church, New Kent Court House, Sunday, June 22.

 The church was organized in 1878. The original church was burned In 1910 and was replaced by the present building in 1912. There will be all-day services at this occasion and dinner will be served on the grounds.

-Suffolk News-Herald,  18 June 1930

From the book, Virginia Baptist Ministers,

JOHN A RICHARDSON 

John A. Richardson was born Sept 6, 1826 His parents who were "highly respected" gave him "all of the advantages of the neighborhood schools." In 1847 he was married to Miss A.E. Timberlake. Of this union three children were born. In 1879 he was married to Miss A.L. Binford, his first wife having died in 1875. Of this second marriage seven children were born. During the Civil War he served in the army with gallantry. Not until after this struggle was he impressed that it was his duty to preach. It is suggested that the thought of God's mercy which had guarded him from so many perils during this time of danger, led him to enter the ministry. After a careful study of the Bible he went to Rev. J.H. Barnes and made known the fact that strong convictions had decided him to unite with the Baptists. He was received into the fellowship of Liberty Church (Dover Association) of which Mr Barnes was pastor, and here on August 26, 1876, he was ordained. In January, 1878, he accepted the care of the Antioch Baptist Church Dover Association. He resigned this church in 1890, but only because the moderator of the Association was seeking to consolidate fields. This change was a distinct sacrifice to him. He left true friends to enter upon work with new and untried brethren; nor was his salary on his new field as large as it had been. From Antioch he went to the pastorate of Emmaus in New Kent County. In 1877 he did missionary work at New Kent Courthouse that led to the building there of the Corinth Baptist Church which was dedicated in November, 1878. He at once became the pastor, and remained in this office until shortly before his death, when he resigned whereupon he was made emeritus pastor. As a preacher he was earnest, sympathetic, forceful, with the missionary spirit. He gave liberally of his own means and was careful that every object of the General Association should be presented to his churches no blanks stood opposite the names of his churches in the list of contributions. Rev. J.T. Tucker who knew his work for twenty years and on whose tribute to him this sketch is mainly based says: "I have never known a serious division to arise in any one of his churches nor the desire of even a few that he should resign To me it seemed that all men loved him." His death took place February 10, 1900. 

- Virginia Baptist Ministers. 4th Series, George Braxton Taylor,    J. P. Bell Company, Incorporated, 1913

His "highly respected" parents were George Washington Richardson and Susan née Goddin.