Car Theft, Poor Hunting and the Sad Effect of the Dog Tax - 100 Years Ago

 

QUINTON 

Everything seems quiet here; the bootlegger has gone from this section, it is reported, so have the  prohibition officers. Let all go. As long as my neighbors keep on hand the juice of the grape and blackberry for home use I need not worry. Crowds of New Kent people went to Richmond Saturday to celebrate Armistice Lay. The weather and roads were fine. All report a great time. One young man who went up in his nice new car tells of an experience that nearly cost him his $2,000 car. He said he stopped in front of Miller & Rhoads to make a small purchase and was in the store only a little while. When he returned to get his car, or the one he thought was his, he found seated in it, at the wheel, a beautiful lady with a child by her side. “That is my car, I think,” said the young man to himself, but mine had no lady left in it.” He went past to see if he made a mistake and thought of a piece of wire he had picked up in the road on the way to Richmond and made fast to the side of the car, as he might need it. He returned; there he found the wire as he had left it. He politely told the lady it was his car. "Please excuse me,” she said, “I was so tired I just wanted to rest ” She politely got out with the child and begged to be forgiven. Of course she was. The young man said he noticed two finely dressed and handsome young men who would walk back and forth and look in the store then at the lady in the car, who seemed to be an up-to-date flapper. Had he stayed a few minutes longer, at some given signal from the men the tired beauty would have been on the way to North Carolina. Of course she was only used as a decoy for the men who watched him so closely. But he is now at home, so is his car, and he is happy. Two new cars have been stolen in Richmond owned in New Kent: one was Mr. R. T. Southall’s, the other that of Mr. Elwood Mountcastle, which never have been recovered, or ever will be, as it happened twelve months ago. There is now much sickness in this section. Scarlet fever and diphtheria that have been in many homes now seem to be under control of medical skill and only a few cases are reported. There has been only one death, that of Littleberry Tunstall. Mrs. R. T. Provo, is ill at her home, “Liberty Hall.” She is 72 years old and little hope is entertained for her recovery. Her daughters, Mrs. Grover Richardson, Mrs. Linwood Bailey, Mrs. A.R. Moore, and Mrs. Garthwright of Richmond are with her. For the first time for many months the supervisors have a force of hands on the roads doing some fine work. There are two new overseers over the force. Hugh P. Fisher for St. Peters district and Rosser Moran for Black Creek. Both young men are experts in trench digging. This they learned when overseas. Both are proving expert road builders. No better choice could have been made by the supervisors, as they proved brave boys in the World War and deserve all that is good, for it is only the brave deserve the fair.

Cold and dry weather is making hunting a failure. Thus far little game has been found of any kind. Rabbits and deer, so plentiful last year, have left this section apparently; very few partridges are ever seen afield should not be killed. Where is that familiar sound so often heard to rise in years gone by? At daylight on every hand could be heard the calls of Bob White. Never hear them now; foxes, minks and cats, with the pot hunter, have driven them away or destroyed their nests and the young birds. This dog law is good in some cases but when the fox hunter had to kill his fine pack of fox dogs then old Reynard had his day. We can not afford to pay $3 for a female to raise from. As soon as born all females are destroyed. I have seen seven or eight beautiful fox dogs killed at one time, seven thoroughbred Gordon and Irish setters drowned from one litter — can not pay the tax. Let the foxes take charge of all fowl and game. 

Truthful Jeems.

-West Point News, 17 November 1922

The dog law referred to . . .

H.L. Baker, of Buckingham and Cumberland, put through what is known as the Baker Dog Law, Chapter 390, Acts of 1918, regarded as the most comprehensive legislation of its kind in the United States.

The Baker law makes it mandatory for each person owning or having a dog under his or her control, or upon the promises upon which he or she resides, on the first day of February in each year to pay a tax of one dollar on a male, and of three dollars on a female, and should an unlicensed dog come into his or her possession, or a puppy become six months of age after the first day of February in any year, then the license tax must forthwith be paid. Commissioners of the Revenue are required to list all dogs for taxation, and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is especially charged with enforcing the law, which became effective July 1, 1919.

 -Front Royal Record, 20 October 1922

"There is Always Something Doing at Roxbury" - September 1922

 

 ROXBURY

 Items from Charles City and New Kent.

 As The News is finding its way into homes of both counties, I will try to speak of those good people. As I have written before of this beautiful little town of Roxbury, I can not find much to say, jet there is always something doing at Roxbury.

 I can but feel proud of that New Kent boy, Grover McCann, agent and operator at that place; a life that is certainly an inspiration for any young man, only to see what honesty, sobriety and determination will win. Only a few years ago, when but a boy, he learned telegraphy at Walkers, Va., and has held positions for many years with the C. & O.. R.R. Co. Yet quite a young man, he has from push and pluck bought fine farms, has a pretty home and a family of a faithful wife and two beautiful little boys. It is one of the happiest and most beautiful homes in the Peninsula section.

 Then there is R. B. Henley, an old Essex boy, one of the most popular in this section. He has retired from the mercantile business and is now in the insurance business. He too has a beautiful home and a devoted wile. All he lacks to make the family ties strong and binding is a little Henley boy and girl, then all will be complete.

 Parker Sherwood, another Essex boy, was located here for some time, but now with his pretty wife and little girl is located at Williamsburg. He is brother-in-law of Mr. Henley and is doing fine also in the insurance business. There is some "pep” in in these two fine agents.

 There are others I should like to mention who are an honor to their adopted county.

 There are fine crops of all kinds in this section, but the melon crop, owing to the railroad strike, was a loss. Only a few got the price of their fertilizer bill back. The farmer will find out better; let this perishable crop alone; confine themselves to substantial crops.

 One young farmer told the writer today who had just returned from Richmond, that there is no sale for anything. Sweet potatoes now are only 50 cents a bushel, and no one has money, as thousands are out of work. No one attempts to pull fodder, no labor to be had, or they will not work on the farm for less than $1.25 a day, 8-hour system. No farmer can afford to pay such prices.

 The question now being asked is, Where is the central highway going to connect with the old Williamsburg route? A large crowd is now surveying a new route, cutting out about 10 miles of the central route, leaving Roxbury, Long bridge, Glendale out. Why they chose such route no one can tell. Of course it will cost millions to complete this route, but. it is a straight line from Richmond to Newport News. Bottom bridge, a substantial, concrete bridge, is already built to stand all heavy traffic. No one can tell where the connection will be made, or when.

 "I want a good job,” said a young man some time ago. "with little work and big pay.” 

"Then get a government job,” he was told.

 It seems all true, when one sees the surveyors of the highway get on the job at 10 o’clock and leave at 3 o'clock. The advice was good.

 Go through the woods now. One can see well-beaten paths in every direction, leading nobody knows where. But the bootlegger is on the job, for a few nights ago, while out coon hunting, the dogs were treeing a coon when the old darky hastened to them and suddenly went head foremost into a full barrel of mash ready to run. But no one was in sight or still found. It is said this was in the wilds of Chickahominy, where no prohibition officers ever go. If he did, he’d just as well kiss his wife good-bye when he leaves home; it is doubtful if ever he returns, for the bootlegger is a desperate character.

 It is said the spirits of the departed will return, but the spirit of old John Barleycorn never makes its appearance here for we keep a lookout for it; but it certainly visits some sections, for a sight often seen is a man running with his hat in his hand trying to get away from or get in the way of, the spirit(s). 

J. A. W.

                    

-West Point News,  15 September 1922

New Kent One Hundred Years Ago

 News from the county July 1922

                     

        WARNED OF RAID, BUT DRY AGENTS GET A BIG STILL 

Apparently warned of the impending raid, moonshiners attempted to remove their 230-gallon capacity copper kettle in New Kent county before the arrival of federal prohibition agents, and this was in progress when  the officers forced their way through the underbrush and reached the scene. One man was seen to run away from the plant and escaped. 

The plant was of unusual size and excellent quality, and was located near a small branch of running water, which was used in the distilling process. Officers found the kettle pulled down from the brick furnace on which, it was operated, and was sitting on skids for removal across the branch. Alongside of it was a 100-gallon, copper “doubler." 

Five thousand gallons of mash ready to be distilled was also found and was destroyed along with the kettle and doubler. This mash would have produced at least 500 gallons of liquor according to the estimates of federal officers, which would have sold at the I still for not less than $6 per gallon, making the work of the agents mean the destruction of at least $3,000 worth of liquor, in addition to the value of the plant, which represented an expenditure of several hundred dollars 

                 -News Leader, 7 July 1922

   SEIZE 250-GALLON STILL, OPERATORS FLEE, IN NEW KENT 

State Inspector J.T. Crute* has reported that in company with federal agents he has seized a 250-gallon copper still, 100-gallon copper double, 5,000 gallons of mash and other liquor making materials and paraphernalia; at a point a mile and a half from Mountcastle, New Kent county. The operators of the still escaped, but warrants have been issued for two men.

                -News Leader, 8 July 1922

 

* Barhamsville resident Joseph Thomas Crute (1876-1964)

New Kent was a popular location for the illegal production of alcohol due to its proximity to a large urban area combined with a small population, large areas of forest and swamp, and easy access to large amounts of corn.

One Hundred Years Ago

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1922. 

QUINTON 

“The snow, the snow, the beautiful snow”—that is to the beaux and belles as they speed over it as only lovers can, while the sleigh bells give music to the occasion. It makes one who has passed courting days sigh for the days of his youth, but the mill can never grind with the water that has passed. We have had our pleasures and our sorrows, and so it will be with all. 

This is one of the worst snow storms for many years. The poor dumb creatures suffer, both the domestic animals and the wild game of the forest. Beautiful partridges are coming from the woods where they have been hiding from the huntsmen. The farmers are feeding them. 

Young Whit Tunstall*, who is a fine farmer and good sportsman in season, says he has put away his gun. He has killed this season twelve wild turkeys, seven deer, and no telling how many squirrels and rabbits. Returns from a shipment of fur caught this season amounted to $194. He now has more to sell. He is an expert trapper. Now he is knitting a shad seine that will be ready when the fish begin to run. All this will be over in time for farming. He has the prettiest fields of wheat and oats to be found and over 500 bushels of Irish potatoes ready for market. There are many other young men who are making money by farming.

There was general sorrow all through New Kent when it was reported that Dr. C. L. Bailey† had sold his- beautiful farm to Mr. Richard McCormick near Quinton. Dr. Bailey has been here twenty years—one of the most beloved and successful doctors we ever had. He is going to locate at Highland Springs. He says he cannot stand the terrible roads in New Kent. He is quite a young man and has only his wife. He could have retired from practice years ago and lived at ease the rest of his life. He will have a fine field to work and fine roads.

Mr. C. W. Bowry¹is building a fine dwelling on the farm bought some time ago. Will move in the spring to his new home. 

Johnson Miller will soon move into his new dwelling near Quinton.

Mr. Riley, of Gloucester, who bought several large tracts of timber near Quinton will soon finish cutting the timber. Mr. Walker, his brother-in-law, is general manager. 

Our faithful rural mail carrier is having a hard time as only a half of the route from Quinton can be made in one day. No one complains, though we certainly miss our mail, especially as we can do nothing this weather but keep fires, feed the stock, and read our paper all day and our Bible at night. The school teachers and children are having a difficult time getting to school. 

Hens have struck. Say they will not lay until the weather breaks up. Now for 75c eggs again!      

                                                                  Truthful Jeems.

- West Point News,  3 February 1922

*Whitmel Pearson Tunstall Jr.,(Jan 13 1890-April  28 1979). W. P. Tunstall Jr. lived at White Hall.

† Dr. Charles Llewellyn Bailey (May 14 1876- Aug 1 1929)

¹ Charles W. Bowery, (Sep 9 1866- Dec 23 1951), The property date fits the house on Henpeck Road.

Roads, Good Government, and Sabbath Fishing- 1922

                       New Kent Organizes Against Sunday Fishing 

                     [Special to The Times-Dispatch.] 

WEST POINT, VA., March 9. The people in this section have not ceased to deplore the fact that the central route was selected for the highway from Richmond to the coast.* The route selected, it is alleged, for the convenience of the sporting fraternity, will not open up a large section of the country. 

The people in New Kent have organized a Good Government League and assert that there will be no more fishing in the Chickahominy River on the Sabbath by visitors from the city.

-Richmond Times-Dispatch, 10 March 1922

*The central route talked about is the first paved road down the Peninsula to Newport News. Know even then as the Pocahontas Trail, it would become the original Rt. 60 (the first, two lane, version).

                                             Farmers View of Roads.

                                       To the Editors of the The Times-Dispatch:

Sir.- As we see it who travel over dirt roads almost abandoned by the road-working force, it would be far more advantageous to country people to distribute the road money and repair the broken down bridges and worn out roads even in places, than can concentrate the whole amount on a few miles of road for a certain class to travel. I will take for example the half mile of road between the Chickahominy River and Providence Forge. The bridge over the Chickahominy, at this place, is the first crossing from its mouth, possibly a distance of twenty or thirty miles. Consequently all travel by vehicle from the eastern and central part of Charles City county in going to the railroad station, post-office and express office have to cross on this bridge, necessarily making the traffic very heavy. Mails for several post-offices in Charles City County are taken across here dally, and one would imagine that such an important bridge and road would have a little attention, but on the contrary the bridge is in a deplorable condition. The abutment on the north side has been born away for months making it necessary to plunge down, I cannot say into the road, but ravine as the road is mostly in the river. Over a year, ago I called the attention of the supervisor to the fact that the teamsters were driving into the river at this place to water their team, of course with every trip taking the road out to the river. Just the felling of one small tree across the ford would have put a stop to this lawless procedure, but nothing was done. I spoke to others who I thought might have some influence, and while they express, a proper amount of regret at the deplorable condition of the road and bridge that ended it. When we reach Providence Forge we get a glimpse of the so-called highway, all fixed up smoothed down with signboards at every turn, and the autos of tourists, joy riders and city folks gliding along without a jolt, en route from city to city. Now this may be very satisfying and gratifying to some but as we see it, it is very unjust. The farmers pay a very high tax and every year the tax moves up higher and higher, and why should they have to plunge off old dilapidate bridges and drag through miles of mud when others travel in such comfort?                   I. E. J. 

Providence Forge, Dec. 26, 1922

-Richmond Times-Dispatch, 30 December 1922

Highway Matters

NEW KENT WINS ROUTE OF HIGHWAY TO OCEAN

Assembly Committees Decides in Favor of Commission,After Stormy Hearing.

RICHMOND IS SPLIT IN MATTER

Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association Favor Northern location, and T.P.A. Comes Out for a More Direct Road.

Completion of some highway from the Capitol to the ocean is of more importance than continual bickering over a route, Guy P. Murray, of Newport News, last night told a joint legislative roads committee which for four hours heard proponents of three proposed routes cite the advantages they had to offer and scorn the arguments of those who disagreed with them.

The meeting was called for the purpose of hearing arguments for and against the proposed change in route of the original highway system, which had as its nucleus the Charles City Road. The Highway Commission proposes to change the route to pass through New Kent, while an amendment by Senator Douglas Mitchell to the bill would have the old Williamsburg Highway become the established route. The Highway Commission's recommendation was adopted by both committees at the end of the meeting.

Richmonders were split on the proposition, as evidenced by the Chamber of Commerce and Retail Merchants Association supporting the Northern route, or the one suggested by Senator Mitchell, while the Travelers Protective Association came out for the more direct route, the one selected by the Highway Commission.

Those who spoke Were: W.P. Tunstall, Rocksbury(sic); C. D. Coleman Richmond; P.C. Bock, Rocksburg(sic), and Manley H. Barnes, New Kent, for the central route; Coleman Wortham. A.B. Trimble and W.A. Clarke, of Richmond. and C.L. Harrison, New Kent, for the northern route, and Dr. Lyon G. Tyler and Tom Clark, of Richmond, and J.M. Gill, of Charles City, for the southern, or original route.

Wade H. Massie and James H. Beck, members of the Highway Commission, defended their choice vigorously and were questioned from all sides, the interruptions bringing loud applause as one of the three sides scored.

Delegate Norvell L. Henley, who represents all routes interested, announced his neutral attitude at the outset of the hearing and introduced all speakers.

- Richmond Times-Dispatch, February 9, 1922

Three Apprehended

TAKE TRIO IN NEW KENT ON ROBBERY CHARGE

[Special to The Times-Dispatch.]

WILLIAMSBURG, VA.,March 12.- Officer J.T. Crute of New Kent, and Sheriff L.P. Trice, of James City, captured three negroes, William Tabb, Arthur clayton and Ozie Williams, all residents near Toano, Friday, and they are now lodged in the New Kent County jail, charged with having committed a number of robberies the past few weeks.

The men were arrested for robbing the store of Robins Brothers in New Kent Thursday night. According to Officer Crute, the men confessed to this robbery and three others, one of which was that of the general store of J.E. Banks(Ranks?) at Toano. The men were said to have gotten away with considerable loot.

Because of the bad condition of the roads the prisoners could not be taken back to New Kent Friday, and were brought here for the night, having been taken to Providence Forge by train this morning.

-Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 13, 1922



It does say something of the Peninsula's roads, that in 1922 the 13 odd miles as the crow flies was considered too difficult a trek