100 Years Ago Today: The Spanish Swindle

100 years ago and relevant today.  Seriously, how long has this been going around? ... 

Manassas Journal
January 18, 1924

SWINDLER TESTS MANASSAS MAN

Man "Imprisoned" in Spain Offers Reward for Aid in Recovery of Hidden Fortune

The "familiar Spanish swindle" has appeared in Manassas again.

Rev. J. M. Bell, in a polite letter from Madrid, Spain, is importuned to aid the writer -- to recover a sum of $360,000 hidden by him in America, for which act of goodness Mr. Bell is offered "the third part; namely, $120,000."

The letter, in careful script on a single sheet of paper ruled both ways in blocks, is evidently a very good piece of printing giving the impression of a hand-written letter.

"I cannot receive your answer in prison," the writer informs Mr. Bell, "but you must send a cablegram to a person of my confidence, who will deliver it to me."

"Awaiting your answer, to intrust you all my secret," he signs himself only "R. de S., " while prominently displaying at the bottom of the letter these instructions:

"First of all answer by cable, not by letter as follows: Andres Cruiz, Lista Telegrafos. Orduna Gizcaya. Samples received. 91. Bell."

Although relieved even of the small responsibility of wording the cablegram Mr. Bell up to the time of going to press had not sent it. When interviewed by The Journal he showed no distress over the plight of his Madrid correspondent and no signs of curiosity concerning the get-rich-quick "secret" which doubtless has swindled many simple-minded folk of all their savings.

Society Saturday: New Year's Eve Dance

Manassas Journal
January 11, 1924

NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE

A New Year's Eve dance attended by a large company of young people was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. Raymond Ratcliffe, in Grant Avenue, with their young son, Master Jack Ratcliffe, as host.

Among the guests were Misses Nancy Waters, Anna Bruce Whitmore, Virginia Conner, Elizabeth Coleman, Susie Gibson, Wilhelmina Wenrich, Anne Davies and Dabney Waters, Hawes Davies, Jenkyn Davies, Ned Bradford, Ashby Rogers, Henry Lee Lewis, Charles Walton Lewis, Charles Armistead Sinclair, Wallace Lynn, Preston Lyon, Robert Morris Henry, Robert Weir and Beverly Adams.

100 Years Ago Today: J.M. Bell/Larkin & Athey

Manassas Journal
January 4, 1924

WISHING YOU

all the joys of the season, we beg to announce that we have purchased the grocery and meat market of Mr. J. M. Bell and are ready to offer for your selection

A FINE LINE OF GROCERIES AND CHOICE MEATS

At various times we shall be in the market for fat cattle and hogs. Fresh country produce wanted at all times. We shall be glad to serve you.

LARKIN & ATHEY

C.M. Larkin
T.H. Athey

Manassas, Virginia

Happy New Year! (1924)

Manassas Journal
December 28, 1923

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(1924)

In The New Year that is dawning
   May you find each passing day
A little time for work and rest,
   A little time for play,
A little time for friendship,
   For gladness and good cheer--
But not a single moment
   For worry or for fear.
---Katherine Edelman

100 Years Ago Today: PWCo Farmers' Annual Picnic

Manassas Journal (VA)
27 July 1923

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY FARMER'S ANNUAL PICNIC

The Prince William County Farmers Annual Picnic will be held at the Courthouse, Manassas, Va., on FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1923.

This is to be an all-day Basket Picnic with speaking, both in the forenoon and in the afternoon. While held under the auspices of the County Farmers' Union, every farmer, his family and his friends are invited. Hon. G. A. Lambert, State President, and Geo. H. Bowles, State Secretary, will be with us. U.S. Senator Fletcher and other prominent speakers are expected.

Let this be a great "Home-Coming" anniversary for all farmers of the county. As there is to be no county fair this year, this is the only county "get-together" the farmers will have. Let's make the most of it. COME--meet and greet your friends, talk crops, politics, the weather, eat a good dinner, hear the addresses, and have a good time. 

Please advertise the picnic among your friends.

J. H. DODGE, Secretary-Treasurer
County Farmers' Union

Newspaper Tidbit: Sing Christmas Carols

Manassas Democrat
30 December 1909

SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS

An artistic success in every particular was the Christmas carol service by members of Trinity Episcopal Sunday school at the church on Christmas morning. Those who braved the storm to attend were more than repaid by the splendid rendition. The church was beautifully decorated with holly, running cedar and pine on a white background and with cut flowers.

In addition accompanying the carols, the choir sang "There Were Shepherds," by Millard. Miss Faith Chapman accompanist. Among those taking part in the service were Sophie, Ann and Gladys Delmas; Dorothy, Gertrude, Romaine and Burr Button; Mary Lee and Evelyn Chapman; Mattie and Thelma Nash; Elizabeth Lowe; Margaret Roop; Ethel, Comfort and Douglas Lion, Erwin Mather; Edith Lipscomb.

Newspaper Tidbit: To the Voters of PWCo (1852 / County Surveyor)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
19 May 1852

To the Voters of Prince William County -- FELLOW CITIZENS:

As there are many of you with whom it will be out of my power, (owing to circumstances of a private character) to have a personal interview, therefore have chosen this method of announcing myself a candidate, under the new Constitution, for the office of County Surveyor, and respectfully solicit your suffrages. It may not be improper to state, that I have been engaged in surveying for the last five or six years, and think I can, with some confidence, appeal to those of my countrymen, who have had an opportunity of knowing, to say whether they believe me competent or not to discharge the duties pertaining to the said office. Should it be your pleasure to elect me, I pledge myself to give due and proper attention to the business, and to use my utmost exertions to render satisfaction. Awaiting your decision at the polls, I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, and fellow-citizen,

THOMAS W. CARTER.

Prince William co., mh 19-eotf

School Board Notes: Haydon Is Renamed Head of PW Schools (1941)

Evening Star (DC)
6 March 1941

HAYDON IS RENAMED HEAD OF PRINCE WILLIAM SCHOOLS

MANASSAS, VA., March 6--Richard C. Haydon, superintendent of schools in Prince William County for 16 years, was voted another four-year term yesterday at a School Board meeting in Manassas Courthouse.

At the same time closing of Haymarket High School was ordered by the board at the end of the present term. Decision was reached after the State Department of Education refused to issue a permit for the building additions and improvements because of low enrollment. The State recently increased the required attendance of an accredited high school to 75 students in an effort to expedite school consolidation.

Students will be transported from Haymarket to the Osbourn High School here.

The board appointed Mrs. Marshall Douglas of Manassas to a vacancy in Brentsville District High School. Supt. Haydon and D. J. Arrington, chairman and clerk of the board, reported on the National Education Association Convention in Atlantic City last week.

Newspaper Tidbit: Fire at Dairy Farm (1914)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
22 January 1914

FIRE AT DAIRY FARM

Two Barns and Several Valuable Animals Destroyed by Flames

Fire discovered early this morning did considerable damage to the buildings and stock of the Sharon dairy, belonging to Corbin Thompson, at Woodbridge, Va. Two barns of the group of buildings were burned, a quantity of grain and hay destroyed, and several valuable cows and two horses were burned to death. Equipment in the form of machinery and implements also were damaged.

No idea of th origin of the blaze can be formed. Mr. Thompson himself discovered the flames about 3 a.m., and with his overseer tried to get it under control. This was found to be impossible and efforts were directed toward protecting the remaining buildings with the result that two valuable ones--the dairy house and the corn  house full of corn--were saved. Neighbors appeared in large numbers shortly after the discovery of the blaze, but, owing to the lack of fire-fighting facilities, nothing could be done to save the two barns that were ablaze. The loss has not yet been estimated.

Newspaper Tidbit: Old Vets Send in Photographs (1913)

Manassas Journal (Va.)
31 January 1931

Old Vets Send in Photographs

In response to the request of Mrs. Maggie Barbour that Veterans of the Southern Confederacy send to her their photograph to be included in a group to be framed and hung in the Chapter room of the Manassas Chapter of the U.D.C., she has received the following:

In uniform: Lieuts. Robert Weedon and John Williams.

Not in uniform: Captains P. D. Williams, Lucien A. Davis; Jas. R. Purcell, Whitfield Nutt, Henry Lynn, Thos. Marders, Richard Shepherd, Willie Williams, Robt. H. Hooe, John R. Tillett, Francis A. Merchant and Chas. A. Dunnington.

Mrs. Barbour is anxious that other Confederate Veterans respond to her request for their photographs, for the object named, at as early date as possible.

Newspaper Tidbit: G. C. Round's "Interesting Two Relics" (1911)

Richmond-Times Dispatch (Va.)
17 December 1911

George C. Round, of Prince William county, has in his possession two interesting relics of the early days of that county. One is the keystone of the first financial institution founded in Prince William county, the Bank of Dumfries, located at old Dumfries, near Quantico. The slab bears the inscription, "William Waite Fecit. 1775." The other relic is a slab from the first courthouse in Prince William county, which was built in 1731 at Dumfries, which was then the county seat.

Newspaper Tidbits: Fire!

Baltimore American (Md.)
7 September 1905

FIRE NEAR MANASSAS

Bordon Bros. & Co.'s Stave Factory Destroyed.

[Special to the American.]

Manassas, Va., September 6 -- Bordon Bros. & Co.'s stave factory, near Manassas, was destroyed by fire at 11 o'clock this morning. The fire originated from a spark from the engine, and when first discovered the blaze was no larger than a man's hat. Before the workmen could reach the blaze it caught to a pile of shavings, and within a few minutes was beyond all control.

The factory started business less than a year ago, and gave employment to 12 men and several boys. It has been doing a profitable business and will no doubt be rebuilt. The loss is estimated at from $3,000 to $4,000.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
10 October 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY [From the Manassas Gazette] -- While Mrs. M. N. Lynn, of Independent Hill, was filling a lamp from a quart bottle of coal oil on Tuesday of last week, the oil took fire from a lighted candle which stood near by, enveloping the lamp and bottle both in flames, which would have proved a serious accident, had it not been for the presence of mind of Mrs. Lynn, who quickly threw the bottle out of doors, her husband throwing the burning lamp out, not, however, until he tried in vain to extinguish the flames with water. Mrs. Lynn's clothes were set on fire and she was slightly burned about the hands, and a little girl was quite severely burned by coming in contact with the flames as Mr. Lynn was throwing the lamp out of doors.

Richmond Whig (Va.)
27 February 1874

FIRE AT DUMFRIES.--[By Telegraph to the WHIG.] -- Quantico, Prince William county, February 25, 1874. -- A destructdive fire occurred in Dumfries, Monday night, in which the store occupied by Mr. C. W. Cockerell and the dwellings of Mrs. Keys and Mr. Garrison were destroyed.  The fire was caused by the explosion of a kerosene oil lamp, which was being filled with oil while burning.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
18 November 1856

On Tuesday night last, the grist mill, belonging to Alex. Finnell, Sr., esq., in Prince William county, took fire, it is supposed, from the stove pipe, and burnt down. Loss about $600. No insurance.

Newspaper Tidbit: Letters to the Editor / Ebenezer Baptist Church (1932)

Manassas Journal (Va)
15 December 1932

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Young folks at Haymarket send their messages to Santa, and the Editor reprints a few.

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I try to be a good boy. I am seven years old. Will you please bring me a drum? I do not want much this Christmas. Give my love to Mrs. Santa.  ~ William Clem.

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be very good this year. I am seven year old. I want a bicycle and football if you can bring them. ~ Your little boy, John Sloper.

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be a good little girl. I hope you will bring me a doll baby. ~ Jean Schaeffer

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I try to be a good girl. I am seven years old. I hope you will bring me some toys. I want a book and a pair of gloves. That is all this time.  ~ Betty Thomas

-----------------

I go to Haymarket School. I am in the second grade. Please bring me a bicycle. This is all I want this Christmas. Give my love to Mrs. Santa. ~ Your little boy, Shirley Jacobs

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I tried to be a good girl. I am nine years old. I go to Haymarket School. I would like to have a doll baby and a set of dishes this Christmas.  ~ Maria King

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be a good girl. I am seven years old. Please bring me a doll and some dishes.  ~ Anne Lightner

-----------------

Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have been a good boy, so please bring me a bow and arrow. I am seven years old. That is all I want this time. Good by, dear Santa Claus.  ~ John. T. Carter, Jr.

~~~~~~~~~     ~~~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~~

The Manassas Journal,
Manassas, Va.
Sirs!

     Allow me to thank our white friends for the help they so beautifully gave to Ebenezer Baptist church, Occoquan, Va. From the appeal you published in your paper over four years ago. Am glad to say the A.B.P. Soc. sent us 25 copies of the New Testament and 25 hymn books, and other literature.
     The Lend a Hand Society of Boston, Mass., sent two boxes of books. These have been distributed among four Sunday schools.
     It is my desire to thank the friends of Occoquan, Va., Brentsville, Va., Manassas, Va., Conklin, Loudoun Co., Va., Dist. Work House, Reformatory and Alexandria, Va.
     Trusting all may have a very Merry Christmas and Most Prosperous New Year.
     The church hasn't been finished. The insurance is $2,500.
     My sight having failed, I retire from pastoral work after 63 years and 8 months of services. I pray God's blessing upon all and ask the prayers of all friends.

Yours most sincerely,

L. H. BAILEY,
Ex-Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Occoquan, Va.

Newspaper Tidbit: Interesting Relics (1894)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
11 December 1894

INTERESTING RELICS.

Mr. Luther Merchant, who lives in Dumfries, has in  his possession quite a collection of interesting relics. Among them are three keys, a spoon and a silver coin. In the long ago Dumfries was a place of importance, but it is now a very quiet little village with nothing much to boast of except its former glory. The history of some of the relics which Mr. Merchant has shows that it has been a place of importance. One of the keys belonged to the court house when Dumfries was the county seat. The other two belonged to a bank and a hotel which once flourished there but which passed out of existence long since. There is inscribed on the spoon the date 1766, and on the coin the date 1713.  

~ Manassas Gazette

Newspaper Tidbit: Colchester Marker Will Be Unveiled

Evening Star (DC)
24 September 1931

COLCHESTER MARKER WILL BE UNVEILED

Prince William Host to State Officials at Site of First Court House Friday

Special Dispatch to the Star

WOODBRIDGE., Va., September 24 -- Prince William County citizens will play host on Friday to State and county officials as well as several thousand visitors who will journey to old Colchester, now Woodbridge, about 25 miles south of Washington on the Richmond-Fredericksburg Highway, to witness the unveiling of  monument and marker on the site of the first court house erected in the county and used for the first time in 1731. The marker is the gift of Wade Hampton Ellis, master of old Rippon Lodge, who has just returned from Paris to take part in the exercises. The ceremonial will be part of the Bicentennial celebration of the founding of Prince William County and, following the unveiling of the marker, there will be an all-day picnic.

The festivities will begin at 10 o'clock in the morning with a concert by the Marine Band of Quantico, followed by tableaux and pageants participated in by the school children of the county depicting early Colonial historic events in the county, under the direction of Miss Beatrix Clark, rural school supervisor. Addresses will be made by Wade H. Ellis, the donor of the marker; the acceptance address will be made by J. Lindsay Dawson, chairman of the board of supervisors, while brief addresses will be made by Senator Claude Swanson, Representative Howard W. Smith, former Representative R. Walton Moore, C. C. Carlin and Charles C. Callahan. Hawes Thornton Davies of Manassas will preside at the formal exercises, while committees from the various women's organizations of the county will have charge of the picnic feature.

Newspaper Tidbit: Manassas Items (1914)

Richmond Times (Va.)
11 January 1914

MANASSAS
[Special to The Times-Dispatch]

Manassas, Va. January 10 -- Miss Florence Lion returned on Tuesday from Pittsburgh where she has been the guest of Mrs. Will Hall.

Misses Amelia and Daisy Hill Brown are the guests of friends at Charlestown, W. Va.

The Manassas German Club will hold an important meeting next week, and officers for the coming year will be elected. Arrangements will be made for the number of germans to be given this year. The club has increased greatly in membership, and has had an excellent year financially.

The Misses Lillian and Alice Brand entertained friends at 509 at their home in Manassas Saturday evening.

Miss Dorothy Johnson was the weekend guest of Mr. and Mrs. R. Weir Waters at their home in Culpeper.

Miss Thedia Waters of Washington was a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Lipscomb on Sunday.

Eastern College began its winter term on Wednesday with an increased enrollment. The first chapel exercises were held on Wednesday.

Mrs. R. S. Hynson returned Monday from Upperville, where she has been the guest of her sister, Mrs. James Kincheloe.

On Thursday evening the local medical profession was entertained at a stag dinner given by Dr. B. F. Iden at his home in Manassas. The guests were Drs. W. A. Newman, R. E. Wine, J. C. Meredith, J. Marye Lewis, W. F. Dowell and Surgeon John Hooe Iden of Annapolis. During the evening the physicians organized a temporary organization to be known as the Medical Society of Prince William County, which will be permanent at the next meeting on Friday night, January 16. Officers were elected temporarily, they being Dr. B. F. Iden, president, and Dr. J. M. Lewis, secretary. The membership at present consists of the local medical profession, but after the organization is made permanent all physicians of Prince William County will be asked to join.

Richard Kelly, of Marshall, spent Sunday with friends here on his way to Marshall.

Mr. and Mrs. Silas Lillard, who have been the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Merchant, have returned to their home in Danville.

Misses Anna Merchant and Miss Bessie Merchant are the guests of friends and relatives in Washington.

Miss Helen Burtless has returned to her home in Roanoke after visiting Miss Francis Spies.

Newspaper Tidbit: Meeting of the Whigs of PW (1840)

Richmond Whig (Richmond, Va)
14 April 1840

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY.

At a meeting of the Whigs of Prince William at Brentsville, Samuel H. Janney, Esq. in the Chair, and Stephen French, jr. Esq. Secretary, Allen Howison, Esq. was selected as the Whig Candidate for the County, and Messrs. Nicholas Cleary, Stephen French, jr. Addison H. Saunders, and J. Selden Mason, as Delegates to the Young Men's Baltimore Convention.

Newspaper Tidbit: Three Prisoners Flee Manassas Jail

Evening Star (DC)
28 October 1939

THREE PRISONERS FLEE MANASSAS JAIL

Sheriff J. T. Kerlin of Prince William County, (Va.) and his deputies today were searching for three prisoners who escaped last night from the Manassas Jail by digging through a brick wall with a stove poker. Washington police were asked to aid in the search.

The escaped men, police said, are A. Keller, 42, and two youths about 20 years old -- Charley Hall and Oscar Verran. It was believed they caught a freight train out of Manassas.

Jailer Joseph Garner said three other men in the jail did not join in the break.

Newspaper Tidbit: Addendum -- Halloween Prank Ends in U.S. Prison

More than one person has asked if the investigation turned up the "pranksters."  The answer can be found in the following newspaper article --

Richmond Times Dispatch
17 March 1935

HALLOWEEN PRANK ENDS IN U.S. PRISON

One Gets Five Years, Two Others Less for the Despoiling of Grave

[Special to The Times-Dispatch]

QUANTICO, March 16 -- Three Quantico marines must serve sentences ranging from one to five years in the naval prison, Portsmouth, N.H., because they robbed a grave near here and dragged the corpse through local streets October 31 as a Halloween "prank."

Those convicted were Gene Cays of St. Louis, five years; Emil H. Hauch, Jamestown, N.C., two years, and John C. Killingsworth of Fort Gaines, Ga., one year. Hauch's parents reside in Washington.

At court-martial proceedings conducted here last month they were found guilty on charges of removing the corpse of John M. Rainey, World War veteran, from its grave Halloween night. The nude body was found abandoned in a front yard here the following morning.

Formal sentence of the marines came today following confirmation by Secretary of the Navy Swanson.

Newspaper Tidbit: Halloween Prank (1934)

Richmond Times Dispatch (Va.)
3 November 1934

BODY DISINTERRED, HALLOWEEN PRANK

Real Ghouls Stir Indignation of Quantico Folk

Quantico, Va., Nov. 2--(AP)-- Marine base authorities tonight sought to apprehend the real ghouls who were abroad Halloween night along with such legendary creatures as ghosts, witches and hobgoblins.

The morning after Halloween a naked body was found lying in a vacant lot almost under a street light. It was identified as that of John Rainey of Prince William County, who died September 29 and was buried in the Marine Corps Cemetery on October 1.

Further investigation revealed that the body had been dug out of its grave and dragged to the spot where it was found. Part of the clothing had been removed at the grave and the remainder scraped off as the body was dragged over the ground.

An empty wine bottle found at the open grave was the chief clue left by the perpetrators of the deed and plans were made today to examine it for finger prints. Indignant local authorities have called upon the Department of Justice to assist in the investigation.