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.

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

Mystery Monday: Man Dead for Years Discovered in Well (1945)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
3 July 1945

MAN DEAD FOR YEARS DISCOVERED IN WELL

The skeleton of a man dead anywhere from 7 to 20 years has been found in the bottom of a well near Quantico, Va., Virginia State police revealed today, as they began an investigation of the identity of the dead man.

The bones were discovered yesterday by a farm worker who was cleaning a well in the Dumfries district of Prince William County.

Dr. E. H. Marsteller, Prince William County coroner, who said a box of bones had been brought to him by the State police for examination, reported he had found no marks of violence on the skull.

Efforts to identify the man brought Captf E. J. McDermott and State Trooper E. H. Howe of the State police to Arlington, where they were closeted for an hour with Capt. Hugh Jones, Arlington detective chief.  Identification Officer Walter Bell also was in on the conference.

It was learned that a watch was found with the bones.

Church Record Sunday: Coles Sunday Schools Will Meet at Woodbine

Manassas Journal
11 July 1919

COLES SUNDAY SCHOOLS WILL MEET AT WOODBINE

Interesting Program Arranged for All-Day Session Sunday - Several Addresses

A convention of the Sunday Schools of Coles district will be held at Woodbine Church, near Canova, Sunday morning and afternoon, the participating Sunday Schools including Purcell, Bellehaven, Independent Hill, Woodbine, and New Hope. Mr. Herbert Purcell, Woodbine superintendent, will preside.

The morning program consists of an opening hymn, devotional exercises by Mr. W. B. Winslow, the address of welcome by Mr. E. Herring and response by Mr. D. P. Bell, an address by Hon. C. J. Meetze, "The Goal of Christian Education" by Mrs. R. R. Hayes, an address by Mr. J. T. Flory and other musical numbers.

The afternoon session, in addition to music, will include five-minute reports of Sunday Schools, a paper on cradle roll work by Mrs. Herring, an address by Mr. Charles R. McDonald on "Methods and Results of Contest Work," "Making Sunday School Reports Interesting" by Miss Drua Herring and a recitation by Miss Dorothy Merrill.

Wedding Wednesday/PWCo Items: Manassas (21 October 1917)

Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
21 October 1917

MANASSAS

[Special to the Times-Dispatch.]

MANASSAS, VA. October 20 -- Miss Ruth Althea Round, second daughter of Lieutenant and Mrs. George Carr Round, and Allison A. Hooff were quietly married here on Monday evening at the home of the bride, by Rev. J. F. Burks, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. After a Northern wedding tour they will return to the Hooff residence, in Grant Avenue, Manassas. The bride is a graduate of the Manassas High School and the State Normal School, at Harrisonburg. She has been instructor of physical education at the Orthopedic Hospital, at White Plains, N.Y.; the Binford High School at Richmond, and the Harrisonburg Normal. Mr. Hooff, who is a native of Charles Town, W. Va., is the junior partner in a Manassas lumber firm.

Dr. and Mrs. William J Bell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Tuesday evening at their home, near Brentsville, Prince William County, five children and ten of their twenty-five grandchildren being present. Dr. and Mrs. Bell are natives of Augusta County, Mrs. Bell before her marriage having been Miss. Mary Agnes Patterson. Dr. Bell served in the Confederate army.

The Manassas Good Housekeepers' Club was entertained on Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Thomas F. Coleman.

The Manassas Chapter of the American Red Cross has elected the following officers: chairman, George G. Tyler, clerk of Prince William County; vice-chairman, Mrs. George T. Lyon; treasurer, L. Frank Pattie, cashier of the National Bank of Manassas; secretary, Miss Mary Larkin, editor of the Manassas Journal, and executive committee, W. C. Wagener, Mayor of Manassas; Mrs. C. M. Larkin, principal of the Manassas graded school; Mrs. C. R. C. Johnson, Mrs. R. S. Hynson, and Mrs. J. F. Burkes, wife of the rector of Trinity Church.

Mrs. James F. Birkett has returned from an extended stay in Rupert, Idaho, where she was the guest of her son-in-law and daughter, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Lee Lewis.

Mr. and Mrs. James R. Larkin attended the State Fair at Richmond, and visited their son, Private Francis Norvell Larkin, at Camp Lee.

Miss Marianna Speiden, of Washington, was the recent guest of her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Speiden.

Miss Mary Lee Chapman has returned from Roanoke, where she was the guest of her grandmother, Mrs. Martha Chapman.

Wednesday's Child: Philip Bell

Manassas Journal
12 October 1906

In Memorium

Died, near Waterfall on Saturday, Oct. 6, little Philip, infant son of Edith and Howard Bell, aged three months and twenty-one days.  The funeral was at Antioch on Sunday afternoon and with saddened hearts we left the little mound covered with lovely flowers in the sweet October sunshine.

Wedding Wednesday: Howdershell-Bell

Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
21 December 1902

THE BRIDE OF WATERFALL

Waterfall, VA, December 20, 1902 -- A very pretty wedding was solemnized Wednesday evening at Antioch Baptist church, at this place, the contracting parties being Miss Edith Howdershell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howdershell, and Mr. Howard Stanley Bell, all of Prince William county.  At about 5:30 o'clock, to the strains of the Mendelsshon march, the bridal party entered the church from the vestibule, and the bride, with the maid of honor, Miss Clara Bell, sister of the groom, proceeded up the left aisle, while the groom, with the best man, Mr. William M. Jordan, proceeded up the right aisle, to the altar, where they were made one by the Rev. C. W. Trainham of Manassas.

The ushers were Mr. Randolph Smith, Mr. Charles Keyser, Mr. Herman Shirley, and Mr. Frank Pickett.

After the ceremony the happy couple was driven to Haymarket, where they took the train for a tour to points north.

Will: Rebecca Bell (1823)

REBECCA BELL Will

Prince William County Will Book M, pg 2

10 Aug 1822; proved 03 Mar 1823

In the name of God Amen I REBECCA BELL of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say I commit my soul to Almighty God trusting that through the redeeming grace of the Savior he will forgive my sins, I request that my body should be decently interred for defraying the expenses of which I wish two bull yearlings to be sold.  The balance of my property I give and bequeath in the following manner, Viz; to my grandson THOMAS GUY, his heirs or assigns one large brindle cow, one hog and one ewe.  To my granddaughter NANCY one bed and furniture one cow of a brindle & white color and one ewe, to my granddaughter ELIZABETH one bed and furniture and one heifer it is further my wish that if either of my grand daughters should die without issue what property I have left her shall belong to the other, it is further my wish that the following articles shall be sold, one iron pot and stew pan one tea kettle eight spoons, one washing tub and bread tray and the proceeds equally divided between the three children above named and as it was my wish that the sheep should be equally divided among the three I wish my Executor to value the two sheep and the one third of the value to be paid by THOMAS and NANCY to ELIZABETH for carrying the above will into execution.  I hereby constitute Majr. JOSEPH R. GILBERT my Executor as witness my hand and seal this tenth day of August 1822.

REBECCA BELL

Signed and sealed in the presence of

JAMES THOMPSON, WILLIAIM GRIFFID, PERRY GRIFFID

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County  Marcy 3^rd 1823 this last will and testament of REBECCA BELL decd was presented to the court and being proved by the oaths of JAMES THOMPSON and PERCY GRIFFID is admitted to record.

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions continued & held for Prince William County March 4^th 1823.  JOSEPH R. GILBERT the Executor named in the last will and testament of REBECCA BELL decd came into court and made oat to the same and took the oath of an Exor. according to law and having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining probate thereof in due form.

Teste,  P. D. DAWE

Church Record Sunday: Coles District Sunday School Convention (1931)

30 July 1931
Manassas Journal

WOODBINE

Proceedings of Coles District Sunday School Convention, held with Woodbine Baptist Church, July 26, 1931, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Opening Song --- "Near the Cross"

Devotional Exercise - Rev. J. M. Wells
   8 Romans 1-4, followed by prayer by Rev. J. M. Wells

Music, by Woodbine Sunday School
   "Carry Your Cross With a Smile"

Address of Welcome -- Miss Ola Whitmer

Response -- Rev. J. M. Bell

Music, by Independent Hill Sunday School

Recitation -- Miss Annabelle Merrill

Duet, "Just a little help from you"
   Rev. and Mrs. J. M. Bell

Address, "On Sunday School Work" -- Rev. J. Murray Taylor

Quartette -- Rev. and Mrs. J. M. Bell and Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Wine

Motion for adjournment for lunch

Dismissed by Rev. J. Murray Taylor.

Afternoon Session 1:30 P.M.

Opening Song, "I Love to Tell the Story"

Prayer -- Rev. W. T. Wine

Duet -- Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Wine

Business of convention:  Committee for nominating officers for ensuing year:  Mr. W. A. Wine, Mr. R. W. Woodyard, and Mr. C. F. Whitmer.

Rev. W. T. Wine suggested a motion that a resolution be placed on the minutes in behalf of Mr. Herring's recent illness, and sympathy be extended Mr. Herring, and hope for a speedy recovery, which was adopted.  Prayer was then offered by Rev. J. M. Bell in Mr. Herring's behalf.  Reports from the following Sunday Schools:  Woodbine and Independent Hill.  Reports adopted and Purcell S. S. just being organized.  Officers for ensuing year are as follows:  president, Mr. W. A. Wine, vice president, Mr. W. Y. Elliott, secretary-treasurer, Bessie V. Cornwell.

Music, "Anywhere With Jesus"

Address -- Mr. J. M. Bell

Address, "The Importance of a Sunday School" -- Mr. R. A. Rust

Music, "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Recitation -- Mr. J. W. Bell

Talks on Sunday School Work by the following:  Mr. W. T. Wine and Elder Geo. Beahm

Contribution from Independent Hill -- $1.00

Collection taken -- $3.60

Total -- $4.60

A rising vote of thanks was extended to Woodbine for their hospitality of entertaining the convention.

Closing song, "God be with you

 

Wedding Wednesday: Jordan-Bell

Baltimore Sun
7 March 1905

JORDAN-BELL

Fredericksburg, Va., March 6 -- Mr. William N. Jordan and Miss Annie L. Bell, daughter of Mr. James W. Bell, both of Prince William county, were married last week at St. Paul's Church, Rev. H. F. Kloman officiating.  Miss Clara Bell was the maid of honor and Mr. George Hulfish best man.  Mr. and Mrs. Jordan left for a bridal trip to the North.

Military Monday: Services Accept 23 Manassas Selectees

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
25 July 1943

SERVICES ACCEPT 23 MANASSAS SELECTEES OF 39 EXAMINED

Manassas, Va., July 24 -- Twenty-three of the 39 white selectees sent to Richmond for induction July 16, were accepted by the Army, Navy and Marine Corp.  Seventeen have been ordered to report for duty Friday at Camp lee.  They are:

Hughes, Norman B.
Cornwell, Emory L.
Weatherholtz, T.M.
White, Alvin R.
Speakes, Hilleary J.
Chenault, Homer C.
Monaghan, T.D.
Gregory, James L.
Kincheloe, Lloyd
Bell, Earl F.
Showalter, R.W.
Ambrose, John
Kelly, Ernest T.
Somers, Glen L.
Kellison, Lewis A.
MacKenzie, J.D.
Hereford, Hobert D.

Four who reported to Richmond this week to be assigned to duty in the Navy include Wallace H. Lynn, Marvin K. Wells, Richard C. Hayden, jr., and Theodore A. Nelson.

Benny Otho Weaver and Joseph Anthony Jagiello of Quantico were accepted by the Marine Corp.

Wednesday's Child: Anna Stiff Bell

Manassas Journal
March 16, 1917

DIES AT EIGHTEEN

Young Daughter of Mr. G. W. Bell Succumbs to Illness of Months

Miss Anna Stiff Bell, youngest daughter of Mr. George W. Bell, died Sunday morning at her home in Manassas after a long illness.  She was eighteen years old and a member of the Methodist Church.

Funeral services took place Monday afternoon at Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, the pastor, Rev. J. Halpenny officiating.  The hymns sung were "Meet Me There" and "My Heavenly Home is Bright and Fair," which she had selected.  Interment was in the cemetery at Bradley.

Surviving members of the family are her father, three sisters, Mrs. J. I. Randall and Miss Myrtle Bell, of Manassas, and Mrs. Maximillian Goldrose, of Hillsdale, Md., and two brothers, Messrs. Charles W. Bell, of Chester, Pa., and Frank Bell, of Wellington.

Wednesday's Child: Benjamin Sullivan

Manassas Democrat
September 15, 1910

DEATH OF BENJAMIN SULLIVAN

Benjamin Sullivan, fourteen years old, died of typhoid fever Saturday afternoon at two o'clock at the home of his uncle, James Sullivan, near Canova, where he had been visiting.  He had been ill about two weeks.  The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from Woodbine church, the Rev. Carver (?) officiating.  Interment was in Woodbine churchyard.  He is survived by his father, A. L. Sullivan, and brother, Raymond Sullivan, of Washington.  He was a nephew of G. W. Bell, J. M. Bell, J. S. Bell and D. P. Bell of Manasas; Mrs. H. P. Young and Miss S. C. Bell of Manassas, and Luther Sullivan, of Blandsford Bridge.

[Benjamin L. Sullivan appears on the 1900 Coles District, PWCo census at age four living with his aunt and uncle, James and Salome Sullivan, and brother Raymond.  In 1910, he is listed as a boarder in Precinct 9, District of Columbia, in the household of Samuel F. Enterpin.  Although there is no headstone for Benjamin at Woodbine Church Cemetery, he is very likely buried near his uncle, James Sullivan. ~cgl]

Friend of Friends Friday: Will: Strother Suttle (1792)

STROTHER SUTTLE Will

Prince William Will Book H, pg. 45

22 Aug 1792; proved 3 Dec 1792

In the name of god amen I STROTHER SUTTLE of Prince William County and State of Virginia being in a low state of body tho of a sound mind and memory thanks be given to almighty god for the same but calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal life do make this my last will and testament in maner and form following that is to say I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god my maker and my body to the grave to be decently buryed by my Exors. And as for such worldly goods and estate as the Lord has been pleased to bestow on me (after my just debts is paid) and give divise and bequeath in manner and form following.

Item I give and bequeath to my son WILLIAM SUTTLE one Negro man slave named NACE one negro man slave named JACK the latter to be free if he is the longest liver and behaves himself well as a slave.

Item I give and bequeath to my grandson HENRY HAMPTON SUTTLE two Negro girls to wit SIBBY and ALLEY and one mare colt named Sophie.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter ANN RENO one Negro girl named DINIAH and after her death to my grandson WILLIAM RENO.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY WATSON one horse named Wistar.

The balance of my estate whether real or personal I give to my beloved wife during her life or widowhood only that SAMUEL WATSON and his family is to live with her and take care of the estate so long as she liveth and after her death the said Watson to possess all my write and title to the plantation and land whereon I now live.  My will and meaning is that after the death of my beloved wife ELIZABETH SUTTLE the whole of my estate left in her hands during her life (except the land divised to Saml. Watson) be equally divided between my three children  to wit WILLIAM SUTTLE, ANN RENO and MARY WATSON.  My meaning is that none of the before mentioned property shall be liable to any execution for debt that is or may be contracted by any of my children and lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my son WILLIAM SUTTLE sole exc. Or this my last will and testament.  Given under my hand and seal this 22^nd of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety two.

STROTHER [his mark] SUTTLE  {seal}

Signed and Sealed in the presence of us

JOHN ANDERSON

LEWIS BELL

REBECKAH [her mark] KITCHEN

At a court held for Prince William County the 3^rd day of December 1792.  This last will and testament of Strother Suttle deceased was presented to the Court and proved by the oaths of John Anderson and Lewis Bell and ordered to be recorded and at a court held for the said County the 7^th day of January 1793 David Renoe and Samuel Watson two of the Executors named in the said will made oath there to according to law and having performed what is usual in such cases certificate was granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste,

ROBERT GRAHAM Ct. Cur.

Friday's Faces From the Past: Cora Bell Beavers

Below is a photo found among the chancery papers of the 1918 PWCo divorce case between Cora E. Beavers v. Samuel T. Beavers.  Cora was accompanied by her younger brother, Robert, and neighbor, Willie Keys, on a trip to the big city -- Washington, DC -- and had a souvenir photo-postcard made of the event.  This postcard was later introduced by Samuel Beavers in a counterclaim that Cora was unfaithful to him and having an affair with Willie, which she denied.  The Court found in Cora's favor, granting the divorce.

Robert Luther Bell, Willie ("Wylie") Keys, and Cora Bell Beavers
1918

Will: Ann Bell

Ann Bell's Will

Prince William County, VA Will Book I, Page 16

Dated 14 August 1797; Proved 7 February 1804

In the name of God Amen, I Ann Bell of the county of Prince William do make this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows,

Item, I give to my son Barton Bell one shilling sterling

Item, I give to my daughter Rebeckey Bell one shilling sterling

Item, I give to my son John Bell one shilling sterling

Item, I give to my son Walter Bell one shilling sterling

Item I now give and bequeath unto my two youngest daughters Viz. Darkey Bell and Martha Bell and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten the whole of what I may dye possessed of their paying all just demands against me or my estate.  And should either die without heir lawfully begotten the longest liver of them two to have all.  Lastly, I constitute my two youngest daughters Darkey and Martha Bell my whole and sole Executrix and Administratrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills ever made by me.  In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.

Ann {X her mark} Bell {seal}

Signed in presence of

William Carter

John Carter

At a Court continued and held for Prince Wm. County, Feby. 7^th, 1804.

This last will and testament of Ann Bell deceased was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of Wm. Carter and John Carter was ordered to be recorded.

Teste.

John Williams

Newspaper Tidbits

Richmond Times Dispatch – January 19, 1911

WANTED, DOCTOR: A GOOD LOCATION at Brentsville, Va.  Also merchant for this town; dwelling house and storeroom combined; for sale or rent.  Inquire of DR. W. J. BELL, Bristow, VA.

Richmond Times Dispatch – April 7, 1908

CAPTAIN W. F. WILLIAMS. – Bristol, VA, April 6.  Captain W. F. Williams, sixty-six years old, a native of Brentsville, Prince William county, VA, died here to-night of pneumonia.  He was captain of Company A, Fourth Virginia Regiment of the Confederate army.  For many years he was prominently connected with the railroads here.  Two sons and three daughters survive.  His only surviving sister, Mrs. Somerville, resides at Manassas.

Richmond Times Dispatch – November 5, 1916

APPOINTED DEPUTY SHERIFF. MANASSAS, VA., November 4. Judge J. B. T. Thornton has appointed J. P. Kerlin of Nokesville, deputy sheriff of Prince William County.  Mr. Kerlin was selected by Charles A. Barbee, sheriff, to succeed the late John M. Hooe.  McDuff Green, of Aden, has been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Kerlin's resignation as supervisor from the Brentsville District.

Daily National Intelligencer – July 14, 1825

BRENTSVILLE, VA., JULY 8, 1825 – Joseph Bergess, who was sentenced to be hanged, by the Superior Court of Law for Prince William county, held in October last, for the murder of Charles Gollyhorn, was executed near Brentsville, this day, in presence of a large number of spectators, who had assembled to witness the scene.

Pittsfield Sun – July 4, 1867

The death is announced near Brentsville, Prince William County, Va., of Wm. Washington, aged 74 years, nephew of Col. Washington of the Revolutionary army, and third cousin of Gen. George Washington.  His brother, Col. Henry Washington, of the District of Columbia, survives.  The deceased served with distinction throughout the war of 1812.

Alexandria Gazette – May 22, 1832

DIED, Wednesday last, at Brentsville, Prince William County Va., Philip D. Dawe, Esq., Clerk of Pr. Wm. County Court, aged 50 years.