115 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 10, 1909
from the Mathews Journal
Last Friday may be set down as the heaviest rainfall of the season, a complete washout in this part of the county.
Some sort of show was going on near Owens store at Susan on Thursday night but after the Friday rain storm they struck tents and departed.
Many anxious friends will be glad to learn that Mr. Larry Jagger, who has been suffering severely for some weeks with appendicitis, and carried to the marine department of the St. Vincent’s Hospital, Norfolk, where an operation was performed, is now doing much better, and it is hoped that he will soon be out.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 11, 1914
from the Mathews Journal
Mrs. Emma Hudgins of New Point entertained quite a number of friends on Tuesday night last, those present being Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hudgins, Misses Lottie Hutson, Susie Fitchett, Ethel Guider, Ruby and Hattie Jarvis, Maud West, Pansy Ripley, Amy and Kate Hudgins, Messrs. Hay and John Hudgins, Glen Armistead, Luther Thomas, Wilton Moore, Boyd Hall and Albert Burroughs. All spent an enjoyable evening.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 12, 1924
from the Mathews Journal
Little Miss Rachel Diggs entertained a few of her friends last Saturday afternoon, the occasion being her ninth birthday. The table was beautifully decorated. The guests were Misses Kathleen, Edna and Mable Diggs, Delma Owens, Nannie Miller Minter, Lois and Stella Brownley, Nina Cray, Bertha Minter and Margaret Minter, of Portsmouth, Masters Wilson Diggs, Merritt Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Diggs. Games were played on the lawn and at 3:30 o’clock the guests were invited into the dining room where refreshments and confections were served.
Little Miss Diggs received many beautiful and useful presents. The guests all report a very pleasant evening.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 14, 1934
from the Gloucester Gazette
Charles R. South, state traffic officer, has asked The Gazette to remind automobile drivers that all old driver’s licenses expire June 30 and new ones must be secured to enable one to operate a car legally in Virgnia after the first of July.
from the Mathews Journal
Although Thomas of Mathews, allowed but four hits, Cobbs Creek took advantage of the visitors’ errors to shut out the Court House nine, 3-0, at Cobbs Creek Saturday afternoon in one of the fastest games seen this year. Milby, the starting pitcher for Cobbs Creek, hurled such excellent ball that at no time was he in danger of being scored upon. This Saturday, June 16, Mathews meets Cobbs Creek on the Lee-Jackson diamond at 3:30 p.m.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 15, 1944
from the Gazette-Journal
Mrs. Linwood Rowe, of White Marsh, received $100 recently from “Grit,” a weekly paper of National circulation, as first prize in a contest. From 20,000 letters written to Grit, telling why the writers liked the paper, Mrs. Rowe’s was selected as being the best.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 10, 1954
from the Gazette-Journal
Army Engineers were told at a public hearing held at the Gwynn’s Island School on Monday night, that commercial fishing craft are not causing excessive opening of the Gwynn’s Island Bridge span. The meeting was held by the engineers on the State Department’s request to refuse to open the span for certain types of small boats, in order to reduce expense of operation. The engineers were also told by Milford Haven seafood operators that they are desirous of cooperating in any way possible to reduce expenses of operation of the draw-bridge across the Haven.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 11, 1964
from the Gazette-Journal
A variety show sponsored by the Mathews County Spring Festival will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, June 19 in the Mathews High School auditorium and will feature talent from Mathews County. The program will include a solo by Lillian Bowman; solo, Mrs. Irvin Callis; solo, Sheldon Foster; the Mathews Baptist Church choir; double quartet of the Emmanuel Methodist Church, a medley of the Tri-Tones, and a mixed quartet from Central Methodist Church. A tumbling act will be presented by Steve Layton, Powell Jackson, Earl Jordan and Larry Brownley. Eugene Hudgins’s dog, a daughter of the well-known Lassie, will also be on the program.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 13, 1974
from the Gazette-Journal
A four-day crabbers strike ended late Monday after watermen in Gloucester and Mathews carried out a threat to stop work by dumping their catch overboard and hauling their pots back to shore.
All seafood dealers in the area apparently agreed Monday afternoon to yield to the price demands of the crabbers and by Tuesday morning the going rate for crabs per pound was increased from eight to ten cents.
Crabbing operations came almost to a complete standstill Monday. Watermen estimated that approximately 300 crabbers or 90 percent of the area’s watermen participated in the united effort to force prices upward.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 14, 1984
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gloucester Sheriff’s Department announced that, effective Friday, it will be enforcing the county’s ordinances on illegal parking, particularly those laws pertaining to handicap and fire lanes. A department spokesman said that citations will be posted on vehicles illegally parked along with a self-addressed envelope for paying the fine, which if not paid within three working days will result in further legal action and expense.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 16, 1994
from the Gazette-Journal
Crabs are scarce and fish catches spotty in Mathews and Gloucester waters, and many watermen say this is the worst year they have ever seen. Rufus Ruark of Shores & Ruark Seafood Co., Grimstead, said this is the time of year when crabs “should be plentiful,” but they are not. He added there are small crabs, a sign there will be lots of crabs in the late summer or early fall.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 10, 2004
from the Gazette-Journal
Gloucester High School will graduate approximately 375 seniors during its 51st annual commencement at 7 p.m. Friday in the school stadium. Graduates are expected to be assembled in the school gymnasium by 6 p.m. for their processional lineup.
Ninety-two seniors are expected to receive diplomas during Friday’s 65th annual Mathews High School commencement, which will be held in the Harry M. Ward Auditorium, starting at 7 p.m.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, June 12, 2014
from the Gazette-Journal
Work was proceeding apace Friday on a mosaic tile mural on the Halcyon Building in Mathews.