115 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 4, 1909
from the Mathews Journal
A letter was received a few days ago from Mr. Earlie Forrest who went with the fleet around the world stating he would be home in the near future.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Adams of Gwynn’s Island welcomed in their home a little baby boy last week.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 5, 1914
from the Mathews Journal
Mr. Tod Christian received three new Fords recently. They were shipped to West Point and brought down under their own power by him during the blizzard last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Tom N. Foster of Redart were made happy last week by the arrival of a baby boy.
The fishermen are getting on fine with their nets and will be ready to put them out as soon as the weather will permit.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 6, 1924
from the Gloucester Gazette
Court is in session at Gloucester this week and several local attorneys have been in attendance. Judge Claggett B. Jones is presiding at this term after a long illness, and is reported as appearing to be fully recovered.
from the Mathews Journal
The Senior Class of Gwynn’s Island High School held a book social St. Valentine’s evening. Hot chocolate and cakes were served; quite a number of books and some cash was contributed and everyone present had an enjoyable time.
The bazaar was a success too. Everyone responded liberally and the display of fancy and useful articles was attractive. Canned fruits and pickles occupied another booth, while a tempting array of cakes and pies flanked by hot chocolate and creamy milk attracted customers. Of course, there was an abundant supply of homemade ice cream, which kept those in charge busy. Altogether quite a nice sum was realized; about $85. The bazaar was carried on two nights and the members of the committees worked hard for it and deserve much credit and thanks.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 8, 1934
from the Gloucester Gazette
Rising temperature, sunshine and moderate winds have operated this week to pull Gloucester out of the snow, ice and sleet which prevailed in the county the early part of last week.
The condition of the dirt roads, where they have not received oil surfacing, however, is reported very bad in all parts of the county. Automobiles have sunk axle deep in many mud holes, and road conditions except on the improved highways are reminiscent of the old horse and buggy days when roads were almost universally bad in wet weather.
Reports of vast numbers of trees crashed to the earth under their heavy burden of ice are heard. One citizen living some distance from an improved highway is said to have counted 160 trees down across his private road from the highway to his house, and it was a stupendous job to clear the road for traffic.
from the Mathews Journal
The warm heavy rains of the last few days made the snow and ice at Cobbs Creek disappear quickly, leaving plenty of water and mud.
Our fine hard-surfaced road has developed many bumps and will require much repair. Due to the heavy storms of last week the boat was unable to make its usual trips up the river.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 9, 1944
from the Gazette-Journal
Mathews High School basketball teams defeated teams from Gloucester, Syringa and Saluda, last week, winning all four games played.
Monday night, February 28 at the high school, the Mathews F.F.A. boys defeated the Gloucester F.F.A. boys 41-22 and the Syringa team 47-19.
The high school girls’ basketball team defeated the Junior Woman’s Club team 21-4 at the school on Wednesday night, March 1.
Last Friday night, March 3, the boys played against Saluda at Christchurch and won by a score of 41-25. The girls’ game with Saluda was canceled because of the mumps.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 11, 1954
from the Gazette-Journal
Mathews County Library has been presented with the genealogical booklet, “The Yeatmans in America.” This was given by W.C. Yeatman, of California, through a kinswoman, Mrs. Elmer W. Greene, Sr., of Gwynn. In it, reference is made to Thomas Robinson Yeatman, who was County Clerk of Mathews County for many years, and whose portrait, painted by a grand-daughter, was presented to Mathews County by his son, Henry Yeatman. The County Clerk lived at “Isleham,” Mathews.
The Congressional Directory for 1952 and 1954 were given by A.E. Belew of Moon. Mrs. Marshall Callis gave the booklet, Bird Life of Virginia. R.E. Wilson of Onemo, gave a collection of books and H.A. Sadler, a supply of special pencils.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 5, 1964
from the Gazette-Journal
The commuter rate on the Coleman bridge at Yorktown will drop from 50¢ to 40¢, as recommended by the consulting engineers, with the sale of a $10 ticket book continuing.
The commuter rate changes and a reduction in commercial bus tolls on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel were the major changes recommended in the consultants’ report. The engineers told the highway commission that the present delicate balance between revenues estimated at the time of financing and actual earnings made other revisions inadvisable at this time.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 7, 1974
from the Gazette-Journal
The Mathews County School Board will propose an “across the board” increase of 8 percent in teacher salaries for 1974-75, superintendent William A. Keith told members of the Mathews Education Association salary committee Monday. The MEA previously had requested an increase ranging from 12-15 percent, including fringe benefits. Keith told the committee he is sure the school board will approve the proposed scale of $7,700 to $10,466 in 15 steps plus an additional $150 per year on hospitalization, and total cost of tort and V.S.R.S. insurance premiums.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 8, 1984
from the Gazette-Journal
From the Classifieds:
1978 Plymouth Fury, $1,000 negotiable. After 6, 642-XXXX.
1982 Plymouth Reliant, white, 40,000 miles, $4,700. Call 642-XXXX.
1978 Dodge Power Wagon, 38,000 miles, AC, PB, PS. Excellent condition. All new front bearings, lift kit, 36” tires, 725-XXXX.
1977 Dodge Diplomat, 318 V-8, fully equipped. $1,595 or best offer. 758-XXXX.
1964 Ford Fairlane, 2 door hardtop, good body, engine runs good, $600 or best offer. 693-XXXX.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 10, 1994
from the Gazette-Journal
As winds shifted to the northeast over the weekend, the number of dead sea birds washing up along the shorelines in Mathews County rose drastically. The birds are believed to be the victims of the recent outbreak of avian cholera. More than 8,000 dead birds had been found statewide as of Wednesday morning.
On Monday, workers gathered 148 dead birds from the bay’s shoreline in Mathews. Many of the birds were found at New Point while others were picked up at other beaches.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 4, 2004
from the Gazette-Journal
Pound net fishermen in Mathews are circulating petitions, asking that area residents join them in protesting a proposal by the National Marine Fisheries Service designed to protect sea turtles. Watermen say the measure is unfair and would affect their livelihood. The NMFS says it is necessary to protect endangered or threatened species. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by May 8.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 6, 2014
from the Gazette-Journal
What a difference a day makes.
On Sunday, residents of Gloucester and Mathews were outside, many in T-shirts and shorts, enjoying afternoon temperatures around the 70-degree mark. Less than 24 hours later, sleet quickly gave way to snow, providing a vivid reminder that Old Man Winter is still hanging on.
The National Weather Service reported 1.5 inches of snow fell on top of nearly an inch of sleet in Gloucester. It reported three inches of snow fell Monday on Gwynn’s Island and 2.5 inches in Cardinal, all on top of about a half inch of ice.