115 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 12, 1907
From the Mathews Journal
Some of the weather prophets have been saying that we are to have a mild winter, pinning their faith to the short crop of persimmons and other wild fruits and up to this time it looks like there may be some truth in their statements, but we must not be sure. Keep the wood pile up and lest we should have a late spring, let someone be ready with rifle in hand on Ground Hog Day, and shoot that animal before he has the chance to see his shadow and run back.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 12, 1912
from the Mathews Journal
Soles: Hello central, give us The Journal office. Is that you, Mr. Editor? Don’t know where Soles is? Ha! Ha! Can’t blame you very much for I don’t believe there’s a reporter from our town. What’s the news?
We are all preparing for Christmas and Santa Claus. Wedding bells are ringing in this vicinity. Mr. William Callis is still on the sick list. Mr. “Winter” is paying us another call.
Mr. Atwood Lewis had the misfortune to fall from his wagon last week and fracture a rib. He was preparing to take some freight to Green Point wharf.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 7, 1922
from the Gloucester Gazette
“Farmers Court” Day Monday was enlivened by an incident not on the program. A pair of horses hitched to a wagon, said to be owned by Mr. Ollie Bland near Glenns, becoming alarmed by the squealing of pigs, inaugurated a runaway, dashing down the center of the court green and causing a lively scramble out of their path on the part of the crowds assembled. Possibly repenting of its indiscretion or for some other reason, one of the horses changed its mind about running away, just in front of the soldiers’ monument, and deliberately sat down, thus tearing itself loose from the wagon, which the other animal proceeded onward with, until at the corner by the Masonic building, the wagon collided with Mr. W.H. Trevilian’s car. This caused the other horse to tear loose, and he was caught a little further on. The chief damage was done to Mr. Trevilian’s automobile, it having a door broken and left front fender bent.
from the Mathews Journal
In Moon news, Mrs. Roland Downs had the misfortune to fall from a wagon last week and hurt herself very badly.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 8, 1932
from the Mathews Journal
Gwynn’s Island: Miss Audrey Respess was hostess at a delightful party, Saturday evening, in honor of her sixteenth birthday.
Mrs. Elizabeth Respess is recovering after a sudden attack of illness.
Mr. Warren Brownley, who has been a patient of Sarah Leigh Hospital for several months, was the weekend guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Brownley. He was accompanied by Mrs. J.E. St. Pierre, Miss Katie Brownley and Bobbie Diggs, of Norfolk.
Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Powell and son, Wade Harrison, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Harrison at Port Haywood.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 10, 1942
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gloucester Company of Minute Men held its first maneuver Friday night, when one platoon under Lieutenant Weaver, defended the Botetourt High School auditorium against the attack of another platoon under Lieutenant McCann. Captain Moore, who umpired the action, said it was a great success and demonstrated considerable skill and ability. Flashlights were used instead of guns. There were a number of casualties, and several prisoners were taken by both sides. One man of the attacking force succeeded in reaching the auditorium and placing a bomb there.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 11, 1952
from the Gazette-Journal
Willie Hudgins, contractor of Bellamy, began work Monday renovating the Gloucester County jail building for use as offices for the county.
According to Mr. Hudgins, new windows and screens will be put in, the interior repaired and painted, a new floor built in the hall on the second floor, an oil furnace will be installed, and a new roof over the toilets, which form wings on the old structure, long abandoned for its original use.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 6, 1962
from the Gazette-Journal
Pribble: Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Owens and daughter Ellen returned to their home in Pittsburgh, Penn., last Monday after spending a few days as guests of his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Owens, at their home “Waters Edge.” They also had as their guests, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Miller and daughter Cathie of Baltimore.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 7, 1972
from the Gazette-Journal
Dear Santa,
I am a boy nine years old. I wish you would bring me an electric football game with the Minnesota Vikings on it, also Rockem Sockem, Birdie Bird airplane, Viking helmets, walkie talkie, Johnny West boy and cabin, 3 sizzler cars, a foam football, and any game.
I will have my stocking hanging on the mantel. Please fill it full.
Love, Kevin Ashberry P.S. I am a GOOD boy.
Dear Santa,
I have been good! Please bring me Big Bird from Sesame Street, easy bake oven, Snoopy electric toothbrush. And a Hi-Dottie doll and clothes for her. I will leave you some milk and cookies. Hope to hear your sleigh bells and deers. Bye now, see you soon. Oh! Santa, I forgot to tell you, I’ll be at Aunt Ann’s house this year.
Love, Teresa Ewell
Dear Santa Clause,
I am a nice boy six years old. I would like for you to bring me an electric race car set, rockem sockem robots, American gas station, giant gantry crane, street roller, tonka trucks, stick, shifter, birdie bird airplane, G.I. Joe, and lite brite. And you can be nice and give me extras in my stocking. It is the one with Michael on it. And treat other children good too.
Michael P.S. It’s the first brick house on the left side.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 9, 1982
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gloucester Board of Supervisors Friday rejected the request of the health department for funds to hire an additional sanitarian to help ease the backlog of septic tank permit applications.
The vote against appropriating $4,366 to pay for an additional sanitarian through June 30, 1983 was 4-1.
The health department is now down to one and two-fifths sanitarian a week, since the second full-time sanitarian is on maternity leave. “There is no way that Gloucester, in its present growth level, can keep pace if the (health department) personnel level is not going to be maintained,” stated County Administrator John J. Jackson. “I think we should provide sufficient resources if it will help them do their job.” But after it was pointed out that any new sanitarian would have to be hired and trained, making February the earliest that any effect would be felt but the additional help, the board voted against the appropriation.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 10, 1992
from the Gazette-Journal
Dear Santa,
Will Christmas ever get here? I can hardly wait. I hope you like Rocky Mountain cake. Momma’s making it and I’m gonna give you some. Did you get my list? I want a Rappin Barbie and Baby Roller blades. Be careful, I know it’s a long way from the North Pole.
Love, April Ferguson, Age 6
Hi Santa,
How’s Rudolph? Does his nose still turn red? My Momma sent my list to you. I hope you got it. I want a Stacey-2-wheeler and Rappin’ Barbie. I’ll give you cake and milk, o.k.? Bye Bye
Love, Amanda Ferguson, Age 4
Dear Santa,
I would like to say Santa, I want a sword—I want a whole bunch of things: a trumpet, golf clubs, a new train set that blows smoke with a box car, a oil car and a big red caboose like my friend Kirby has. I would like to say I like Rudolph the best. Merry Christmas!
Love, William R. Thompson, Age 3
Dear Santa & Mrs. Santa,
How are you both? Well this year has been rough. As you know Omi went to live with God. My Christmas wish for her is to be at peace with Opa. Also I wish My Daddy will be happy this Christmas. Daddy and mommy say I have been a good girl this year. If possible may I have two things, first, a California roller baby & Starlight, it’s a walking horse.
Love, Alexandria Kersmarki, Age 7
Dear Santa
This Christmas I want Pario Paint, Crash Dummies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Van.
Love, Kenny H. Jordan IV, Age 8
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002
from the Gazette-Journal
Perhaps the oldest cliché in football is that while offense may win games, defense wins championships.
The Mathews High School varsity football team proved that saying still rings true, as it shut down a powerful Sussex Central offense for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon to beat the Tigers, 7-6, and take home the Region A, Division 1 trophy.
While the MHS offense couldn’t get itself established, the defense didn’t miss a beat—nearly shutting out the same Tiger team that posted 36 points the week before against Surry, foiling two attempts at a crucial two-point conversion, and causing a fumble late in the third quarter that led to the Devils’ only score. The MHS defense held on through the last 11 minutes to preserve the win.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012
from the Gazette-Journal
Warm temperatures and sunny skies enticed residents to come out Saturday and enjoy Gloucester Citizen’s Christmas and Holiday Parade, Main Street’s business open house, and other weekend activities.
Throngs of people strolled the sidewalks from Main Street Library to Botetourt Elementary School, enjoying outdoor vendors, special displays, visits with Santa Claus, and more.
“When the weather is as good as it was, we have half the people in the world it seems like,” Gloucester Parks, Recreation and Tourism supervisor Denise Carter said with a laugh.
The lavish parade had many decorated floats, marching units and motorized groups, and the crowd often expressed its enthusiasm with applause and shouts of appreciation.