115 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 9, 1908
from the Mathews Journal
Redart: Little Bessie Dixon is quite sick at this writing with whooping cough.
Mr. James H. Ogden of the steamer Neuse, arrived home Thursday last to spend a few days with his family.
Rev. Richard Ferguson filled his pulpit at Asbury Chapel Sunday afternoon and delivered a fine sermon to a large audience. We are always glad to have Rev. Ferguson in our midst.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 6, 1913
from the Mathews Journal
Mr. Elias Grinnell, of New Point, announces the coming marriage of his daughter, Hattie, to Mr. Henry Owens, of Peary, the marriage to take place sometime during the present month. Mr. and Mrs. John B. Grinnell announce the coming marriage of their daughter, Sadie, to Mr. Colie Hudgins, of Laban, the marriage to take place in Washington this month. All prospective newly-weds are well-known and popular in their respective communities.
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 8, 1923
from the Gloucester Gazette
Gloucester sportsmen were out in force last Thursday, the first day of the hunting season, and much game is being taken. George Lawson shot an 18-lb. turkey Tuesday. It is said that the gobbler might have fallen to Ned Cox’s trusty rifle had Ned not been taken with an attack of “buck” (or turkey) fever at the critical moment. But Ned has two turkeys to his credit this year just the same. Others who have shot turkeys include W.C. Tucker, Julian Corbell, Hughes Ware, Mr. German, Frank Robins and no doubt many others from whom no report has reached this office. Willie Martin’s turkey is still at large.
from the Mathews Journal
Master Gilmour Diggs delightfully entertained at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Hudgins, the occasion being his birthday anniversary. Games and music were enjoyed, after which the little guests were invited into the dining room where delicious refreshments were served. The host received some pretty useful gifts. Those present were Misses May Hudgins and Marion Diggs, Everett, Cecil, Waverly and Garland Hudgins, Vernon, Paul and Carl Mac Diggs and little Welford Jarvis, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Hudgins, Mr. and Mrs. Roger, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Jarvis, Mr. O.F. Diggs, Mr. Brown Banner, Misses Evelyn Hodges and Fannye Diggs.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 9, 1933
from the Gloucester Gazette
Items for sale include: Pigs and Shotes. Also mare and horse. R.H. Leigh, Gum Fork, Va.
Sewing machine, good and new, cheap for cash. S.J. Smith, Bena, Va.
House and lot for sale or rent. With water front. Blinds convenient for duck shooting. Man to take you out. Rent by the season or month. Mrs. S.L. Driscoll, Wicomico.
Slenderize with a Katherine K foundation garment. The season’s outstanding success in corsetry design. Models for all figures. Call 16F4
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 9, 1943
from the Gazette-Journal
To the Voters of Mathews County: I take this method of expressing to you my sincere appreciation of the support given me at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 2. Especially, do I desire to thank my Republican friends who so loyally supported me. It shall be my purpose to justify your confidence by an honest, efficient and faithful discharge of the duties of the office. To those who supported my worthy opponent, I desire to say that I have nothing but the kindest feelings and trust that I may have your sincere co-operation in the discharge of my duties as Commonwealth’s Attorney. Sincerely, Gilbert L. Diggs
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 12, 1953
from the Gazette-Journal
The Gwynn’s Island Youth Choir presented a program of religious songs at the Riverview Nursing Home on Sunday afternoon at the request of Mrs. Richard B. Bowles, chairman of health and welfare, Mathews County Woman’s Club. One of the projects for this department has been to provide entertainment and services to the local nursing home. Members of the choir included Misses Elaine Jenkins, Pat Powell, Kitty Carney, Emma Lee Rowe, Cathryn Ward, Faye Smith, Virginia Ward, Levinia Callis, Mrs. Wade Powell, Mrs. Gloria Huth, Mrs. Louise Ashburn and Mrs. Curtis Smith.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 7, 1963
from the Gazette-Journal
Merchandise valued at $1,500-$2,000 was taken from Broaddus & Hall, furniture dealers in Edgehill Shopping Center, in a break-in Tuesday night which occurred between 12 midnight and daylight, according to one of the owners, W.F. Broaddus. The front door was found to have been jimmied open when one of the employees, Marvin Brown, reported for work Wednesday morning.
Broaddus said seven portable TV sets and a record player were among the items taken by the person or persons who broke into the store. He reports approximately $100 in cash taken from the petty cash and change drawer and a $119 TV was left sitting on the floor of the store and another portable TV, valued at $189, was taken out of the building and left in one of the company’s furniture trucks parked in back of the store.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 8, 1973
from the Gazette-Journal
The annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Gloucester Village Association will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24, beginning at 10 a.m. Awards will be presented for the most outstanding marching units, floats, fire and rescue squads, bands, Boy or Girl Scout Marching units, best decorated bike, most unique motor vehicle, and best clown. Anyone interested in participating in the parade should contact Larry Brown at the Western Auto Store.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1983
from the Gazette-Journal
With a national unemployment figure of 8.8 percent last month, Mathews County appears utopian with only two percent unemployment rate for the same period. Mathews, with a labor force of 4,810 people, had the lowest unemployment of all Virginia localities according to figures released by the Virginia Employment Commission late last month. Spokesman for the commission, Ben Orcutt, said that 4,712 people in the county are employed and only 98 are jobless.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 11, 1993
from the Gazette-Journal
One out of every five elementary school students in Gloucester was enrolled in after-school enrichment classes coordinated by the county Department of Community Education last fiscal year.
Christi Lewis, Community Ed director, said in a report to the Gloucester Board of Supervisors on Nov. 3 that 1,609 participants were enrolled in 148 after-school enrichment programs during the year that ended June 30. She said if the programs had more volunteers, more pupils could have been enrolled.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003
from the Gazette-Journal
Tuesday was a night for incumbents in Mathews County, as voters returned all three supervisors to office, as well as the sheriff, commissioner on the revenue and Commonwealth’s attorney. The closest race, by far, was for Commonwealth’s attorney, where incumbent Jack Gill survived a challenge from Tom Bowen by just 42 votes. Supervisors Jerry Sadler, Charles Ingram and Neena Putt all won by a significant margin over challengers O.J. Cole Jr. and Ed Clayton. Sheriff Danny Howlett drew more votes than all three of his opponents combined, and Commissioner of the Revenue Raymond A. Hunley was re-elected by a nearly 2-to-1 margin himself.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
from the Gazette-Journal
The old saying, “every vote counts,” proved true Tuesday in Gloucester, as two races for county board of supervisors seats were decided by a margin of fewer than 25 votes.
In the closely contested races, candidate Michael Winebarger beat Michael Jenkins to become the next Petsworth District supervisor by 23 votes, and Phillip Bazzani edged out Graham Blake by only 14 votes in the York District race.