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GENERAL NEWS

Dr. J. Walter WITTEN, of North Tazewell, was a visitor to Richmond last week.

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McNEER, of Pocahontas, were visitors to Tazewell yesterday.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry PRESTON and their two sons, Graham and Henry, Jr. are in Richmond, where the boys and Mrs. PRESTON are in a hospital for medical treatment.

The news reached Tazewell Tuesday morning of the sudden death of Mrs. Joseph PEERY at her home at Glade Spring at an early hour that morning.

Mr. Charles S. MINTER has been selected as postmaster at Pocahontas by the bondsmen of Mr. W.L. MUSTARD, who last week resigned his commission.

Miss Thelma HOPKINS and Miss Elizabeth WORSHAM, of Twin Branch, West Virginia, are here as the guest of relatives and friends.

J.C. DRAKE, chemist for the Honaker Balm Company, a recently organized corporation for the manufacture of a proprietary medicine, was here Monday arranging for a large job of printing for the company. The company is composed of a number of the leading citizens of Russell County.

Drayman James C. LAWSON announces the arrival at his home of a fine ten pound boy. Mother and baby doing well.

Captain and Mrs. Reese BOWEN and daughter, Miss Rachel, are spending the week at their home in the Cove.

G.A. WORSHAM, of Twin Branch, West Virginia was visiting Tazewell first of the present week.

Miss Tot MCCALL was the guest of her aunt, Mrs. Mary HARMAN, in Welch, the latter part of last week.

Robert MOORE spent last Saturday and Sunday as the guest of friends in Welch and other points in the Elkhorn coalfield.

Sam PEERY of Wosleyan College, Buckhamnon, West Virginia, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.C. PEERY, near North Tazewell.

Mr. John L. LITZ, of Coeburn, was mingling with his many friends here last week while looking after some important business matters.

James S. BROWNING, Jr. of Roanoke, was a visitor to Tazewell on last Saturday.

Mrs. William THOMPSON, of Roanoke, is here this week visiting her parents, Rev. and Mrs. W.S. BULLARD.

Miss Ruth CONN left Wednesday for her home at McGuheysville, Va. the grade which she has been teaching in the high school here having been closed on account of the prevalence of scarlet fever among the pupils of the school.

G.O. THOMPSON and W.E. STEELE, of Thompson Valley, were in town this week, and presented every appearance of having wintered well.

Jeweler H.W. POBST has been suffering with a severe cold for several days this week, accompanied byt he prevailing sore throat.

Mrs. P.D. JOHNSTON has returned from Philadelphia, where she was called about two weeks ago by the illness of her sister.

Capt. J.E. VINES, superintendent of the convict camp, was here Monday en route to the Cove from a visit of several days to Richmond.

If the "undesirable citizen", plain or colored, will kindly call on Captain TYNES he will cheerfully furnish him with the half dozen bits belonging to the brace, which recently walked off from his wash-house. To bore holes, these should go together.

Mr. J.H. MCMULLIN and family who have made their home in Graham for some time past, have moved back to their old hime at Springville. Mr. MCMULLIN, his many friends will be glad to learn, has almost entirely recovered from the attack of typhoid fever through which he passed only a short time ago.

William GREEVER, who has been in New York several months having an effected eye treated, returned to the city yesterday morning.

There will be preaching in the Burkes Garden Baptist church next Sunday at 11 am and at 3:30 pm by the pastor, Rev. T.H. CAMPBELL.

The quarantine has not only effected the businesses of the town, but has seriously interfered with the work of the churches and Sunday Schools. The pastors are "down in the mouth" but accepting the situation with as good grace as possible.

Theodore POBST, a student at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, is at home for the Easter holiday.

Our old countryman, Mr. H.A. GEORGE, of Warrenton, has been heard from. He still has a bank account and sends part of it to this office.

Mrs. A.S. HIGGINBOTHAM and little daughter, Hortense, are at Castlewood this week visiting the former's parents, Hon. and Mrs. Walter DICKENSON

Among the letters received this week was one from Mrs. J.F. RUDD, of Mannering, West Virginia, formerly of this town. Mrs. RUDD reports Mr. RUDD'S health quite poor, and also that of her son, Fred, who worked here for a while in the shop of C.T. PATTON

Our old friend, W.H. RYE, of Pocahontas, was here on Monday, and pushed up his figures into next year. His neighbor, Mrs. EDWARDS was with him, both having business matters in the clerk's office to look after.

Albert KEITH, son of Mr. William KEITH, died at his home here Sunday morning of tuberculosis. He had been ill for several months. Burial was on Monday in the new cemetery.

Mr. J.C.C. DUNFORD, assistant secretary of the Baptist State Sunday School Association, was a visitor to Tazewell on last Friday.

The editor is under obligations to Mr. J. Grat GILLESPIE for consideration shown him on his recent visit to Tip Top. If the "Squire" will pitch right into the Sunday School work at Tip Top he will succeed the same as he does in other business which they say is fine.

Robert HAWKINS, who is taking a course in pharmacy in Richmond, on last Saturday underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Johnston-Willis hospital in that city. The operation was a successful one, and Mr. HAWKINS is recovering nicely.

A number of people from this town will go to Shawver's Mill tomorrow to attend the Sunday School Convention. The meeting will open at 10 o'clock and close in the afternoon. All the Sunday school teachers and officers of every school in that community are urged to be present.

Hon. Richard Evelyn BYRD, the newly appointed United Sates attorney for the western district of Virginia, having been confirmed by the Senate on last Tuesday, is this week moving the office from Tazewell to Roanoke, where his official headquarters will be during his incumbency in the office.

Several Graham ladies have been in Tazewell this week and carried away with them a number of suits, skirts, etc from our stores. The people are fast finding out where to get first class goods at moderate prices. The Graham ladies here were: Mrs. John BAYLOR, Mrs. Lee J. BARBEE, Mrs. DAVENPORT and Mrs. H.B. FRAZIER.

Miss Jennie KITTS came up from Clear Fork on Tuesday, and says Mr. JONES is about the same, and still hopeful to "come with the grass" Miss Dorothy JONES was with her, and by the way, it was Miss Dorothy and not Miss Bessie, as we had it, who baked the fine cake for some fellow to steal. Neither cake nor dish has been heard from at last account.

Jack BARNETT, young son of Mr. and Mrs. John BARNETT, had a severe fall at his home a few days ago, which has seriously impaired his eyesight.

Miss Nellie KELLY a student at Villa Marie Academy, Wytheville, is here en route to Burkes Garden for a short visit to homefolks.

One of our subscribers says that he greatly enjoys reading the Clinch Valley News, "particularly the fish stories." We are sill trying to figure out whether or not to take this as a compliment to the paper.

Mrs. A.T. GRAHAM, of Belfast, Mrs. Charles ASCUE, of Repass, J.R. CATRON, of Norfolk, and a number of others moved up their subscription figures this week. They all say "we like the old county paper."

Mrs. John A NEAL and son, Robert, are said to be seriously ill at their home at Asberry, the former suffering from gall stones and the latter being ill with typhoid fever.

The W.C.T.U convention which was to have been held here on the 18th of this month, has been postponed to a future date owing to the prevalence of scarlet fever here.

A cold wave swept east over the country this week, reaching this section on Wednesday. There was quite a freeze on Wednesday night and some snow. Warmer weather, however, is promised for today and perhaps tomorrow. The weather bureau gave timely notice of the cold wave.

Mr. J.T. HELDRETH was in Williamson, West Virginia first of the week preparatory to beginning work on a large contract which he recently secured there. The building to be erected will cost something like $25,000.

Miss Helen St. Clair BROWN, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. BROWN, of Tiptop, and Mr. Basil P. JONES, of Chicago, were married at the home of the bride's parents on last Monday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Jones left on the afternoon train for their future home in Chicago.

Lee K. Haynes, of Emory, sends his renewal for two years, and says: "Father greatly enjoys your paper." The many friends and admirers in Tazewell of the venerable minister will be glad to know that he is still enjoying good health, and that his journey down the sunset trail of life is being smoothly and pleasantly made.

Mr. William Claytor while looking after business matters in Bluefield Monday, gave his check for $100 to the fund being raised by Mr. James G. LITZ for the purpose of building a more commodious home for the children of the Litz Orphanage. More than half the amount asked for by Mr. LITZ, $10,000 has been subscribed. There are a number of people who could easily give a hundred dollars to this worthy cause without ever missing it from their abundance.

Mr. W.M. WOOLWINE, a brother to Mrs. Isaac PEIRCE, of this place, died at an early hour on last Thursday morning at his home in Nashville, Tenn, at the age of sixty three years. Mr. WOOLWINE had been in failing health for some years past, and his death was not unexpected. He was a native of Pearisburg, Va. where his boyhood days were spent, and was well known throughout Giles County, as well as to a number of people in Tazewell. His remines were interred Friday in Nashville beside those of his wife who preceded him to the great beyond about one year ago.

Beverly STRAS, who has been spending several weeks at his home here, returned to Winston Salem, NC on yesterday, where he is engaged in the practice of law.

Attorney E.L. GREEVER and Mr. and Mrs. J.W. CHAPMAN were in Charleston, West Virginia, first of the week, where MR. GREEVER and Mr. CHAPMAN argued an important case before the state supreme court.

Mr. L.D. BALL of the west end of the county, was here one day this week, and moved his subscriptions figures up a notch. He reported that one or two parties had already turned their cattle to grass in his community. The same has been done in several communities.

The article in the News of last week, in which it was stated that the road work in Jeffersonville district had been stopped by an injunction, was incorrect. The work will proceed as usual pending the settlement of the dispute between the town and the supervisors.

Attorneys here for the Graham anti-saloon people are preparing papers to be presented to the state Supreme Court asking for an injunction restraining the authorities there from holding an election in Graham on May 2nd for the purpose of determining whether or not liquor shall be sold there.

Mrs. M.L. PEERY and three of the children of Jesse PEERY are ill at the former's home at North Tazewell. Two of the children have scarlet fever and the other one diphtheria. Mrs. PEERY is suffering with blood poisoning in her left thumb.

Rev. Dr. J.R. GRAHAM, the well known Presbyterian minister of Winchester, Va. died on Wednesday morning at his home in that city, aged sixty five years. One son, H. Tucker GRAHAM, is president of Hampden-Sidney College, and another, Rev. Alfred GRAHAM, is pastor of the Presbyterian church at Lexington, Va.

Revs, John A. TAYLOR, of Roanoke, and J.D. MCALLISTER, of Richmond, where here this week arranging for circulating the petitions for the state wild election to be held this fall, and otherwise arranging for the prohibition campaign. Both these gentlemen spent some time in Graham this week making speeches and working in the interest of the dry forces in that city in the hope of helping defeat the opening of saloons in that place.

The Hiland Club, which proposed giving a dance on tonight, have called it off on account of the scarlet fever situation. Mayor HARMAN is said to have issued an order this week directed to the sergeant, in which the officer was directed to stop the proposed dance, and if necessary to do so, arrest the dancers. This order is said to have incensed several members of the club, who threatened the mayor with the recall. The board of health issued a later order forbidding the dance, and the invitations, have been recalled, and the arrangements abandoned.

Messars. W.T. WITTEN and John C. HOPKINS are in Williamson, West Virginia this week preparatory to opening up a general mercantile store in that progressive little city. Recently they, in connection with Messrs. Arthur and Charles GRAYBEAL, of Maxwell, purchased the entire stock of the Williamson Mercantile Co., paying therefore, it is understood, something like $17,000. This stock will be added to very materially, thus giving them the largest and most complete line of general merchandise, carried by any concern in Williamson. Mr. Hopkins will, it is understood, be manager.

Our neighbor city, Bluefield, about two weeks ago started spring "house cleaning" and as a consequence, all the houses of vice have been closed and a number of raids made by the police on places where gambling rooms were supposed to be maintained, but no convictions are know to have resulted from the polices activities. However, it is understood, the "red light" district is no more, in Bluefield, but Pocahontas is said to be swarming, not only with those who were forced to leave the Summit City, but the gamblers are flocking there in large numbers, preparatory to being in position to fleece the unwary when Bluefield is turned dry the latter part of June. These are "undesirables: and we do not believe either Pocahontas or the county of Tazewell well allow them to carry on their nefarious business with in the town or county. Time will tell.

I spent last Sunday at Tiptop, to which place I wended my way on Sunday morning. The "better half" of the family went along as far as to Witten's Mill, where she "spent the day" with an old friend and acquaintance, Mrs. Frank HOWARD. I dropped her there, and proceeded on my journey to the quiet little town of Tiptop. I gave notice Saturday before that I would be on hand, and wished to meet the Sunday school folks, and tell them a few things about the county work and the county convention, which meets here in June. I found "a few of the faithful" together, presided over by Mr. W.H. SHUFF, who is doing the best he can under somewhat adverse conditions. There are two church buildings at Tiptop - one, the Methodist, the other in the Masonic hall, where the Christian church people hold service. There is only one Sunday school, both denominations working together. "We all hold Sunday School together" I was told, but "all" of them were not present on this occasion. There ought to be a larger school at Tiptop. With such a man as Mr. SHUFF for superintendent there ought to be a large and enthusiastic school. One reason why there is not a large and better school at Tiptop and many other places, as well, is that the Sunday School work is not considered a "man's job" by the men of the community. The old idea, that women and children are the only proper members of Sunday School still prevails, and the men, young and old, stay away, when the fact is, the work is peculiarly and pre-eminently a man's job; and the biggest and most important job any man can have outside of the ministry. The good folks of Tiptop and community, if they choose to do so, can have a fine Sunday school, if they will put their minds and hearts to the work. They should not be willing that the "biggest thing in the world" should be the smallest and weakest they have among them. Mr. SHUFF is doing a good work in the community. The colored people have a good church here, too, and it is said to be in a prosperous condition.

There are three good stores at Tiptop, viz: Dillon & Co. with B.W. DILLON general manager; R.P. HARMAN & Co., with J. Grat GILLESPIE general manager, and Isom WITTEN, a colored man has a store here also. All these houses are reported as doing a satisfactory business.

Here also is the Tiptop Brick Company, successor to the Radford Brick Co., of which Mr. W.H. SHUFF is general manager. About two years ago the Radford Brick Co., sold out to a new company, composed of Messrs. Hoge MASON, Joe HOGE and Mr. SCOTT, of Bluefield, and W.H. SHUFF. Mr. SHUFF was made general manager. Previously he had been with the Mill Creek Coal and Coke Co. at Cooper, West Virginia. Under the new management the business has gone on smoothly and satisfactory to all parties. The capacity of the plant is about 40,000 brick per day. Last year the output was five million brick. The property consists of thirty acres of land, a nice dwelling, barns, etc. and all conveniences. About thirty men are employed at the plant.

Sunday though it was, I walked around the took a casual look at the plant. There are piles and stacks of bricks - about a million on the ground now, and the kilns full. The weather since Christmas has been unfavorable to building, and sales have not been numerous, says Mr. SHUFF; but he has orders for about five or six hundred thousand brick booked now, and with the return of good weather and the opening of spring, business is expected to boom.

I accepted Mr. SHUFF's kind invitation to dinner, and both "Napoleon: and myself fared sumptuously. I promised Mrs. SHUFF to comply with her insistent request "not to say one word about dinner", and I won't. It was fine, delicately and tastily served-but I must keep my promise not even to mention it. Mr. and Mrs. SHUFF have a lovely home, where culture, good cheer and old fashioned hospitality and religion are household articles. Mrs. SHUFF was a Miss Reed before marriage. Salem, Va;, is her birthplace. Her mother was a Campbell, one of the well known old families of Roanoke county. Mr. SHUFF enjoys the distinction of having been born in the Stauntion, Va., which bumptious little city can boast of being the birthplace of a number of distinguished men. They have only one child, a fine young fellow, now in business in Bluefield.

I drove out of this topological town, which is 2780 feet above sea level, just as the people were gathering to hear Rev. SPRING preach. I wanted to stay and hear him, but had to hurry home to feed the chickens and milk the cow, and stop on the way at Mr. HOWARD'S to pick up the "old lady", would give me just time enough. ON the return, I had the pleasure of shaking hands with the genial Tom SMOOT, whose good wife has had a hard time of it with a stubborn sickness since January, but is now about to sit up and with Ed HOWARD, who was hitching his gray horse to Tom SMOOT'S fence, and Henry BOWEN, who drove up just then in his splendid car, with his wife and a big Sunday School with him, on his way to visit somewhere, and to enjoy a drive over the splendid roads in that section. I gave "Napoleon" the word and the reins and he covered the distance to Witten's Mill almost as quickly as Henry BOWEN coul dhave made it in his car. 

Mr. and Mrs. HOWARD, their splendid daughter, Miss Effie, Mr. and Mrs. Gus WITTEN, were all cozily ensconced before a good fire, at Mr. HOWARD'S indulging in such conversation as is usual on such occasions - then home in good time, with pleasant recollections of a day well spent.

And now I want to say a word on the question of roads. From Tazewell to Dry Town is a fine new road. From Witten's Mill to Tiptop the road is great, but from Dry Town to Witten's Mill is simply awful, exasperating, and a disgrace to any people. It took us forty minutes to drive from Dry Town to Witten's Mill, a distance of about a mile. From Witten's Mill to Tiptop, a distance of five mils, I drove in thirty-five minutes, and with less worry and injury to horse and buggy than was caused by the one mile gap. Why these miserable, shameful gaps should have been left in the road building all over the county, cannot be explained on any reasonable, sensible grounds. Somebody blundered, and blundered woefully and shamefully. If there is a worse or more provoking, Sunday school speech destroying, ruinous piece of road for a buggy or wagon on top of the earth than this gap between Witten's Mill and Dry Town, I have yet to find or hear of it. And the worst part of the matter is, there seems to be no prospect of fixing it any time soon. Who is to blame? Who, or what other road got the money that was supposed to be used on this road? Or, was there ever any money appropriated for it? If not, why not?

The road from Witten's Mill is magnificent, and an absolute delight and a great benefit. The 'gap' cuts off everybody from Tazewell who may wish to drive here, except in case of absolute necessity. The 'gap' discounts all the fine road going and coming.  - J.A.L

The Tazewell High school, which had been closed for ten days, reopened Monday morning, except the first, second, third, fourth and fifth grades, which have been suspended indefinitely. The pupils of the other grads were permitted to return to school, provided they produced certificates of health satisfactory to the school authorities and board of health. A large number of the pupils returned. A conference was held in the city hall Saturday night between the council and board and the scarlet fever situation was thoroughly discussed. Dr. PEIRCE, of the board of health, stated that the disease had existed in about eighteen families in town, possibly fifty persons having been affected. Councilmen Jackson, Greever, Johnson, Kiser and Mayor Harmon were present, all of whom opposed the opening of the school under any conditions, Councilman Kiser contending that the disease is now, at its worst stages, more cases existing in town now than at any time since its origin. The board of health however, after lengthy argument, decided to exercise their authority, and open the schools, but agreed to the dismissal of the grades mentioned above.

Prof. W.W. CARSON, principal of the High School, and Clerk W.L. MOORE, of the district school board, were present at the meeting and stated that the dismissal of the grades would work little hardship on the children in re-entering school next year, but that the dismissal for the rest of the session of the pupils of the high school would be of untold harm to them, as a number will graduate this session, and others will complete the course; whereas if they missed the next two months it would be necessary that they attend the next session of the school in order to secure a certificate. A number of the pupils expect to teach next session, others expect to enter college, but they can do neither without a certificate of graduation from the school or standing a rigid examination. When these facts are considered, the wisdom of the action of the board of health, council and school authorities is evident.

The town, as is well known, is suffering from an epidemic of scarlet fever, of quite serious proportions. The town has a board of health, composed of three physicians, appointed upon recommendation of the town council, by the state board of health, under the laws of the state of Virginia. The business of the board of health is to prevent sickness and epidemics, and to far as possible prevent the spread of the same. They seek every means to guard the people of the town against diseases, and to do what lies within their power to promote the health of the citizens of the community. This is what they are supposed to do, and what they try to do. 

In the present epidemic, the board after consultation with the town council and others, including physicians not members of the board, have done what they through was for the best. They have recommended certain things, and certain courses of action, which was thought to be wise in controlling the disease now prevalent and to prevent its spread. The point we would emphasize is, that this board has by an act of the legislature passed in March 1910, authority, and their regulations and recommendations have the force of law. Violations of or failure to comply with its provisions is punishable by fine or imprisonment. Another pint which should be emphasized is, that the board is comparatively, if not in reality, helpless without the co-operation of the citizens of the town, from the town council down. The board, although clothed with authority by the state entirely independent of other bodies, still needs the help and co-operation of every citizen. So long as we have a board of health its instructions should be faithfully complied with. If the board is incompetent to handle the situation they should give place to others. The gentlemen composing the board serve without any compensation whatever, either for time or service - not even thanks, and if the board is to be of service in driving this scourge from our midst, we all should gladly co-operate in every way possible.

There seems to be some doubt and uncertainty existing in the public's mind as to what the previous orders of the Board of Health mean and as to what means have been taken for the protection of the public hearlth during the present outbreak of scarlet fever. So, we deisre to reiterate specifically the measures heretofore ordered: 

All public or private gatherings have been prohibited. All schools, churches, prayer meetings, Sunday Schools, Choir practices, Whist Clubs, Picture Shows, Dances or other gatherings of any kind. All parents are required to keep their children under the age of 14 at home, and all such are prohibited from visiting or appearing on the streets. This order has been so modified as to allow the schools above the 6th grad to reopen and to except such children as had returned to the school during the necessary passage between their homes and the school.

All churches and Sunday School rooms have been ordered fumigated before reopening.

After recover from the disease the quarantine will be raised in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Health. All physicians have been asked to isolate their patients, establish a rigid quarantine, give orders for the disinfection of all clothing and discharges from the patient and to do whatever they may deem necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. We would suggest that they observe the rules of the State Board of Health as far as possible. We feel that our physicians will give us hearty co-operation in the work for without their aid we can hope to accomplish very little We wish to state that in opening the High School and two upper grades we have done so in accordance with the regulations of the State Board of Health after having it closed for a period of twelve days, a rigid certificate being required from each pupil and teacher. It was the opinion of some of our most prominent citizens that the school should have remained closed permanently, but when we take into account the fact that every student in the High School would lose one year and those in the grades a half year, we felt justified in reopening and taking every precaution to keep the disease from gaining entrance to the school. 

We cannot promise brilliant results in fighting this epidemic, it having gained such headway before its discovery, but we can expect to greatly lessen its ravages if we have the support and sympathy of our citizens. We beg you to lay aside all personal feeling and work together for the common good. Should our measures seem harsh or inconsistent remember it is for your good and the health of your child.

BENBOW

The Rev. W.W. CARSON preached a fine sermon at this place last Sunday from the text "Train up a child in the way it should go and when it is old it will not depart from it"

Mrs. T.T. TURNER and Mrs. J.A. PUCKETT spent the day at J.E. WIMMERS Tuesday.

Misses Mary and Georgie THOMPSON, of Tazewell, attended church at this place last Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Jennie TURNER gave the young people of the community a very enjoyable social last Saturday night.

Messrs PUCKETT and MATHEWS, merchants at this place, have bought and sold 511 dozen eggs in the last seven days. The biggest day was last Saturday on which date they bought 135 dozen. The price for these eggs is about 18c per dozen. The party who bought these eggs took a few over one thousand dozen out of the valley on Tuesday of this week and they were all furnished by the stores. Mr. W.T. BUCHANAN, who has been keeping a record from March 4th to April 4th sold 140 dozen eggs in that time to Puckett, Mathews and Co. at an average of 18c per dozen. Can anyone in the county beat the above egg story, if so, we would be glad to hear from them through the News.

GRAHAM

Homer ANDERSON is home from Philadelphia, where he has been for some months studying for the ministry.

Mr. A.J. BEASLEY, of Pike County, Ky. is visiting this daughter, Mrs. SMITH, and may decide to locate in Graham.

Mr. RALSTON is moving into the Mrs. Kate SPRACHER property, which has been repainted and repaired.

Mr. Frank NEEL is our postmaster at West Graham, in the place of Mr. BROYLES, resigned.

Rev. Mr. BASS, of Bluefield, and Mr. W.M. MINTER, of Pocahontas, attended services at the Christian church here last night.

We learn that much is doing in the real estate business here, and that some of our most valuable business sites and corner lots have been either sold or optioned. If they are to be used for lawful business houses, or schools or churches, etc. all right, but if for saloons, gambling houses and houses of ill fame, we say no! Graham is the best located town on the Norfolk and Western, west of Salem, and has a bright future and must not become the dumping ground for the refuse of other sections of this country.

San Jose scale is playing havoc with fruit trees here in Graham, at Beaver Pond and up the Bluestone Valley. We would like to hear from other parts of the county, and also what is being done. Very little spraying has been done here. We believe that Virginia should have a law requiring all to spray their fruit trees. Lime and sulphate used in the coldest weather in February and March is probably the best scale remedy, and won't hurt the bees. It is also a fungicide. The bee as a pollinator is worth to much to the farmer to be sacrificed. Now can we not find some way out of this dilemma without using poison just at the time bees are doing their work? We can't afford to pay freight on apples from Oregon and Arkansas when we have a better fruit country of our own and better flavored fruit. Nor can we leave the hone off the buckwheat cakes.

POUNDING MILL

Misses Sada MCGUIRE, Laura WARD and Sallie BRITTAIN were the guests of Miss Mary B. GILLESPIE Saturday.

Mrs. J.T. ALTIZER and Mrs. R.M. SPARKS are visiting friends in Richlands and at Cedar Bluff today.

Tom GILLESPIE, of Witten's Mill, is clerking in Steele, Hurt and Co's store here this week.

Misses Uva STEELE and Mabel BOURNE attended the closing exercises of Cedar Bluff high school last week, and spent the day Sunday at Richlands as the guest of Miss Louise HANKINS.

Mrs. C.H. TRAYER and little sons, Malcolm and James HUNTER, are all recovering from the measles.

Between seventy five and one hundred men are now employed at the quarries here. Scales for weighing the crushed rock are now being installed. A number of two-room cottages for housing the employees are also being erected.

Miss Lettie RINGSTAFF is visiting her brother, William RINGSTAFF, at Richlands this week.

Mr. and Mrs. William MULKEY and daughters, of Graham, were here last week to visit Mrs. Susan MULKEY. Their many relatives and friends here were sorry to learn of the destruction by fire of their household good last week. They have gone to housekeeping again near where the other residence was burned.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Marion MCGUIRE, of Cedar Bluff, had as their guests on last Saturday; Mrs. W.B. STEELE, Mrs. C.G. HURT, Mrs. Mary PEERY, of Indian; Mrs. Mattie SPOTTS, of Tazewell; Mrs. Lou KINDRICK, of Kansas City, Misses Uva STEELE and Mabel BOURNE. A dinner was given in honor of Mrs. KINDRICK.

Rex STEELE visited friends at Cedar Bluff Sunday afternoon.

Miss Jessie O'KEEFFE, of Tazewell, visiting her sister, Mrs. R.K. GILLESPIE, here yesterday.

Miss Alyse MULKEY was visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William MULKEY, at Graham, Sunday.