Walter Williford’s Beavers, NC, 1883

July 12, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 4th page)

Personal.—

Commonwealth:–Mr. Walter Williford has something of a curiosity in his possession; ‘tis a pair of young beavers.

 

Willie Shields of Scotland Neck Best in Shooting Competition, 1883

July 12, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 4th page)

–There was some fine shooting done in Halifax yesterday, the 1oth inst. But Scotland Neck, in the person of Willie Shields, did best. There were six entries only. The following is the number of balls broken by the contestants:

A.L. Hassard-Short, – 5

“              “                   – 6

Englehard,                 – 9

“              “                  – 9

Roberson,                   -8

“              “                  – 8

Moore,                    – 10

“              “                 – 8

“              “                 – 8

Shields,                     – 9

“              “               – 10

“              “               – 10

Creech,                     – 9

Shields and Moore divided the first money in proportion of two to one. Englehard, Creech and Shields divided second money. Robertson and Moore divided third money.

_______________

There was also a shooting competition in 1882 with participants with some of the same last names.

 

Bill Barnes Goes to Halifax, NC, Jail, 1883

July 12, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 3d page)

–The Constable escorted Bill Barnes to Halifax on last Friday and lodged him in jail for purloining $20.00 from Capt. Kitchin.

Benjamin Joyner Dies at Home in 1883, NC

 

July 12, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 3d page)

–Benjamin O. Joyner died last week at his home of bilious colic, aged 46 years.

 

Professor Gruber’s Daughter Scalded, NC, 1881

July 12, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 2nd page)

[in the “Here and There” section]

Newberne Journal: Prof. Gruber, of Iredell county, well known to the lovers of good music in this State, was last week awarded by the jury of Martin county $2,500 damages for the scalding of his little daughter by steam from one of the steamers of the Jamesville and Washington Railroad Company. He entered suit for $5,000. We learn that the Railroad Company has taken an appeal……

_______________

More information is learned from the appeal before the North Carolina Supreme Court  in February Term of 1885, which the Grubers won. Camilla was traveling on the steamboat Juniata, run by the railroad, from Elizabeth City to Edenton with her parents in October 1881. When they arrived in Edenton, the gangplank was “announced clear for passengers.” Camilla was “struck by a jet of steam or hot water issuing with great force from the condenser in the engine-room through an undisclosed door.”*

According to her death certificate, Camilla Isabelle Gruber Halliburton was born June 15, 1875, so she would have been approximately 5 1/2 years old at the time of the incident.

Of note to North Carolina lawyers, there was no contributory negligence found on her part as to the assessment of damages. 

*Camilla Gruber v. The Washington and Jamesville Railroad Company, 92 N.C. 1, 2 (1885).

 

Wesley Peebles Thrown from Carriage July 1, 1883

July 5, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 3d page)

Mr. Wesley Peebles’ horse ran away last Sunday and threw him from the buggy. No damage done.

Edward Quin Requests the Return of his Book, NC, 1816

August 23, 1816 (American Recorder, a newspaper of Washington, Beaufort, NC, 3d page)

Edward Quin requests that the person to whom he lent a book, called Haywood’s Justice, some months ago, will have the goodness to return it—As it is marked on the ends with the letters E.Q., no mistake can occur on account of ownership.—Aug. 23, 1816.                        lwp

 

Jones Accidentally Kills Friend Shaw, 1816, Wake County, NC

August 23, 1816 (American Recorder, a newspaper of Washington, Beaufort, NC, 2nd page)

Distressing Accident.—A few days ago two young man [sic], Jones & Shaw, both of Wake county, were amusing themselves in shooting squirrels, on their return home Jones’s gun accidentally fired and its contents were lodged in the right breast of Shaw, who expired of the wound the next day. The two young men were nearly related, and had been from their infancy very friendly—Shaw lived long enough to express his perfect conviction of its being an accident.
Ral. Star.

 

E.A. DeSchweinitz of Salem, NC, an 1882 Graduate of UNC

July 5, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 4th page)

The Star reports a Mr. DeSchelnitz as having graduated in General Chemistry at University of Virginia. We suppose the Star refers to Mr. E.A. DeSchweinitz, of Salem, N.C., a graduate from the University of North Carolina, class ’82.

 

Dr. J.E. (Ed) Shields Visits Parents in Scotland Neck, NC, 1883

July 5, 1883 (The Commonwealth, a newspaper of Scotland Neck, NC, 3d page)

Personal.—

Dr. J.E. Shields, who has recently moved from Murfreesboro, to expose his shingle to the soft breezes and gentle zephyrs of Weldon, is on a visit to his parents in this place. Success awaits you, Ed.