100 Years Ago, January 12th

Compiled by Brandon Woolum
Huntington News Network Columnist

Huntington (HNN) -- It was currently reported about town today that a number of business men are agitating the erection of huge ice breaks along the shores of the Ohio River near the levee.

Those interested in this over say that if substantial ice breaks were built near this city it would have a tendency to increase the business done by the local merchants. During heavy ice in the river a large majority of both passenger and towboats would seek refuge behind these piers and while thus in safety their crews would spend their money in this city. The men on the boats have to be fed and clothed and the money which now goes to other towns along the river would be brought here and spent in Huntington.

Not only would the business of the local merchants be interested during the winter months, but such an arrangement would be the means of steamboat men becoming better acquainted with the people of Huntington, and during the summer months the river men would make it a point to do all their purchasing here in consideration of what the citizens had furnished them in the way of protection from ice, as well as the fact that it is human nature to patronize those of one’s acquaintance.

The promoters of the new enterprise say that the expense of erecting the same would be very small indeed to the amount of business that in consequence would come here. They are very enthusiastic about the affair and are using some very convincing arguments to those who they are trying to win to their side of the new proposition.

Charleston – President of the Senate G. A. Northcott was presented with a gavel this morning, made of historical wood and neatly trimmed in silver.

The gavel is the work of W. J. Curns, of Marion County, assistant doorkeeper of the senate. Mr. Curns made the gavel a few weeks before coming to Charleston at the opening of the session with the intention of giving it to the most flavored member of the senate, the president, and he was decidedly satisfied to present the gift to the son of an old friend. Mr. Curns in the early settlement of the state, was associated with Gen. R. S. Northcott in politics and war Gen. Northcott, was a distinguished federal in the civil war.

The gavel was made of an Indian war club, used in the early Indian wars, about the time of the settlement of the states, and was a relic belonging to the forefathers of Mr. Curns. Mr. Northcott appreciated the gift and values it very highly. He opened the session of the senate with it today.

With not a single dissenting vote the first bill to pass both chambers of the West Virginia legislature of 1905 went through the house Thursday morning. The constitutional rule requiring that a bill be read on three different days before it may be voted upon was suspended, and senate bill No. 15, which authorizes the city of Fairmont to issue bonds to the amount of $225,000 for the purpose of erecting a water works plant, became the first bill to go through the house just thirty minutes after in came to that body.

Arrangements have already been set on foot in Charleston to make the inaugural ball, to be held March 3, 1905, the evening preceding the inauguration of Governor-elect William M. O. Dawson, the greatest function of its kind ever held in the state of West Virginia.

A meeting of the business and social set has been held and the following organizations have been effected:
Douglas E. Hughes, chairman ball committee; Harry McAnderson, secretary; Walter Scheer, treasurer; A. D. Mead, chairman finance committee; John A. Thayer, chairman invitation committee; P. G. Walker, chairman music and floor committee; Harry McAnderson, chairman refreshment committee; John Baker White, chairman committee on program.

All committees are to meet at the office of Chairman Hughes on next Monday to further complete the organization. The ball will be held on the third floor of the capitol annex.

Mr. Fox, of Marion County, has a measure which promises to get the support of both houses. It is to allow the schools boards of the district when a school is abolished to sell the land on which the building is erected. Under the present law the land must revert to its former owner and the board is allowed to sell only the building, which never brings in the country districts as much as a hundred dollars. Mr. Fox says that if the land was allowed to be sold also the building, which never brings in the country districts as much as a hundred dollars. Mr. Fox says that if the land was allowed to be sold also many pieces of property especially in his district, would bring the state as much as $500. Mr. Fox has been in consultation with Superintendent Miller, of the state schools, who seems to favor his bill.

London – Two trains on the Midland Railroad of England collided near Barnsley today. The collision was in a heavy fog.

A third train ran into the wreck and added to its honor. Four passengers and two trainmen were killed and twenty injured, seven of them seriously.

More 100 Years Ago Today by Brandon Woolum:
 
— Jan. 1, 2005
— Jan. 2, 2005
— Jan. 3, 2005
— Jan. 4, 2005
— Jan. 6, 2005
— Jan. 9, 2005
— Jan. 10, 2005
— Jan. 11, 2005
— Jan. 12, 2005
— Jan. 13, 2005
— Jan. 20, 2005
— Jan. 25, 2005
— Jan. 26, 2005