Category Archives: Roanoke News

J.T. FORD’s Catches Fire (1878)

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FIRE – Wednesday morning about one o’clock the alarm of fire was sounded and much excitement and consternation prevailed, as the locality of the fire could not be discovered, but it was soon found to be the well-known establishment of Mr. J.T. FORD.  A large concourse of people rushed to the scene but their services were not needed, as Mr. F. had nearly extinguished the flames before assistance arrived.  Mr. FORD was sleeping in an adjoining room and was awakened by the smoke, but for that, we would have had a large conflagration.  The origin of the fire was supposed to have been the carelessly throwing a lighted match in a pile of wood lying near the stove, as no fire had been made since the early part of the day.
Source: Roanoke News, 7 September 1878. Available online at digitalnc.org.

LEGGETT, Jno. E. (d. 1878)

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We regret to learn that the general health of Capt. Jno. E. LEGGETT has become so seriously impaired as to render necessary his retirement from his position as conductor on the Carolina Central Railroad.  Capt. LEGGETT was, for some time, connected with the W. & W. R.R. at which time he became well known in this vicinity.  He was a model conductor, and while always courteous, kind and obliging to his passengers he never lost sight of the interests of his company.
Source: Roanoke News, 7 September 1878. Available online at digitalnc.org.

REDDING, Bill (d. 1878)

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Bill REDDING, Telegraph operator at Grenada, is dead. He stood to his post throughout all the panic.  Let his name be remembered whenever the nobleness of manhood is praised.
Source: Roanoke News, 7 September 1878. Available online at digitalnc.org.

HAMILTON, Sally Austin (d. 1878)

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DIED – In Baltimore, Md., on August 30th of diphtheria, Sally AUSTIN, aged three years, two months and two days, child of Matthew A. and Sally B. HAMILTON.

Source: Roanoke News, 7 September 1878

BREWER, J.L. (d. 1878)

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On Sunday last a Jury of Inquest was held upon the body of Dr. J.L. BREWER who was drowned at this place several weeks ago.  A full investigation was made several witnesses being examined.  The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased came to his death by drowning while in the act of crossing the river at this place.

Source: Roanoke News, 18 Mar 1878

BIGGS, Asa (d. 1878)

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Death of Judge Biggs — Hon. Asa BIGGS, of the firm of K<…> BIGGS & Co.,died in Norfolk at 12 am of Wednesday the 6th inst.  The immediate cause of his death was rheumatic gout.

Judge BIGGS was born in Martin county, North Carolina, on the 4th of February, 1811.  he was licensed to practice law in 1831, entered public life in 1840 as a member of the House of Commons from Martin, was re-elected in 1842, and went to the State Senate in 1844.  In 1845 he was elected to Congress from the First District, beating Hon. David OUTLAW, and in 1847 was in turn defeated by Mr. OUTLAW.  In 1850 <.two sentences unreadable> the result of their joint labors, the Revised Code, would of itself, have been sufficient to have kept green the memories of each of the co-laborers.

In 1854 Judge BIGGS was again elected to the Legislature from Martin and by the Legislature of 1854 and 1855 he was elected to the United States Senate. This position he resigned for the purposes of accepting the United States District Judgeship, which position he held until he resigned and was at once appointed District Judge of the Confederate States.

At the close of the war Judge BIGGS pursued the practice of law with marked success and continued in the practice until 1909, when he, in company with Chief Justice SMITH went to Norfolk and opened a law firm.

Judge BIGGS leaves a family of three sons and three daughters.  Capt. Wm. BIGGS, of the Oxford Free Lance, being the eldest of his sons.

 Source: Roanoke News, 9 March 1878.