Tag Archives: BOWEN, W.D.

Beacon Flashes (February 28, 1890)

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The following items are excerpted from the Beacon Flashes column:

  • Mrs. Claud SPRUILL, of Creswell, was the guest of her sister, Mrs. H. PEAL, during the week.
  • Mr. W.D. BOWEN, of Long Acre, has accepted a position in the drugstore of Dr. H.P. MURRAY.
  • Miss Matie LUDFORD, of Creswell, is the guest of her uncle, Mr. E. LUDFORD, on Washington St.
  • In the absence of Chief Police AYERS, caused by illness, that office is being filled by Mr. C.V.W. AUSBON.
  • Miss Cora DUNSTON, of Creswell, has been honoring our town with her angelic presence for a few days, as the guest of Miss Adelia SKITTLETHARPE. She will return home today.
  • Mr. M.E. ELLIOTT, formerly clerk of the Bay View House, of Edenton, but now representing John B. SULLIVAN. Commission merchant of Philadelphia, gave us a call on Wednesday last.
  • Mr. W. Cotten DOWNING and other gentlemen of Pennsylvania, are in North Carolina, looking out for a site with a view to establish a sheep ranch.  Mr. DOWNING is also representing the Dispatch, of Pettsburg.  The party will visit Plymouth before their return.
  • Our popular young townsman, Mr. L.T. HOUSTON, formerly of Salsbury, Md., but recently with the R.R.R. & L. Company of this place, has purchased from Mr. G.E. STEVENSON the Feed and Grocery Store on the corner of Water and Jefferson streets.  A feed store is one of the necessities of our town and we trust that our people will give this young man their support. Mr. HOUSTON is an active business man and he says that he proposes to make that branch of merchantile business a success. May prosperity crown your efforts friend “Todd” is the wish of the BEACON.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 28 February 1890. Available online at digitalnc.org.

School Closing Exercises (1889)

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Excerpted from the Long Ridge Letter column:

The closing exercises of our school here took place Friday, Oct. 4th.  Quite a crowd assembled to witness the exercises, which began at 7pm, with appropriate vocal music which was followed by dialogues, declamations, etc., until midnight.  The pupils, many of whom never were on the stage before, all did well.  Thanks to their worthy young instructor, Mr. W.D. BOWEN, who did all in his power to assist them. Then the school assembled for the last time, and aided by the teacher, sang that sweetest of all parting songs, “God be with you.”  Mr. BOWEN then arose and in a clear manly voice spoke a few appropriate words of farewell.  Ah! the tears that fell as those who had been so long together listened to the farewell words of their beloved teacher.  The many laughs were hushed at last and the boys and girls with grave white faces and tearful eyes crowded around their kind young teacher, who they all loved so dearly, to say good-by.

Ah! what anguish has earth greater than parting? I think that, except kissing the dead for the last time, there is nothing harder than to feel that you are looking your last on the face of a dear living friend and say good-by.  It is the saddest word tongue or pen, but sooner or later it must be uttered, sooner or later we must clasp the hands of our best and dearest friends for the last time, and while our hearts seem breaking, say good-by.  We never know how dearly we love our friends until the trying hour of parting comes, then we long with all our hearts for one more glimpse of their dear faces and realize how true are the words that we never sufficiently prize our blessings until we lose them, but we will hope to meet again if not on earth, in that heavenly land where there will be no more parting.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 11 October 1889.  Available online at digitalnc.org.