DOWN MEMORY LANE
From Back Issues of the Rappahannock News
Nov. 2, 1950
This is the first birthday anniversary of Rappahannock News. The first issue of Rappahannock’s own county newspaper was published just a year ago — November 3, 1949.
The top of the first page bears the notation: Vol. II — No. 1. All publications denote years in this same fashion; a year is designated by the volume number and the issue number follows. Last week was Volume I, No. 52, since there are 52 weeks in a year.
The printers at Rappahannock News office have had as pleasant a first year as was ever known. We’ve made new friends and found out what we already knew before we ever came to Rappahannock: The finest people in the world live in the county.
As always, tricks were played on Halloween, some in fun and some which cannot be classed as fun. The worst damage done in Sperryville was at Bob Estes’s Gift Shop where a window was broken, 20 bushels of apples destroyed and at least 5 bushels taken away; his shop sign was broken down and a table taken away. This represents a considerable loss of property and comes under the head of vandalism, not fun.
Of course, the usual soaping of cars and windows took place all over the county.
A dangerous piece of mischief took place in Washington where cinder blocks were piled on the road on Mt. Salem Avenue. Fortunately, these were noticed by someone passing and were removed before they caused a serious accident.
Word has been received that Joe Reid, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Reid of Washington, has been awarded the Hulda Johnston Cox Scholarship at N.C. State, where Joe is a student. This honor, carrying a cash award of $500, is given on scholarship honors.
1900-1910
As far back as the oldest residents of Rappahannock can remember, trips to the Devil’s Stairs have been the highlights of the summer season in Rappahannock — as this picture, taken at the start of a trip in the first decade of the 1900s and published in the Rappahannock News in 1959, shows. On the walls of the Devil’s House are carved hundreds of names of those who have visited there. However, the picnic lunches served on such occasions are said to have been fit for the Gods. It can truthfully be said that no one person arranged more trips to the Devil’s Stairs than the late John A. Keyser, or “Cousin John,” as he was affectionately called by a host of relatives and friends. And that no one enjoyed giving pleasure to others more than he.
May 27, 1965
Construction will begin Monday on 1.763 miles of dual lane highway at the Massies Corner intersection of Routes 211-522. Branch and associates and McAllister Construction Company, both of Roanoke were awarded the contract for the construction. [In an accompanying photo, Gary Deal, inspector trainee, Donald Gore, construction inspector with the Virginia Department of Highways, and Pat Markham, job superintendent, are shown looking over the first of the heavy construction equipment moved in.]
A jumble of trucks got together on Route 211 in front of Baldwin’s Store just outside of Washington Tuesday afternoon. The Drug Fair truck skidded on the road. The Rockingham truck ran off the right of the road to avoid hitting the Drug Fair truck. The lumber truck, attempting to avoid striking either of the others, jackknifed between them. No one was injured. Trooper R.N. Dodson investigated the accident and no charges were made.
Earl Yancey of Amissville in recognition of his interest in forestry, wildlife and general conservation of our natural resources, has been selected by the State Forester to attend the 1965 Forestry Camp at Holiday Lake in the Buckingham Appomattox State Forest from June 28 to July 3.
Earl will be one of a group of 118 boys selected from 41 counties in the state who will attend the camp and participate in a week of forestry training, without charge, at Holiday Lake. The camp, which is administered by the Virginia Division of Forestry, is intended to interest and instruct Virginia boys in sound forestry and conservation principles and is sponsored by the Southern Pulpwood Conservation Association.