115 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 3, 1908
from the Mathews Journal
Are you aware that the Mathews High and Public school is going to get a move on this year? The board has secured the services of a normal graduate of William and Mary College as principal. He taught last year and set going to the Lunenberg High School, doing for it just the work you want done here. He brings the highest recommendation from the school officials there as well as from his professors at William and Mary.
’Tis true, he is young, but young shoulders sometimes have old heads, and you will admit that his three predecessors were decidedly not young. You will also agree that no one of them, nor all three together, set the school to going, for it does not go. So, now, let us see what this young professor is going to do with it, in spite of the fact that we have heard it said, “he is too young.”
110 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 4, 1913
from the Mathews Journal
A mighty wind swept down upon Cobbs Creek on yesterday shortly after noon and tho’ lasting only a few minutes did tremendous damage. The store-house of Messrs. D.S. Soles and Henry Matthews were unroofed and smashed in to an extent that made the moving of their goods an immediate necessity and the dwelling house of Mr. Pinkney Hodges was similarly damaged. The loss to the merchants caused by damage to their stock will be considerable. The wind seemed to have come from toward the river and attained a height of its fury at Cobbs Creek, tho’ the out-houses of Messrs. Chisley, Haynes and Cartrelle were damaged and all the trees blown down.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 6, 1923
from the Gloucester Gazette
In the Cappahosic neighborhood, we are glad to say the new roof has been put on the church. We thank the people for their liberal contributions.
We had a very successful meeting at Cappahosic Church last week.
The numerous fishing and bathing parties that have been given on the York River are about over.
Mrs. Sidney Monsell has just purchased a new Baby Overland.
Messrs. George Jennings and Pete Nye left last week for Norfolk with a load of melons.
from the Mathews Journal
Mr. Harvey Brooks and son, of Lamberts Point, in Onemo, motored to the county Sunday and spent the day and night with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Brooks. He returned to his place of business Monday morning.
Mr. Wray Hudgins is spending this week at home with his people.
Mr. Ira Ward and family, of Tabernacle were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Morgan Sunday last.
Mr. Wilbur Diggs has returned home from Ohio, where he has been to attend the Annual Conference of the Friends Church.
90 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 7, 1933
from the Gloucester Gazette
The Gloucester County Schools begin their fall term tomorrow (Friday) after a teachers’ meeting which is being held today (Thursday) at Botetourt High School.
Many young hearts are beating fast in anticipation of going to school for the first time while many little fellows will have to be led by the hand to school by their mothers. And then there are some who are saying, “How I hate to think school begins tomorrow, for nine long months (maybe eight).” And still there will be a few who will say that they are glad that school is beginning in some ways in some other ways they are not.
Take it all in all, many young people are having their own thoughts about the school term ahead of them, some looking forward to the opening and some wishing that it was indefinitely postponed.
from the Mathews Journal
The special relief committee of the Board of Supervisors and the State Department of Public Welfare opened headquarters in the Sheriff’s Office on the Court Green here today. Miss Ballard, a trained social worker, is in charge and will begin at once detailed investigations of every case in the county likely to need aid of any kind.
It is understood that approximately $12,000 has been appropriated by the department for relief in this county over a period of two months. Families in greatest need will be aided during this period and, if necessary, another appropriation may be made then for expansion of the relief program.
80 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 9, 1943
from the Gazette-Journal
In Wicomico news, Graham Hogge, who underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Riverside Hospital recently, is convalescing at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hogge.
Miss Rose Marie Hogge, of Norfolk, is spending some time with her mother, Mrs. Katie Hogge.
70 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 10, 1953
from the Gazette-Journal
The alert, fast-growing community of Gloucester Court House is taking a big step forward this Saturday by the opening of two new businesses in the Farinholt Building. Village Jewelry Company, owned and operated by Oscar H. Belvin, Jr., will offer Gloucester and surrounding counties their first complete jewelry establishment. Hayes Electric Company, George R. Hayes, proprietor, will be handling an extensive line of Hot Point appliances including refrigerators, ranges, automatic washers, driers, water heaters, freezers and wiring material and supplies.
60 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 5, 1963
from the Gazette-Journal
Approximately 450 customers and friends were on hand last Saturday at Peoples National Bank of Gloucester to help observe the firm’s first anniversary. According to Hudgins Miles, president, an estimated 100 adults and children were outside when balloons were released containing slips redeemable for cash sums if recovered and presented to the bank within five days. None of the balloons had been brought in up to noon Wednesday, although a resident in lower Gloucester had found a slip with a key attached which it is thought had been dropped in the county from a promotion held elsewhere.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 6, 1973
from the Gazette-Journal
Little League Champions, the Cobbs Creek team, won the Mathews Little League championship for 1973 with a record of 11-5. Members of the team were Stuart Thompson, Karl Morris, Dwayne Blake, Billy Bohannon, Bill Nelson, Troy Hudgins, David Bohannon, Thomas White, Vincent Dixon, Paul Davis, Greg Kemp, Perry M. Forrest, Jeff Crawford, Michael Montague and Dale Fitchett. Team manager is Bobby Hudgins and Terry Nelson, coach.
40 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 8, 1983
from the Gazette-Journal
Achilles Post Office is slated for some improvements that will put it out of Ashe’s General Merchandise store, says postmaster Robert West. The postal service currently rents space in Frank Ashe’s store at Achilles intersection of Routes 649 and 653 but West said that it wants the office in a separate building; most post offices at least have a separate door. Postal service has been operating out of Achilles for over 90 years, West said, and currently Achilles post office has approximately 270 patrons.
30 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 9, 1993
from the Gazette-Journal
Two weeks ago, tempers got out of hand at the Mathews Park, and an estimated 30 people got into a brawl. More than fists were involved, three persons received medical treatment after being struck by a baseball bat.
The Mathews Sheriff’s Department is rounding up suspects and evidence, showing that such behavior will not be tolerated. Those involved were teens ages 13-19.
20 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003
from the Gazette-Journal
Led by senior running back Tim Morris, who gained over 200 yards and scored five Blue Devil touchdowns, the Mathews High School varsity football team kicked off the 2003 season on Friday with an impressive victory, beating the Central-Woodstock Falcons by a 48-22 margin.
The Falcons hosted the season opener on their field, which was right off I-81 in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Although they were far from home, the Devils had their boosters in the crowd, as a fan bus took over 40 people, including the MHS cheerleaders, on the four-hour trek to Woodstock.
10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013
from the Gazette-Journal
After another discussion Tuesday night on whether to issue $17 million in bonds for construction of the new Page Middle School and school HVAC and roof repairs, the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors decided to stay on track with its planned borrowing.
Supervisors also voted 6-1 during the board’s meeting in the colonial courthouse on a pay structure, which will include a 3.5-cent increase on the county’s real estate tax rate in fiscal year 2015.