Out of the Past
Posted: October 8, 2012
100 years ago
“My idea of a perfect husband is a much better one than any I have had,” declared Mrs. Jennie Schwoyer, who is in jail at Allentown, Pa., under a year’s sentence on a charge of having married ten men, of whom nine are living, without the formality of having been divorced.
Mrs. Schwoyer, who is only 27, is believed to be the most-married woman on record. The woman is a curious study in psychology.
Oct. 2, 1912
Sixty thousand people gasped, groaned, and burst into tears at Trenton, N.J., late yesterday afternoon as Charles F. Walsh, greatest trick aviator in the world, dashed from a height of 2,000 feet to instant death at the Interstate fair grounds.
It was the third serious mishap of the week’s show, beginning Monday with the almost fatal dive of Shaw, the high diver, and including the fatal fall of Samuel Foulke, veteran jockey, on the trotting track, and who died last night in the hospital.
Every bone in Aviator Walsh’s body was apparently broken, and physicians who were hurried to his wrecked machine in an automobile believe that he was dead before he struck the earth.
Mr. Walsh was the first man who made the first biplane flight in Winchester, which took place on the fair grounds on April 25 of this year. Notwithstanding a steady drizzle of rain, Mr. Walsh braved the elements and made a number of very successful flights.
Oct. 4, 1912
BUNKER HILL, W.VA. — The people of this section will have no means whatever of forecasting the weather early next spring, for the official groundhog met with an unexpected and tragic end this week on the farm of Mr. William Payne, near Darkesville.
John Stout went to a woods on the Payne farm, accompanied by his trusty pup. After nosing about the underbrush for several minutes, the pup let out a joyous yell and pounced down upon a “varmit” that was skulking around the bushes.
Following a thrilling combat the dog dispatched the animal, which proved to be the official weather groundhog. The little fellow weighed 15 pounds, and for a time it was not known just what species of animal it was. It was the first groundhog killed in this section in many years.
Oct. 4, 1912
Considerable attention was given several members of the Kalem Motion Picture Co. yesterday, when they appeared on Main Street in full army costume to reproduce the famous Sheridan ride.
The street was crowded with spectators endeavoring to see the camera men to learn how the machine was operated and become more familiar with the way in which the pictures were made. After several unsuccessful attempts to keep the crowds back, it was finally accomplished with the aid of the local police.
The picture was made in front of the battle-scarred and historic old Taylor Hotel, which was used during the Civil War as headquarters by the noted federal general.
Oct. 4, 1912
Newspapers all over the state are calling attention to the fact that more women are showing an active interest in politics at this time than ever before. Few meetings have been held at which the fair sex was not represented.
Whether this is due to a spread of the suffrage spirit or to the natural interest in the success of Woodrow Wilson, a Virginia-born candidate, observers do not attempt to explain.
Whatever may be the cause, there is no denying the fact that the ladies are “turning out.”
Oct. 8, 1912
75 years ago
It was announced today that the Moyer-Hite Dance and Stage Productions will open a school of dancing in Winchester on Saturday, at the Sarah Zane Hall on North Loudoun Street.
Eight classes are to be offered ranging from beginners’ ballet and tap to acrobatic, modern German and the Adagio. For those who desire them, private lessons will be offered.
John Kile Moyer, who will be the instructor, began his dancing career in New York with Chester Hale, a teacher of some note, 15 years ago. He next studied with Ivan Tarossof, of the Imperial Russian Ballet and later was with New Wayburn where he studied stage, training and musical comedy. He then joined the Metropolitan Ballet under Alexis Kesloff. Subsequently, he specialized in modern German dancing at the Strouss Studios. He stated in announcing the opening of his school that he hopes to find new talent in Winchester.
Sept. 30, 1937
On Monday, in the building adjoining The Star office on East Boscawen Street Zaban’s, a Washington firm, will open a mattress plant.
During the winter, under the management of G.C. Wall, a store only will be operated but in the spring, it is planned to install equipment for the manufacture and renovation of mattresses and for the manufacture of bed springs.
Installation of the equipment will involve expenditures of approximately $20,000, Mr. Wall said today, and will result in employment of about 10 persons when the plant is in operation.
One of the services that will be rendered is rebuilding mattresses and returning them for use within three days. All work for the present will be done at the Washington plant. When the local plant is opened the work will be done in a day.
Oct. 2, 1937
50 years ago
And another old Winchester landmark is to be torn down. The old Barton home on South Washington Street is to make way for a new church building, Braddock Street Methodist Church.
This house is not quite 100 years old — just 92 years of age — but it has been one of the well-known homes of the town.
Having been built in or about 1870 by Robert Barton, prominent lawyer of that time, it is typical of the Victorian period. The house was designed solely by Mr. Barton without benefit of any architect.
Sept. 27, 1962
25 years ago
From border to border, caravans are heading across Virginia to spread the word—as of Jan. 1, the use of seat belts will not be just a good idea, it will be the law.
One of the caravans left from the Visitor Center in Winchester this morning en route to Appomattox, where on Saturday it will join with the other two to create a giant seat-belt buckle.
Five vehicles made up the Winchester caravan, city police said.
The campaign was organized by the Virginia Auto Safety Alliance, Division of Motor Vehicles, and the Virginia State Police.
Oct. 8, 1987
— Compiled by Priscilla Lehman (plehman@winchesterstar.com)