Hill Country Living
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and I have one, single issue of a Water Valley newspaper called “On The Turf” from Wednesday, October 20, 1886. This publication is really more like a four-page flyer. It was written and printed especially for the occasion of a week of horse races that were held here.
The pages barely hold any news whatsoever other than slice-of-life stories with lots of campy dialogue, a short opinion piece stating that Grand Master Powderly was correct in calling off Knights of Labor strikes because workers aren’t ready for the eight-hour work day (down from like 14 hours) and racing times/ prices/ betting purses. More interestingly, the pages are filled with ads from local stores for the visitors who came to town for the races (1886 tourism!) Water Valley really had a lot to offer if you could afford it and/or were allowed to patron the places. We still have some of these things like photography studios, pork sausage, fresh oysters on occasion and cheap whiskey! Maybe even fresh drugs. Here are a few of my favorite ads:
• J. Longinotti & Co. – Dealer in Confections, Candies and Fruits. Meals at all hours, Oysters served in every style. Water Valley, Miss.
• Harrell & McCorkle are headquarters for PURE FRESH DRUGS and Medicines. They also carry a well assorted line of fancy toilet articles, paints, oils, window glass, etc. Prices to suit the times. Give them a call. WATER VALLEY, MISS.
• Brooks’ Gallery – Takes any size or kind of Pictures known to the Photographic Art. Made at reasonable prices. A specialty made of COPYING & ENLARGING. Water Valley, Miss.
• J.D. Mahony – maker of Boots & Shoes in the Lamar Block, fronting Railroad and next to the Furniture Store. All work intrusted to his care will be faithfully executed. Water Valley, Miss.
• Go to Miss Varadman for the best Millinery Goods, Hats, Ribbons, Laces, Velvets, etc. Also, the elegant dresses and ladies suits she is constantly putting up. Orders from Town and Country solicited.
• To the Ladies of Water Valley – If you want something nice, come to my market, or send your orders. Pork Sausage, Lom roast, Sirloin Roast, Standing Rib Roast, and Choice Stake. Respectfully, Richard Porter.
• HOWD HOUSE – Persons visiting the races will be given the best attention at the Hotel of Mrs. E.M. Howd. This house has lately been refitted and refurnished and nothing will be omitted to make your stay pleasant. Corner of Wood St. Water Valley.
• CLOTHING will be almost GIVEN AWAY at the auction sale this week at the Blue Store. Go and get you a suit.
• GO TO R.W. HELLUMS FOR CHEAP WHISKEY. WATER VALLEY.
———————
This newspaper-flyer was sent to John Henry from his Aunt Ella. She also included another, smaller newspaper clipping from a Memphis paper that described the accidental shooting of a local boy who John Henry knew. On the back of that clipping is this tidbit of international news:
FRANCE — A panther escaped from a menagerie in Chamburg, the capital of Savoy, and ran through the streets creating a panic. The beast bit two persons and scalped and killed a policeman before he was captured.
