October 27, 1904… The gate at the entrance from the Versailles-Midway Pike to the residence of a farm is another piece of outstanding workmanship in the area as we wrote about last week about the Irish stone fences hereabouts. It was hung at the direction of Mr. Viley in 1852, the year he purchased the place he named Stonewall, and the wood is as good now as it was then. The Irishman Kearney built the fence and gate, and part of the lore of the Stonewall Farm is an emminent divine of Woodford County was driving his carriage by and saw the gate being built. He said to Kearney, “This is a magnificent fence, my good man, can you tell me how much a yard are you charging Viley?” Kearney asked, “Can ye keep a sachret?” The dandy responded, “Most assuredly I can!” Kearney spat on the ground and said, “Sos can I. Sos go ‘long and kape it!” From Stonewthe have come some very famous horses. The elder Mr. Viley always kept a few select thoroughbred mares and Capt. Breckenridge Viley has for years been a prominent breeder of the finest stock of thoroughbreds, trotters and pacers. The most renowned of the produce of the place was the great King Alphonso, sire of the mighty Foxhall. Other good horses bred there include Hespodar, W. Overton, Bab, Commissioner Foster, Miss Naylor, Tenpenny, Miss Galop, Silurian, Belmar, Beldemere, Linda, Hank Graddy, Crocket, Buckvidere, Joe Frey and Elkhorn.

The Lexington Grand Jury has returned an indictment against the negro Lewis Mitchell for attempting to poison the family of Judge James Mulligan. The Judge’s family, including his wife and son, have been exonerated of the heinous crime. [Editor’s Note: We publish the story as it was written at the time of publication, here, Oct. 20, 1904. The use of the pejorative “negro” and the bona fides of the evidence against a Black man at that time is intrinsically questionable.].

The house of Will Anderson, colored, on Harris Hill, was destroyed by fire. [Editor’s Note: Aside from the use of “negro”, the normal practice of newspapers at this time to identify any Black as “colored” or “negro” or some more pernicious word as opposed to just the name of the person where their race is irrelevant to the story is another method of imposing a class system based on race.]

Harold Cane, brother of Mrs. Theodora McKinney, died at his home near Duckers on Friday.

Nearly 25 drummers visited Midway last week yet there are those who contend that there was no business to be done here. [Editor’s Note: a “drummer”, as used in 19th and early 2th centuries, is a salesman).

David Lehman of Midway and Miss Mary Negley of Henderson, culminated a courtship of 14 years by stunning all when they were married in Cincinnati last Wednesday. Mr. Lehman, who  travels for a wholesale firm, will reside with his “new” bride at the home of his parents in Midway. Two hens under one roof will be interesting.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wehrle of Midway welcomed twin daughters to the world last week.

The persimmon crop is larger than in recent years to everyone’s delight.

October 23, 1924… 

Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Arnett entertained Thursday night at their home on Stephens Street with a fish fry for members of the Blue Class of the Baptist Sunday School.

Dr. J.P. Holt has been elected physician to the county jail and infirmary by the fiscal court.

Hugh Service, 13, was paroled to his father by Juvenile Court on Saturday after three occasions of breaking, entering and stealing candy from a Midway store.

Mrs. Roy Clifton entertained Thursday at her country home on the Leestown Pike in honor of the 10th birthday of her daughter, Martha Rose Clifton. The guests were Clara Kinney Nave, Dorothy Cleampe, Thelma Johnson, Alene Snell, Ruth Gatrell, Gladys and Emma Graves, Jean Nave, Oscar Blount and Francis Clifton.

Lister Lacefield returned home from Louisville after attending the Grand Lodge of Masons meeting.