(Look Back with Bob Enoch - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Panic in Eggs – Last Saturday the bulls and bears of our city took a tilt in the Eggs market. Through some misunderstanding one of our dealers got the impression that another dealer was selling then for 18c when the price was 20c. He immediately dropped to 17c. Then the other dealer responded by dropping to 15c, and so the contest continued until they reached 6 1/4 c per dozen. Many Parkersburgers indulged in soft boiled hen fruit Sabbath morning that he had not tasted the luxury for many a day. On Monday morning they were back at their old figures, 18c, where they have since remained.

Fatal Accident – On Friday morning last, Thomas Marr, an old resident of our city, was found lying near the platform of the freight depot with his neck broken and quite dead. He was the night watchman at the depot, and it is supposed that he went up on the top of the station box to clean out the stove pipe and fell to the ground, a distance of 10 or 11 feet. This is the only rational cause of his death, and his bruises indicate a fall — and the ladder lay against his box. Mr. Marr was an old citizen, and was a sober, honest and industrious working man. He had been in the employ of the B. & O. Railroad so long, some fifteen years or more, that he seemed like one of the landmarks of our city. [The Marrtown area of Parkersburg is named after Thomas Marr.]

The Parkersburg Weekly State Journal,

Feb. 12, 1874

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The famous Mineral Wells are recovering their by-gone fame and prosperity. Visitors and invalids from Wheeling and other points have already engaged and are boarding for the upcoming season, and the prospects are in favor of an unusually brilliant season. The proprietor, “Joe” Simpson, in order to add some greater attractions is arranging for a “Silver Gray” celebration on July 4th that will surpass any thing of the kind ever seen before in Wood County. The celebration will be gotten up for the benefit of the old citizens, though numerous attractions will be presented for the younger people. It is the proprietor’s intention to have present all the old men and women of the county, bringing to memory the days of long, long ago.

“Papa,” said an urchin to his father on Market Street the other day, “does the bad man make the weather?”

“No, my child,” said the fond parent, “what makes you ask that question?”

“Cos,” responded the urchin, “I hear all the men saying, ‘it’s hot as h-ll.'”

The Parkersburg Sentinel,

May 27, 1876

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[Editorial Humor]

There will be a strawberry picnic on the top of Fort Boreman on next Tuesday. Gentlemen are requested to appear in linen dusters. Ice cream, lemonade and fans will be on hand. If there should be a thunder shower on Tuesday the picnic will be held the day before, Monday. The [Market Street ] bridge will be free on that day. Hacks free. Come one and all and enjoy the pure and healthful little blizzards that gleefully skip over that classic slope.

The Ohio ice berg, Icicle John Sherman will deliver the opening address.

Committee on Arrangements – Ike Ice, Sam Snow, Bill Blizzard and J. Frost, Esq.

The Parkersburg Weekly Sentinel,

FEB. 5, 1881

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TARIFF DISCUSSION – At the Rink Saturday Night – A Reply to Governor Wilson.

On next Saturday night, September 22nd, Mr. A.B. White, editor of the State Journal, will speak at the Rink on the tariff issue, devoting his address mainly to a reply to the arguments produced last night at that place by Governor E.W. Wilson. Workingmen and voters regardless of party are asked to hear this important question discussed.

Republican Clubs in this city and vicinity are requested to turn out.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal,

Sept. 20, 1888

[In 1901 A. B. White became Governor of West Virginia.]

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.