Some Memories of Blacksburg

Janie Kinzer Callaway

"My grandfather, William Dawson, taught at different places. His room and board was given to him by his patrons- two weeks in one home then two weeks in another. He would take one of his children with him (he and grandmother only had nine, six girls and three boys). In this way they got their education. He taught at McDonald's Mill where they lived for some time. Then they moved back to Blacksburg where Georgia Croy lives now. Other places he taught were Matamoras, a home near Christiansburg, the Stephens place. He took Aunt Mat (Martha Beamer) with him there. "She had a wonderful time," mother told us. She was very pretty.

Grandfather also taught Math at Olin & Preston Institute in the early years before the Civil War. He took a chair with him (a captain type) everywhere he taught, probably not at Olen & Preston. (The chair was given to French Pack, Jr.)"

"Uncle Robert Dawson, my mother's oldest brother, was a scholar. Had he been living in this age, with colleges as we have them, a Ph.D. would have been his, I am sure. He and mother loved the French language. He would write to her in French, and living in Washington, DC as he did, he got books from the library written French instead of English. He was only twelve years old when he began teaching. He got most of his training from his father. He taught private school, one such was in the Ribble home. He took mother with him to this home. She often told us children about the happy days she spent in this home. She could read at the age of four.

Uncle Robert painted and was also a musician. He played the organ and had a good voice. His paintings included one in my dining room. It is a castle done in crayon. He did an oil of a famous singer in New York. He and mother died a few days apart in February 1931. He called for 'Melissa' often in his last hours. He was nearly 90 years old."

"Uncle Jimmie Snidow was postmaster in Blacksburg when the Post office was where the Greek Restaurant is today."

"In 1895 Anna and Janie went to the Sham Battle during the Commencement at Virginia A&M College at Blacksburg the 1st of June. They went in a two-wheeled cart with Pa as the driver. The cart was called a sulkey. Anna and Janie got ticked and began to giggle. Pa demanded them to behave, but no, the giggles kept on. They wore leghorn hats with a wreath of pink and bleu flowers around the crown. Happy Days."

"Anna, Will and Janie attended the dedication of the Lutheran Church at Vicker. (Mentioned on Sheate for Church Things.) We rode in a two seated on horse Jersey. Will was driving Old Prince and passed the wagons on the road in a hurry. The back seat fell down and Anna and Janie fell into the floor. Will looked back and laughed and kept driving at full speed."

"Cousin Mollie Shafer, Lutt Shafer's wife, was paralyzed and was in bed several months. They fixed a strap in the ceiling for her to grasp in order to help her turn over."

"J. Sherman Kinzer was buried on the Fairview Farm (Bell-Kinzer) Cemetery in 1915. Mr. Helms, the undertaker, moved his body to the cemetery in Blacksburg several years later, maybe in the 1920s."

Mary Mathews Robeson told to D. Pack in 1973:

"The Mathews' house was at the corner of Roanoke and Church Streets where the former Presbyterian Manse is. The church was built in their yard.

The house across the street from Roseanna's house was occupied by Martins, Cales, Broyds, Bells and Richardsons.

Matt Grissom lived on Main Street where Sanderson Cleaners is now, but probably in an earlier house, and had a Livery Stable back of the old Presbyterian Church. He would go to Christiansburg, before the 'Huckleberry" was brought over, to get the mail and people went to his house for it.

Dr. W.B. Conway was the first druggist in Blacksburg.

James Monroe Evans lived on Penn street.

"Tip" Evans lived next to church parking lost. (Methodist Church parking lot on Penn Street and the house he lived in are still there.)

Gallaways Shoe Store was mentioned.

Bodell's Pottery was on the corner of Jackson and Draper next to Dr. Woolwine's office.

Andy Croy's Wheel Shop was on Roanoke Street.

Charlie Black's Livery Stable was back of Dr. Woolwine's' office building with the main entrance from Main Street between old Star Barber Shop and Gardner-Lucas building. Later bought out by Argabrites."

French Pack, Jr.

"There was a Tannery at the corner of Washington and Church Streets back of the Charlie Black house which faced Main Street.

Wilbur Croy's father sold the Town oak poles 4-5 feet tall for the first street lamps (oil) for 36 cents each (and he was the first town lamplighter). This came from on old Town Record Book."