FRANKLIN
The Tidewater News made its debut on Oct. 20, 1905, and has since then chronicled the people, places and events in Western Tidewater.

In observance of the anniversary, the staff went looking through the archives to see if the first issue was available and what was the news of the day. The oldest issue found was a large fragment of a broadsheet, with only “Oct 1905” written in a margin.

On one side:

• “Notice!

To Whom It May Concern: —

You are hereby notified that the Tidewater Railway Company will, on the 17th day of November, 1905, apply to the Circuit Court of the County of Southampton, Virginia, at the Court House of said County, for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain what will be a just compensation for the fee simple interest, in a certain strip of land hereinafter described and of which E. Persey Ellsworth and Mertie E. Ellsworth are tenants…

There were three other related notices about the same company.

• The following extract taken from a letter written by Hon. J. L. Barham, is a compliment to one of Franklin’s young business men:

On the recommendation of Col. C. C. Vaughan, W. T. Pace and J. R. Knight, I contracted with R. E. Raiford, Franklin, Va., to remodel my home. I found Mr Raiford an architect of good taste and judgement, who uses the best building material and employes first-class workmen. He fulfilled his contract to the letter, in fact, made improvements not mentioned in said contract, and gave me an entirely satisfactory job. I take pleasure in recommending Mr. Raiford as an honest builder and superior architect.

Yours very truly,
J. L. Barham
Newsoms, Va. Sept. 19, 1905.

On the other side:

• Green-Joyner.

“The following invitation has been issued to friends:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clingman Joyner invite you to be present at the marriage of their daughter, Cecilia Dorsey, to Mr. Benjamin Thorpe Greene, Wednesday evening, October the twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and five, at half past nine o’clock, Baptist Church, Franklinton, North Carolina.”

• Died
At her home near near Blackwater Bridge, Oct, 1st, 1905, Mrs. Mary L. Saunders, aged 25 years and 2 months. She had been a member of the Friends Church since childhood and lived the religion she professed.

• WANTED — A good, active, intelligent boy to act as operator for Telephone Exchange at Zuni. Apply, or write to, J.D. Darden, Zuni, Virginia.

• LOST, ESTRAYED or STOLEN — A white pointer dog with brown head, shoulder and hip, has scar on hind foot and flank, answers by name of “Dan;” left home September 16th. A reward of $5.00 will be paid for his return to me.

W. T. EDNEY
Franklin, Va.

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We would like to view and copy the first issue. If anyone has a complete — or near complete — copy, please contact The Tidewater News.

Likewise, if you know of where such a copy could be obtained, please let us know. Call 562-3187 or email tony.clark@tidewaternews.com.