Buckingham County in the News

Turn-of-the-century Richmond, Virginia

After reading “The Buckingham Outlaws,” which ran during 2015-2016, several Slate River Ramblings readers wondered . . .

“Can we really believe what was printed in the newspapers?”

“Did the reporters sensationalize the conditions in Arvonia?”

“Were some of the ‘facts’ really fiction?”

Good questions. Whether today or 1900, it is best to read news reports with a critical eye. Sometimes, outrageously false stories are printed. This was once the case with my Buckingham-born ancestor, John T. L. Woodson, who moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1894.

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In the summer of 1905, John T. L. Woodson was one of a reported 7,000 people attending a performance of The Great Payne. On July 22, 1905, Richmond’s The Times-Dispatch ran a story about the evening. The reporter claimed that John had a “miraculous” cure when Payne applied his remedy. The report got Woodson’s name wrong, but his address was correct. The article read, in part:

When Mr. T. L. Woodson, a machinist, of No. 112 Randolph Street, displayed a stiff hand, maimed by machinery, Payne announced his doubt of giving relief, but volunteered to make an application. In two minutes Mr. Woodson was able to use the hand, and shouted his appreciation to the audience, with prolonged applause.

John T. L. Woodson was moved to correct this report and his letter to the editor was printed on July 27, 1905. It read as follows:

Was Not Cured By Payne.

Editor of The Times-Dispatch:

Sir. – Please correct the statement which appeared in Saturday’s Times-Dispatch, under the head of “Great Applause Accorded Payne.” In that article it is stated that Payne, with his marvelous remedy, perfected such a miraculous cure upon me, and that I had acknowledged my appreciation to the audience, all of which is entirely erroneous. As a matter of fact, I did subject my hand to his treatment (one application), but he did not benefit me in the least. From what Payne announced to his audience and from said article it would be construed that my whole hand was disabled, which is not true.

Several years ago I had an attack of inflammatory rheumatism, which affected my whole hand, but it only permanently disabled my index finger. To do justice to your own paper, which you claim to be fair to all – to the medical profession (especially Drs. Carrington and Nelson), who undoubtedly saved my hand – and to the people of Richmond, I request that you give this communication the same prominence which was given Payne in your edition of 22d instant. I am no machinist, nor was my hand injured by machinery, as stated in said article.

Very respectfully

J. T. L. WOODSON.

112 Randolph Street

Richmond, Va., July 24^th

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Next Monday, Slate River Ramblings will begin a new true-crime serial. Get ready for a lengthy and intricate visit to Buckingham County, 1904-1905. “The Famous Forbes Case” will run for over fifty posts.

As with previous serials, reports from several different newspapers will be interwoven. As before, I will occasionally comment on or call into question the “facts” as reported.

Over the coming months, as you read about the Forbes case, with all of its twists and turns, keep in mind John T. L. Woodson’s letter to the editor of The Times-Dispatch and, don’t forget, you can’t believe everything you read in the newspaper!

Missed “The Buckingham Outlaws?” Click here for: The Buckingham Outlaws: Part I