125 Years Ago

Herald of July 19, 1894

J. Frank Kyler, who was convicted in June of voluntary manslaughter, was sentenced to a $100 fine and nine months in prison, beginning from the day he was first incarcerated. A jury, upon finding Mr. Kyler guilty of the March slaying of William Butler in Martinsburg, had recommended leniency to the court.

David S. Bloom, 60, a prominent Martinsburg citizen, died unexpectedly at his residence of an apparent heart attack. Bloom was the youngest son of the Rev. Daniel S. Bloom, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers in the Cove area. Bloom was the father of eight children and was twice married, first to Margaret Easton, who died in 1874, and then to Nancy Bridenthaul.

The Cove area was in the midst of a heat wave, causing some minor quarrels among neighbors and sending many local residents for cool places to picnic and swim. It was reported that “two full months of torrid weather” was predicted.

Dr. R.T. Eldon of Newry moved his physician’s practice to Martinsburg.