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Brandon Ray Kirk

Category Archives: Hamlin

Map: Southwestern West Virginia (1918-1919)

08 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Atenville, Banco, Beech Creek, Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Big Sandy Valley, Big Ugly Creek, Boone County, Breeden, Chapmanville, Clothier, Cove Gap, Crawley Creek, Dingess, Dunlow, East Lynn, Enslow, Ferrellsburg, Fourteen, Gilbert, Gill, Green Shoal, Guyandotte River, Halcyon, Hamlin, Harts, Holden, Kermit, Kiahsville, Kitchen, Leet, Little Harts Creek, Logan, Man, Matewan, Meador, Midkiff, Pecks Mill, Peter Creek, Queens Ridge, Ranger, Rector, Sand Creek, Spurlockville, Stiltner, Stone Branch, Toney, Twelve Pole Creek, Wayne, West Hamlin, Wewanta, Wharncliffe, Whirlwind, Williamson, Wyoming County, Yantus

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Appalachia, Big Sandy River, Boone County, Guyandotte River, Hamlin, history, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan County, Madison, map, maps, McDowell County, Mingo County, Pineville, Polk's State Gazetteer and Business Directory, Tug Fork, Twelve Pole Creek, Wayne, Wayne County, Welch, West Virginia, Williamson, Wyoming County

West Virginia State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1918-1919, published by R.L. Polk and Company.

Lincoln County, WV (1928)

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Boone County, Guyandotte River, Hamlin

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Abraham Lincoln, Appalachia, Boone County, Cabell County, Carroll District, Duval District, Guyandotte River, Hamlin, Hamlin Chapel, Harts Creek District, history, Jefferson District, Kanawha County, Laurel Hill District, Lincoln County, Logan County, Mud River, Putnam County, Sheridan District, Union District, Washington District, West Virginia

From West Virginians, published by the West Virginia Biographical Association in 1928, comes this profile of the Logan-Boone Highway in southwestern West Virginia:

Lincoln County

Lincoln County occupies a place in the southwestern section of the State, and is one of the few counties created by the State of which it is a component part. The organization of the county was authorized by an act of the legislature passed February 23, 1867, from a part of the counties of Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha and Boone. The formal organization of the county government was made on March 11, following, at the Hamlin Chapel, a short distance away from the present seat of justice. Lincoln county is drained by the Guyandotte and Mud rivers, and has a land area of 448.76 square miles. The population in 1920, according to the official enumeration of the United States Census Bureau, was 19,378. Later estimates from the same sources do not increase the figures. The county has a great diversity of natural resources, coal, oil and gas predominating. It also has large agricultural interests, and its horticultural products are of no inconsiderable value. The assessed valuation of property within the county, as returned at the 1927 assessment, is as follows: Real estate, $7,000,460; personal property, $3,666,350; public utility property, $8,751,297; total $19,418,107. The county is sub-divided into eight magisterial districts, Carrol, Duval, Harts Creek, Jefferson, Laurel Hill, Sheridan, Union and Washington. There are but few who are not familiar with the life story of the man whose name is borne by this country—the martyred Abraham Lincoln, rail-splitter, country lawyer and sixteenth President of the United States. No towering shaft; no swiftly flowing stream; no sub-division of this land of ours, welded into one by his work and sacrifice, is needed to keep his memory green. His name is so emblazoned on the pages of American history that it will remain bright, shining and untarnished long after letters engraved upon granite rocks are dimmed and dulled by the rust and erosion of the years as they come and go. Lincoln—homely in feature and tall in stature—grows with the years and honors are paid him and his memory that are accorded no other, save only Washington, the founder. Hamlin, the county seat, is named in memory and honor of Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, Vice President of the United States during the first administration of Abraham Lincoln. The site was selected as a proper place for the county seat at the organization of the county, and was made the permanent county seat by legislative enactment of February 26, 1869. Hamlin has an elevation of 642 feet above sea level, and in 1920 had a population of 516. It is the only incorporated place in the county.”

NOTE: Hamlin is NOT named for Hannibal Hamlin!

NOTE: By 1869, all land was returned to Putnam and additional land was taken from Logan County.

Harts News 11.27.1925

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Atenville, Big Creek, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Man, Sand Creek, Whirlwind

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A.B. Gillan, Annie Dingess, Appalachia, Atenville, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bill Adkins, Bill Farris, Caroline Brumfield, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Cora Adkins, Fred Shelton, Hamlin, Harriet Dingess, Harts, Herbert Adkins, Huntington, Inez Adkins, Jessie Brumfield, Laura Lucas, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Man, Myrtle Mobley, Nora Brumfield, Sadie Powers, Sand Creek, Sesco Messinger, Sylvia Shelton, Tom Brumfield, Vina Adkins, West Virginia, Whirlwind

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on November 27, 1925:

Here comes Harts at the tip top again.

Mrs. Vina Adkins and children of Man are visiting relatives at Harts at the present time.

Mrs. Chas. Brumfield and children were the guests of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Dingess, of Whirlwind, Sunday.

Miss Sylvia Shelton and Laura Lucas of Sand Creek were calling on friends at Harts Monday.

Mr. Bill Faris is quite a popular fellow with all the girls at Harts now.

We wonder why Mr. Spencer is taking dinner with Mrs. Sadie Powers so often now?

Mrs. Herbert Adkins attended the circuit court at Hamlin the past week.

Miss Cora Adkins of Logan spent Sunday with home folks at Harts.

Mrs. Beatrice Adkins was shopping in Logan Saturday.

Miss Jessie Brumfield is progressing nicely with her school at Atenville.

Mr. Tom Brumfield and Sesco Messinger have opened up their new garage at Harts.

Miss Myrtle Mobley of Big Creek and Fred Shelton of Sand Creek were seen out walking through Harts Saturday evening.

Mr. A.B. Gillan, C. & O. operator of Huntington was calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield Monday evening.

Miss Harriet Dingess of Logan is visiting friends and relatives at Harts this week.

Combinations: Sadie and her red coat; Inez and bobbed hair; Bessie and her wrist watch; Nora and her powder puff; May and her purple dress; Tom in his garage; Bill and his grey suit; Jessie and her diamond ring.

Dear old Banner, we will see you again next week.

Image

L.M. Thacker to Maude May Deed (1911)

25 Friday Dec 2020

Tags

Appalachia, Carrie Thacker, cemeteries, genealogy, Hamlin, history, L.M. Thacker, Lincoln County, Maude May, R. Dennis Steed, West Virginia

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Cemeteries, Hamlin

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Harts News 06.19.1925

25 Friday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Gill, Hamlin, Harts, Holden, Huntington, Ranger, Salt Rock

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Alva Koontz, Appalachia, Bessie Adkins, Burl Farley, Caroline Brumfield, Charles Brumfield, Charleston, Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company, Elliot Fleur, Ethel Brumfield, Fisher B. Adkins, genealogy, Gill, Grant Cremeans, Hamlin, Hardin Marcum, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Holden, Huntington, James Auxier Newman, Jessie Brumfield, John McEldowney, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Mary Ann Farley, Ranger, Robert Brumfield, Salt Rock, Sylvia Cyfers, Vesta Cyfers, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on June 19, 1925:

Mr. Charles C. Brumfield of this place is visiting friends and relatives at Logan and Holden this week.

Alva Koontz and James Auxier Newman of Huntington were seen to pass through this town enroute to Big Creek today.

Mr. and Mrs. Burl Farley of Salt Rock were guests of Mrs. Charles Brumfield at Harts Sunday.

Hardin Marcum and Elliot Fleur, C. & O. operators of Ranger, were calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield Saturday evening at Harts.

Robert Brumfield of this place has purchased a fine new Studebaker car this week.

Mr. and Mrs. John McEldowney and children of Charleston are visting relatives at this place.

Rev. Porter, Minister of the Baptist church, preached an able sermon here Sunday which was largely attended.

Fisher Adkins of Harts made a flying trip to Huntington Sunday.

Miss Jessie Brumfield and __ Adkins were guests of Sylvia and Vesta Cyfers and Miss ____ of Gill Sunday and reported a good time.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adkins of Harts and Miss Ethel Brumfield were visiting friends at Hamlin Sunday.

Hon. Grant Cremeans, the Circuit Clerk, and family of Hamlin were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brumfield Friday.

Harts News 06.05.1925

23 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Ashland, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Wayne

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Albert Adkins, Alva Koontz, Amon Ferguson, Annie Dingess, Appalachia, Ashland, attorney general, Bell Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bob Brumfield, Bob Dingess, Brooke Adkins, Burl Farley, Cabell County, Caroline Brumfield, Cora Adkins, Decoration Day, Ed Brumfield, genealogy, Harts, Hazel Toney, Herb Adkins, history, Hollena Ferguson, Huntington, James Auxier Newman, Jessie Brumfield, Kentucky, Lace Marcum, Lincoln County, Logan, Mary Ann Farley, Nora Brumfield, Ora Dingess, Robert Hale, Ruby Adkins, Shelby Shelton, Toney Johnson, Verna Johnson, Wayne, Wayne County, Wesley Ferguson, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on June 5, 1925:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dingess of Logan spent Saturday and Sunday with her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield at Harts.

Miss Cora Adkins was shopping in Logan Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brumfield of Harts spent Decoration Day in Wayne county.

Mr. Edward Brumfield and Wesley Ferguson spent several days visiting friends and relatives at Wayne.

Attorney General Lace Marcum of Huntington has been visiting Chas. Brumfield and family at Harts.

Mr. and Mrs. Toney Johnson of Ashland, Ky., spent Decoration Day with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Brumfield at this place.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adkins has purchased them a fine new Studebaker car last week.

Miss Hazel Toney and Mr. Eplings of Huntington were calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield Sunday.

Misses Jessie Brumfield was shopping in Huntington Saturday.

Mr. James Auxier Newman a state road inspector of Huntington was the guest of Miss Jessie Brumfield Tuesday at Harts.

Mr. Robert Hale and Mrs. Hollena Ferguson were seen out car riding Monday evening.

Mr. Amon Ferguson, Ora Dingess, Bell Adkins were seen out car riding Sunday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Burl Farley of Cabell County and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Adkins and daughter, Miss Ruby, of Hamlin were the guests of Mrs. Chas. Brumfield at Harts Sunday.

Mr. Alva Koontz of Huntington is out new State inspector this week in Harts.

Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Shelton and children of Huntington spent Decoration Day at Harts.

Harts News 05.29.1925

15 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Ashland, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Midkiff, Sand Creek, Toney

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Tags

Alderson Rutherford, Amon Ferguson, Appalachia, Ashland, Bill Adkins, C & O Railway, Caroline Brumfield, Clyde Rutherford, conductor, Cora Adkins, Enos Dial, Essie Adkins, F.D. Adkins, Fisher B. Adkins, genealogy, Hamlin, Harietta Carey, Harts, Hazel Toney, history, Huntington, Ida McCann, Inez Adkins, Inez McCann, James Powers, Jerry Lambert, Jessie Brumfield, Keenan Toney, Kentucky, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Lola Adkins, Midkiff, Ora Dingess, Peach Creek, Roxie Tomblin, Ruth Adkins, Sand Creek, Saul Bowen, Toney, Verna Johnson, West Virginia, Woodrow Rutherford

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on May 29, 1925:

Jerry Lambert, of Sand Creek, was in Harts Sunday.

F.B. Adkins made a business trip to Huntington the latter part of the week.

Mrs. R.L. Powers, and little son, James, have returned from Logan where she has been by the bedside of her little niece, Miss Ruth Adkins, who is very low with fever.

F.D. Adkins was transacting business in Logan Tuesday.

Clyde Rutherford, C. & O. conductor of Peach Creek, was the guest of F.D. Adkins and family Sunday.

Amon Ferguson of Hamlin was calling on Miss Ora Dingess Sunday.

Misses Jessie Brumfield, Ora Dingess, Amon Ferguson and Enos Dial were seen out driving Saturday evening.

Miss Cora Adkins was visiting friends in Logan last week.

Miss Hazel Toney, of Huntington, was the pleasant guest of Misses Cora and Inez Adkins Saturday night.

Mrs. Toney Johnson, of Ashland, Ky., is visiting her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield.

F.D. Adkins was the dinner guest of K.E. Toney Saturday.

Bill Adkins and Harrietta Carey were seen out walking Saturday evening.

Misses Lola and Essie Adkins, Lillie and Harriette Cary, and Roxie Tomblin were in Harts Saturday.

Mrs. W.M. McCann has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Watson Adkins.

Alderson Rutherford and little son, Woodrow, of Peach Creek, and sister, Mrs. Saul Bowen of Midkiff, were calling on friends here Sunday.

Herb Adkins made a business trip to Logan Saturday.

Harts News 05.22.1925

09 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Hamlin, Harts, Logan, Ranger, Toney

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Amon Ferguson, Annie Dingess, Appalachia, Arta Dingess, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Big Creek, Bill Vance, Caroline Brumfield, Charles Brumfield, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Columbus Lum Pack, Dorothy Workman, East Hamlin, Ed Brumfield, Enos Dial, Fisher B. Adkins, genealogy, Hamlin High School, Harts, Herbert Adkins, Homer White, Jessie Brumfield, Kentucky, Lexington, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Marshall College, Minerva Brumfield, Nora Brumfield, Pearl Brumfield, Ranger, Robert Brumfield, Robert Dingess, teacher, Toney, Verna Johnson, Ward Brumfield, Wayne County, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on May 22, 1925:

Mrs. Fisher B. Adkins, of this place, has been visiting relatives at East Hamlin the past week.

Mr. Chas. Brumfield has moved in his new residence at Harts.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adkins and Robert Brumfield made a flying trip to Ranger and back in their car Friday evening.

Miss Jessie Brumfield, one of Lincoln county’s most popular school teachers, has completed her school at Ranger, W.Va., and returned to her house in Harts, where she will leave for Marshall College and was accompanied by Mrs. Tony Johnson of Lexington, Ky.

Mr. C.C. Pack, of Wayne county, was the guest of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Brumfield, at Harts Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dingess, of Logan, were the guests of her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield, at Harts Sunday.

Mr. Edward Brumfield, of Hamlin High School, is spending a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ward Brumfield, at Harts.

Mr. Bill Vance, C.&O. fireman, and Miss Dorothy Workman, of Big Creek, Miss Pearl Brumfield, of Toney, were calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield.

There were several from this place attended the examination at Logan last week.

Mr. Amon Ferguson and Miss Jessie Brumfield, Arta Dingess, Cora Adkins, Hazel Toney, Sylvia Shelton, Enos Dials, Edward Brumfield were car riding Sunday.

Homer White, C.&O. agent of Ranger and several others were calling on Chas. Brumfield at Harts Monday evening.

Harts Creek District Teachers (1915)

25 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Atenville, Big Harts Creek, Ferrellsburg, Gill, Green Shoal, Hamlin, Harts, Little Harts Creek, Queens Ridge, Sand Creek, Toney

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Tags

App F. Queen, Appalachia, Atenville, Blackburn Holton, Carrie Tomblin, Charley Pack, Clerk Lucas, Decker Toney, education, Ferrellsburg, genealogy, Gill, Green Shoal, Green Shoal School, Hamlin, Harts Creek District, Hendricks Lucas, history, Ida Pack, J.B. Johnston, Jasper Shelton, Kile Topping, Lincoln County, Lincoln Republican, Logan County, Martha Fowler, Maud Stollings, Nancy Payne, Queens Ridge, Ross Fowler, Sand Creek, Sheridan, Sherman Smith, Shirley Holton, teacher, Thomas J. Manns, Toney, Victor Shelton, Watson Adkins, West Virginia, William H. Tomblin, William Wirt Stephens

From the Lincoln Republican of Hamlin, WV, comes this history about early 20th century teachers in Lincoln County:

In 1915, 59 teachers enrolled to take the State Uniform Examination at Hamlin and Sheridan. Here are the teachers from Harts area who attended the institute:

Rebel Adkins, Queens Ridge

Clerk Lucas, Toney

Thomas J. Mans, Atensville

Sherman Smith, Logan County

Carrie Tomblin, Queens Ridge

W.H. Tomblin, Queens Ridge

Decker Toney, Queens Ridge

Kile Topping, Queens Ridge

Source: Lincoln Republican (Hamlin, WV), 1 April 1915

***

Certificates issued:

2nd Grade

Rebel Adkins, Queens Ridge

Watson Adkins, Ferrellsburg

Martha Fowler, Ferrellsburg

Maud Gill, Gill

B.B. Holton, Ferrellsburg

Shirley Holton, Ferrellsburg

J.B. Johnston, Queens Ridge

Clerk Lucas, Toney

Charley Pack, Queens Ridge

App F. Queen, Queens Ridge

Jasper Shelton, Sand Creek

William Wirt Stephens, Ferrellsburg

Maud Stollings, Queens Ridge

William H. Tomblin, Queens Ridge

Decker Toney, Queens Ridge

3rd Grade

W.E. Fowler, Queens Ridge

Hendricks Lucas, Ferrellsburg

Ida Pack, Queens Ridge

Nancie Payne, Queens Ridge

Victor Shelton, Sand Creek

Kile Toppings, Queens Ridge

The teacher institute for Harts Creek District is scheduled for Green Shoals school house on November 19.

Source: Lincoln Republican (Hamlin, WV), 16 September 1915

Note: These items were printed during the brief time when Queens Ridge Post Office served most residents of Big Harts Creek and Little Harts Creek and other areas near the Wayne County line. Queens Ridge is not located in these watersheds.

Big Creek News 04.28.1922

22 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Ferrellsburg, Hamlin, Huntington, Sand Creek, Stone Branch

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Albert Messer, Appalachia, Big Creek, C&O Railroad, crime, Dr. Whitehall, Earl McComas, Ferrellsburg, Frank Stone, genealogy, H.B. McComas, Hamlin, history, Howard Fry, Huntington, Ike Dean, Indiana, Lewis Stowers, Logan Banner, Logan County, murder, Peter M. Toney, pneumonia, Sand Creek, South Bend, Stone Branch, West Virginia

A correspondent named “Phil” from Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on April 28, 1922:

Earl McComas, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. McComas, died last week of pneumonia.

Dr. Whitehall who has been visiting friends and relatives in South Bend, Ind., for the past week or ten days has returned.

Mr. P.M. Toney has been attending business matters in Huntington for the past week.

Mr. Howard Fry of Sand Creek died last week of pneumonia and influenza.

Big Creek is coming to the front more every day. We note that the picture theatre is running three days a week instead of two.

Additional News:

Mrs. Lewis Stowers who has been in for some time died Monday night and was buried Tuesday evening.

Serious murder case at Ferrellsburg last Sunday evening; it is said that Albert Messer killed Ike Dean which was a very bloody and sad affair, which is said to be the result of an old grudge. Messer surrendered to authorities and was taken to Hamlin to jail Tuesday morning.

Mrs. Stone has been away visiting relatives in Huntington for the past week and taking a rest after a spell of sickness.

Frank Stone brakeman on the switch engine at Big Creek was hit by a switch lever, slightly injuring the left side of his face, and has been off from duty for the past ten days on that account. He returned to work on Tuesday.

There was a large freight wreck just below Stone Branch Monday at noon. 15 freight cars derailed and caused passenger trains to transfer Monday evening. The wreck was cleared after several hours work with the tool cars.

Guyan Lumber Company (1952)

08 Tuesday Oct 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin, Midkiff, Timber

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Appalachia, Ella Adkins, Guyan Lumber Company, Hamlin, history, John Paul Adkins, Lincoln County, Lincoln National Bank, Midkiff, West Virignia

Guyan Lumber Company 1

Promissory note to Guyan Lumber Company by John Paul Adkins and Ella Adkins of Midkiff, Lincoln County, WV (1952).

Stephen Hart and Harts Creek (1937)

14 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Hamlin, Harts, Logan, Midkiff, Ranger, Spurlockville, Toney

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Appalachia, assistant postmaster, Big Creek, Cabell County, Charles Spurlock, Cheat River, Cincinnati, civil engineer, civil war, doctor, genealogy, gunsmith, Hamlin, history, Jane Spurlock, John Spurlock, Lifas Spurlock, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan Post Office, Marshall Spurlock, Midkiff, Montgomery County, Omar, Pete Spurlock, preacher, Ranger, Robertson Spurlock, Seth Spurlock, Sheridan, sheriff, Spurlockville, Stephen Hart, surveyor, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Stephen Hart and Harts Creek in Lincoln and Logan counties, West Virginia. The story is dated April 14, 1937.

Stephen Hart Settled at Cheat River, Pete Spurlock, A Great Grandson, Reveals

P.A. (Pete) Spurlock, assistant postmaster at the Logan post office, this morning revealed the destination of Stephen Hart, who went went after he had lived for a short time at the forks of the creek in the lower end of Logan county which now bears his name.

Spurlock said that Hart went to the Cheat River and settled permanently there to hunt deer and rear a family. He said the family name of Hart is as familiar there as the name Dingess is familiar in Logan county.

A daughter of Stephen, Jane, was Spurlock’s grandmother. She lived until 1913 and told her grandson much of the early history of the family which made its home in and around Spurlocksville, Sheridan, Ranger, and Midkiff.

Charles Spurlock, the progenitor of the Spurlock family, came to what used to be the Toney farm below the mouth of Big Creek in 1805 from Montgomery county, Virginia.

“Uncle Charley was a funny old cuss,” his great grandson Pete said this morning. “The story is told that a sheriff of Cabell county was given a capias to serve on the old codger for some minor offense when he was growing old and rather stout.

“Meeting him in the road one day, the sheriff informed Uncle Charley he had a capias to serve on him.

“None abashed, the old man informed the sheriff he was a law-abiding citizen and laid down in the middle of the road and told the sheriff to take him to jail.

“The ruse worked, for the sheriff chose to look for less obstinate prisoners,” Uncle Charley’s grandson said, chuckling.

Another story about the eccentric “Uncle Charley Spurlock” which has gone down in history, whether true or not, was that he lived for a short time below Big Creek under a rock cliff (known as a rockhouse) during the early summer while he was getting his cabin in shape for winter.

The tale is out that “Uncle Charley” explained his strange dwelling place in this way to his neighbors:

“Well I took Sarah (his wife) in a good substantial frame house in Virginia and she wasn’t quite satisfied. I took her to a log house and she wasn’t satisfied. I took her to a rail pen and still she grumbled. Then I took her to a rock house built by God Almight and still she wasn’t satisfied.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with Sarah.”

Sarah evidently became accustomed to “Uncle Charley” for the couple reared four sons. They were John, Seth, Lifas and Robertson. There were no daughters.

Seth was P.A. Spurlock’s grandfather. His father, Marshall, is 78 and lives on his farm near Cincinnati.

Spurlock says “Uncle Charley” is buried on a point at Spurlocksville overlooking the haunts of his early manhood.

Robertson was a gunsmith and lived near Hamlin. Seth was a civil engineer and helped survey much of Logan county. He was a Union soldier. John was a country doctor who practiced at Ranger.

Lifas was a preacher for sixty years and lived at Sheridan.

Charles Spurlock, of Omar, is a distant cousin, the assistant postmaster said. He is the only relative that lives in this section of Logan county, Spurlock said.

Spurlock, at Omar, was born at Spurlocksville and is a grandson of one of the original “Charley’s” boys.

Leet News 11.30.1923

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek, Hamlin, Huntington, Leet, Rector

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Anna Fry, Appalachia, Beulah Ellen Skeens, Edith Frye, Edna Brumfield, Ernest Lucas, Ethel Frye, genealogy, H.M. Gill, Hamlin, history, Horn Skeens, Huntington, Irwin Lucas, Leona Lambert, Lillie Lucas, Linnie Brumfield, Lizzie Frye, Lonnie Lambert, Morrisville, Rector, Thanksgiving, Thelma Huffman, Wayne Brumfield, Wealtha Lambert, West Virginia, Willie Payne

A correspondent named “Baby Doll” from Leet on Big Ugly Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on November 30, 1923:

Miss Thelma Huffman, her chum, __ ___ Brumfield, have __________.

_________ visiting friends and relatives in Huntington.

Miss Wealtha Lambert gave a party Tuesday night. A nice time was reported.

Mr. Willie Payne left this afternoon for Morrisville, W.Va.

Mr. Lonnie and Leona Lambert will spend Thanksgiving in Hunitngton.

Miss Edna M. Brumfield stayed home all day Sunday. Wonder where her sweetie was?

Edith and Ethel Frye are going to school these days.

School is proceeding nicely on Lore Fork.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Horn Skeens a 11 pound baby girl, Buleauh Ellen.

Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Gill made a flying trip to Hamlin attending to personal affairs.

Miss Lillie Lucas has a case of chickenpox and is very ill.

Mr. Wayne C. Brumfield will visit home folks Saturday evening.

Ernest and Irwin Lucas attended church at Rector Sunday.

Miss Anna Fry seems to be quite ill now. Hope she will soon recover.

Miss Linnie Brumfield had lots of company Sunday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Guy are planning to go to Huntington this week.

Mrs. Lizzie Frye entertained company Sunday evening.

Harts News 04.03.1925

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Ashland, Chapmanville, Hamlin, Harts, Queens Ridge

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Tags

Appalachia, Ashland, Bob Brumfield, C&O Railroad, Caroline Brumfield, Chapmanville, Charley Brumfield, Ed Brumfield, Enos Dial, genealogy, Hamlin, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Huntington, Ironton, Jessie Brumfield, Kentucky, Lincoln County, Lizzie Nelson, Logan Banner, Ohio, R.M. Sevin, Verna Johnson, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on April 3, 1925:

Charles Brumfield of Harts has been transacting business in Ironton, Ohio, the past week.

Mrs. Toney Johnson, of Ashland, Ky., has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield Harts.

Herbert Adkins of Harts is prospecting business in Huntington.

Miss Jessie Brumfield is teaching a successful school at Rector. She spent the week end with homefolks at Harts and was accompanied by Miss Cora Adkins and Mrs. Herbert Adkins and Mrs. Robert Brumfield of Harts.

Mrs. Robert Brumfield of Harts was shopping in Logan Saturday.

Edward Brumfield of this place is preparing to attend school at Hamlin.

Charles Brumfield is building a fine residence costing about seven thousand dollars at Harts.

Mrs. Robert Dingess of Queen’s Ridge returned to her home after a short visit with her mother, Mrs. Charles Brumfield, of Harts.

Miss Lizzie Nelson of Harts is attending high school at Chapmanville.

R.M. Sevine, C&O brakeman of Huntington was calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield of Harts.

Enos Dials and Edward Brumfield and Miss Jessie Brumfield were seen out walking Sunday evening at Harts.

Queens Ridge 03.23.1923

15 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin, Little Harts Creek, Queens Ridge, Twelve Pole Creek

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Tags

Appalachia, education, Eva Workman, Francis Fork, genealogy, Hamlin, history, Jim Ramey, Kiahs Creek, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Mae Caines, Minnie Workman, Queens Ridge, Trough Fork School, W.H. Mann, Wayne County, West Virginia, Woodrow Workman

A correspondent named “Black Eyes” from Queen’s Ridge at Lincoln-Wayne counties, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on March 23, 1923:

The Trough Fork school will close on the 23rd day of this month. Everybody come.

Woodrow Workman has returned home from a two weeks vacation on Francis Creek.

Jim Ramey celebrated his sixtieth birthday last Thursday.

Miss Minnie Workman was the guest of May Caines Monday.

Miss Eva Workman was visiting the post office Friday.

W.H. Mann is attending court this week at Hamlin.

NOTE: Geographically, Queens Ridge is located entirely in Wayne County but the post office area included a section of Lincoln (and Logan) County for a certain number of years.

Lincoln County Courthouse in Hamlin, WV

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Appalachia, Hamlin, history, Lincoln County, photos, West Virginia

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Hamlin, Lincoln County, WV. Photo credit unknown.

James P. Ferrell Cemetery at Rector, WV (2019)

29 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Ugly Creek, Cemeteries, Hamlin, Rector

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Alomony Ferrell, Appalachia, Big Ugly Creek, cemeteries, genealogy, Hamlin, history, James P. Ferrell, James P. Ferrell Cemetery, Lincoln County, Mayme Ferrell, Philip Hager, Rector, Sarah Ann Hager, West Virginia

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Up this way across the old James P. Ferrell homeplace on Big Ugly Creek, Lincoln County, WV. 26 January 2019

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The James P. Ferrell Cemetery contains over 45 graves, most of them identified with a marker. 26 January 2019

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Up this way, behind the old log cabin… 26 January 2019

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James P. Ferrell’s headstone. The death date should read December 5, 1913. 26 January 2019

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Sarah Ann (Ferrell) Hager was the daughter of James and Alomony (Toney) Ferrell and the wife of Sen. Philip Hager of Hamlin, WV. 26 January 2019

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Here’s the grave of my late friend Mayme Ferrell, the last occupant of the old Ferrell cabin. 26 January 2019

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View from the cemetery to the old cabin site. This is the location of the old Rector Post Office. 26 January 2019

Big Creek News 04.14.1922

06 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in African American History, Big Creek, Coal, Hamlin, Logan

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Appalachia, Bedford Queen, Big Creek, Daisy Coal Mines, Earl McComas, genealogy, Gordon Lilly, Hamlin, history, Indiana, J.E. Whitehall, Lilly's Branch, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, moonshine, section foreman, West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 14, 1922:

Big Creek News LB 04.14.1922 2.JPG

Little Earl McComas died yesterday (Tuesday) at 5 P.M. Burial was made the following day in the family burying ground.

Dr. J.E. Whitehall has been at this home in Indiana since last Thursday on a vacation. We are looking for him to return soon.

Mrs. Stone, our boarding house keeper, who has been ill is now improving and will soon be able to attend to her duties again.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Bedford Queen Tuesday night, a fine boy baby.

The Daisy Coal Mines have resumed operations and are running daily now since a temporary shutdown.

A little son of Mr. Bledsoe, the section foreman, is reported quite ill at this writing.

Mr. Gordon Lilly, one of the pioneer settlers on Lilly’s Branch, is reported out again after a severe illness. Uncle Gordon is one of the oldest citizens in this neighborhood and is past 84 years in age.

Mr. Burgess, of Logan, has moved into the house recently occupied by Dr. Chafin who has moved to Hamlin.

Quite a little excitement prevailed here last week when a colored man and his wife engaged in a free for all and the wife was assisted by a third party. The battle raged in earnest until the arrival of an officer who was required to shoot before the trio could be subdued. Moonshine was at the bottom of the trouble and they were hauled before Squire Lowe where they were each heavily fined.

Lincoln County, WV: After Oil and Gas (1922)

23 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin

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Tags

Appalachia, board of education, Carroll High School, cattle, Columbus, dairy, Edna Hager, education, fruit, gas, Hamlin, history, Homer Stiles, Hugh Hainor, Ida Hager, Kenova, Lincoln County, Lincoln Republican, Ohio, oil, orchards, sheep, teachers, West Virginia

From the Lincoln Republican of Hamlin, WV, comes this submission by three Carroll High School students about what Lincoln County might do when oil and gas is exhausted in the future.

AFTER OIL AND GAS, THEN WHAT?

If oil and gas were to become exhausted in Lincoln county what suggestions have you along the line of agriculture for keeping up and increasing the wealth of the county and maintaining the population of Hamlin?

Three Carroll High School pupils in a recent examination in Agriculture gave the following answers:

If oil and gas were to become exhausted in Lincoln county, and it is supposed that it will, the people could make just as much money at other things if they would only think so. For instance, Lincoln county has been declared by the best educated men in the State to be the best fruit growing county in West Virginia. The people of Lincoln county can make as much money growing fruit as the people of Ohio, and many a farmer in Ohio has grown rich just by growing fruit. I do not mean out close to Columbus, but down near Kenova, in the hilly section. These hills of Lincoln county can be cleared and the men who are now making $2500 a year working in the oil and gas business can make that much and more growing fruit. Of course he has to go about it in the right manner. If they do it as it should be done they would be busy every day in the year.

Dairying is another thing that has been discussed by educated men for Lincoln county. They say now that we are getting the hard road we can take all our milk and butter to Huntington and receive good prices for it. Improved cattle can be turned out on these hills and if cared for in the proper way a man can make as much money working at it as he can working in the oil and gas business.

IDA HAGER.

If oil and gas were to become exhausted in Lincoln county, I think dairying would help increase the wealth of the county and also help maintain the population of Hamlin. Dairying would pay in this county because so many people do not own cows and would buy all their milk and butter from the dairy. The cows could be pastured in the summer, and this would cause the people to improve their farms; and again, we are getting the hard road, and the dairy products could very easily be taken to market, if the dairy man could not sell all his products at home.

Fruit raising would also help Lincoln county. These hill-sides could be converted into profitable and beautiful fruit farms. I don’t think another town in the U.S. of its size uses so much fruit as Hamlin, and all this fruit must be shipped in from other places when it could be raised very easily at home. The people would improve their farms, and the washed and gullied hills would be made of some use, whereas they are of none. The only thing needed to make both dairying and fruit raising profitable is some one to start and boost the business.

EDNA HAGER.

If oil and gas were to become exhausted in Lincoln county, I would suggest agriculture on a scientific basis to keep the population and increase the wealth. If I see right, Lincoln county has some of the best land for orchards in the eastern part of the United States. What cannot be used for orchards can be used for sheep. With the proper care, orchards of great value and producing ability can soon be started in Lincoln county. Most of the soil, or sub soil, is clay and usually is deep and well watered. The change in temperature is usually gradual and not much risk or danger would be run in loosing from frosts or freezing. Again, we can not find a better sheep raising county in the east than Lincoln county. Sheep would surely prosper in Lincoln county. The land is somewhat run down and this would soon build it back again and restore Lincoln county’s virgin soils. This is the only way I can possibly see to keep Lincoln on her feet.

HUGH HAINOR

Perhaps it is well that some people are thinking along this line. It might be dded also that one way of keeping up the population and welfare of the county is to build up at the County seat the best school possible. In doing this everyone can help. We should have a large number of county teachers in the High School for the spring months. Everyone should be interested in livening teachers up to this opportunity of better preparation. We shall be in the new building then and the new building is fine. It might be of interest to note in closing that the Board of Education and the faculty are considering the establishment of a Five Week’s Summer Training School for teachers, and are discussing the matter with State authorities and with the County Superintendent.

HOMER STILES,

Prin. Carroll High School

Source: Lincoln Republican (Hamlin, WV), 02 February 1922.

Big Creek News 04.17.1922

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Atenville, Big Creek, Hamlin, Huntington

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Tags

Alvie Purkey, Appalachia, appendicitis, Atenville, B.D. Toney, Big Creek, David Crockett, Earl McComas, genealogy, Hamlin, history, Howard McComas, Huntington, James B. Toney, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Logan County, pneumonia, Rachel Spry, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 17, 1922:

Mr. B.D. Toney and J.B. Toney, of Big Creek, have been attending circuit court at Hamlin this week.

Baby Earl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard McComas, has been very ill since last Saturday with broncho-pneumonia.

Alvie Purkey, who had been ill with appendicitis, died Wednesday, March 29. He was operated on at a local hospital at Huntington, after which pneumonia fever developed.

A banquet was given after the lodge meeting at the K. of P. hall Wednesday night.

Mrs. Rachel Spry, of Atenville, has been very ill with pneumonia fever, but is now very much improved.

Dr. D.P. Crockett, of Big Creek, was in Logan Thursday. Dr. Crockett has been ill for several days having had an appointment at the C&O hospital at Huntington for abscess of frontal sinus.

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