Category Archives: Logan

Harts News 08.05.1927

15 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in Big Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Gill, Harts, Huntington, Logan

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An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on August 5, 1927:

Hurrah! Here comes Harts again!

H.R. Adkins was transacting business in Logan, Monday.

Miss Cora Adkins of Huntington spent the weekend with home folks here.

Cheer up, boys. The flapper from Big Creek will come again.

Mrs. Verna Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, was the guest of her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield, here over Saturday and Sunday.

Howard Stone of Huntington was calling on friends in Harts, Friday.

F.B. Adkins was looking after business matters in Huntington, Saturday.

Miss Pauline Scites of Huntington was calling on Mrs. Jessie Brumfield here Saturday and Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. John McEldowney and children of Charleston are here visiting friends at present.

Miss Ethel Brumfield was the guest of Mrs. Robert Dingess at Logan last Saturday.

Mrs. Jessie Brumfield and Pauline Scites and Fred Shelton were calling on Miss Sylvia and Vesta Cyfers at Gill Sunday and were accompanied by Nye Rooper of St. Albans.

George Midkiff is our new operator here this week.

Jack Marcum of Hamlin was in town Sunday.

Daily Happenings: Fred in his new car; Inez in her sleeveless dress; Catherine and her pipe; Herb and his bill book; Hendrix and his mail; Clara crying; Blanche flirting; Jessie and Pauline in Bessie’s fine new Oakland coach; Ed with his tax books.

Dear old Banner, goodbye, see you some time again.

Aracoma High School in Logan, WV (1927)

14 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in African American History, Battle of Blair Mountain, Logan

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In 1927, the Logan County Board of Education discussed construction of a new high school building for the county’s black pupils. At this time, Republicans held many county offices by narrow majorities.

aracoma high school

Board of Education Favorable to Providing New Building for Colored Pupils.

NEEDS OF BLAIR POINTED OUT

Colored Teachers Hired For Omar

–Board Meets Again Friday–

Other Matters.

That negotiations for the purchase of a site for a centralized colored high school for Logan district have been under way was disclosed at the regular monthly meeting of the Logan district board of education last Saturday. At an adjourned meeting to be held Friday of this week a further step toward this end may be taken.

The site under consideration is a two-acre tract fronting on the north shore of Island creek in Coal Branch. It lies between Coal Branch (stream) and the Island Creek bridge and roadway, and to which the only access at this time is through the alley along side and back of Buskirk & Kayser’s store. The upper half of it is now a weed patch; the other half is under cultivation.

This tract belongs to K.F. Deskins and has been priced to the board at $21,000. The ground is low and often overflows, but the board has been advised that the Appalachian Power Company will fill it with its own refuse up to the level of the road at no cost to the purchaser. Thus it would be made virtually flood proof.

Saturday’s meeting was attended by all three members, President J.F. May, Dr. L.E. Farnsworth and J.W. Beckett. Though convinced the price is high, Dr. May and Dr. Farnsworth said, everything considered, they believed the tract to be the most suitable for the purpose that could be found; and they further made it clear that in their opinion a new high school for the colored pupils is imperative and should be made available just as soon as possible. While admitting there are many things that should and must be done, they doubt whether any other contemplated improvement is more urgent than this.

The Aracoma high school building, a rickety, wholly unsuitable two-story frame, is characterized as a fire-box that must be abandoned. This property would be sold, if the other is bought, it is said, but the proceeds of the sale would doubtless be negligible compared to the price of the Dingess tract.

Central Location

The Dingess tract is believed to be ideally located with reference to the colored population of the district. Besides, it is easily accessible from various directions and is ample in dimensions; and if necessary, one or more lots could be sold, though nothing of that sort is now contemplated.

Just how this proposed purchase and the proposed new wing for the Logan high school are to be financed was not explained at Saturday’s meeting. But there were many other matters demanding attention.

Conditions of school buildings and equipment at Blair and other Coal River points were discussed at length and definite action will be taken soon, it was promised. The two Richardson brothers, coal operators at Opperman, took a hand in these discussions and urged a program of improvements. Blasting done by road contractors nearly wrecked the Blair school building a good while ago.

The following teachers were hired for the Omar colored school: W.H. Houston, principal; Mrs. Georgia Miller,  Mrs. Lois Simmons, Mrs. Elaine Ferguson, Mrs. W.H. Houston. The last three are new ones.

Prof. Houston was given a contract to paint some parts of the building for 10 cents a yard, the board to furnish the paint. He was told he could not make wages at that price but said he did not care about that, adding that he wanted the work done and would do it right or would not expect to receive even the low contract price for his work.

Many bills, many of them small and incurred by the old regime, were ordered paid. Among these was one for $40 for two months rent for an office in the White & Browning building for E.F. Scaggs. That contract was declared canceled.

R.H. May was appointed janitor of the Logan high school building, effective August 1.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 26 July 1927.

Logan, WV (1913-1914)

14 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, come these items relating to town history in 1913-1914:

Sure Signs of Prosperity

Logan has added three new attorneys to its big roll of legal practitioners this year. The last one is Mr. O.J. Deegan, of Valparaiso, Indiana, who arrived in the city last week and has taken offices with Attorney E.H. Green in the Guyan Valley Bank Bldg. The other two new ones are Ira Hager, of Lincoln Co., officed in the same building and adjoining Senator E.T. England, and Attorney W.J. Lawrence, Jr. of Charleston, whose office is in the new Buskirk building. Mr. Lawrence is also Treasurer of the Jefferson Hotel company. All these newcomers are young and active men of sterling worth and are sure to succeed. Here’s the glad hand of prosperity.

***

The principal streets of Logan, both paved and unpaid, are torn up this week, gas mains being laid therein. A large force of men and teams are employed at hauling and laying pipe and the work will be rushed to an early completion. Logan plumbers are busy “roughing in” buildings in readiness for the clean, new fuel that will heat the city next winter. Very few buildings in this city were piped. In fact, very few of the larger buildings were plumbed when built.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 8 August 1913.

***

Logan’s Boosters and Knockers

The “mossback natives” who have tried for a decade to hold Logan back, to prevent its progress and development, and keep new industries and stores out, have played their last card—and it was the joker. They can “go way back and sit down,” or sit up and notice that Logan has grown more the past year than ever before in its history. And what did it? Was it the grouchy and selfish attitude and actions of a few Logan misers—“old fogies” who have made all they want and do not wish others to try to do likewise—or was it the boosting and state-wide publicity given our city and county in the past two years, by our hustling newspapers, that has put Logan on the industrial and commercial map RIGHT? Ask any sensible unprejudiced resident what did it, and take his word for it.

We say again, they have all played their last card, Logan is booming, BOOMING, BOOMING! Nothing can stop it. Big fires only make it better.

The $60,000.00 of bridge bonds have been sold to A.J. Hood & Co. of Detroit, the City “street extension” bonds last year sold at once and the $50,000.00 of City Paving Bonds, now up to the voters, will sell readily, if the election carries—and why should it not carry!

On with the paving!

On with the bridges!

On with the good roads!

On with the new stores!

On with the improvements!

On with the new industries and railroad extensions!

On with the ice and storage plants! “If there is anything Logan needs more than an ice plant, it is TWO ice plants!” On with the ice plant!

Next year Logan will need a new cemetery for “dead ones” that don’t believe it pays to advertise. Got that?

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 3 October 1913.

***

Logan’s First Greenhouse

The fresh young onion and lettuce you are eating for your dinners these days are supplied to your grocer from the greenhouse of K.F. Deskins, the first hot-house in this vicinity if not in the county. Keene has had the plant in operation about a month, and he is supplying these nice, fresh greens to the market the past two weeks. It will be some few days yet, even if spring weather comes along for sure, before the regular outdoor garden truck will commence to come into local markets, but by the greenhouse method we are supplied or can be hereafter all winter.

The greenhouse plant is the most modern of its kind: large, twin brick flues, running the entire length of the house and fired from commodious fire-box, supplies the proper heat at all times. All kinds of seeds and plants are started early. Pie plant was a foot high two weeks ago, and now ready for market. Other things in proportion.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 3 April 1914.

Bennett Theatre in Logan, WV (1913)

09 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Huntington, Logan

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In 1913, the Bennett Theatre opened in Logan, WV. The Logan Banner offered plenty of coverage for the new attraction:

Bennett Theatre Advertisement LB 01.17.1913

Logan (WV) Banner, 17 January 1913.

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The Bennett Theatre

Messrs. Middleburg and Lopinsky, lessees of the new Bennett theatre have been here several days looking after the interior finishing, installation of curtain, scenery, drops, chairs, picture machine, etc. The seating and electrical equipment, as well as the stage and box office arrangement are of the very best, and every care, and precaution, has been taken for the comfort, safety and convenience of patrons of the Bennett. Step in and have a look at it. The house opens for business Tuesday, January 21st.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 17 January 1913.

***

A Piano by Express

The Bennett Theatre piano went astray in shipment and the manager, F. Middleburg, bought another in Huntington today and shipped it by express. How’s that for a hustler?

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 17 January 1913.

***

Bennett Theatre Advertisement LB 01.24.1913

Logan (WV) Banner, 24 January 1913.

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Bennett Theatre Announcement LB 01.24.1913.JPG

Bennett Theatre Announcement LB 01.24.1913 2.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 24 January 1913.

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The Bennett Theatre

This beautiful new theatre opened last night with pictures only, to a large audience of our best people. The entertainment proved first-class both as to the management and the operation. Three fine Association photoplays were presented–an Edison novelty, Essanay drama, and a Selig Western. Manager Midelburg has surely struck the right key-note in selecting this line of entertainment for Logan, between dates of the theatrical attractions he has booked for the season. Announcement of policies and prices will be found in another column.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 24 January 1913.

Strange Miners Cannot Get Hired in Logan County, WV (1913)

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Boone County, Coal, Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this commentary about coal miners and union agitation dated March 21, 1913:

STRANGE MINERS cannot get work at all in the principal Logan County mines, it is said, and even in the smaller mines an applicant has to run the gauntlet of a series of “family-history-cross-examination-questions” that would stagger a Philadelphia lawyer, before one gets a job–and then like as not get turned down because he is not of Logan county. The precaution is fully warranted. The United Mine Workers hope to control the Guyan Valley field, if they ever DO–and THEY  NEVER WILL–by first “organizing” the smaller, isolated mines by “smuggling in” an agitator or two now and then and finally, with one “grand sweep” capture the big works. If the labor leaders actually KNEW certain conditions and “inside workings” now effective, even in the small works, half so well as they THINK they know them, they’d give up as a bad job their idea of “organizing” Logan county, and go to honest work shoveling coal for a living themselves. During the past year, more than one “undesirable miner” has been shipped “bag and baggage” out of the valley because he let his agitation fever break out too strong, prematurely, spoiling his little game. In another column will be found a news item of the shut-down of the Ramage works of the Spruce River Coal Co. We predict that some of Logan’s mines will turn off their power and “look out” their employees before they will let the United Mine Workers conduct their business for them. So far as the corporation’s finances are concerned, the U.S. Coal & Oil Co. can shut down all of its Island Creek mines, burn its tipples and dump its cars into Guyan river. And that’s what would best suit the competitive coal operators of other States! Likewise the miners’ union agitators and leaders! But there’s another side of the story–the miner and his family need the work in the coal-bank, the merchant needs some of the money he earns, Logan county needs its merchants and the outside world needs West Virginia coal–the BEST that “old mother earth” ever produced!

History of Logan County as Political Subdivision (1926)

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Giles County, Holden, Logan, Native American History, Tazewell County

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item relating to county history dated October 22, 1926:

AS POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, LOGAN CO. IS DESCENDANT OF FIRST EIGHT SHIRES

Logan county was formed in 1824 from parts of Tazewell, Giles, Cabell and Kanawha. In 1895 Logan was bisected in two almost equal parts, from the southernmost of which Mingo was created. Logan’s area is 455.82 square miles; Mingo’s 423,50_ square miles.

Tracing this county’s ancestry back through Tazewell it will be found to have a long line of distinguished progenitors.

The county was named after John Logan, a famous Cayuga Indian but not a chief, who was changed from a staunch friend to an unrelenting foe of the whites after his family had been murdered at Yellow Creek, Ohio, not far from Wheeling.

Tazewell was formed from Wythe and Russell in 1799. It derived its name from a political strategem. Simon Cotterel, representative from Russell, introduced a bill to authorize the creation of a new county. A Mr. Tazewell, representing Norfolk County, opposed the measure. Cotterel induced him to suspend his opposition pending the rewriting of the bill. Then Cotterel erased the proposed name and substituted that of Tazewell. That silenced the objector, who then voted for the amended measure. According to G.W. Bickley’s history of Tazewell County, the Tazewell referred to was not Littletown Tazewell, who was governor of the state from 1834 to 1836.

At that time Tazewell county had an area of 3,000 square miles–two and a half times the size of Rhode Island and more than six times the six of Logan county.

Wythe county was formed from Montgomery in 1789, Russell from Washington in 1786, Washington and Montgomery from Fincastle in 1772, Botetourt from Augusta in 1769, Augusta from Orange in 1738, Orange from Spottsylvania in 1724, Spottsylvania from King and Queen, Essex, and King William in 1720, King William from King and Queen, and through a series of changes, descended from Charles River Shire, which was changed to York county, in 1643. Ten years before that “The General Assembly holden at James City the 21st of August, 1633, divided Virginia Colony into eight shires, named James City, Henrico, Warwick River, Warroskuyoak, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Accawmack and Charles River.”

 

Whittling Tradition is Recalled (1916)

31 Sunday Dec 2017

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From the Logan Democrat of Logan, WV, comes this story dated November 16, 1916 about whittling:

WHITTLING WOOD IS A LOST ART

Where are the whittlers of yesteryear–the jackknife experts who laboriously fashioned curious keepsakes out of soft wood, or who idly whittled sticks of toothpick dimensions as they sat and debated the problems of the nation in front of village stores? The old time Yankee was often ill at ease unless he had his knife in his hand with a block of wood on which to exercise it. He could not focus his mind on heavy questions–like the elections at the next town meeting–unless he was watching a shaving curl gracefully in the wake of his carefully sharpened knife blade.

Those who had abundant leisure often devoted themselves to elaborate carvings. Sailors were especially gifted in this way–deep sea sailors who occupied themselves on long voyages with miniature ships and other models. And while the back country Yankee was an inveterate whittler, he rarely tried to compete in artistic results with his sea faring brother of the coast.

But whittle, both as a habit and as an art, appears to have practically disappeared. The jackknife is no longer in evidence as it once was either in country towns or along the water front. The pace of life has quickened or else other interests have driven it out. And even the small boy, though he still cherishes his knife, does not number the expert use of it for carving among his ambitions.

In those days every boy who amounted to anything–one who was not a regular mollycoddle–possessed a jackknife, and knew how to use it. He demonstrated this not only by whittling out a hull, which, when supplied with masts and rigging, stood evenly on her keel, but which, when fitted with a suit of calls, rode safely every squall and boisterous sea and showed a clean pair of heels to the other little ships as they slipped across the duck pond.

This was not all the small boy with the handy pocketknife learned to make from inspecting what the sailors brought home. There were the wonderful chains, some square linked, others with double square links with wooden balls running freely within the length of the links, these having been carved out of the middle of the square of which each section of the chain was made.

It was a pretty proud boy who could show one of these chains with three or four links, the last one having a padlock swinging from it, for it gave him a certain high standing with the “fellers” not obtainable for any other reasons.

“I can recollect all the boys began chain carving with a piece of soft pine say an inch and one-half square. And when they had mastered the art they shifted to a hard pine stick, the successful manipulation of which showed the gift the boy had, for often it meant big blisters on the hands, so hard was the cutting.

“I have not seen a boy whittling on one of these chains or anything else in years. I think about the last whittling I saw them doing was in connection with peach stones, out of which they were making little baskets to be hung on the watch chain, and rings for the finger.

“There is another reason why the boy is not whittling as he formerly did. He had to make his kites, fashioning the backbone and making the bow with his knife. His mother furnished the paste by mixing flour and water. He covered the kite with a newspaper which had to be at least a month old before it was allowed to be taken from the closet–people held on to their newspapers in those days. Now he buys a gaudy kite for a few cents, or he don’t fly kites at all, which is more than likely, seeing that there is the attractive lure of the ball game and the ‘movies’.”

Herbert’s Greater Shows Carnival Visits Logan, WV (1917)

25 Monday Dec 2017

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In May of 1917, Herbert’s Greater Shows carnival visited Logan, WV, and generated several items of news in the Logan Democrat:

GOOD CARNIVAL HERE

The Herbert’s Greater Shows that have been exhibiting here for two weeks are very good, in fact high class shows.

Mr. Joseph Herbert has a reputation all over the country, excelled by no other showman, for carrying clean and up to date amusements.

The Silodrome, the feature attraction is one of the most sensational exhibitions ever witnessed by anyone. The rider, Mr. Fritz Gerber, the man with an iron nerve, is always entirely at the mercy of chance, rides the perpendicular wall with great ease and with his noted smile he always puts great thrill into the hearts of all who pay the Silodrome a visit.

The minstrels, Japanese Theatre are very good. These shows especially are equal to any of the big ones. No gambling devices are operated.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 17 May 1917.

***

WANTED TO JOIN CARNIVAL

A young girl, about 15 years old, tried to hide from her father in a sewer near the power house Tuesday evening so as to run away with the carnival people. People living in the vicinity secured the help of some of those going to the circus and the young lady was induced to surrender to parental authority. When last seen, father and daughter were heading over the hill and from the faint echo of their words it was evident that the rod would not be spared when the woodshed was reached.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 17 May 1917.

***

WILD ANIMAL KILLED

Soldier Shoots Coyote that Escaped From Carnival Thursday Morning

The first coyote to fall a victim of the white man’s rifle in Logan since the days when the dusty Indian maid, Aracoma, romped the hills hereabouts fell last Thursday to the accurate aim of Private Miller of the Second Virginia regiment at the power house.

The coyote belonged to Herbert’s Greater Shows. The animal escaped from his keepers and fled toward Logan. At the Power house a large pig, belonging to K.F. Deskins, suddenly appeared in the path of the coyote. The coyote decided to forego the bright lights of Logan temporarily to feast on $15 a hundred pork and in a few minutes was feasting on the fat of the land.

The pig’s squeals attracted the attention of Private Miller, who wears a medal for sharpshooting. He fired twice at a range of 100 yards and both shots took effect. The coyote keeled over dead.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 24 May 1917.

Movie Production in Logan County, WV (1916)

24 Sunday Dec 2017

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From the Logan Democrat of Logan, WV, come these stories of movie productions centered on Logan County in 1916:

“ARACOMA” PLEASES CRITICAL CROWDS

The showing of the film version of “The Story of Aracoma,” as produced in this section with home talent by the Mountaineer Films Corporation, at the Bennett theatre yesterday afternoon and night, and at the Colonial theatre today, has created somewhat of a furor among local movie audiences and the general impression is that the big five reel production is a worthy first effort and it has aroused the greatest interest in the future productions of the film organization.

Most of those who attended the exhibitions of the picture yesterday went in a super-critical mood, ever ready, as is generally the case with so-called home talent productions, to pick flaws and ridicule. However, there were not only soon converted to the fact that there are great possibilities in the local talent, but that the picture they had come to pick apart was really deserving of praise instead, and as a general rule they came away with their slight criticisms buried deep in spontaneous enthusiasm over what they had witnessed. The picture is a splendid first effort, especially when the drawbacks and production troubles incident to a performance of other days and types, is considered, even with the big companies and professional people, and but for the hazy impression given off that the film was rather hurriedly prepared and hardly close enough attention was given to the dramatic possibilities of the story, the offering is a delightful one and will pleas any audience.

The scenery afforded by these West Virginia hills is beautifully depicted and bountifully bears out the oft-repeated contention that no place in the broad universe is better suited to moving picture plays so far as scenic effects are concerned than the hills and dales of our own Logan county.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 2 November 1916.

***

TRIANGLE PICTURES REPRESENTATIVE HERE

J.T. Richardson, who is connected with the producing end of the famous Triangle motion pictures, spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Logan city and county looking over the situation with the view of securing topical locations for the use of his company, and conferring with Messrs. Reid and Schuster of the Vistagraph Company producing staff concerning their six reel feature “The Heritage of the Hills,” which is now being filmed in local settings.

Mr. Richarsdon visited Omar and other points in the county and was much impressed with the scenery to be found in this section, but he expressed the doubt that it could be made available to any great extent at this time by the larger companies owing to its inaccessibility and the large transportation expense. He did, however, pronounce it ideal for a home company, and was enthusiastic over the prospects of Vistagraph’s first release.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 16 November 1916.

Christmas in Logan, WV (1916)

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Coal, Logan

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From the Logan Democrat of Logan, WV, come these stories of Christmas in 1916:

Santa image LD 12.14.1916

Logan (WV) Democrat, 14 December 1916.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE AND CEREMONIES ON SATURDAY NIGHT

On Saturday night, at 6:30 o’clock Logan will hold its first formal community celebration of Christmas through the medium of a community Christmas tree with the attendant distribution of substantial gifts to the elders, and toys and goodies to all the children, in keeping with the true spirit of the season.

The proposition has been launched and carried out by a number of prominent ladies of the city, whose efforts to make the event a huge success will undoubtedly be crowned with the deserved result. The plans are elaborate and extensive, and provide for the supplying of every needy and worthy family within reach of a good supply of necessaries, including groceries and clothing, and the presentation to each and every child in the city with candy and a toy. The household gifts will be distributed through the medium of tickets distributed by the ladies committee, which has been busily at work for the past week or ten days. The work is entirely non-denominational, and the event will take place rain or shine. If the weather is clear the tree will be placed on the courthouse lawn, and if inclement it will have a place on the courthouse porch.

It is understood that the Chamber of Commerce and other prominent civic and church organizations are lending their hearty approval and substantial support to the matter, and that sufficient funds have been obtained to meet the requirements, aided by the liberal donations of merchandise by the local merchants.

The household gifts will be distributed in baskets, while the children will receive theirs in tidy little bags, two hundred or more of which have been provided. Upwards of $200 has already been expended for supplies and necessities, and it is assured that there will be plenty to go round.

The tree will be brilliantly lighted and ornately decorated, the lighting effects being supplied by the Logan County Light & Power company. Arrangements are now underway to maintain the tree in all its splendor until New Year’s, and to have it lighted up every night during that period.

The committee in charge of the work is desirous that no one be alighted or overlooked, and to this end solicits the assistance of all in the community in seeking out families who are deserving of help at this time and reporting such cases to the Guyan Drug store as soon as possible so that ample provision may be made for all.

The basket offerings will consist of groceries, a good cut of meat and other table necessities, while shoes, clothing, hats, etc., will be given to those in need of such articles.

The presents for the little folks will be given to each and every child who presents himself or herself at that proper time.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 21 December 1916.

***

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT HOLDS SWAY IN LOGAN

The Christmas season is now virtually upon us; the season when it is customary for every one to be trembling with job, and minds to soar to greater heights; the season when the one thought, good will, is paramount in the minds of all; when trials and sorrows are cast to the four winds, and only the good deeds of life are given a place in human interest.

Grievances and differences are forgotten and nothing is remembered save that someone did you a good turn and made your life a little happier at least for a time. Or perhaps you think of the kind word or action that you had passed along to someone else less fortunate than yourself, and it is with pleasure that you recollect in joy that was manifested in the face of someone that you helped.

But a shudder comes when you think of the terrible havoc with which Europe has been fraught; where men have been taking and giving a life for a life; where the hearts of women have been torn asunder; where the cruel pangs of hunger have driven children to an early grave; where aged m others and fathers have been bereft of all comfort and dragged down to the nethermost depths of despair, where lands have been devastated, and cities have been robbed of all their beauty by the greedy mouths of the cannon.

And your thoughts turn to the thousands of mothers in that war stricken land; the mothers who were so happy before the terrible slaughter of men commenced; the mothers left alone pining for their loved ones; the mothers in the gray and dusk of the dawn where the shadows are turning into spectres, grim, wan, ghastly and fearful. And you think of them as the mothers of men; men who fought and died for freedom.

A feeling of sadness comes over you as you think of the joy that might have been theirs; of the gay and happy times that they too might have had at Christmas, all of which has been blasted by the terrible scourge of warfare. And perhaps you utter a prayer of thankfulness that you can enjoy to the full that Merry Christmas. But perhaps you may not pause to think that there are some near you who cannot join in that happiness that may be yours.

You forget about the little boys and girls whose parents are at war, not war against nations, but war against adversity and calamity. They are struggling against great odds, and reinforcements are required immediately to assist them to struggle in the heights, surmount the barriers and give to their children a Merry Christmas.

They have told their children tales of Santa Claus; of the many treasures stored away in his mansion in the skies; of his yearly visit to the children; of the many toys he brings them, and the joy that he unloads at every household, and they told these tales when the sun was shining down upon them in all its glory and brilliance; when all seemed bright and there was not thought of the coming winter, with its chilly blasts and the snowstorms was in their minds.

But winter has sent a warning and is stalking forth in all sternness. They do not feel sorry now that they told the children such tales, because they made the children happy, but they know now that a hard struggle is ahead of them and that the long looked for visit of Santa Claus may not materialize.

They cannot steel themselves to break the news to the children. They were sure that when Christmas came Santa Claus would not forget the little ones but that was before misfortune struck them, and they now bow their heads in sorrow.

These are the people that must be thought of during our Christmastide, and every effort made and plans turned to bring them a full measure of the gladness and cheer of the festive season. The community Christmas tree will be a wonderful blessing to the whole community, radiating wholeheartedly and generously upon all alike its spirit of good cheer. A little individual effort on the part of everyone will cap the climax of making this Christmas a memorable and happy one to all within reach.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 21 December 1916.

***

Community Tree Was Big Feature of Christmas

The community celebration held in this city on last Saturday night was one of the biggest events of a charitable nature Logan has ever seen, and the spirit of good cheer and the material benefits derive therefrom will have an uplifting influence upon the entire section for a long time to come.

The good influence exerted by the affair cannot be overestimated, and the results obtained were highly satisfactory to those in charge of the work. A large number of baskets of groceries were distributed, and shoes and clothing were given to all who could be found who were in need of such articles. The kiddies of the city were all provided for with candy, fruit and nuts, and on the whole the event was a notable one, and it is quite likely that it will become an annual fixture in the future years.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 28 December 1916.

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Coal Company Plays Role of Santa LD 12.28.1916.JPG

Logan (WV) Democrat, 28 December 1916.

 

Chapmanville News 05.20.1927

10 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by in Chapmanville, Huntington, Logan

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An unknown correspondent from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on May 20, 1927:

It seems as though the farmers are not going to raise much this year as the weather is so bad.

The Sunday school is doing nicely. There were thirty-two in the intermediate class last Sunday.

Mrs. Brook Rousey and Mrs. Jim Wagner spent Sunday in Huntington.

Joe Turner is on the sick list at this writing.

Edd Johnson was called to Huntington to see his father who is quite ill.

O.J. Moses who has been here for some time has returned to his home in Huntington.

Mrs. Susan Lowe is on the sick list at this writing. We wish her quick recovery.

Miss Broda Johnson has returned to Logan after a few days’ visit with Miss Beulah Ballard.

The Junior high school pupils seem to be well pleased over getting their diplomas. We wish them success.

Good luck to The Banner.

Logan’s Pretty Women (1914)

08 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Logan, Women's History

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this story dated April 24, 1914:

People’s Column: Articles of about 300 words, written by citizens of Logan Co. will be received. Names will be omitted if desired, but must accompany all articles. Articles attacking reputation or official acts must be signed and sworn to. Reading matter of a political nature or intended to advance or retard the political ambitions of any person will not be published here. Ed.

Heard on the Streets

The Stroller is very fond of good entertainment. He is not too old to prance around a bit when one of the home boys gets the Spaulding over the fence. And when it comes to watching an endless procession of beautiful women, he exercises his prerogative as a man, to look and admire. Logan is so full of pretty women that one wonders where they are all housed when at home. It was a pleasure to stand on the corner of the public square one evening this week and watch them pass. Stately matrons elegantly costumed, beautiful girls, dainty and fresh as morning glories, and the wee misses with rosy cheeks; all laughingly a-mingle, ambled across the square, probably in search of an empty banana basket, for a few wisps of hay. At a distant corner a motley crowd of prisoners, paying the penalty of misconduct, marched toward the city bastile as b est they could with the Spanish spikes they wore. The stentorian cuss-word of the blacksmith at a refractory mule he was shoeing was split in half by the piercing honk-honk of the motorcycle horn, and the entertainment was over.

Miners Earn What They Get and Get What They Earn (1913)

06 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Coal, Logan

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From the Logan Banner, of Logan, WV, comes this editorial dated 3 October 1913:

Miners Earn What They Get and Get What They Earn

We do not and never have denied the right of laboring men to organize and unionize. They have the natural and legal right to do so. In most trades and callings they ought to do so. But a lot of honest, toiling, contented men, who receive full pay for every hour’s work, should be left free to pursue their work, undisturbed by agitators and trouble makers–and so long as an organization proves a menace and a curse to those it already embraces, it will certainly be left alone by those who think and see and read and know. The miner’s life may not be one of perfect peace; whose life is? But the miners of this section seem to have sense enough to rather bear the ills they have than fly to others that they know not of.

The operators here pay their men better wages than any other class of workers receive, as an average. They house the men well. Men are encouraged to raise gardens and reduce the cost of living. Take the U.S. Coal & Coke Co. for example: Employees are contented, live well, work hard and receive good pay: this company, perhaps by reason of its vast backing and newer workings, has a vast host of satisfied, contented workers. They earn what they get and get what they earn. Any person can go and talk and see; in fact, yearly we and others are invited to visit and inspect their homes and gardens and workings. Other companies are in like condition; operators and men seem to understand each other and the men receive a fair deal. Anyone can come here and see for one’s self.