Category Archives: Logan

Joel E. Stollings Obituary (1897)

24 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Boone County, Logan

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Joel Stollings obit LCB 10.02.1897 1.JPG

Col. Joel E. Stollings, of Boone C.H., who was well and favorably known throughout the State, died on last Monday morning, after a brief illness with inflammation of the stomach.

Col. Stollings has long been the leading spirit and  most prominent citizen of his county. He conducted a large store at Madison, was engaged in timbering on a large scale and was a practicing attorney. He was a member of the constitutional convention, has twice represented his district in the State Senate, and was the Democratic candidate for Senator at the last general election. Being a man widely known by reason of his public services and large business connections, he was held in the highest estimation everywhere.

Col. Stollings was 64 years of age at the time of his death. He leaves a widow and seven children, Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Leftwich, of Boone county; Mrs. Peck, of Logan; Misses Ethel and Pearl and two sons, Aubrey and Opie, of Madison.

“Col. Joel E. Stollings,” Logan County Banner (Logan,WV), 2 October 1897.

 

 

Harts News 01.14.1927

22 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in Big Creek, Chapmanville, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Whirlwind

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An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on January 14, 1927:

After all the sadness and sorrow Harts has mingled back again.

Mrs. Ward Brumfield met the county court at Hamlin Monday to be appointed Ward Brumfield’s administrator.

Mrs. Charles Brumfield is looking after business matters in Logan this week.

Miss Cora Adkins spent Saturday in Huntington.

Herbert Adkins was a business caller in Huntington Monday.

Mrs. Hollena Ferguson spent several days in Logan visiting friends.

Hawkins Perry is our new operator here this week.

Mrs. Toney Johnson from New Orleans is here visiting her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield.

Wonder why Dr. Ferrell of Chapmanville is so interested in Harts now?

Mr. and Mrs. Dallas McComas spent Saturday and Sunday in Huntington.

Mrs. Beatrice Adkins from West Fork was in Harts Saturday.

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

Bill Adkins will leave here soon for Valparaiso, Indiana where he will be engaged in school for some time.

Mrs. Jeff Mullins of Big Creek spent Saturday visiting relatives here.

Robert Dingess of Whirlwind was a business caller in this town Monday.

Robert and Joe Brumfield are looking after business matters in Logan this week.

Fisher B. Adkins was in Hamlin Monday looking after his contest which will come off the March term of court.

Mrs. Herbert Adkins has purchased a fine radio.

Tom Brumfield seems to be very much pleased these days. Wonder why? Guess the wedding bells will ring soon.

Bill Adkins from Coal Branch City was in town Monday.

Democratic Party Editorial in Logan County, WV (1916)

21 Saturday Oct 2017

Posted by in African American History, Logan

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From the Logan Democrat of Logan, WV, we find the following editorial dated February 24, 1916:

CONFESSION!

The following was prominently displayed in fourteen point type under the bold, three-column heading, “What Does It Profit a Young Man to Be a Logan County Democrat?” on the front page of the Logan Banner last week. We cheerfully aid in giving it the widest possible publicity and commend its careful reading to all of the conscientious and thoughtful citizens of Logan county:

“To the young men of Logan county, who are to cast their first vote this year and hereafter participate in the political life of the commonwealth:

“For Forty Years Logan county has given stupendous democratic majorities. It has always had the largest percent of democratic votes of any county in the state.

“Logan county has never been recognized by the Democratic party by awarding any one of its citizens a nomination upon the state ticket.

“Logan county Democracy has never had a member of the state committee.

“Not one of its citizens holds an appointment under the national administration other than postmasters of the local offices.

“You, as a Democrat, are just voted like dumb cattle.

“In the Democratic organization of Logan county the highest achievement to be obtained by ambitious youth is to become a deputy sheriff with a tin badge and a gun.

“The Republican party welcomes the vaulting ambition of youth.

“It meets young men on the first round and lifts them higher.

“Logan county Republicans have a voice and exert a powerful influence in the councils of the party in the state.

“It dwindled the Forty Years of Huge Democratic Victories in Logan county to the necessity of a recount in the election two years ago.

“This year the Democratic Hurrah and Horrors will be as naked as Robinson Crusoe’s summer underwear.

“Choose which primary you will go into.”

“Honest confession is good for the soul.” But, whoever expected anything honest from the source from which the foregoing sprung? Yet there it is, and seeing is believing, and we have no choice other than to congratulate the author of the superlative exposure of the designs and ambitions of the so-called Republican organization of Logan county.

Public office, spoils, graft, gratification of personal desires and ambitions, such is the bait brazenly held out in the effort to tempt good men to desert principle and aid in the maintenance of the most corrupt political organization known under the sun, the state Republican machine and its Logan tentacle. The implied promise may be within the Corrupt Practices act, but never was there a more damnable attempt to influence or corrupt voters than The Banner’s public solicitation.

Logan has never had a citizen on the state Democratic ticket; never had a delegate to a national convention; none of its citizens holds an appointment other than postmasters, etc., says the Banner. Undoubtedly true. But for fifty years the Democrats of Logan county along with those throughout the country have battled for something that they prized and still prize far more than self-advancement and this Principle.

How many Presidents has the Democratic party had in fifty years? How many Democratic governors has the state of West Virginia had in the past 20 years? But, has the rank and file of the Democratic party of the nation or state wavered in its allegiance to principle? Not that you could notice it; it has fought steadily on in the face of repeated failure, and discouragement and was finally crowned with a glorious success in the nation in the year 1912, and it is now strongly entrenched and fully prepared to turn the rascals out of the West Virginia state house in the year 1916. The Banner can read the signs, and its outrageous plea for succor is a forcible admission that its organization is in dire distress and will go the limit for votes. Votes to carry on the nefarious work of an organization that has bankrupted the state and sullied its reputation; votes to keep in office the plunderers who have done nothing but feed from the public trough from time immemorial and would not know how to work if cast adrift; votes to maintain a system of subsidized newspapers to outrage the public while at the same time subsisting from public funds lavishly distributed through administrative favor. It is obvious that the Banner is correct when it asserts that its organization, posing as the Republican party, can feed its swine. There is no room for argument on that score; but, where is the honest man of principle that wants that kind of success? He is not in the Democratic party, whether he be young or old, about to cast his first vote or his last this year.

The Banner boasts that Logan county Republicans exert a powerful influence in the councils of the party in the state. No they don’t, and the Banner knows it lies when it says they do. The Republicans of Logan county have no more influence in their so-called party affairs than the editor of the Democrat has with Hatfield, et al. The true Republicans of Logan county are a negligible quantity when it comes to influence, but the so-called Republicans who wear the administration, stand-pat collar, who dictate the policies and the utterances of the Banner, and who are in the political game to rule or ruin are high with the powers that be, but so far as can be noticed they have never let anything get away from them that was at all valuable or that they could use. The very existence of the Banner is a testimonial to the selfishness and applications of this little coterie to whom principle is an unknown quantity and the dough bag and preferment the swaying elements of their lives.

Principles not spoils nor selfish ambition sway the Democratic voter, and one of his foremost principles is directed against this very system of corruptness that the Banner so valiantly expounds as good Republican doctrine. Reduced to the naked truth, the battle of ballots in the state of West Virginia for the past 12 years has been between Democrats and Grafters, the Republicanism of Lincoln has long since been routed out. Democrats vs. Graft, and up to this time Graft has won, but the battle is to be renewed with increased vigor next November and w hen the smoke has cleared away there is every indication that at last Right will have come into its own.

The Banner’s closing paragraph is worthy of another repetition: “Choose which primary you will go into.” Yes, choose! But be not too hasty. Consider well the situation from every angle. If you are a Republican in principle, and you can discover any Republican principle in the organization posing as that of your party in the county or state, do your duty; if you are a Democrat in principle now is the time of times to assert yourself and your manhood, without thought of personal advancement or selfish ambition, but for the satisfaction of assisting in achieving the goal of Democratic ambition, the betterment of the condition of all the people.

Democrats will be confronted this fall with a condition that will take concerted action and shoulder-to-shoulder advance to successfully combat. Negroes, the secret of the Banner’s boast of reduced Democratic majorities in Logan county, will be voted in increased numbers and every artifice and design, legitimate or otherwise, that can be devised will be used to stay the tide of public indignation and resentment against Republican gang politics, so it behooves all true party men to stand-pat and go into the fight prepared to battle for and with his neighbor of the true faith for the common wealth.

Oil Truck Crashes into City Restaurant in Logan, WV (1921)

20 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Logan

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Oil Truck Crashes Into Restaurant Photo LB 09.23.1921 2.JPG

“The photo shows the extent of damage done when the oil tank truck of the Hi-Grade Oil and Gas Company skidded into the City Restaurant on River Street Sunday last, tearing out the front of the building and demolishing much of the interior fixtures. No one was hurt and the restaurant is now completely repaired and repainted.” Logan (WV) Banner, 23 September 1921. Photo by R.E. Trevey.

Mollie Drake: “The Florence Nightingale of Blair Mountain” (1921)

20 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Huntington, Logan, Women's History

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Mollie (Dingess) Drake, daughter of Allen B. Dingess and Caroline (Jackson) Dingess, was born on June 30, 1881 in Logan County, WV. She was the wife of Leo Frank Drake, a salesman. She appears in the 1910 Wayne County Census (Ceredo District). Hannah Mitchell profiled her life in the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, on December 30, 1921. Her husband died in 1925. In 1930, Mollie lived at Springfield, IL. In 1940, she made her home in Cattaraugus County, NY. Mrs. Drake died on July 7, 1958 at a nursing home in Huntington, WV.

Mollie Dingess Drake Photo.jpg

It would be easy enough to make a melodramatic start and give her some such extravagant title as “The Angel of the Hills” or “The Mother of the Mines” or “The Florence Nightingale of Blair Mountain.” But if you did and Molly Dingess Drake found it out she might laugh and she might make some sharp remark, but most certainly she would not be pleased.

How she escaped the “war correspondents” who were rushed to the front to cover West Virginia’s recent mine war is more than I can say, for the story is still told of how Molly, like “Sheridan twenty miles away,” when the armed miners were marching on Logan, made all haste not toward safety, as she might very wisely have done, but back to where the bullets were flying.

Her narrowest escape from the feature pages of newspapers was several years ago–two, in fact–when, a woman of some two score years, she was graduated from high school with her sixteen-year-old daughter. That graduation and the attendant high school diploma were in no sense honorary affairs given out of respect for Molly Dingess Drake. They had been earned by this very determined, ambitious woman of the hills after four years of high school work, in which she had enrolled along with her daughter and for which she had attended classes faithfully and with classmates half her age.

On pay day Mrs. Drake is a welfare worker for one of the coal companies operating in the Logan field. Having finished her high school course, she did not go on to college with her daughter. And, as she puts it, one of the coal producers “knew she wouldn’t sit at home and knit and crochet.” So he offered her the job of visiting nurses among the employees of his company. In this job Mollie mothers a large family. It is composed of men and women much older than she and of the children of these older children. True to the mother-type anywhere, she makes their individual troubles, their health, their happiness, a very personal matter.

There was the young Spaniard who lay in the hospital after a severe accident. No friends or relatives rallied to his bedside, and the doctors and nurses could not understand him when he moaned out a word or two in his native tongue. Mollie Drake scoured the hills for an interpreter and found one. She also dug up a cousin of the unfortunate boy. Moreover she made the lives of nurses and doctors miserable until the lad was out of danger, sometimes calling at the hospital late at night to see how the boy was getting on. Was not this foreign born lad one of her children?

It was not the Mollie Dingess Drake, ready to face danger along with other brave women of Logan county when armed miners were marching upon their homes, that interested me most, as you may have guessed already. The World War is too recent proof that American women are not afraid to risk their lives for a cause. It is Mollie Drake and the work of her hands when peace broods over her native hills that make her a woman among women.

Mrs. Drake is a mountain woman herself. She knows the desires, the needs and the hopes of the women and children who live in her hills; in a double sense she is working among her own people.

No serious-minded killjoy is Mrs. Drake, but a large motherly woman with a great capacity for fun and for seeing the human side of things.

It is a common statement among traveling salesmen that they live in a Pullman; Mollie Drake might say she lives in a day coach. Her headquarters are in Logan, and much of her time is spent in riding to and from the little mining towns along the branch lines out of Logan.

Her trips are taken to visit the homes of miners, and no place is too remote for her to visit. Her energy in tramping about and the speed with which she walks over the hills is enough to make a younger woman gasp for breath and all but beg for quarter. That from one who knows.

We started out of Logan one morning on the 10 o’clock train.

Before the train started we were part of the social gathering which greets the all-too-few passenger trains that come into Logan. Mollie Dingess knew everybody.

Arrived at the mining center, our first visit was to the schoolhouse, a substantial two-story building, in front of which were all the latest playground devices for amusing the modern child. The teachers were young and efficient in their schoolroom manners. In Logan county the schools have the advantage of extra good teachers because after the school board has voted what it can afford for salaries the coal companies make up the deficit needed to attract the best.

It was then I learned of Mrs. Drake’s unusual high school career.

“You know I have a high school education,” she remarked as we left the school and strode (at least Mrs. Drake strode) along the dirt road.

“As a girl I went to school till I was thirteen. In the teens I took up nursing and later was married. But I always wanted more education. Sometimes it is the persons who are denied education appreciate it most. Well, when my daughter was ready for high school I decided that I would get my high school education too–not by following her studies at home (I knew that wouldn’t do), but by enrolling in high school with her.

“Some of my friends thought it was an absurd idea. They said I could enroll in college for special courses or take correspondence courses. But the idea of my going to school right along with my daughter and the other young people seemed queer to them. I suppose it was unusual. But what I wanted was a regular education. So I enrolled and went through the four years of high school and was graduated in the same class with my daughter.”

“And how did your daughter feel about it?”

“Oh, she had her young friends and took part in school activities just the same.” Again the twinkle behind the glasses. “It may be that she studied harder than she would have.” I had no doubt of that.

“She is in college now,” continued Mrs. Drake. “When her grades aren’t has high as I think they ought to be she sends them to her father, but a man can’t keep such things secret, and I always find out. She knows I haven’t much patience with students who don’t keep up their grades.

“My daughter is going to be a physician. She didn’t make up her mind until after she entered college. I was rather anxious to know what she would choose. After she started studying biology she was so interested that she decided to go on and study medicine.”

It occurred to me that Mollie Drake was a feminist. I wondered if she had ever been a suffrage worker.

“No,” she answered. “I’ve always been a Democrat, though. My husband says I am what is called ‘a mean Democrat.'”

She paused and then laughed. “I made one rule when I was married. You see, Mr. Drake is a Republican. Well, I told him that if I married him he must keep just one rule. I knew our marriage would be a success if he did. And of course I promised to keep it too. The rule was that we should never talk politics. We never have and we’ve been very happy.

“Of course I voted at the last election, and much good it did so far as the Presidency was concerned. But someway I didn’t care so much for the voting. I’m old-fashioned in many ways. I was brought up in a strict way and I don’t like to hear about folks playing cards on Sunday. I suppose it isn’t wicked, but I can’t get over my bringing-up. And I never take a needle in my hand on a Sunday, only when I just have to mend something, that I don’t feel kind of guilty.”

Our conversation had been interspersed with visits to various miners’ homes, mostly where there were babies. Mrs. Drake’s philosophy had been punctuated by advice on babies and friendly comment upon the little interests of the women we visited. If we weren’t inspecting a baby we were talking with some elderly woman over a fence about her latest “misery.”

As we climbed the trails I was tired, but Mrs. Drake seemed as energetic as when the day began.

“I like the work,” she said, “but I want to study more. Last summer I took a course in New York, and I’d like to go back there for a second at the Henry Street Settlement. I want to study languages, too. There are so many things I want to do.”

Some day I have not a doubt she will do these things she wants to do. In the meantime I think of her in connection with the verse: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do.”

Source: “The Florence Nightingale of Blair Mountain,” Logan (WV) Banner, 30 December 1921.

Notes:

To see Mrs. Drake’s photo and entry at Find-A-Grave, follow this link: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20145994

Mrs. Drake’s daughter, Alleyne Howell Dye, died of suicide in Ashland, KY, in 1944. For her death record, follow this link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YV-H7M5-H

To see Mrs. Dye’s photo and entry at Find-A-Grave, follow this link: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20146072

 

Gang Attacks Black Residents of Monitor Junction (1914)

19 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by in African American History, Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, we find the following story dated October 16, 1914:

THUGS AND OUTLAWS IN FORCE

MONITOR JUNCTION, NEAR THIS PLACE IS THE SCENE OF UNLAWFUL CARNAGE

TWO COLORED MEN ARE SHOT

Last Monday Night, Oct. 12, Was a Period of Unlawful Foray in Logan County.

Unlike the posse who ran to earth in a few hours the robbers and murderers so recently killed in Mingo County, the Logan County officers have turned not one stone to apprehend what seems to be the most dastardly and cowardly criminals now loose in any county. Rumor has it that the beginning of these depredations was the day of registration before the County Court on last Monday. Upon that day there were some colored men in Logan City for the purpose of registration, more than certain people thought were best, and these latter began to lay sneaking plots to drive the colored men away. On the evening of last Monday, certain men went over the bridge at the lower end of the town to some box cars used as shanties by colored laborers. These colored men were asked by their visitors if there were any strangers in the shanties and especially any who had come to Logan to get registered. The white men received a negative reply and went on up the creek. It seems very clear that the purpose of this visit was to ascertain just where these colored men were stopping for the night, so that a night attack could be made upon them and thus run them away. About 500 yards up the creek from the shanties above mentioned there stands an old two-story framed house. In the upper story of this house lives a family by the name of Spears; in the first floor lived some colored people. About midnight two men pushed open the back door of the colored people’s abode and began shooting: one going to a bed where with a revolver he beat up a colored fellow, while his partner thug proceeded further into the house, firing his pistol at the windows and furniture. Both colored men who were lying in the bed were shot several times and are in a precarious condition. During the melee, Hallie Wootson, a colored woman staying at the house, ran between the would-be murderers and pleaded with them to cease firing till she could get her baby from the room; with an oath the thug forced her from the room, not even allowing her to properly dress herself. This woman states that there were from 15 to 20 men on guard.

Mrs. Spears, the white woman living in the upstairs of this house, states that two of the men came upstairs to her room and knocked. She told them to come in, to which they replied, “No, you don’t want to see us, go to bed, we won’t hurt you.” However a bullet was fired into the very room in which Mr. and Mrs. Spears were sleeping. From the looks of the windows and doors of this house, one hundred shots must have been fired. Mrs. Spears also states that an automobile was in the vicinity and was driven away soon after the band of men left.

About one hour after the above mentioned attack, another attack was made on Senator E.T. England’s offices. Cobble rocks were thrown through the front windows breaking them into countless pieces. Someone who knew a little more than the ordinary along certain lines was present either in person or by advice since certain well known gases were inserted under the two outside office doors. This last ruse did not avail the highwaymen of anything since their purpose was in no wise accomplished.

***

Courting Trouble.

The question that naturally comes to us is, “Why have not the officers of Logan County–and there are over 100 in number we understand–taken up the Monitor Junction matter and attempted to  bring the guilty ones before the bar of justice?” Is it because some of them know more than they care to tell? We will say this, that the circumstances surrounding this trouble are, to say the least, very suspicious, as far as some of the officers of Logan County are concerned. The antagonism which the colored people of this County meet when they attempt to register for the purpose of voting is extreme and even unlawful. The Federal Constitution gives them the right to vote providing they can properly qualify themselves. Therefore we ask: How can they qualify themselves when they are not allowed the right to go before the proper tribunal which the law establishes for that purpose? There is not a single fact concerning the trouble that occurred at Monitor Junction and in the city of Logan but what points to the fact that there is an unlawful conspiracy on the part of certain persons to intimidate the colored voter, and to kill him if necessary if that is the only way to keep him from voting.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 October 1914.

Republicans to Invade Chapmanville District (1926)

02 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by in African American History, Chapmanville, Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, we find the following story dated September 10, 1926:

Groundwork for an energetic campaign was laid at a meeting of the candidates, committeemen and other party leaders and workers at a meeting held in Republican headquarters Wednesday afternoon. For more than two hours there was a frank discussion of local political conditions. Every appeal for party harmony–and these appeals came from all quarters–was greeted with applause and called forth unreserved pledges of loyalty to the whole ticket. Those present declare that so convincing was the evidence of a general determination to lay aside past differences about candidacies and party management that during the meeting and afterward predictions were advanced that the Republicans would carry the county by not less than 2,000 and more probably by 3,000. After the general meeting, local candidates and members of the committee met to formulate plans for the campaign. As a result of these meetings, it may be announced that this year the Republican campaign will be extended into every district. For the first time in the party’s history Chapmanville district is to be considered part of the battle-ground. That old Gibraltar of the Democracy is to have an opportunity at last, it is asserted, to hear both sides.

E.T. England, former attorney general and now the Republican nominee for representative in congress from the Sixth district, opened the general meeting by a fervent appeal for harmony and a whole-hearted effort in behalf of every candidate from Congressman James French Strother to Johnny Pack, candidate for constable. Notwithstanding his own candidacy, he declared that nothing interested him more in a political way than to see Logan county definitely fixed in the Republican column. “I have no personal interest at stake here,” he said, “yet if you think I’m needed at any time in the campaign let me know and I’ll come if it is possible. But you won’t need my services. All that is necessary to do is to go to the people and tell them in detail of what a Republican county court, a Republican sheriff, and a Republican assessor and magistrates have done; and then contrast that record with the record of the Democratic machine.” Until there was a political change in the administration of affairs, General England pointed out, the casual meeting of three or more Republicans on the street was considered by the authorities as an unlawful assembly. “Remind the people of the greater measure of liberty now, accorded to every man,” he advised. “Explain so all can understand that a Republican regime has lowered taxes, in spite of a reduced valuation of property for taxation purposes. It was the first time the taxpayers’ interest had been served; in fact for many years the subject of economy was never mentioned in Logan county.”

G.R. Claypool, chairman of the county committee, presided at the meeting and called on representatives of every element and of every section to discuss the party’s problems and prospects. Each speaker was able to present some new thought concerning the situation and as the meeting progressed enthusiasm waxed steadily higher. A climax was reached near the close of the session when Ira Hager, after adverting the registration figures showing a Republican margin of about 1,800, turned to General England and said: “You need not be troubled by the situation here; Logan county will give a Republican plurality of 3,000 all along the line.” Charles Ritchie, law partner of General England and a former assistant attorney general, recalled the court battle involving title to county offices in which he participated and commended Republican officials on the basis of reports he had received as to the record they are making. “No matter how earnestly you may have differed in the primary, you should abide by the expressed will of the majority,” he admonished. Senator Naaman Jackson urged the prompt discarding of minor grievances and differences tot he end that a vigorous canvass might be waged and a substantial victory won on November 2. Rev. A.B. Eubanks, introduced as one who had been made to feel the ruthless power of the Democratic machine, told of the interest of the colored voters in the impending contest.

Among others who spoke briefly were Joe Buskirk, candidate for county clerk; Noah Browning, candidate for county superintendent of schools; County Assessor J.G. Hunter; Cole Hatfield, Lloyd P. Hager, City Treasurer Nowlan, E.R. Chapman, Mr. Claypool, and W.N. Bechtel, who said he had been a member of the county committee for 30 years.

Source: “Republicans Form Plan for Spirited Campaign This Fall: Purpose to Invade Chapmanville Dist.,” Logan (WV) Banner, 10 September 1926.

Mrs. Henry Clay Ragland’s Obituary (1914)

25 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Huntington, Logan, Matewan, Women's History

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, we find the following story dated April 17, 1914:

“GRANDMA” RAGLAND PASSES TO THE BEYOND

MATE OF MAJOR HENRY CLAY RAGLAND, EDITOR OF THE LOGAN BANNER FOR MANY YEARS, PLACED BESIDE HIM EASTER SUNDAY

Mrs. Lou Ragland, mother of the Buskirk family, of this region died last Friday a.m. at the home of her son, Robert W. Buskirk, in the Urias Hotel at Matewan, Mingo county. She had married Henry Clay Ragland, for a long time editor of the Logan Banner, after the death of her first husband, Urias Buskirk. By her first marriage she raised a most interesting family of sons and daughters who are still residing in this section. Mrs. Buskirk was a most remarkable woman in many respects. She had always lived an exemplary and Christian life and assumed her responsibilities after the death of her first husband with efficiency and diligence. She was true to friend and family and was a good and faithful mother and a loving wife. Through her long life she has retained the confidence and respect of all who knew her. We grieve with her relatives and friends at her death. She was near the ninety-two milestone when she died and had been sick only for a few days.

“Grandma” Ragland’s exact age was 91 yrs. 11 mo. 20 days; born on Blain creek, Lawrence county, Ky., May 1st, 1823. For 30 years a member of the Christian church.

On May 1st also (1911) Major Ragland died. He was born on May 7th, 1844; belonged to Co. B 5th Va. Cavalry; member of the Aracoma Baptist church.

Mrs. Ragland’s last request, to rest one night in her old bedroom–the present residence of Rev. Bradshaw–was complied with. This parsonage now becomes the property of the Baptist church, according to the terms of Major Ragland’s deed, at her death.

Her age indicates her wonderful physical endurance, and while she knew she must die soon, retained her usual discretion and fortitude. She made plans with her kindred as to where her last resting place should be and desired that none of her children and friends be troubled about her demise. Up to the last she kept her mind intact and conversed with those near to her.

The mother of the Buskirks has gone, we hope, to a happier sphere. Mother is the dearest friend on earth. We grieve at the bier of the departed with the bereaved, and shed a tear with them in their desolation as we think of our own dear mother. Our sympathies go out to the bereaved ones in the loss of their one best comforter, but we hope and continue to hope that we may meet again in the unknown hereafter.

***

On April 17, 1914, the Logan Banner offered a small additional item: “Among those in attendance at the funeral of ‘Grandma’ Ragland last Sunday were: B.B. Goings, Williamson; Jno. A. Sheppard, Huntington; G.B. Hamilton, Matewan; in addition to the sons of the deceased.”

Old Dan Tucker (1926)

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Logan, Music

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, dated 2 November 1926, we find this story:

Remember the old song about “Old Dan Tucker”? And did you ever dance to the rollicking tune?

In the November number of the West Virginia Review there appears a sketch entitled “The Epic of Old Dan Tucker” written by Walter Barnes.

“Have the Review readers heard of the tales of Old Dan’s escapades, sung to the accompaniment of a rasping fiddle?” asks Barnes; and then he adds:

“A wonderful old man! He was a graceless rascal, no doubt. But a picturesque character, full of sap, scented with the soil, flinging himself into one amazing and amusing feat after another, ‘the talk of the country,’ and ‘the life of the party.’ The rhymes insist that he was a ‘fine old man’: well, he wasn’t fine and he didn’t act like an old man–he was rather what we call a regular fellow.

“Who was he? When and where did he live? I have no idea. Perhaps he lived in West Virginia in frontier and pioneer days. Tucker is probably a composite like Paul Bunyan. There may have been a real person by that name.”

Here are a few of the nine stanzas that Mr. Barnes has assembled:

OLD DAN TUCKER

Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man,

He washed his face in a frying pan,

He combed his hair with a wagon wheel,

And died with the tooth-ache in his heel.

Chorus:

Get out of the way for Old Dan Tucker.

He’s too late to get his supper.

Old Dan Tucker, he got drunk,

He fell in the fire and kicked out a chunk,

But he got ashes in his shoe,

And laws-a-massy how the fire flew!

Old Dan Tucker is a lovely man,

He swallowed a barrel of whiskey down,

The hoops flew off, the barrel did bust,

Away went Dan in a thunder gust.

Old Dan Tucker is a fine old man,

He tried to ride a Darby ram,

He rode him east, he rode him west,

He rode him into a hornet’s nest.

Old Dan Tucker went out one day

All alone in a one-hoss sleigh;

The sleigh was broke, and the hoss was blind,

And he had no hair on his tail behind.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 2 November 1926.

Chapmanville News 06.29.1926

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Chapmanville, 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 June 29, 1926:

Nelson Bentley passed Mrs. Brookie Rowsey’s and failed to stop. What’s wrong, Brookie?

Mr. and Mrs. ___ Whitman are visiting Mrs. Martha Whitman this week.

Mrs. Horace Mullins and little son of Logan spent the weekend here.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hale of Logan spent the week with Mr. Hale’s mother, Mrs. Wagner.

Mrs. James Wagner, who has been very ill, is much improved.

Leonard T. Hicks of Mt. Gay was calling on his wife here last Sunday.

Miss Virginia Coberly of Logan was a visitor here Sunday.

Daily happenings: Mildred looking for Virgil; Fannie meeting all trains; Minnie and his dinner bucket; Thelma and her mulberries; Grace and her knickers; Gladys calling on Minnis; Dr. Ferrell going to see Miss Queen; Harold and his pony; Nute and his gas station; Fat and his ice cream cone; Diana hoeing corn; Gillia carrying water; Brookie watching for Bentley; Goldie calling on Mildred.

Chapmanville News 06.03.1921

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Boone County, 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 June 3, 1921:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hainor attended the decoration exercises at Manila Sunday.

W.G. Willis made a business trip to Logan Saturday.

E.P. Stowers and Miss Emma Stowers returned Wednesday from a business trip to Huntington.

Uncle Floyd Barker, of St. Albans, is visiting relatives here this week and attending decoration.

Mrs. Lottie Hainor and daughter Thermal left Sunday afternoon for a visit with relatives at Henlawson.

Mrs. Cora McKinney spent Sunday with friends here.

Miss Erie Blevins, who is staying at Hughey, spent Sunday with her parents at this place.

Miss Nellie Barker was called to Wilsondale Sunday on account of the illness of her sister.

We are glad to say that Miss Lula Blevins, who has been staying at Hughey, has returned to her home here.

Mrs. C.B. Hainor visited friends at Manila Sunday.

An exciting incident occurred on last Saturday evening that might have caused serious loss to the firm of Stowers and Garrett and besmirched the glorious record they have been making the past few weeks as peddlers. As they were returning home, Mr. Garrett noticed a large fowl in a wheat field, he proceeded to capture it and confine it in his chicken coop. Thinking he had captured some rare bird of the tropical jungles, he drove with all speed to the home of Mr. Stowers where some of the family promptly pronounced it to be a turkey but Messrs. Stowers and Garret had their own opinion on the matter and had already decided they had captured a parrot. They had christened him “___m” and were already beginning to teach him to talk. However he didn’t show much aptitude as a pupil, but stood with dull expressionless eyes and his long crooked bill of a mouth wide open. After much deliberation they were finally convinced that they had not captured a “Poll Parrot” but a vulture or more commonly speaking, a buzzard. When they were convinced of this they opened the coop and Mr. Buzzard flew away to his rightful dominion, while their golden dream of selling a parrot to some enterprising Loganite vanished away on the soaring wings of the “Buzzard.”

Henry Clay Ragland Home in Logan, WV (1914)

13 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Logan

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Ragland Home LB 04.24.1914 2

THE OLD HISTORIC AND SAINTED RAGLAND HOME IN LOGAN: Now parsonage of the Aracoma Baptist Church, where the remains of the late “Grandma” Ragland lay in state, in the exact position of her late husband, the last night in this city, before they were finally laid to rest in Aracoma cemetery, beside those of the beloved “Major” Henry Clay Ragland. The Major is shown at the left, grasping the “Logan Wild Cats” Battle Flag, said to be the only flag of the Confederacy that was never captured. Photo taken Oct. 22, 1906, at the annual Reunion of Camp Straton Confederate Veterans, composed of surviving members of the “Logan Wild Cats” and others of this section. Mr. Ragland was Commandant. Privates numbered 106. Logan Banner, 24 April 1914.

Corpse Found in River at Chapmanville, WV (1927)

13 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Chapmanville, Guyandotte River, Huntington, Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, we find the following story dated 29 March 1927:

All doubt as to the body of the woman found a mile above Chapmanville last Friday being that of Mrs. J.D. Parsley of Omar was removed that evening. Identification was positive on account of her wedding ring and her shoes.

So badly decomposed was the body, the flesh of the face having wasted away, that identification would have been impossible except for the ring or bits of clothing. In fact, its condition was such that it was recovered with sand at the place where found, after the identification was completed and after Undertaker B.C. Harris reached the scene, it being decided to await instructions from Mr. Parsley. The body had been in water more than three months, for it was on December 21 that she was drowned in the flooded waters of Main Island Creek near her home between Omar and Chauncey. From that point to the point where the  body was found is 22 miles, according to estimates of some deputy sheriffs who are familiar with Logan county distances.

Friday evening Mr. Parsley was located in Huntington, whither he had moved a few weeks ago to engage in the real estate business.

Mr. Parsley came to Chapmanville on the Saturday morning train, bringing a casket with him. Sunday the body was brought on a railway motor to Henlawson and then was taken by way of Charleston to Wayne county for burial. This was done because of the certainty the railway company would not transport the body from Chapmanville to  Huntington or to any other point on a passenger train.

Mr. Parsley, it is said, recognized a scar on his wife’s body–a scar left by a surgical operation.

The finder of the body was a Scarberry boy who lives near the place where it was found. It was lying near the shore, partly covered by silt, with the head wedged under a log or between two logs, according to reports heard here.

From the day of Mrs. Parsley’s tragic death till the body was found scandal-mongers busied themselves circulating reports that she had not drowned but had gone away of her own accord. As late as last Wednesday a Banner reporter was told that she was living in Guyandotte.

Concerning the drowning of Mrs. Parsley The Banner on Friday December 24 published the following account:

In the swollen waters of Main Island Creek Mrs. J.D. Parsley was drowned near her home between Omar and Chauncey at about 5:30 Tuesday evening.

Stepping into a necessary outbuilding that stood on the creek bank behind her home, the building suddenly toppled over and crashed into the swirling tide. Her screams were heard by several persons, among them Carlos Hatfield, a neighbor, who rushed to the rescue. When he reached the bank he saw Mrs. Parsley struggling in the water close to the shore and at the same time being carried swiftly forward by the stream. Just behind her was the building from which she had extricated herself. He waded into the waters and was almost within reach when the building turned over on her and shoved her beneath it out of sight. Before she reappeared on the surface she was too far down stream and too far out in the swift current for Hatfield to reach her.

Reports received here indicate that a son of E.M. Jeffrey of Omar was attracted to the scene and got a glimpse of either Mrs. Parsley or the building, or probably both, and followed along the bank until he saw the building crash into the bridge at Chauncey. The impact shattered the frail structure into pieces that were soon carried from view.

During the night and Wednesday forenoon searchers scanned the banks of the creek in what proved to be a futile effort to find the body.

Mrs. Parsley was nearing her 40th birthday. Her maiden name was Clay, according to her neighbors, and it is said her parents live at Branchland. She leaves no children, though Parsley is the father of several children by a previous marriage.

The Parsleys moved to the present home last August, when he leased a garage from Oscar Napier. This is located near the home of Dr. J.F. May and also close to the garage of Carlos Hatfield, previously mentioned as having tried to rescue the drowning woman. Before moving to the Omar-Chauncey neighborhood, Parsley had a grocery store at Mud Fork. At one time he was in the merchandise business at Williamson.

When the drowning occurred Parsley was at work in his garage. Word came to him that a woman had drowned, but it was half an hour or more before he realized that the victim was his own wife.

Source: “Body Found at Chapmanville is Identified as that of Mrs. Parsley Drowned at Omar on December 21,” Logan Banner, 29 March 1927.

***

Mrs. Parsley’s death record is found here: http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view2.aspx?FilmNumber=1953328&ImageNumber=3233

 

Chapmanville News 05.20.1921

12 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Chapmanville, Huntington, Logan, Women's History

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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, 1921:

Mrs. George H. Seagraves has returned from a visit with her husband’s relatives in Warren, Ohio. She is preparing for house keeping at Wilsondale.

Miss Rosa Stowers is convalescing from a severe attack of tonsilitis.

Miss Ida Garrett, who is working in Huntington, is spending the week with her parents here.

Most of the boys and some of the men were highly elated over the recent rains which caused a rise in the creek and gave them an excuse to “lay off” the spring work and go fishing.

Miss Kate Barker of Logan spent Saturday and Sunday with relatives here.

Dr. Stanley, veterinarian, of Logan made a professional visit to W.G. Willis’ Saturday.

P.D. Blevins of Logan spent Sunday with his mother here.

Mr. and Mrs. James Bryant of Russell, Kentucky, are visiting relatives here this week.

Lacy Browning, who is working at Logan, spent Sunday with his wife.

The wedding bells were ringing Sunday for two of our young folks. The bride was Miss Arda Jeffrey and the groom Mr. Herbert McKinney. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride of Rev. W.D. Garrett.

Beecher Curry was calling on Miss Erie Blevins Sunday. It is our opinion that “Uncle Dyke” will be called upon to don his surplice again soon.

C.B. Hainor and family were visiting at J.D. Ball’s Sunday afternoon.

Lacy Ball of Jeffry was seen on our streets Sunday. He seemed to be all smiles. The reason: He was manipulating the “brand new” Ford, and had one of our best looking girls by his side.

Miss Erie Blevins was a charming hostess to a small party of her friends on Saturday night from eight to eleven o’clock. Chocolate fudge was served. Among the invited guests were Misses Eliza and Ella Garrett, Ida Garrett, Nora Stollings and Myrtle McKinney, Messrs. Stollie Hainor, Kyle Hill, Charlie Garrett, Beecher Barker and Henry McKinney. Everyone reported a nice time.

On last Sunday morning at ten o’clock some of the folks of the community under the leadership of Wallace Garrett and Robert Hainor met at the school house for the purpose of organizing a Sunday School. The first meeting of the school will be at 10:30 the 15th. Everybody welcome.

Kyle Hill of Logan was visiting Stollie Hainor Sunday.

Mrs. John Hunter was visiting her daughter Mrs. Opie Pridemore Sunday.

Best wishes for the Banner.

Food in the Logan Coal Fields (1921)

11 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in Barboursville, Coal, Holden, Huntington, Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, we find this story about food conditions in the Logan coal fields, dated 9 December 1921:

Seasonal fruits and fresh vegetables brighten the menu of the Logan field miner and his family just as they do the average householder in the larger cities. Visitors have noted with surprise that this is true–that even the most isolated mining communities, cut off from civilization by rugged mountains and difficult creek beds, have their fresh strawberries in season and make quite as much of an event of the canning period as do their northern neighbors.

But what the average visitor cannot know, unless he delves with unusual energy, is the cost in money and time which it means to have such products brought to the miner’s table from the produce centers of the country.

In the first place, many of the mines in the field live five, ten, fifteen and even twenty miles from the town of Logan. The roads in many cases are almost impassible. In others, there are no roads at all. It is common occurrence to use the creek bed as a thoroughfare. A rather hazardous feat, it appears to the visitors on his first trip, but he soon grows accustomed to this. At first he is inclined to cling tight to his seat as the motor truck plows through the shallow water over well rounded stones. The drivers think nothing of fording innumerable creeks. They have lost all solicitude for their tires. In fact, many of them aver that the tires last quite as long as they do on hard-paved roads and point to examples in the form of weather-beaten casing to prove that the usual 10,000 mile guarantee is not at all impossible of achievement in this difficult territory.

Sloshing along through creeks, alternating with mud roads which would bring a rattle to the finest car built they consider the trips to the mines with foodstuffs a mere routine. That it is more than routine, however, is graphically revealed by the wrecks along the roadside–broken-down trucks and motor cars, buggies and wagons.

The road to Holden, four miles from Logan, is a mud road most of the way, featured by innumerable sharp turns. That leading to the mine town of Omar covers nine miles of the most diversified transportation. In that nine miles one single creek must be forded eleven times, and often instead of crossing directly, motor trucks are forced to plow through the water for a considerable distance.

Some sixth sense apparently tells the driver where the “water road” lies, for to the casual observer one part of the creek is as good as another. All he can see is water and, beneath, a solid bed of white boulders. Time has worn them smooth. Sliding down the mud road into the creek bed the driver unerringly picks out the right route. It is as if he carried a sextant, for never, however many times he makes the trip, does he deviate in his course a yard.

Yet despite these difficulties in transportation it is comparatively cheap to get to any mine property in the Logan field. For a dollar, any of the buses operating from Logan, meeting all trains, will carry one to Omar, nine miles of difficult driving, while others take passengers 15 and 20 miles up the creeks for a slightly higher charge. For foodstuffs the cost is proportionately low. Drivers charge 25 to 42 cents per 100 pounds for first class freight to a point within 20 miles of Logan–and take every chance in the world of a breakdown. It is this low haulage charge which enables so many independent and company stores at the mines to meet the prices of retailers in large cities, and it is the dependability of this method of motor transportation which enables them to carry fresh fruits and vegetables in season to tickle the palates of the miners and their numerous progeny. Anyone who imagines that sow-belly and beans constitute the main diet of the miner has never seen the adequate stocks of merchandise kept by mining community establishments.

If there were not enough difficulties in the path of transportation of foods to the mines, the trip from the outside to Logan would provide enough more. Logan is unfortunate in that there are no through freight rates to it. Huntington, the State’s natural distributing point by reason of railroad facilities, does not figure in the traffic to Logan. Merchandise destined for this field must be reshipped at Barboursville, a junction point near Huntington, and this adds a freight charge of from 30 to 40 cents per 100 pounds. Adding this to the cost of haulage by truck to the mines, the differential in favor of the consumers in large cities mounts up. Yet, with all these barriers, prices in the mine towns are low–the result of keen competition and of quantity buying.

Source: “Camps Have the Best of Food: Despite Shipping Obstacles Miners Have Same Food as Their City Neighbors,” Logan (WV) Banner, 9 December 1921.