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Brandon Ray Kirk

Category Archives: West Hamlin

Map: Southwestern West Virginia (1918-1919)

08 Thursday Dec 2022

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

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

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

Guyan Valley High School Graduates (1932)

17 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Ferrellsburg, Gill, Harts, Midkiff, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, Brady, Branchland, Cecil Dean, Earl Brumfield, education, Emma Adkins, Ferrellsburg, Fred B. Lambert, Gill, Guyan Valley High School, Hallie Messinger, Harry Pinson, Harts, Hazel Adkins, history, Huntington, Juanita Cline, Lincoln County, Macil Covey, Marshall University, Midkiff, Morrow Library, Philip Adkins, Pleasant View, Reva Pierson, Roncie White, Samuel Adkins, West Virginia, Wilford Dingess

Fred B. Lambert, a prominent educator in the Guyandotte Valley, compiled this list of early Guyan Valley High School graduates. Guyan Valley High School was located in Pleasant View, Lincoln County, WV.

Picture 456A

GVHS students, 1928.

List of 1932 graduates

1. Earl Brumfield     Harts, WV

2. Samuel Adkins     Harts, WV

3. Roncie White     Gill, WV

4. Emma Adkins     Branchland, WV

5. Hazel Adkins     Branchland, WV

6. Philip Adkins     Harts, WV

7. Macil Covey     West Hamlin, WV

8. Juanita Cline     Bradyville, WV

9. Hallie Messinger     Branchland, WV

10. Reva Pierson     West Hamlin, WV

11. Wilford Dingess     Midkiff, WV

12. Harry Pinson     Midkiff, WV

13. Cecil Dean     Ferrellsburg, WV

Source: Fred B. Lambert Papers, Special Collections Department, James E. Morrow Library, Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

Patton Thompson et al Deed to U.G. Shipe (1909)

23 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Guyandotte River, West Hamlin

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county clerk, E.A. Lewis, Elizabeth Thompson, genealogy, Guyan Street, Guyandotte River, Helen Vinson, history, J.W. Harless, justice of the peace, Lincoln County, Maude Lewis, Patton Thompson, Robert A. Lewis, S.J. Lewis, U.G. Shipe, W.F. Tabor, West Hamlin, West Virginia, Zena C. Harless

Patton Thompson Deed 3

Deed Book __, page __, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV. Patton Thompson (1824-1909) was my great-great-great-grandfather. He died May 22, 1909.

Patton Thompson Deed 2

Deed Book __, page __, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV.

Harts Area Deed Index (1870-1910)

21 Tuesday Aug 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Fourteen, Guyandotte River, Little Harts Creek, West Hamlin

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A.L. Smith, Aaron Adkins, Allison Ferrell, Arisba Ferrell, Big Branch, Big Ugly Creek, Bill Duty, Blucher Lucas, Broad Branch, Climena Lucas, Elizabeth Adkins, Ellen Adkins, Evermont Ward Fry, Fourteen Mile Creek, genealogy, George W. Hill, Gilbert Topping, Guyandotte River, Harts Creek District, Heenan Smith, Henry Adkins, history, Isaiah Adkins, Jacob K. Adkins, James I. Kuhn, James Toney, John Adkins, John F. Duty, Keenan Toney, Kiahs Creek, Laurel Fork, Lena Ferrell, Limestone Creek, Lincoln County, Little Harts Creek, Lower Big Branch, Matthew Spurlock, Middle Fork, Minnie Mullins, Moses Adkins, Moses Dempsey, Mud River, N.B. Mobley, Nancy E. Fry, Overton Elkins, Parlee Hunter, Patton Thompson, Ralph Nelson, Sams Branch, Sankey Gillenwater, Sarah E. Thompson, Sarah Gillenwater, Sarah J. Nelson, Smith Ferrell, Susan Adkins, Trough Fork, U.G. Shipe, Van Donley Lambert, W.C. Smith, W.M. May, West Hamlin, West Virginia, William May

The following deed index is based on Deed Book 59 at the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office in Hamlin, WV, and relates to residents of the Harts Creek community. Most notations reflect Harts Creek citizens engaged in local land transactions; some reflect Harts Creek citizens engaged in land transactions outside of the community. These notes are meant to serve as a reference to Deed Book 59. Researchers who desire the most accurate version of this material are urged to consult the actual record book.

Aaron Adkins et ux to Moses Adkins et al     54 1/4 acres Little Harts Creek     12 March 1906     p. 481-482

Elizabeth Adkins et al to Jacob K. Adkins     1902 acres Little Harts Creek     01 September 1901     p. 272-273

Ellen Adkins to John Adkins     25 acres Lower Big Branch     22 February 1910     p. 95

Henry Adkins to Elizabeth Adkins et al     1962 acres Little Harts Creek, Fourteen Mile Creek, Trough Fork, Laurel Fork     28 June 1870     p. 269-270

Henry Adkins et ux to Ralph Nelson     20 acres Big Harts Creek     21 March 1905     p. 198-199

Isaiah Adkins et ux to John Adkins     45 acres Lower Big Branch     11 August 1906     p. 89

John Adkins Sr. et ux to K.E. Toney     30 acres mineral Big Harts Creek     27 July 1909     p. 91-92

John Adkins Sr. et ux to K.E. Toney     35 acres Big Harts Creek     25 February 1910     p. 93-94

Board of Education of Harts Creek District to John E. Fry et al     1/2 acre Big Ugly Creek     1 August 1905     p. 498

L.H. Burks et ux to Gilbert Topping     110 acres Little Harts Creek     30 March 1906     p. 5-7

Moses Dempsey to K.E. Toney     24 acres mineral Big Harts Creek     19 March 1910     p. 96-97

William Dempsey et al to Moses Dempsey     24 acres Big Branch     13 April 1908     p. 71-72

William R. Duty et ux to John F. Duty     50 acres Broad Branch     9 December 1887     p. 429-430

Allison Ferrell et ux to Sarah Gillenwater     133 acres Big Ugly Creek     26 October 1897     p. 499

Arisba Ferrell et al to Parlee Hunter     42 acres Broad Branch     15 February 1905     p. 168-169

Arrisba Ferrell et al to John F. Duty     25 acres Broad Branch     8 April 1891     p. 425-427

Lena Ferrell to Nancy E. Fry     5 acres Big Ugly     3 June 1905     p. 495

Smith Ferrell et ux to John F. Duty     55 acres Ugly Creek     5 April 1907     p. 428-429

William T. Fowler et ux to Mathew Spurlock     100 acres Sams Branch of Middle Fork of Mud River     9 January 1890     Elias Vance, JP     p. 376-377

Sarah A. Gillenwater et vir to Nancy E. Fry     133 acres Big Ugly Creek     19 February 1898     p. 496-497

George W. Hill et ux to W.M. May     30 acres Limestone Creek     3 November 1906     p. 137-138

J.I. Kuhn, attorney, to Overton Elkins     100 acres Fourteen Mile Creek     1 June 1880     p. 420-423

V.D. Lambert et ux to Sarah J. Nelson     20 acres West Side Guyan River     13 April 1906     p. 289

Blucher N. Lucas to Climena Lucas     50 acres Fourteen Mile Creek     1 July 1910     p. 308-309

N.B. Mobley to Sankey Gillenwater     50 acres Limestone Creek     15 December 1909     p. 121-122

Minnie Mullins et vir to William May     30 acres Limestone Creek     29 January 1910     p. 140-141

A.L. Smith et ux to Susan Adkins     48 acres Big Harts Creek     11 July 1907     p. 225-226

A.L. Smith et ux to Ralph Nelson     2 acres Big Harts Creek     13 April 1907     p. 204-205

Heenan Smith to W.C. Smith     75 acres Guyandotte River     15 July 1902     p. 468-470

Sarah E. Thompson et vir to E.W. Fry     150 acres Guyandotte River, Laurel Hill District     12 February 1897     p. 487-488

P.T. Thompson to U.G. Shipe et al     Lots 64-65     23 February 1909     p. 329

James Toney et ux to Gilbert Toppins     35 1/4 acres Kiahs Creek     03 January 1908     p. 7-8

NOTE: I copied all of these deeds.

Guyan Valley High School Graduates (1929-1931)

28 Saturday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Gill, Guyandotte River, West Hamlin

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Alvin Franklin Watts, Appalachia, Bessie Arix, Branchland, Clyde Okra Adkins, David Keith Smith, Dennis Nathan Roy, Dorothy Beatrice Roy, Edgar Ray Midkiff, education, Ella Mae Covey, Elva Mae Adkins, Fred B. Lambert, Freda Marie McComas, Gilbert Garmon Isaac, Gill, Gilmer Odell McClellan, Glada Ellen Cyfers, Glenna Helena Midkiff, Glenna Naoma Roy, Guidna Bates, Guyan Valley High School, Guyan Valley Middle School, Helen Mary Yost, Helena Johnson, Helena Scraggs, Hilbert Harmon Isaac, history, Hubball, Huntington, Ida Lee Adkins, Irma Holton, Jennings Orlando Midkiff, Lincoln County, Mable Virginia Chapman, Marshall University, Maude Jewel Jaynes, Midkiff, Mildred Vivian Smith, Milton, Morrow Library, Olive Maude Triplett, Pleasant View, Rhoda Irene Messinger, Ruel Dial, Ruth Dewdrops Adkins, Ruth Lucas Stowers, Sarah Nelson, Sheridan, Smith, Thern Hodge, Thomas Wondel Adkins, Virginia Catherine Scites, Virginia Louise Johnson, West Hamlin, West Virginia, William Earl Bias

Fred B. Lambert, a prominent educator in the Guyandotte Valley, compiled this list of early Guyan Valley High School graduates. Guyan Valley High School was located in Pleasant View, Lincoln County, WV.

gv 1929.jpg

Guyan Valley High School, 1929. Photo credit unknown.

List of 1929 graduates

  1. Edgar Ray Midkiff     Smith, WV
  2. Jennings Orlando Midkiff     Smith, WV
  3. Gilmer Odell McClellan     Branchland, WV
  4. Olive Maude Triplett     West Hamlin, WV
  5. Dennis Nathan Roy     Hubball, WV
  6. Glenna Naoma Roy     Hubball, WV
  7. Rhoda Irene Messinger     Branchland, WV

List of 1930 graduates

  1. Clyde Okra Adkins     West Hamlin, WV
  2. Bessie Arix     Smith, WV
  3. Ruel Dial     Branchland, WV
  4. Thern Hodge     West Hamlin, WV
  5. Virginia Louese Johnson     Branchland, WV
  6. Sarah Nelson     Gill, WV
  7. Ruth Lucas Stowers     Milton, WV
  8. Elva Mae Adkins     West Hamlin, WV
  9. Dorothy Beatrice Roy     Hubball, WV
  10. David Keith Smith     West Hamlin, WV

List of 1931 graduates

  1. Ida Lee Adkins     West Hamlin, WV
  2. Ruth Dewdrops Adkins     West Hamlin, WV
  3. Thomas Wondel Adkins     Midkiff, WV
  4. Guidna Bates     Sheridan, WV
  5. William Earl Bias     West Hamlin, WV
  6. Mable Virginia Chapman     Hubball, WV
  7. Ella Mae Covey     West Hamlin, WV
  8. Glada Ellen Cyfers     Gill, WV
  9. Irma Holton      Branchland, WV
  10. Gilbert Garmon Isaac     Smith, WV
  11. Hilbert Harmon Isaac     Smith, WV
  12. Maude Jewel Jaynes     West Hamlin, WV
  13. Helena Johnson     West Hamlin, WV
  14. Freda Marie McComas     West Hamlin, WV
  15. Glenna Helena Midkiff     West Hamlin, WV
  16. Virginia Catherine Scites     Midkiff, WV
  17. Helena Scraggs     West Hamlin, WV
  18. Mildred Vivian Smith     West Hamlin, WV
  19. Alvin Franklin Watts     Branchland, WV
  20. Helen Mary Yost     West Hamlin, WV

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Guyan Valley Middle School, c.2017.

Source: Fred B. Lambert Papers, Special Collections Department, James E. Morrow Library, Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

Island Creek Roads (1927)

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Boone County, Gilbert, Hamlin, Huntington, Logan, Ranger, West Hamlin, Wharncliffe

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Appalachia, Beech Creek, Ben Creek, Bluefield, Bluestone River, Bob Browning, Boone County, Bramwell, Cabell County, Charleston, Coal Valley News, Commissioner of Agriculture, Crum, Davy, Devil Anse Hatfield, farming, Gilbert, Gilbert Creek, ginseng, Griffithsville, Guyandotte River, Hamlin, history, Horsepen Creek, Huntington, Iaeger, Island Creek, John W. Smith, Kanawha River, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, M.L. Jones, Mate Creek, Pigeon Creek, Ranger, Route 10, Route 2, Route 3, Sarepta Workman, Tug Fork, Twelve Pole Creek, Wayne, Welch, West Hamlin, West Virginia, West Virginia by Rail and Trail, West Virginia Hills, Williamson

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Route 3 dated October 14, 1927:

“Changes Can Be Noted” In Island Creek Hills

Madison Editor Waxes Interesting on Old Times and Primitive Conditions–Surfaced Highways Mark the Paths Through Woodland That Were Traveled a Generation Ago.

An article of special interest to Logan folk is here reproduced from the Coal Valley News (Madison) of which M.L. Jones is editor. In a reminiscent mood he tells of road conditions and other conditions that prevailed hereabouts a generation ago. Exceptions might be taken to one or two statements, but the whole article is interesting indeed and informative.

It is considered appropriate that West Virginians should sing the “West Virginia Hills,” and year after year the teachers in their institution disturb their neighbors with this song, while “Tears of regret will intrusively swell.” There is some romance and merit in the song; but it strikes us that it is about time for a revision of this line.

“But no changes can be noticed in the West Virginia Hills.”

To prove our point we quote from memory.

For some years after 1882, there lived in the extreme head of the left fork of Island Creek, or Main Island Creek, a man named Bob Browning. It was 18 miles from Logan. The house was a two-room log cabin, surrounded by palings; and the valley was so narrow that it was difficult to find enough level ground for a garden. Apple trees and peach trees were scattered over a few acres of cleared mountain side. The family subsisted by a little farming, a little hunting and much ginsenging.

This place was between two low mountain gaps. A dim road, usable for wagons in dry weather, led down the creek to Logan, and forked at Browning’s house. One fork led east over one gap to Horsepen and Gilbert of Guyan; the other went west over the other gap to Pigeon creek, and by more or less roundabout ways connected with Ben Creek, Beech Creek, Mate Creek and Pigeon Creek, all of Tug river. Hence, it was a possible road route.

The nearest house down Island creek and on Horsepen creek was two miles; and on Pigeon creek about three-fourths of a mile. A wagon, lightly loaded, passed here on the average six times a year. Horsemen may have averaged one a day, though often a whole week passed without a traveler. It was simply a log shack in the head of the hollow, four miles from a school, ten miles from a store, without anything “which exalts and embellishes civilized life,” and so very remote from the haunts of men that when “Devil” Anse Hatfield and his followers concluded to surrender Tug river to Frank Phillips and the McCoys, they picked their “last stand” on Island creek, four miles below the spot we have been talking about.

Now, in the close of 1927, can “changes be noticed?” We have not been there for over 30 years. But we recently received a present from John W. Smith, commissioner of agriculture , Charleston, W.Va., entitled “West Virginia by Rail and Trail,” containing 22 maps and 174 pictures reproduced from photographs of different parts of the state, and for which we sincerely thank whoever got our name on Mr. Smith’s mailing list.

From this book we learn that when we laboriously trudged through the Horsepen gap or the Pigeon gap, from 45 to 35 years ago, we failed to foresee that within on generation men would pick those two gaps, within less than a miles of each other, as a route for one of West Virginia’s leading roads; and not only for one, but for two, of West Virginia’s leading roads. As we will explain:

Route 3, connects Huntington, Wayne, Crum, Williamson, Gilbert, Iaeger, Davy, Welch, Bramwell, and Bluefield. From Huntington to Wayne and about 15 miles above Wayne, it is mostly on the waters of Twelve Pole creek. It then bears west to Tug river and follows it from Crum to Williamson, about 25 miles. It then bears east to Pigeon Creek, which it follows to the spot we are writing about, in the head of Island creek, some 20 miles. It then goes through the two gaps and down Horsepen creek to Gilbert, on Guyan; up Guyan and Little Huff’s creek, of Guyan, and across the mountain to Iaeger, on Tug river. It then follows up Tug, by Welch, to the head of Elkhorn and then on the waters of Bluestone to Bluefield.

In all, Route 3 is in seven counties, though less than a mile of it is in Logan county, in the head of Island creek. It is graded all the way about 60 percent of it is hard surfaced, including about 25 miles at and near the Bob Browning place. Thus Bob, if alive, can ride on a hard surfaced road from his old home almost to Williamson, one way, and to Gilbert on Guyan the other way; and he could continue south by graded road, until he strikes hard surface again. The last fifty miles next to Bluefield is all hard surfaced, also the lower 25 miles next to Huntington.

But this is not the only big state route hitting this “head of the hollow.”

Route 10 runs from Huntington to the very same spot, a distance of 100 miles, through Cabell, Lincoln and Logan, and is all on Guyan or its tributaries. It is paved, or hard surfaced, from Huntington to West Hamlin, on Guyan where the Hamlin-Griffithsville hard-surfaced road turns off. It is also marked paved for seven miles north of Logan and twelve miles up Island creek. This leaves six miles up by the “Devil” Anse Hatfield place to the Bob Browning place to pave, and it is marked, “paved road under construction.” The only drawback to No. 10 is that from West Hamlin to Ranger is a patch where the grading is not yet satisfactory. Doubtless, within three years both 3 and 10 will be hard surfaced all the way. Even now, from the Browning place, the people can take their choice between an evening’s entertainment in Logan or Williamson.

But that is not all yet. The chances are heavy that there will never be but one hard surfaced road from Logan to Williamson. There will always be a heavy travel from Charleston to Williamson. It will be by our No. 2 to Logan; by No. 10 to the Browning place; and by No. 3 to Williamson. Within a few months it will all be hard surfaced.

From all this we conclude.

First; that we let a good chance slip when we failed to buy a half acre of land where No. 10 joints No. 3 for a hotel and filling station. We could have multiplied our investment by one thousand. But so far as we could see that spot was fit only to hold and the rest of the Earth’s surface together, and to get away from as rapidly as possible.

Second; that “changes can be noticed in the West Virginia Hills.”

We might add that thousands can remember crossing the Kanawha at Charleston on the ferry, because there was no bridge; and few, if any, three-story homes. The writer hereof did his first plowing with a two-horse turning plow in the center of what is now Huntington. It was a cornfield then. It is a fashionable residence district now. He boarded at an isolated log house on a hill back of the Huntington bottom, where now are miles of mansions on paved streets. Even in and about Madison and all over Boone county, it is hard for people to visualize how things looked a short ten years ago. Mrs. Sarepta Workman, on her recent visit to her old…

Robert A. “Bob” Lewis Grave (2018)

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Cemeteries, Timber, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, cemeteries, genealogy, history, Lewis Family Cemetery, Lincoln County, Robert Lewis, Tyler Creek, West Hamlin, West Virginia

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Robert “Bob” Lewis was a regional timber boss in the Guyandotte Valley. He’s buried at West Hamlin, Lincoln County, WV. 10 February 2018.

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Bob Lewis grave. 10 February 2018.

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Bob Lewis grave. 10 February 2018.

Shelton Cemetery at West Hamlin, WV (2018)

12 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Cemeteries, Civil War, West Hamlin

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8th Virginia Cavalry, Appalachia, Bettie Thompson, Brandon Kirk, cemeteries, civil war, Confederate Army, genealogy, Harvey May, history, Patton Thompson, Shelton Cemetery

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The road up from Tyler Creek. 10 February 2018.

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This cemetery contains over one hundred graves. 10 February 2018.

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Most graves are marked by beautiful headstones. 10 February 2018.

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My great-great-great-grandfather Patton Thompson (1824-1909) is buried here. His rock reads “P.T.” I didn’t find his grave, but I’ll be back! A few Thompson graves are located in this section. The headstone visible in this photo belongs to Patton’s great-granddaughter, Bettie Thompson (1913-1926). 10 February 2018.

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Harvey May, “An Old Rebel Soldier” from Company K of the 8th Virginia Cavalry. 10 February 2018.

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The road down to Tyler Creek. 10 February 2018.

Banco News 06.04.1926

19 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Banco, Big Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Estep, Logan, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, B.R. Lucas, Banco, Banco School, Basil Duty, Big Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Braxton County, Charles C. Varney, Charles Duty, Charlotte Chapman, Elm Street, Estep, Frank Chapman, Fred Woolum, Freddie Lucas, genealogy, H.F. Lucas, history, J.A. Stone, J.B. Lucas, Jesse Justice, Johnnie Hager, L.A. Ellis, Lizzie Perdue, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Louise Perdue, Madeline Varney, Marea Lucas, Martinsburg, Mary Thomas, Mattie Varney, Millie Lancaster, Needmore, Okey Justice, Ollie Varney, Pumpkin Center, Robert Baisden, Shegon, Spring Dale, Sutton, teacher, West Hamlin, West Virginia, Whitman

An unknown correspondent from Banco on Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on June 4, 1926:

Here we are back again into our friendly circle, The Banner family, with a few items from the progressive little town of Banco.

Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Stone and Mrs. Lizzie Perdue and daughter, Louise, of Banco motored to West Hamlin last Sunday and all reported a very enjoyable day.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baisden and children of Needmore were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Duty of Spring Dale last Tuesday.

B.R. Lucas and son Freddie of this place attended church at Big Creek last night.

Mrs. Charles C. Varney and daughter Madeline were the all day guests of Mrs. J.B. Lucas at Pumpkin Center last Wednesday.

Miss Charlotte Chapman of Estep was a business caller in Banco last week.

Wonder who the girl was at Big Creek last week that laid her arm around a Banco Boy’s neck for a strawberry?

Miss Marea Lucas was calling on Misses Mattie and Ollie Varney last Sunday afternoon.

Wonder how Basil Duty would like another trip to Big Ugly? Why not call a taxi next time, Basil?

Okey Justice of Whitman was calling on homefolks on Elm street last Sunday.

Wonder if Frank Chapman and Jesse Justice are having much success at Spring Dale? We wish them the best of luck. Be careful boys and don’t go any farther than the mill.

We saw in last week’s letter from Shegon an item which read like this: “Fred Woolum sure does look sweet in his new straw stack.” We have a boy in our town whose name is Fred Woolum and he also has a new straw stack. Just ask the girls of Sutton. They will tell the rest.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Hager of this place was a business caller in Big Creek last week.

Miss Millie Lancaster, teacher of the Banco school left for her home in Martinsburg, W.Va., last week. She will be missed by her many friends.

Mrs. L.A. Ellis of Needmore is visiting friends and relatives in Logan this week.

H.F. Lucas and father motored to Big Creek last Sunday.

Miss Mary Thomas of Estep was a caller in Banco last Tuesday night.

“Just a little sympathy for a boy whom we know well

Who met a girl at church in the Sunny Dell

And in the parlor when the lights were burning low,

A girl who left for Braxton county some little time ago.”

Success to The Banner readers.

Harts News 01.28.1927

23 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Sand Creek, West Hamlin

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Andrew Adkins, Appalachia, board of education, Charleston, Cora Adkins, Dallas McComas, deputy sheriff, Ed Brumfield, Fed Adkins, genealogy, Harts, Harts Creek District, Hendricks Brumfield, Herb Adkins, history, Hollena Ferguson, Huntington, Jessie Brumfield, John Gartin, John McEldowney, justice of the peace, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Man, road supervisor, Sand Creek, Verna Johnson, West Hamlin, West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on January 28, 1927:

When you are lonely and sad,

Read The Banner it will make you glad.

Edward Brumfield is very much pleased since he has been appointed deputy sheriff at Harts.

Hendrix Brumfield is our road supervisor in Harts Creek now.

Justice of the Peace John Gartin was looking after important business in Harts Saturday.

Board of Education of Harts Creek district met at Harts Saturday to hire some more teachers to fill vacancies in the schools. A large crowd of people was present.

Fred Adkins went through Harts on a mule Saturday morning. Wonder what’s the matter?

Misses Jessie and Verna Brumfield spent Friday and Saturday shopping in Huntington.

Herbert Adkins was in Hamlin Monday on business.

John McEldowney of Charleston was the recent guest of Miss Hollena Ferguson at Harts Saturday.

Miss Cora Adkins was the guest of friends at Sand Creek Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Adkins of Man spent several days visiting friends at Harts.

Mrs. Dallas McComas spent Sunday with homefolks at West Hamlin.

Harts News 12.03.1926

26 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Gill, Harts, Logan, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, Bessie Adkins, Bob Brumfield, Charles Brumfield, Cora Adkins, Corbett Brumfield, Dallas McComas, Ed Brumfield, Enos Dial, Fed Adkins, genealogy, Gill, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Hollena Ferguson, Jessie Brumfield, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Maezelle Brumfield, Nora Brumfield, Sylvia Cyfers, Tom Brumfield, West Hamlin, West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on December 3, 1926:

Oh, gee! Look what is at Harts. Nothing but mud and raining.

Mrs. Dallas McComas of Harts was the guest of her mother of West Hamlin on Thanksgiving.

Edward Brumfield was looking downhearted Sunday. Cheer up, Edward. Your girl will soon return.

There was great excitement in Harts Friday. Fred Adkins’ dog died.

Miss Sylvia Cyfers of Gill was the guest of Miss Jessie Brumfield at Harts Saturday.

Chas. Brumfield was transacting business matters in Logan last week.

Mrs. Nora Brumfield is progressing nicely with her school at Harts.

All the people in Harts are anxious to read The Banner.

Daily happenings: Robert and his letters; Ed and his sporty lumberjacket; Herbert and his greenback bills; Jessie and her satin slippers; May and her curls; Tom and his frock tail coat; Bessie and her red sweater; Cora and her white cap; Corbett and his oil can; Howard and his bob tail sweater; Clyde and his little tight shirt; Nora and her magazines; James and his dog; Enos and his red hair; Cora and her powder puff; Ella and her marcel wavers; Aunt Hollena and her cane.

Harts News 10.22.1926

20 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Cemeteries, Chapmanville, Gill, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Ranger, West Hamlin, Whirlwind

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Appalachia, Bertha Haines, Bob Adkins, Bob Dingess, Brooke Adkins, Caroline Brumfield, Chapmanville, Christopher Columbus Pack, Columbus, Cora Adkins, county clerk, deputy sheriff, Dr. J.T. Ferrell, Earl Wysong, Elizabeth Tomblin, Ellis Hans Isaac, Fisher B. Adkins, genealogy, Gill, Grover Gartin, Hamlin, Harts, Harts Creek, Herb Adkins, history, Huntington, Ira Tomblin, Jack Browning Cemetery, Jack Marcum, Jessie Brumfield, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Maezelle Brumfield, Mary Marcum, Nola Adkins, Nora Brumfield, Ohio, Pauline Scites, pneumonia, Ranger, Republican Party, Toney Johnson, typhoid fever, Verna Johnson, Vina Porter, Virginia Scites, Ward Brumfield, Wesley Tomblin, West Hamlin, West Virginia, Whirlwind

An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on October 22, 1926:

Grover Gartin of Ranger was calling on Miss Nola Adkins Sunday.

Herbert Adkins was transacting business in Huntington Monday.

Ward Brumfield was looking after business matters in Hamlin Tuesday.

Earl Wysong and Miss Bertha Haines of Logan were visiting friends and relatives at Harts Saturday and were entertained by Miss Jessie Brumfield.

Miss Cora Adkins spent Sunday at Gill.

Mr. and Mrs. Toney Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, spent Sunday with her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield of Harts.

Mrs. Ellis Hans Isaac of West Hamlin was calling on friends here Sunday.

Miss Pauline Scites and little sister Virginia of Huntington were the guests of Miss Jessie Brumfield Sunday at Harts.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dingess of Whirlwind passed through Harts Saturday evening enroute to Logan.

Jack and Mary Marcum of Ranger were in Harts Sunday.

Mrs. C.C. Pack and Miss Jessie Brumfield and little sister, May Zell, attended the funeral of Mrs. Wesley Tomblin, which took place at the Browning cemetery on Harts Creek Tuesday.

Ira Tomblin is very ill at present with typhoid fever.

We are very sorry to announce the death of Mrs. Wes Tomblin, who died at her home on Harts Creek Monday morning of pneumonia fever.

Mrs. Jas. Porter is very ill at this writing.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Adkins and Mrs. Brooke Adkins of Hamlin were calling on friends in Harts Sunday afternoon.

Ward Brumfield, deputy sheriff of Lincoln county, is loading ties today (Wednesday).

Fisher B. Adkins, Republican nominee for county clerk, is making a progressive campaign. Go to it, Fisher. We are going to elect the whole ticket this time.

Dr. Ferrell of Chapmanville was calling on patients in Harts and on Harts Creek Saturday.

School is progressing nicely here with Mrs. Nora Brumfield for teacher.

Good luck to The Banner!

Harts News 10.08.1926

17 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Barboursville, Chapmanville, Gill, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Ranger, Toney, West Hamlin

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Amherstdale, Andrew Adkins, Appalachia, Barboursville, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bill Adkins, Blanche Lambert, Bob Powers, C&O Railroad, Chapmanville, Clyde Rutherford, Cora Adkins, county clerk, Dallas McComas, Democratic Party, Dr. J.T. Chafin, Dr. J.T. Ferrell, Dr. Taylor, Emerine Browning, Fed Adkins, Fisher B. Adkins, Florence Davis, genealogy, Gill, Grover Gartin, Hamlin, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Huntington, Inez Adkins, J.M. Marcum, James Porter, Jessie Brumfield, Kessler-Hatfield Hospital, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Mae Caines, Matthew Farley, McConnell, Nannie Fry, Nola Adkins, Nora Brumfield, O.E. Bias, Ranger, Republican Party, Rinda Adkins, Sam Adkins, Sylvia Cyfers, Thomas Watson Adkins Jr., Toney, Vergia Fry, Vina Porter, Watson Adkins, West Hamlin, West Virginia, William McCann

An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on October 8, 1926:

Rev. Grover Gartin of Amherstdale was calling on Miss Nola Adkins Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Adkins and children of Logan have been visiting the latter’s sister, Mrs. R.L. Powers, of this place.

Miss Blanch Lambert of Toney has been calling on Miss Cora Adkins.

Mrs. Nora Brumfield is teaching a very successful term of school here.

F.B. Adkins, Republican nominee for county clerk, was taken to the Kessler-Hatfield hospital on Monday night with an injured arm.

Miss Sylvia Cyfers of Gill was the guest of Miss Cora Adkins Saturday.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson Adkins a fine boy named Thomas Watson, Jr.

Misses Nannie and Vergia Fry of Barboursville were the weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Adkins and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Herb Adkins have moved into their new home which was completed only a few days ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Dallas McComas of this place were visiting home folks at West Hamlin Saturday and Sunday.

W.M. McCann of Logan was the guest of his daughter, Mrs. Watson Adkins, one day last week.

O.E. Bias, C. & O. operator of this place, is working at McConnell for a few days.

Dr. Taylor of Huntington made an eloquent speech here one day last week.

Bill Adkins and M.C. Farley made a flying trip to Ranger Wednesday.

Clyde Rutherford was seen in Harts this week.

Miss Mae Caines of this place made a trip to Logan one day last week.

Mrs. F.B. Adkins was visiting relatives in Harts Sunday.

Mrs. Fred Adkins and Florence Davis have been calling on Rev. and Mrs. Jas. Porter.

Miss Jessie Brumfield was in Harts Saturday evening.

J.M. Marcum of Ranger, Democratic nominee for county clerk, was in Harts Wednesday.

Dr. J.T. Ferrell of Chapmanville and Miss Rine Browning were seen out car riding one day last week.

Dr. J.T. Chafin of Hamlin was in Harts Wednesday.

F.M. Johnson

10 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in West Hamlin

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Alafair Johnson, Appalachia, Cabell County, Catherine McComas, deputy sheriff, Emma Johnson, F.M. Johnson, Falls Mills, genealogy, Guyandotte River, Henry H. Hardesty, history, Lincoln County, M.W. Johnson, merchant, Merrit Johnson, Rhoda Johnson, Sheridan District, Spicy Johnson, T.J. McComas, Walter Adkins, West Virginia

From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for F.M. Johnson, who resided at Falls Mills in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Was born in Cabell county in 1847, and married Emma McComas, who was born in Cabell county in 1857. Their marriage was solemnized in Lincoln county, November 12, 1880, and their two children are: M.W., born January 9, 1882; Walter, February 18, 1883. The first marriage of Mr. Johnson was with Spicy Adkins, who died, leaving him one child, Alafair, born March 10, 1871. Merrit and Rhoda (Adkins) Johnson are the parents of F.M. They made their home in Lincoln county in 1882. HIs wife is a daughter of T.J. and Catherine (McComas) McComas, who were born and raised in what is now Lincoln county. In 1874 F.M. Johnson came to Lincoln county, and as a man of energy and ability he soon established a large mercantile business. His store is on Guyan river, but he is now riding as deputy sheriff of Lincoln. His post office address is Falls Mills, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 142.

George W. Messinger

03 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin, Timber, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, Catherine McComas, Catherine Messinger, Emery F. Messinger, Erastus Messinger, Fall Creek, Falls of Guyan, farming, genealogy, George W. Messinger, Hamlin, Henry H. Hardesty, history, John W. Messinger, Lincoln County, Mary Messinger, Mary N. Messinger, miller, Myrta Messinger, Nicholas Messinger, Sarah E. Messinger, Sheridan District, Thomas J. McComas, Thomas J. Messinger, timber, timbering, War of 1812, West Hamlin, West Virginia

From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for George W. Messinger, who resided at West Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Williams) Messinger, who settled in what is now Lincoln county in 1838. He was here born, in Sheridan district, in 1842, and his marriage was solemnized in this district, in 1868, Sarah E. McComas becoming his wife. Their seven children were born: Mary N., December 6, 1868; Erastus, September 11, 1870; Thomas J., September 28, 1872; John W., June 6, 1875; Catherine, August 27, 1877; Myrta, September 14, 1879; Emery F., September 27, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Messinger were both born in what is now Lincoln county, Thomas J. and Catherine (Condons) McComas, and her birth was in Sheridan district, in 1844. The father of George W. was a soldier of the 1812 war, and died in Lincoln county, March 29, 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. George W. Messinger is a prosperous farmer, owning 518 acres of good land on Fall creek, near the Falls of Guyan. The land is well improved, so far as under cultivation, and the remainder well timbered, with mineral croppings. He has a fine fruit orchard of apples, pears, peaches, and plums. In addition to his farming interests, he deals extensively in lumber and has an interest in a grist mill. Post office address, Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 144.

William P. Dingess

31 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in West Hamlin

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Annie L. Dingess, Appalachia, Argillite, board of education, Cabell County, genealogy, George E. Dingess, Greenup County, Henry H. Hardesty, history, Jerome Dingess, Jerome Shelton, Kentucky, Lincoln County, Logan County, Maggie V. Dingess, Maldidia Dingess, Malinda Shelton, Sheridan District, Susan Dingess, timbering, Vivia Dingess, West Virginia, William D. Dingess, William P. Dingess

From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for William P. Dingess, who resided at Argillite in Greenup County, Kentucky:

Was born in Logan county, then Virginia, in 1848, a son of William D. and Loanna (Berry) Dingess. He came with his parents to Lincoln county in 1862, and in this county was long actively engaged in business as a lumberman. In Cabell county, in 1867, he was united in marriage with Susan Shelton, and in the years that have ensued seven children have been born to them, and death has taken two away: Annie L., was born January 22, 1868; Maggie V., January 2, 1870; George E., May 18, 1872, died September 12, 1878; William D., July 14, 1874, died March 19, 1875; Jerome, August 19, 1876; Maldidia, June 28, 1878; Vivia, April 8, 1880. The wife of Mr. Dingess was born in Cabell county in 1848, and her parents, Major Jerome and Malinda (Messinger) Shelton, were born and reside in this county. Mr. Dingess was secretary of the board of education in his district. In 1883 he moved to Greenup county, Kentucky. His post office address is Argillite, Greenup county, Kentucky.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 142-143.

Harts News 04.20.1926

01 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Huntington, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, Charleston, Cora Adkins, Dr. Ferrell, Ed Brumfield, Ed Zane Adkins, Enos Dial, Fed Adkins, genealogy, Hardin Marcum, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Huntington, Inez Adkins, Lincoln County, Logan, Marshall College, measles, Robert Black, Robert Powers, Ward Brumfield, Watson Adkins, West Hamlin, West Virginia

An unknown local correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 20, 1926:

Harts is on a splash again.

Everybody in Harts is planning for the big show at Huntington the 27th.

Measles are raging very bad at this place.

Wonder why Dr. Ferrell is going to Fred Adkins so often?

Ward Brumfield is transacting business in Charleston this week.

Edward Adkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Watson Adkins, is very ill at present with the measles.

Robert Powers is awful well pleased since he got to be section foreman on the railroad. Oh, gee, Miss Sadie can wear fine kid gloves now.

Wonder why Hardin Marcum is hanging around the Thomas hotel so much?

Mrs. Gibson and little daughter of Maubar were calling on Mrs. Robert Powers at Harts Sunday evening.

Enos Dials is still squeezing the Big Creek kids.

All the teachers here are planning for the summer term in Marshall College.

Robert Black of Logan was seen in Harts Sunday.

Herbert Adkins is a business caller in Logan this week.

Miss Jewell Elizabeth and Ed Brumfield are very busy these days, reading Educational News.

Cora Adkins seems to be enjoying herself these days.

The ocean is wide, the sea is deep. It takes a railroad boy to make a fool out of me.

There were six made 8th grade diplomas in the diploma test here.

Quite a lot of the West Hamlin boys were seen in Harts Sunday.

Harts News 02.26.1926

17 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Gill, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Sand Creek, West Hamlin

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Anna Lambert, Appalachia, Bessie Adkins, Blanch Lambert, Catherine Adkins, Charles Brumfield, Charleston, Cole Branch, Cora Adkins, Dr. Ferrell, Easter, Enos Dial, genealogy, Gill, Hamlin, Hardin Marcum, Harts, Hawkins Perry, Hendricks Brumfield, history, Jewell Brumfield, John C. McEldowney, Laura Lambert, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Luther Dempsey, Mae Brumfield, Nora Brumfield, Sadie Powers, Sand Creek, Sylvia Cyfers, Victoria Pack, Ward Brumfield, Watson Adkins, Wesley Ferguson, West Virginia

An unknown local correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on February 26, 1926:

Several boys and girls of this place attended singing school at Coal Branch Sunday.

Dr. Ferrell and Cora Adkins were calling on friends at Sand Creek last Saturday evening.

Miss Jewell Brumfield attended Sunday school at Gill Sunday and was accompanied by Sylvia Ciphers and Hawkins Perry.

J.C. McEldowney of Charleston was calling on friends and relatives at Harts Saturday.

Chas. Brumfield was a business caller in Huntington Saturday.

Ward Brumfield was transacting business in Hamlin Saturday.

Blanch, Anna and Laura Lambert were visiting friends in Harts Wednesday.

Hardin Marcum was calling on Shirlie Adkins at West Hamlin Sunday.

Hendrix Brumfield attended singing at Coal Branch Sunday and reported there were over fifty singers present and the singing was progressing nicely.

Every body is planning to hunt Easter eggs here.

Mrs. C.C. Pack and daughter, Miss May, were visiting relatives in Logan Saturday and Sunday.

Enos Dials spent Sunday in Huntington.

Daily Happenings: Bob Hendrix meeting the train; Ward with the tax books; Watson with his pipe; Herb in the garage; Nora and Jewell teaching school; Bessie and Cora in the store; Aunt Cathrine with her hair; Sadie with her glasses on; Luther in his old rattle trap; Wesley reading the newspaper; Fred, the law maker.

Recollections of the Civil War in Cabell and Lincoln Counties, WV

10 Saturday Sep 2016

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Barboursville, Civil War, Salt Rock, West Hamlin

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Appalachia, Barboursville, Bear Creek, Cabell County, civil war, Confederate Army, Enon Church, Falls of Guyan, genealogy, George Rogers, Guyandotte River, history, Lincoln County, Mud River, Salt Rock, South Carolina, Thomas H. Perry, Tylers Creek, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia, William R. Brumfield

About 1910, Rev. Thomas H. Perry reflected on his long life, most of which was spent in the vicinity of Tylers Creek in Cabell County, West Virginia. In this excerpt from his autobiography, Mr. Perry recalled the early years of the Civil War in his locale:

In November, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union. That was more than a sign of war; it was a declaration of war. Soon afterwards six other southern states seceded, and a little later three other states followed suit, and last of all, in May, 1861, Virginia seceded.

My father said he had worked, prayed, voted for the Union, but he thought he owed his allegiance first to the state and then to the general government. However, he advised us boys to stay at home, as there are many things involved in this war and its hard to say what the outcome will be. One Sunday, in 1861, many of our young people were at Enon church, and at that time the union army was at Barboursville, ten miles away. While we were at church a man came on horseback in great speed with his hat off, and when he got to the church he cried out: “Get to the mountains; the Federals are on their way to Tyler’s creek, and are destroying everything before them.”

We all ran to the woods in great haste, and remained there until the next day, except the women and the children, who returned home that evening; the old men advised the women and children to stay at home, as they did not believe the soldiers would do them any harm. But several young men from this first scare, joined the Confederate army, but I stayed at home and dodged the soldiers until the spring of 1862. During this time I thought of going north and going to school, and then I would think if I went north they would force me to join the army and I would have to fight my own people, and I could not do that. I thought if I was in the south I could not go to school; they would force me in the army and I knew I could not stay at home. So I decided as there was no neutral ground for me I would go to Dixie. At this time the Federals were scouting the country in every direction which made it difficult to go, but we set a time to meet in a low gap east of Joseph Johnson’s, a half-way place between Guyan and Mud rivers. That night we filled that gap more than full of men and horses. It was a dark night and we never knew how many men we had present, but think there were two or three hundred. We were suspicious of traitors among us that night. We did our work quickly, appointed a captain and mapped out our way for that night’s march. The way was down Tyler’s creek to the Salt Rock and then up the Guyan river. About midnight our captain said: “Gentlemen, follow me,” and as we slowly moved out of that gap it was whispered, “we do not know whose hands we are in , as there are so many more here tonight than we expected, and so many strangers.”

When we came to where my father lived on Tyler’s creek, I asked George Rogers, a man of our company to wait with me until I could go to the barn and get my horse, for I had left my horse in the barn until we were ready to march. This delayed me about twenty minutes. Mr. Rogers and I thought we would soon overtake our men, but when we came to a bridle path that led to the mouth of Bear Creek, much nearer than by way of Salt Rock, it was so dark we could not see the track of a horse, and as we did not know which way our men had gone we were much perplexed and lost some time at this point, but decided to go the nearer way, and when we came within one mile and a-half of the falls of Guyan, we heard considerable shooting in our direction, and as our men were twenty-five or thirty minutes in the advance of us, the shooting must have been at our men, and as our men were not armed the shooting was all from one side and it may be that half of our men are killed. we stopped and decided that we would wait for daylight. We hitched our horses about fifty yards from the road and lay down under a beech tree that stood about twenty-five yards from the road, and we went into a doze. Suddenly, in front of us, there was a moving army and we could not tell whether they were going up or down the road until the rear guard passed, and then we knew they were going down the road. While they were passing, I said: “George, these are our  men.” George said: “Be still, say nothing.”

When morning came, Mr. Lucas, a man living in that neighborhood, said to us: “The men that have just passed down the road killed Mr. Brumfield and had fired into a body of unarmed men at the falls just before day, this morning.” We understood the rest and at noon that day we were back again at my father’s house.

Source: From Youth to Old Age by T.H. Perry, Chapter 5, p. 14-16. Note: As of 1862, Cabell County remained a part of Virginia and Lincoln County did not exist.

Recollections of the 1856 Presidential Election, Cabell County, WV

05 Monday Sep 2016

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Salt Rock, West Hamlin

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alcohol, Appalachia, Cabell County, Democratic Party, education, Election of 1856, Enon Church, Falls of Guyan, From Youth to Old Age, history, James Buchanan, John C. Fremont, Lincoln County, politics, Republican Party, Salt Rock, Saton Rowsey, schools, Thomas H. Perry, Tylers Creek, West Virginia

About 1910, Rev. Thomas H. Perry reflected on his long life, most of which was spent in the vicinity of Tylers Creek in Cabell County, West Virginia. In this excerpt from his autobiography, Mr. Perry recalled the 1856 presidential election as it occurred near the Falls of Guyan and his early education:

When I was eleven years old I went to my first election; in 1856. James Buckhanan [sic], democrat, and John C. Fremont, republican, were the candidates for president, and as I could not vote, I did not take much interest in politics. I wanted to see how and what they did at elections.

The election was held in a store building, two miles below the falls of the Guyan river, now Lincoln county. The first thing I noticed was a barrel of whiskey standing upon a large tree, the head of the barrel being out, and large tin cups were hanging on nails that were driven into the side of the barrel. The whiskey was free for everybody and strange to say, but one out of that three or four hundred men who drank that whiskey that day, was drunk, and he thought he would die, and he began to beg the people to pray for him. Some said: “Let him died; a man that would make a dog out of himself and get drunk because the whiskey was free, was not fit to live.” But one man said: “I will pray for him.” He kneeled by the side of the drunk man and shut his eyes and raised his hand. I thought I never heard such a prayer in all my life as that man offered for the drunk man. It made me tremble to see the drunk man and hear the other men pray. During the prayer I resolved that I would never get drunk, which vow I have kept to this day. I never saw but few drunkards in my boyhood days. They were considered a low class of people, and ruled out of society. In those days the surplus peaches and apples were made into brandy, and as you could buy pure whiskey for twenty-five cents per gallon by the barrel, it was so cheap and plentiful the people did not have such a craving for it. In my neighborhood it was generally used in moderation. It was not the great evil of the day as it is now. The great evil of intemperance, in my opinion can only be overcome by freedom and moral suasion.

As I do not want to lose sight of the election: I went to the end of the store house where there was a window and a voter came to the window and took his hat off and gave his name to commissioners of the election. Commencing at the head of the ticket, one of the judges asked the voter who he would vote for, clear through the ticket. So we all knew who the voter voted for, from one end of the ticket to the other. I like that way of voting as there are less frauds in elections held that way than there are with the secret ballot. I think it was in 1856 a Mr. Howard made up a large school and taught it in Enon church. Mr. Howard had a great name as a teacher and the young people came for miles to this school.

The commissioners contracted with Mr. Howard to teach in this school the poor children of the district. This did not please some of our young people. They said this would be going to school with paupers, but when they found that the law of Virginia required the teacher who received the free school fund to teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, English, grammar, geography, state and U.S. history and the elements of physical science, and such other higher branches as the school might direct, they saw  if Mr. Howard could teach all these branches he was a good scholar and they said nothing more.

Mr. Saton Rowsey was our next teacher. He was said to be a hustling teacher. In my ten years schooling before the war I had seven teachers, in the three years after the war, three teachers–ten in all. Dr. Bias taught the last school I attended. He was about twenty years old and I was about thirty. He was considered a fine instructor. He is now practicing medicine in the west. I always felt that pupils should have the greatest respect for their teachers.

Source: From Youth to Old Age by T.H. Perry, Chapter 3, p. 11-12. Note: At the time of the 1856 presidential election, Cabell County yet remained a part of Virginia.

Feud Poll 1

If you had lived in the Harts Creek community during the 1880s, to which faction of feudists might you have given your loyalty?

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Feud Poll 2

Do you think Milt Haley and Green McCoy committed the ambush on Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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Who do you think organized the ambush of Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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What do you think caused Ed Haley to lose his sight when he was three years old?

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© Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com, 1987-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Appalachia Ashland Big Creek Big Ugly Creek Blood in West Virginia Brandon Kirk Cabell County cemeteries Chapmanville Charleston civil war coal Confederate Army crime culture Ed Haley Ella Haley Ferrellsburg feud fiddler fiddling genealogy Green McCoy Guyandotte River Harts Harts Creek Hatfield-McCoy Feud history Huntington John Hartford Kentucky Lawrence Haley life Lincoln County Lincoln County Feud Logan Logan Banner Logan County Milt Haley Mingo County music Ohio photos timbering U.S. South Virginia Wayne County West Virginia Whirlwind writing

Blogs I Follow

  • OtterTales
  • Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC
  • Piedmont Trails
  • Truman Capote
  • Appalachian Diaspora

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OtterTales

Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain

Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC

This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.

Piedmont Trails

Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond

Truman Capote

A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century

Appalachian Diaspora

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