Tag Archives: African-Americans

Matilda Wade (1929)

09 Thursday Sep 2021

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Matilda Wade

Teacher, Cora School

Miss Wade is a graduate of Douglas High School, Huntington, and West Virginia State College; she has done summer work at the same institution. This is Miss Wade’s first term as a teacher, but her adeptness and aggressive methods have the knack and precision of those of longer experience. Miss Wade has a pleasing manner in her school work which brings willing and immediate reaction from her pupils. Her ideals in education are high. With her disposition to apply herself, and the active and energetic methods she employs, she is bound to reach a high place in her profession. Miss Wade is a member of the West Virginia Teachers’ Association. She possesses another splendid quality in her ability to make friends among the patrons of her community.

L. Jean Bayes (1929)

16 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by in African American History, Logan, Women's History

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Miss L. Jean Bayes

Elementary Department, Aracoma High School

Miss Bayes is a graduate of Wilberforce University and has done work at West Virginia State College and Cheyney Normal, Cheyney, Pa. She has taught for eleven years in West Virginia, seven of which have been engaged in Logan county. She is a member of the Teachers’ State and National Educational movements. She is very energetic in the promotion of civic, religious and the political welfare of her county and state. She tends her efforts zealously for the welfare and uplift of her people in a wide scope of interest. Social handicaps appeal strongly to her humanitarian impulses, and she is a veritable Good Samaritan in this sphere of necessity. Miss Bayes possibly has not a superior among the women of her race in the state as an organizer and effective public speaker. As a teacher she is effective. She knows her subject and her pupil and brings both together harmoniously and beneficially. In the community, Miss Bayes is always constructive and outstanding in whatever she undertakes and easily outdistances all competitors in her program. Her ____ is widespread, for she is possessed with a purpose and strength of character that makes her a natural leader among her people.

African-American Items from Logan, WV (1920s)

29 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in African American History, Holden, Man, World War I

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes these items relating to African-American life in Logan County during the 1920s:

“Jes’ Twelve O’Clock”

A hungry looking negro was observed sitting on a railroad track at Peach Creek yards when the noon whistle blew. He scratched his head and remarked, “Dar she blows. Dinner time for most folks, but jes’ twelve o’clock fo’ me.”

Logan (WV) Banner, 14 April 1922

***

War Story Uncovered

It was four shot years ago and the American doughboys were in the front line trenches facing Heinie. A company of colored troops were in the front trenches and among them were two colored boys from Logan whom we will call Sam and Rastus. They were backed up by 6,000 white troops and the order had been given to “go over the top” at a certain moment and the zero hour was fast approaching.

]Sam aquietly crept over to Rastus and said, “What do you ‘spose our folks would say about us if ‘de knowed where we was now?”

“Go away,” said Rastus. “If ‘de knowed where we wuz ‘de Logan Banner would be setting up headlines right now, saying, ‘Six thousan’ white boys done been trampled to death'”

Logan (WV) Banner, 27 October 1922

***

Negro Advancement

Though most northerners, including Negro leaders, often express disappointment with the progress the race is making, especially in the southern states, an impartial survey would doubtless inspire hope and pride rather than despair and humiliation.

In spite of deplorable lynchings and persistent unkindness toward him that must make the angel weep, the Negro is advancing. Future generations will be amazed at the rapidity with which he has overcome his handicaps. This view is set forth clearly, along with the facts that justify it, in the Dearborn Independent, which quotes a “Southern Planter” as follows:

Nearly nine million Negroes live south of Mason and Dixon’s line. With but few exceptions they are the progeny of grandparents who were born in slavery. The Negro emerged from the darkness of servitude without land, capital or credit. Within the sixty years that have followed emancipation he has come into possession of twenty-two million acres of land, an area greater than that of South Carolina. Negroes of the South are proprietors of business of every description. Approximately forty thousand enterprises, some of which are national in scope, are owned and operated by them. There are nearly seventy Negro banks, three Negro life insurance companies, real estate firms, hotels, factories, drug and department stores. Colored lawyers, doctors, dentists, undertakers and artisans of every degree of skill practice their profession and ply their trade in every part of the Negro’s native section. In sixty years the Southern Negro has acquired these for himself.

Negroes of the nation own one billion dollars’ worth of property and their holdings are increasing at the rate of fifty million dollars a year. Their most important investments and greatest enterprises are in the South, for that is the section they have known for generations, and the one in which, best authorities say, they will find their greatest success.

Were the Southerner not the friend of the Negro it would have been impossible for the Negro to have attained the degree of success with which he has been blessed. The late Andrew Carnegie and the late Lord Bryce agreed that the progress of the American Negro, after emancipation, was the most remarkable racial accomplishment in the history of the world. The Southerner claims his part of the glory for this achievement for he is the Negro’s teacher.

Logan (WV) Banner, 6 January 1928

***

Holden Wins Debate

Resolved “That the Negro has received more cruel treatment than the Indian in America,” was the interesting subject debated by Holden and Logan at Cora last Friday night, with a judges’ score of 5 to 6 points in favor of Holden. The Logan speakers were Rev. E.W. Ross, Rev. M.C. Gentry and Prof. Lucas Wade, while R.R. Batty, Eugene Carter and Guy W. Pennington represented Holden. A spicy program, arranged by the local P.T. Association at Cora, who sponsored the debate, was also a pleasing feature.

Logan (WV) Banner, 8 March 1929

***

Negro Prisoner Bears Odd Name

A colored man of very dark skin languishes in the county jail in default of bond for his appearance in federal court. Commissioner Hager bound him over to Charleston court April 16, after hearing evidence concerning a sale of whiskey. The arrest was made by Troopers Reed and Creasy of Man.

Now the interesting feature of this case is the prisoner’s name, which is none other than White Child. The surname as well as the first name must be the gift of the satirist, for this fellow, a resident of Accoville, has been under pretty close surveillance for a child.

The same troopers brought in Harvey Bias on a charge of possessing booze. He, too, was bound over to federal court and in default of bond went to jail.

Logan (WV) Banner, 12 April 1929

Mrs. Evva L. Hatch (1929)

04 Wednesday Mar 2020

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Notable Blacks of Logan County LB 04.16.1929 18

Mrs. Evva L. Hatch

Teacher, McBeth School

Mrs. Hatch is a graduate of Garnet High School, Charleston, and West Virginia State College. She has done summer work at Ohio University and University of Chicago. Mrs. Hatch has taught for fourteen years in the state, twelve years of which have been spent in Logan county. She is a member of West Virginia State Teachers’ Association.

In her community and district and also through the county, Mrs. Hatch is regarded as one of the active and influential leaders in all of her activities that are promoted in interest of good citizenship. Her preparation and long service as a teacher makes her ability unquestioned. She is a leader in her field and all groups of citizens recognize her qualifications and hold her in high regard.

Miss Ruby L. Hess (1929)

26 Wednesday Feb 2020

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Notable Blacks of Logan County LB 04.16.1929 13

Miss Ruby L. Pless

Teacher, Nannie Burrough School, Lorado

Graduate West Virginia State College and did summer work at same institution. She has taught four years, two of which have been spent in her present position.

She is a member of the West Virginia State Teachers’ Association and of the State Parent-Teacher Association.

Miss Pless is a teacher of engaging personality. Studious and earnest in her work, and direct in her methods, for obtaining results, she is classed with the group of progressive teachers of the county and state. She is making a splendid record in her present position. Well placed in the affections of her pupils and patrons, Miss Pless’ thoroughness in her field of labor is destined to lead her far in advancement in the profession in which she is engaged.

Recollections of Laura Hinchman at Combs Addition, WV (1984), Part 1

24 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in African American History, Civil War, Coal, Guyandotte River, Huntington, Logan, Man, Timber, Women's History, Wyoming County

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Laura C. Hinchman was born on March 22, 1919 to Walter and Anna Brooke (McVey) Hinchman at Mallory in Logan County, WV. She was an educator for over fifty years and was very active in civic affairs. For more information about her background, see her obituary at this location: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140834185/laura-caryl-hinchman

The following interview of Ms. Hinchman was conducted on July 16, 1984. In this part of the interview, she discusses her ancestry, community history, timbering, and coal mining.

***

Miss Hinchman, how did your family first come to this area?

Well, when West Virginia was being settled, people who were willing to come here were given land grants by governors of Virginia over different periods of years. This property was given by the governor of the commonwealth of Virginia at that time, Governor Nicholson. It was given in 1815 to my great grandfather, Dr. Ulysses Hinchman, who was a member of the legislature. He had land holdings in Wyoming County, and he laid out the town of Oceana. He is recorded in a lot of the books of the history of Wyoming and Logan Counties. According to the West Virginia Blue Book, that is how Man got its name. At first it was called Buffalo City. Then they decided to change the name. They thought Hinchman was too long and there was already a place called Hinch, so they named it Man in honor of my great grandfather. Now, that’s according to the West Virginia Blue Book.

Do you remember what your grandparents were like?

Now, both my grandfather and grandmother Hinchman died before I was born, so I don’t remember either of them. At that time, this was all timber land. My grandfather Hinchman, whose name was Lorenzo Dow Hinchman, was a timberman. We have a lot of records here in the house where he kept books of how much he paid the men and how much he sold, and all that. After this was cleared, then, of course, it became farmland. Now, they had no way of getting the logs that were cut to a market. So down there just below Woodrow’s, and this happened several places, they built what was called splash dams. They made a dam and dammed the water up and filled it with logs. Then there would be a great big lot of excitement. Everybody would gather and they would tear the dam lose and let the logs float down to the Guyan River. There were men who went with them, I suppose on rafts, and rafted the logs together, and floated them down the Guyan River to the Guyandotte. Now, my mother’s father, who came from Raleigh County, was Uncle Vic McVey. Of course, I remember him well, he lived here with us until he died at the age of ninety-four. He was one of the men who followed floating those logs down the river, and then they would walk back from Huntington. They had places that they stayed on their way back. I don’t know how many days it took.

Now, my grandmother Hinchman was a Chambers, which is also one of the early settler families in this area. She was a schoolteacher. At that time, it was possible to teach school when you got through the eighth grade, you were given a certificate. All first teachers in the one room schools here were just graduates of the eight grade, because the high school at Man was not built until 1919 or 1920, and that’s all they had. Now some people taught after they finished the eighth grade, and then went on when it was possible. I have a cousin Lake Claypool–that’s another old family in this area for which Claypool is named–that she taught after she finished the eighth grade then she went on to Man and finished high school and then went to Morris Harvey. But all the older teachers were just eighth grade. There was a one room school down here at Claypool. There was a one room school up at Vance’s. There were several one room schools on Buffalo Creek. There was a one room school up–what’s that creek up Bruno called–Elk Creek. My grandmother was a teacher, but as I say, both died before I was ever born. Now then, this place was called Cyclone. This is where Cyclone was. My grandmother Hinchman kept the Cyclone Post Office here for forty years. After she passed away, my mother–she was a McVey–and she married my father, Walter Hinchman, in 1910, and came here. I had Aunt Rosa Hinchman, who had never married at that time, who helped her keep the post office. The mail was carried on horseback from Huntington and the West, came that way, and from Oceana, from that direction they carried it. The postmasters met here, and they ate dinner here every day. My mother–ever who all was here, and at that time, you never knew who might be there for dinner… But when this house was built, this part wasn’t part of it. The kitchen and the dining room were in separate buildings. Now, of course, in the south they had slaves and all, but I do recall their talking about on black man, by the name of Sam. I don’t remember much about him but that’s the only black person that they ever had here, you know, on the farm.

I do remember my granddad McVey quite well, and my great-grandfather came to Raleigh County with General Beckley and settled there. Then my mother’s grandfather was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War. His name was Zirkle, which is the German word for circle. He ran away from home during the Civil War and joined the Confederate Army. After the war he came here and settled. He also lived with us until he was in his nineties. But my mothers’ mother, my grandmother McVey, died when my mother was only, maybe two years old, so I never knew any of my real grandparents except, you know, my granddad McVey.

Were you born here, at this house?

I was born here on March 22, 1919. My father passed away in February of 1920 when I was eleven months old. There were three of us Hinchman children: Woodrow, Paul, and I was the youngest, of course. I don’t remember my father, but Woodrow does. Then my mother married Pete Toler when I was twenty-three months old, a year after my father died. I remember his as my real father because he reared me. He worked this farm and I remember the first time I called him Daddy, now I don’t know how old I was.

There was a mine at Davin that was first called Forkner, and it was changed to the name of Davin after Hollow A. Davin, a prominent man in Logan who probably owned the mine, and that started in 1923. Then the post office was taken up the creek and then we had a post office at Davin. Then my dad ran a coal cutting machine. Men took those jobs by contract and they were paid for the number of cars that they cut. They could work as many hours as they wanted. The men who loaded the coal–they may have loaded themselves, I don’t know–they loaded the coal into wooden cars. Now, in order to get credit of the coal car that they had loaded they had a–what was it called? Well, it was a little round piece of metal with a number on it that they hung on that coal car. The coal was hauled out of the mine by mule or ponies. There was a tipple and everything there at Davin. Then the Clean Eagle mine went in later, I don’t remember when, but my dad worked there, and he also worked at Mallory. But when we were children, we never saw our dad until the weekend because he went to work before daylight, before we ever thought of getting up and he never came in until after we had gone to bed. That sort of thing kept up with miners until John L. Lewis, you see, organized the union.

Stirrat Colored News 01.05.1923

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

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A correspondent named Lewis Calvin from Stirrat on Island Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on January 5, 1923:

On last Sunday, the Sunday school lesson at the Mt. Olive Baptist church was efficiently taught by our visiting minister, Rev. G.J. Parks, of Chauncey.

Rev. Parks remained with us during the day and preached for us some wonderful sermons which were accepted by all of his hearers. We sure did enjoy having Rev. Parks with us and we extend to him an invitation to return and he will always find a warm welcome.

We always delight in having with us ministers who know how to preach the Gospel and Rev. Parks surely did know how to bring the message to us. His evening text was taken from the 3rd chapter of Job, and he discussed Job as a man of God.

The entire congregation was delighted with his manner of handling the subject and extends to him the glad hand to return and be with us again.

Lewis Calvin, Clerk

Stone Branch Colored News 01.12.1923

14 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by in African American History, Ashland, Stone Branch

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A correspondent named “S.T.B.” from Stone Branch in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following “colored” news, which the Logan Banner printed on January 12, 1923:

Mrs. Lucy Woodie has been visiting home folks at Ashland and we are very glad to have her back again.

Rev. Dan Claytor preached for us Sunday night. It was a very small attendance. Dear people, why don’t you come to the church and hear the word of the Lord?

Mrs. Minnie Gayhart is very sick at this time. We hope to see her improving soon.

Hughie Smith was here Tuesday. Hurry up, Hughie. Things are looking very sad without you.

Mrs. Mary Johnson and Mrs. A.J. Dickerson were seen going to the store Monday.

Mrs. Fannie Hill is progressing nicely with her school.

Nathaniel Hogans is able to be at school again.

Stone Branch is getting more like a city every day.

Famous combinations: A.J. Dickerson and his wagon; Mr. Will Woodie and his slop bucket; Samuel Thomas and his oil can; John Smith and his baby; Mrs. Lucy Woodie and her traveling bag.

Stone Branch Colored News 07.28.1922

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in African American History, Boone County, Huntington, Stone Branch

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A correspondent named “The Two Gypsies” from Stone Branch in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following “colored” news, which the Logan Banner printed on July 28, 1922:

The ladies helping hand club spent the day in prayer services led by Sister Mollie Claton. We had a good and successful service.

Mrs. Genoa Page has been on the sick list for a few days. She went to the Kessler hospital Monday but she is at home again.

Mrs. Hazel Smith and Miss Bessie Burney have returned home again.

Mrs. Lucy Woodie has been on the sick list for a few days.

Mrs. Mary Coltrane made a visit here last week.

Mrs. Tom Smoot of Madison was visiting church Sunday.

Mr. A.J. Dickerson went to Huntington last week to take Nathaniel Hogans to the hospital. He is home now and is somewhat improved.

Elizabeth Dickerson and Georgia Smith went to Sunday school Sunday. The Lesson was discussed by Bro. Craddock, the teacher.

Mrs. Mary Hudson is visiting Mrs. Mollie Clayton.

Mrs. Della Ferguson and daughters were seen at the carnival. We hope they had a nice time.

Mrs. Laura Feary Griere (1929)

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in African American History, Logan, Women's History

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Notable Blacks of Logan County LB 04.16.1929 9.JPG

Mrs. Laura Feary Griere

Teacher, English Department, Aracoma High School

Graduate: Fisk University. She has three years’ teaching experience, spending two of them in her present position. Mrs. Griere is a member of the State and National Teachers’ Association; is also a member of West Virginia Physical Education Union for women. Mrs. Griere is an active, entertaining teacher, splendidly qualified for her work, and gives assistance to other activities in the community that concern the people’s welfare. She has also done much active service in Urban League work and is experienced in social activities. Mrs. Griere was a member of the Editorial Staff of her school journal while she attended school at Fisk.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929.

Aracoma High School in Logan, WV (1929)

09 Tuesday Oct 2018

Posted by in African American History, Logan

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Aracoma High School LB 04.16.1929 1.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929.

THE COLORED ARACOMA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Now In Course of Erection, is the result of the vision and enterprise of the Logan District Board of Education to meet a need in the life of the colored citizens of this district, which need has been existing for a long period of years, and has equally as long been neglected.

The moving spirit, in the board of education, toward bringing this new school to a successful issue, is Dr. L.E. Farnsworth, and it is to him in particular that the colored citizens of this district owe a lasting debt of gratitude. Early and late, at times seasonable and times unseasonable Dr. Farnsworth worked in the Aracoma colored system, and that the shame against the intelligence and liberality of the white citizens of this district might be removed by in replacing the makeshift which existed with a decent colored school building.

The contribution of the space and picture of the proposed building, shown in this progress section devoted to colored citizens, is made by the Board of Education. This is a further evidence of their generous attitude toward our people, encouraging their efforts to improve themselves and advance their welfare. Such liberality merits our thanks and unstinted praise, and it is hereby extended generously and thankfully.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929

***

New School Building

Ground was broken last week in Coal Branch for the new Aracoma Junior high school. A large force of men with scrapers, picks and shovels are busy doing the excavating work, and delegations of patriot citizens of color are visiting the scene daily and watching the rapid progress that is being made on this long needed and prayed for school building. The site is ideal, with a large play ground and when completed and furnished, it will be one of the best in the state. The new Aracoma Junior high school building is the fulfillment of some of the pledges and campaign promises made by Republican candidates and party workers, to the colored voters during the last election. The bringing into existence of this long promised school will be a lasting credit to the members of the Logan district Board of Education and should also standout as another important reason why the Negro should vote the Republican ticket.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 19 April 1929

Powell Valley Male Academy at Speedwell, TN (2013)

07 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by in African American History, Civil War

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Powell Valley Male (later Speedwell) Academy, built 1827, at Speedwell in Claiborne County, TN. During the Civil War, it served as headquarters for Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer. 30 May 2013.

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George Shutter, a German immigrant who settled locally from Pennsylvania about 1800, believed strongly in education. He supplied the money and slaves necessary to build the academy. 30 May 2013.

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Slaves supervised by Sam Monday made the bricks from nearby Davis Creek and erected the building. 30 May 2013.

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Once the building was completed, students relocated from an earlier log building. 30 May 2013.

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Students boarded with neighborhood residents or upstairs in the building. The professor lived upstairs. 30 May 2013.

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The Powell Valley Male Academy operated until sometime around 1900 when it was reorganized as Speedwell Academy and served both male and female students. 30 May 2013. For more history, follow this link: http://www.tngenweb.org/campbell/hist-bogan/speedwell.html

Rev. J.H. Burns (1929)

06 Saturday Oct 2018

Posted by in African American History, Battle of Blair Mountain

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Rev. J.H. Burns

Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Sharples

The Reverend Burns has been pastor for five consecutive years. The church of his charge has an enrolled membership of 175, and is one of the best organized congregations in the field. All of its departments, missionary society, Sunday school, B.Y.P.U. and other branches are active and effective. His services in the community and county, as a moral and spiritual influence, are constructive and uplifting. Rev. Burns has been in the ministry for twenty-one years, covering numerous fields of activity in his long period of service to the cause of religion among his people. The reverend’s educational qualifications embrace studies at Walker Baptist Institute, Augusta, and Morehouse College, Atlanta. All matters pertaining to the welfare of his people, enlist Rev. Burns’ support and he wields a large measure of power among his people in the community and county.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929

Willa Lipscomb Deering (1929)

28 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by in African American History, Women's History

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

MRS. WILLA LIPSCOMB DEERING

Teacher, Lundale Stowe School

Graduate West Virginia State College; has done summer work in the same institution and Columbia University; member West Virginia State and National Teachers Associations. She has taught for fourteen years in Logan county, twelve of which has been engaged in her present position. Mrs. Deering has a splendid record of achievement in her labors, seeing the result of her efforts in the growth and improvement of the community. She is thorough and precise in her work and is numbered in the profession among the best grade teachers. Because of her labors among the people, she holds a large place in their affections and esteem.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929

Dr. J.S. Carter (1929)

27 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by in African American History, World War I

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Notable Blacks of Logan County LB 04.16.1929 5

DR. J.S. CARTER, DENTIST

Washington Hotel, Logan, W.Va.

Graduate: Dental College of Howard University; did work at Ohio University, Athens, and the University of Pittsburgh; member of Alpha Phi fraternity. Dr. Carter served his country in the late World War. The doctor has practiced medicine six years, all of which has been done in West Virginia, his native state. The doctor has a modernly equipped office, engaged a large and profitable practice in Logan county. He is studious and alert to bring to his profession any scientific discoveries or new appliances that will benefit his patients. Dr. Carter has former connection with the McDowell Dental Clinic. The doctor encompasses a generous field of activities outside of his profession. He is prominent in fraternal and civic organizations in his county and state.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929

Confederate Pensions in West Virginia (1929)

24 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in African American History, Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Boone County, Civil War, Crawley Creek, Holden, Logan, Man, Pecks Mill, Whirlwind

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In 1929, the State of West Virginia nearly opted to allocate a monthly pension to its Confederate veterans, as well as blacks who had served the Confederate Army in service roles. In covering the story, the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, compiled a list of its remaining Confederate veterans.

HOW MANY VETERANS?

A pension of $20 a month is provided for Confederate veterans of the state by a bill passed by the Senate last week and sent in the House for concurrence. Senator M.T. Miller, of Boone county, who said he could not vote to pension men who had carried arms against their government, cast the only vote against the proposal.

A Charleston paper says there are only about 60 Confederate veterans living. This paper cannot believe that, although it has no information on the subject. How many are there in Logan county? Does anyone know? Has anyone an approximately correct list? If so, will he or she make the fact known? Uncle Dyke Garrett probably knows most of them.

The Banner would like to obtain a list of both Confederate and Union veterans still living in the county, together with their post office address.

Source: Logan Banner, 26 February 1929.

***

AS TO OLD SOLDIERS

The Banner’s request for information about old soldiers living in Logan county has not been in vain, nor has the response been satisfactory. The names of four confederate veterans have been turned in, as follows:

Rev. Dyke Garrett, Curry, beloved and venerable minister; William Workman, Shegon, who fought at Gettysburg and is now 88; Steve Markham, Holden No. 20, who has been blind for 20 years; and William Chafin, who lives with his son Harvey, at Holden 5 and 6.

Who are the others? Send in their names and addresses and any information you deem of interest concerning their careers as soldiers and citizens. The same information about Union soldiers, residents of the county, is likewise desired.

Logan Banner, 5 March 1929.

***

PREPARING THE ROLL

Another name has been added to the list of old soldiers that The Banner has undertaken to compile. Reference is to J. Matt Pauley, residing in Band Mill Hollow, post office Stollings. He was in the Confederate army, fought throughout the war and was wounded, writes Mrs. A.V. Pauley of Ethel. He is of the same age as Uncle Dyke Garrett.

The names of four survivors of the War Between the States, all living in Logan county, were published in Tuesday’s paper. There must be others. Who are they?

Today, W.C. Turley brought in a list of eight Confederate veterans, including the following new names: Wm. C. Lucas, Big Creek; Henry Mitchell, Henlawson; Hugh Avis, Green Thompson and John Neece, Logan; Harrison White, Pecks Mill.

Logan Banner, 8 March 1929.

***

On Confederate Roll

Two more names have been added to the roll of Confederate veterans that The Banner is preparing. These are James Zirkles of Man, whose name was sent in by Leslie Mangus, of Kistler, and Zan Bryant of Whirlwind, whose name was recalled by County Clerk McNeely. Are there not others besides nine or ten previously published?

Logan Banner, 12 March 1929.

***

Confederate Veterans Living Here Number at Least 17

There Are Probably  Others–Will You Help to Enroll Them–All Merit the Tender Interest of Younger Folk

Seventeen names of Confederate soldiers, residents of the county, have been collected by The Banner. Wonder if any have been overlooked, or if the appended list is in error in including any Union veterans? If any reader knows of a Confederate soldier not listed here, please send in the name and address AT ONCE. There will be no further request or reminder.

This paper undertook to make up a list of these old soldiers for two reasons. Chief of these was a desire to prevent any of them being overlooked in case a bill to pension them was passed by the legislature–but the writer does not know yet whether or not that bill was enacted into law. Another reason for assuming the task was to test in a limited way a statement in a Charleston paper that there were only 60 Confederate veterans left in the state. That statement was doubted, and with good reason judging from the number polled in this county. Anyhow, the ranks have become terribly thinned. Every few days we all read of taps being sounded for another one here and there.

Middle-aged men and young folk should esteem it a privilege to do something to brighten the lives of these old soldiers. As the years roll by our pride will increase as we recall our acquaintance with and our kindness toward the “boys of ’61 and ’65.”

Here is the list. Look it over, and if there is a name that should be added or a name that should be stricken out, or any error or omission that should be corrected or supplied, speak up:

James Zirkles, Man; Zan Bryant, Whirlwind; J. Matt Pauley, Ft. Branch; Uncle Dyke Garrett, Curry; William C. Lucas, Big Creek; Henry Mitchell, Henlawson; Hugh Avis, Green Thompson and John Neece, all of Logan; Harrison White, Pecks Mill; Melvin Plumley, Crawleys Creek (post office not known); William Workman, Shegon; Steve Markham, Holden No. 20; William Chafin, No. 5 and 6.

Logan Banner, 15 March 1929.

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Two Names Added Confederate Roll

Bill to Pension Them is Defeated By Parliamentary Tactics in House

Names of two more Confederate soldiers living in the county have been sent to The Banner. They are: C.H. Gilkinson, minister, resident of Holden, who was born and reared in Wayne county, and is the father of Dr. L.W. Gilkinson. Jackson McCloud, a resident of Whirlwind on Harts Creek. His name was supplied by A.L. Browning of Monaville, who says he feels sure that Mr. McCloud was in the Confederate service and fought at Gettysburg.

Assuming both names should be added to the roll, it means that there are at least 19 Confederate veterans still living in Logan county, seventeen names having been listed and published a week ago.

For many of them there will be disappointment in the information that the bill to pension them did not pass. Sponsored in the Senate by ex-governor A.B. White, the son of a Union soldier, the bill passed, that body, Senator M.T. Miller of Madison casting the only vote against it. In the House of Delegates it was amended, by a majority of one, to include Negroes, whether slave or free, who had served in the Confederate army of cooks, personal servants, or otherwise, and later tabled.

Source: Logan Banner, 22 March 1929.

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Slagle Man 17th in Confederate List

Zan Bryant Probably Oldest Veteran In County–Born in Jackson’s Time

Joseph Lowe of Slagle is the latest name to be added to the list of Confederate veterans that has been compiled by The Banner. However, that leaves the count at 17, as the name of Melvin Plumley of Crawleys Creek was erroneously included in the published list. He was a Union soldier, it seems.

Of all those listed Zan Bryant of Whirlwind must be the oldest. He is said to be 98 years old and his wife, Judie Hensley Bryant, 91. They have been married for 75 years and have a son, Dave Bryant, who is 73. There are five other children, Dave, John, Wade and Dyke all live on Harts Creek, most of them near their parents; Mrs. Martha Jane Smith at Gay, and Mrs. Lucinda Spry of Mingo county.

This venerable couple have spent all their years in the isolated Harts country, their home being on White Oak fork, and can be reached only by a long horseback ride.

When Zan was born Andrew Jackson was president and Logan county as a political subdivision was but five years old. He was 23 years old when married and 30 when the War Between the States began.

Logan Banner, 26 March 1929.

 

Lillian Samons (1929)

17 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in African American History, Logan, Women's History

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Notable Blacks of Logan County LB 04.16.1929 3

LILLIAN SAMONS

Miss Samons is a graduate of Storer College, Harpers Ferry, and Myrtilla Miner Normal, Washington, D.C. She has done summer work at West Virginia State College. Miss Samons has taught for ten years, all of which have been engaged in Logan county. She is a member of West Virginia State and National Teachers’ Association, and also a member of the State Parent-Teacher Association. Steady and methodical as a teacher, Miss Samons grasps the problem of the school room with a keen sense of its requirements. She obtains results immediate and direct, knowing forthwith at what she is aiming. Probably among the teachers of the county and state, Miss Samons takes her place among the foremost, this from a knowledge of the theory and practice and by that peculiar adaption to the work at hand. She has placed high dignity upon the profession, both in her high sense of honor and moral acumen, and her disposition to ever reach forward to a greater efficiency and the discovery of a more exact method to advance her pupils. Miss Samons has an engaging manner and has endeared herself in the hearts of the large number of pupils that have come under instruction, and with the patrons and citizens of the communities in which she has taught. She has a wholesome interest in the welfare of her people and responds actively to any movements that are devoted to their advancement.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929.

Richard T. Jordan (1929)

15 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by in African American History, Logan, World War I

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In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.

Notable Blacks of Logan County LB 04.16.1929 1

RICHARD T. JORDAN

Graduate: Wilberforce University with B.A. degree; will take master’s work at Columbia University the coming summer session. Prof. Jordan has done work at Ohio State University; is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, a national college fraternity. Honorary fraternities: Sword and Shield and Boule, and is an Elk and Mason. Prof. Jordan served his country in the late World War, doing overseas service; he was connected with the Red Cross Ambulance corps also enlisted in the U.S. Twenty-Fifth Infantry immediately following the World War, assigned to Mexican border service. The Aracoma school of which Prof. Jordan is principal has a corps of seven teachers, carrying an average enrollment of 150, and under his guidance the system is organized into an effective working unit, developing a definite educational program in the pupil enrollment. Prof. Jordan is a young man of high ideals, sterling character, studious and enterprising, and will make his mark in the profession.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 16 April 1929.

Recollections of McKinley Grimmett of Bruno, WV 1 (1984)

31 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in African American History, Coal, Dingess, Guyandotte River, Holden, Logan, Man, Timber, Wyoming County

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McKinley Grimmett was born on November 30, 1896 to Henderson and Nancy (Hatfield) Grimmett at Sand Lick, Logan County, WV. On May 14, 1916, Mr. Grimmett married a Ms. Plymale, who soon died, in Logan County. One child named Alva died on June 21, 1919 of whooping cough, aged fourteen months. His World War I draft registration card dated September 12, 1918 identifies him as having blue eyes and light-colored hair. He was employed by Mallory Coal Company at Mallory, WV. On November 13, 1919, he married Matilda “Tilda” Hatfield, daughter of Thomas Hatfield, in Logan County. He identified himself as a farmer in both of his marriage records. During the 1920s, he served as a deputy under Sheriff Tennis Hatfield.

The following interview of Mr. Grimmett was conducted at his home on July 17, 1984. In this part of the interview, he recalls his family background and early occupations. Logging and rafting in the Guyandotte Valley are featured.

***

Would you mind telling me when and where you were born?

Right here. I was born about a mile up above here. I was borned in Logan County. The post office was Christian at that time. Christian, WV. It’s changed now. They throwed Christian out – it was over here at Christian – and they throwed it out and moved it over here to Bruno. Christian went… The mines stopped over there. And that’s where I was born, right here at Bruno, Logan County. Been here all my life.

What day were you born?

November 30, 1896.

Who were your parents?

Henderson Grimmett and Nancy Hatfield Grimmett.

What kind of work did they do?

They did logging work. All they had that day and time. Mule teams and ox teams.

Where did your dad do his work?

All over Logan County.

Did he have his own farm?

Oh yeah. Yeah.

How big was his farm?

It was about 287 acres.

Can you describe his house?

Well, the house was a two-story building. But he never did get… He took the fever and he never did get the upper story, all of it completed. He died at a very early age of 74. He put him up a little store. Got ahead a little bit. Had a store here. Come down and bought this place off Walter Buchanan and he deeded his five kids the homeplace up there. And then he stayed on it from ’21 to ’29. He died 19th day of January, 1929.

Who were your mother’s parents?

Oh, Lord, I can’t… Slater Hatfield was her daddy’s name. And I don’t know my grandma. My daddy, now they both was born in Wyoming County. Baileysville or somewhere in there. I think my mother was born over there in Big Cub Creek. She was a Hatfield. I don’t know where…

How many brothers and sisters do you have?

I had three brothers and three sisters. Sanford was the oldest one. Austin and Johnny. They’re all dead. I’m the only one that’s living. All my three sisters… Lilly was the oldest one, and Rose was the next one, and Ettie was the youngest. They’re all dead. All of ‘em but me.

Were you educated in Logan County schools?

Yeah, that’s all we got. Free schools. I believe we started off about three months out of the year. Right over there where that first house is sitting – a one-room school house. All of us kids.

What was the last year of school you completed?

I believe it was about 1914, I’m not right sure. ’15.

Did you use the McGuffey Readers?

That’s all we had. And the spelling books. And in the late years, why we had a U.S. history… A small one. Most of it was just about West Virginia. It wasn’t about the whole United States. And geography, we had that. Arithmetic. That was about all we had in free schools. We had to buy them all then. They weren’t furnished.

How did you meet your wife?

She was born and raised over here at Horse Pen in Mingo County. And that’s how we met. We were just neighbors.

What was her maiden name?

She was a Hatfield, too. But now they were… There’s three or four sets of them.

Was her family related to Devil Anse Hatfield?

Well, they was some… Not very close, though, I don’t think.

Which church did you belong to?

I don’t belong to any.

Did you belong to a church when you were younger?

No, never did. If I ever would have joined, I’d have stayed with it.

Do you remember the year of your marriage?

Yeah, I sure do. November 13, 1919.

How many children do you have?

Four. We have two boys and two girls. Travis Grimmett is the oldest. And Ralph, Edith, and Nancy.

What was your wedding like?

Well, we just got married and come right home. At that time, they didn’t have such things, to tell you the truth.

Who was the preacher?

Green Perry. Rev. Green Perry on Elk Creek. Rode a horse back when I went up there to get married. A pair of mules. I rode them mules.

Where did you first live after you married?

Right about a mile above here at the old homeplace.

You have lived here all of your life?

All of our life.

Was it always this populated?

No, no. Wasn’t three or four houses on this creek at that day and time. It was farm land. It’s all growed up now. All them hills was put in corn, millets, and stuff like that. If they couldn’t get a machine to it, they cut it by hand. Some of them raised oats and some of them raised millet, corn. Raised hogs and cattle and sheep and selling ‘em.

Who owned this property back then?

Burl Christian owned this here, but I don’t know… My daddy bought his… A fellow by the name of Wyatt Belcher. Wait a minute. Browning. I can’t think of his name. He lived over here on Christian and he bidded in… It sold for back taxes and he bidded in. Henderson Browning.

What kind of work did you do after you married?

Just the same thing as I worked at before I got married. I first started out – my daddy was a boss for Cole and Crane on this river. I first started out working in the log business. I worked two years at that and then I decided… Mule team – I worked about eighteen months at that. Then in 1913 the coal company started in and I went to work in carpenter work. I helped build all of these houses down here at Landville. The superintendent, we got done, they was wanting to hire men, he give me a job keeping time for a while. And he wanted me to learn to run the drum – that’s letting coal off the hill. I learned it and about the third day I was up there, a preacher was running it, and he told me they’d just opened up and they didn’t have much coal to run off the hill, he told me, that preacher, he rolled out two cards and he said if that preacher fails to go out and work on that side track today you give him one of these cards. Well, I didn’t give him a card. But he come out that evening, the boss did. And he said, did the preacher work. And I said, no he refused. He said, I’ll fix him. He fired him. And I took the job and stayed with it four years and then I got married and then I went to work over here at Christian running a drum and I stayed there 34 years.

When you worked for Cole and Crane, did either of those men ever come up here?

Oh yeah. One of them was. Cole was. I don’t think Crane was ever here. A little slim fella.

Did you get a chance to talk to them?

No, they wouldn’t talk to us working men. They’d talk to the boss. They’d go away from us and talk to theirselves. We just got a $1.10 for ten hours. Eleven cents an hour.

What kind of a person did Cole seem to be?

Well, he knowed how the men was. They’d raft timber and go down this river to Guyandotte. Had what they called locks and dams there to catch the logs. This river was full of logs. He bought timber everywhere. Plumb at the head of it.

Did you ever ride a raft?

Oh, yeah. I went with my daddy. I wasn’t grown.

Can you describe it?

Oh, they’d raft the logs, poplar. Now they didn’t raft hardwoods. They’d sink on them. Some rafts, a big one would be 160 to 200 feet long, about 24 to 26 feet wide. Oar on each end of it. If it was a big raft, they had two men up front all the time plumb in to Guyandotte. I was the second man on it when I got to go out on it. My dad had timber and he rafted it, took it there and sold it. Took what they called dog wedges and cut little basket oaks and rafted them, stringers across ‘em, you know. Lots of people get drowned, too.

Were you ever in an accident?

No, I never was in no big one. I’ve seen about six or eight drown.

Could you describe how it happened?

Oh, if he couldn’t swim, sometimes the best swimmer drowned, you know, if he got under a lot of logs or something. According to whatever happened there with him. He could get out if there wasn’t no logs on top of him no where to hold him under, you know. If logs were on top of him, he was gone. Now about the last ones I seen drowned was two colored people. They was building a railroad from Logan to Man up Buffalo Creek. So we was working on a log gorge down there at the lower end of Landville. And there was four colored men… 1921. Had a saloon up here at Verner. They wouldn’t allow one in Logan County. And they went up there on the 21st day of December to get ‘em a load of whisky. And they come back… They’d seen white people ride these logs. Some county people would get on one log and ride it plumb to Logan, as far as you wanted to go. And they thought they could ride it. And they got on. Rode ‘em off the gorge and they was running into eddy water and they would hit the back end, it would, and the other end would swarp out and they’d pull out that way. And they got on ‘em with their whisky and everything and two of ‘em got out and two of ‘em drowned.

When you rode the raft to Guyandotte, how did you get back to Logan?

Oh, we had to walk. We’d get a train up to Dingess over here. You know where that’s at? We’d ride down up to there. And then we’d have to get off and walk across the hill there and come right straight out at the mouth of Mud Fork, Holden there, and up another little drain and down Madison Creek down here. And walk… Man alive, our feet would be so sore, I’d be up for two or three weeks I couldn’t walk, my feet would be wore out so.

NOTE: Some names may be transcribed incorrectly.