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.

Guyan Valley High School, 1929. Photo credit unknown.

List of 1929 graduates

Edgar Ray Midkiff Smith, WV
Jennings Orlando Midkiff Smith, WV
Gilmer Odell McClellan Branchland, WV
Olive Maude Triplett West Hamlin, WV
Dennis Nathan Roy Hubball, WV
Glenna Naoma Roy Hubball, WV
Rhoda Irene Messinger Branchland, WV

List of 1930 graduates

Clyde Okra Adkins West Hamlin, WV
Bessie Arix Smith, WV
Ruel Dial Branchland, WV
Thern Hodge West Hamlin, WV
Virginia Louese Johnson Branchland, WV
Sarah Nelson Gill, WV
Ruth Lucas Stowers Milton, WV
Elva Mae Adkins West Hamlin, WV
Dorothy Beatrice Roy Hubball, WV
David Keith Smith West Hamlin, WV

List of 1931 graduates

Ida Lee Adkins West Hamlin, WV
Ruth Dewdrops Adkins West Hamlin, WV
Thomas Wondel Adkins Midkiff, WV
Guidna Bates Sheridan, WV
William Earl Bias West Hamlin, WV
Mable Virginia Chapman Hubball, WV
Ella Mae Covey West Hamlin, WV
Glada Ellen Cyfers Gill, WV
Irma Holton Branchland, WV
Gilbert Garmon Isaac Smith, WV
Hilbert Harmon Isaac Smith, WV
Maude Jewel Jaynes West Hamlin, WV
Helena Johnson West Hamlin, WV
Freda Marie McComas West Hamlin, WV
Glenna Helena Midkiff West Hamlin, WV
Virginia Catherine Scites Midkiff, WV
Helena Scraggs West Hamlin, WV
Mildred Vivian Smith West Hamlin, WV
Alvin Franklin Watts Branchland, WV
Helen Mary Yost West Hamlin, WV

Guyan Valley Middle School, c.2017.

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

Dempsey-Sharkey Fight (1927)

24 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan, Sports

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Appalachia, boxing, genealogy, history, Jack Dempsey, Jack Sharkey, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Smoke House Restaurant, West Virginia

Dempsey-Sharkey Fight at the Smoke House Ad LB 07.19.1927

Logan (WV) Banner, 19 July 1927.

Here’s video footage of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btvw6GM33II

Hugh Toney Letter to Edward Chapman (1861)

24 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Chapmanville, Civil War, Giles County

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11th Virginia Cavalry, Appalachia, Camp Narrows, Chapmanville, civil war, Confederate Army, Edward Chapman, Giles County, history, Hugh Toney, J. Green McNeely, Logan Banner, Logan Country Club, Logan County, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia

Rev. J. Green McNeely (1871-1943) located the following letter written by Hugh Toney to Edward Chapman when he razed a log cabin situated on the property that later became the Logan Country Club, near Chapmanville.

Camp Narrows, Va.

March 26, 1861

Dear Friend:

I saw the officers of the 11th Virginia Cavalry about your horses. Col. French and Maj. Smith both say that your horse shall be give up if the horse can be found.

I have not been able to find out anything about who got your horse yet. The horses were sent off to North Carolina. If I have any chance to get your horse, I will attend to the matter for you. If you know the man’s names or any of the men’s names that was present when your horse was taken, write to me their names.

I have made careful inquiries about Ira Woodram’s horse. I have not been able to find out anything about his horse, also John’s. I can’t bear that horses were taken.

I can’t find out who took them, it being uncertain about getting your horse or pay for him the way matters stand at this time.

Your friend,

Hugh Toney

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 25 June 1941.

Budweiser Advertisement (1928)

23 Monday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Anheuser-Busch, Appalachia, Budweiser, history, J.P. Hager & Company, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, St. Louis, West Virginia

Logan (WV) Banner, 8 June 1928.

Elizabeth Adkins Deed to Jacob K. Adkins (1901)

23 Monday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Guyandotte River, Little Harts Creek

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Appalachia, Elizabeth Adkins, Eveline Adkins, genealogy, George W. Adkins, Guyandotte River, Harts Creek District, Henry Adkins, Henry H. Adkins, history, Jacob K. Adkins, John C. Ferguson, John Sartin, L.C. Queen, Lincoln County, Little Harts Creek, Mary Adkins, Mary Louisa Tomblin, notary public, Ohio, Spencer Adkins, Wayne County, West Virginia

Deed Book 59, page 272, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV. This deed involves the heirs of Henry and Mary “Polly” (Dalton) Adkins, Sr.

Deed Book 59, page 273, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV.

History for Wyoming County, WV (1927-1928)

23 Monday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Coal, Native American History, Wyoming County

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A.F. Wysong, Appalachia, architecture, Baileysville District, Barkers Ridge District, Center District, Charleston, Clear Fork District, coal, crime, Early Brothers, Gertrude of Wyoming, Guyan Heating and Plumbing Company, history, Huff's Creek District, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Maughwaiwama, Mingo County, Mullens, Native American History, Native Americans, Oceana, Oceana District, Pineville, Princeton, Slab Fork District, Thomas Campbell, West Virginia, Wyoming County, Wysong & Bengston

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Wyoming County, dated 1927 and 1928:

Wyoming County In the Public Eye

Now that three railroads are contesting for the authority to build a branch line across Wyoming county, increased interest is shown in the probable early development in that bailiwick.

Wyoming has coal resources equal to those of any other county in the state, it is said, and it has wide valleys of fine farming land, and an unusually picturesque mountain country. Like Mingo, it was carved out of Logan territory, its formation having been authorized by an act of the general assembly passed January 26, 1850. With an area of 507.30 square miles it is more than 50 miles larger than this county, yet its population in 1920 was only 15,180.

That county’s valuation for taxation purposes exceeded $28,000,000 last year.

Wyoming county is divided into seven magisterial districts, as follows: Baileysville, Barkers Ridge, Center, Clear Fork, Huff’s Creek, Oceana and Slab Fork districts.

Wyoming county was stricken off from the older county of Logan, which took its name from a celebrated Indian chief. Another county was formed from Logan, many years later, and to this was given the name of Mingo, the tribe to which Logan belonged. Logan, Mingo and Wyoming are the three counties in West Virginia whose names are derived from the original settlers.

Wyoming county bears the name of an Indian tribe, and this tribe was later honored by having its name adopted by one of our great western States. While the derivation of the name, in its application to the county, seems to be clear, the origin of the name itself is veiled in obscurity. By some authorities it is said to be a corruption of the Indian Maughwaiwama, signifying a plain, or open space. Others assert that it is a creation of Thomas Campbell, the poet, and author, of “Gertrude of Wyoming.”

Pineville, the present county seat, is located near the center of the county. It has an elevation of 1,323 feet above the level of the sea and had a population of 304 in 1920. Later estimates do not greatly increase this figure. Pineville became the county seat years ago, having secured the removal of the seat of justice from the older town of Oceana.

Mullens, a prosperous town and center of the coal industry, had a population of 1,425 in 1920.

Oceana, long the county seat before its removal to Pineville, had at the last census a population of 90.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 25 November 1927.

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WYOMING COUNTY HAS NEW JAIL–NATIVE STONE USED–COST $150,000

Wyoming county’s new jail at Pineville has been accepted by the architects and will be formally turned over within the next few days.

Erected at a cost of approximately $150,000, the new bastille is perhaps one of the finest buildings of its kind in the southern part of the state. It is built of native stone throughout, and is a most imposing and beautiful building and one of which the county may well pride itself, says the Mullins Advocate.

It is three full stories high above the basements, heated by vapor, containing room for 70 prisoners with comfort, and can accommodate twice that number, if necessary. The cells and jail construction is of tool proof steel, equipped with the latest locking devices. A prisoner when confined in a cell, must go through three sets of tool proof steel bars to make an escape.

The building contains a large and comfortable residence for the jailer, including a large, well furnished and equipped kitchen, is supplied with hot and cold water throughout, including shower baths on the inside corridors of the jail, padded cells for the insane, hospitals for the sick and detention rooms for juveniles of both sexes.

In the basement there is an incinerator, together with a laundry and large supply rooms.

The building was formally approved on January 9th by A.F. Wysong of the firm of Wysong & Bengston architects, of Charleston, who had the construction of this building in charge. Early Brothers, of Mullens, contractors, constructed the building, while the heating system was installed by the Guyan Heating and Plumbing company, of Mullens. The plumbing was done by Wickline of Princeton. Mr. Wysong, after going over the jail carefully, approved the construction and recommended payment of the balance due on the several contracts.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 17 January 1928.

Jack Dempsey Working in a Coal Mine

20 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Coal, Logan, Sports

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Appalachia, boxing, coal, genealogy, history, Jack Dempsey, Logan County, photos, West Virginia

Jack Dempsey, raised in Logan County, WV, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1919 to 1926. Photo credit unknown.

Wife of Logan Banner Editor George A. Dean Disappears (1912-1913)

20 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Huntington, Logan, Matewan, Tazewell County

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Albermarle, Appalachia, Bluefield, Buchanan, Collier's Weekly, Dry Fork, genealogy, George A. Dean, Henry Clay Ragland, Herald-Dispatch, history, Huntington, Iaeger, Imperial Order of Redmen, J.B. ellison, Jefferson Hotel, Kentucky, Keyes Sisters, LaRoy Stock Company, Lena Boyd Nelson, Lena Gross, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan Democrat, Logan Nest 1442, Matewan, Modern Maccabees, Norfolk and Western Railroad, North Carolina, Order of Owls, Sayersville, Silver Cloud Tribe 138, Tazewell County, Virginia, W.L. Richardson, West Virginia, Williamson

In 1912, Logan Banner editor George A. Dean married the former Lena Gross, who soon thereafter disappeared. Here are a few stories about the event:

Editor Dean Married

On Monday, Nov. 11 in the minister’s study, Geo. A. Dean and Miss Lena Gross of Virginia, were united in marriage by Rev. W.L. Richardson.

Mr. Dean is the hustling editor of the Logan Banner and is well-known in this city and surrounding country as a man of push and energy, while the bride was one of the charming dining room girls at the Hotel Jefferson.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean will be at home to their friends after Nov. 18.

Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 14 November 1912.

***

George A. Dean Logan Banner LB 01.24.1913.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 24 January 1913.

***

Editor of “Most Fearless Weekly” on the Trail

West Virginia editors who have failed to receive the Logan Banner on their exchange tables during the past three weeks, no doubt, marveled at its absence. But there is a reason–a tragic, gnawing reason which has caused the editor, Geo. A. Dean to suspend temporarily editorial duties and to embark upon a quest which means more to him than journalistic honors or the mere touch of hollow gold.

Readers of the Banner will remember that there appeared graven upon its front page four months ago Mr. Dean’s and his wife’s own announcement of their marriage. The paragraph attracted more than usual attention, partly because of its unique construction and partly because of the unusual manner of its presentation, but more than all because Mr. Dean was very prominently in the editorial limelight because of recent rather prominent mention in Collier’s Weekly. But that is history, and in mere prelude to the situation which now confronts him: to-wit: that of a married man, wifeless, disconsolate, yearning for the things that were.

Mr. Dean, who has been in Huntington and vicinity for two days seeking a trace of his evanished spouse, speaks frankly of his bereavement, and is importunate that the home-loving public shall, if possible, assist him in finding and restoring his lost treasure. In brief, Lena Boyd Nelson Dean has gone away and, some fear, forever departed. She went without the tender formality of a farewell husband’s kiss. She went away surreptitiously, mysteriously. She went, and Mr. Dean, who has sounded the very depths of heaven and earth, is no whit the wiser whither. Descriptive circulars, telling her height, weight, complexion, color of eyes and hair, manner of dress, and all that pertains to accurate and dependable description have been scattered broadcast all over the territory in which it might be surmised that she would be obscuring herself from the eyes of love and yearning. Mr. Dean stated last night, in conversation with the Herald-Dispatch, that he had absolutely no heart for business, that he had known no rest, no surcease from the terrible heart-longing that had seized upon him and held with tenacious grip from the morning of his wife’s departure. He has searched high and low. He has communicated with every known relative of his wife, without being able to get even the shadow of a clue tending to lead to the discovery of her whereabouts. He gives the following verbal photograph, which is almost as good as the ordinary studio product, and much better than a tintype:

Lena Boyd Nelson Dean, formerly of Williamson and Matewan and Bluefield. Four months ago she served as waitress, cook, and house girl at Logan, W.Va. Last seen at Kenova on Sunday morning, March 2. Physical description: Age 26. Height 5 ft. 2. Coal-black eyes given to starry twinkle. Raven black hair. Rather full lips. Gold filling in front teeth. Deep, well modulated musical voice, with a tendency to coarseness in time of cold. Can not read or write much as her early education was neglected. Her costume is described as being strict in the style of today. Raincoat, drab-colored; blue-serge, two piece coat suit. Beaver hat, embellished with four black ostrich plumes. Leather suitcase, canvass trunk and gold-headed umbrella.

Mr. Dean feels that his wife may have returned to one of the three occupations ascribed to her in the opening paragraphs.

He has important mail for her, both registered and ordinary, and is awaiting anxiously any news of her, and his arms are open to her return. The Logan editor’s plight is positively pitiful. He has grown emaciated, hollow-eyed, faded, wan. The tireless vigil, the ceaseless search, the anxious waiting hours, have all played their part in preying upon his splendid vitality. He is discouraged but not defeated, and will continue the search as long as human endurance will permit, or else sooner find the partner of his joys and immediate cause of his great and overpowering grief. His plight has elicited much sympathy. For what is life without a partner?

Source: Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch via Logan (WV) Democrat, 13 March 1913.

***