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Tag Archives: Chapmanville District

Old Hinchman Book at Pecks Mill in Logan County, WV (1936)

04 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Pecks Mill

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129th Regiment Virginia Militia, 12th Regiment Virginia Militia, Abner Vance, Adam Browning, Appalachia, Barney Carter, Big Creek, Calvary Hatfield, Chapmanville District, Charles Staton, civil war, David Mullins, Eli Gore, Evans Ferrell, genealogy, George Avis, George Bryant, Gilbert Creek, Gordon Riffe, Granville Riffe, Green A. Clark, Guyandotte River, Hardy District, Harts Creek, Harvey Ellis, history, Huff's Creek, Jack Dempsey, James H. Hinchman, James J. Hinchman, John Chapman, John DeJournett, John Dempsey, John Hager, John Hatfield, John Starr, Joseph B. Browning, Joseph Hinchman, Logan Banner, Logan County, Louis White, Magnolia District, Martin Doss, Mingo County, Nathan Elkins, Pecks Mill, physician, Reece Browning, Triadelphia District, Ulysses Hinchman, Union District, Virginia, West Virginia, Wheeling, William Dempsey, William McDonald, William Stollings, Wyoming County

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history for Logan County printed on November 3, 1936:

Time-Dimmed Record of Early Logan County Families in 1852-1877 Period in Old Books Found at Pecks Mill

Thumbing the now-dimmed pages of a yellowed book which recently came to light in old Peck’s Mill, members of Logan county’s oldest families may read in a painstakingly-kept record of the years 1852 to 1877 how their forefathers were brought into the world, married, educated, governed.

The record is written in pen and ink with the quaint flourishes and old-fashioned double letters of the 1800s by James J. Hinchman, who was clerk of the 12th regiment of the Virginia militia from 1852 to 1858; and by one, Ulysses Hinchman, who was clerk of the 129th regiment from 1858 to the Civil War; and later pastor, doctor, and trader.

The first entry, dated Nov. 3, 1852, records the meeting “at the house of Wm. McDonald near the mouth of Huffs Creek” of the Twelfth regiment of the Virginia militia in the days when Logan county was the property of Virginia.

Among the officers present were Major John Hager and Capt. James J. Hinchman, who was also clerk.

Most of the records at the first, which deal entirely with the regiment, are devoted to the salaries paid for “drumming and fifing,” the fines of 50 cents each for failure to report at meetings, and the excuse of members from duty “because of physical infirmities.”

Among the interesting entries is one relating, it is believed, to an ancestor of ex-champion Jack Dempsey, which reads:

“William Dempsey for fifing one day in Capt. Miller’s company.”

Two dollars, according to numerous accounts, was the regular salary paid for a day of fifing or drumming. For three days training, officers received $10.

Among regiment members mentioned are Calvary Hatfield and Reece Browning, forefathers of the Hatfield and Browning families of today.

On Sept. 10, 1858, the record is transferred to that of the 129th and is kept by Ulysses Hinchman. His first entry tells of a meeting at which John De Journett was elected colonel; K. McComas, first major; Reece Browning, second major; and Ulysses Hinchman, clerk. Officers attending were Captains George Avis, James H. Hinchman, John Starr, John Hatfield, John Chapman, and Barnabus Carter; and Lieutenants Martin Doss, George Bryant, Granville Riffe, Louis White, Charles Staton and Green A. Clark.

Interesting in these pages are the forming of new companies in which the names of the creeks and localities are for the most part the same as today. Among the familiar names are Huffs, Gilbert, Harts and Big Creek, Guyandotte river, and Trace Fork.

There is no mention of the Civil War, but it is mutely attested to by two entries, the first, dated 1862 at the bottom of one page and the second dated 1866 at the top of the next, which read:

“Apr. 5, 1862—Abner Vance and Nathan Elkins received their claims.

1866—Rec’d of Eli Gore, county treasurer for my last year’s services, $50.

“Ulysses Hinchman, superintendent of schools.”

The next year, we are gratified to learn, his salary has increased to $300.
We learn that Logan, which then included Mingo and Wyoming counties, was at that time composed of five districts, Union, Triadelphia, Hardy, Chapmanville, and Magnolia; and that the county’s finances were all handled through Wheeling, then the only city of size in West Virginia.

The records contain long lists of certificates awarded to teachers for $1, among the recipients being John Dempsey, Eli Gore, Joseph Hinchman, Harvey Ellis and Evans Ferrell.

In the midst of the records of 1866 and ’67 we come upon the terse paragraph which informs that:

“The sheriff failed to settle for taxes of 1861.”

The board of education’s budget for 1869 was $2077.60 and was apportioned to these clerks of the various townships; Union, David Mullins; Triadelphia, Gordon Riffe; Magnolia, Joseph B. Browning; Hardy, Adam Browning; and Chapmanville, Wm. Stollings. Increased expenses that year made it necessary to levy a tax of “5 cents on $100.”

An enumeration of all children “between the ages of 6 and 21” in 1868 totaled 2139.

In 1871, our patient scribe becomes “Dr. U.S. Hinchman” and the record his personal account book. We learn much of the practices and hardships of the first country doctors and that his troubles in collecting the pitifully small fees of those days were as great as those of any “specialist” of today.

Dr. Hinchman had no set rates, but based on his charges upon the number of miles traveled (usually 50 cents per mile); the number of days and nights spent, and—quite evidently—the circumstances of his patient.

His customary charge for a delivery, if it chanced to come in the day time, appeared to be $5.50; but if the child arrived in the night and required many miles of travel it was a more expensive proposition—the fees sometimes reaching as high as $9.

The birth of one of these $9 babies is graphically recorded as follows:

“Labor two nights and days–$7

10 miles at 50 cents–$5

Administering–$1

Received $5.”

The doctor’s highest charge was one of $10 on a case which required three days and nights.

Interspersed freely with the accounts of births, and sicknesses are frequent entries of marriages at $2 each.

Toward the last of the book, in 1877, the author’s handwriting becomes more labored and the fine shadings and flourishing gradually disappear—evidence that his years of soldiering, school teaching, and doctoring were taking their toll.

At this time, too, he begins to record not only his receipts, but his expenditures and trades, and we read, not without envy, of purchases of “one bushel of sweet potatoes, 50 cents,” and “one and a half bushel of Irish potatoes, 75 cents.”

One of the last entries, dated Aug. 1877, tells of his receiving for his professional services a large amount of coffee which he traded for $5 cash, a suit, and a round of shoes,” the latter evidently referring to horseshoes.

As, regretfully, we close the book; we feel that we know that patient and prolific old settler of Logan County, Ulysses Hinchman—his honor as a soldier and officer, his strict accounting of himself as a public official, his hardships and struggles as a country doctor; and through all, his conscientious, faithful keeping of records. And we share, with his descendants, a great pride in him.

Somehow we know that when, with failing hand, he concluded his long accounts in another book; his record was clear and straight—his house was in order.

Jake Kinser of Logan County, WV (1936-1937)

20 Saturday Oct 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Boone County, Civil War, Coal, Logan

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Appalachia, Aracoma, Big Creek, Boone County, Brooke McNeely, Camp Chase, Chapmanville District, Charles Williams, civil war, Claude Ellis, coal, Confederate Army, crime, Dave Kinser, Democratic Party, Douglas Kinser, Elbert Kinser, Ethel, Fort Branch, French River, genealogy, ginseng, Harts Creek, Hetzel, history, J. Green McNeely, Jake Kinser, Jane Mullins, Jefferson Davis, Jim Aldridge, John Carter, John Kinser, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, logging, Malinda Kinser, Malinda Newman, Mary Ann Ellis, Mud Fork, Otis Kinser, rafting, Scott Ellis, Smyth County, Stonewall Jackson, timbering, tobacco, Virginia, Washington Township, West Virginia, Wythe County

Jake Kinser Visits LB 06.20.1936 1

Logan (WV) Banner, 20 June 1936. Note: Jacob was not born in 1850, so he does not appear with his family in the 1850 Census for Wythe County, Virginia. He was nine years old in the 1860 Census for Smyth County, Virginia.

Jake Kinser Recollections LB 11.12.1936 2

Logan (WV) Banner, 12 November 1936. Note: Jake Kinser appears as a seventeen-year-old fellow in the 1870 Census for Boone County, West Virginia (Washington Township).

Jake Kinser and Jane Mullins LB 07.07.1937 2

Jake Kinser and his sister Jane Mullins, Logan (WV) Banner, 7 July 1937. 

Jake Kinser and Jane Mullins LB 07.07.1937 3

Jake Kinser and his sister Jane Mullins, Logan (WV) Banner, 7 July 1937. Note: Mary Jane (Kinser) Mullins was eleven years old in the 1860 Census for Smyth County, Virginia. Mr. Kinser died in 1944; his death record can be found here: http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view2.aspx?FilmNumber=571280&ImageNumber=349

 

Killing of Burwell Chapman (1903)

17 Saturday Feb 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Chapmanville

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Appalachia, Burwell Chapman, Chapmanville District, crime, fishing, genealogy, history, Lloyd Ellis, Logan County, Maudie Mullins, S.B. Mullins, true crime, W.W. Perry, West Virginia

The following documents relating to the killing of Burwell Chapman in Chapmanville District are located in the Logan County Circuit Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV.

***

Logan, W.Va.

Sept. 14, 1903

Mr. S.B. Mullins,

Dear Friend:

I write this to inform you that I expect to have you and Maudie summoned to my trial pretty soon. The time has come that I must face bitter enemies and as you know they would be glad to see me hung whether I was guilty or not. I know and God knows I am not guilty of the charge which is alleged against me, though my life is at stake because they hate me so bad. You know that I stayed at your boat on the night the house was burned and you know that we talked about it the next morning and you said that you were glad that I did stay at your house that night. I am positive that I was not off your boat on the night the house was burned. I can’t swear positive that a fishing crew passed your boat on the night the house was burned but I was positive that I talked to you that night about going fishing.

Don’t you remember seeing that light at the head of the shoal above the boat the night the house was burned? I know that you can safely swear that I stayed at your boat anyhow till 11 o’clock that night. How would you like to be taken away from your family for something you did not do?

It is in your power to make me a free man and I know that you will do so. I want you to come up to see me just as soon as you get this letter. No matter what you are doing when you must drop it and come. I will pay you more for your time than you can get for working on the mill. I want you to go to work for me and help me to show up the truth in this matter. Justice is all on earth I ask.

Your Friend,

L.A. Ellis

***

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, LOGAN COUNTY.

The Grand Jurors of the State of West Virginia in and for the body of the County of Logan, upon their oaths present that Lloyd Ellis on the 14th day of May 1903, in the County aforesaid, willfully, maliciously, deliberately, feloniously, and unlawfully did slay, kill and murder one Burwell Chapman, against the peace and dignity of the State.Found at the October Term of said Court, 1903, upon the information of Lena Chapman sworn in open Court and sent before the Grand Jury to give evidence to that body.

***

We the Jury find the Defendant Not Guilty.

W.W. Perry

Anderson Blair

29 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Cemeteries, Civil War, Lincoln County Feud, Pecks Mill, Warren, Whirlwind

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10th Kentucky Cavalry, Anderson Blair, Appalachia, Aracoma, Barbara Kovach Morris, cemeteries, Chapmanville District, civil war, Confederate Army, Dingess Cemetery, Harts Creek, history, John Blair, John S. Blair, Logan, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Pecks Mill, photos, Polly Blair, Pop Dingess, Tommy Isaacs, Upper Hart, West Virginia

Anderson Blair copyright

Anderson Blair, son of John S. and Polly (Baisden) Blair. Photo posted online by Barbara Kovach Morris.

Squire Anderson Blair LCB 01.09.1890 2

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 9 January 1890. During the Lincoln County Feud, Anderson Blair was a justice of the peace in Chapmanville District, Logan County, WV. His district included Upper Hart.

Anderson Blair LCB 08.14.1895

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 14 August 1895.

Anderson Blair death LCB 4.17.02

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 17 April 1902.

Anderson Blair grave

Dingess Cemetery, Pecks Mill, Logan County, WV. June 2016. John Blair and Tommy Isaacs installed the military headstone in May of 2014.

Harve Smith Appraisal (1927)

26 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Whirlwind

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Appalachia, Chapmanville District, Daniel McCloud, Elias Workman, Frank Curry, genealogy, Harts Creek, Harve Smith, history, justice of the peace, Logan County, Luke Curry, West Virginia, Whirlwind

Harve Smith Record 1927 1

Miscellaneous Record Book 1, page 13, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV.

Republicans to Invade Chapmanville District (1926)

02 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in African American History, Chapmanville, Logan

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A.B. Eubanks, Appalachia, assessor, Chapmanville District, Charles Ritchie, Cole Hatfield, constable, county clerk, Democratic Party, E.R. Chapman, E.T. England, G.R. Claypool, history, Ira Hager, J.G. Hunter, James French Strother, Joe Buskirk, Johnny Pack, Lloyd P. Hager, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Naaman Jackson, Noah Browning, politics, Republican Party, Superintendent of Schools, W.N. Bechtel, West Virginia

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapmanville District Schools (1927) 2

15 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Halcyon, Native American History, Queens Ridge, Shively, Spottswood, Stone Branch, Warren, Whirlwind, Yantus

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Albert Thornton, Alice Dingess, Alonzo, Anna Adams, Appalachia, Battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Beatrice Adams, Ben Adams, Bob Dingess, Brown's Run, Browns Run School, Buck Fork, Buck Fork School, Bud Dingess School, Bulwark School, Chapmanville District, civil war, Cole Adams, Confederate Army, Conley School, Crawley Creek, Daisy Dingess, Dalton School, Dave Dingess School, Dixie Mullins, E. Burton, East Fork, Ed Dalton, education, Edward Chapman, F.M. McKay, Fisher B. Adkins, Fisher Thompson, genealogy, George Doss, George Mullins School, Harts Creek, history, Hoover School, Howard Adams, Hugh Dingess School, Ina Dingess, Ivy Branch School, J.A. Vickers, J.L. Thomas, John Conley, John Dingess, L.D. Stollings, Lee Dingess School, Limestone Creek, Local History and Topography of Logan County, Logan County, Lower Trace School, Manor School, Marsh Fork, Melvin Plumley, Middle Fork, Native Americans, Pigeon Roost, Piney School, Reuben Conley, Road Fork, Rocky School, Sallie Dingess, Smokehouse Fork, Stephen Hart, Striker School, T. Doss, Thelma Dingess, Three Fork School, Tim's Fork, Timothy Dwight, Twelve Pole Creek, Ula Adams, Union Army, West Fork, West Virginia, White Oak School, Workman School, World War I

Teachers identified the following schools in Chapmanville District of Logan County, WV, and offered a bit of local history in 1927:

Dave Dingess School, est. 1814

Ula Adams, teacher

One room frame school

“Harts Creek derived its name from Steven Harts, said to have been killed by Indians on the creek.”

Striker School, est. about 1874

Edward Chapman, teacher

One room frame building

Three Fork School, est. 1878

One room frame building, originally a log house

Nine Confederate veterans live here: George Doss, T. Doss, L.D. Stollings, Ed Dalton, Ruben Conley, John Conley, Ben Adams, E. Burton, Melvin Plumley. A Union veteran lives here; he originated elsewhere. Three branches of Crawley Creek are Road Fork, Middle Fork, and Pigeon Roost. Alonzo is the local post office.

Bulwark School, est. 1880

Robert Dingess, teacher

One room frame building

“All fought on the Confederate side” during the Civil War. One man gained great merit from our district as a marksman with the American marines during World War I.

Lee Dingess School, est. 1891

Cole Adams, teacher

One room frame

Five local men served in the Confederate Army.

Browns Run School, est. 1892

Ina Dingess, teacher

One room frame building

“Sent several soldiers to help the South.” The fork is named for a Brown who lived at its mouth.

Buck Fork School, est. 1894

No teacher given

One room frame building

A Church of Christ exists nearby. Three local men served in the Confederate Army. One local soldier lost both hands in World War I.

Ivy Branch School, est. 1895

Anna Adams, teacher

Albert Thornton was the first teacher here. “Trace Fork received its name from the original road leading to Twelve Pole Creek.”

Hugh Dingess School, est. 1897

Sallie Dingess, teacher

One room frame building

Conley School, est. 1897

J.L. Thomas, teacher

One room frame building

The first house built on Smoke House Fork at its mouth had no chimney for quite a while and smoked badly.

Dalton School, est. 1897

Thelma Dingess, teacher

One room frame building

“This district furnished a lot of Civil War veterans and played her part.”

Bud Dingess School, est. 1904

Beatrice Adams, teacher

One room frame building

“East Fork named on account of its being the most Eastern fork of Harts Creek.” One local soldier served in the Confederate Army.

Hoover School, est. 1910

Howard Adams, teacher

One room frame building

A Christian Church exists in the vicinity. Four local men served in the Confederate ARmy. “Harts Creek named from Steven Harts murdered by Indians.” Three boys went from here and one was wounded at the battle of Argonne.

George Mullins School, est. 1910

Dixie Mullins, teacher

One room frame building

“Buck Fork named from large number of male deer on creek.”

Rocky School (no date)

Daisy Given Dingess, teacher

References an Indian mound on Pigeon Roost where tomahawks, arrowheads, etc. can be found. Indian burial ground.

Under the Tim’s Fork entry, it says that John Dingess was killed in battle at Cloyd’s farm. Tim’s Fork is named for Timothy Dwight, who lived there.

Lower Trace School, est. 1919

Alice Dingess, teacher

Two room frame building

“Sent several soldiers to help the South.” Also, “Harts Creek named from Steven Harts.”

Piney School, est. 1921

F.M. McKay, teacher

One room building

No permanent churches exist locally; people meet occasionally in one of the school houses. Four local men served in the Confederate Army. “Piney was named because of so much pine growing there.”

White Oak School, est. 1922

Fisher Thompson, teacher

One room rented frame building

Manor School, est. 1923

Located at Limestone

Workman School, est. 1924

Fisher B. Adkins, teacher

One room frame building

Marsh Fork derived its name from the marshy land near its mouth.

Source: Local History and Topography of Logan County by J.A. Vickers (Charleston, WV: George M. Ford, State Superintendent, 1927).

Chapmanville District Schools (1927) 1

14 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in African American History, Banco, Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Chapmanville, Civil War, Guyandotte River, Holden, Native American History, Stone Branch, Timber

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36th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, African-Americans, Appalachia, Battle of Kanawha Gap, Big Creek, Big Creek School, Burley Stollings, Buzzard Hill, Chapmanville District, Chapmanville School, Charles I. Stone, civil war, Confederate Army, Crispin Stone, Daisy Pettit, Daisy School, Dare Devils, Ed Stone School, Edith Richardson, education, Fort Sumter, French Dingess, Garrett Fork, genealogy, George Hill, Godby Branch, Guyandotte River, history, Holden, Hugh Thompson School, Hugh Toney, J.A. Vickers, J.G. Beymer, John Conley, John Garrett, John Godby, John stone, Kitchen School, Lane School, Local History and Topography of Logan County, Logan County, Lot W. Adams, Mabel Lowe, Native American History, Native Americans, Pigeon Mountain, Poplar Camp Creek, Prudential Coal Mine, Rosa Barker, Sid Ferrell, Simon Girty, Spanish-American War, Stone Branch, Stone Branch School, Thomas Huff, Thomas School, Union Army, Vette, Violet H. Agee, West Virginia, World War I

Teachers identified the following schools in Chapmanville District of Logan County, WV, and offered a bit of local history in 1927:

Big Creek School, est. 1852

Edith Richardson, teacher

Big Creek School was built of logs in 1870. Crispin S. Stone taught the first free school in his kitchen in 1870. A log building was erected the next year by the people. A Baptist Church exists here as of 1906. Many soldiers of the Civil War served from here. Two are still living. George Hill of Holden served in the Spanish-American War. Sid Ferrell of Big Creek was wounded in World War I when he left the trenches ahead of his command. The first merchant started here in 1904. Prudential was the first coal mine, just below here, in 1905. The first gas well was drilled here in 1909. Big Creek was formerly named “vette.” On the left of Big Creek (stream) looking downstream is Buzzard Hill and on the right is Pigeon Mountain. Pigeon Hill was named due to the great number of pigeons resting there. Big Creek was formerly called Poplar Camp Creek from a surveyor’s camp made of logs. The town was pretty well built up since 1902.

Lane School, est. 1887

Mable Lowe, teacher

Two room frame building

Four Confederate soldiers and one Union soldier lived here during the war. Garrett Fork was named for John Garrett, an old soldier.

Under the entry for Godby Branch: Godby Branch was named for John Godby. Old settlers claim that Simon Girty who married an Indian squaw lived on Godby Branch for several years. He cut his name on a large beech tree that fell in 1890. John Godby told the story.

Chapmanville School, est. 1892

Lot W. Adams, teacher

Four rooms and two outside rooms

There is a large Indian mound in Chapmanville. French Dingess reportedly fired the first gun at Fort Sumter. The Guyandotte River was reportedly named from the Indian word meaning “narrow bottoms.” Company D, 36th Virginia Infantry, known as the Dare Devils, organized here in May 1861 with Charles I. Stone as captain. Later it combined with Co. C, 36th Virginia Volunteer Infantry and was known as the Logan Wildcats with Hugh Toney as captain. The Battle of Chapmanville Mountain was fought in the fall of 1861 here. Major Davis was wounded and captured and his original is still kept by his relatives. He charged fifty cents a month per pupil and the textbooks were free. A large beech and a large white oak plainly marked a corner trees on the Thomas Huff 850-acre survey made on June 3, 1784.

Stone Branch School (colored), est. 1902

Violet H. Agee, teacher

Kitchen School, est. 1905

Uses three one-room buildings

John Stone said there were a few straggling bands of Indians here when he came to Stone Branch in 1807 but committed no depredations after he settled. John Stone taught the first school in this district and maybe in the county at Stone Branch in 1812. The textbooks were made by him with goose quill pens.

Hugh Thompson School, est. 1916

J.G. Beymer, teacher

One room frame building

A school house erected in 1916 was blown down in a heavy storm, killing John Conley, an old citizen who had taken shelter under the floor. The house was not used for school this year but was rebuilt the following year.

Ed Stone School, est. 1919

Rosa Barker, teacher

One room frame building

One Confederate soldier lived here during the war.

Thomas School, est. 1919

Burley Stollings, teacher

One room frame building

Two Confederate soldiers lived here during the war.

Daisy School, est. 1920

Daisy Pettit, teacher

One room frame house

Source: Local History and Topography of Logan County by J.A. Vickers (Charleston, WV: George M. Ford, State Superintendent, 1927).

Big Creek News 04.16.1926

01 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Chapmanville, Hamlin, Logan

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Appalachia, Archie Chapman, Big Creek, Big Creek Depot, Big Creek School, Bill Haze, Chapmanville District, Christine Kitchen, education, F.W. Saltsman, farming, genealogy, Hamlin, Helen Shriver, history, Lizzie Barker, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mae Lucas, Marie Kitchen, Myrtle Mobley, Nannie Thomas, Princess Butcher, singing schools, Virginia Lilly, Ward Lucas, Ward Shriver, West Virginia, William G. Lucas

An unknown local correspondent from Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 16, 1926:

Here we come with more of the Big Creek news.

We are having some rain which has caused much delay in farm work.

W.G. Lucas who has been sick for quite a while was seen in his garden Saturday afternoon. We wish him much success and good health this season and his wife also.

The Big Creek school is progressing nicely. We have the best school in Chapmanville District this year and the best that has been known in Big Creek. We have the honor of being the First Standardized school in Chapmanville district. Other schools may be progressive but they can’t beat us. Miss Richardson says we are fine workers and we consider that a nice compliment. We were the first to finish the pupils Reading Circle work in the district. We also had the nicest social and the best programs and intend to have an excellent good time the 23rd of this month. What will we do when Miss Richardson and Miss Cottle leave? We know there will never be a better school taught in Big Creek.

Mr. F.W. Saltsman has had the depot cleaned. It sure does look nice.

The Pied Pipers of Hamlin are coming to Big Creek rather often. They don’t want to take away the rats, but it’s the pretty girls they want.

Mr. Midkiff sure has a good horse. I would like to take a horseback ride, wouldn’t you, Princess?

Archie Chapman got very wet while on a business errand Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Ward Shriver and Miss Mae Lucas were married at Ward Lucas’ home Saturday evening, April 10. We wish them much success.

Miss Lizzie Barker was a Saturday night guest of Miss Princess Butcher.

Miss Nannie Thomas was in Logan Monday.

Misses Marie Kitchen, Helen Shriver, Virginia Lilly, and Chrystine Kitchen took the Diploma test. Wonder why Julia didn’t take it? Have some more self-confidence, Julia.

Wonder who is going to be married next? Ikey and Bobbie, I hope.

Miss Myrtle Mobley seems to be all smiles. Wonder why?

We hope that all the people of Chapmanville will enjoy themselves at their singing school.

We expect to start a Sunday school the 1st Sunday in May.

Combinations: Bill Haze coming to Big Creek; Mae and her husband; Miss Richardson passing compliments on her good pupils; Myrtle and her smile; Ollie and her long hair; Jessie and his truck; John and his Dodge; Don and his long pants; Ottie and her new slippers; Ikey and Bobbie going to the show.

Good by old Banner.

 

Chapmanville News 03.26.1926

13 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Chapmanville

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Tags

Appalachia, Big Creek, Bruce Hensley, Chapmanville, Chapmanville District, Chapmanville High School, Frank Ballard, G.S. Ferrell, genealogy, history, J.W. Addis, Loblolly Band, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lone Scouts, Newton Munsey, Nova Scotia, O.C. Winter, Orville Barker, Oscar Langdon, Webster Springs, West Virginia, Willard Ward

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

O.C. Winter has purchased the stock of merchandise of G.S. Ferrell and is now in business at the old stand.

Newton Munsey is now a man of leisure, but is thinking of purchasing a peanut roaster.

Prof. J.W. Addis now owns the controlling interest in the Loblolly Band. He is making arrangements to take them to Webster Springs on a tour.

We notice the State Police have recently done some good work at Big Creek. Why do they neglect Chapmanville? There certainly would be a royal welcome extended to them if they would visit this town.

Frank Ballard and Oscar Langdon left Tuesday for Nova Scotia.

The noise of political bees is beginning to be heard here now. I predict Chapmanville District will furnish some surprises in the coming election, even if we are not allowed a member of the county court.

Work on the new road is progressing nicely. We understand the grade will be completed in three months.

Don’t forget the meeting of the Board next Saturday to arrange for the High School. We need this, as a number of pupils from here are attending high school away this term and still a number here that would be attending if we had the school. So parents, wake up.

The Lone Scouts at Chapmanville spent the weekend (March 20-21) roaming about in the woods. Captain Willard Ward had little trouble leading. Cook Orville Barker had success at cooking and Baggage Carrier and Dish Washer Bruce Hensley did well with the baggage and poor dish washing. Captain Willard Ward, while hunting the “Rare Butterfly,” carved out enough rock to make a camp fireplace. Willard says the boys enjoyed the two days so well that they are going again soon.

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