12 Friday Feb 2021
Posted in Chapmanville, Coal
Tags
Appalachia, Chapmanville, coal, Dwyer Creek Coal Company, history, I.D. Dwyer, J.W. Dwyer, John J. Dwyer, Lewisburg, Logan County, M.L. Ford, R.A. Dwyer, West Virginia
10 Tuesday Nov 2020
Posted in Chapmanville
05 Monday Oct 2020
Posted in Chapmanville, Logan
Tags
A.K. Bowling, Appalachia, Bess Bowling, Burl Elder, Chapmanville, Charleston, Clinton Ferrell, Earnie Ward, Fannie Brown, Floyd Barker, genealogy, Gicetto, history, hunting, Inez Barker, Jim Barker, Lizzie Mounts, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lonnie Mounts, Mont Tabor, Peach Creek, West Virginia
An unknown correspondent from Chapmanville, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on January 4, 1924:
As every one else has quit writing I will take up my old job.
Mrs. Jim Barker and daughter Zell were visiting in Chapmanville Sunday.
Mr. Floyd Barker and Miss Lizzie Mounts seemed to enjoy themselves at the depot Sunday.
Miss Fannie Brown spent Xmas in Huntington. She reported a good time.
Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Mounts are again back home after a visit in Charleston.
Mrs. A.K. Bowling and daughter Bess was shopping in Logan Monday.
Mr. Clinton Ferrell is spending his vacation here rabbit hunting.
Miss Inez Barker looks down-hearted now days. Cheer up, Inez. You may get a letter some day.
Mr. Earnie Ward sure enjoys going to Peach Creek. Would like to know what the attraction is.
Mr. Mont Tabor left Wednesday for Gicetto, W.Va. after spending a few days with friends here.
Mrs. Burl Elder of Peach Creek was visiting relatives here Wednesday.
Boys, but we would like to know what has become of Ima Nutt. We haven’t heard from him for so long.
06 Monday Jul 2020
Posted in Big Harts Creek, Chapmanville, Civil War, Huntington, Logan, Poetry
Tags
Anna Meadows, Appalachia, Chapmanville, Charles S. Whited, Charleston, civil war, Craneco, deputy clerk, Ella Godby, Ewell Deskins, genealogy, George W. McClintock, H.A. Callahan, Harriet Totten, Harts Creek, Hattie Rothrock, history, Huntington, J. Green McNeely, J.C. Cush Avis, John A. Totten, John W. Buskirk, Logan, Logan Banner, Mud Fork, poetry, preacher, Raleigh County, Robert Whited, Russell County, Slagle, Southern Methodist Church, T.C. Whited, teacher, Thomas Harvey Whited, U.S. Commissioner, Virginia, W.B. Johnson, W.G. Whited, W.W. Beddow, West Virginia
From the Logan Banner we find this entry for Thomas C. Whited, who resided at Logan, West Virginia:
“Uncle Tom” Whited, United States commissioner, one of the county’s oldest citizens, and poet, came to Logan, or the present site of Logan, on October 11, 1877.
He was born on a Russell county, Virginia, farm in a one-room log cabin on November 25, 1854, the son of Robert and Anna Meadows Whited, who reared a family of ten children, nine boys and one girl.
“Uncle Tom” has only one brother living, the Rev. Charles S. Whited, a preacher in Raleigh county. His sister is dead.
His home was broken up by the Civil War, and Mr. Whited began the life of a vagabond, wandering about over the country seeking happiness, but never finding it until he came to Logan. He discovered the little frontier settlement as he was making his way on foot back to his Virginia home to take a job in a store.
“I just dropped in here, tired and sore-footed and decided to attend a teacher’s examination that was advertised for the town–mostly just to see what kind of a certificate I could get among strangers,” Mr. Whited said.
He received his certificate and taught his first term of school at the mouth of Mud Fork in 1877. Then followed terms at Chapmanville, Craneco, Logan and Hart’s Creek until 1883 when he was asked to take a position in the clerk’s office as deputy clerk.
Among the well-known citizens that “Uncle Tom” taught in his educational forays in Logan county were the Rev. J. Green McNeely; Ewell Deskins; Mrs. Ella Godby of Huntington, mother of Mrs. W.W. Beddow of Slagle; J.C. (Cush) Avis, and several of the Conley family.
From the position as deputy clerk, Mr. Whited rose in succession to circuit clerk, county superintendent of schools, city councilman, and United States Commissioner. He served a total of 18 years as circuit clerk of Logan county.
In 1930 Federal Judge George W. McClintic appointed “Uncle Tom” United States Commissioner which office he will hold for life unless removed by the judge on charges of misconduct.
“Uncle Tom” is a poet of no mean ability. His poetry is recognized throughout the county and some think his best work was a poem dedicated to the old elm tree in the court house square which was recently cut down.
He was instrumental in saving the tree when it was just a sprout and John W. Buskirk was about to dig it up to plant a locust orchard near the site of the present courthouse. “Uncle Tom” requested that the sprout be left to grow. It was not moved from the original spot where it sprouted until it was cut down in 1931, Mr. Whited said.
Mr. Whited married Miss Harriet Totten, daughter of the Rev. John A. Totten, pastor of the Southern Methodist Church in Logan, on March 4, 1887.
The couple reared a family of five children–two boys and three girls. All are still living. They are Mrs. W.B. Johnson, W.G. Whited, and Mrs. H.A. Callahan, all of Logan; Mrs. Hattie Rothrock, Charleston; and Thomas Harvey Whited whose residence is unknown.
Though 81 years old, “Uncle Tom” still manages the affairs of U.S. Commissioner and finds time to dash off a line or so of poetry now and then.
Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 17 April 1937.
29 Friday May 2020
Posted in Banco, Big Creek, Chapmanville, Kitchen, Queens Ridge
Tags
Banco, Big Creek, board of education, Browns Run School, Buck Fork School, Bulwark School, Chapmanville, Chapmanville High School, education, George Mullins, Godby Branch School, Harts High School, history, Hoover School, Kitchen, Kitchen School, Logan Banner, Logan County, Queens Ridge, Robert Sanders, Rocky School, Stone Branch School, Striker School, T.B. Ferrell, T.B. Stone, Thompson School, Trace School, Upper Trace School, West Virginia, White Oak School
From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes these items of history for Chapmanville High School, dated April 2 and April 16, 1926:
Chapmanville Plans to Vote on Bond Issue for High School Building
Total of $75,000 Proposed, $45,000 of Which to Establish New Structure; Balance to Remodel Others.
Four years of discussion is about to crystallize for the residents of Chapmanville in a High School that will provide for the instruction of both junior and senior high school students if the plans of the Board of Education of that district, which have already been launched, prevail among the voters.
At a recent meeting the tentative plans were prepared after the matter had been discussed with one hundred representative voters who had been invited by special letter to attend for the purpose of ascertaining their will in the matter. Of this number it was found that only four showed any disposition not in favor with the proposed bond issue to cover the completion of the project and these it is confidently expected will find their way over to those who are eager to establish a High School in the district.
Another meeting is scheduled to be held in the school house, at Chapmanville, April 10, at which time details of preparing the proposed $75,000 bond issue will be further discussed.
As proposed now, the bond issue will provide $45,000 to defray the cost of the new High School, and $30,000 to be devoted to converting one-room school buildings into structures of two or more rooms. In this latter, the members of the Board of Education feel that the item of continued maintenance for these old buildings will go a long way toward the cost of creating the new ____.
New buildings will be erected at various parts of the district where it is found they are needed.
Although there are at the present time 150 pupils ready to take up the courses offered in the High School, the structure tentatively planned will entirely care for the future, at least for many years to come.
The achievements of the Chapmanville district in the matter of progress in educational matters during the past six years has been very notable. In 1920, when the present Commissioners took charge, they had a $17,000 debt hanging over their heads.
That debt has dwindled down until now it represents only $2,700.
In 1920 the district boasted of 34 schools, part of them receiving scholars and part of them idle. Since then 13 elementary rooms have been added as well as a Junior High, with three teachers.
This year the school district will obtain $18,000 from the State for the fund devoted to elementary teaching. Also the State will allow the district a little over $1,600, about $350 of which will provide for the cost of the proposed bond issue election. The confidentially expected will find their ______, coal cost and other matters in connection with the upkeep of the schools.
The Board of Education consists of the following members: T.B. Ferrell, president, Big Creek; T.B. Stone, Secretary, Kitchen; Robert Sanders, Banco; and George Mullins, Queens Ridge.
***
Chapmanville Orders High School Plans
Architect Will Present Them At Special Meeting April 17; Points Named Where Improvements Will Be Made
At a meeting of the Board of Education of the Chapmanville district, last Saturday night, held for the purpose of further discussing plans in connection with the proposed bond issue of $75,000 for the erection of a High School and the improvement and construction of other school buildings in the district, the board authorized the architect present to draw tentative plans.
These will be presented at a special meeting to be held Saturday, April 17, at the Chapmanville school at 10 o’clock in the morning. At this meeting it is hoped that most of the details of the proposed bond issue will be decided upon and something definite reached regarding the election to take care of it.
It was reported at the meeting that sentiment has grown rapidly and opinion is practically unanimous in favor.
It was proposed that improvements be made in the elementary schools at Stone Branch, Kitchen, Godby Branch, Thompson, Rocky, Striker, White Oak, Browns Run, about the mouth of Smoke House. Also Trace and Buck Forks, Bulwark, Hoover and Upper Trace all repairs made on all buildings that cannot be combined with others.
In order that these matters may be discussed and known to the citizens of the district all are urged by the Board of Education to be present at the next meeting.
Note: Chapmanville High School was consolidated with Harts High School in 2006-2007.
19 Tuesday May 2020
Tags
Appalachia, Bethel McNeely, Billy Workman, Chapmanville, Cherry Tree, Crooked Creek, Delmas Seagraves, Dempsey Branch, Dyke Garrett, Elizabeth McDonald, Elliott McNeely, farming, ginseng, Hatfield Island, Henlawson, history, Howard Suiter, J. Green McNeely, Jimmie McNeely, John Morrison, Lee Whitman, Lewis McDonald, Little Buffalo Creek, Logan Banner, Logan County, logging, Luther McNeely, Mill Creek, Peach Creek, Pete Minotti, preacher, Stollings, Susan White, timbering, West Virginia
On May 26, 1937, the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, profiled one of the county’s more renowned preachers: J. Green McNeely.
Rev. J. Green McNeely: One of County’s Most Beloved Ministers Will Soon Round Out Half Century Of Service; Has Married Approximately 3,000 Couples; Conducted 3,500 Funerals, And Is Still “Going Strong”
One of the county’s most loved and best known ministers will soon round out a half century of service to the citizens of Logan county.
Born October 29, 1871, the Rev. J. Green McNeely, clerk of the county court, has already lived a full life of service, but is hale and hearty and plans to continue “preaching the gospel until the end.”
The Rev. McNeely has married approximately three thousand couples since he was ordained as a minister on March 28, 1891. He is proud to have been able to unite so many in the holy bonds of matrimony, he says, but he is prouder to know that the majority of the marriages “took,” he declares.
The first married he performed was on May 25, 1892. He married Lee Whitman and Elizabeth McDonald, both of Logan county. Mrs. Whitman is still living, but her husband preceded her in death several years ago. She lives on her farm in Henlawson.
The Rev. J. Green McNeely in addition to performing this amazing number of marriages, has conducted 3500 funeral services. His first service was for Billy Workman, 20, who was killed on Dempsey Branch by a falling tree. Workman’s death came in the fall of 1892.
The Rev. McNeely was born at the “Head of Dry Island” on a farm whose site is now occupied by the highway which runs down past Hatfield Island.
His parents were Elliott McNeely, farmer, Susan White McNeely. He had only a sister. She lives at Peach Creek at the present time. She is Mrs. Lewis McDonald.
The young man grew up on Mill Creek, his father having bought a farm there not long after where he attended rural schools and earned enough money chopping wood three months at $1.50 per month for the Mill Creek school to buy himself a suit of “store” clothes.
His first pair of “store” shoes were bought with a summer’s digging of the ‘seng.’ Young J. Green had dug a pound of the roots of the ginseng and dried them.
At nineteen the soon-to-be Rev. McNeely left home to do timbering work on Little Buffalo Creek at Henlawson. He had married by this time and “Uncle Dyke” Garrett, who was the Baptist evangelist who was responsible for the conversion of Rev. McNeely, performed the ceremony.
The Rev. McNeely’s conversion came a year after “Uncle Dyke” had married the couple in 1890.
He says: “I can remember that day yet. We had nearly completed a one-day revival meeting at the mouth of Crooked Creek in a grove where Pete Minotti’s house now stands, and I heard the call. ‘Uncle Dyke’ was a powerful preacher and he touched a responsive something in me that made me want to follow his example. So me and my wife were converted and were baptized by him.”
The Rev. McNeelys live in Cherry Tree. They are the parents of six children. The children are Mrs. John Morrison, Mrs. Howard Suiter, Mrs. Delmas Seagraves, Bethel, Luther, and Jimmie.
The Rev. J. Green McNeely, though “getting up in years” has not ceased active preaching. He delivers a Sunday message regularly to a church in Stollings once a month, Crooked Creek once a month, and in Chapmanville twice a month.
He says he has just closed the best revival meeting he has had in years. Thirty four persons were converted at the two-week’s meetings at Crooked Creek, and Rev. McNeely says: “It took us nearly half an hour to get the house cleared on the last night of the revival after the benediction. The people just couldn’t seem to get enough singing and praying.”
09 Saturday May 2020
Posted in Chapmanville, Yantus
Tags
Appalachia, Bowling Green, Chapmanville, Columbus, Cove Creek, Devona Butcher, Donald Phipps, Edd Turner, Edith Robertson, Elma Phipps, Everett Fowler, Fourth of July, Garland Mounts, genealogy, George Justice, Gladys Bryant, Greenway Simms, Harry Conley, history, Ida Butcher, J.H. Vickers, Kentucky, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lorain Hill, Maud McCloud, Millard Brown, Minnie Butcher, Nona Collins, Ohio, Tollie Ferrell, typhoid fever, W.J. Bachtel, Ward Hotel, Wayne Browning, West Virginia, Yantus
Correspondents named “Somebody’s Baby” and “Katie” from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on July 7, 1922:
We are glad to report that we are having a nice Sunday school organized at the Holiness church.
Rev. Johnson delivered a very interesting sermon at the church Sunday.
Mrs. J.H. Vickers has returned from a pleasant visit with her parents at Columbus, Ohio.
Little Dan Cupid has been very busy in our town and to our surprise, he shot an arrow across Mr. Greenway Simms’ path and he fell a victim to the dart.
Mr. Everett Fowler and Miss Nona Collins were out kodaking Sunday.
We are sorry to say that Mrs. Garland Mounts is very sick at this writing and her many friends hope for her speedy recovery.
Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Bachtel were out walking Sunday.
A very nice wedding took place at Cove Creek Saturday when Miss Marie Asberry became the happy bride of Mr. James Bryant. They returned here to the groom’s home, Sunday night, and will make this place their future home.
We wonder why Millard Brown visits Mr. Perry so much? Ask Pearl, she knows.
Mrs. George Justice will leave on Thursday for Bowling Green, Ky., at which place she will be the guest of her daughter for several weeks.
Mr. Harry Conley was calling on Miss Ida Butcher Sunday. He says Ida is some S.L.T.
Miss Gladys Bryant is spending the week and with her grand parents at Yantus.
Miss Maud McCloud is very ill at this writing as she received a message that her husband is suffering from appendicitis in the C. & O. hospital.
Mr. Lorain Hill paid his daily visit to the Ward hotel Saturday night.
The boys all say they like to take their meals at the restaurant now as they have a pretty cook.
Miss Edith Robertson is the guest of her mother, Mrs. Bowling, at the present time.
Miss Devona Butcher will leave on Sunday to enter a summer normal.
Will call again if this escapes the waste basket.
***
We are having some rainy weather here these days.
Mr. Wayne Browning and Everett Fowler are off on a three weeks vacation during the Fourth.
The people of this town were much disappointed on the Fourth owing to the unpleasant weather.
Miss Tollie Ferrell called on Miss Elma Phipps Wednesday.
Bathing seems to be popular here nowadays.
Wonder why Misses Devona and Minnie Butcher stay at home so much now? Call more often, girls.
Mr. Donald Phipps has been confined to his bed with typhoid fever, but is improving slowly.
Edd Turner was out riding his jitney Sunday.
The Holiness people have an excellent choir now.
Well I don’t want to write all the serious news of our city. Leave it to you, Rebecca.
I will call again next week.
15 Sunday Mar 2020
Posted in Big Creek, Chapmanville, Coal, Huntington, Logan, Stone Branch
Tags
Alma Wagner, Anna Justice, Appalachia, Big Creek, Chapmanville, Cincinnati, Clee Conley, coal, Eustice Ward, genealogy, Hattie Clay, history, Hobert Spurlock, Huntington, Ida Butcher, Levy Hensley, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lola Ferrell, Maud Garrett, Mazie Bates, Morgan Garrett, Nettie Pauley, Oscar Langdon, Queeney Conley, Roy Hager, Ruby Wagner, Stone Branch, Wanda Ferrell, West Virginia, Wilbert Langdon
A correspondent named “Uncle Joe” from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on May 5, 1922:
We are still having fair days and cool nights.
Miss Ruby Wagner has returned from the hospital at Huntington and is getting along nicely.
Mr. Oscar Langdon has left our town for Cincinnati.
Miss Alma Wagner looked lonesome Sunday. Where was L.T., Alma?
We wonder where they go when they take a ride here?
We saw two sweet gigglers out promenading all alone Sunday. Where were the boys?
Bug makes several trips to town during the day, but what does he care, for he gets his rides free.
Miss Eunice Ward and Mr. Hobert Spurlock were at the show Saturday night.
Miss Queeney Conley was shopping in town this week.
Some of the young folks were calling on Miss Clee Conley and thought they were on a merry go round.
Every person is always anxious to know who sends in the news. We wonder, who sent this?
Still more improvements and better wages at the mines here. You ought to make good money, boys.
When is Rev. Langdon going to preach for us again? It seems a long time between times.
Did we see Miss Maud Garrett and Mr. Wilbart Langdon out walking Sunday, or was it just imagination?
You’re not in style in our town unless you have a gray cap.
Mr. Roy Hager, of Big Creek, was calling on Miss Ida Butcher Sunday.
The handsomest man of Chapmanville has gone to work.
Mrs. Levy Hensley and daughter have returned to their home at Chapmanville after a short visit at Stone Branch.
Anna Justice, Hattie Clay and Mazie Bates were calling on Lola and Wanda Ferrell Sunday.
Mrs. Nettie Pauley was visiting relatives in this town Sunday.
Mr. Morgan Garrett has gone to work in Logan.
28 Tuesday Jan 2020
Posted in Chapmanville, Huntington, Logan
Tags
A.K. Bowling, Appalachia, B.B. Ward, Basil Robertson, Bennie Robertson, Cecil Ward, Chapmanville, Charleston, Code Tabor, Donald Stone, Dr. Turner, Eva Barker, Floyd Barker, genealogy, Harriet Hill, Hinton, history, Huntington, Kentucky, Lexington, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, New York, Opie Robertson, Roscoe Turner, Subinia Ward, Victor Toney, Wallace Ferrell, Washington, Wayne Brown, West Virginia, William Turner, Young People's Epworth League
A correspondent named “Old Man Grump” from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on November 23, 1923:
Last week was a sad week on account of the death of Dr. Turner and we failed to write. We all are much grieved over his death.
Rev. Chambers conducted a two weeks service and had quite a few joiners and several were baptized Sunday. Rev. Chambers left Sunday afternoon for Lexington, Ky.
Mr. Cecil Ward left Monday for Charleston where he will spend his vacation. Wish you a happy time, Cecil.
The Young People’s Epworth League are doing great work and the young and old people seem to be interested in it. We hope they still hold out for I am sure it will be a great help to all the young people.
Mr. Opie Robertson spent Sunday in Chapmansville with his mother, Mrs. A.K. Bowling.
We have seen in the papers so much about Hazel Maud, Hazel E. McCloud, but we haven’t never been able to find out which is Hazel M. and Hazel E. but we see them quite often.
Ima Nutt, we sure are glad you come to our little town, but we would be pleased if you would let yourself be known and not be so bashful. Now don’t get mad as we are just joking.
Mr. Donald Stone left Monday for Charleston for an extended visit. We haven’t been able to find out how long.
Mr. Basil Robertson spent Sunday with his mother of this place.
Seems like some of the girls like to quarrel on their way home from church, don’t they Hazel?
Mr. Victor Toney and Miss Bennie Robertson were seen out walking Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Floyd Barker spent Saturday in Chapmansville with friends. Mr. Barker is here from the army on a three [day?] vacation, then he will return and stay another year.
Mr. Code Tabor of Logan was visiting in Chapmansville Saturday.
Roscoe Turner, a brother of Dr. Turner, from New York, attended the funeral of his brother last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Ferrell of Huntington spent last week here with Mrs. Ferrell’s sister, Mrs. Turner.
Mr. and Mrs. King of Hinton attended the burial of Dr. Turner. Mrs. King is a sister of Dr. Turner.
Mrs. William Turner, mother of the late Dr. Turner, and his sister, Mrs. Mankins of Washington, D.C., attended the burial services.
Mrs. Subinia Ward was calling on Mr. and Mrs. B.B. Ward Sunday.
Mr. Wayne Brown and Miss Harriet Hill were seen out walking Sunday evening.
Miss Eva Barker and Mr. Wilkie were seen out car riding Sunday.
20 Monday Jan 2020
Posted in Big Creek, Chapmanville, Coal, Holden, Logan
Tags
A.K. Bowling, Appalachia, Bernie Ward, Big Creek, Bill Carper, Bill Cooper, Chapmanville, Charleston, Chester Barker, coal, Dr. J.D. Turner, Fannie Brown, genealogy, Guyan Hospital, Henlawson, history, Holden, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Man, merchant, Molly Conley, O.C. Winters, Oliver Shuff, Oscar Langton, T.A. Rogers, West Virginia
A correspondent named “Pug Nose” and “Let All-Alone Blues” from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on November 30, 1923:
We are having some rainy weather here now.
Fannie Brown, Miss Daniels and Mrs. Bernie Ward have some attraction in Big Creek, as they go down every evening on 51 and back on 52.
Mr. A.K. Bowling was home Sunday from Man, W.Va.
Mrs. Collins of Holden was calling on homefolks SUnday.
Borned to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Langton, a fine boy last Friday. Mrs. Langton before marriage was Miss Fannie Brown.
Some one said wedding bells will ring at Henlawson soon.
Mr. Bill Cooper is able to be home from the Guyan Hospital at Logan.
Mr. T.A. Rogers was in Logan last Thursday on business.
We are having lots of new houses built now.
Oliver Shuff is building him a house here.
***
As there hasn’t been any one here writing I will try and see what I can do.
Last week was sad on account of the death of Dr. J.D. Turner. We are much grieved over the loss of him.
Mr. Bill Carper was seriously hurt in the mines while driving. He was caught between two cars. Mr. Carper was taken to the Guyan Valley hospital.
Miss Molly Conley and Mr. Chester Barker were seen coming from church one night last week.
Ferrells and Winters store seems to be doing great business under the general manager, Mr. O.C. Winters.
Combinations: Everett and his sweater; Inez and her dancing; Anna and her apron; Bena and beans; Mrs. A.K. Bowling and her cap; Mrs. Ward and her hotel; Eva and her parcel; Cecil going to Charleston.
Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain
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