First National Bank in Logan, WV (c.1916)
20 Wednesday Apr 2022
Posted Logan
in20 Wednesday Apr 2022
Posted Logan
in27 Tuesday Oct 2020
Posted Battle of Blair Mountain, Logan
inTags
Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Bilton McDonald, C.S. Minter, crime, Don Chafin, F.O. Woerner, F.R. Remlinger, F.S. Schuster, First National Bank, Fulton Mitchell, H.C. Hill, history, justice of the peace, labor, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mine Wars, Naaman Jackson, sheriff, Sidney B. Lawson, true crime, United Mine Workers of America, W.S. Bradshaw, West Virginia
From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item dated September 9, 1921 about the “armed march” on Logan County by union miners:
TROOPS END GREAT CONFLICT
CITIZENS MEET TO SEND THANKS TO SISTER COUNTIES WHO SO NOBLY HELPED
The war is over!
With the arrival of federal troops Saturday and the relieving of the boys along the battle sector Sunday morning Logan citizens started to regain rest which has been denied for two weeks. All Sunday afternoon special trains were speedily filled up and started on their way with tired but happy men, for their homes up and down the county and to our neighboring counties who so willingly came to our help at a time when days looked very black for the future of our beautiful county.
Every man a volunteer and every one ready for action as soon as he arrived in Logan. Logan will never forget the sacrifice made.
Monday evening in answer to a call issued, the circuit court room filled with citizens of Logan to give thanks and offer resolutions to those helping us and to the counties who so nobly responded to our calls for help.
The meeting was opened by Clarence McD. England and Naaman Jackson, president of the First National Bank was elected chairman. Committees were immediately appointed to draw up the resolutions. During the time the committees were preparing the resolutions several impromptu speeches were made. The speakers included Attorney Lilly and Chafin. Mr. Chafin emphasized the fact that it was due to Kanawha county’s failure to properly cope with the situation at the time when it could have been handled without bloodshed that it become necessary for Logan to mobilize an army under arms to protect its rights as a county. He brought forth rousing cheers when he stated that Logan county has a sheriff who had made the statement that “they shall not pass” and now they could say “THEY DID NOT PASS!” The fighting parsons were called for. They were the Reverends Coffey and Dodge.
Rev. Dodge said we had taught the rednecks the meaning of “Love” as it had been taught to him when a child–that of the application of a slipper to a part of his anatomy. He said it was in this manner he preached the meaning of the word and felt in this way Logan had showed her love for those who were fighting under the red flag through ignorance but who have now laid down their arms to resume the more peaceful pursuit of “live and let live.”
Justice of the Peace Fulton Mitchell was called on for a speech relative to the treatment received at the hands of the enemy when he and his three companions were captured and held for more than a week. His remarks were of the same content as will be found in another column of this issue.
In due time the resolutions had been prepared and read to those present and were speedily adopted and have been sent to the counties specified.
They are as follows:
Logan, Logan County, West Va.,
September 5, 1921
To the Officials and Citizens of our Neighboring West Virginia Counties, and the Western Counties of Virginia, whose Aid and Counsel was so Freely and Generously given to us at the time of the threatened invasion of our boundaries:
GREETING:
The representative citizenship of Logan county, West Virginia, in mass meeting on this day assembled, do hereby earnestly and publicly express to you and each of you, our sincere and hearty thanks and appreciation for the substantial, timely and very valuable aid and assistance rendered to our county and our citizenship during the recent attempted invasion of our boundaries by a misguided and hostile mob, imbued with the spirit of anarchy and fighting under the red flag.
The value of the help brought by the men who came to us from your counties cannot be overestimated. The organization was soon perfected and proved effective in holding back the invaders.
While your men were with us they showed fine courage and devotion to duty; their bearing was always that of courteous gentlemen, and the citizens of Logan county most heartily thank you and your gallant men for the splendid help given.
We hope the occasion will never arise when you will need similar assistance, but, if such a crisis should occur, our men will be found ready to respond.
Respectfully,
REV. W.S. BRADSHAW
F.S. SCHUSTER
F.O. WOERNER
C.S. MINTER
DR. H.C. HILL
Resolutions Committee.
The foregoing resolution was unanimously adopted at a mass meeting held in the City of Logan, September 5, 1921.
NAAMAN JACKSON, Chairman.
F.S. SCHUSTER, Sec’y.
In mass meeting assembled at County Court House in Logan, September 5th, 1921:
The citizens of Logan county–
RESOLVED: That the actions and efforts of the Logan county officials as well as those of the loyal men and women, are most heartily commended and approved, and it is further
RESOLVED: That the final results of such are most gratefully acknowledged and appreciated, and be it
RESOLVED: That a copy of these resolutions be printed in our local newspapers.
DR. S.B. LAWSON
F.R. REMLINGER
BILTON McDONALD
Committee.
19 Wednesday Jun 2019
Posted Logan, Women's History
inTags
Anna Mae Wright, Appalachia, Aracoma Hotel, Chamber of Commerce, D.M. Staples, First National Bank, Helen Caldwell, history, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan Planing Mill, Main Street, Norfolk, Portsmouth, rats, Virginia, West Virginia
From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, come these stories of rats in the city, printed in 1922-1923:
Oh, Rats!
The Chamber of Commerce has collected quite a few rat tails since its announcement some days ago of the contest which ends on July 15th with a grand prize to the person having collected the greatest number from rats killed. The tails are delivered to Mr. McGuire each Saturday morning at the Chamber’s offices over the First National Bank building, at which time five cents are paid for each tail. The big prize will be given on July 15th, so it’s up to those who have been interested to get busy for the next two weeks.
Logan (WV) Banner, 30 June 1922
***
Extermination of Rats Contest Continues While Longer
Secretary Announces It Such a Success That Contest Will Continue
Five Pennies a Rat
Mr. Davis of East End, Leads in Contest With 113 of Rodents Killed
Such interest is being taken in the rat contest as inaugurated by the Chamber of Commerce that the body has decided not to close the contest July 15, as formally announced. The closing date will be announced later and in the meantime the Chamber wants every boy, girl, man or woman to be an active soldier in the extermination of this rodent.
So far Mr. Davis who lives near the Logan Planing Mill in the eastern portion of the city, has the largest number of rat tails to his credit, having delivered a total of 113 on last Saturday. These pests are said to be unusually numerous and active in this vicinity of the city and Mr. Davis has been unusually busy in killing everyone that he has been able to find. He is yet adding to his honor roll and will evidently keep the good work going until the end of the campaign when it is hoped he will be so fond of slaying rats he will continue the good work through life.
Many other citizens of the city are making records and there is one thing sure—when the rat campaign is over there will be a smaller number of the rodents in the city than there were when the contest opened.
Secretary McGuire calls for the citizens to keep up the good fight and announces that the more money the Chamber has to pay out for rat tails the better it pleases them and that he will be on hand each Saturday to reward the faithful exterminators and he hopes to see the number grow larger as each week-end roll around.
Logan (WV) Banner, 14 July 1922
***
Rodent Carries Ladies’ Outfit, But Dial Gets It
Chief of police Dial had a rather funny experience the other day. He was crossing Main street when he saw some sort of an animal moving down the street with a large package on its back that almost hid the animal from view. For some moments his brain was puzzled at the queer sight. He thought for an instant his eyes might be playing him a prank. Rubbing his eyes, he looked again and there it was moving along down the road.
Dial could not remember of imbibing any amount of “hootch” that might cause him to see things so he pulled his trusty pocket gun and fired away. The beast tumbled over and the package felt o the paved highway. Imagine his surprise when he discovered one of the large rats that inhabit the post office had escaped from the building and was making a get-away with a huge parcel post package. The address had been removed from the package by the rodent and several large holes punctured through the wrapping.
An examination of the package brought to light one voile skirt, a pink corset, two crepe de chine waists, 4 pair of bright colored hose, 1 chemise, 2 princess slips, 3 corset covers, 1 pair “knickers,” 2 pair of “Teddy’s,” 1 pair of fancy garters, 5 hair nets, 1 hair rat of auburn hue and two powder puffs.
The “he” rat had evidently made an inspection of the package and found therein a quantity of material with which to dress up Mrs. Rat and was on his way home with the package when he met his untimely death at the hands of the ever watchful chief of the city of Logan.
It is understood the post office rats held funeral services in the local office last Saturday night. There was much sorrow at the loss of one of their members but with the birth rate at a high figure his place will soon be filled and the deceased rat soon forgotten in the rush of rodents at the Logan post office.
Logan (WV) Banner, 11 August 1922
***
Pretty Poisoners Here For War On Rodents
Misses Wright and Caldwell Arrive in County For Rat Crusade
A rat extermination campaign was launched in Logan this week when Miss Anna Mae Wright, pretty Portsmouth, Va., girl and Miss Helen Caldwell, her aid-de-camp, began a cooperative drive with the city health department against the destructive rodents.
Women have entered many fields of endeavor but few of them have been of wider benefit to humanity than has Miss Wright in her plan of rat killing, municipal officials in nineteen states have testified following successful campaigns conducted in hundreds of towns and cities.
The germ of the idea for a national rat extermination was created in the mind of Miss Wright three years ago while she was assisting in a civic campaign against rats at Norfolk, Va. It was in this campaign that a government-tested West Virginia product was found to give best results. This product, barium carbonate, is a mineral manufactured from the waste products of West Virginia mines and through its use thousands of rats have been eradicated.
Enthused by the success of the Norfolk campaign and acting under the encouragement of the prominent health authorities in the east, Miss Wright, accompanied by a friend, Mrs. D.M. Staples, started on a tour of southern states during which they met with unusual success.
Romance, however, finally interrupted the partnership oft ese two young ladies in their strange business venture, when Mrs. Staples, a widow met and married a prominent Virginian. Undaunted, Miss Wright has continued her work and is coming to Logan to aid the municipal health department in its efforts to rid the city of rats.
A study of the rat family, made from statistics compiled from all parts of the United States, reveals that there are an average of two rats to every inhabitant in any city or town.
“On this basis,” Miss Wright explained, “Logan and vicinity has a population of 10,000 which costs the people $18,000 annually to feed.”
Upon the arrival of the young ladies in Logan, the Mayor was communicated with and they found him a willing helper. He secured for them the endorsement of the various civic bodies and then brought them to The Banner for the publicity campaign.
Their interviewer forgot at times these girls were “rat killers” and as the conversation would naturally turn to other channels he was soon reminded the campaign was against rats and not hearts.
“We’re not afraid of rats,” the girls answered to a query. “You see, we seldom see the live creatures anyway. We help set the bait and wait for results.”
The campaign was started in the business section immediately after their arrival and the girls are calling on the larger firms and assisting in the work. The residential sections cannot all be reached by them, but a supply of the barium carbonate may be had at any of the stores and if the directions are not thoroughly understood or proper results not obtained, Miss Wright or Miss Caldwell will be found at the Aracoma hotel and either will gladly help any person.
Miss Wright’s plan to work is quite simple, she explained. The right proportion of barium carbonate is mixed with delicate morsels of food which are invitingly displayed along the walls of rooms or in known runaways used by rats.
This powder is tasteless but deadly in its work, she explained. There is little to be feared of the rats dying underground or in the walls of buildings after they have eaten of the poison. Its action is such, she stated, that the afflicted rat always comes out into the open air in order to breathe more easily. It is a death of strangulation and the doped animals always come out of their retreats when they feel themselves afflicted.
The barium carbonate used in the local campaign will be furnished by Miss Wright at a nominal cost, city officials announced.
Logan (WV) Banner, 27 April 1923
15 Saturday Dec 2018
Tags
Anthony Mullins, Appalachia, Charley Harris, Democratic Party, Deputy Marshal, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, Dow Chambers, First National Bank, George Loggins, history, Hugh Deskins, Ira P. Hager, Iva Harris, Jean Thompson, Joe Hatfield, Keenus Mounts, Logan, Logan County, Lorado, Mine Wars, Monaville, Mud Fork, Randolph Dial, Republican Party, Sam Logan, sheriff, Surrilda Mullins, Tennis Hatfield, United States Commissioner, West Virginia
Political history for Logan County, West Virginia, during the 1920s was particularly eventful; it included the latter years of Sheriff Don Chafin’s rule, the Mine Wars (“armed march”), Republican Party ascendancy, and the rise of Republican sheriffs Tennis and Joe Hatfield. What follows are selected primary source documents relating to this period:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
HUNTINGTON DIVISION
Before the undersigned authority, Ira P. Hager, a United States Commissioner in and for said District, personally appeared this day Sam Logan, who after being by me first duly sworn, says: That affiant was on the election ground at Mud Fork on election day November 4th, 1924, but did not see Don Chafin assault Hugh Deskins, Deputy Marshal, affiant being around on the other side of the school building; but affiant heard a commotion and heard the people say Don had hit some one, and saw the crowd gather around Hugh Deskins and Don, and I heard Don say, “If you don’t like that I will give you some more of it,” and followed him around and the Deputy Marshal was retreating from the said Don Chafin.
About a minute later the said Hugh Deskins deputized affiant as a Special Deputy Marshal to help keep order and handed affiant a pistol, and Don came up immediately and arrested affiant. He said, “Have you got a right to carry a gun?” I said, “Yes, I guess so,” and he said, “Show me your right,” and I said, “I was deputized by the Deputy Marshal,” and he reached and grabbed my gun from under my belt and said, “Come on and go to Logan,” and took me over to the automobile and told Randolph Dial, deputy sheriff to take me to jail. They locked me up in the Logan County jail and kept me from about 9:30 A.M. until about 7 or 8 o’clock next day. They kangarooed affiant while he was in jail and made affiant pay the prisoners $2.00 in money. Randolph Dial brought us out next morning and stayed with us on the corner at the First National Bank and said, “You fellows can go ahead now and we will notify you when we get ready for trial.” I heard Keenus Mounts cursing George Loggins on the election ground in the presence of a number of ladies.
Sam Logan (signature)
Taken, subscribed and sworn to before me this the 10th day of November, 1924.
Ira P. Hager
United States Commissioner as aforesaid.
***
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
HUNTINGTON DIVISION
Before the undersigned authority, Ira P. Hager, a United States Commissioner in and for said District, personally appeared this day Anthony Mullins and Surrilda Mullins, who after being by me first duly sworn, depose and say that they voted straight Republican tickets at the Mud Fork Precinct, in Logan County, November 4th, 1924, having voted open, on the table, in the presence of Walter Queen and the other election officers. That as affiant went out at the door of the election room after voting the said Walter Queen made insulting remarks to affiants indicating that affiants smelt bad to him. That after the fight affiant was deputized by the Marshal, but Jean Thompson told affiant not to take a tun.
Affiants further say that they saw Hugh Deskins, Deputy U.S. Marshal, standing on the ground and he was simply standing there, and had done nothing to any person, so far as affiants could see, or hear, when Don Chafin walked up and struck him on the head, or about the face. The Deputy Marshal backed away from the said Don Chafin, and the said Don Chafin followed him up, making some remarks to him, saying, “Have you got enough? If you haven’t, I will give you some more,” or words to that effect and called him a snurl. There were four in the room when we voted.
Anthony Mullins (signature)
Suralda Mullins (signature)
Taken, subscribed and sworn to before me this the 10th day of November, A.D., 1924.
Ira P. Hager
United States Commissioner as aforesaid.
***
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
HUNTINGTON DIVISION
Before the undersigned authority this day personally came Charley Harris and Ivie Harris, who after being by me first duly sworn, says:
That the said Charley Harris has been employed by the coal company at Yolyn. That affiants supported the Republican Ticket in the election. That prior to the election, Superintendent Butler came to affiant and told affiant that he wanted them to vote and support them. That affiant told them “he could not do that.” That affiants were “straight Republicans.” Dow Chambers came down today and said, “Say boy, how did you vote?” and I told him, “I voted Republican,” and he said, “You will have to move.” Two foreigners were standing by, and one of them was claiming that the other owed him two dollars for a board bill, and the said Dow Chambers hauled off and struck the other twice on the nose, and the blood squirted from his nose. I said, “Gee whiz.” He turned to me and said to me, “What have you to do with it?” and I said, “Nothing,” and he said, “You God Damned black son-of-a-bitch, I will kill you,” and he struck at me and came down off the store porch and went home. This happened about three o’clock today.
Mr. Butler, the superintendent, gave me my time today and said to me, “I am going to fire all who did not vote the Democratic ticket.” he told them to “settle with me” and that he would have to have the house.
Affiants are going to Monaville to try to get work, or may go to Lorado.
Down Chambers is supposed to be a thug or Deputy Sheriff. At any rate, he is a thug.
Ivie Harris (signature)
Charlie Harris (signature)
Taken, subscribed and sworn to before me this the 10th day of November, 1924.
Ira P. Hager
United States Commissioner as aforesaid.
09 Friday Mar 2018
Posted Logan
inTags
Appalachia, banking, banks, First National Bank, history, Logan, Logan County, Logan Democrat, West Virginia
Logan (WV) Democrat, 2 January 1913.
18 Thursday Jan 2018
Posted Huntington, Logan
inTags
Appalachia, C&O Railroad, First National Bank, genealogy, Guyandotte River, Herbert's Greater Shows, history, Huntington, Liberty Loans, Logan, Logan County, Logan Democrat, music, Star-Spangled Banner, West Virginia, World War I
From the Logan Democrat, of Logan, WV, come these items of local interest dated 1917:
CHAIR CARS NOW ON ALL GUYAN RIVER TRAINS
In prompt response to their promise made a couple of weeks ago, the division officials of the Chesapeake & Ohio railway, on last Saturday provided an additional chair car for the Huntington to Logan service, and as a result Guyan river travelers are now more conveniently and satisfactorily provided for than at any time since the introduction of the railroad into this territory a little more than a dozen years ago.
The extra equipment now gives a chair car on all through trains, an to prove that it was needed and is much appreciated by the traveling public is the fact that on almost every trip since its installation the new car has been completely filled.
Travelers no longer need dread the long trip up or down the old Guyan, and the more satisfactory service is bound to result in many happy results for this section and our people.
Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 1 February 2017.
***
“OLD GLORY” RAISED
BIG BOOZE SHIPMENT
The C. & O. Monday night received a great quantity of liquor for consumers in Logan county. Monday night was the last chance for those whose wine cellars were slim and whiskey bottles were empty to get a supply before the state started on its on-quart of whisky a month. Under the old law a man could bring in as much liquor as he could carry in a suitcase and a great many evidently took advantage of this law before it was superseded by the new law.
Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 3 May 1917.
***
Big Flag Is Flaunted To Breezes Over Court House Before Big Crowd
A large “Old Glory” was flaunted to the breezes over the dome of the court house last Saturday before an immense crowd of citizens, a number of whom came quite a distance to view the ceremonies.
The raising occurred shortly after two o’clock. Previous to that time the Logan band reinforced by the musicians of Herbert’s Greater Shows rendered a few musical numbers. As the flag was raised the musicians struck up the Star Spangled Banner, a large number of people took off their hands and the ceremonies were over.
Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 17 May 1917.
***
WHO WILL BE FIRST?
Although flags are much in evidence on people and buildings in Logan, not a single bond of the “Liberty Loan” has been purchased here, according to the First National bank.
Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 17 May 1917.
Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain
This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.
Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond
A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century