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Brandon Ray Kirk

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Brandon Ray Kirk

Tag Archives: Floyd County

Civil War Items at the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum (2019)

25 Saturday May 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Pikeville

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

15th Kentucky Cavalry, Appalachia, Battle of Middle Creek, Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum, civil war, E. Everett McMurray, Floyd County, history, Kentucky, Pike County, Pikeville, Samuel Duncan

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Captain Samuel Duncan, Company A, 15th Kentucky Cavalry. On loan by E. Everett McMurray of Duquoin, IL. 15 May 2019

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Pikeville, KY. 15 May 2019

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Civil War buttons, Pikeville, KY. 15 May 2019

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Pikeville, KY. 15 May 2019

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Pikeville, KY. 15 May 2019

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.58 caliber 3-ring bullet minie ball from the Middle Creek Battlefield in Floyd County, KY. 15 May 2019

Garrett, Floyd County, KY (2019)

04 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Coal

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Tags

Appalachia, Ballard, coal, Elkhorn Coal Company, Floyd County, Garrett, history, Kentucky, photos, Prestonsburg

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Located 13 miles south of Prestonsburg, Ballard Post Office was established here in 1910. 27 February 2019

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The Elkhorn Coal Company established a town on the site about 1914 and named it Garrett after John and Robert Garrett, two Baltimore bankers and coal company financiers.  27 February 2019

Garrett KY c1915

Garrett, Floyd County, KY. c.1915 Photo credit unknown.

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Garrett, Floyd County, KY. 27 February 2019

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Garrett, Floyd County, KY. 27 February 2019

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Garrett, Floyd County, KY. 27 February 2019

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Garrett, Floyd County, KY. 27 February 2019

Baisden Family Troubles

13 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Kermit

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Tags

Appalachia, Brit Jones, Buchanan County, Carroll County, Catherine Wills, Catlettsburg Republican, crime, Flora Baisden, Floyd County, genealogy, Grant Bollman, Grover Waldron, Grundy, Harrison Baisden, Harrison Baisden Jr., Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Hiram Wills, history, Ira J. McGinnis, Jack Maynard, James Brewer, Jeffersonville, John Brewer, John Henry Baisden, John Lee White, John Smith Baisden, Johnson County, Kentucky, Lebanon, Lee Brewer, Lewis Dempsey, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Logan Democrat, Marrowbone Creek, Martha Baisden, Mingo County, murder, Naugatuck, Parkersburg Sentinel, Pigeon Creek, R.W. Buskirk, Reuben Baisden, Riley Brewer, Robert Irons, Robert L. Baisden, Ruby Harrison Baisden, Trace Fork, Virginia, West Virginia, William Baisden, William Bevins

Between 1883 and 1891, several members of the Baisden family suffered troubles in their section of West Virginia and Virginia. What follows are some news and other accounts of those events:

At the mouth of Pigeon creek, in Logan county, Grant Bollman and Dr. Harrison Baisden got into a difficulty over a settlement, short words brought blows, when Bollman used a knife severely if not fatally stabbing Baisden. Thereupon he drew a revolver and shot Bollman, who died the same day from the effects of the wound. There is little hopes of the recovery of Baisden.

Parkersburg (WV) Sentinel, 18 August 1883

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Judge McGinnis has issued a vacation order to the Circuit Clerk of Wayne County admitting Dr. Baisden, charged with the murder of Yancy Bolin, in Logan County, to bail in the sum of $2,000.

Huntington (WV) Advertiser, 31 July 1886

***

According to one item printed in an old genealogy newsletter: “John Smith Baisden was born May 14, 1864. On May 29, 1885 he married Martha Jane Wills who was born in Carroll County, Virginia, on August 4, 1870, the daughter of Hiram and Catherine Massey Wills. Martha had come to Floyd County, Kentucky, in a wagon train in 1879. She was fifteen when she married John Smith Baisden. They had two children: Flora, who was born on January 8, 1888, and Ruby Harrison “Harry” Baisden [February 7, 1890]. On May 4, 1890, John Smith Baisden was shot and killed by John Brewer and John Lee White, while the family was visiting in West Virginia. He was shot in an argument over a horse. It is thought that his murder was indirectly associated with the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. The Baisdens became involved after relatives married McCoys. About the same time of his father’s death, the Hatfields kidnapped and imprisoned Ruby Harrison Baisden (then only a child) and other members of the McCoy clan, and held them in a log barn in what is now Mingo County, West Virginia. Ruby Harrison Baisden was found by a roadside where he had been left for dead. Soon after John S. Baisden’s death, Martha, against the advice of family members, returned to Kentucky by horseback, traveling at night over lonely mountain trails with her son and daughter.”

***

Last week several capias against John Henry Baisden and John Smith Baisden were placed in the hands of the Sheriff of this County. The Baisdens had established the very unenviable name of being dangerous and desperate men, and, a part of the process was placed in the hands of Wm. Bevins with instructions to go by way of Marrowbone to summon a guard who knew the haunts of the Baisdens and to locate them if he could and meet the Sheriff, who was accompanied by Jailor Buskirk, Deputy Sheriff McDonald and several guards, at the mouth of the Trace Fork of Pigeon. Mr. Bevins arrived on Marrowbone on Friday morning and learned that just before his arrival the Baisden boys had made an attack on the house of James Brewer with Winchester Rifles, and that assisted by John Lee White, he had repelled the attack, mortally wounding John Smith Baisden. On learning this Mr. Bevins at once summoned a posse consisting of John Lee White, Brit Jones, James Brewer, Riley Brewer, Lee Brewer and John Brewer and followed the Baisdens to Pigeon Creek. Locating them at Dr. Harrison Baisden’s, Bevins left all of the guard about a quarter of a mile from the house, except John Lee White, who he took with him to find the position of the Baisden boys. As soon as he came in sight of them he demanded their surrender, which they refused to do and fire was opened on them. James Baisden was killed and John Henry Baisden was badly wounded and captured. William Baisden having left the crowd made his escape and is still at large. John Henry Baisden was brought to this place and is now in jail. He was shot through both arms and in the right side, but his wounds are not dangerous. All parties regret the killing of young James Baisden, as there was nothing against him. Heretofore a man in this county had thought that to establish for himself the name of a dangerous man was all the security that he needed against the officers of the law. That is now changed and all of them will hereafter be hunted down.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 24 April 1890

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John Smith Baisden, who was shot by James Brewer and John Lee White, on April 18th, while making an attack on Brewer’s house, died last Sunday evening.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 8 May 1890

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On Monday morning John Henry Baisden was turned over by the authorities of West Virginia to Wm. A. Bevins upon a requisition from the Governor of Virginia. Baisden is wanted in Buchanan county, Va., for the murders of a man named Irons. Bevins, accompanied by R.W. Buskirk and Lewis Dempsey, started with Baisden to Jeffersonville, Va., where he will be confined for safe keeping until the Buchanan authorities are ready for his trial. He was not taken to Buchanan as there has been some talk of lynching him there.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 26 June 1890

***

R.W. Buskirk, Wm. Bevin and Lewis Dempsey, who took John Henry Baisden to Virginia on a charge of murder, returned on Sunday. The prisoner was first taken to Jeffersonville, then to Grundy, and finally to Lebanon as neither the Jeffersonville nor Grundy Jail were safe.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 10 July 1890

***

A Logan Man Gone Wrong.

Wm. Baisden, formerly of this county, was last week sentenced to the Virginia penitentiary from Buchanan county, for the term of 18 years, for the murder of a man named Irons, some two years ago. Outside of whisky, Baisden was regarded as a good man, and had a great many friends on the Sandy side of our county, where he was raised, and where his relatives now live.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 6 August 1890

***

Baisdens Allowed to Escape.

John Henry Baisden who killed Robert Irons in Buchanan county, Va. last fall and who afterwards figured in a terrible tragedy in Logan county, W.Va., and who was captured and taken to Virginia has been allowed to escape. After killing Irons, he fled to W.Va. to find another man living with his wife. He got a party of his relatives and went to attack the man, but was met by an officer and posse in search of him. Two desperate fights ensued between the two parties on consecutive days and Jim and John Smith Baisden were killed. John Henry was captured, after being seriously wounded, and lodged in jail. The parties who captured him in W.Va. delivered him to the authorities all right and received the Reward. He was afterwards sent to Russell county jail and being taken back to Buchanan for trial was taken from the guard by his brother. It is thought that the officers were willing that the prisoner should be rescued.

Catlettsburg (KY) Republican via the Logan County (WV) Banner, 21 August 1890

***

Murder on Sandy.

Monday afternoon Harrison Baisden, Jr., a member of the notorious gang of Baisden outlaws came down to the Mouth of Pigeon where there was a whiskey boat moored on this side of the river. He took his horse across to the Kentucky side, and then returning, he walked deliberately up to Jack Maynard, between whom and himself, it appears, there had been some bad blood, and shot him through the head, killing him instantly. The last heard from Baisden he was in Kentucky riding from about five men, who were pursuing him hotly. As the report says he was very drunk and the men were only a mile behind, the chances are that he is captured by now. It is feared that if he is caught that he will be lynched.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 3 September 1891

***

Found Dead.

A rumor has reached us that Reuben Baisden, the murderer of Jack Maynard, was found dead at the head of a lonely creek, in Johnson county, Kentucky, with fifty-three bullet wounds on his body and his dead horse lying on him. It was thought that he had been dead about three days when found. We do not credit the story.

Logan County (WV) Banner, 17 September 1891

***

Manslaughter for Dr. Baisden

In the Mingo criminal court last week, Dr. Robert L. Baisden was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter for killing Grover Waldron, at Naugatuck on April 23, of last year.

The evidence showed that young Waldron was stabbed to the heart on the above named night near the signal tower at Naugatuck. Dr. Baisden was coming down the tower steps when some person threw a beer bottle against a stone wall not far away. Young Waldron and two companions were standing near the foot of the steps.

Using an oath Dr. Baisden inquired who threw the bottle at him and there came a reply and also an oath, that it was for him and some one of the three also called out that they would send Dr. Baisden to hell “feet first” if he was not careful.

Logan (WV) Democrat, 20 April 1911

Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY (2018)

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in American Revolutionary War, Big Sandy Valley, Civil War, Huntington, Inez

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Tags

American Revolution, Appalachia, Ashland, author, banker, Battle of Blue Licks, Battle of Bryan Station, books, Brandon Kirk, Charleston, Chillicothe, Democratic National Convention, Flem Sampson, Florida, Floyd County, Henry L. Clay, history, Huntington, Inez, Inez Deposit Bank, James Ward, John P. Martin, Kentucky, lawyer, Lewis Dempsey, Martin County, Ohio, Old Sandy Valley Seminary, Outline of U.S. History, Paintsville, photos, Phyllis Kirk, Piqua, Pleasant, Rockcastle Creek, Saltwell Cemetery, State Textbook Commission, teacher, The Mountain Journal, The New Day, U.S. Congress, Virginia, Warfield, West Virginia, William B. Ward, William McCoy Sr., Williamson

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

IMG_5822 Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018. Photo by Mom.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018. Photo by Mom.

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Lewis Dempsey Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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William McCoy Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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County Named (1870) Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Dr. Henry L. Clay Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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James Ward Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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William B. Ward Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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U.S. Coast Guard Geodetic Survey Bench Mark, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Old Jail, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

Johnson Hatfield (1890-1900)

28 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Culture of Honor, Gilbert, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan, Pikeville

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Tags

Alifair McCoy, Appalachia, Beech Creek, Calvin McCoy, Chafinsville, crime, Dan Cunningham, Devil Anse Hatfield, Dollie Hatfield, feud, feuds, Floyd County, Frank Phillips, genealogy, George Hatfield, Gilbert Creek, Greek Milstead, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Henry Clay Ragland, history, Huntington Advertiser, Johnse Hatfield, Johnson Hatfield, Kentucky, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Matewan, Mingo County, murder, Nancy Hatfield, Norfolk and Western Railroad, Oakland Hotel, Pikeville, Portsmouth Blade, Prestonsburg, Southern West Virginian, T.C. Whited, Thomas H. Harvey, true crime, Vanceville, West Virginia

From the Logan County Banner of Logan, WV, and the Huntington Advertiser of Huntington, WV, come the following items relating to Johnson Hatfield:

Johnson Hatfield Notice of Deposition LCB 02.20.1890.JPG

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 20 February 1890. Also appeared on 13 March 1890.

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Johnson Hatfield v. N&W RR LCB 07.30.1891.JPG

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 30 July 1891.

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We are glad to see that Johnson Hatfield, who has been confined to his room for the last ___ weeks, is able to be on the street again.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 2 March 1893.

***

There was an unfortunate difficulty at Matewan on Sunday last in which Mr. Johnson Hatfield was severely wounded through the hand. His son had become involved with an officer which drew his father into the trouble.

Source: Southern West Virginian via the Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 1 January 1896.

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Johnson Hatfield, accompanied by his daughter, Miss Dollie, left on Monday last for a visit to friends and relatives in Mingo county.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 23 January 1897.

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Johnson Hatfield and daughter, Miss Dollie, have returned from a visit to friends on Sandy.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 6 February 1897.

***

Johnson Hatfield, the genial proprietor of the Oakland Hotel, is visiting friends at Pikeville, Kentucky.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 28 August 1897.

***

Johnson Hatfield has returned from a visit to Pikeville, Ky.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 9 October 1897.

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Johnson Hatfield is at Williamson this week.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 23 October 1897.

***

The many friends of Mrs. Johnson Hatfield will regret to learn of her serious illness. She has a very bad attack of rheumatism.

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 13 November 1897.

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Johnson Hatfield and wife, of Mingo, passed through here [Chafinsville] last Sunday en route for Vanceville, where they will make their future home.

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 21 April 1898.

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HATFIELD KIDNAPPED.

TAKEN TO KENTUCKY ON A SERIOUS CHARGE–NOW IN JAIL.

Johnson Hatfield was arrested yesterday and taken to Pikesville, Kentucky, and lodged in jail on a charge of being an accomplice in the murder of Alifair McCoy on New Years night about nine years ago. This murder was committed during the feud of the Hatfields and McCoys.

Source: Huntington (WV) Advertiser, 20 July 1898.

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Johns Hatfield Captured LCB 07.21.1898

Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 21 July 1898.

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Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 11 August 1898.

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Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 20 October 1898.

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Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 19 January 1899.

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Johnson Hatfield Gets Life HuA 01.21.1899.JPG

Huntington (WV) Advertiser, 21 January 1899.

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Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 12 April 1900.

NOTE: Not all of these stories may pertain to the Johnson “Johnse” Hatfield of Hatfield-McCoy Feud fame. For instance, items relating to the Oakland Hotel and a daughter named Dollie relate to a Johnson Hatfield (born 1837), son of George and Nancy (Whitt) Hatfield.

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Kentucky Counties in the Big Sandy Valley

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Tags

Appalachia, Big Sandy River, Floyd County, Hindman, Inez, Johnson County, Kentucky, Knott County, Letcher County, Levisa Fork, map, Martin County, Paintsville, Pike County, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, Russell Fork, Tug Fork, West Virginia, Whitesburg

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Kentucky Counties in the Big Sandy Valley.

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Big Sandy Valley

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Aaron Altizer

05 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Man

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Aaron Altizer, Aaron L. Altizer, Andrew B. Altizer, Appalachia, Charlest T. Altizer, Corilda B. Altizer, deputy sheriff, Emory Altizer, farming, Floyd County, genealogy, George R. Altizer, Henry Altizer, Henry H. Hardesty, history, Joseph Altizer, justice of the peace, Logan County, Man, Margaret Altizer, Mary Altizer, Mary M. Altizer, Montgomery County, Parthenia Altizer, Perry G. Altizer, Pittsylvania County, postmaster, Roanoke County, Sarah Altizer, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, William Altizer

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Aaron Altizer, who resided at Man, West Virginia:

Son of Emory and Margaret (Griffith) Altizer, was born July 23, 1826, in Floyd county, Va. His father was born Mar. 5, 1788, in Montgomery county, Va., and died there Jan. 10, 1875. His mother was born June 6, 1781, in Pittsylvania county, Va., and died Mar. 16, 1883, in Montgomery county. On May 27, 1847, he was married to Sarah Scaggs, the marriage occurring in Montgomery county, where she was born Mar. 22, 1828. She died June 7, 1876, leaving 10 living children and two deceased: Perry G., born Mar. 20, 1848; Joseph, born Aug. 23, 1849; Mary M., born April 6, 1851; Corilda B., born Sept. 8, 1853, and died Aug. 11, 1854; Charles T., born April 12, 1855; Parthenia, born Feb. 9, 1857, and died May 18, 1858; George R., born Jan. 30, 1859; Andrew B., born May 23, 1861; Emory, born April 9, 1863; William, born April 26, 1865; Aaron L., born May 8, 1868, and Henry, born April 6, 1871. On April 15, 1878, Mr. Altizer was married to Mary Aliff, who was born June 10, 1839, in Roanoke county, Va. Mr. Altizer was elected justice of the peace in 1865, serving until 1870; elected county superintendent, serving one term; elected deputy sheriff, serving from 1873 to 1875; again in 1884 he was elected justice of the peace, serving four years; is at present postmaster at Man, Logan county, W.Va., and is engaged in farming.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), 814-815.

James S. Aldredge

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Tags

Alice B. Aldredge, Appalachia, Cora B. Aldredge, Floyd County, genealogy, George L. Aldredge, Henry H. Hardesty, history, James S. Aldredge, Logan County, Logan Court House, R.A. Brock, Richmond, Stanton Aldredge, surveyor, Thomas E. Aldredge, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for James S. Aldredge, who resided at Logan Court House in Logan County, West Virginia:

Late Logan county surveyor, residing at Logan Court House, W.Va., was born in Floyd county, Va., Jan. 26, 1859; was married in Logan county, W.Va., on Mar. 16, 1879, to Miss Alice B. Perry, who was born in Logan county Aug. 14, 1855; their home has been brightened by the following sons and daughters, all now residing with their mother: Stanton and George L., born Feb 10, 1880; Cora B., born Jan. 31, 1882; Thomas E., born June 21, 1884; James C., born Jan. 2, 1887. Mr. J.S. Aldredge was elected surveyor of Logan county in 1884, which office he filled most acceptably until his death, Aug. 4, 1887. This sad occurrence was deeply lamented by all who had known him. He was a man of the highest nobility of character, and though cut down in the prime of his young manhood, yet had done much to endear him to many friends who regret his untimely death. His widow and children reside in the beautiful home he had made for them at Logan Court House, [W]Va.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), 814.

Francis M. Alderman

01 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Wyoming County

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Tags

45th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Battle of Cross Lanes, Bland County, civil war, Confederate Army, Floyd County, Francis M. Alderman, Frank W. Alderman, George W. Alderman, Giles County, Harman H. Alderman, Henry H. Hardesty, James F. Alderman, Ollie C. Alderman, R.A. Brock, Sun Hill, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, Virginia O. Comesford, West Virginia, Wyoming County

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Francis M. Alderman, who resided in Wyoming County, West Virginia:

Francis M. Alderman was born Dec. 10, 1836, in Floyd county, Va. He enlisted in the service of the Confederate States in 1861 in Co. F, 45th Va. V., I., serving until the close of the war; was wounded in the battle of Cross Lanes, Va. On Mar. 14, 1864, in Bland county, Va., he was united in marriage with Virginia O. Comesford, who was born April 18, 1843, in Giles county, Va. The result of this union has been five children: George W., born July 14, 1866, married; Harman H., born Feb. 14, 1868, married; James F., born Oct. 26, 1871; Frank W., born Nov. 25, 1873; and Ollie C., born Nov. 24, 1885. Mr. Alderman is engaged in farming near Sun Hill, Wyoming county, W.Va., which is his address.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), 814.

In Search of Ed Haley 60

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Sandy Valley, Ed Haley, Huntington, Music, Pikeville, Williamson

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Appalachia, Beaver Creek, Big Sandy River, Bill Necessary, Carter Caves State Park, Curly Wellman, Ed Haley, Ella Haley, fiddler, fiddling, Floyd County, Fraley Family Festival, Grayson, history, Huntington, J P Fraley, John Hartford, Kentucky, Lawrence Haley, Levisa Fork, Lynn Davis, Mingo County, Molly O Day, Molly O'Day, Mona Hager, music, Nashville, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Snake Chapman, Tug Fork, U.S. South, Ugee Postalwait, West Virginia, Williamson, writers, writing

A few months later, I met Lawrence Haley at the Fraley Family Festival at Carter Caves State Park near Grayson, Kentucky. Lawrence and I spoke with Bill Necessary, a musician who saw Ed and Ella all over the Big Sandy Valley when he was about twenty years old. He said they rode a train up Levisa Fork to Paintsville, the seat of government for Johnson County, where they spent the day playing music at the courthouse. From there, they continued by train to Prestonsburg, county seat of Floyd County. At times, they went into the nearby coal camps of Beaver Creek and played at theatres. From Prestonsburg, they took the train to Pikeville, the county seat of Pike County, and then continued over to the Tug River around Williamson, county seat of Mingo County, West Virginia.

“Aw, they took in the whole dern country up through there,” Bill said. “By the time they made that circuit, why it’d be time for them to come again. I guess they’d tour a couple of weeks. By God, I just followed them around, son.”

Lawrence didn’t remember going to all of those places with Ed but did remember staying with Molly O’Day’s family around Williamson. Bill said Molly’s widow Lynn Davis was still living around Huntington, West Virginia.

Bill said Ed always wore a long overcoat — “rain or shine” — and even played in it. He never sang or entered contests.

“He was pretty up to date on music at that time,” Bill said. “His notes were real clear, boy.”

Back in Nashville, I worked really hard trying to figure out Ed’s bowing. There was a lot of contradictory information to consider. Snake Chapman said he bowed short strokes, indicating a lot of sawstrokes and pronounced note separation. J.P. Fraley, Slim Clere, Lawrence and Mona said that he favored the long bow approach and only used short strokes when necessary, like for hoedowns. Preacher Gore, Ugee Postalwait and Curly Wellman spoke about how smooth his fiddling was, which kind of hinted at him being a long bow fiddler. All were probably accurate in some respect. It seemed plain to me that one reason why there were so many contrasting and sometimes completely opposite accounts of how or even what Ed played was that everyone I’d talked to witnessed him playing at different times and places during his musical evolution. All along the way, he was experimenting, looking for that “right combination” or playing the style needed to create the sounds popular in a certain area. Even what I could actually hear on his home recordings was really just a glimpse into the world of his fiddling as it existed at that moment toward the end of his lifetime.

Feud Poll 1

If you had lived in the Harts Creek community during the 1880s, to which faction of feudists might you have given your loyalty?

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Feud Poll 2

Do you think Milt Haley and Green McCoy committed the ambush on Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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Feud Poll 3

Who do you think organized the ambush of Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

Recent Posts

  • McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866-1870)
  • Aly Hatfield Survey (1849)
  • Absentee Landowners of Magnolia District (1870, 1886, 1889)

Ed Haley Poll 1

What do you think caused Ed Haley to lose his sight when he was three years old?

Top Posts & Pages

  • Aly Hatfield Survey (1849)
  • Paw Paw Incident: Ellison Mounts Deposition (1889)
  • McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866-1870)
  • The Smoke House Restaurant in Logan, WV (1927)
  • Jack Dempsey’s Broadway Restaurant Location in New York City (2019)

Copyright

© Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com, 1987-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Tags

Appalachia Ashland Big Creek Big Ugly Creek Blood in West Virginia Brandon Kirk Cabell County cemeteries Chapmanville Charleston civil war coal Confederate Army crime culture Ed Haley Ella Haley Ferrellsburg feud fiddler fiddling genealogy Green McCoy Guyandotte River Harts Harts Creek Hatfield-McCoy Feud history Huntington John Hartford Kentucky Lawrence Haley life Lincoln County Lincoln County Feud Logan Logan Banner Logan County Milt Haley Mingo County music Ohio photos timbering U.S. South Virginia Wayne County West Virginia Whirlwind writing

Blogs I Follow

  • OtterTales
  • Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC
  • Piedmont Trails
  • Truman Capote
  • Appalachian Diaspora

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OtterTales

Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain

Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC

This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.

Piedmont Trails

Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond

Truman Capote

A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century

Appalachian Diaspora

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