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Brandon Ray Kirk

Tag Archives: Logan Banner

The Rainbow End: A Poem (1928)

30 Monday May 2022

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Poetry

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Appalachia, Fred Durham, Logan, Logan Banner, poem, poems, poetry, poets, The Rainbow End, West Virginia, writers, writing

The following poem appeared in the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, on August 7, 1928. The author was Fred Durham, address unknown.

THE RAINBOW END

At the end of every rainbow,

So we always have been told,

If we find its termination

Sits a pot of virgin gold.

There are those who take it serious

And their entire talent bend

To a lifelong ceaseless searching

For the fleeting rainbow end.

Some are harmless near Micawbers.

Some of lawless dangerous trend.

But they all have one objective

The entrancing rainbow’s end.

Some there are who hear the story

With a tolerant knowing smile,

Knowing that these little stories

Help to make life more worthwhile.

And to them life in its fullness

Will an untold blessing lend

They seek not but find contentment

At the phantom rainbow end.

***

This poem was brought to The Banner office last week either by the author or some one else who deemed it worth publishing. The editor, though knowing little indeed of the technique of versification, thinks it meritorious in several essential respects.

Whirlwind News 05.10.1927

30 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Logan, Twelve Pole Creek, Whirlwind

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Bernie Adams, Big Harts Creek, Bulwark, Bulwark School, Daniel McCloud, farming, genealogy, history, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lora Martin, Lucy McCloud, singing school, Twelve Pole Creek, West Virginia, Whirlwind, Wilburn Mullins

An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on May 10, 1927:

Mrs. Alla Mullins was the guest of Daniel McCloud Monday.

Daniel McCloud made a business trip to Twelve Pole Monday.

All the farmers are getting very busy in this vicinity.

Wilburn Mullins was calling on friends at Daniel McCloud’s Sunday.

Lucy McCloud visited her aunt Lora Martin Sunday.

Bernie Adams has just returned from a business trip to Logan.

Daniel McCloud is teaching a singing school at the Bulwark school house. All report a nice time.

Daily Acts: Florence and her straw hat; Lucy and her pink dress; Lenville carrying milk; Roy making whistles.

Aracoma Drug Company (1927)

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan, Williamson

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Appalachia, Aracoma Drug Company, Charles Bennett, Ford McDonald, history, J.G. Hunter, K & H Drug Store, Logan, Logan Banner, Mingo County, O.D. Griffith, Omar, sheriff, Tennis Hatfield, Valley Drug Store, Victor N. Griffith, West Virginia, Williamson

From the Logan Banner of Logan, West Virginia, comes this item of history relating to Aracoma Drug Company, dated May 20, 1927:

K. & H. Drug Store is Sold to New Co.

A new company composed of local business men has purchased of F. Kerwood the K. & H. drug store fronting the northeast corner of the Court House. An inventory of the stock was completed last night but the store will not be re-opened before June 1. Meanwhile, elaborate improvements will be made in the front and the interior.

The purchaser is the Aracoma Drug Company, newly incorporated, among the organizers being Victor N. Griffith, office deputy under Sheriff T.S. Hatfield, and his cousin, O.D. Griffith, present manager of the Valley Drug Store. The latter will be in charge of the business. He has been here about three years and is widely known in this section.

Mr. Kerwood, who has been engaged in this business for three years, has made no definite plans for the future, he said last night.

The founder of this store was W.O. Poole, now in the drug business in Williamson, and formerly of Omar. From him Ford McDonald acquired it. Then it passed to Charles Bennett by whom it was sold to Mr. Kerwood and J.G. Hunter, hence its name K. and H.

Whirlwind News 04.12.1927

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Whirlwind

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Appalachia, Bernie Adams, Big Harts Creek, Burl Mullins, Daniel McCloud, Dixie Adams, education, genealogy, history, Hoover Fork, Howard Adams, Jackson McCloud, James Carter, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lucy McCloud, Monaville, Shade Smith, West Virginia, Whirlwind, whooping cough, Will Adams

An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 12, 1927:

Sunday school is progressing nicely at Trace.

A large crowd attended the last days of Howard Adams’ school Friday. All reported a fine time.

James Carter of Monaville was visiting home folks of Hoover Sunday.

Wonder if Daniel McCloud got all the news Sunday evening.

Howard Adams went up Hoover whistling “Hard Times.” His mustache caught on fire.

Wonder what Burl Mullins was interested in Saturday evening that he forgot to shave.

There are several sick children in our town with whooping cough at present.

Jackson McCloud is making his home at Daniel McCloud’s.

We are all listening for the wedding bells to ring on Hoover. Look out Burl, you will be sure to hear them.

Shade Smith of Whirlwind was calling on friends at Daniel McCloud’s Sunday.

Burnie Adams is very ill with whooping cough at this writing.

Wonder why Will Adams was stepping so high Saturday? He must have been afraid of getting his sox muddy.

Wonder why Lucy McCloud looks so down hearted these days? Cheer up Lucy, you have made a bad mistake.

The funniest thing we heard last week was Mrs. Dixie Adams making Howard change beds.

Daily happenings: Daniel losing his cane; Earl and his potatoes; Lucy lost her ___; May got disappointed; Alice and her job; Uncle Jack chewing his tobacco; Tilda going to see __; Charlie and his black eye; Clyde going to the store.

A History of Methodism in Logan (1927)

26 Saturday Jun 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Huntington, Logan

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Appalachia, Ben F. Donley, Cabell County, Claypool Chapel, Crump and Reardin, Dan Westfall, Giles County, Guyandotte, history, Huntington, J.S. Thornburg, Kanawha County, Kenova, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Orville, Pittsburgh, Tazewell County, W.T. Workman, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Methodists in Logan County, WV. The story is dated April 26, 1927:

PLANS FOR SUNDAY’S DEDICATION OF FIRST M.E. CHURCH PROMPT REVIEW OF 100 YEARS OF METHODISM HERE

Methodists from all parts of Logan county and even more distant points are expected to attend the dedication next Sunday of the new First M.E. Church in this city. As previously announced, an impressive program for the day has been arranged. Dr. Daniel Westfall, of Pittsburgh, Rev. J.E. Bird, of Huntington, and Rev. J.S. Thornburg, of Kenova, will be here to assist the pastor, Rev. Ben F. Donley.

It is more than a century ago that Methodism took root in Logan county. There are authentic records telling of the activities of the followers of the Wesleys as far back as 1825, the year the county was carved out of Tazewell, Giles, Cabell and Kanawha. Students of local church history are convinced that Methodist ministers labored in this field prior to that date. Their first goings and comings antedate the West Virginia Conference, which was established by the General Conference while assembled in Pittsburgh in 1848.

For the following review of the history of Methodism in Logan, the Banner is indebted to an adherent of the church who has just been delving into the subject:

First Church Prepares for Dedication

Methodism had its beginning in what is now Logan county in the year 1825 of which we have record, but we feel sure that even before that there were Methodist preachers in the confines of the county.

The History of Methodism in Logan county beings even before we have a West Virginia Conference. It was established by the General Conference while assembled in Pittsburgh in 1848.

Methodism, like all other denominations in Logan county and elsewhere, has been intermittent, not always able to have ministers enough to supply all its work; but wherever possible having local men to exhort the people, and some of these men became great ministers of the church.

Logan County’s Methodism has fared somewhat like that. It has been intermittent in its work. They have had many ministers and many times they have been without a minister. Because of this a large portion of the history has been lost, so far as records are concerned, but in the heart and mind of Methodist people there remains the story of Methodism in Logan county which has been given to them by their ancestors.

At Guyandotte in 1804

We know from the general church history that Bishop Asbury preached in this section of the country before the year 1825 and the minister who was preaching in Guyandotte at the mouth of our river came into the county and preached as early as 1804.

The local church has within the jurisdiction property that was deeded to the church as early as the year 1844 and at this time is defending in the Circuit Court of Mingo county title to property that was deeded to the church in 1882.

The First Methodist Church has been using the old church building or 21 years. It was started by the Reverend J.W. Bedford, who is now living at Parsons, W.Va., and who is still active in serving a church. He began traveling this field in 1872. His circuit included these places as some of the appointments: Claypoool Chapel, Logan, Orville, Starr Chapel, and others that made a circuit of over a hundred miles in length. He walked most of the time and won for himself the name “Walking Joe,” which holds to this day.

The Rev. J.S. Thornburg, a brother of the Rev. Thornburg of this city, was the first preacher in the new church built in 1904. This building has served its people well, but now the needs of the present congregation are so great that they cannot be served in the old building.

In 1924 the Rev. Ben F. Donley was appointed pastor of the local congregation. Upon arrival he found a very much discouraged people, but that willingness that has characterized the Christian people from the beginning–a willingness to arise and work.

Without much ado, or even any shouting from the housetops as to what they were going to do, they set themselves to the task of doing what seemed the impossible.

Planning for Future

The church board made a survey of the community and of the church to find out its needs and to see if it were possible for them to supply them. The first one that arose was the need of a new church building, Sketches were drawn of a building that would care for the church for a number of years, but upon consideration it was decided that the coat was prohibitive. It was then decided to build a part now and complete the plans in the near future. This included departmental rooms and a modern parsonage.

Contract was let to the firm of Crump and Reardin, of Huntington, and ground was broken on November 23, 1926. The corner stone was laid January 13, this year by W.T. Workman, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the A.F. & A.M., of West Virginia.

The new edifice to be presented for dedication on Sunday, May 1, is of English architecture, a very beautiful structure.

Don Chafin: The Most Famous Sheriff in the United States (1925)

26 Saturday Jun 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Matewan, Williamson

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Democratic Party, Don Chafin, Ed Chambers, Ephraim Morgan, history, Logan Banner, Logan County, Matewan, Mingo County, Mingo Republican, politics, sheriff, Sid Hatfield, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia, Williamson

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item about Don Chafin, sheriff of Logan County during the Armed March. The story is dated November 6, 1925.

Don Chafin Renowned as Sheriff of Logan

His Prowess During Threatened Invasion of Union Miners is Recalled in Mingo Republican

Bids Friends Goodbye

Don Chafin, former sheriff of Logan county, paid what might be his farewell visit to Williamson for a long time on Tuesday. While here he expressed to many his appreciation of their concern for him in his present plight.

Chafin was the most famous sheriff in the United States during his regime in Logan county, where he ruled with an iron hand. He was the main prop in the Democratic machine there and a prominent figure in the life of the county.

Sheriff Chafin won his greatest fame during the threatened invasion of Logan county by the armed march of 5,000 or more miners bent on destroying the Logan court house and finally reaching Williamson to release from the local jail a number of union men charged with violations of Gov. Morgan’s martial law.

Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers, two well known union men of Matewan, had just been killed on the court house steps at Welch and the passions of the miners were thoroughly aroused. The armed march was once halted but was resumed after a midnight battle between the officers and miners on the county road near Sharples.

The invasion then began with forts and vigor. The defenders of Logan under the leadership of Sheriff Chafin were intrenched along a wide front and several clashes took place. The fame of the the doughty sheriff caused many from the outside to rally to his banner.

Mr. Chafin has numerous relatives and friends here to whom the parting was one of real regret. They are steadfast in their belief in his innocence, claiming that he is the victim of a frameup. Chafin was profuse in his expressions of gratitude over the loyalty of his friends on this side of the Logan line.

Harry S. Gay (1928)

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Appalachia, Harry S. Gay, history, Logan Banner, Logan County, West Virginia

Logan (WV) Banner, 2 March 1928.

Whirlwind News 04.12.1927

01 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Harts, Logan, Spottswood, Twelve Pole Creek, Whirlwind

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Appalachia, Cary Mullins, Charley Mullins, Cole Adams, Daniel McCloud, Dixie Mullins, Eunice Farley, farming, genealogy, Harts, Harts Creek, history, Howard Adams, Jim Thompson, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, May Robinson, Mollie Robinson, Mud Fork, Sid Mullins, Tom Mullins, Twelve Pole Creek, Wayne Adams, West Virginia, Whirlwind

An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 12, 1927:

All the farmers are getting very busy in our vicinity, especially Wayne Adams.

Miss Unice Farley of Mud Fork was visiting her parents of Harts Tuesday.

May Robinson says she don’t know which one of the boys she loves best, Cole or Cary.

They are all taking a vote to find out which is the wisest man in town. Look out, Daniel, you’ll be the one.

Wonder why Jim Thompson didn’t want any pillow?

Wonder why Sid Mullins never visits Hoover any more?

Working is all the go among the farmers. Guess the men are getting plenty of chicken.

Daniel McCloud was calling on his best friends at Mollie Robinson’s on Sunday night.

Daniel and his sweet potatoes; Philip sowing oats; Edna going to the store; Ollie and his silk socks.

***

Sid Mullins and his oldest sister Miss Dixie Mullins went on a business trip to Logan Friday.

Charley Mullins was a visitor of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Adams Friday.

Tom Mullins went to see his mother on Twelvepole Thursday evening. She is very ill at this time.

Whirlwind News 04.08.1927

28 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Logan, Whirlwind

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Appalachia, Buck Fork, Daniel McCloud, farming, genealogy, George Adams, George Tucker Hensley, Harts Creek, history, Hoover Fork, Howard Adams, Ireland Mullins, James Thompson, Jesse Carter, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Monaville, West Virginia, Whirlwind, White Oak, William Mullins

An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 8, 1927:

We are having some very fine weather at this writing and everybody is preparing for farming.

Tucker Hensley of White Oak was a visitor to this creek Saturday.

Ireland Mullins was calling on his best girl on Hoover Saturday.

James Thompson has returned from his honeymoon trip, and everybody is wondering why he is looking so blue.

William Mullins was the guest of Daniel McCloud Saturday afternoon. The whole family were glad to see him back after his long absence.

We are listening for wedding bells to ring on Buck Fork. Hurry up, Fred.

Jesse Carter of Monaville was visiting relatives on Hoover Saturday.

George Adams is attending to business at Logan this week.

Howard Adams was visiting on Hoover Sunday.

Harts News 12.11.1925

28 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Atenville, Harts, Ranger, Williamson

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Albert Cabell, Albert Fry, Appalachia, Atenville, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bill Adkins, Blaine Powers, Bob Powers, Caroline Brumfield, Catherine Adkins, Charles Brumfield, Christmas, Curtis Dempsey, Floyd Dingess, Fred Adkins, genealogy, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Inez Adkins, James Porter, Jessie Brumfield, Kyle Topping, Lee Adkins, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Lola Adkins, Luther Dempsey, Nola Adkins, Nora Brumfield, Pearl Adkins, Ranger, Sadie Powers, Sylvia Shelton, Watson Adkins, Weltha Gore, Wes Smith, West Virginia, Williamson

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on December 11, 1925:

Seems to be a busy day at Harts. Every body at work.

Mrs. Nora Brumfield is teaching a very successful school here.

Mrs. F.D. Adkins is ill at this writing.

Mrs. Wealtha Gore of Williamson was visiting relatives of this place Sunday.

Mrs. Watson Adkins was calling on Mrs. R.L. Powers Sunday.

Mrs. L.D. Adkins was calling on Mrs. Fred Adkins Monday.

Mr. Floyd Dingess was calling on Mr. Herb Adkins Sunday.

Mrs. Beatrice Adkins was calling on Mrs. Catherine Adkins Friday.

Miss Pearl Adkins has been doing quite a lot of sewing and embroidering in the past month. Wonder who is going to get Xmas presents.

Miss Jessie Brumfield was seen passing through Harts Sunday.

Miss Sylvia Shelton and Mrs. Kyle Topping of Atenville were calling on friends at Harts Friday.

Mr. Albert Fry of Ranger was calling on Mr. Lewis Dempsey Sunday.

Mr. Bill Adkins was a caller at Mr. Luther Dempsey’s Sunday.

Combinations: Fred and his mule teams; Herb and his new shoes; Jessie and her spring coat; Inez and her apron; Pearl and her hose; James and his pups; Samuel and his books; Bill and his girls; Luther and his friends; Sadie going to the store; Rinda in her kitchen; Mae and her friends; Nora and her school; Catherine and her checkered dress; Bessie and her pencil; Robert staying with the children; Curtis and his new clothes; Marguerite and her basket; Den and his girl; Edgar and his wagon; Luther and his sore arm; Robert and his new job; Henry and his handcar; Blain and his bottle.

Mrs. James Porter has been on the sick list for a few days.

Mr. Albert Cabell was visiting Mr. F.D. Adkins Monday night.

Misses Nola and Lola Adkins were calling on Miss Pearl Adkins Tuesday.

Mr. Wes Smith and Albert Cabell were the dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Brumfield Tuesday.

Strange Miners in Logan (1913)

13 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Coal

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Appalachia, coal, history, Island Creek, Logan, Logan Banner, Ramage, Spruce River Coal Company, U.S. Coal and Oil Company, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner, of Logan, WV, comes this editorial about unionization, dated March 21, 1913:

STRANGE MINERS cannot get work at all in the principal Logan County mines, it is said, and even in the smaller mines an applicant has to run the gauntlet of a series of “family-history-cross-examination-questions” that would stagger a Philadelphia lawyer before one gets a job–and then like as not get turned down because he is not of Logan county. The precaution is fully warranted. The United Mine Workers hope to control the Guyan Valley field, if they ever DO–and THEY NEVER WILL–by first “organizing” the smaller, isolated mines by “smuggling in” an agitator or two now and then and finally with one “grand sweep” capture the big works. If the labor leaders actually KNEW certain conditions and “inside workings” now effective even in the small works half so well as they THINK they know them, they’d give up as a bad job their idea of “organizing” Logan county and go to honest work shoveling coal for a living themselves. During the past year, more than one “undesirable miner” has been shipped “bag and baggage” out of the valley because he let his agitation fever break out too strong, prematurely spoiling his little game. In another column will be found a news item of the shut-down of the Ramage works of the Spruce River Coal Co. We predict that some of Logan’s mines will turn off their power and “lock out” their employees before they will let the United Mine Workers conduct their business for them. So far as the corporation’s finances are concerned, the U.S. Coal & Oil Co. can shut down all of its Island Creek mines, burn its tipples, and dump its cash into Guyan river. And that’s what would best suit the competitive coal operators of other States! Likewise the miners’ union agitators and leaders! But there’s another side of the story–the miner and his family need the work in the coal-bank, the merchant needs some of the money he earns, Logan county needs its merchants and the outside world needs West Virginia coal–the BEST that “old mother earth” ever produced!

The Hopemont Blues: A Poem (1922)

11 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan, Poetry, Women's History

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Appalachia, Hopemont, Logan, Logan Banner, poems, poetry, Sally Godbey, Terra Alta, tuberculosis, West Virginia, writers, writing

The following poem appeared in the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, on July 7, 1922. The author was Sally Godbey, who gave her address as the “State T.B. Sanitarium, Hopemont, Terra Alta, W.Va.”

THE HOPEMONT BLUES

When the golden sun is sinking

Behind the hills of old Hopemont,

When of home and friends I’m thinking

That “what-might-have-been” is not.

When the night birds’ soft notes falling,

Melodies sweet float on the air,

Then my thoughts go back to Logan,

And the friends that I left there.

When the sighing night-winds moaning,

Groaning through the old oak trees

and the strain of “Home Sweet Home”

Carry softly on the breeze,

Then is when my thoughts go roaming,

Filled with memories old and new

Days of gladness, days of sadness,

Nights so happy, nights so blue.

Though there’s many miles between us,

Little town I love you yet,

And I long to hurry back,

For I’m homesick and regret

That I ever left you Logan,

But I had to, so they say.

I’m lonesome for the old home town,

And I’m coming back some day,

They say that you are a dull little town,

They spell it with a capital D.

They wish that they could get away,

But you are all the world to me,

And though the world is a very big place

My home has always been with you.

And I find you quite a nice little town,

With friends both kind and true.

The Banner prefaced the poem with this: “The Logan Banner is the recipient of a constant chain of poems which would fill our columns if we even dared to publish them. People will never learn that poets are born, not made. However, we have just received one which is from a former Logan girl and now a patient at Hopemont. we are pleased to give this publicity and for genuine beauty of expression and sentiment it far excels many of those we see in the public print today. The author is Miss Sally Godbey and she calls the poem “The Hopemont Blues.” We will refrain from further comments but pass the beatufiul lines on to our readers with the request that they write Miss Godbey, care of State T.B. Sanitarium, at Hopemont, W.Va. and tell her what they think of her literary ability.”

Mine Guards of Logan (1922)

16 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Huntington, Logan

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Charles Town, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, coal, Democratic Party, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, geography, history, Huntington, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, mine guards, politics, Republican Party, West Virignia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this editorial about mine guards, dated June 30, 1922:

MINE GUARDS OF LOGAN

The attorneys for the defense in the miners’ trials at Charles Town, which have been in progress for the past several weeks, have taken every opportunity of referring to the deputy sheriffs of Logan county mine guards as “thugs” and “two-gun men.”

Logan county is, and has been for several years, ruled by officers elected on the Democratic ticket. The Logan Banner adheres to the party of Lincoln, Grant, Roosevelt and Harding. It believes in the policy of the Grand Old Party and so long as that belief endures we will be found advocating the doctrines as preached by the leaders of this political organization.

Politics has no place in the discussion of the so called mine guard system in Logan county. We hold the love and respect of our homes far above any reverence to political parties and when the good name of Logan is attacked we forget political lines and join with the good people of this vast community in resenting any reflection on the fair name of Logan.

It has always been a mystery to us why the demand for the abolishment of the extra number of deputy sheriffs in this county should come from parties who are non-residents of the county? Who has demanded their abolishment? What cry has been heard from Logan county for aid? What facts have been presented of any unlawful acts committed at the hands of officers in this county?

Logan is filled with men of the highest type of intelligence. Likewise, they have many, many men here who are as brave as any men to be found in the nation. These men would not, for an instant, be a party to crimes in the county without raising their voices in protest. When it is all sifted down, it is found the hue and cry for a change of conditions is raised by those other than citizens of Logan county. Here are four points that must be borne in mind when considering Logan county:

  1. Due to the natural geographical conditions, Logan is rather isolated from other sections of the state.
  2. Due to this isolation and the fact that it is far removed from through transportation facilities, it is hard to attract labor here.
  3. In order to secure labor it becomes necessary to employ many who have had previous criminal careers.
  4. The county is mountainous, the operations are many and widely scattered, and the forces of deputies are not too many but otherwise too small to maintain order and uphold the law in an area of 400 square miles

Logan is situated among the mountains with but one natural outlet. This is by way of the C. & O. branch line to Huntington. The county is naturally divided by creeks, valleys, and branch railway lines. On these can be found many operations, employing hundreds of laborers, and to successfully cope with the lawless the sheriff is naturally required to employ more than the usual amount of deputies.

If Logan county was situated on the trunk line of any railway system, it would be a much easier task to supply the mines with labor, but due to the fact that it is far removed from any other section of the state and that in order to reach any other point, east, west, north or south it becomes necessary to travel over a distance of 75 miles to Huntington, labor is hard to obtain.

In securing this labor to fill the requirements of the large corporations operating here, it is necessary to visit the employment agencies located in the larger cities. Anyone acquainted with these agencies recognize the fact they are not scrupulous about whom they list, and the natural consequence is that many brought here on transportation are recognized criminals and members of all nationalities. Not all of them, thank goodness, are of the lawless class, but many are. They require constant watching and close scrutiny to see that their criminal tendencies do not become too pronounced. In order to do this it becomes imperative to have a large force of officers.

In view of the fact that there are 142 operations in this county and that approximately 50,000 people are laboring within our borders it can be readily seen that 35 deputies are a comparative small force to exercise supervision over such a huge population. Should a riot break out within our county it would require at least eight hours to obtain help from any section of the state. The fact that Logan needs as large a force of officers was amply attested when the armed march was made on Logan last August.

This article is not written in the defense of Don Chafin or his deputies. They need no defense at our hands. It is not written in defense of a policy adopted by any political party in the county. Regardless of the political affiliations of the sheriff, the Banner would earnestly recommend to anyone, be he the most rabid Republican in the county, if they should be sheriff, the retention of an official force as large as is now employed.

A great hue and cry has been raised because the salaries of these officers have been paid by the coal operators. Let us for a moment realize that the coal industry in the county is the sole industry in our midst. Upon the shoulders of these operators fall the burden of the peace and happiness of their employees. It is in order to furnish these employees protection and security that they have gone into their pocket books and paid for this protection. Who objects? Have you heard a taxpayer in Logan county object? Not one. They are perfectly willing that this cost shall be borne by the operators. They might as well object to the operators subscribing to better schools in Logan. Also voice opposition to better roads, the burden of which falls on the shoulders of the operators.

No one has heard a Macedonian cry from Logan for aid? Not even when union fields of the state were appealing for bread. If there was ever an example of the benefits of the non-union shop plan it was simply exemplified during the recent dull period. Logan worked and fared well. We have no ills to cure nor any abuses that need redress. The propaganda put forth pour from the foul mouths of others than citizens of Logan county and we beseech them to busy themselves with affairs other than ours, for we are perfectly able to take care of ourselves, and when we need their assistance, or advice, we will call for them loud and long.

Harts News 11.27.1925

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Atenville, Big Creek, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Man, Sand Creek, Whirlwind

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A.B. Gillan, Annie Dingess, Appalachia, Atenville, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bill Adkins, Bill Farris, Caroline Brumfield, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Cora Adkins, Fred Shelton, Hamlin, Harriet Dingess, Harts, Herbert Adkins, Huntington, Inez Adkins, Jessie Brumfield, Laura Lucas, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Man, Myrtle Mobley, Nora Brumfield, Sadie Powers, Sand Creek, Sesco Messinger, Sylvia Shelton, Tom Brumfield, Vina Adkins, West Virginia, Whirlwind

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on November 27, 1925:

Here comes Harts at the tip top again.

Mrs. Vina Adkins and children of Man are visiting relatives at Harts at the present time.

Mrs. Chas. Brumfield and children were the guests of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Dingess, of Whirlwind, Sunday.

Miss Sylvia Shelton and Laura Lucas of Sand Creek were calling on friends at Harts Monday.

Mr. Bill Faris is quite a popular fellow with all the girls at Harts now.

We wonder why Mr. Spencer is taking dinner with Mrs. Sadie Powers so often now?

Mrs. Herbert Adkins attended the circuit court at Hamlin the past week.

Miss Cora Adkins of Logan spent Sunday with home folks at Harts.

Mrs. Beatrice Adkins was shopping in Logan Saturday.

Miss Jessie Brumfield is progressing nicely with her school at Atenville.

Mr. Tom Brumfield and Sesco Messinger have opened up their new garage at Harts.

Miss Myrtle Mobley of Big Creek and Fred Shelton of Sand Creek were seen out walking through Harts Saturday evening.

Mr. A.B. Gillan, C. & O. operator of Huntington was calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield Monday evening.

Miss Harriet Dingess of Logan is visiting friends and relatives at Harts this week.

Combinations: Sadie and her red coat; Inez and bobbed hair; Bessie and her wrist watch; Nora and her powder puff; May and her purple dress; Tom in his garage; Bill and his grey suit; Jessie and her diamond ring.

Dear old Banner, we will see you again next week.

Warning Issued to State Tourists (1925)

11 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Guyandotte River

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Tags

chief sanitary engineer, E.S. Tisdale, history, Logan Banner, tourism, typhoid fever, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item regarding streams in West Virginia. The item is dated September 11, 1925.

Warning Is Issued to State Tourists

Warning was issued Wednesday by officials of the state health department for tourists in West Virginia and to residents generally to be careful of the source of supply from which they may obtain their drinking water.

The drought in the state has caused numerous streams and wells to dry up, thus rendering persons liable to typhoid, which already has reached huge proportions, even beyond that of former years.

The typhoid germ, under such conditions, can easily breed, owing not only to safe wells becoming dry, but from low water in streams being unable to wash sewage and refuse away from communities.

Incidentally when rain does come, officials pointed out that precautions must be taken as the accumulated refuse and sewage which ordinarily is taken away gradually will be removed en-masse and often is thrown by high water upon banks to be left there after the waters recede.

E.S. Tisdale, chief sanitary engineer of the department, announced that his division is working out a system of seals which the officials plan to put on all safe water supplies for the benefit of tourists and residents. This system is similar to that of Ohio, which is called the “seal of safety,” and has been in successful effect in that state for a year. Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania also are employing the same method to insure safe water.

The season is so late, however, that it is not likely the drive to mark all safe water supplies will be put into effect before spring of next year.

The drought is not only causing disease menace but is causing the trees to die, thus creating fire menace in the forests and thousands of fish are dying in the streams for lack of water.

Madam Amelia in Logan (1922)

11 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Tags

history, Logan, Logan Banner, palm reading, palmist, Stratton Street, West Virginia

Logan (WV) Banner, 1 December 1922

Harts News 12.04.1925

11 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Ranger

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Albert Kirk, Appalachia, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Big Creek, Bill Adkins, Caroline Brumfield, Catherine Adkins, Charles Brumfield, Charleston, Cora Adkins, Ed Brumfield, Enos Dial, Fred Shelton, genealogy, Hamlin, Harriet Dingess, Harts, Hendricks Brumfield, Henlawson, Herbert Adkins, history, Hollena Ferguson, Huntington, Inez Watson, Jessie Brumfield, John McEldowney, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Ranger, Shirley McEldowney, Thelma Dingess, Tom Brumfield, W.C. Smith, Watson Adkins, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on December 4, 1925:

Here comes Harts again. All the boys and girls seemed to be enjoying themselves at Harts Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. John McEldowney are with relatives at Harts.

Mr. Charles Brumfield was looking after business matters in Huntington Tuesday.

Mr. Albert Kirk of Henlawson was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Watson Adkins at Harts Sunday.

Misses Thelma Dingess and Cora Adkins of Logan spent Sunday with homefolks at Harts and were accompanied by Miss Jessie Brumfield.

Mr. Tom Brumfield is visiting friends at Charleston this week.

Mr. Adams of Big Creek was calling on friends in Harts Sunday.

Mr. Fred Shelton was in town Sunday.

Mrs. Beatrice Adkins and her sister Miss Harriet Dingess were in Harts Saturday.

Mr. W.C. Smith of Ranger was calling on Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Brumfield at Harts Saturday.

Mr. Robert Adkins of Hamlin was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adkins Sunday.

Combinations: Inez and her cape; Bessie and her new dress; Jessie with furs on; May with her red sweater on; Hendrix and his saddle pockets; Sesco in his rattle trap; Hollena on her cane; Ed on his mule; Watson and his pipe; Bill and his best girl; Aunt Catherine with her bathrobe on; Nora and her curls; Enos with his straw hat on.

Dear old Banner, see you again next week.

Harts News 11.27.1925

05 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Harts, Logan, Man, Ranger

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Tags

Andrew Adkins, Appalachia, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bill Adkins, Bob Powers, Catherine Adkins, Cora Adkins, Cora Dingess, Curt Dempsey, Delphia Dingess, Fisher B. Adkins, genealogy, Harriet Dingess, Harts, Hendricks Brumfield, Herbert Adkins, history, Hollena Ferguson, Inez Adkins, Jessie Brumfield, Lewis Dempsey, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Luther Dempsey, Man, Ora Dingess, Pearl Adkins, Ranger, Sadie Porter, Vina Adkins, Watson Adkins, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on November 27, 1925:

Business seems to be improving at Harts now.

Messrs. Herbert and Watson Adkins made a flying business trip to Ranger Tuesday.

Mrs. F.B. Adkins and sister Miss Harriet Dingess was calling on Misses Pearl and Cora Adkins of this place.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Adkins of Man were the week guests of Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Powers of this place.

Miss Jessie Brumfield was seen passing through Harts Tuesday evening.

Miss Cora Adkins spent Sunday and Monday with homefolks here. She is working in Logan.

Mr. Bill Adkins of this place seemed to be enjoying himself all alone Sunday. Never worry, says Billie, She will come.

Mrs. Hollena Ferguson has been ill for a few days, but seems to be improving now.

R.L. Powers has two fine hogs. Hope he soon makes pork.

Mrs. Delphia Dingess and sister were calling on Miss Cora Dingess Sunday.

Bill Adkins was calling on Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Powers Sunday.

Mrs. Vina Adkins and Mrs. Sadie Porter were calling on Mrs. Watson Adkins Sunday.

Combinations: Uncle Gibb and his horse; Pearl and her new dress; Cora and her callers; Sadie and her new sweater; Inez and her bobbed hair; Jessie meeting the tarin; Lewis and his mule; Luther and his truck; Herb and his flat tire; Bill and his yellow breeches; Beatrice and her purple umbrella; Ora and her beaux; Hendrix the mail carrier; Bessie at the pump; Kirt and his water bucket; Watson and his pipe; James and his dog; Aunt Catherine and her curls.

Harts News 11.13.1925

02 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Ranger, Sand Creek

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Tags

Appalachia, Big Creek, Charles Brumfield, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Cora Adkins, Fisher B. Adkins, Florida, Fred Shelton, genealogy, Hardin Marcum, Harts, Hendricks Brumfield, history, Huntington, Jessie Brumfield, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Mae Caines, Ranger, Robert Dingess, Sand Creek, Tampa, Tom Brumfield, Toney Johnson, Verna Johnson, West Virginia

An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on November 13, 1925:

Here comes Harts with a splash again.

The C. & O. has erected a new operator house at Harts again. Look out all you flappers.

Mr. Tom Brumfield was calling on Miss Mae Caines Sunday.

Miss Cora Adkins of Logan was a guest of homefolks at Harts Sunday.

Mr. Hardin Marcum of Ranger was calling on friends in Harts Monday.

Mr. Fred Shelton of Sand Creek was in town Sunday.

Mrs. Fisher B. Adkins, of Harts, returned to her school at Big Creek Sunday.

Mrs. Robert Dingess of Harts was shopping in Logan Saturday.

Miss Jessie Brumfield of Harts is attending the Teachers’ Association in Huntington this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Toney Johnson, of Tampa, Florida, have been visiting relatives at Harts the past week.

Chas. Brumfield has been on the sick list for several days.

We are glad to see Hendrix Brumfield able to be out on our streets again.

Whirlwind News 10.30.1925

03 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Harts Creek, Shively, Spottswood, Warren, Whirlwind

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Appalachia, Catherine Adkins, Harts Creek, Jessie Carter, Joe Martin, Lizzie Carter, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mary Thompson, Ollie Mullins, Thomas Bryant, West Virginia, Whirlwind

An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on October 30, 1925:

[The first line is illegible.]

Mrs. R. Bryant was calling on Mrs. Catherine Adkins last Saturday.

Mrs. Lizzie Carter called on Mrs. Jessie Carter Sunday.

Mrs. Mary Thompson visited Mrs. Ollie Mullins recently.

Joe Martin and Thomas Bryant were out joy riding Sunday.

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

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

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