Tag Archives: Logan Banner

Stone Branch News 01.11.1924

29 Tuesday Oct 2019

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A correspondent named “Sweet Marie” from Stone Branch in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on January 11, 1924:

We are having some bad weather at the present writing.

There is a lot of sickness in our camps at this time.

Miss Hattie Loud and Roberta Russell was calling on Sadie Ferguson Tuesday evening.

Mrs. Lizzie McComas and Mrs. Bill Skeens of Henlawson was visiting friends at this place Saturday night and Sunday.

Wonder how the boys like their teacher here.

Haskell Compton was visiting Frank Rice Sunday afternoon.

They are holding a revival at this place. Everybody is invited to attend.

Mrs. Bill Rice was calling on Mrs. Von Browning Sunday evening.

Sheriff Don Chafin Offers Resignation (1922)

28 Monday Oct 2019

Posted by in Coal, Logan

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history for Sheriff Don Chafin. The story is dated February 10, 1922:

REJECT SHERIFF’S RESIGNATION

Don Chafin Presents Same to the County Court But Would Not Be Accepted

ACTION OF SHERIFF DUE TO LACK OF COOPERATION

He Has Agreed to Serve Out Term of the Office After Urging of Court and Friends

Last week Don Chafin tendered to the county court his resignation as Sheriff of Logan county. The county court promptly rejected his resignation and Mr. Chafin was prevailed upon by his friends to let the matter drop and continue to serve the county in his official capacity.

The direct cause of his resignation was the lack of cooperation on the part of some of his deputies. To those who are unacquainted with the official duties of a Sheriff in Logan County the duties of the office might be considered one of ease and pleasure but to those who are initiated with the trials and tribulations of the position it is a well known fact that the life of a Sheriff in this county is anything but a bed of roses.

The Banner is directly opposed to the political policy of Don Chafin but it must be remembered that when Mr. Chafin offered himself as a candidate in the fall of 1920 for the office of Sheriff he was elected by an overwhelming majority in keeping with the choice as expressed by a majority of the citizens of the county. The Banner accepted the result and resolved to extend to the incoming Sheriff all the assistance within our power in fulfilling the duties of his office. Since that time we have had no occasion to regret our course. The previous term of Sheriff Chafin had satisfied us that the duties of the office would be fulfilled honestly and faithfully and the short time that he has served during the present term has justified our faith.

Logan county is in many respects far different from any other county in the state. We are in one sense of the word isolated from other sections of the state inasmuch as we are situated on a branch of a railway system with only one outlet. Consequently it is no easy matter for the mining operators in this field to secure labor. In their efforts to supply their mines with labor it is necessary for them to draw on the supply of raw labor of the larger cities. This brings into our midst an element of labor that is not always of the most lawful type but in many instances the men are of foreign  birth and of various races hence we are sometimes so unfortunate as to admit many men of criminal tendencies.

Not one tenth of the labor required in the various industries of the county are of native birth, the other 90 percent being men who have no interest here other than the wages they may receive. Thus if may be seen that it requires constant attention to duties by the authorities of the county to maintain the law and prevent crime. To do this not only requires courage but tact and diplomacy as well.

How faithfully Don Chafin has performed the duties of the office the world is well aware. When thousands of armed men had banded themselves together with the avowed intention of invading our peaceful county last fall it was he that said, “They shall not pass.” They did not pass. Don Chafin stood like a stone wall and while the army of angry men stormed at the gates of our county he firmly held his men on the defensive and saved our county from invasion. Ho well he performed this duty is attested by commendation from all parts of the nation and needs no repetition here.

This is the second term of Don Chafin as Sheriff of this county. The citizens to the county called him to serve. While the routine of his duties may prove most irksome and perplexing we trust that he may exercise the fullest measure of patience and continue to serve the citizens of Logan county during the remainder of his term. The Sheriff needs the cooperation not only of his official family but of every law abiding citizen of the county and we should be quick to express our appreciation of duties well performed by giving to him all the assistance within our power.

Veola Ann Runyon: Authoress-Poet of Logan County (1922)

08 Tuesday Oct 2019

Posted by in Ashland, Coal, Guyandotte River, Man, Poetry

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Veola Ann Runyon, authoress-poet of Logan County. The story is dated January 13, 1922:

LOGAN COUNTY HAS AN AUTHORESS-POET

Mrs. Veola Ann Runyon, of Three Forks, Has Had Much of Her Work Published.

We never know in what nook or corner we may find unknown talent or beneath what bushel measure we may and a shining light unless, perchance, we may trip across a clue that may lead us to a welcome discovery. Such was the case with a representative of The Banner on a recent trip to Three Forks, when he fortunately learned of the presence there of Mrs. Veola Anne Runyon, a poet and talented writer of fact and fiction.

Mrs. Runyon was born in Ashland, Ky. Her grandfather was a French physician and author. From him she derived the gifted talent at at the early age of sixteen she began writing stories and for the past ten years she has been a regular contributor to several of the largest magazines of our country. She has in preparation at the present time a romance which will be happily connected with the coal mining industry, while she has in the hands of her publisher two other  books, one dealing with scientifical and botanical work and the other on entomological facts.

The story now in preparation will be eagerly sought by all readers in Logan County, due to the fact that part of the plot will be based upon knowledge gained within this county. Mrs. Runyon was requested by her publishers to write a story closely connected with the mining industry and so not knowing the details connected with the industry she came to Three Forks, and while stopping at the Club House there she is gathering facts that will prove invaluable in her latest work.

Mrs. Runyon is a gifted writer and is filled with the love of the work. She is also deeply interested in botanical work and the study of nature. Through persuasion we were able to secure some of her poems for publication in The Banner, and we are pleased to announce that arrangements have been made with her for regular contributions to the columns of this paper.

Her presence here will recall to mind another author who came to Logan County in years gone by. Dr. Thos. Dunn English recognized the beauty of these mountains and the nearness of true nature and came here during the period between 1850 and 1860. Some of his poems deal with life in the Guyan Valley.

With her ability and fluency of language, Mrs. Runyon should find in these grand majestic mountains and wonderful natural beauty an invaluable aid to inspiration that will enable her to complete a wonderful story that should attract the favorable attention of the most critical.

Note: I cannot locate any biographical information for this writer. Three Forks, according to one source, is also known as Saunders (Buffalo Creek).

News Items for Logan, WV (1913)

26 Thursday Sep 2019

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, come these items of local news during the year 1913:

Logan Court House Rebuilt LD 05.01.1913.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 1 May 1913

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The Call to Arms

Ladies of Logan, we need you, and ask your unfailing support against filth and flies. With your full assistance we expect to make the men “help the women do the work.” We want you to help us develop the pride and civic duty which promotes cleanliness. Enlist the whole household in this crusade against filth and flies–breeders of disease.

With the homes, the yards and the streets clean, screened receptacles for kitchen waste, which we will remove without expense, the free use of lime daily, our city will be respectable and commendable.

Lend us your aid and imbibe the slogan, “Cleaner, Healthier and Better Logan.”

Respectfully,

Robert Bland, Mayor

By order of the Common Council.

Logan (WV) Banner, 23 May 1913

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German Restaurant Ad LB 06.20.1913.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 20 June 1913.

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The Latest Craze

In Logan now is PAINT–house paint and everybody’s doin’ it! The most recent ones are the Draper Bldg., Judge Wilkinson’s residence and office, Lanham’s plumbing shop, the Poole drug store, German restaurant, etc. More paint was spread in Logan this year than ever was known before, and considerable of it was “red” too. It can truly be said that nearly every building in town, of importance, has been or will be painted this year, in fact a few almost worthless old houses now look like new. A bucket of paint surely works wonders sometimes. A sign writer has also been at work the past week or two putting gold lettering on windows.”

Logan (WV) Banner, 4 July 1913

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Logan County Prisoners Working Roads, They Like It Better Than Confinement

Two wagon-loads of prisoners were taken out of the county jail Wednesday morning, under guard, and worked on the roads in this vicinity. A 5-lb rod, about two foot long, was locked around an ankle of each prisoners. They seemed to like their outing.

Logan (WV) Banner, 12 September 1913

Armed March on Logan County, WV (1921)

21 Saturday Sep 2019

Posted by in Battle of Blair Mountain, Boone County, Logan

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Here is one article from the Logan Banner relating to Bill Blizzard and the Armed March on Logan County, WV, popularly remembered today as the Battle of Blair Mountain:

Blizzard Gloated at Gore’s Death, Said

“That’s fine! What’s the matter you haven’t killed any others?” William Blizzard, mine workers’ officer, was quoted as saying after he heard of the death of Deputy Sheriff John Gore and two companions at the hands of a party of union miners, according to testimony Monday at Blizzard’s trial upon an accessory to murder indictment growing out of the armed march against Logan county in 1921. Blizzard is charged with having participated in the plans that caused the death of George Munsy, one of the Logan defenders killed with Gore.

Hubert Ferrell, of Ferndale, the witness who quoted Blizzard’s words, declared the mine workers’ office made the statement in a speech to the armed miners gathered at Blair on the afternoon of the day after they had returned from Blair mountain where the Logan “defenders” were killed.

“It don’t seem like it would take any  more nerve to kill Don Chafin (Logan county sheriff) and his thugs than it would a sheep-killing dog,” Ferrell testified Blizzard continued in his speech. “Right tomorrow I want you to fix up to go over the top. It don’t matter about losing a few men. I want you to go over to Logan and let the men out of jail and tear the thing down to the ground.”

Under cross-examination Ferrell added that Blizzard had told the men he wanted them to eat dinner the next day “on the jail house step.”

Ferrell, according to his testimony, failed in his first effort to visit the men who participated in the armed march when he was stopped by guards at the mouth of Lens Creek where the marchers first assembled. He denied that he had ever desired to join the march and said he went there only to see if there were any men there whom he knew. T.C. Townsend, one of the defense attorneys, cross-examined Ferrell vigorously upon that point. The witness said he was on his way to Charleston to buy clothing at the time. Later he said he went to Blair intending to go on to Logan and visit his half-brother, but was prevented by the armed men in Blair from either going on or returning and eventually returned home on a special train after federal troops took charge of the situation.

While he was at Marmet at the mouth of Lens Creek and unable to go farther up the creek because he could not give the guards the password and did not belong to a union, Ferrell said Fred Mooney, secretary treasurer of District No. 17, United Mine Workers, and a man who was said to be C. Frank Keeney, the district president, were there in an automobile. Mooney, the young man told the jury, asked the guards if any guns and ammunition had arrived and on being told he had none informed them that two truck loads had left Charleston. The man pointed out as Keeney told the men he did not believe they were sufficiently prepared and that they would do better to go home, “get prepared and then go over and get Don Chafin and his thugs.”

On the day before Gore and Munsy were killed, Ferrell said Blizzard also made a speech from the porch of the school house that served as base for the armed forces on the union side at the mountain and asked what was the matter that they were not having more success and told them they ought to go over and “get Chafin and the thugs and get it over with.”

Mrs. J.E. Wilburn, wife of the miner-preacher who was one of the principal witnesses for the state now serving a sentence of 12 years for his part in the killings on Blair mountain, testified that guns and ammunition were stored in the parlor of their home. She did not know Blizzard, she said, but men who took the arms into the house said Blizzard had brought them, she testified.

A.R. Browning, a merchant at Blair, told the court that members of the armed forces there got merchandise at his store and told him to charge it to the United Mine Workers of America. The things they got, he said, included shoes, overalls, and other clothing and also some women’s clothing, which he thought, they got for their wives and daughters.

H.M. Miller, a constable at Madison, said that just before Keeney made a speech at the ball park near there which he counselled the marchers to return to their homes, he had a conversation with the union president in which Keeney said that “if the federal troops would keep out he would take these men and go through Logan with them.”

Earlier in the day, J.L. Workman and A.C. Rouse of Marmet had testified as to the occurrence during the assembling of the men on Lens Creek. Workman told of “Mother” Jones’ efforts to get the men to go back to their homes and her declaration that she had a telegram from the President of the United States, which he said Keeney called a “fake.” Later that day both Workman and Rouse said Savoy Holt in a speech from the running board of an automobile said the union officials were their but could not address the men and that he had been instructed to tell them that the telegram was not genuine and that they were to “go on.” Rouse said Keeney and Mooney were in this automobile and that Blizzard was in another nearby. A man he did not know spoke from the running board of the automobile in which Blizzard was riding, telling the men to go on, and Blizzard’s car drove up Lens Creek followed by the armed hordes.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 6 July 1923

Teachers in 1896 (1937)

21 Saturday Sep 2019

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about U.S. teachers in 1896. The story is dated April 7, 1937.

Writer in 1896 Declared Teachers Earned No More Than Cobblers, Milliners

School teachers’ pay in 1896 assumed as prominent a place in public problems as it does today. The difference in the problem is in that the teachers of 1896 were said to receive about as much pay as milliners and cobblers while today they probably receive less.

But this is not an editorial.

A clipping from Forum in 1896 showed that teachers’ salaries ranged from $100 to $900 a year. The Forum writer wondered how the teachers could live on such a small amount. He’d be in a deeper quandary today.

The average salary for a school year amounted to approximately $318.36 for men and $262.92 for women. Duties included cleaning the schools and building the fires. The writer said these duties were not always considered hardships by the persons who took the jobs, the women having always been accustomed to such duties and the men didn’t find it hard because they could always induce students to perform the tasks for certain favors.

Nearly three times as many women teachers than men were employed in the country schools in the United States at that time. The percentage was higher in the country than in the city.

The teachers instructed their one roomful of children in all branches of learning up to grammar and algebra, the writer said.

He also said that “for what these teachers do they are quite adequately paid.” That wouldn’t apply today.

“A village schoolmaster will earn as much in the year as the cobbler; the schoolmistress will earn as much as the milliner,” the Forum scribe said.

“They do not belong as a general thing to a class better educated than the cobbler or milliner (remember, this was 1896) and they do not work any harder, the writer declared.

Here’s where he warms up a bit and applies to 1937.

“Those of them who have thought about their calling and who have ever been moved to feel that great responsibilities devolved upon them have realized that the conditions were such that they could not do next to nothing, and usually they have given over any efforts to secure a change in school administration.”

Fact for fact and condition for condition there is only a small change in the country schools left after many of them were consolidated. Consolidation was a boon to the country, but 41 years have passed and many teachers are still underpaid and have to teach under intolerable conditions.

Stone Branch 08.24.1923

15 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Stone Branch

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A correspondent named “Three Pals” from Stone Branch in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on August 24, 1923:

We are sorry to say that Chester Curtis is on the sick list.

Mrs. McKenzie and Mrs. Smith were calling on Mrs. Williamson Sunday evening.

Mrs. Stiltner and Mrs. McComas were calling on Mrs. Stiltner Sunday.

Martha Roberts has gone to Ohio to pay her mother a visit.

Mrs. Bledsoe was calling on Mrs. Roberts Saturday.

Miss Norma Saunders and Miss Pearl Mabblie have gone to Cincinnati.

Sherman Hobbs and Ross Smith were seen going down the road Saturday.

Mr. Stiltner and Mr. Smith sure do enjoy going to lodge.

Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Marshall were seen going down the road Saturday.

Miss Nella McKenzie was calling on Miss Nellie Stiltner Saturday night.

Miss Rubie Lucas and Miss Sadie Ferguson were the dinner guests of Miss Nellie McKenzie.

Mrs. Rebecca McKenzie called on Mrs. Little Sunday evening.

Some combinations–Boyd and his slop bucket; Gracie and her bonnet; Nellie and her cretonne dress; Sadie and her wrist watch; Rebecca and her silk dress; Mrs. Smith and her milk pail; Ruben and his wagon; Nellie and her silk dress; Gracie and her hair net; Nannie and her business course; Bob Ferrell and his cat; Frank and his milk pail; Lee and his dog.

Mrs. Little was calling on Mrs. McKenzie Sunday evening.

Mrs. Bessie Dean of Braeholm was calling on Mrs. Ferguson.

World War I Statue in Logan, WV (1928)

26 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Huntington, Italian American History, Logan, World War I

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about the World War I statue now located at Hatfield/Midelburg Island:

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Soldier Monument Dedication Nov. 11

Granite Figure of Doughboy Will Be Set Up This Week, Minotti Says

The $6,000 granite doughboy memorial to World War veterans, the erection of which is being sponsored by Pete Minotti of this city, will be placed on the base near the west Court House entrance sometime during the next three days.

Word was received here by Mr. Minotti that the monument had been shipped from Chicago Monday and that it would arrive in Logan sometime tomorrow. Mr. Minotti said that the figure would be placed on the base and all the work completed this week.

Dedication will be held Sunday afternoon, November 11, at 2 o’clock. The American Legion of this city will have charge of the ceremonies to which the public is invited.

Boy scouts of the community are busy selling tags to help defray expenses of purchasing and erecting the monument. The doughboy figure is larger than life size, being seven feet tall. The figure depicts an American soldier carrying a rifle in one hand and throwing a bomb with the other hand. He is pictured as in the midst of a barb wire entanglement.

Logan (WV) Banner, 30 October 1928

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8 Tons of Granite In New Monument to Logan Soldiery

Seventeen thousand pounds of Vermont granite will surmount the concrete base of the monument now being erected in the Court House yard. Atop the granite blocks will be placed a seven-foot statue representing an American doughboy carrying a rifle and bomb poised for throwing.

The monument will be 19 feet high, says Pete Minotti, local contractor, who is backing and taking the leading part in providing a suitable memorial for Logan county’s heroic dead. The base will be hidden by an earthen mound or terrace on all four sides.

Dedication of this memorial will be the feature of this year’s celebration of the signing of the Armistice on November 11.

Logan (WV) Banner, 2 November 1928

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Arrange Plans for Unveiling of Statue

Plans for the dedication of the new monument to the memory of World War participants, living and dead, will be completed at a special meeting of the local post, American Legion, at the Court House Dugout Thursday night at 7:30.

The unveiling and dedicatory services are set for 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Armistice day. Pete Minotti, originator of the plan and the donor of the monument, will make the presentation. Formal acceptance will be by M.D. (Tony) Kendall, a leading legionnaire of the city. There will be other addresses and vocal numbers by Mrs. Madge Adkins, popular and talented singer.

Boy Scouts will aid the Legion men in carrying out an appropriate program of exercises.

Logan (WV) Banner, 6 November 1928

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Monument to Soldiers Ready For Unveiling

Exercises to be Held at Court House at 2:00 O’clock Sunday Afternoon

Minotti is Moving Spirit

Huntington Educator Will Deliver Address–Flag-Raising Comes First

On the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, Logan county soldiers who paid the supreme price will be honored by their kinsfolk and the citizens of the county when the Pete Minotti memorial is unveiled Sunday afternoon at two o’clock.

The memorial, a fine bronze reproduction of a doughboy mounted on a suitable granite base, was erected near the western entrance to the Court House during the first part of this week and by tomorrow evening everything will be in complete readiness for the dedication exercise.

The American Legion will have charge of the services with the Boy Scouts and several others assisting. The Boy Scouts will conduct a flag-raising just before the unveiling exercises.

The dedicatory address will be delivered by C.L. Wright, superintendent of Huntington schools and a brilliant orator. These exercises will be opened with prayer by Rev. Robert F. Caverlee. Pete Minotti, whose generosity and whose love for his–adopted–country have made this memorial possible, will make the presentation speech. Thereupon the unveiling will take place, with Misses Scotty McDonald, Margaret McNemar, Lorena Greever, Doris Bradley and Betty Davin and James Greever participating. Formal acceptance will be made by M.B. Kendall, commander of Fifth district, department of West Virginia, American Legion. Salute and taps will be followed by benediction by Rev. A.F. Benjamin.

This monument, costing $6,000, is 19 feet high.

A bronze name plate at the statue’s base has inscribed across the top the dates, “1917-1918,” and underneath are the names of the 39 Logan County World War veterans killed, mortally wounded or fatally afflicted by disease while in service. At the bottom is the name, “Pete Minotti Memorial,” and the date, “1928.” The American Legion crest is also on the plate.

Logan (WV) Banner, 13 November 1928

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Big Concourse At Dedication of Monument

Dr. M.P. Shawkey Delivers Eloquent, Patriotic Address At Sunday’s Exercises

P. Minotti the Generous

Presents Memorial to Legion Post as Custodian–Flag-Raising Ceremony

Logan county paid tribute Sunday to a long list of its heroic dead sleeping in foreign and native soil when hundreds of people witnessed the dedication of the monument to the memory of the warriors who fell in the World War.

The Pete C. Minnotti memorial depicting a khaki-clad doughboy hurling a grenade amid barb wire entanglements was dedicated with fitting ceremonies on the eleventh Armistice Day. Dr. M.P. Shawkey, president of Marshall College, delivered the address. C.L. Wright, superintendent of the Huntington schools, who was unable to be present because of illness, was scheduled to deliver the address and Dr. Shawkey filled his place.

In his presentation speech Mr. Minotti reminded the people that the memorial was erected so that people passing by hurriedly in the pursuit of riches might glance up at the soldier figure and remember the boys who fell fighting for freedom and democracy. Mr. Minotti said that he convicted the idea of erecting some memorial to the dead soldiers last summer as he journeyed through his native land, Italy, and in every city and hamlet, no matter how small, the people had erected some kind of a memorial to their dead heroes.

Generous and Patriotic

“Adjoining counties had honored their soldiers and it was time that Logan county honor their dead with a fitting memorial,” said Mr. Minotti.

During the last two months Mr. Minotti, through the cooperation of the American Legion, has been busy planning for and erecting the monument that now graces the Court House lawn near the western entrances. This generous donor, an Italian by birth and an American by choice, was born at Favaro, Italy, October 22, 1885. He came to Logan county 22 years ago and since that time Logan has been his home.

The monument was accepted by A.D. Collins, commander of Gunther-McNeely-Nowlan post, in behalf of the Legion.

Dr. Shawkey spoke of the prosperity which this country enjoys and the lofty position which the nation commands. Yet he urged that the goal which the people should strive for should be a happy and contented country is preference to wealth and a dominating position.

In the unveiling ceremony Misses Scotty McDonald, Margaret McNemar, Lorena Greever, Doris Bradley, Betty Davin and James Greever participated. Previous to the unveiling the Logan county scouts had charge of the flag raising ceremony. W.C. Turley was chairman of the dedication. Following the ceremony a rifle squad fired three volleys of shots over the monument as a salute to the dead.

C. & O. Band Made Special Music

It is also said that the light in the right hand of the doughboy which represents a grenade is the only one of its kind in the state and it was Mr. Minotti’s original idea.

On the bronze tablet on the base of the monument are inscribed the names of 39 men who died in action of wounds and of disease in Europe.

Roll of Honor

The men killed in action are:

Willard Ball, Clarence Bartram, Floyd W. Clay, Newton Cook, Tony Curia, Oscar Dial, Edward Gunther, David Hensley, Roy Lowe, John B. McNeely, John Martin, William F. Munsey, James L. Robinson, Roy Simms, Willie F. Smith, Bee Stewart, Mike Tarka, Ulysses B. Vance, Peter White, Keefer Jennings Whitman.

Those dying of wounds are: John L. Blankenship, Elmer Cook, Homer Hobbs, Noble J. Lax, Lawrence Marcuzzi, Denver Mullins, William R. Nowland, Haskell Phillips, Henry H. Runyon, Harold Thompson. Those dying of disease in Europe: Allen Bryant, Thomas J. Cox, Fred E. Hahne, Joe Hardy, Clyde Jeffrey, Johnnie Johnson, Allen Tabor, Homer Vance, and Levi J. Vance.

Those who died of disease in the United States but whose names do not appear on the tablet are William O. Bailey, Elbert Billups, James L. Brown, Elbert Carter, Sam Dillard, George D. Fletcher, Bert W. Green, Calvin Hughes, Wilbert S. Jeffreys, Sam Johnson, Claude B. Justice, Druie Mounts, Moss F. Stone, James Weaver, and Roy White.

The soldiers from Logan county who were wounded in action but whose names do not appear on the tablet were Albert Adams, Zatto Adkins, William W. Adkins, Lovell  H. Aldridge, Willie Allen, Frank Ball, Elisha Ball, Frank J. Bell, Walter S. Blake, Evert Blankenship, Tom Boring, George F. Breeden, H. Brewster, Charles Brewster, H.C. Brown, Floyd Chambers, James Chapin, Greenway Christian, Gay T. Gonley, George E. Covey, Ella Craddock, Dan Craft, Jim F. Crawford, John H. Crittenden, James Cyrus, Thomas Y. Davis, Bird Dingess, Rector H. Elkins, James M. Ellis, Carl Ellis, Frank Ferrell, Sidney Ferrell, Robert L. Gore, Burton W. Gore, Ben H. Gosney, Meddie Craley, Orvil Grubb, Earl Hager, William E. Hanshaw, John H. Harris, William Harris, Stonewall Hensley, James Jackson, Albert Jeffrey, Henon Jerrell, Ned Johnson, Floyd Johnson, Thomas P. Justice, Luther Lacy, Tony Ladas, Charles Burton Litten, George Luty, Herbert L. McKinney, Nick Mallozzo, Clifton Manns, Bill Manville, Ben Maynard, William D. Maynard, George Meadows, Shellie Moxley, Charlie M. Munsey, Spencer Mullins, Thomas R. Newmann, Clarence W. Parkins, James D. Peters, Arlie J. Price, Alfred Prichard, Finnie Walter Pugh, Bert Rayborn, Frank C. Reynolds, John Roberts, Dennie Robertson, Jennings Robinson, Otto Sanders, Burnie Sanson, Lee Shelton, John A. Shepherd, Clarence Smith, John Smith, Mack Smith, Patsy Vance, Frank Ward, John L. Ward, Charlie Warcovies, Thomas Weir, Joseph White, John B. Wilkinson, Jr., Frank C. Willcoven, Tom Williams, Will Wilson, Jasper Wooten, and Wilson Workman.

Sunday’s exercises were witnessed by a crowd comparable in size to that which greeted Colonel Roosevelt here during the campaign. While the Roosevelt crowd was considerably larger, Sunday’s crowd occupied most of the space fronting the monument and the main entrance to the Court House, and those on the outer edges heard but snatches of the speeches. And of course there were present scores of kinsmen of those whose names appear in rustless bronze on this granite shaft. As they gathered close to scan these names and to note the expression on the face of the doughboy representation, tears poured down the cheeks of Gold Star mothers as if to climax the hallowing of this spot–this heart center of the city and county–this monument to the ashes, this temple to the fame of those who laid their lives on their country’s altar in the greatest crisis in human history.

Much of the time since the dedication, at least during daylight hours, this new monument has been the cynosure of groups of varying size.

Logan (WV) Banner, 13 November 1928

Queens Ridge News 11.30.1923

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Little Harts Creek, Queens Ridge, Twelve Pole Creek

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A correspondent named “Lonesome Girl” from the Queens Ridge area of Wayne County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on November 30, 1923:

I thought I would send in some of our Wayne county news to help make part interesting.

Miss Flora Maynard is visiting friends on Mud Fork.

Mr. Roma Maynard has been visiting his grandfather on Twelve Pole.

Mrs. Linza Perry and her daughter Erie Perry was visiting Roma Maynard and his grandmother on Sunday.

Tracie Toppins has been visiting his grandmother on Milam Creek.

Frank Hutchison (1927, 2019)

10 Saturday Aug 2019

Posted by in Cemeteries, Logan, Music

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Two Local Musicians Record LB 02.01.1927 1

Logan (WV) Banner, 1 February 1927.

Frank Hutchinson's Songs for Sale LB 03.08.1927

Logan (WV) Banner, 8 March 1927.

Frank Hutchinson LB 03.25.1927

Logan (WV) Banner, 25 March 1927.

BK at Hutchison Grave 2

Here we are visiting the Frank Hutchison grave at the Elbert Garrett Family Cemetery at Lake, Logan County, WV. Photo by Sheila Brumfield Coleman. 10 August 2019

World War I Recollections of Dr. Edwin M. Godby (1928)

24 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Huntington, Logan, World War I

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this recollection of World War I by veteran Edwin M. Godby of Huntington, WV, dated July 10, 1928:

LOGAN BOY OF LOST BATTALION LIVED THRU SIX DAYS OF HELL

Dr. E.M. Godby, Now of Huntington, One of 150 Survivors of An Outstanding Episode of World War—Graphic Account of Harrowing Experiences

It has been a little less than 10 years since the story of the Lost Battalion thrilled and horrified the American people.

It was the story of an infantry battalion which pushed its way through in an advance into the German lines while the forces on either flank were being beaten back, writes Wiatt Smith for the Herald-Advertiser.

Of the 1,000 men who went in, only a remnant lived to tell the story of six days in a literal hell. Six days during which they crouched in shell holes and dugouts, without food or water, while the shells from the guns of their own army thundered over them or broke about them and the gas and machine gun fire of a sullen enemy harassed them.

One of those survivors lives in Huntington. He is a dentist and as he goes about his professional work and social life only a slight cough serves to mark him as one who breathed the deadly poison spewed over him by the Bosche.

Dr. Edwin M. Godby, of Fifth Avenue, with offices in the United Cigar Stores building, is the man in question. He told the story to one who had first learned from others of his part in this great drama of the war. Dr. Godby was an ambulance corps man, attached to the Seventy-Seventh division and at the time assigned to Major Whittlesey’s battalion of the 308th infantry for said duty.

Left Logan in 1918

Eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Godby of Logan, he was a student of dentistry in the University of Cincinnati when America entered the war. He went from Logan with a draft contingent in March 1918. He trained at Camp Greenleaf, Ga., was assigned to the Medical corps, and crossed the ocean in June as a casual.

Assigned at once to the Seventy-seventh division he first saw the front at post in Alsace-Lorraine.

“There was no action here,” said Dr. Godby. “We were within one kilometer of the enemy but there seemed to be almost an understanding that we wouldn’t bother each other. There was no firing. Occasionally one side or the other would send a raiding party into the others lines, but these were rarely fired upon.

“In July our division went in to replace another division which had helped take Chateau Thierry. We continued in the drive from the Marne to the Aisne. We would advance two or three days and then dig in for perhaps four or five. This went on from July to September.

“Then we moved from the Aisne to the Argonne. One date that stays with me is that of the great barrage which marked the opening of the Argonne drive on the night of September 26.

“On October 13 or 14 we got orders to advance from our position in a 30-mile strip of woods between the headwaters of the Aisne and the Meusc. The Ninety-second division flanked us on the left and two of our regiments and two of the Ninety-second were supposed to advance.

“The advance started as planned, early in the morning, but the right and left flanks were met by such resistance that they fell back to their original positions.

“Major Whittlessey’s men tore through the resisting German line and went forward. It was late in the forenoon before we discovered that we were unsupported on either flank and cut off from the rear.

“We spend six days before we were relieved by another regiment which was almost destroyed in the effort. The battalion was virtually at war strength, having been in only a little while. Of the 1,000 who went in only 150 came back.”

Dr. Godby tells a grim story of the last days. As soon as the soldiers found their situation they began to dig in. It was every man for himself. Dr. Godby says he and two others found a shell hole. They deepened it and were comparatively safe there. But one of the three got too venturesome and raised his head too far above the rim of the crater. His comrades used his body for an additional barricade.

The surviving companion of Dr. Godby was a man named Crane, who had gone in from Pennsylvania. He told Dr. Godby that he had a sister in Huntington whose husband worked for Gwinn Bros. & Co.

“I have often thought I’d try to get race of that sister,” said Dr. Godby, “but I never have.

“We just laid there,” the dentist said, detailing his experience. “Each man had less than a quart of water and no food. After the second day I didn’t have any water. We never missed the food, but of course the thirst was torture. It was terrible, too, to have to wear our gas masks continuously for that becomes torture after the first hour.

“For the first day or two the Germans tried charging us but we were strong enough to beat them back. After that they were content to keep their machine guns turned on us and subject us to a continuous barrage of gas. At the same time we were within the range of our own batteries.

Contemplated Suicide

“American planes passed over us and tried to drop us food, but the Germans got it.

“For the last two or three days nothing mattered. Crane and I tried to devise means of escape. We would work out a plan and then decide it was futile. We decided to commit suicide, but changed our minds. It was simply a matter of trying to keep alive as long as we could. On the fifth night I had only intervals of consciousness. But we had determined to make a dash for freedom and life when daylight came. It would not have been a dash for life, but a dash to death.

I know this is true because we were on the slope of a ravine, the battalion being pocketed on either side of it. We could see the water in the ravine and the bodies of the men who in their desperation had gone there to drink. Not one lived to taste the water.

“But as Crane and I planned to make the final desperate dash I lost consciousness. When I revived I was on a stretcher at a base hospital at Nantes. I never saw Crane again. I have often wondered what became of him.

“Did he,” I asked myself, “live to go for his death drink or was he too rescued?

“I have never talked to anyone who was with the battalion.”

A few days after Dr. Godby revived from his unconsciousness the armistice was signed. He was in the hospital from November 1 until late in December, recovering from the effects of gas. In January 1919, he came back to the United States, received his discharge and resumed his studies. He has been practicing in Huntington two years.

White Family History at Pecks Mill, WV (1937)

15 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Giles County, Logan, Pecks Mill

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about the White family in Logan County, West Virginia. The story is dated May 21, 1937.

White Family Among Early Settlers in Logan County

Great Grandfather of Patrolman Frank White Moved From Pecks Mill to Mingo County; His Father Had Settled on Mitchell Farm

Among the pioneer families which settled in and around Logan during the early days of its building from a settlement to a village was the family of John White.

John White came to Logan and settled on the farm later owned by Henry Mitchell with a family of grown men and one daughter. Ben and James had come to Pecks Mill early in the 19th century and built their cabins.

His daughter, Nancy, married Robert Whitt, who afterwards moved to Ohio.

His sons were John, who married Susannah Marcum of Franklin; Ben, who married Anna Stuart of Montgomery; James, who married Lucretia Elkins; and William, who married a daughter of John Sansom, another pioneer of the county.

James, tiring of this section of the country because “hunting was bad”, moved to Mingo county and bought five miles of land on Pigeon Creek for a bear gun and a bear dog.

He reared his family and among his children was John, grandfather of Frank White, city patrolman, Mrs. James Buskirk, Power Plant addition, and Lark, Will, Millard, Howard, Wallace, and Mason, all of Logan.

John was the breadwinner of his family, his father having died not long after his son reached the age of 12. John hunted and filled the soil to take care of his aging mother and several brothers and sisters.

He married Betty Radford, also of Mingo county and was the father of twelve children. They were William, who married Editha White; John, who married Susannah Elkins; Thomas, James, Reuben, Isaac, Charles, Major, Elijah, Hiram, Masten, and Judith, who married James Thompson.

Elijah was the father of the Logan citizens named above. He left Mingo county and came to Logan where he married Viola Ellis.

Thomas, James, and Reuben went to Giles county, Virginia, and Major went to Indiana.

All the others remained in Logan and reared large families.

Ben White was the father of seven children, five sons and two daughters. His sons were John, Arter, Ben, William, and James, and his daughters were Nancy, who married Pleasant Chafin, and Margaret, who married Hezekiah Staton.

James had but one child, a daughter Nancy, who married John Chambers, a son of Robert Chambers of Monroe county.

William, the youngest son, joined the regular army in 1808 and was assigned for duty in a regiment that was being raised by Col. Wade Hampton of South Carolina.

When Hampton was made Brigadier-General in 1806 and assigned to duty at New Orleans, White went with him, and when Hampton was superseded by Wilkinson, White remained with Wilkinson and then under Jackson until after the Battle of New Orleans in which battle he participated.

He returned home in 1816 and married the daughter of John Sansom.

Stephen Hart and Harts Creek (1937)

14 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Hamlin, Harts, Logan, Midkiff, Ranger, Spurlockville, Toney

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Stephen Hart and Harts Creek in Lincoln and Logan counties, West Virginia. The story is dated April 14, 1937.

Stephen Hart Settled at Cheat River, Pete Spurlock, A Great Grandson, Reveals

P.A. (Pete) Spurlock, assistant postmaster at the Logan post office, this morning revealed the destination of Stephen Hart, who went went after he had lived for a short time at the forks of the creek in the lower end of Logan county which now bears his name.

Spurlock said that Hart went to the Cheat River and settled permanently there to hunt deer and rear a family. He said the family name of Hart is as familiar there as the name Dingess is familiar in Logan county.

A daughter of Stephen, Jane, was Spurlock’s grandmother. She lived until 1913 and told her grandson much of the early history of the family which made its home in and around Spurlocksville, Sheridan, Ranger, and Midkiff.

Charles Spurlock, the progenitor of the Spurlock family, came to what used to be the Toney farm below the mouth of Big Creek in 1805 from Montgomery county, Virginia.

“Uncle Charley was a funny old cuss,” his great grandson Pete said this morning. “The story is told that a sheriff of Cabell county was given a capias to serve on the old codger for some minor offense when he was growing old and rather stout.

“Meeting him in the road one day, the sheriff informed Uncle Charley he had a capias to serve on him.

“None abashed, the old man informed the sheriff he was a law-abiding citizen and laid down in the middle of the road and told the sheriff to take him to jail.

“The ruse worked, for the sheriff chose to look for less obstinate prisoners,” Uncle Charley’s grandson said, chuckling.

Another story about the eccentric “Uncle Charley Spurlock” which has gone down in history, whether true or not, was that he lived for a short time below Big Creek under a rock cliff (known as a rockhouse) during the early summer while he was getting his cabin in shape for winter.

The tale is out that “Uncle Charley” explained his strange dwelling place in this way to his neighbors:

“Well I took Sarah (his wife) in a good substantial frame house in Virginia and she wasn’t quite satisfied. I took her to a log house and she wasn’t satisfied. I took her to a rail pen and still she grumbled. Then I took her to a rock house built by God Almight and still she wasn’t satisfied.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with Sarah.”

Sarah evidently became accustomed to “Uncle Charley” for the couple reared four sons. They were John, Seth, Lifas and Robertson. There were no daughters.

Seth was P.A. Spurlock’s grandfather. His father, Marshall, is 78 and lives on his farm near Cincinnati.

Spurlock says “Uncle Charley” is buried on a point at Spurlocksville overlooking the haunts of his early manhood.

Robertson was a gunsmith and lived near Hamlin. Seth was a civil engineer and helped survey much of Logan county. He was a Union soldier. John was a country doctor who practiced at Ranger.

Lifas was a preacher for sixty years and lived at Sheridan.

Charles Spurlock, of Omar, is a distant cousin, the assistant postmaster said. He is the only relative that lives in this section of Logan county, Spurlock said.

Spurlock, at Omar, was born at Spurlocksville and is a grandson of one of the original “Charley’s” boys.

Harts News 04.03.1925

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by in Ashland, Chapmanville, Hamlin, Harts, Queens Ridge

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An unnamed correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on April 3, 1925:

Charles Brumfield of Harts has been transacting business in Ironton, Ohio, the past week.

Mrs. Toney Johnson, of Ashland, Ky., has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Chas. Brumfield Harts.

Herbert Adkins of Harts is prospecting business in Huntington.

Miss Jessie Brumfield is teaching a successful school at Rector. She spent the week end with homefolks at Harts and was accompanied by Miss Cora Adkins and Mrs. Herbert Adkins and Mrs. Robert Brumfield of Harts.

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

Edward Brumfield of this place is preparing to attend school at Hamlin.

Charles Brumfield is building a fine residence costing about seven thousand dollars at Harts.

Mrs. Robert Dingess of Queen’s Ridge returned to her home after a short visit with her mother, Mrs. Charles Brumfield, of Harts.

Miss Lizzie Nelson of Harts is attending high school at Chapmanville.

R.M. Sevine, C&O brakeman of Huntington was calling on Miss Jessie Brumfield of Harts.

Enos Dials and Edward Brumfield and Miss Jessie Brumfield were seen out walking Sunday evening at Harts.

Queens Ridge News 12.07.1923

02 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Queens Ridge

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A correspondent named “Sweet Sixteen” from Queens Ridge in Wayne County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on December 7, 1923:

Here we come with the Queen’s Ridge news.

This is pretty weather at this writing.

Mr. and Mrs. Bisha Tomblin have a fine baby girl and her name is Dorothy Janis.

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Vance are visiting their daughter this week.

Preston Vernatter and stepson were out horseback riding this afternoon.

Combinations: Anna and her glasses; Hazel and her new coat; Ruby and her wrist watch; Dorothy and her new dress; Ethel and her dancing; Ann and her scissors.

NOTE: Queens Ridge is located in Wayne County but the post office during this time served part of Lincoln and Logan counties.

Harts News 12.07.1923

02 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Harts, Logan, Pearl Adkins Diary

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A correspondent named “Harts Hiccobughs” from Harts Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on December 7, 1923:

___ ks and light brown curls, __amonds, teeth like pearls.

___ Dingess was calling on Miss ______ Brumfield Sunday afternoon.

__on Adkins and Miss Cora __ were shopping in Logan Saturday.

___ of Logan was the guest ___ Jessie Brumfield Sunday.

__ why all the boys have forgotten ___ Curry Branch.

Susan Virginia McEldowney __ has been visiting her grandmother, Mrs. Hollene Ferguson, __.

__ Brumfield has returned __ a visit with relatives in __.

Jessie and Anna Brumfield __ Adkins were seen out horse back riding Friday.

Fisher B. Adkins has been __ for the last two weeks.

__ and Mrs. Herbert Adkins is busy preparing for the Christmas holidays.

The school at Harts is progressing nicely with J. Johnson teacher.

Enos Dials seems to be very __ old coals have been kindled on __ Creek.

__ Rotie Farley and Carmus Adkins of Mud Fork have been visiting here recently.

Combinations: Inez going to the ___; Anna and Robert out walking; __ and her powder puff; Bessie and her bobbed hair; Cora and her curls; Herb and his bath robe; Watson and his pipe; Fred and his coal bucket; Billy and his horse; Johnny and his frock tail coat; Pearl writing letters; Tom going down the road.

NOTE: Part of this page of the newspaper is torn and some words are missing.

Harts Creek News 11.30.1923

01 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Harts

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A correspondent named “Forget Me Not” from Harts Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on November 30, 1923:

Mr. George H. Adkins is still driving Charley Curry’s mules for him.

Miss Nervie Tomblin and Bill Thompson were guests of Charles Curry’s Sunday.

Wonder why Mr. Ira Tomblin is visiting the home of Mr. Curry’s so much.

Mattie Carter and Garnet Brumfield were out looking for their boys Sunday.

Mr. Tom Brumfield and Ed Brumfield are giving out Preacher Curry’s appointment for him.

Chapman Adkins is clerking in Robert Robinson’s store.

Robert Dingess was calling on Josephine Robinson Sunday.

Chapmanville News 07.28.1922

29 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Big Creek, Chapmanville

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A correspondent named “Billy the Goat” from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following news, which the Logan Banner printed on July 28, 1922:

Hot Dog was calling on Queenie on Sunday.

Wayne Brown was a business visitor to Kitchen Saturday.

Mr. Julian Evans was calling on Miss Eva Barker Sunday.

Rev. Dyke Garrett preached at the Campbellite church Sunday.

Messrs. Everett Fowler, Wayne Brown, and Chester Cooke were calling on Miss Ona Walls Sunday night.

Windy Conley was riding the white mule Sunday.

Miss Anna Bowling is sporting a diamond ring.

Andrew Fowler seems to be financially embarrassed.

Mr. Nathan Booth made a flying switch and bumped into Bal Bryant Friday night at twelve midnight.

Mr. Ed Chapman seems to be liking blackberry wine these days.

Mr. Walter Ferrell made a flying trip to Big Creek Sunday.

Mr. John Bishop was seen chasing Mr. Ed Johnson with something. Ed sure can run.

The Banner’s motto should be: “Work like Helen B. Happy.”

Rats in Logan, WV (1922-1923)

19 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Logan, Women's History

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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