25 Tuesday Oct 2016
Posted in Logan
Tags
Appalachia, Brandon Kirk, Canada, Frank Desoer, history, Logan, Logan County, Montreal, politics, radio, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, West Virginia
I recently met Montreal radio journalist Frank Desoer, who traveled to Logan, WV, to explore political trends in my part of Appalachia. Mr. Desoer and I enjoyed a two-hour conversation about Logan County’s political history and culture. My hope is that he found his story. 13 October 2016.
23 Sunday Oct 2016
Posted in Hatfield-McCoy Feud
Tags
Alexander Varney, Appalachia, Devil Anse Hatfield, Elza Phillips, Frank Phillips, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Henry Clay Ragland, history, John B. Gillespie, Johnson Hatfield, Kentucky, Logan County, Nancy L. Hatfield, Pike County, Pleasants Chafin, T.C. Whited, Thomas H. Harvey, Urias Buskirk, West Virginia
Johnson “Johnse” Hatfield’s relationship with Nancy McCoy represents one of the more interesting components of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. I recently located Hatfield’s 1890 divorce record, which I transcribed as follows:
DOCUMENT 1
State of West Virginia
County of Logan to wit
In the Circuit Court of said County
The Bill of Complaint of Johnson Hatfield filed in the Circuit Court of Logan County against Nancy L. Hatfield.
To the Hon. Thos. H. Harvey, Judge of the Circuit Court of Logan Co.
Humbly complaining your orator Johnson Hatfield would respectfully ____ unto your Honor that on the 14th day of May 1881 he intermarried with the defendant Nancy L. Hatfield, then Nancy L. McCoy, that he was at all times to her a kind and affectionate husband, that some time in 1888 he was forced to leave his home in Logan County West Virginia, and that shortly thereafter the said defendant abandoned his home and went to the state of Kentucky where she has since that time been living in adultery with Frank Phillips, and ____ other lewd and lascivious _____.
Your orator further represents that he cohabitated with the said defendant for the last time on or about the 8th day of March 1888 in Logan County West Virginia and that they last lived together as husband and wife in said County within five years from the institution of this suit.
Your orator further represents that he be informed and so believes that some time in the month of December 1889, the said defendant was delivered of a child, which was as a ____ of more than twelve months since he had last had any sexual intercourse with her.
Your orator further represents that the adultery complained of was not committed by his consent, connivance or procurement or knowledge. He therefore prays that the bonds of matrimony existing between your orator and the said Defendant be dissolved, and that your orator be restored to his ________ rights, and as is duly bound he will ever pray
Johnson Hatfield, By Counsel
DOCUMENT 2
State of West Virginia
To the Sheriff of Logan County, Greeting:
We command you that you summons Nancy L. Hatfield if she be found in your bailiwick, to appear before the Judge of our Circuit Court for the County of Logan at rules to be held in the Clerk’s Office of said Court on the first Monday in February next, to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against her in our said Court by Johnson Hatfield
And have then and there this writ.
Witness: T.C. Whited, Clerk of our said Court at the Court House of said County, on the 1st day of February 1890, and in the 27 year of the State.
T.C. Whited, Clerk
DOCUMENT 3
Order of Publication.
State of West Virginia, Logan County, T0-Wit:
At Rules held in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of said county on Monday the 3rd day of February 1890
Johnson Hatfield v. Nancy L. Hatfield, In chancery
The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony. This day came the plaintiff by his Attorney and on his motion it appearing from an affidavit filed with the papers of this suit that the defendant is a non-resident of this State, it is therefore ordered that she appear here within one month from the first publication of this order and do what is necessary to protect her interest herein.
Teste: T.C. Whited, Clerk
H.C. Ragland, Sol.
DOCUMENT 4
I, U.B. Buskirk, one of the Publishers of the Logan County Banner, a newspaper published in Logan County, West Virginia, do hereby certify that the annexed notice was duly published in said paper for 4 successive weeks, ending on the 27 day of February 1890.
Given under my hand this 28th day of February 1890
U.B. Buskirk
Printer’s fees: $6.00
DOCUMENT 5
State of West Virginia
Logan County to wit:
Johnson Hatfield the plaintiff whose name is signed to the forgoing bill being first duly sworn upon oath says that the facts and allegations contained in the forgoing bill are true except so far as the same are ______ stated to be upon information and that so far as the same are stated to be upon information he believes ___ to be true.
Johnson Hatfield
Taken, __________ and sworn to before me this 10th day of March 1890.
T.C. Whited, Clerk
DOCUMENT 6
Notice to Take Deposition
To Nancy L. Hatfield. You will take notice that on the 10 day of October, 1890, between the hours of 8 o’clock A.M. and 6 o’clock P.M., at the house of Anderson Hatfield, in Logan County, West Virginia, I will proceed to take the deposition of myself and others to be read as evidence in behalf of myself in a certain suit in chancery now pending in the Circuit Court of Logan County wherein you are Defendant and I am plaintiff and if from any cause the taking of the said deposition be not commenced on that day, or if commenced and not completed on that day, the taking of the same will be adjourned and continued from day to day or from time to time, at the same place, and between the same hours, until completed.
Respectfully, &c., Johnson Hatfield
DOCUMENT 7
The depositions of Johnson Hatfield and others taken before Pleasants Chafins a notary in and for the county of Logan and State of West Virginia at the house of Anderson Hatfield on Friday October 10 in 1890, to be taken and consider as evidence in a certain chancery cause pending in the Circuit Court of said county wherein Johnson Hatfield is a plaintiff and Nancy L. Hatfield is a defendant.
Present Johnson Hatfield in person and by counsel , no appearance for the defendant.
Johnson Hatfield a witness of lawful age after being first duly sworn deposes in answer _____ as follows:
Q. What is your name, age, and where do you reside?
A. Johnson Hatfield. I am 28 years old past. I was born and raised in this county.
Q. What relation do you have to this suit?
A. I am plaintiff.
Q. When were you and the defendant Nancy L. Hatfield married?
A. It was on the 14th day of May 1881.
Q. How did you treat her during the time that you and she lived together as man and wife?
A. .I always kept her plenty of everything she wanted and was always good and kind to her.
Q. State about when it was that you and your wife separated.
A. It was on the 18 of March 1888.
Q. Have you lived with her since that time or had sexual intercourse with her?
A. No, sir.
And the next came Alex Varney, witness of lawful age being by me duly sworn, deposed and say as follows:
Q. State your name, age, and residents.
A. Alexander Varney, Age 56 years. Residents Logan County, West Va.
Q. State wither or not you are acquainted with the partys in this suit.
A. I am.
Q. State whether or not you know anything about the defendant Nancy L. Hatfield living in adultery with Frank Phillips or anyone else since her separation from the plaintiff.
A. I saw her in Pike Co. Kentucky on the 13 day of September 1890. She was staying at the house of frank filips and she told me that she was living with him. She showed me her baby and told me that frank filips was its father.
Q. How old do you suppose that the child was.
A. She told me that the child was 9 month and 4 days old and I suppose it was about that old as it was still sucking.
[Deposition of John B. Gillespie]
Q. State whether or not you know anything about the defendant Nancy L. Hatfield living in adultery with any person.
A. I was at a house in Pike County Ky. Frank Phillips and Nancy L. Hatfield were there. They called it their home.
Q. State whether or not it was the general impression throughout the community that they were living together as man and wife.
A. No, sir. Not as man and wife. It was that they were living together in adultery.
And further this _________ saith not.
John B. Gillespie
[Deposition of Johnson Hatfield]
_______ ________ __________ recalls and deposes as follows:
Q. State whether or not the acts of adultery committed by your late wife Nancy L. Hatfield with one Frank Phillips ______ in the two foregoing depositions were committed by or with your consent, knowledge, __________, or __________.
A. They were not.
And further this _________ saith not.
Johnson Hatfield, Jr.
State of West Virginia
Logan County, to wit:
I, Pleasants Chafins a notary in and for the county and state aforesaid do certify that the foregoing depositions were duly taken, sworn to, and subscribed in my presence at the time and place _____ in the notice here to _____.
Pleasant Chafin, a notary for Logan Co., W.Va.
Notary’s Fee
2 hrs work as notary $1.50
DOCUMENT 8
Johnson Hatfield v. Nancy Hatfield, In chancery
This day this cause in which the defendant is prosecuted against as a nonresident and it appearing that the order of publication has been duly published and posted as required by law, came on to be heard upon the plaintiff’s bill and the depositions there with filed in support thereof together with the argument of counsel for plaintiff and the same being considered and inspected by the court the court is of the opinion that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief therein prayed for, whereupon it is adjudged, ______, and decreed that the said plaintiff Johnson Hatfield be and he is hereby divorced absolutely from the defendant the said Nancy L. Hatfield and that the bonds of matrimony now existing between himself and the said defendant be dissolved and the said plaintiff Johnson Hatfield be and he is hereby restored to all the rights, privileges and immunities of an unmarried man. And this cause having performed its object, the same is ordered to be stricken from the docket and it appearing that this order was made at the October 1890 term of this Court, and by _________ not entered, it is ordered that the same be entered now as for ____.
Source: Logan County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Logan County, WV, Case No. 33, File No. 35
06 Thursday Oct 2016
Posted in Chapmanville, Ferrellsburg, Logan
Tags
317 Steak House, Alec Soth, Anthony Adams, Appalachia, Brandon Kirk, cemeteries, Chapmanville, culture, Ferrellsburg, Galen Fletcher, Harts Creek, history, In the Heart of Trump Country, John Hartford, Larissa MacFarquhar, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan County, politics, Squire Sol Adams, West Virginia
John Hartford introduced me to The New Yorker magazine in the mid-1990s. “I need to get you a subscription to The New Yorker,” he told me several times. John had become familiar with the magazine as a youth. His parents were regular subscribers to the magazine; they encouraged him to read it because, they said, it contained the absolute best writing available. John told this story several times and I could tell by the way he retold it that he believed it to be true. In fact, after reading multiple issues (mostly John’s issues at the house, but also complimentary issues I spotted in medical offices), I agreed that, yes, The New Yorker did in fact contain the best writing available. Once I discovered Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, unquestionably the greatest true crime book ever written, and learned The New Yorker had frequently printed Capote’s writing, my love for the magazine became unshakable. For these reasons, and others, I am delighted to have made a small contribution to Larissa MacFarquhar’s story, “In the Heart of Trump Country,” published by The New Yorker on October 10, 2016. The opportunity to contribute to a New Yorker story, much less to appear in The New Yorker, is an honor.
You can read Larissa’s exceptionally well-composed piece by following this link:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/10/in-the-heart-of-trump-country
Prior to the story, Larissa approached me (and other locals) about her desire to write a piece at least partly involving recent political developments in Logan County, West Virginia. I agreed to assist Larissa in whatever way I could for several reasons: I wanted to welcome her to my section of Appalachia, I wanted to be helpful, I wanted her story to succeed, I wanted her readers to better understand my region, I’m always anxious to discuss my region’s rich history… Larissa and I corresponded via email about general political history in Logan County, then enjoyed a memorable two-and-a-half-hour conversation at 317 Steak House in Logan. I liked her right away. I like her more after reading her story.
Larissa is an accomplished professional writer. You can read more about her impressive credentials by following these links:
http://www.newyorker.com/contributors/larissa-macfarquhar
It was likewise pleasurable to meet photographer Alec Soth and his assistant, Galen Fletcher, who visited Logan, Chapmanville, Ferrellsburg, and Harts Creek, in order to capture images pertinent to Larissa’s story. Alec took a few photos of me in Ferrellsburg, one of which ultimately appeared in the story, then spent a hot evening taking a ton of photos at one of my favorite Harts Creek cemeteries (the Anthony Adams Family Cemetery) and a nearby historic log cabin (Squire Sol Adams residence).
You can find out more about Alec by following these links:
http://alecsoth.com/photography/
https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL532_M
He even has a Wikipedia entry!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Soth
These were nice folks. If they ever visit your part of the world, welcome them.
.
28 Wednesday Sep 2016
Tags
Appalachia, C&O Railroad, Craneco, Dingess Run, George T. Swain, history, Holden, Island Creek, Logan, Logan County, Logan Democrat, Omar, West Virginia
Logan–Now and What It Will Be When Its Destiny Is Fulfilled
by G.T. Swain
Situated here among the “Hills of West Virginia” on the banks of the beautiful Guyan lies the little city of Logan–our home. Time was when a few years ago Logan was a struggling little village trying to pull herself out of the mud and how well she succeeded is left to you, gentle reader, to judge. We now have nicely paved streets, solid and substantial sidewalks, large and commodious business buildings and beautiful homes. Lots that were formerly occupied with frame buildings have been raised and have given way for substantial brick and stone buildings and more going up as fast as can be built with more to come in the future. Our people are liberal, energetic and hospitable and a glad hand and hearty welcome is extended to all newcomers, while the passing stranger is always welcome within our gates. Logan is situated in the very heart of the famous Guyan Valley coalfields and is surrounded with the natural advantages to become sometime in the near future a second Pittsburg. With branch roads leading in every direction, reaching a large number of mines from which pour forth every day an enormous of the famous “Black Diamond” which afford employment to a large army of laborers and positions for many more, with different kinds of business houses in the city requiring the services of a large number of skilled laborers we find our little city progressive in the fullest sense of the word and what Logan is at the present time will be nothing in comparison of the city in the near future. At the present time we boast of three wholesale houses, a great many department stores to supply your every want, and many handsome churches to look after your spiritual needs, a large number of efficient lawyers to look after your legal affairs, quite a few experienced physicians and surgeons to attend your physical ailments and a large, commodious high school building and a large public school building to look after the education of your children and while we admit that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” we have for your amusement two elegant and comfortable moving picture theatres at which you view the best pictures obtainable while we extend you an invitation to visit our park where you will be entertained with athletic sports. We take time during the strenuous hustle and activity to eat occasionally and we invite you to patronize our large and first class hotels, restaurants and boarding houses where you will be furnished the best food the market affords. If you have any surplus change that is too heavy to carry around in your pocket we have, for your convenience, two large and perfectly safe banks who will gladly receive your deposit or extend any other accommodation consistent with good sound banking.
Take a little time and sit down and rest while we furnish you with the Daily Courier and permit you to digest the very latest news fresh over the wires of the Associated Press. In fact call on us for any favor and we will do our utmost to supply your every need and should you unfortunately get in the way of any of our numerous “jitney buses” we will tenderly convey you to our new, fine hospital, just completed at a cost of $40,000 where your injuries will be treated while you wait.
Logan–Ten Years Hence–Or A Peep Into The Future
My–but can this be Logan? We stand in the cupola of the magnificent stone Court house and gaze up Island creek and as far as the eye can see we see numerous buildings of all description and we are told that they too extend up Main Island creek. We turn and gaze up Dingess Run and we find the same, while we are informed that all the way up the Guyan the buildings are too numerous to count. We look toward Huntington and find that the town has extended down the river while all the vacant lots that formerly specked the town are all now covered with handsome and elegant homes. On every hand we find new coal operations and the hum of the machinery dulls the sound of the hustle and bustle of the street traffic below. Wires leading from the large and power electric station situated on the banks of the river cover the county like giant cobwebs, carrying to various points the giant current for lighting and operating purposes. Coal trains loaded to doubled track road of the C. & O. capacity are moving West while empty cars are coming East. Electric cars are passing and branching off up into the hollows transporting their load of passengers and freight to all the operations while those that desire are accommodated by motor vehicles over the fine macadamized roads leading in all directions but in the end pointing the way back to Logan, the hub of all this activity. We look down to where the C. & O. formerly had a coop called a station and we find a large magnificent passenger station in keeping with the balance of the town. We hear that the former little ramshackle affair called the water system has given way to the march of progress and we learn that a short distance back in the mountain Logan has an enormous storage dam from which her people are supplied with water from the pure mountain streams and the water pressure is sufficient for all purposes. We look below and we find the streets patrolled by uniform police. We see the Logan Band pass by playing a patriotic air. The “newsies” are crying aloud the latest news that has been flashed over the wires and published in an extra edition of the Daily Courier. The mail is being delivered to the doors of all citizens by uniformed carriers at the expense of Uncle Sam. Many of the large number of visitors to the city are taking the cars of the incline railway for a trip to the beautiful fraternal home that crowns the crest of the reservoir mountain, while listen–down the street at full speed comes the organized fire department in charge of the very latest fire fighting apparatus. Surely this is the “Miracle Land.”
‘Tis said that Holden and Omar are only suburbs while Craneco is clamoring for annexation.
–What? Yes–why–sure climbing to the cupola of the Court house and enjoying the balmy breeze of pure mountain air, shaded from the rays of the noon-day sun I fell asleep and being espied by the janitor who being afraid my presence would molest the workings of the town clock has climbed up here and shaking me from my pleasant day-dream has invited me to plant my cute little “tootsies” on terra firma. Some dream. Believe me.
Source: Logan (WV) Democrat, 22 June 1916.
28 Wednesday Sep 2016
Posted in Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Ferrellsburg, Harts, Toney
Tags
Aaron Adkins, Abijah Workman, Abner Vance, Andrew Robinson, Appalachia, Becky Workman, Cabell County, Calohill McCloud, Catherine Fry, Charles Adkins, Crispin Stone, Darby K. Elkins, Dolly Stollings, Elias Adkins, Elizabeth Dial, Gordon Lilly, Harts Creek, Harvey Elkins, Henderson Drake, Henry Adkins, Henry Conley, Henry Spears, Hezekiah Adkins, history, Isaiah Adkins, Jake Adkins, James Butcher, James Ferrell, James Lilly, James M. Berry, James Thompson, James Toney, John Chapman, John Elkins, John Godby, John Gore, Joshua Butcher, justice of the peace, Levi Collins, Logan County, Lorenzo Dow Hill, Lydia Eveline Mullins, Mary Workman, Meekin Vance, Noah Hainer, Obediah Workman, Reese W. Elkins, Richard Elkins, Robert Lilly, Robert Lilly Jr., Robet Lilly, Samuel Vanatter, Sarah Jane Dial, Spencer A. Mullins, Squire Toney, Stephen Lambert, Virginia, Wesley Stollings, West Virginia, William Lilly, William Smith, William Spears, William Thompson
Between 1847 and 1869, the following men served as justices of the peace in the Harts Creek community, then a part of Logan County, Virginia. The primary source for this material is Deed Book D, which is located at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV. Material is arranged based on the grantor’s name as given in the deed, the grantee’s name as given in the deed, and the date of the deed. Some of the deeds are partially destroyed, obscuring dates. This list is a work in progress and will be updated periodically. Many thanks to the county clerks and their employees who have always been so helpful to my research these past twenty-five years.
Elias Adkins (Logan County), 1847, 1850
Deed: James Thompson to John Godby 23 August 1847
Deed: Wesley and Dolly Stollings to Abner Vance 15 April 1850
Crispin S. Stone (Logan County), 1847, 1849, 1852, 1854, 1859, 1865
Deed: James Thompson to John Godby 23 August 1847
Deed: Henry Conley and William Thompson to John Godby 4 September 1849
Deed: Levi Collins to Noah Haner 2 March 1852
Deed: Robert Lilly to William Lilly 22 December 1854
Deed: Robert Lilly to Robert Lilly, Jr. 1 March 1859
Deed: Isaiah Adkins to Lydia Eveline Mullins 8 July 1859
Deed: Robert Lilly to Mary Workman 28 February 1865
Deed: Robert Lilly to Gordon Lilly 1 March 1865
Deed: Robert Lilly and James Lilly 26 March 1865
Joshua Butcher (Logan County), 1849
Deed: Henry Conley and William Thompson to John Godby 4 September 1849
Spencer A. Mullins (Logan County), 1853-1855
Deed: Richard Elkins to James Toney 5 March 1853
Deed: Price Lucas to Henry Adkins 7 October 1853
Deed: Richard Elkins to Isaac Adkins 27 December 1853
Deed: Enos “Jake” Adkins to Henry Adkins 12 April 1854
Deed: Squire Toney to Burbus C. Toney 14 October 1854
Deed: Darby K. Elkins to John W. Sartain 30 October 1854
Deed: Harvey Elkins to Isaiah Adkins 10 March 1855
Deed: Elizabeth Adkins et al to Charles and Isaiah Adkins 02 October 1855
Deed: Joel Elkins to Reece W. Elkins 17 November 1855
William Smith (?? County), 1853-1854
Deed: Baptist Fry to Charles Lucas 18 April 1853
Deed: Levi Collins to Anderson Barker 21 June 1853
Deed: Burbus C. Toney to Squire Toney 14 October 1854
Deed: John Workman to James Browning 17 November 1854
Lorenzo Dow Hill (Logan County), 1854-1856, 1858-1861, 1869
Deed: Burbus C. Toney to Squire Toney 14 October 1854
Deed: John Workman to James Browning 17 November 1854
Quit Claim Deed: Elias Adkins to Enos Adkins 18 August 1855
Deed: John Fry to Admiral S. Fry 26 January 1856
Deed: Robert Lilly to Gordon F. Lilly 8 April 1856
Deed: Rees W. Elkins to Elias Adkins 18 October 1856
Deed: Robert Lilly to James Lilly 16 April 1858
Deed: Meekin Vance to Andrew Robinson 31 March 1859
Deed: John and Catherine Fry to Aaron Adkins 11 February 1860
Summons: William T. Clark and Henry P. Gartin 28 February 1861
Commissioners Record Book No. 1, p. 122: January 1869
James Ferrell (Logan County), 1854-1858, 1860
Deed: Squire Toney to Burbus C. Toney 14 October 1854
Deed: Elizabeth Adkins et al to Spencer A. Mullins 07 February 1855
Deed: Squire Toney to Sarah Jane Dial 25 November 1855
Deed: Squire Toney to Sarah Jane Dial and Elizabeth Dial 20 May 1856
Deed: Squire Toney to Lorenzo D. Hill 24 January 1857
Deed: William Smith to James Lilly 17 February 1858
Summons: James M. Berry 18 February 1860
Hezekiah Adkins (Logan County), 1856
Deed: Darby K. Elkins et al to Rees W. Elkins 18 April 1856
John Chapman (Cabell County), 1856
Deed: Spencer A. Mullins to John Chapman 18 December 1856
Stephen Lambert (Logan County) 1856-1860, 1865
Deed: Rees W. Elkins to Elias Adkins 18 October 1856
Deed: Obediah Workman to Nighbert and Clarke 25 August 1857
Deed: Charles and Isaiah Adkins to John Elkins 24 November 1858
Deed: Meekin Vance to Andrew Robinson 31 March 1859
Deed: Isaiah Adkins to Lydia Eveline Mullins 8 July 1859
Deed: Obediah and Becky Workman to ____ Dempsey 28 September 1859
Deed: Henry Adkins to Aaron Adkins 31 March 1860
Summons: Jeremiah Lambert 3 September 1860
Deed: Abijah Workman to Calahill Daniel McCloud 12 January 1865
Samuel Varnater (Logan County), 1865
Deed: Abijah Workman to Calahill Daniel McCloud 12 January 1865
Henderson Drake (Cabell County), 1865
Deed: Henry Spears to William Spears 6 December 1865
John Gore (Logan County), 1868
Commissioners Record Book No. 1, p. 112: November 1868
23 Friday Sep 2016
Posted in Civil War, Lincoln County Feud, Logan
Tags
Blood in West Virginia, books, Brandon Kirk, Chief Logan State Park, civil war, feuds, history, Lincoln County Feud, Logan County, Pelican Publishing Company, West Virginia
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the book and I will appear at Rebellion in the Hills in Chief Logan State Park in Logan County, West Virginia. If you’re local, come and see us.
18 Sunday Sep 2016
Posted in Hatfield-McCoy Feud
Tags
Appalachia, crime, Devil Anse Hatfield, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Island Creek, Logan, Logan County, Logan County Banner, West Virginia
Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 28 March 1889.
18 Sunday Sep 2016
Posted in Civil War
Tags
Appalachia, Battle of Big Ugly Creek, Big Ugly Creek, Cabell County, Chapmanville, civil war, Confederate Army, From Youth to Old Age, Guyandotte River, Hamilton Fry, history, Kentucky, Lincoln County, Logan County, Mason County, Prestonsburg, Six Mile Creek, T.E. Ball, Thomas H. Perry, Union Army, Virginia, Wayne County, West Virginia, William Jefferson
About 1910, Rev. Thomas H. Perry reflected on his long life, most of which was spent in the vicinity of Tylers Creek in Cabell County, West Virginia. In this excerpt from his autobiography, Mr. Perry recalled his participation in Civil War skirmishes at the Forks of Ugly and Six Mile Creek in present-day Lincoln County, WV, and military activity around Prestonsburg, Kentucky:
In 1862 my company was ordered to move from Chapmansville down the Guyan river. About three o’clock that day we ran into a company of Federal soldiers at the forks of Big Ugly creek, and as neither company was expecting trouble at this time, we were not ready for the fight, but our captain ordered his men in line, and we marched around the hillside, fronting the creek, and the Federals formed a line up the creek, fronting us. Here we tried our bravery for a few minutes, but as we had the advantage of some timber, the Federals broke ranks and went into the woods, except ten or twelve that lay flat upon the ground, and we captured them, and all the rations the company had, such as coffee and sugar, which was a treat for us in that country. About this time another company came up and followed the Federals into the woods. I never knew what became of them until after the war. Mr. T.E. Ball, of Mason county, told me after the war that he was a member of that company of Federals, and he was in the fight at the forks of Big Ugly, and that he was in the closest place that day of any time during the war. he said he was certain there were more than fifty shots fired at him as he ran through the field, and of the eighty-four men in his company, there was not a man that returned with his gun, and but few that had hats or shoes, for they were scattered in the woods and every man looked out for himself. The next day, we had six men in the advance guard. I was one of them, and as we turned the point at the mouth of Six Mile creek, six miles above the falls of Guyan river, we ran into a squad of seven Federal soldiers, who fired into us and killed William Jefferson, one of our bravest soldiers.
The next day we crossed the river at the falls of the Guyan and went through Wayne county into Kentucky. Here we were fired into every day and night for about three weeks. It was December and we had some very cold weather. Several times I have seen men and horses lying on the side of the road frozen so stiff they could not travel.
We had about fifteen hundred men with us at that time. We had several hundred prisoners and a great deal of army supplies that we had captured, and the cold weather and the Federals and so many bushwhackers to contend with, that we had no rest day or night. Just below Prestonsburg we captured seven flat boats that were loaded with army supplies, such as clothing and food, and many of us needed both, but we paid dearly for them, for many of our men on both sides lost their lives in this fight. For two hours and thirty minutes they poured the hot lead into each other as fast as they could. The battle lines of both armies extended from the river to the top of the mountain. I was on top of the mountain when the Federals broke rank. Our major ordered his men to go down both battle lines and gather up the dead and wounded and take them to the foot of the mountain.
I went down the Federal battle line in front of our men, and when I saw the dead and wounded and the guns and blood and clothing that was scattered from the top to the bottom of that mountain, I was perfectly disgusted with war. About half way down this line we found their major; he was shot through the heart. He was a nice looking gentleman; he had a long black beard. Our men seemed to have great respect for his body, because he was an officer, and gave special directions for his burial. Some of the prisoners cried aloud like children, while others cursed and said they were see every rebel in hell before he would cry. Just how many men we had killed and wounded in this fight I never knew. Some of our wounded we took with us, and some was so badly wounded we left them in private homes. From this places we turned to the south for winter quarters. My company was the rear guard that night. We thought the rear guard would suffer more than any other part of the army, but to our surprise after we had gone a few miles above Prestonsburg we heard considerable shooting and disturbance in our front about two miles from us. It was a very dark night, and when my company came up to about where we thought the shooting was, we heard horses and men groaning. After we had gone about two miles farther, we went into camp until morning. That morning one man told me one of our men that was killed last night lived in Parkersburg. The great question with us at this time was, can we ever get back to Dixie with our cattle, goods and prisoners? The Federals were above us and below us.
Source: From Youth to Old Age by T.H. Perry, Chapter 7, p. 18-20.
Note: As of 1862, Lincoln County did not exist and the surrounding area remained a part of Virginia. Big Ugly Creek was then located in Logan County and Six Mile Creek was located in Cabell County.
Note: The “forks of Ugly” references the mouth of Laurel Fork, at or near the old Hamilton Fry homeplace.
17 Saturday Sep 2016
Posted in Logan
Tags
Appalachia, circus, history, Logan, Logan County, Logan Democrat, Sun Brothers, Tango Bill, West Virginia
Logan (WV) Democrat, 4 May 1916.
11 Sunday Sep 2016
Posted in Boone County, Logan
Tags
Arthur I. Boreman, Boone County, civil war, Confederate Army, John A. Barker, justice of the peace, Logan, Logan County, Richmond, Thomas Buchanan, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia
The following letter from Thomas Buchanan dated July 14, 1865 at Brownstown, WV to Governor Arthur I. Boreman offers insight into immediate postwar conditions in Logan and Boone counties, WV. The letter was titled “Enclosed account for services in recruiting a Co. of Scouts for Logan & Boone Counties.”
Brownstown
July 14, 1865
His Excellency A.I. Boreman (Governor)
Sir: I Rec’d an order dated March 2nd 1865 authorizing me to organize a company of State Guards for the counties of Logan and Boone to consist of not less than 25 men. At first I thought I could recruit 25 men in a short time, but I was much deceived. Men remaining in those counties at that time had bin [sic] conscripted in to the Confederate service (or what they called State line Service under the Confederate authorities) and had bin [sic] disbanded and they seemed to have taken up the idea (or a portion of them at least) that neutral ground was saftest for them, as the country was infested with bushwhackers, and sixty or seventy miles outside of federal lines I could get no assistance from federal troops and consequently had to scout alone and sometimes [with] one man for company. Finally I succeeded in recruiting 32 or 33 men, made off my muster Roll, called my men together, the required oath was administered to them by John A. Barker, a Justice of the Peace, and his certificate with the Roll and form of oaths was directed to the adjutant Gen’l of the State and I have not heard from it since tho when Richmond fell I did not expect my men would be armed and equipped tho I shall expect to be enumerated for my services to the State for recruiting the company.
Yours respectfully,
Thomas Buchanan
P.S. My address is Logan C.H., W.Va. I did not expect an answer to my muster Roll.
Source: West Virginia Adjutant Generals’ Papers, Union Militia 1861-1865, Militia Box 12, Logan County, Folder 2. WV State Archives and History, Charleston, WV.
Note: To see Mr. Buchanan’s account, follow this link: http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvmemory/militia/logan/logan02-01.html
10 Saturday Sep 2016
Posted in Big Creek, Chapmanville
Tags
Appalachia, Big Creek, C.J. Shelton, Chapmanville, David Woods, genealogy, history, Hugh Butcher, John Dingess, Liza Conley, Logan, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Mary Chambers, Mary Dingess, Mary Stone, Nettie Cabell, Rocky School, West Virginia
An unknown local correspondent from Chapmanville in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan County Banner printed on October 16, 1897:
David Woods of Illinois is visiting friends at this place.
Miss Mary Stone, a bright little brunette, was calling on friends here Tuesday.
Mr. Hugh Butcher and Miss Nettie Cabell were quietly married on Big creek last Saturday.
Mrs. Dr. _____ visited her parents at Peck Sunday.
Miss Mary Chambers, one of Crawley’s charming belles, was calling on her many friends in this city last week.
Miss Mary Dingess is attending the Rocky school.
Madam rumor says that one of our old maids will soon leave the state of single blessedness for the sake of one of Big Creek’s most prominent widowers.
Miss Liza Conley and John Dingess were the guests of Dr. C.J. Shelton Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Turley of Logan passed through the city Sunday.
05 Monday Sep 2016
Posted in Chapmanville, Civil War, Logan
Tags
Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Arthur I. Boreman, Battle of Kanawha Gap, Boone County, Boone Democrat, Chapmanville District, Charleston Daily Star, Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company, civil war, Confederacy, Democratic Party, First Wheeling Convention, Franklin Pierce, Grover Cleveland, Guyandotte Valley Railroad Company, Hardee District, Henry Clay Ragland, history, Horace Greeley, Horatio Seymour, Isaac E. McDonald, James A. Nighbert, James Buchanan, James K. Polk, James Lawson, John Bell, John Breckenridge, Lewis Cass, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Logan District, Magnolia District, Martin Van Buren, Parkersburg Sentinel, Parkersburg State Journal, politics, Samuel J. Tilden, Second Wheeling Convention, slavery, Stephen Douglas, Triadelphia District, Virginia Ordinance of Secession, West Virginia, West Virginia Statehood Referendum, William H. Crawford, William Jennings Bryan, William Straton, Winfield Scott Hancock, Wyoming County
Democrats who lived in Logan County, West Virginia, prior to 1896 may best be thought of as Democrats of the Jeffersonian and particularly the Jacksonian variety. The earliest settlers and their immediate progeny likely carried popular political viewpoints across the mountains from Virginia. Logan County Democrats appear to have believed in states’ rights, although few residents owned slaves. The old Democrats of the Civil War generation guided Logan County’s political scene until the 1890s, when the national political climate shifted toward issues relating to gold/silver, imperialism, etc. Still, the Confederate veterans of the county continued activity until the 1910s, even raising the Confederate flag over the courthouse as late as 1911. The Logan County Banner (later the Logan Banner), a Democratic organ since its inception in 1889, remained silent about issues that divided the Democratic Party in the 1890s. Based on its editorials, the Banner—operated by men of the Civil War era—was more concerned about industrial progress, particularly the development of a railroad in the Guyandotte Valley, than the national political issues that emerged in the 1890s. Examination of the active participants in the railroad effort include both Democrats and Republicans, locals and outsiders…
Logan County was organized in 1824. Voting trends from 1824 until 1856 reveal a strong preference for Democratic candidates:
1824: William H. Crawford (Democratic-Republican)
1828: Andrew Jackson (Democrat, 90+ percent)
1832: Andrew Jackson (Democrat, 90+ percent)
1836: Martin Van Buren (Democrat)
1840: Martin Van Buren (Democrat)
1844: James K. Polk (Democrat)
1848: Lewis Cass (Democrat)
1852: Franklin Pierce (Democrat)
1856: James Buchanan (Democrat, 80-90 percent)
We know, based on the above presidential tallies, the county was heavily Democratic. Because the Democratic Party was closely linked to slavery during this era, it is useful to consider local slave statistics.
1850 Logan County Slave Census: 26 slave owners in Logan County; 84 slaves (largest slave owner had 10)
1860 Logan County Slave Census: 27 slave owners in Logan County; 80 slaves (largest slave owner had 7)
We know the county voted heavily for John Breckenridge in the 1860 presidential election. What is remarkable to modern residents is this: Logan Countians gave no votes to Abraham Lincoln (see below):
Logan County Presidential Election Results (1860):
John Breckenridge (Southern Democratic), 271
John Bell (Constitutional Union), 100
Stephen Douglas (Democratic), 6
Abraham Lincoln (Republican), 0
We know Logan County’s delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention favored secession. James Lawson, the delegate to the Secession Convention for Logan, Boone, and Wyoming counties, voted in favor of the Ordinance of Secession on 17 April 1861.
We know the county did not favor anti-secession political developments in Wheeling. Logan declined to send delegates to the First Wheeling Convention (May 13-15, 1861).
We know the voters of Logan County favored secession. Here are results for Logan County regarding the Secession Ordinance in Virginia (23 May 1861):
For: 518
Against: 63
We know Logan County did not support the political gatherings in Wheeling. Logan County sent no delegates to the Second Wheeling Convention, First Session (June 11-25, 1861). Likewise, it sent no delegates to the General Assembly of the Reorganized Government of Virginia (July 1-26, 1861) or to the Second Wheeling Convention, Second Session (August 6-21, 1861).
In the mind of local people, Logan County was invaded in 1861. On 25 September 1861, Union soldiers attacked Confederates at the Battle of Kanawha Gap (Chapmanville). The battle was a Confederate loss.
Due to the absence of its men and election irregularities, Logan County did not vote heavily on the question of “West Virginia.” This was true for many counties in western Virginia: West Virginia Statehood Referendum (24 October 1861): 34 percent turnout statewide; 18,408 for statehood and only 781 opposed! We can be sure that Logan did not favor “West Virginia.” Logan County sent no delegate to the West Virginia Constitutional Convention (26 November 1861).
Logan Countians overwhelmingly enlisted to fight for the Confederacy (60-90%). According to one estimate, Logan County contributed over 780 soldiers to the Confederacy. Contributions to the Union Army were less than 60. Based on the 1890 census, the following number of Union veterans lived in Logan County:
Chapmansville District: 7
Hardee District (later Mingo County): 16
Logan District: 13
Magnolia District (later Mingo County): 9
Triadelphia District: 11
During the war, Logan sent delegates to participate in the Confederate government in Richmond. Isaac E. McDonald represented Logan, Boone, and Wyoming counties at the Confederate General Assembly from 1861 to 1863. James A. Nighbert represented Logan, Boone, and Wyoming counties at the Confederate General Assembly from 1863 to 1865.
Because Logan was known as a Confederate stronghold and recruiting station, the town was invaded in 1862. Union troops burned the Logan Courthouse (15 January 1862).
Logan County was one of 15 counties in WV that did NOT vote in the 1864 U.S. presidential election (most were south of the Kanawha River).
After the war, Logan Countians refused to recognize West Virginia as a legitimate state and refused to pay taxes to the new state. Guerillas and gangs were active in the county. Governor Arthur I. Boreman sent troops into the county in order to collect taxes and maintain order.
Ex-Confederate disenfranchisement was common after the war. In 1868, of 888 voters in Logan County, only 125 voted for president. In 1870, 220 voted for the Democratic candidate for governor while 70 voted for the Republican (total 290). In Logan County, it was difficult to find any men who had NOT served in the Confederacy who could hold political office (or practice law, or teach).
Maj. William Straton (namesake of Stratton Street) typified Logan County political leadership during this time.
After the war, Democrats and Republicans largely chose/maintained party identification based on their views of the war. Logan had been heavily Democratic before the war; Logan was pro-Confederate during the war; Logan was strongly Democratic after the war
Logan County in Presidential Elections After the War:
1868: Horatio Seymour (Democrat)
1872: Horace Greeley (Democrat)
1876: Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat, by 90+ percent)
1880: Winfield Scott Hancock (Democrat, by 90+ percent)
1884: Grover Cleveland (Democrat, by 90+ percent)
Winfield Scott Hancock’s victory in Logan County is somewhat noteworthy considering that he was a former Union general.
On 30 October 1886, the Parkersburg Sentinel reported: “Logan county is so intensely democratic that there are thirteen democratic candidates running for the legislature and only one republican. Nevertheless one of the thirteen democrats will be elected.”
In 1888, Logan Countians voted for Grover Cleveland (Democrat).
The Logan County Banner was established on 7 March 1889 by Henry Clay Ragland (editor) and J.A. Nighbert (business manager). On 28 March 1889, it stated:
The paper will be devoted to the best interests of the people of Logan county. To the improvement of the education and morals of its people, and to the development of its great material resources. Politically, the Banner will be Democratic. Every one connected with it is a Democrat, but at the same time it will be fair to the opposition, and will heartily accord to the Republican party due credit for any good work which it may do. In addressing the questions which may arise in the Democratic party, as to its management and its leaders, the Banner will be Independent and will acknowledge no faction or factions, but will labor earnestly and zealously for the success of the party, and not for any individual.
In 1892, it reported: “Three years ago in order to furnish the people of Logan county with a home paper, we unfurled the Banner. We expected neither money nor glory, and our expectations have been fully realized.” On 3 January 1895, Ragland stated: “When I first went into the newspaper business I had no idea of continuing on for any length of time. My only desire was to see a newspaper in Logan county which would truly reflect the character of its people and be able to defend them from the many slanders which have been heaped upon them by the outside world…”
The Banner‘s reputation as a Democratic organ was well-known. In April 1889, the Parkersburg State Journal referred to it as “Democratic to the core.” On 11 July 1889, the Charleston Daily Star said: “The Logan County Banner is being made one of the best country weeklies in the State. As long as it continues as it has begun Logan may be depended upon for her customary Democratic majority.” On 13 January 1898, the Boone Democrat said of the Banner: “We cheerfully hail it, and hope that it may long continue to wave in the vanguard of Logan Democracy.”
The Banner never failed to applaud Democratic gains. On 6 November 1890, it stated: “Glorious old Chapmansville always does her fully duty. The Democratic vote increased from 205 in 1888 to 210, and the Republican vote decreased from 28 in 1888 to 14.”
This editorial, from 15 September 1892, is one example of Banner political commentary:
We have heard that there are several so-called Democrats born and reared in the mountain fastnesses of old Logan who have avowed their intention of ‘scratching’ one or another of the nominees of our party when they ides of November shall roll around, but we hope for the credit of Logan’s ‘rock-ribbed, copper-bottomed’ democracy that such reports are false. It is but natural that bitter feelings should be engendered by the clashing of the claims of rival candidates before our conventions but the conventions have done their work now, well and conscientiously, and every true Democrat in hearty and earnest response to the bugle call of freedom must face about with his brethren and forgetting all private feuds and grievances join in the charge upon our friends the enemy. That Democrat who falters in his duty in this the crisis of our party’s need betrays the trust reposed in him by the party of the people, forfeits his claim upon the confidence and good will of his compeers and deserves to be incarcerated in the bottom-most pit of damnation. You cannot afford to let a petty desire for revenge prevent you from casting a straight Democratic ticket on the 8th day of November. If you have ever harbored such a thought, exorcise the evil spirit that has taken possession of you and come back to the fold on bended knee and ask forgiveness for the wicked thoughts of your heart. The people have spoken and ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God.’ We feel sorry for that Democrat who, when the glorious news flashes over the wires next November that Cleveland, MacCorkle, Alderson and Mahood are elected can’t forget one or more of them was scratched on his ticket. Verily, like the Judas of old, he will feel like sneaking off with down cast eyes and hanging himself to the nearest tree. Logan expects every Democrat to do his whole duty during this campaign. The eyes of friend and foe alike are turned towards the mountains of old Logan whence cometh our help. Every Republican in the county is alert, active and zealous in the support of his whole ticket, and it behooves every Democrat to see to it that he does not prove a traitor in the camp of his friends. Stop a minute, friend, and think of the issues involved in the fight that is now upon us. Do you want the robber tariff barons to keep on heaping up their multiplied millions from your hard-earned dollars? Do you want your polls to be manned by Federal soldiers or maybe negroes from Virginia or North Carolina?
In 1892, Logan Countians voted for Grover Cleveland (Democrat).
During the mid-1890s, the Banner offered more brief political commentary. Here are some examples. On 21 June 1894, it stated: “The Logan Republican club was organized last Saturday night, with 20 members.” On 9 September 1896: “There is a meeting of the W.J. Bryan club at Chapmansville next Saturday evening. Everybody is invited to attend.”
Logan Countians voted for William Jennings Bryan (Democrat) in 1896 and 1900.
Logan County Banner, 10 November 1892.
31 Sunday Jul 2016
Tags
Annie Robertson, Appalachia, Border Rangers, Cabell County, California, civil war, Confederate Army, E.S.B. Robertson, George L. Robertson, gold rush, Guyandotte, history, John Edwin Robertson, Logan, Logan County, Lottie Robertson, merchant, Okey K. Hayslip, timber, W.B. Miles, West Virginia
Huntington Advertiser, 26 September 1898.
09 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in Chapmanville, Harts, Ranger
Tags
Carman Mitchell, Charles W. Brumfield, constable, Don Stollings, Frank Blevins, genealogy, George Dalton, Goza Shelton, Guyan District, Harts, Harts Creek District, history, justice of the peace, Lincoln County, Logan County, Luther Dempsey, Neal Dingess, Otis Tomblin, Parker Stollings, Ranger, Ray McFarlin, Tyler Fender, Virgil Farley, W.E. Wheatley, West Virginia
Between 1972 and 1976, the following men served as justices of the peace and constables in the Harts Creek District of Lincoln County and the Guyan District of Logan County, West Virginia.
1972
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Charles Wilson Brumfield (D), Harts
Luther Dempsey (D), Harts
Constables
George D. Dalton (D), Harts
Carman Mitchell (D), Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Frank Blevins (D)
Tyler Fender (D)
Constables
W.E. Wheatley, Jr. (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
1973
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Charles Wilson Brumfield (D), Harts
Luther Dempsey (D), Harts
Constables
George D. Dalton (D), Harts
Carman Mitchell (D), Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Frank Blevins (D)
Neal E. Dingess (D)
Constables
Don A. Stollings (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
1975
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Charles Wilson Brumfield (D), Harts
Otis Tomblin (D), Harts
Constables
Goza T. Shelton (D), Ranger
Carman Mitchell (D), Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Parker Stollings (D)
Neal E. Dingess (D)
Constables
Don A. Stollings (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
1976
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Charles Wilson Brumfield (D), Harts
Otis Tomblin (D), Harts
Constables
Goza T. Shelton (D), Ranger
Carman Mitchell (D), Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Parker Stollings (D)
Neal E. Dingess (D)
Constables
Virgil Farley (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
22 Sunday May 2016
Posted in Chapmanville, Harts
Tags
Carmel Mitchell, Charles Brumfield, Clifford Belcher, Collie Lambert, constable, Ezra Butcher, Frank Blevins, George Dalton, Guyan District, Harts, Harts Creek District, history, Jesse Tomblin, justice of the peace, Lincoln County, Logan County, Luther Dempsey, Ray McFarlin, Sidney Dingess, Tyler Fender, W.E. Wheatley Jr., Walden Frye, West Virginia
Between 1967 and 1970, the following men served as justices of the peace and constables in the Harts Creek District of Lincoln County and the Guyan District of Logan County, West Virginia.
1967
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Walden Frye (D), Harts
Jesse Tomblin, Harts
Constables
Collie Lambert, Harts
Carman Mitchell (D), Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Clifford Belcher (D)
Ezra Butcher (D)
Constables
Sidney Dingess (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
1968
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Walden Frye (D), Harts
Jesse Tomblin, Harts
Constables
Collie Lambert, Harts
Carman Mitchell, Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Frank Blevins (D)
Ezra Butcher (D)
Constables
Sidney Dingess (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
1969
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Charles Wilson Brumfield, Harts
Luther Dempsey, Harts
Jesse Tomblin, Harts
Constables
George D. Dalton, Harts
Carman Mitchell (D) Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Frank Blevins (D)
Ezra Butcher (D)
Constables
W.E. Wheatly, Jr. (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
1970
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Charles Wilson Brumfield (D), Harts
Luther Dempsey (D), Harts
Constables
George D. Dalton (D), Harts
Carman Mitchell (D), Harts
Guyan District
Justices of the Peace
Frank Blevins (D)
Tyler Fender (D)
Constables
W.E. Wheatley, Jr. (D)
Ray McFarlin (D)
09 Monday May 2016
Posted in Logan, Native American History
Tags
Appalachia, history, J.B. Wilkinson, Logan, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Main Street, Native Americans, West Virginia
Logan County Banner, 7 August 1895.
09 Monday May 2016
Posted in Big Harts Creek, Cemeteries, Halcyon
Tags
Appalachia, Brandon Kirk, Elizabeth Vance, genealogy, Harry Kirk, Harts Creek, history, Logan County, Marvel Vance, photos, Phyllis Kirk, Piney Fork, Thomas Kirk, West Fork, West Virginia
Elizabeth “Betty” (Maynard) Kirk-Vance grave, located on Piney Fork of West Fork of Harts Creek in Logan County, WV. Betty (1837-1902), the daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Welch) Maynard, was my great-great-great-grandmother. She married Thomas Kirk, then Marvel Vance. Mom found the grave, Dad deciphered the writing on the stone, and I knew her death year. Photo by Mom. 7 May 2016
09 Monday May 2016
Posted in Chapmanville, Harts
Tags
B.J. McComas, Billy Martin, Bobby Dingess, Chapmanville, Chapmanville District, Collie Lambert, constable, Eugene Chapman, Ezra Butcher, Harts, Harts Creek District, Henry Porter, history, Ira Fry, Ira Hill, James Adkins, James C. Ferrell, James P. Workman, Jesse Tomblin, justice of the peace, Lincoln County, Logan County, Ray McFarlin, Thurman Baisden, Walden Frye, West Virginia
Between 1961 and 1965, the following men served as justices of the peace and constables in the Harts Creek District of Lincoln County and the Chapmanville District of Logan County, West Virginia.
1961
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D), Harts
Ira Hill (D), Harts
Constables
James Adkins (D), Harts
Ira Fry (D), Harts
Chapmanville District
Justices of the Peace
James C. Ferrell, Chapmanville
Ezra Butcher, Chapmanville
Constables
Bobby Dingess, Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman, Chapmanville
1962
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D), Harts
Ira Hill (D), Harts
Constables
James Adkins (D), Harts
Ira Fry (D), Harts
Chapmanville District
Justices of the Peace
James C. Ferrell, Chapmanville
Ezra Butcher, Chapmanville
Constables
Bobby Dingess, Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman, Chapmanville
1963
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D) Harts
Ira Hill (D), Harts
Constables
James Adkins (D), Harts
Ira Fry (D), Harts
Chapmanville District
Justices of the Peace
James C. Ferrell, Chapmanville
Ezra Butcher, Chapmanville
Constables
Bobby Dingess, Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman, Chapmanville
1964
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D) Harts
Ira Hill (D), Harts
Constables
James P. Workman (D), Harts
Ira Fry (D), Harts
Chapmanville District (1964)
Justices of the Peace
James C. Ferrell, Chapmanville
Ezra Butcher, Chapmanville
Constables
B.J. McComas (D), Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman (D), Chapmanville
1965
Harts Creek District
Justices of the Peace
Walden Frye (D), Harts
Jesse Tomblin, Harts
Constables
Collie Lambert, Harts
Ira Fry (D), Harts
Chapmanville District
Justices of the Peace
Billy Martin (D), Chapmanville
Ezra Butcher, Chapmanville
Constables
Thurman Baisden (D), Chapmanville
Ray McFarlin, Chapmanville
24 Sunday Apr 2016
Posted in Big Creek, Chapmanville, Harts
Tags
Big Creek, Bill Fugate, Carlos Lowe, Chapmanville, Chapmanville District, constable, Democratic Party, Earl Tomblin, Eugene Chapman, Frank Adams, Harts, Harts Creek District, Henry Porter, history, Hughey Ellis, Ira Fry, Ira Hill, J.W. Barker, James C. Ferrell, James P. Workman, John Vance, justice of the peace, K.F. Ramsey, Lee Collins, Lincoln County, Logan County, Luther Dempsey, Robert Bryant, Verdayne Shelton, West Virginia
Between 1954 and 1960, the following men served as justices of the peace and constables in the Harts Creek District of Lincoln County and the Chapmanville District of Logan County, West Virginia.
Harts Creek District (1954)
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D) Harts
Luther Dempsey (D) Harts
Constables
James P. Workman (D) Harts
Ira Fry (D) Harts
Chapmanville District (1954)
Justices of the Peace
Frank Adams (D) Chapmanville
Carlos Lowe (D)
Constables
(Vacancy)
John Vance (D) Big Creek
Harts Creek District (1956)
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D) Harts
Ira Hill (D) Harts
Constables
James P. Workman (D) Harts
Ira Fry (D) Harts
Chapmanville District (1956)
Justices of the Peace
Frank Adams (D) Chapmanville
J.W. Barker (D) Chapmanville
Constables
Lee Collins (D) Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman (D) Chapmanville
Harts Creek District (1958)
Justices of the Peace
Verdane Shelton (D) Harts
Ira Hill (D) Harts
Constables
Bill Fugate (D) Harts
Ira Fry (D) Harts
Chapmanville District (1958)
Justices of the Peace
Hughey Ellis (D) Chapmanville
Earl Tomblin (D) Chapmanville
Constables
Lee Collins (D) Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman (D) Chapmanville
Harts Creek District (1960)
Justices of the Peace
Henry Porter (D) Harts
Ira Hill (D) Harts
Constables
Bill Fugate (D) Harts
Ira Fry (D) Harts
Chapmanville District (1960)
Justices of the Peace
James C. Ferrell, Chapmanville
Earl Tomblin, Chapmanville
Constables
Lee Collins, Chapmanville
Eugene Chapman, Chapmanville
Robert Bryant (D), Harts
K.F. Ramsey (D), Harts
03 Sunday Apr 2016
Posted in Big Creek, Cemeteries, Lincoln County Feud
Tags
Appalachia, Blood in West Virginia, Brandon Kirk, genealogy, Lilly-Adkins Family Cemetery, Lincoln County Feud, Logan County, midwife, Nancy Simpkins, photos, West Virginia
Early today, I located the grave of Nancy Simpkins at Big Creek in Logan County, WV. Nan was a midwife who appears in my feud book, “Blood in West Virginia: Brumfield v. McCoy.”
Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain
This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.
Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond
A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century
Brandon Ray Kirk 