• About

Brandon Ray Kirk

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

Brandon Ray Kirk

Tag Archives: McConnell

Logan Memorial Park in McConnell, WV (1928, 2020)

16 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Cemeteries, Logan

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Aldridge Coal Company, Amanda Avis, Anna Crovjack, Appalachia, Brandon Kirk, C&O Railroad, cemeteries, Charles Quinn, crime, Dwight Williamson, Ed Burgess, Elzie Burgess, Fintown, genealogy, history, Hugh C. Avis, immigrants, Ireland, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan Memorial Park, Mamie Thurman, Maude Steele, McConnell, Noah E. Steele, Q.L. Stewart, West Virginia, Woodmen of the World, Works Progress Administration

Logan Memorial Park was a “perpetual care” cemetery established in the late 1920s in McConnell, Logan County, WV. The cemetery contains the final remains of many noteworthy Loganites, including Mamie Thurman, whose 1932 murder continues to tantalize regional residents. The Logan Banner reported on the cemetery’s beginnings on September 7, 1928:

Work Rapidly In Developing Burial Park

With Brush Cut and Loose Rock Being Hauled for Surface, Road Work Starts Soon

BEAUTIFYING COMES SOON

Plans Call for Use of Skilled Landscape Gardeners to Aid in Placing Shrubbery

Conclusive proof that Logan is soon to have a modern burial part embodying all the improvements found in the highest type institutions of this kind anywhere was afforded a reporter of The Logan Banner in an inspection of the work being done near McConnell by the Logan Memorial Park company.

Much work was found to have been done already. Brush and undergrowth has been cleaned off the entire 20 acre tract. This will finally include the grubbing of stumps and raking up the trash until the entire tract can be mowed with a lawnmower. Several hundred sled loads of loose rock have already been hauled to the banks of the small stream that flows through the central part of the tract, where a rubble stone embankment will be built near the water course to be covered with vines and shrubbery.

All surface rocks will be removed, blasting being resorted to loosen the larger ones. Several hundred holes were drilled in the surface of the entire plot of ground before it was decided that it would be a suitable place for burial purposes. It was found that there was no ledge rock on the entire tract except at one small spot.

Work is now in progress in preparation for the concrete road to be built from the state road into the park. A ditch suitable for the placing of 26-inch tile to carry the small stream out of the park is being dug. The C. & O. had two steam shovels at work Wednesday cleaning off a sidetrack, unused for several years and submerged by silt from the roadside, preparatory to setting out a carload of tile. It will be laid at once and then the making of a grade for the concrete will follow.

This entrance is between the residence of Burgess and Aldridge. Options have already been secured on property adjacent so that a large stone and iron entrance can be built just off the state road. From that point the hard surfaced road passes up the hollow to where a natural amphitheater provides several acres of smooth land where the first section of the park will be developed. The improved road will entirely encircle this plot so that easy access will be afforded and each lot will be reached by either the roadway or paths.

At the lower end of the natural amphitheater stand several houses that were formerly the property of the Aldridge Coal Company. The present tenants have been ordered to vacate these and they will be torn down.

Water will be supplied to the entire section now being developed and in the spring the entire tract will be plowed and seeded to the best grass obtainable. At that time much shrubbery, from the best nursery stock, will be planted under the direction of competent landscape gardeners.

The Bannerman was in doubt as to the closeness of this tract to the Courthouse, so it was metered and clocked. It proved to be 2 1/2 miles in distance and it was driven easily in traffic in six minutes. Thus there will be the dual advantages of the great natural and enhanced beauty of the Logan Memorial Park site and proximity to the town.

The earnest desire of the company to get this memorial park ready for those desiring to use it is shown in the rush that characterizes the work of cleaning it of brush and rock and in getting in a permanent road. More than a dozen men have been at work ever since the charter was granted and others will be added as more projects get under way simultaneously. The permanent road is to be laid immediately. The rubble stone wall along the stream will come later, but every bit of the work is to be pushed as rapidly as men can do it.

The perpetual care which the charter confirms to the lot owner will no doubt be a great inducement. Already interested parties are inquiring about when it will be open for inspection. Q.L. Stewart, the manager, assures them that no avoidable delay will be allowed to intervene.

***

Here’s a WPA map of the cemetery dating from the 1930s:

Logan Memorial Cemetery 1Logan Memorial Cemetery 2

***

This 1938 map of the cemetery is located in the Logan County Clerk’s office:

IMG_5552IMG_5553IMG_5547IMG_5548IMG_5549

***

Here are photographs of the cemetery in 2020:

IMG_7700

14 February 2020

IMG_7704

14 February 2020

IMG_7716

14 February 2020

IMG_7722

14 February 2020

IMG_7762

14 February 2020

IMG_7783

14 February 2020

IMG_7791

Charles Quinn, Irish immigrant… 14 February 2020

IMG_7803

Many immigrants are buried in the cemetery… 14 February 2020

IMG_7804

14 February 2020

IMG_7808

14 February 2020

IMG_7809

14 February 2020

IMG_7845

14 February 2020

IMG_7888

Woodmen of the World! 14 February 2020

IMG_7901

14 February 2020

IMG_8012

14 February 2020

IMG_8031

14 February 2020

IMG_8040

14 February 2020

IMG_8041

14 February 2020

IMG_8052

14 February 2020

IMG_8063

Mamie Thurman is buried below the Steele Mausoleum… 14 February 2020

IMG_E8079

Elzie Burgess helped dig Mamie Thurman’s grave. Here is an interview with Mr. Burgess by Dwight Williamson, dating from about 1985…

Democratic Party Intimidation in Logan County, WV (1924)

20 Saturday Oct 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Coal, Logan

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Appalachia, Buck Adams, crime, Democratic Party, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, G.F. Gore, genealogy, history, Ira P. Hager, Jack Meadows, Joe Hatfield, John Colley, John Cooley, Logan County, McConnell, Mine Wars, Orville Hall, Republican Party, sheriff, Stollings, Switzer, Tennis Hatfield, United States Commissioner, Wayne Grover, West Virginia

Political history for Logan County, West Virginia, during the 1920s was particularly eventful; it included the latter years of Sheriff Don Chafin’s rule, the Mine Wars (“armed march”), Republican Party ascendancy, and the rise of Republican sheriffs Tennis and Joe Hatfield. What follows are selected primary source documents relating to this period:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA,

HUNTINGTON DIVISION

John Cooley being by the undersigned authority first duly sworn, says that on the 5th day of November, A.D., 1924, he was on his way from work, and was traveling along the county road through the Town of Switzer, in Logan County, having been a mule driver, was riding his mule. Orville Hall was with affiant. I was riding and Orville was walking. We saw a car coming, with Jack Meadows and Buck Adams, Deputy Sheriffs in the car, with some other men we did not know. When they approached us, about 300 yards away, they began firing their pistols shooting down by the side of the car into the ground. They kept shooting until they came up where we were, and shot by the side of the mule I was riding, and frightened him right much, but the mule did not throw me. They shot within about three feet of the mule. Several citizens heard the shots in Switzer, and some of them saw it.

We went before G.F. Gore to get a warrant for the men, and he ask us who did the shooting, and we told him, and he said, “They are deputies. I do not see how you can do anything with them.”

John Colley

Taken, subscribed and sworn to before me this the 8th day of November, A.D., 1924.

Ira P. Hager

United States Commissioner as aforesaid.

***

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA,

HUNTINGTON DIVISION

Before the undersigned authority, Ira P. Hager, a United States Commissioner in and for said District, personally appeared this day Jesse Yeager, who after being by me first duly sworn, says that he resides at Stollings (or McConnell), Logan County, in said District.

That on November 5th, 1924, being election day, affiant went to the Court House to ascertain the results of the election, and affiant was standing in the crowded room. Wayne Grover came up to affiant and said, “God dam you, you haven’t any business here. You are legging for the Republican Party.” And at the same time struck this affiant in the side of the head with some sort of weapon, which affiant believes was a black-jack. That affiant fell to the floor in a dazed condition, very much injured, and affiant’s hip was almost broken, and affiant suffered a great deal on account of the same.

There were no arrests made. He ran back into the crowd as soon as he struck me. Affiant never had any trouble or hard feelings against the said Wayne Grover, and there was no excuse or provocation for the assault, except that affiant worked for the Republican Party in the election.

Jesse Yeager

Taken, subscribed and sworn to before me this the 8th day of November, 1924.

Ira P. Hager

United States Commissioner as aforesaid.

Banco News 09.21.1926

23 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Banco, Big Creek, Chapmanville, Logan

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Appalachia, Banco, Big Creek, C.E. Justice, Chapmanville, Charles Duty, Clara Harmon, Ella Jane Toney, Elm Street, F.L. Estep, genealogy, H.F. Lucas, history, Ida Rene Lucas, J.B. Lucas, Jesse Justice, John Hager, Julia Varnrey, Kenner Reeder, Lane Church, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Louisa Pardue, Maggie Adams, Marea Lucas, McConnell, North Fork, R.L. Perry, Robert Varney, Sallie Lucas, Shegon, Spring Dale, Ted Hager, Vickers Branch, W.H. Perry, West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Banco on Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on September 21, 1926:

Hello, Folks!

Here we are again with the news from the dear old town of Banco.

Miss Ella Jane Toney of Chapmanville was the weekend guest of her aunt Mrs. Sallie Lucas on Elm Street.

Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Perry and children of McConnell motored to Vickers Branch last Saturday and were the guests of Mr. Perry’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Perry.

Mrs. F.L. Estep of this place was the Sunday evening guest of her sister, Mrs. Julia Varney.

Mr. Jesse Justice is right on his job hauling switch ties from Spring Dale to Big Creek.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Varney and children of Shegone was the Saturday night and Sunday guests of Mrs. Varney’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Duty at Spring Dale.

Miss Ida Rene Lucas of Logan was calling on her brother J.B. Lucas last Sunday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Hager of Big Creek were the week guests of Mrs. John Hager.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenner Reeder and children, Mrs. Maggie Adams, and Miss Louisa Pardue motored to North Fork Sunday evening.

Misses Marea Lucas and Ella Jane Toney were calling on Clara Harmon last Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Justice motored through Banco Sunday evening.

H.F. Lucas attended church at the Lane church last Sunday. Wonder why he wasn’t up North?

Love and best wishes to The Banner readers.

Post Offices of Logan County, WV (1926)

17 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Chapmanville, Logan, Man, Shively, Stone Branch, Whirlwind, Yantus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Accoville, Amherstdale, Appalachia, Banco, Barnabus, Battle of Blair Mountain, Big Creek, Braeholm, Chapmanville, Christian, Clothier, Corco, Crites, Crown, Curry, Davin, Dehue, Emmett, Ethel, Fort Branch, Henlawson, Hetzel, history, Holden, Isom, Kistler, Kitchen, Lake, Landville, Latrobe, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lorado, Lundale, Lyburn, Macbeth, Mallory, Man, Manbar, McConnell, Micco, Monaville, Monclo, Mount Gay, Omar, Peach Creek, Pecks Mill, Robinette, Rossmore, Sarah Ann, Sharples, Shegon, Shively, Slagle, Sovereign, Stirrat, Stollings, Stone Branch, Switzer, Taplin, Three Forks, Verdunville, Verner, West Virginia, Whirlwind, Whitman, Wilkinson, Yantus, Yolyn

65 Post Offices in Logan County LB 09.24.1926.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 24 September 1926.

Harts News 10.08.1926

17 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Barboursville, Chapmanville, Gill, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Logan, Ranger, Toney, West Hamlin

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Amherstdale, Andrew Adkins, Appalachia, Barboursville, Beatrice Adkins, Bessie Adkins, Bill Adkins, Blanche Lambert, Bob Powers, C&O Railroad, Chapmanville, Clyde Rutherford, Cora Adkins, county clerk, Dallas McComas, Democratic Party, Dr. J.T. Chafin, Dr. J.T. Ferrell, Dr. Taylor, Emerine Browning, Fed Adkins, Fisher B. Adkins, Florence Davis, genealogy, Gill, Grover Gartin, Hamlin, Harts, Herb Adkins, history, Huntington, Inez Adkins, J.M. Marcum, James Porter, Jessie Brumfield, Kessler-Hatfield Hospital, Lincoln County, Logan, Logan Banner, Mae Caines, Matthew Farley, McConnell, Nannie Fry, Nola Adkins, Nora Brumfield, O.E. Bias, Ranger, Republican Party, Rinda Adkins, Sam Adkins, Sylvia Cyfers, Thomas Watson Adkins Jr., Toney, Vergia Fry, Vina Porter, Watson Adkins, West Hamlin, West Virginia, William McCann

An unknown correspondent from Harts in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on October 8, 1926:

Rev. Grover Gartin of Amherstdale was calling on Miss Nola Adkins Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Adkins and children of Logan have been visiting the latter’s sister, Mrs. R.L. Powers, of this place.

Miss Blanch Lambert of Toney has been calling on Miss Cora Adkins.

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

F.B. Adkins, Republican nominee for county clerk, was taken to the Kessler-Hatfield hospital on Monday night with an injured arm.

Miss Sylvia Cyfers of Gill was the guest of Miss Cora Adkins Saturday.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson Adkins a fine boy named Thomas Watson, Jr.

Misses Nannie and Vergia Fry of Barboursville were the weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Adkins and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Herb Adkins have moved into their new home which was completed only a few days ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Dallas McComas of this place were visiting home folks at West Hamlin Saturday and Sunday.

W.M. McCann of Logan was the guest of his daughter, Mrs. Watson Adkins, one day last week.

O.E. Bias, C. & O. operator of this place, is working at McConnell for a few days.

Dr. Taylor of Huntington made an eloquent speech here one day last week.

Bill Adkins and M.C. Farley made a flying trip to Ranger Wednesday.

Clyde Rutherford was seen in Harts this week.

Miss Mae Caines of this place made a trip to Logan one day last week.

Mrs. F.B. Adkins was visiting relatives in Harts Sunday.

Mrs. Fred Adkins and Florence Davis have been calling on Rev. and Mrs. Jas. Porter.

Miss Jessie Brumfield was in Harts Saturday evening.

J.M. Marcum of Ranger, Democratic nominee for county clerk, was in Harts Wednesday.

Dr. J.T. Ferrell of Chapmanville and Miss Rine Browning were seen out car riding one day last week.

Dr. J.T. Chafin of Hamlin was in Harts Wednesday.

Feud Poll 1

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

Categories

  • Adkins Mill
  • African American History
  • American Revolutionary War
  • Ashland
  • Atenville
  • Banco
  • Barboursville
  • Battle of Blair Mountain
  • Beech Creek
  • Big Creek
  • Big Harts Creek
  • Big Sandy Valley
  • Big Ugly Creek
  • Boone County
  • Breeden
  • Calhoun County
  • Cemeteries
  • Chapmanville
  • Civil War
  • Clay County
  • Clothier
  • Coal
  • Cove Gap
  • Crawley Creek
  • Culture of Honor
  • Dingess
  • Dollie
  • Dunlow
  • East Lynn
  • Ed Haley
  • Eden Park
  • Enslow
  • Estep
  • Ferrellsburg
  • Fourteen
  • French-Eversole Feud
  • Gilbert
  • Giles County
  • Gill
  • Green Shoal
  • Guyandotte River
  • Halcyon
  • Hamlin
  • Harts
  • Hatfield-McCoy Feud
  • Holden
  • Hungarian-American History
  • Huntington
  • Inez
  • Irish-Americans
  • Italian American History
  • Jamboree
  • Jewish History
  • John Hartford
  • Kermit
  • Kiahsville
  • Kitchen
  • Leet
  • Lincoln County Feud
  • Little Harts Creek
  • Logan
  • Man
  • Matewan
  • Meador
  • Midkiff
  • Monroe County
  • Montgomery County
  • Music
  • Native American History
  • Pearl Adkins Diary
  • Pecks Mill
  • Peter Creek
  • Pikeville
  • Pilgrim
  • Poetry
  • Queens Ridge
  • Ranger
  • Rector
  • Roane County
  • Rowan County Feud
  • Salt Rock
  • Sand Creek
  • Shively
  • Spears
  • Sports
  • Spottswood
  • Spurlockville
  • Stiltner
  • Stone Branch
  • Tazewell County
  • Timber
  • Tom Dula
  • Toney
  • Turner-Howard Feud
  • Twelve Pole Creek
  • Uncategorized
  • Warren
  • Wayne
  • West Hamlin
  • Wewanta
  • Wharncliffe
  • Whirlwind
  • Williamson
  • Women's History
  • World War I
  • Wyoming County
  • Yantus

Feud Poll 2

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

Blogroll

  • Ancestry.com
  • Ashland (KY) Daily Independent News Article
  • Author FB page
  • Beckley (WV) Register-Herald News Article
  • Big Sandy News (KY) News Article
  • Blood in West Virginia FB
  • Blood in West Virginia order
  • Chapters TV Program
  • Facebook
  • Ghosts of Guyan
  • Herald-Dispatch News Article 1
  • Herald-Dispatch News Article 2
  • In Search of Ed Haley
  • Instagram
  • Lincoln (WV) Journal News Article
  • Lincoln (WV) Journal Thumbs Up
  • Lincoln County
  • Lincoln County Feud
  • Lincoln County Feud Lecture
  • LinkedIn
  • Logan (WV) Banner News Article
  • Lunch With Books
  • Our Overmountain Men: The Revolutionary War in Western Virginia (1775-1783)
  • Pinterest
  • Scarborough Society's Art and Lecture Series
  • Smithsonian Article
  • Spirit of Jefferson News Article
  • The Friendly Neighbor Radio Show 1
  • The Friendly Neighbor Radio Show 2
  • The Friendly Neighbor Radio Show 3
  • The Friendly Neighbor Radio Show 4
  • The New Yorker
  • The State Journal's 55 Good Things About WV
  • tumblr.
  • Twitter
  • Website
  • Weirton (WV) Daily Times Article
  • Wheeling (WV) Intelligencer News Article 1
  • Wheeling (WV) Intelligencer News Article 2
  • WOWK TV
  • Writers Can Read Open Mic Night

Feud Poll 3

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

Recent Posts

  • Aracoma Hotel in Logan, WV (1933)
  • James Butcher Survey (1857)
  • Don Chafin’s Deputies (1912-1913)

Ed Haley Poll 1

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

Top Posts & Pages

  • Banco News 05.14.1926
  • Banco News 07.27.1926
  • Banco News 08.03.1926
  • Jack Dempsey’s Broadway Restaurant Location in New York City (2019)
  • Banco News 07.02.1926

Copyright

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

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,733 other followers

Tags

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

Blogs I Follow

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

BLOOD IN WEST VIRGINIA is now available for order at Amazon!

Blog at WordPress.com.

OtterTales

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

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

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

Piedmont Trails

Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond

Truman Capote

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

Appalachian Diaspora

  • Follow Following
    • Brandon Ray Kirk
    • Join 2,733 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Brandon Ray Kirk
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...