HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA THE FACTS CONDENSED COPYRIGHTED, 1910, BY A. S. LEE, PRINCIPAL RIPLEY NORMAL SCHOOL, RIPLEY, W. VA. GLOBE PRINTING & BINDING CO., PARKERSBURG, W. VA. ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** Submitted by Valerie Crook, , April 2000 History of West Virginia THE FACTS CONDENSED No new State shall be formed or created within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress - U. S. Constitution, Art. IV, Sec. III. The Civil War was the occasion and not the cause of the formation of West Virginia. It was the rock on which the State of Virginia broke into two parts, along the line of its social barrier. FIRST ATTEMPTS TO DIVIDE VIRGINIA. As early as 1775 the Province of Vandalia west of the mountains was proposed and approved by King George III. It included nearly all of West Virginia and was bounded on the south by a straight line join- ing the mouth of the Sciota River and Cumberland Gap. Point Pleasant was named as the capital. In 1780 the question of the division of Virginia was again revived in the proposed colony of "West- sylvania" with boundaries identical with those of Van- dalia on the west and south but moved farther toward the north and northeast. This desire for separation became more and more intense until it was realized in the admission of West Virginia into the Union, June 20th, 1863. 2 SOME THINGS THAT LED TO THE SEPARATION. 1. The loyalty to the Union existing in Western Virginia. 2. The unpopularity of slavery west of the moun- tains. 3. The almost impassable chains of mountains retarding social and commercial intercourse between the two sections of the State. 4. The natural highways of commerce in Western Virginia all led to the west and north. 5. The people of Eastern Virginia did not con- sider the people west of the mountains their equals, either socially or intellectually. 6. An unjust apportionment of taxation, repre- sentation, public moneys and public officers, favoring the eastern part of the State. 7. The secession of the State of Virginia. 8. The courage of the people of Western Virginia to act in accordance with their convictions. HOW THE SEPARATION WAS MADE. It was at Clarksburg, April 22, 1861, that the first united effort was made. This convention provided for the first Wheeling convention. Twenty-four counties were represented in the Wheeling convention. May 13, 1861. This convention was divided into two factions: the Radicals and the Conservatives. The Radical ele- ment, led by J. S. Carlile, favored the formation of a new State at once. The Conservatives, led by Waitman T. Willey, insisted that the action proposed by the Radicals was revolutionary and unconstitutional (see opening sentence), and that they should proceed in 3 such manner as would comply with all the requirements of law. THE COMPROMISE.. The two factions seemed hopelessly divided until Campbell Tarr, of Brooke county offered a compro- mise measure providing ultimately for the end sought by each. Mr. Tarr's measure declared the "Ordinance of Secession" void, and advised that no action be taken until the ordinance was voted upon as required by law. It further, provided for a second Wheeling convention to take decided action, in the event the ordinance was ratified at the polls May 23, 1861. The ordinance was ratified, and the Second Wheel- ing Convention met in Washington Hall, June 11. A. I. Boreman was chosen president and G. L. Cranmer secretary. WORK OF THE SECOND WHEELING CONVEN- TION. This convention reorganized the Government of Virginia, that the U. S. Constitution be complied with (see opening sentence) in the formation of a new State. Francis H. Pierpont was chosen first Governor of the reorganized Government of Virginia. The Legislature met July 1, 1861, and resumed the work of reorganiza- tion. Accordingly, W. T. Willey and J. S. Carlile were chosen U. S. Senators for Virginia to supersede Messrs. Hunter and Mason. This reorganized govern- ment was recognized by the Federal Government. The Wheeling Convention resumed its work in Aug- ust and (1) obtained consent of the Legislature of Virginia for the formation of West Virginia and later (2) obtained the consent of Congress. 4 RATIFICATION. In October, 1861, the people by a vote of 18,408 to 780 ratified the ordinance for a new State, and on April 3, 1862, they ratified the constitution for the new State by a vote of 18,862 to 514. ADMISSION OF WEST TIECtINIA. The bill for the admission of West Virginia was introduced in the Senate by J. S. Carlile, and after amendment by Senator Willey, passed that body July 14, 1862, by a vote of 23 to 17. This bill on motion of Roscoe Conkling, New York, was not taken up in the House until the 37th Congress met in 1862. Con- gressman John A. Bingham, of Ohio, led the forces favoring the passage of the bill, and by skillful tactics, secured its passage December 10, 1862. December 10 is known as West Virginia Day, in the public schools of the State. President Lincoln signed the bill De- cember 31, 1862. It is likely that a telegram sent by Archie W. Campbell, editor of the Wheeling Intelli- gencer, removed all doubts from the President's mind as to the merits of the bill. The changes in the Constitution of the new State, required by Congress, were made, ratified, and the re- sult forwarded to President Lincoln, who, on April 20, 1863, proclaimed West Virginia a separate State. By provisions of the bill, sixty days later West Virginia entered her career as a State of the Union. STEPS BY WHICH WEST VIRGINIA BECAME A STATE. (a). The government of Virginia was reorgan- ized. (b). The consent of the Legislature of the re- organized government was obtained. 5 (c). The consent of Congress was obtained. (d). A constitution was adopted and ratified by the people. (e). The president proclaimed it a State. John S. Carlile, W. T. Willey, P. G. Van Winkle, A. I. Boreman, Francis H. Pierpont, Campbell Tarr, Daniel Polsley, A. W. Campbell and Gordon Battelle, are among those who took an active part in the new State movement. OFFICERS OF THE NEW STATE. (ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.) Governor, A. I. Boreman; Auditor, Samuel Crane; Treasurer, Campbell Tarr; Secretary of State, J. E. Boyers; Attorney General, A. B. Caldwell. Peter G. Van Winkle and Waitman T. Wiley were the first U. S. Senators from West Virginia. BERKELEY AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES ADDED Early in January, 1863, the Legislature of the reorganized government of Virginia passed acts pro- viding for elections in Berkeley and Jefferson counties to determine whether the people of these counties de- sired that the counties become a part of West Virginia. The majority of the votes cast favored the annexation proposed, and later in the fall of the same year, they were admitted by the Legislature of West Virginia. Virginia tried to recover the lost counties on the grounds that many of the voters were in the army when the vote was taken. Congress by act of March 2, 1866, declared the counties subject to the jurisdiction of West Virginia. Virginia then brought suit in the Supreme Court of the U. S. for the recovery of the lost counties. This 6 court decided (December, 1870) the case in favor of West Virginia. As soon as the new State was organized, the cap- ital of Virginia was moved from Wheeling to Alexan- dria. THE PART WEST VIRGINIA TOOK IN THE CIVIL WAR. West Virginia furnished about 43,000 soldiers, 36,000 of whom enlisted in the Union army, and 7,000 in the Confederate army. The military operations in the State are confined principally to raids of the Con- federates, and attacks and counter raids by the Union forces. ENGAGEMENTS. Union Confederate Battle County Commander Commander Victorious Phillipi ...... Barbour . .. Morris ..... Porterfleld.. Union Corrick's Ford...Tucker ...... Morris ..... Garnett .... Union Cross Lanes..... Nicholas .. ..Tyler ...... Floyd ...... Confederate Gauley River.... Fayette ..... J. D. Cox... Wise ....... Union Carnifex Ferry...Nicholas .... Rosecranz .. Floyd ...... Union Gauley Bridge... Fayette ..... Rosecranz .. Floyd ...... Union Beverly .........Randolph .... Averell .... Jackson . .. Union Droop Mountain...Pocahontas... Averell .... Echols ..... Union Rocky Gap .......Greenbrier... Averell .....Jones ...... Indecisive CONFEDERATE RAIDS. Jenkin's Raid extended through Monroe, Green- brier, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur, Lewis, Gilmer, Roane and Jackson counties. Imboden's Raid extended over most of the State. They burned vast quantities of oil in Wirt county. Thousands of cattle and horses were captured and sent to Gen. Lee to aid in the second invasion of the North. Witcher's Raid covered the counties from McDow- ell to Lewis county. Much property was destroyed and 7 many prisoners taken. These raids were counteracted by the activities of Gen. Averell and his men. THE STATE CAPITOL. Was at Wheeling from 1863 to 1870. From 1870 to 1875 the Capitol was at Charleston. From 1876 to 1885 the Capital was again at Wheeling. Since 1885 the Capital has been at Charleston. The location was decided by vote of the people. THE CONSTITUTION. The Constitution adopted in 1863, remained in force until 1872 when the convention which framed the present Constitution met in the M. E. Church, Charles- ton. Samuel Price, President; H. A. Holt, Okey John- son, C. J. Faulkner, B. W. Byrne, H. M. Mathews, W. T. Willey and D. D. T. Farnsworth were among the prominent members. The leading changes made in the Constitution were that (a) the term of State officers was increased from two to four years, (b) The Board of Public Works was to consist of the Governor, Auditor, Treas- urer, Superintendent of Schools and Attorney General. The last two named, were added, (c) The number of Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals was increased. (d) The (Secretary of State was to be appointed instead of elected, (e) The Superintendent of Schools was to be elected by the people instead of the Legislature. (f) The term of office of Delegates and Senators was doubled. IMPEACHMENT. The House has the sole power of impeachment and the Senate the sole power to try all cases of im- 8 peachment. But two cases have been tried before a West Virginia Senate. These occurred in 1875 against Treasurer J. S. Burdett and Auditor E. A. Bennett. The former was found guilty, and the latter acquitted. It may be mentioned here that in the Impeach- ment Trial of President Johnson, the vote of U. S. Senator VanWinkle, of West Virginia, acquitted the President. This claim is based on the peculiar condi- tions and forces that influenced his vote. THE FLICK AMENDMENT. The Flick Amendment, proposed by W. H. H. Flick, went into effect April 27, 1871. It enfranchised persons giving aid to the rebellion, who had been dis- franchised by the amendment of 1866. THE PEABODY EDUCATION FUND. George Peabody, of Massachusetts, engaged in the banking business in London. He was eminently suc- cessful and by will in 1867, created the Peabody Educa- tion Fund for the educational interests of certain southern states. The interest alone of this fund is used, and since his death in 1869, West Virginia has received over $200,000 from this fund. THE PERMANENT OK IRREDUCIBLE SCHOOL FUND. Is made up of the Literary Fund of Virginia ($120,000) forfeited or delinquent lands, grants or bequests made the State, certain taxes on corporations, and estates of persons leaving no will nor heir. This fund has been, by amendment, reduced to and fixed at $1,000,000. The interest alone of this fund is to be used. 9 GENERAL SCHOOL FUND. The General School Fund is derived from interest on the permanent fund, two-sevenths of all license tax- es, capitation tax, and the proceeds of all fines. This fund is distributed among the different districts in proportion to the enumeration of school youth. PROMINENT MEN. ALEXANDER SPOTTSWOOD was one of the distinguished colonial governors of Virginia. He founded the Trans- Mountain Order known as "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe." The object of the order was to explore the country west of the mountains. Each member of the order was given a miniature golden horseshoe with the inscription, "I swear to cross the mountains," pro- vided he would comply with the inscription. Governor Spottswood was later Assistant Postmaster General for the colonies. GEN. T. J. JACKSON was born at Clarksburg in 1824, died at Chancellorsville in 1863. He graduated at West Point, served with distinction in the Mexican War. He was Professor of Philosophy in the Virginia Military Institute at the outbreak of the Civil War. He rose to the highest rank in two years. As a General, it is not likely that he was surpassed by any one on either side. MAJOR-GENERAL HORATIO GATES, the victor at Saratoga lived in what is now Berkeley county. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, of Bethany, Brooke county, founded Bethany College and established the "Christian Church." GEN. I. H. DUVAL, of Brooke county, was a promi- nent Federal commander during the war. He was State Senator, member of Congress, and Collector of Internal Revenue. 10 W. G. BROWN, of Preston county, was a member of the State Legislature of Virginia, member of Con- gress, and helped to frame the present State Constitu- tion. DANIEL LAMB, of Ohio county, and cashier of the North-Western Bank at Wheeling, perhaps did more to shape the plans for the formation of West Virginia than any other man. He was always consulted before any important action was taken in that direction. HON. J. C. McGREW, of Preston county, was a member of the Richmond convention of 1861. He did much toward the new state movement. GEORGE W. THOMPSON was born in Ohio county in 1806. He was postmaster at Wheeling, U. S. District Attorney, member of Congress, and Judge of the Cir- cuit Court. He was a writer of prominence. GEORGE H. LEE, of Clarksburg, was an eminent lawyer and jurist. He served as U. S. District Attor- ney, Circuit Judge, and Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals. CHARLES J. FAULKNER was born at Martinsburg in 1806. He was elected to lower house of Congress five times and to the U. S. Senate from Virginia in 1844, and served as Minister to France during Buch- anon's administration. Another Charles J. Faulkner was twice elected U. S. Senator from West Virginia. ALEXANDER MARTIN was an educator of note and the first President of the University of West Virginia. DAVID H. STROTHER ("Port Crayon") was born in Martinsburg in 1816 and died in Charlestown in 1888. He was a student under S. F. B. Morse, and later went to Rome to complete his art studies. He became a writer and artist of note. He wrote the "Virginia Canaan." He was a Brigadier General in the Civil 11 War, and Consul General to Mexico during the admin- istration of President Hayes. SENATOR JOHN E. KENNA was born in Kanawha county in 1848, and died at Washington, D. C., 1893. He served in the Confederate army, was Prosecuting Attorney of Kanawha county, represented his district in Congress for six years, and was elected twice to represent West Virginia in the U. S. Senate. His statue, with that of F. H. Pierpont, represents West Virginia in Statuary Hall, Washington, D. C. W. R. WHITE was a prominent educator. He was Principal of the Fairmont Seminary and, in 1864, was chosen by the Legislature as the first State Superin- tendent of Free Schools. He did much to start the new school system on a firm basis. He was later Principal of the Fairmont Normal. He died in 1893. DR. JAMES G. BLAIR, President, Fairmont Normal School 1870 to 1878. Noted educator and among the early champions of the Public School System. Editor of the first Educational Monthly published in West Virginia. Died in 1878. JUDGE NATHAN GOFF, of Harrison county, is a public speaker and politican of wide reputation. He lacked but 141 votes of being elected Governor of West Virginia in 1888. He was elected to Congress, served as Secretary of the Navy under President Hayes, and is now (1910) Federal Judge in the Fourth U. S. Cir- cuit. JUDGE OKEY JOHNSON, of Wood county, was an eminent lawyer, member of the Supreme Court of Appeals, and Dean of the Law School at Morgantown. JOSEPH JOHNSON, of Harrison county, was the only Governor of Virginia elected from the west side of the Alleghanies. GOVERNOR A. B. FLEMING planned and directed 12 the work of securing from Virginia the necessary documents and records to settle, in a measure, the land titles in dispute in this state. ALEXANDER L. WADE was an active worker for over fifty years in various capacities in the schools of West Virginia. He originated the graded system for public schools and wrote a valuable book entitled "A Graduating System for Country Schools." He was one of West Virginia's best known and most beloved school men. He died in 1904. D. B. PURINTON is a prominent school man and at present (1910) is President of the West Virginia Uni- versity. WEST VIRGINIANS AS CABINET OFFICERS. GENERAL NATHAN GOFF was Secretary of the Navy under Hayes, S. B. ELKINS was Secretary of War under Harrison, and W. L. WILSON, Postmaster Gener- al under Cleveland. WEST VIRGINIANS IN DIPLOMATIC SERVICE. Strother, Snodgrass, Birch, Cole, Hoge and Latham have represented the U. S. as ministers or consuls. MEN WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE AD- VANCEMENT OF THE INTERESTS OF WEST VIRGINIA. WILLIAM R. WHITE, first State Superintendent of Schools, in a large measure deserves the credit of establishing our public school system on right princi- ples, and on advanced ideas. A. L. WADE deserves much credit for accelerating the good work begun by Superintendent White, and i3 for his untiring labors in behalf of the educational interests of the State. SENATORS HENRY G. DAVIS, STEPHEN B. ELKINS, and J. N. CAMDEN, deserve the greatest of credit for developing the material and industrial interests of the State. They have built railroads and put in commer- cial channels the rich natural resources of the State. GOVERNOR FLEMING has done much toward settling the disputed land titles of the State. He secured from Virginia the essential records to establish just claims. VIRGIL A. LEWIS, former State Superintendent of Schools and present (1910) State Historian and Ar- chivist, has collected and published a vast amount of State historical matter. Great credit is due him for his untiring efforts in this direction. His "Graded Course of Study for Country Schools" has done much toward the unification of rural schools. GEN. T. M. HARRIS, late of Ritchie county, was born in Wood county. He rose to the rank of briga- dier-general in the Union Army and was a member of 'the military jury that tried the conspirators in the assassination of President Lincoln. He wrote a book entitled "The Assassination of President Lincoln." JAMES RUMSEY, of Shepherstown, is often spoken of as the inventor of the steamboat. He appears to be the first man to apply steam to propel boats, but his plan was not practical. He died in England in 1772 and is buried in Westminster Abbey. His "Treatise on the Application of Steam" is the first literary work of any kind written in the State. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. Schools for the Deaf and Blind at Romney, Hamp- shire county; Hospital for the Insane at Weston, Lewis 14 county, and at Spencer, Roane county; Home for In- curables and Insane at Huntington, Cabell county. PENAL INSTITUTIONS. Penitentiary at Moundsville, Marshall county; Re- form School for Boys at Pruntytown, Taylor county; Industrial School for Girls at Salem, Harrison county. NOEMAL SCHOOLS. Marshall College State Normal School was estab- lished in 1867. Since then, branches of this school have been established at West Liberty, Ohio county; Fairmont, Marion county; Shepherdstown, Jefferson county; Glenville, Gilmer county, and Athens, Mercer county. The purpose of the State Normal is to train teachers in the art of teaching school. The State Nor- mals of West Virginia do more academic than normal work. THE STATE UNIVERSITY. The State University is at the head of the Free School System. In 1862 Congress donated to each State providing for agricultural and mechanical col- leges, 30,000 acres of public lands for each represen- tative the State had in Congress. Under this arrange- ment West Virginia was entitled to 150,000 acres, which netted the State $90,000. This money was in- vested according to law. In 1863 the Legislature pro- vided for the establishment of an Agricultural College. This college was located at Morgantown in 1867. On December 4, 1868, the name of the school was changed by the Legislature to the "West Virginia University." Since then this institution has been growing in influence and usefulness until it now compares favorably with 15 the best institutions of learning in the country. It has many modern buildings with modern Improvements and apparatus. THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM. The first public school law that affected what is now West Virginia was passed by Virginia in 1846. Under this law the free schools were established in counties desiring them. The first free school so es- tablished was in Jefferson county, 1847. But few counties (Jefferson, Ohio, Kanawha and Brooke), pro- vided for schools before the war. The present free school system of West Virginia was established December 10, 1863, by the Legislature of the State, acting under the authority of the State Constitution. GROWTH OF THE SYSTEM. W. R. White, the first State Superintendent, was chosen by the Legislature. His report for the year of 1865 includes 22 counties, with 133 school houses, 431 schools, 17,972 pupils enrolled, and 63,458 enum- erated. Since then our school system has maintained a steady and healthful growth until now there is a school in the reach of every child. Besides the many excellent city high schools, there are denominational and independent institutions of learning of a high order. Take it all in all. West Virginians have much to be proud of in their educational institutions. "OLD FIELD SCHOOLS." The "Old Field Schools" were a kind of schools provided for partly by local taxation and partly by 16 local subscription, and located in some old cleared field, whence its name. Not many such schools were lo- cated within the present limits of West Virginia. WEST VIRGINIA BOOKS AND AUTHORS. "Chronicles of Border Warfare," by A. S. Withers. This book deals with the early pioneers, the Indians, Indian wars, and massacres. "Virginia: Its History and Antiquities," by Henry Howe. This work contains a brief history of thirty- two counties in West Virginia. "The Blennerhassett Papers," by W. H. Sanford. "General History of West Virginia," by Virgil A. Lewis. "Rending of Virginia," by G. D. Hall. "Prominent Men of West Virginia," by G. W. At- kinson and Alvaro F. Gibbons. "A Graduating System for Country Schools," by A. L. Wade. "History and Government of West Virginia," by Fast and Maxwell. "History of Education in West Virginia," by B. S. Morgan. "Going to College," by Waitman Barbe. "Ashes and Incense," by Waitman Barbe. "West Virginia: Its Farms, Forests and Oil Wells," by J. R. Dodge. "Coin's Financial School," by W. H. Harvey, of Putnam county. Cox's "Literature in Common Schools." Armstrong's "The Bible: Its History and Litera- ture." The first newspaper published in Western Vir- ginia was the Martinsburg Gazette, by Nathaniel Willis, father of the poet, N. P. Willis. NATURAL RESOURCES. Coal, oil, timber, and natural gas constitute the principal natural resources of the State. West Vir- ginia ranks third in the production of oil and second in the production of coal. The regions about the sources of the Monongahela, Little Kanawha, Great Kanawha, and Guyandotte rivers produce coal in great quantities. Much timber is found in this region also. Wetzel, Tyler, Pleasants, Wood, Wirt, Calhoun, Ritchie, Dodd- ridge, Roane and Lewis counties are noted for their oil productions. Fayette county leads in the production of coal and McDowell in the production of coke. Over 60,000,000 tons of coal were mined in the State in 1908. RAILROADS. The railroads now reach every county in the State, the N. & W. crossing Wayne, Mingo, McDowell and Mercer counties; the C. & O. crossing Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha, Fayette, Summers, Greenbrier and Pocahon- tas counties; the B. & O. crossing Wood, Ritchie, Dodd- ridge, Harrison, Taylor, Preston, Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley ,and Jefferson counties; the K. & M. extending up the Great Kanawha; the Ohio River road following the east shore of the Ohio; together with other branch and independent lines aggregating 2,500 miles of main line, reach all parts of the State, and with the navigable rivers, furnish excellent transportation facilities. TAX LEVIES. The Legislature, county courts, boards of education and town councils are the bodies that can levy taxes in this State. Boards of education can levy 12 1/2 cents for 18 the building fund and 25 cents for the teachers' fund, on every $100 of taxable property. THE LEGISLATURE. There are 86 members in the House of Delegates and 30 members in the State Senate. The Delegates serve two years and the Senators (two from each Sen- atorial district) serve four years. The salary of each is $4 per day and 10 cents a mile each way in going to and returning from the Capitol. The Speaker of the House and President of the Senate get $2 per day additional. Should a vacancy occur within the last year of the term of office of the Governor, the President of the Senate acts, and if he dies or resigns, the Speaker of the House acts as Governor. The Legislature meets biennially in odd years, on the second Wednesday in January, and remains in session for a period of 45 days, excluding Sundays. The term may be extended by a two-thirds vote of each House or by call of the Governor. MABYLAND SUITS. Maryland has sued the State of West Virginia in the Supreme Court of the United States to make the South Branch of the Potomac the boundary line of Maryland instead of the North Branch. It is claimed by the State of Maryland that in the Grant to Lord Baltimore, the South Branch is the "principal tribu- tary" meant. THE VIRGINIA DEBT. When West Virginia was admitted, provisions were made in the first Constitution for the payment by West Virginia of her just portion of the then bonded indebtedness of Virginia, amounting to over $30,- 000,000. It is claimed that very little of this money was ex- pended west of the mountains, and that the taxes of the western part of the State exceeded the public ex- penditures there, and that from the standpoint of jus- tice, West Virginia owes no part of this debt. Fur- thermore, since Virginia has repeatedly refused to appoint commissioners to meet with those appointed by West Virginia and has transferred her claims to pri- vate speculators, it seems that a settlement favoring Virginia is a long way off. A suit is now (1910) pending in the U. S. Su- preme Court brought by Virginia against West Vir- ginia to compel West Virginia to pay the undetermined portion of this debt that Virginia claims due her. Ex- Gov. Dawson and Charles E. Hogg, Dean of the Law School, et al, are retained by West Virginia, as her attorneys. BLENNERHASSETT. Is an Island in the Ohio river just below Parkersburg. Harmon Blennerhassett and wife obtained possession of it in 1798. They built a palatial residence upon it and equipped it with everything to make an ideal home. About 1806 Aaron Burr visited this home. He was on his way to the west to conduct a private expedition against Louisiana and Mexico to the end that he might become the ruler of this vast domain. He enlisted the sympathy and fortune of Blenner- hassett in the enterprise and the island became a place for organizing and drilling an army. On the night of December 10, 1806, the troops embarked for down river points. During their absence, Virginia troops occupied 20 the island. Burr and Blennerhassett were later arrest- ed and tried for treason at Richmond, Va. Attorney General Wirt was the prosecutor. Blennerhassett was released, and Burr acquitted for lack of evidence. EARLY HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA. West Virginia lies between the parallels of 37 de- grees 6 minutes north, and 40 degrees 38 minutes north latitude and between the meridians of 77 degrees 33 minutes west, and 82 degrees 38 minutes west longi- tude. Its area, including 135 square miles of water surface, is 24,780 square miles. The mountain section extends from northeast to southwest along the eastern margin of the State. That part of the State west of the mountains is within the Appalachian Plauteau (Redway). FIRST INHABITANTS. The first inhabitants of West Virginia were the Mound builders. They were followed by the Indians, of whom the following nations were represented in the present limits of the State: The Cherokees claimed the part of the State south of the Great Kanawha River; the Shawnees claimed the valley of the Great Kanawha; the Mingoes occu- pied the territory between the Little Kanawha and Wheeling Creek; the Delawares occupied the Monon- gahela Valley, and the Tuscaroras occupied the East- ern Panhandle. INDIAN BATTLE FIELDS. Three great Indian battle fields were within what is now West Virginia - Antietam Creek, Jefferson county, and Opequon and Hanging Rocks, Hampshire county. 23 in the State, both being laid out in 1762. Shepherds- town was named in honor of Thomas Shepherd, who laid out the town. It was first settled by some Ger- man families who called it Mechlenburg. Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell made an attempt at settlement in the Greenbrier Valley as early as 1649. EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN WEST VIRGINIA. A settlement was made where Clarksburg now stands by John Simpson and others about 1765, and the same year near Buchannon by the Pringle brothers. Settlements were made in Tygarts' Valley about 1772, by the Westfalls, Stalnakers and many others. Under the leadership of John Minear, the Cheat River Valley was settled in 1774. The Greenbrier Valley became the home of the white man very early, as it was the gateway to the valley of the Great Kanawha. Settlements were made there as early as 1769. A settlement was made at Wheeling in 1790 by Ebenezer Zane and two of his brothers. In 1772 Leonard Morris became the first perma- nent settler in the Great Kanawha Valley. The sons of Charles Clendenin settled where Charleston now stands in 1788. The town was named after the father. Zackwell Morgan and others settled on the Monon- gahela where Morgantown now stands in 1768. In 1810 the town of Parkersburg was laid out and named in honor of Alexander Parker. FRONTIER WARRIORS. Lewis Wetzel, Samuel McColloch, Ebenezer Zane, Andrew Poe, Samuel Brady, William Crawford and John Stuart were among the most noted. 24 THE OHIO COMPANY Was formed in 1748. The company was granted 500,- OOO acres on both sides of the upper Ohio, principally in Jefferson and Columbiana counties, Ohio, and Brooke county, West Virginia. Though prominent in the early settlements, it was without results. This company was formed and other land grants made west of the moun- tains about the middle of the eighteenth century to counteract the activities of the French in the Ohio Valley. THE DISTRICT OF WEST AUGUSTA Was a part of Virginia west of the Alleghanies and consisted of the territory now embraced by the counties of Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Marion, Monongalia, Brooke and Hancock, and two-thirds of Randolph, half of Bar- bour, a third of Tucker, half of Taylor, a fourth of Harrison, half of Doddridge, and two-thirds of Tyler. The tract was divided into three counties, Ohio, Mon- ongalia and Youghiogheny. The latter was mostly in- cluded in Pennsylvania when an accurate survey was made, and is known as the "Lost County." Washing- ton said of it, "Leave me but a banner to plant upon the mountains of West Augusta and I will gather around me men who will set my country free." THE FAIRFAX LAND GRANT Was bounded by the Rappahannock and Potomac Riv- ers and by a straight line joining their sources. The Fairfax Stone marks the first fountain of the North Branch of the Potomac. Lord Fairfax employed George Washington to survey much of this tract. At the close of the Revolution his lands were confiscated. The first settlements in West Virginia were made on this land. THE TREATY OF FORT STANWIX. Now Rome, N. Y., was made between the Indians and the colonies of Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jer- sey, 1768. For 10,460 pounds English money, the Indians ceded to the English King a large tract of land west of the mountains, including West Virginia. The Indians reserved a tract bounded by the Ohio, Little Kanawha and Monongahela Rivers, to satisfy a claim of some Philadelphia merchants for damages to their goods by the Indians on the Ohio. This is called the original Indiana Territory. DUNMORE'S WAR. The murder of Logan's family and other atrocities led to the Dunmore War between the Whites and the Indians. The leading engagement was the Battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774. General Lewis, com- manding the southern wing of Dunmore's army, was attacked by the Indians under Cornstalk. It was a fierce attack and a heroic defense, but the Indians were defeated. They retreated into Ohio. Dunmore with the northern wing of the army was at the mouth of the Little Hocking River in Ohio, at the time. He later moved westward into the Indian country and con- cluded a treaty of peace with them. The Battle of Point Pleasant is sometimes called the first battle of the Revolution, and the second attack on Fort Henry the last. Both engagements were in West Virginia, but neither, properly speaking, was a battle of the Revolution. A noted incident of the first siege of Fort Henry, 1777, was McCollough's Leap, and of the second, the securing of gunpowder from an adjacent house by Elizabeth Zane. 26 WHY WEST VIRGINIA CONTROLS THE OHIO. In 1784 Virginia ceded her territory north and west of the Ohio River to the general government, leaving the Ohio River within the boundaries of Virginia, and consequently it became a part of West Virginia, after the division of Virginia. West Virginia levies and collects taxes on all bridges across the Ohio within the jurisdiction of the State, but when new bridges are built across the Ohio or other navigable streams within the State, consent must first be obtained from the Navy Department of the Government of the United States, and the Attorney General of the State. In accordance with the charter granted Lord Baltimore, the Potomac River belongs to Maryland. REVOLUTION AND WAR OF 1812. In the Revolutionary War, West Virginia furnish- ed many soldiers and three major-generals, Gates, Lee and Stephen. But one engagement occurred within the State, the second siege of Fort Henry. In the War of 1812 West Virginia contributed largely in daring soldiers, and in funds by direct taxa- tion. General Steenbergen arid Major Waggener the hero of Lundy's Lane, were from West Virginia. MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA. Since 1864 the material development of the State has been phenomenal. At that date, the immense for- ests remained practically untouched, the extent of the vast coal fields unknown and undefined, the extensive oil territory undeveloped. Since then new railroads have been built and many branch lines constructed, until now these roads penetrating all parts of the State, furnish excellent transportation facilities for the -almost inexhaustible supply of our natural wealth. The last twenty years has witnessed the greatest progress in material development. The oil industry, fruit growing, grazing, and manufacturing, are now receiving much attention. OFFICERS. Salary of Executive Officers: Governor, $5,000; Secretary of State, $4,000; Auditor, $4,500; Superin- tendent of Schools, $3,000; Treasurer, $2,500; Attor- ney General, $4,000. State Officers for 1910: Gover- nor, Glasscock; Secretary of State, Reed; Auditor, Darst; Superintendent of Schools, Shawkey; Treasur- er, Long; Attorney General, Conley. The salary of Circuit Court Judges is $3,300; of Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals, $4,500. County officers are Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, three Commissioners of the County Court, Clerk Coun- ty Court, Clerk Circuit Court, Assessor, Superintend- ent of Free Schools, Surveyor of Lands, and Commis- sioners of Accounts. City officers are Mayor, Councilmen, Recorder, Treasurer, Marshal, Assessor, Solicitor, and Street Commissioner. The magisterial district officers are two Justices of the Peace, two Constables, President Board of Edu- cation, two School Commissioners, Overseer of Poor, Surveyor of Roads, School Trustees, in each sub- district. Congressmen: Senators, Scott and Elkins. Rep- resentatives, 1910, Hubbard, Sturgiss, Gaines, Wood- yard, and Hughes. Governors of West Virginia: Boreman, Farns- worth, Stevenson, Jacobs, Mathews, Jackson, Wilson, Fleming, MacCorkle, Atkinson, White and Dawson. 28 State Superintendents of Free Schools: W. R. White, Ziegler, Williams, Lewis, Pendleton, Byrne, Butcher, Morgan, Lewis, Trotter and Miller. U. S. Senators: VanWinkle, Willey, Boreman, Davis, Caperton, Price, Hereford, Camden, Kenna, Faulkner, Elkins and Scott. Federal Judges: Circuit Judge, Goff, District Judges, Dayton and Keller. State Supreme Court: Poffenbarger, Miller, Williams, Brannon, Robinson. MONUMENTS BUILDING. At New Martinsville, in honor of Lewis Wetzel; Shepherdstown, in honor of James Rumsey; Point Pleasant, in honor of the heroes of the battle of Point Pleasant. The last mentioned was unveiled October 10,1909. WEST VIRGINIA GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. Ohio, Potomac, Monongahela, Alleghany, and Ap- palachian are Indian names. The names of counties and magisterial districts commemorate the names of persons prominent in State or National life. Many towns were named after per- sons associated with their early history, as Morgan- town, Marlinton, Martinsburg, Charleston, Shepherds- town, Parkersburg, Gasaway, Jayenne, and Camden- on-Gauley. Many other names of towns and rivers refer to interesting matters of local history, as Erbacon, Ken- ova, Sistersville, Ronceverte, Salama, Terra Alta, etc. HISTORICAL EVENTS WITHIN WEST VIRGINIA. "Burr's conspiracy" on Blennerhassett Island, "John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry, "Battle of Point 29 Pleasant," Formation of the State of West Virginia," "Invention of Steam boat at Shepherdstown by James Rumsey," and "Siege of Fort Henry." MISCELLANEOUS. DANIEL BOONE lived ten years in West Virginia. He kept a store at Point Pleasant, was deputy surveyor of Kanawha county and represented that county in the Legislature of Virginia. Late in life he moved to Mis- souri where he died. MRS. ANNA BAILEY was kidnapped in England and was sold into Virginia. To avenge the death of her husband at Point Pleasant, she put on male attire and became a scout, and messenger to the various settle- ments. On one occasion she saved Fort Clendenin by bringing powder to it from Fort Union. She became a formidable enemy of the Indians and a serviceable friend of the settlers. SELIM, THE ALGERINE, was a native of Algiers, Africa. He was sold into slavery at New Orleans by some Spaniards, and was later taken as a prisoner by the Indians along the Ohio. He escaped from them in a half-naked half-crazed condition and was rescued in the Blue Ridge mountains by a Virginia hunter in 1754. He was then taken to Staunton, Va., educated, and con- verted to Christianity. He made one trip to his old home but returned to the U. S. and died in South Caro- lina. JOHN BROWN'S RAID. In 1859, John Brown with a few followers, attempted to free the negroes by force. He captured Harper's Ferry, Jefferson, Co., and the arsenal there, and after murdering several of the in- habitants, was himself captured by Col. R. E. Lee, tried for treason and murder at Charlestown, convicted, sentenced to be hanged, and was buried at Elba, N. Y. Randolph is the largest county in the State, Han- 30 cock the smallest, Hampshire the oldest, Mingo the youngest, Kanawha the most populous, Hancock the least populous, Pendleton the highest, and Jefferson the lowest county in the State. Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Pleasants, Wood, Mason, Cabel and Wayne counties touch the Ohio river. Wayne, Mingo and McDowell counties touch Kentucky. McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Pendleton, Hardy, Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties touch Virginia. Hinton, Bluefield, and Wiliamson are growing rap- idly on account of the coal industries; Charleston and Chester on account of manufacturing interests. Oil was first found in the state at Burning Springs, Wirt Co., W. Va. in 1860. Later great wells were drilled at Sistersville opening up one of the greatest oil fields in the world. Wetzel, Tyler, Ritchie, Pleasants, Calhoun, Wirt, Wood, Roane, and Lincoln counties have produced great quantities of oil and gas. Salt was manufactured in the state as early as 1798. It soon became an important industry. Though this industry is now on the decline, much salt is pro- duced in Mason County, and at points along the Great Kanawha. The State Seal was designed and engraved by J. H. Dis DeBar, 1863. 31 County Pop. County Seat Pop. Leading Industry Origin of Name Barbour ... 14198 Philippi ..... 665 Timber ........ . .Governor of Va. Berkeley .. 19469 Martinsburg . 7564 Farming, fruit. ........ Governor Boone ..... 8198 Madison ..... 200 Timber ............. Daniel Boone Braxton ... 18904 Sutton ...... 1000 Timber ........ ... Signer of Dec. Brooke .... 7219 Wellsburg ... 2588 Farming ....... .... John Hancock Cabell .....29252 Huntington . 15000 Mfg and farming . .Governor of Va. Calhoun ... 10266 Grantsville .. 225 Oil, Timber .........J. C. Calhoun Clay ....... 8248 Clay ........ 413 Timber ......... ....... Statesman Doddridge . 13689 West Union . 623 Mining .......... .... Congressman Fayette ....32000 Fayetteville . 413 Coal, Coke ......General Lafayette Gilmer .... 11762 Greenville .... 400 Farming ....... Secretary of Navy Grant ...... 7276 Marysvllle . .. 214 Mining ................. President Greenbrier .20683 Lewisburg ... 572 Grazing, Coal ...............River Hampshire . 11806 Romney ..... 580 Timber, grazing.. ..Hampshire, Eng. Hancock ... 6693 Cumberland .. 2198 Mfg and farming ......John Hancock Hardy ..... 8449 Mooresfield .. 460 Timber, grazing. ..... Congressman Harrlson . .27690 Clarksburg . . 4050 Grazing,mfg,coal . .Governor of Va. Jackson ....22987 Ripley ...... 800 Farming ....... ........ President Jefferson ..15935 Charlestown . 2400 Farming ....... ........ President Kanawha .. 54696 Charleston .. 16000 Coal, mfg................... River Lewis ..... 16980 Weston ..... 2560 Mining ......... ....Charles Lewis Lincoln ....15434 Hamlin ...... 400 Timber ................. president Logan ..... 6955 Logan ....... 444 Timber, coal ........ Indian Chief Marion .....32430 Fairmont .... 5655 Coal ........... .. General Marion Marshall ...26444 Moundsville . 5362 Farming .............John Marshall Mason ..... 24142 Point Pleasant.1935 Farming .................. Senator Mercer .....23023 Princeton ... 600 Coal ........... ...General Mercer Mineral ....12900 Keyser ...... 2536 Mining .................. Minerals Mingo ..... 11359 Williamson .. 800 Coal .................Indian Tribe Monongalla. 19044 Morgantown . 2000 Mining, Farming ............ River Monroe .... 13130 Union ....... 256 Grazing ................ president Morgan .... 7294 Berkeley Spgs.. 791 Fruit ..............General Morgan McDowell .. 18747 Welch ....... 442 Coal, coke ..... . .Governor of Va. Nicholas . .11403 Summerville . 223 Timber ........... .Governor of Va. Ohio .......48024 Wheeling .... 38878 Manufacturing .............. River Pendleton .. 9167 Franklin .... 205 Timber, grazing. ........... Judge Pleasants .. 9345 St. Marys.... 825 Oil ........... .. .Governor of Va. Pocahontas 8572 Marlinton ... 200 Timber, grazing. ...Indian Princess Preston ....22727 Kingwood . . . 700 Farming ........ . .Governor of Va. Putnam .... 17330 Winfield ..... 338 Farming ....... .. ..Gen. I. Putnam Raleigh . . 12439 Beckley ..... 352 Coal, timber . . . S. Walter Raleigh Randolph .. 17670 Beverly ...... 464 Grazing, timber. ....Governor of Va. Ritchie ....18901 Harrisville .. 772 Farming ....... . ...... Journalist Roane ..... 19852 Spencer ..... 737 Farming, oil ... . .......... Judge Summers . . 16265 Hinton ...... 4000 Timber ................ Congressman Taylor .....14978 Grafton ..... 5700 Coal, grazing ........... President Tucker .... 13433 Parsons ..... 618 Oil, Timber .. .. .......... Jurist Tyler ..... 18252 Middlebourne 403 Oil ............ .. .Governor of Va. Upshur .... 14696 Buckhannon ... 1589 Timber, coal ... Secretary of State Wayne ..... 23619 Wayne ...... 407 Timber ......... . . .General Wayne Webster ... 8862 Webster Spgs... 297 Farming ....... . . .Daniel Webster Wetzel . .. 22880 N.Martinsville 1089 Oil ............. . ...Lewis Wetzel Wirt ..... .10289 Elizabeth .... 657 Oil ............. Attorney-General Wood ...... 34452 Parkersburg ..14000 Mfg and farming. ...Governor of Va. Wyoming .. 8380 Oceana ........ 187 Coal, timber ...........Indian Name