News articles from Wayne County Newspaper Submitted by June White and Wayne County News,who gave permission to research its old editions, and Nina Johnson, resident genealogist at Cabell County Library. December 2001 This file contains: Obit of Judge Napier OLD TIMER TELL OF KILLING DEER VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE IS ADDED IN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL LOST: COUNTY'S FREAKISH CHICKEN AMONG THE MISSING DID GEORGE WASHINGTON CUT INITIALS "G. W.' ON CHIMNEY ROCK NEAR CEREDO? LOCAL NEWS ITEMS WAYNE'S SEVEN WONDERS J.H. Meeks letter to the editor O. J. WILKINSON AT CHARLESTON PRACTICING LAW STURDY PIONEERS OF WAYNE COUNTY EULOGIZED Mr. Vinson's letter to the editor Uncle" John Jarrell News briefs **************************************************** Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia February 1, 1923 DEATH SUMMONS JUDGE P. H. NAPIER, ONE OF THE COUNTY'S MOST NOTABLE MEN Judge P. H. Napier, probably the most widely known man in this county, died at his home in Wayne at five o'clock last Thursday morning, following an attack of grippe and influenza which confined him to his room little more than a week. But Judge Napier had been in declining health for sometime although this fact was little understood among his acquaintances since he was not the kind of man who would complain when in ill health. The end was possibly hastened by injuries he received last fall when [a] N. & W. passenger train. . . wrecked. He was badly shaken up and was [compelled] to walk with a cane [after the] accident. Judge Napier was born in this county December 12, 1849, being 73 years old at the time of his death. He was the grandson of Thomas Napier, one of the . . . most prominent settlers in what is now Wayne county who came here when it was a primeval forest little known to the white man. The closest neighbors of Thomas Napier were miles away. The dense woodland was infested with wild animals which were routed long ago by the advance of civilization.Thomas Napier was a soldier in the war of 1812, and following his discharge from service he studied in Virginia and later moved to Wayne county where he taught school for the greater part of his life. Patrick H. Napier, Sr., was the son of Thomas Napier and father of Patrick H. Napier, Jr. Born of pioneers, Judge Napier naturally inheried many of the strong traits of character common to our forefathers. When he was a boy, the school system in Wayne county was meager in comparison to the present opportunities offered; hence, he was deprived of educational advantages other than those he made for himself. Early in life he aspired to study law, and he did study law in his own home around a flickering light. But he overcame those handicaps, and when he died, Judge Napier was everywhere regarded as one of the most eminent trial lawyers in West Virginia. When young in years, he was a timberman in this county; he was later. . .in mercantile business; he was elected county clerk and prosecuting attorney. He was for many years a prominent figure in State politics and his influence was instrumental in [determining] the fate of many office aspirants. He was a Republican, but his views were not of the narrow partisan kind that prevented him from respecting the views of others. Judge Napier was successful as a practicing attorney; he had native oratorical ability which prominently identified him with many speaking campaigns in the State. He was a friend to the poor man, and it is a well known fact that he never turned a client away for the mere fact that he was penniless. Judge Napier was everywhere known as "Uncle Pat." His term as judge of the Wayne-Logan circuit, under appointment from Governor Hatfield to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge J. B. Wilkinson, was a responsible office which he well filled. He was the same unaffected gentleman, regardless of whether he was practicing in justice's court or before the State supreme court or sitting on the bench in his own court. Funeral services were conducted at the home in Wayne Friday by Rev. A. W. Davison and Rev. W. H. Beale, pastors of the local Baptist and Methodist churches respectively. The services were largely attended by people from the county and from Huntington. Burial was made on Little Lynn creek, near East Lynn, alongside the grave of his brother, W. S. Napier, who preceded him by less than a year. Through the courtesy of C. Weller, superindendent of this division of the N. & W., the East Lynn train was delayed for two hours, thus enabling people to attend the burial services and return to Wayne the same afternoon. The last rites were the charge of the Wayne Masonic Lodge, of which the deceased had long been a member. Surviving relatives are his wife, Mr. Delilah Napier; two children, Mrs. J. R. Keesee, of Huntington, and W. J. Napier, of Wayne; and one sister, Mrs. Chapman Fry, of Ceredo. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "UNCLE PAT" BY BOYD JARRELL The death of Judge P. H. Napier in his Wayne county home might well be compared to the removal of a sturdy and loyal familiar land mark. For almost fifty years he had been one of the outstanding figures in the affairs of Wayne county. Somehow or other he was the kind of man whose death one did not expect to hear about. Despite his more than seventy years, he was erect and vigorous and possessed of a vitality that seemed invincible. If one of his numerous distinguishing traits stood out above all the others it was his unfailing courtesy. Kindness, genuine, helpful kindness, was another part of his character which deserves special mention. And "Uncle Pat," as thousands affectionately called him, knew far more about neighborliness than the average man knows. He was a neighbor in the truest sense. With money or with personal service, he was ever ready to go the limit of his opportunity for helping others. Whan a fellow human being was in distress, "Uncle Pat" was not like the Priest and the Levite who passed by on the other side. Instead, he was the Good Samaritan, who poured out the oil of healing and bound up wounds. And "Uncle Pat" knew far more about hospitality than the average man knows. His home was the home of his friends. There they found cordial welcome and unstinted entertainment. His home was the home of plenty sweetened by unaffected simplicity. "Uncle Pat" knew better how to understand and sympathize with boys than the average man knows. Many a youth found him a sympathetic listener and invaluable counsellor (sic). Boys trusted him for the same reason that men trusted him. Trustworthiness was written upon his countenance and vibrated in the tones of his voice. . . . The measure of "Uncle Pat's" faith in men was large. He believed men were trustworthy and accepted all as such until shown to the contrary. It was inevitable that he should at times find his confidence betrayed. But these few exceptions to the rule of his belief did not embitter him. Without a doubt at the day of his death he had personal acquaintance with more men and women than any other citizen in Wayne county. Fifty years as county official, business man and attorney brought him into contact with thousands, and thousands were proud to refer to him as their friend. Sprung from sturdy pioneer stock, he lived true to the teachings of his forbears and emulated their high examples of good citizenship and right living. If he had an enemy and knew it, he would have exhausted all reasonable efforts to win him back as a friend. Despite the fact of limited opportunities in early life, "Uncle Pat" was a successful lawyer. What he lacked in the technicalities of the law he made up for in the fine common sense that was his and the native shrewdness that was a part of his mind. In whatever he undertook, in whatever duties were thrust upon him, he filled his place and filled it well. To say that Judge Napier will be greatly missed and that Wayne county has suffered a very severe loss in his death would be superfluous. Both things are but all too true. If the consensus of his friends could be moulded (sic) into a brief epitaph, it would be something like this: He was just. He was sympathetic. He understood. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia February 1, 1923 ************************************************************ OLD TIMER TELL OF KILLING DEER IN WAYNE COUNTY Bostic Brumfield, Sr., who lives a mile South of Wayne, will celebrate his 75th birthday next Monday, the 13th. Mr. Brumfield is one of the county's pioneers and recalls the days when Wayne county was the home of deer, bear and other wild animals now extinct. Mr. Brumfield recalls shooting a deer in 1869 near what is now the Millard Johnson farm near Iverson Shoals; in the year'74 he shot another deer at the mouth of Wolfe Creek. In those days the woodland of the country was infested with wild hogs which afforded real sport for hunters. He recalls one hunting experience as follows: "In the year 1869 while I was going to school to Ligan Bowen at lower Newcomb, at the noon hour one day we heard a pack of hounds coming and we looked and saw a deer leap through the school yard. Saul Harmon and myself got permission from the teacher to follow the deer. The ice was partly frozen on Twelve Pole, but the deer crossed anyway. The creek full of ice bluffed all the dogs except one named "Pot Licker" owned by Fletcher Garrett. That dog never stopped and neither did Harmon and myself. "As we went along we borrowed an old flint lock rifle from R. M. Luther, who used to be county surveyor. We kept in the chase till we got just opposite "Buger Hollow," near Millard Johnson's. At this point I shot the deer, while "Pot Licker" was close on his heels. Harmon and I skinned the deer, tied it on a pole and carried it home." Mr. Brumfield recalled going to school to America Showater at Buffalo Shoals in 1858. Of the forty pupils in school then only three are living: Mr. Brumfield, M. F. Drown and Luke Drown. At that time one of the duties of the teacher was to make goose quill pens while the pupils would write their lessons. Brumfield and B. G. Chapman, of Wayne, were school mates 66 years ago. Mr. Brumfield still has in his possession a little book given to him by Mrs. Showater on his birthday in 1858. Mrs. Showater was the daughter of the late Benj. Drown, Sr., and was the mother of M. F. Drown and G. B. Booth, both well known Wayne citizens. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia August 7, 1923 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE IS ADDED IN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL The new department of Vocational Agriculture which will be added to the Wayne County High School when it opens next month will prove an important asset to the school in the opinion of Superintendent C. T. Hatcher. The local high school starts its second year on September 4th. Additional teachers have been added this year and prospects are promising for a highly successful term. In making public the news of the new department, Superintendent Hatcher gave out the following announcement Wednesday of this week: Ever mindful of the fact that the people of Wayne county wish to be in the front rank educationally, the County High School Board of Education has added to our system the department of Vocational Agriculture. This work is very practical as the students learn to do by actually doing things. They learn to work with the hands as well as to think with the head. . . . It is entirely likely that the department of Home Economics of the County High School will be enlarged at an early date. We only hope that every boy and girl in the county, not in school, that is eligible to enter high school will be with us the beginning of the term. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia August 7, 1923 ********************************************** LOST: COUNTY'S FREAKISH CHICKEN AMONG THE MISSING! Send for Sherlock Holmes. The three-legged chicken, the nine-days wonder of Dock's Creek, has mysteriously disappeared and left behind not a clue, not even a track. Wayne county once again strutted its stuff by producing a chicken in a million--a three-legged one. This chick which disappeared last week belonged to Wiley Irons of Dock's Creek. It was a Plymouth Rock and was about six or eight weeks old. . . . Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia August 7, 1923 ****************************************************** DID GEORGE WASHINGTON CUT INITIALS "G. W.' ON CHIMNEY ROCK NEAR CEREDO? Chimney Rock on a point south of Ceredo and overlooking Twelve Pole has carved upon its face the letters "G. W." Are these the initials of the father of our country, and did he cut them there? It is traditionally told in Wayne and Cabell counties that Washington surveyed the first land grant here, the John Savage grant of 28, 627 acres lying along the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers. We have been told that Washington, the future leader of the Revolutionary army and first president of the United States, first carried the rod and compass across the hills of Wayne county. And it is a historical fact that the Savage grant here was deeded by the grouchy old George III, who later aggravated our forefathers to the point of breaking away from England and starting anew politically. Thus it is true that Wayne county has a romantic connection with the two foremost figures in the founding of our country. And the incident marks in a way the beginning of Wayne county, for a frontier begins to develop along with the plotting of the farm lands. A representative of this newspaper grew doubtful as to whether Washington ever trekked the hills here and went to the state library at Charleston in charge of Clifford R. Myers and put to him the question at the beginning of this article. What History Says "There is no authentic record of Washington's ever being in Wayne county, or surveying there or in Cabell," says Mr. Meyers. "Washington kept a careful journal and notes in his surveying and travelling (sic), and none of his recognized biographers ever mentioned the Savage grant as Washington's work. "Washington was sent to to the Ohio valley by Lord Dunmore to lay off thousand of acres for the ex-soldiers of the French and Indian wars. He and his assistant William Crawford proceeded to gather to the mouth of the Great Kanawha. There they separated, Crawford and his party going to the mouth of Big Sandy to survey the grants in that section, including the Savage grant, and Washington headed a squad that moved up the Kanawha. "Crawford was working under the direction of Washington, who had charge of the entire work in the Ohio valley. In marking the lines it was natural that he use the initials of his chief instead of his own, which explains the initials in that section," concluded the state librarian, a man who, by the way, apparently knows the contents of thousands of volumes and can turn almost instantly to any section in the middle of a little known book. This is especially true of the history section. The land grant made to John Savage and his company was deeded by George III of England on December 15, 1772, and was given the men "for divers good causes and reasons." Many of the family names in Wayne county today are to be found on the company's roll. A complete list was published in this newspaper a few years ago. Last week the initials "G. W." were found on an old beech tree on the campus of Marshall college, and a Huntington newspaper ran an item saying it was believed that they were cut there by Washington himself. Each one of the soldiers in the first land grant here was given 460 acres. The section here was included in the territory known as Fincastle county in Virginia. After the land was plotted off it was not many years until the first settler put up his log cabin. The first in the present limits of Wayne county was at the forks of Big Sandy, erected in 1796 by Samuel Short. Almost this time, or perhaps before, a man named Harmon lived in a cave in the face of a cliff near Fort Gay. He held off a party of Indians successfully from his stronghold. Another early settler was Robert Tabor. The first settler in the lower end of the county built in the lower end of Ceredo. He was Stephen Kelly. About 1708 he was joined by Nathaniel Bellomy, who reared his log cabin about 100 yards from the end of the C. & O. bridge which spans Big Sandy. William Hatten settled just below the mouth of Whites Creek. Leonard Sharp settled at the mouth of the creek now named for him. The first settler at the mouth of Miller Creek was Samuel Hensley. All these are on the waters of Big Sandy. The first settlers where Ceredo now stands were John Stewart and John Brown. James and Moses McCormick took up their abode at the mouth of Twelve Pole. The first cabin on the upper waters of Twelve Pole was erected by a man named Nevens in 1790. James Bias made his home on Lick Creek in 1802. David Bartram came in 1803. In 1807 five other cabins were erected on the waters of the little creek: Jesse Adkins, Thomas Napier, Berry Adkins, John Ferguson, and William Napier. In 1802 Jesse Spurlock and Samuel Ferguson came from Tazewell County, Virginia, and erected log cabins near the town of Wayne. In 1806 David France came and it was he who first planted an apple tree in Twelve Pole valley. John Thompson operated the first still in the county about the same time. Chester Howe put up the first grist mill. But regardless of whether George Washington cut his initials on Chimney rock, near Ceredo, it is a well known fact that Wayne county's early history is full of romance. Tales of pioneer life when this section was a wilderness are still told around the hearthstones of Wayne county homes. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia November 22, 1923 ***************************************** LOCAL NEWS ITEMS ARMILDA Burgess, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baisden, who has been sick, is able to be out again Mr. J. T. Mills is spending a few days in Huntington. Harvey A. Straley left for Rossmore where he expects to work. Fannie Watts was the Sunday guest of Verlia Jackson. Victor H. Mills of Breeden spent Sunday with home folks. LOST CREEK Mrs. C. C. Perry, who has spent [time] with relatives in Virginia and Kentucky, has returned home. Ike Brown of Easerville, Virginia, has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Perry. Mrs. Sanford Stafford is seriously ill. Mrs. Albert Crum was recently called to the bed side of her grand daughter, Charlotte Mae Perry of Williamson, who is very ill. Fannie Lovins, who is taking training at the Williamson hospital, was the recent guest of home folks. Henry Perry was a recent visitor in Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Frasher of Kenova are visiting Mrs. Gursie Pratt. Wade Chaffin of Webb was recently visiting Mr. and Mrs. Lee Waller. DOANE Ollie Brown has returned home after spending a few days with relatives in Williamson. Everette Browning, Sam Ferguson, and Joe Brown, who have been working at Logan for some time have returned home. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Jude of Williamson are visiting relatives here. James Perry has bought some timber from Marion Brown and is now sawing here. Marion Ferguson of Tick Ridge has bought a gasoline grist mill. Polly Anne Ferguson was recently visiting Mr. and Mrs. Moses Damron on Perry Ridge. H. Lowe of Radnor was a recent visitor here. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia November 22, 1923 ************************************************* WAYNE'S SEVEN WONDERS What are the seven scenic wonders of Wayne County? You'll admit that's an interesting question whether you are able to answer it or not. In the following article J. Floyd Harrison, principal of Wayne Graded schools, enumerates what are in his opinion the Seven Scenic Wonders of Wayne County. Mr. Harrison's conclusions are not final, but rather express casual personal opinion. Every reader of Wayne County News is invited to make up a similar list of his or her own selection. Send us your list and describe in some detail each Wonder that you include. A five dollar cash prize will be awarded for the best list submitted. The topic to be covered can be either "The Seven Wonders of Wayne County," or "The Seven Scenic Wonders of Wayne County." The accompanying article will not be included as an entry in the contest. In the meantime we know you will fine the following article of considerable interest.---Editor's Note BY J. FLOYD HARRISON It has often been said and is true that a prophet is without honor in his own country. This old adage may be extended further in its application, for much money and time is spent by people of Wayne county in quest of scenic wonders-- which desire could well be satisfied if a few of the salient features of home geography were taught to the folks of our own county. Our Natural Bridge Each year many mouths gape in astonishment and many eyes grow round with wonder when the famous Natural Bridge of Virginia is mentioned. A person that has visited to this section and has first hand information is looked upon as a sort of an intellectual wonder standing apart from the common herd. Yet not five miles from the county seat of Wayne and less than two miles off the Huntington-Wayne road is a small natural bridge. This bridge is only a minature one as compared with the Natural Bridge of Virginia but is is no less a wonder. How the little stream of Spring Branch near Ardel that drains less than 500 acres of land could have cut out its passage in solid sandstone is a stupendous problem for the scientific minds of this county. The bridge needs to have added only handrails, and the work of nature is complete. This is the first of the seven historical and scenic wonders of the county. Bear Wallow In the days of Daniel Boone when the Garretts came to this county, followed by the Harrisons, Rutherfords and the Dicks, one of the favorite pastimes was bear hunting. Owing to the peculiar characteristic of practically all large animals it was necessary for them to have salt, and the salt springs were frequented by the deer as well as by bear. Near these salt licks, as they were called, the bears waited for the coming of the deer and killed them. After eating, the bears became very inactive for several hours, and it was their custom to lie on the ground and roll much, as is the habit of a horse after it has been in the stable for some time or when it has worked hard in the field. The term "wallow" has been applied to this practice. Upon a dividing ridge between the headwaters of two branches of Shoals and Childers Branch (a tributary of of Millers Fork) a cavity has been formed that tradition has informed us was worn by the bodies of bears wallowing after the pep had been taken out of them by their gorge of fresh venison. To this day a small lake may be seen, and the tradition sounds feasible. Around this Bear Wallow are a number of small mounds that have long delighted the curious boys of this section to grave speculation, but to the knowledge of the writer their sunless crypt is still sealed and the mysteries of this existence remains a profound secret. So "Bear Wallow" I nominate for Wonder No. 2. Pigeon Roost Our grandfathers tell us that when they were boys that such a large number of passenger pigeons visited this county that often during the heated summer days a cloud would appear below the sun, and the occasion of this phenomena would be these winged monitors flying between the earth and the sun. The gun then used at this time was the old fashioned flint lock and of very little value for shooting birds on the wing. The pigeons were only killed by maruders that visited their nightly roosting places where, owing to their vast number, they were easily accessible to the sticks and coffee sacks of the hunter. In sight of the village of Dickson stands a high knob that was a favorite rendezvous of these sleepy birds. From its altitude it stands out above the heads of its neighbors. Possibly this fact with its remoteness from civilization were the two chief reasons for its selection by those birds. This is my third Wonder and is called "Pigeon Roost." Old Dickson Mill When early pioneers stood upon the banks of our traditional little stream of Twelve Pole, their hearts were no doubt gladened by the sound of the gurgling water as it poured over the old fall rock at Dickson. For in those days one of the most serious problems of the early settler was a place to grind the grist. At this narrow place in the river it could be dammed with slight cost. Historians tell us that from [pioneers'] earliest advent into this new region of the west that this water mill has been one of the landmarks. Aside from the commercial value of this particular part of the old river, few places in the country have more scenic beauty than this quiet mill dam that ends with such an uproar as the water pours over. Sequestered as it is by hills and fringed with foliage, it is an inspiring picture in the summer time. A number of the older men of this county will remember with doubtful pleasure the thrill that came from riding a raft of logs over on the spring rise. Thus ends the description of my fourth subject for the local hall of fame. The Buffalo Mound The people of Buffalo have no doubt impatiently looked ahead for the mention of their treasured mound, the relic of an ancient and beloved heritage of ages ago. This mound that is built upon one of the most peculiar formations that has ever been seen by scientists is situated near Buffalo Creek High School. It was placed on the scientific map of the United States by the work of Prof. W. L. Utterback, formerly of the Department of Biology of Marshall College. It was made known to readers of this paper in a masterful way by J. Roy Fuller, newspaperman deluxe. Of course no one seems to know precisely who the mound builders were or why they built these kindd of resting places for their honored dead. The mounds and the dead are there as silent witnesses of a lost people. Therefore, for the fifth Wonder I offer this Mound with its interesting history. Spring Valley Club To quote Duke Ridgley in a recent issue of the Herald-Dispatch: "The lovliest spot on God's green earth is located in the foothills of Wayne County, a beautiful stretch of land that has every natural advantage. The Spring Valley Country Club, now Westmoreland. It is a wonder work of nature, this open air playground." Bounded and terraced with just the right amount of hills and shrubbery, it is sublimely beautiful. The driveway from Westmoreland is one of the show roads of the state, and while the muscles are strengthened by outdoor exercise, the soul is bathed with masterful pictures of nature. Too much cannot be said for the beauty of the grounds and golf courses of the Spring Valley Club. This picture completes the gallery of Seven Scenic Wonders of our county. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia December 20, 1923 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. H. MEEK BEGAN ON $26 A MONTH TEACHING SCHOOL From JOHN H. MEEK Huntington, W. Va.Your letter, advising that you intended to publish a souvenir Homecoming Edition of your paper and requesting a letter from me as a former citizen of the good old county of Wayne, brings before me recollections of "good old days." I was born at Louisa, Ky., which is "hollerin' " distance from Wayne county, and I came to the county to live when I was a small boy, settling on the head of Big Lynn, where lived some of the best people on earth and the best friends I ever had. I began teaching school there on a No. 1 certificate, for $26.00 a month, but that was a good deal of money for a month's work back then. That was about 1895. Most of my education was received at Oakview Academy, at Wayne, under Prof. T. B. McClure, who in my opinion, was the best school teacher in the world, and I realize that takes in a good deal of territory. The most important event of my life occurred at Wayne, on Nov. 14, 1901, when I married Dr. George R. Burgess' oldest daughter, Charlie. We lived at Wayne and Dunlow until 1907, during which time we were blessed with two sons and a daughter, and they are still with us. We came to Huntington to live and where, as you know, I am practicing law, being a member of the firm of Vinson, Thompson, Meek & Renshaw. I am making more money than I made at Wayne, but am no happier. I go back to Wayne to try a case every time I get a chance because I love the soil and the people there. The older we get, the more we love our native hearth. With best wishes for the News and good old Wayne County I am Sincerely yours, J. H. Meek Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia December 20, 1923 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- O. J. WILKINSON AT CHARLESTON PRACTICING LAW From ATTY. O. J. WILKINSON Charleston, W. Va. Mr. Herman P. Dean, Editor Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia, and to the other 26,000 or more mostly good, some few bad, but none indifferent, citizens of the grand old county of Wayne: It affords me a great deal of pleasure to be allowed to contribute to the "Home-Coming Edition" of your valued paper, which privilege is accorded only to those individuals peculiarly favored by Providence in being allowed to "first see the light of day" within the boundary lines of dear old Wayne. The first 23 years of the 55 (or more) that I have infested this "vale of tears" were spent in the town of Wayne, then Wayne Court House, sometimes called Trouts Hill and incorporated under the name of Fairview and "making good" under each and every one thereof. Often, "in memory fond I wander back" to the familiar and loved scenes of this early part of my life, and recall my ambition to write as good hand as "Hop" Trodgen, run as fast as "Jess" Adkins and play as good game of checkers as H. K. Shumate, but in these as many as my other laudable ambitions I did not succeed, but did benefit from the effort. Since leaving Wayne county I have lived in three different Places: Huntington, Hamlin and Charleston (where I now live), and each time I moved I had for an object the bettering of the conditions, and in this I succeeded, that is, in bettering the conditions of the community from which I moved. My first recollection of Wayne goes back to the time when the woods extended almost to the edge of the town, and I recall helping to clear the part that lies to the west of town, leading through the pass to Toms Creek, that is to say; I worked two days at this and on the second day I made the mistake of my raising something (which, by the way, was the only thing I ever did raise on a farm). I raised a row with my brother Gallie (now Dr. A. G. of Wayne) and I want to say now that if I had had advanced information as to the outcome of this encounter, my farming experience would have been shortened one day. Doctor is credited with being a good man. I can say from experience that as a boy in a rough-and-tumble, he was not bad. For the past thirteen years I have been a resident of Charleston, where I have been connected with the Ohio Fuel Company as its Attorney. My family consists of myself (the ostensible head), my wife (the real head) and our son, O. J. Jr. (the both combined-plus), and it is violating no confidence and imparting no news to our acquaintances to say that both Mrs. W. and I are very proud of the boy. To all of my Wayne county friends I send greetings and kindest regards and to them I will say: That in whatever other particular I may have fallen short and have been found wanting, yet my devotion and loyalty to Wayne has not and could not be questioned. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia December 23, 1923 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS BRIEFS The Home Land and Investment Company, representing fire and life insurance companies, has moved its office from the Cash Feed Store building to the office building opposite the post office, formerly occupied by the late Judge P. H. Napier. Guy Mosser is manager of the Home Land and Investment Company. Arthur Monroe, 32, of Westmoreland, and Isabelle Bowen, 25, of Wayne, were united in marriage Saturday at Catlettsburg. The groom formerly lived in Montana. The bride is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alderson Bowen. Following are the names of the pupils of Crockett school who have made perfect attendance for the fourth month of school: Opal and Oral Hay, Georgia Blankenship, Eunice and Violet Cyrus and Lyle Fraley. Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia December 23, 1923 ******************************************************** STURDY PIONEERS OF WAYNE COUNTY EULOGIZED BY Z. T. VINSON IN REMARKABLE WORD PICTURE The following letter by one of Wayne county's most prominent sons performs the service of refreshing our minds to a new appreciation of the strong and sturdy stock of our forefathers who blazed the trails for the present generation. The Vinson family has been a vital factor in the progress of Wayne County since its beginning. Colonel Z. T. Vinson himself is known throughout the country as a man of exceptional ability and influence. He has not only achieved distinction in his profession as an attorney of first magnitude but has been highly successful in numerous big business enterprises. He is one of the foremost Bible scholars and teachers of the whole country and only the last year supplemented his unusual knowledge of the Scripture by extensive travel through Europe and the Holy Lands. There are indeed many stars in Wayne county's galaxy of men who have become famous for their great works, but certainly none of them shine brighter than the eminent son of our soil who writes the following letter of reminiscence. Editor's Note. ********************************************** From COl. Z. T. VINSON Huntington, W. Va. Dear Mr. Editor: I am glad you have asked me to write you a letter of reminiscences about some of the people whom I knew in the long ago of my boyhood and youth. When one reaches my age, it becomes a pleasant pastime to frequently open the flood gates of memory and let the throngs of those we knew and revered pass in a delightful pageantry before our eyes. How their dear faces beam upon us, and their smiles beckon us back to the days of yore, where we may live over again, even though for an hour, the times we once enjoyed with that host of friends that have passed to the great beyond. How much influence their example and character have had upon my life, I will never know, but their wisdom guides me yet, and the lessons that they taught me will always be a perennial blessing. ****************************************************** "Uncle" John Jarrell The first truly great man I ever knew was John Jarrell, who lived and died on Mill Creek. Every one, young and old alike, called him "Uncle," out of a sense of profound respect and reverence. He was a Baptist preacher and a real saint and a worshiper of God. He believed, taught and lived in righteousness. A patriot in the best sense of the word. He not only governed his own family, which was a large one, but out of his sheer goodness and blameless life he ruled over all the people within reach of him. They wnet to him as a matter of course when troubles came for help and counsel. If two men had any controversy, they did not resort to court, but they took it to Uncle John Jarrell for settlement, knowing his honesty and believing implicity in his wisdom. His judgment was accepted as final, and no apeal was ever taken from it. He was a farmer, but everything he raised beyond his own family consumption was given to the hungry and the needy. He was also a shoemaker, and spent much of his time in making shoes for those who were unable to buy them. I have seen barefoot children waiting two or three days at his house until he could finish their shoes. He built his own log church close to his house, where he preached once a month, and the other three Sundays found him preaching at other places. He worked hard every day in the week, and always preached without accepting any money for it. He studied no book but the Bible, but he knew that book practically by heart. If anyone he knew was not living right, he went to him and tried to have him correct his ways. Every one loved him for his kindness and help. They stood in awe of him, believing that he was really inspired of God. Whatever was right and just, he stood for it, and he condemned whatever was wrong or vicious. The influence for good that he had upon the people with whom he came in contact cannot well be imagined; for that influence will keep on widening from one generation to another, until it reaches the very throne of God. Other Great Preachers Of the kind of men, living the same sort of life, were four other great men whom I knew and loved, and these, too, were preachers like John Jarrell, doing all in their power to help and benefit their neighbors, and these were William T. Ball, John T. Johnson, Jacob Marcum and Uncle Jimmie Queen. There were two other great preachers that lived at the same time, exercising a lasting influence for the good of the people. These were Burrell Spurlock and Patrick Napier, whom I did not know personally. All these men were great heroic characters, for they were pioneers in righteousness. They felled the forests with their own hands, cleared out their own farms and built their own homes. They used the talents God had given them; their whole life's work was done that they might receive their reward hereafter and be met with the final words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servants." Wayne county should raise an imperishable monument to each of these. Circuit Court in 1874 Mr. Editor, let's turn back the hands of the clock for a space of fifty years, almost the exact date of my first visit to Wayne court house, and revisit with the people whom I saw there at that time. It was during Circuit court, in June 1874. A session of the circuit court was a great event in those days, for every man of consequence in the county was there. Not that they had court business to look after, but they came to meet each other, socially, and transact their business together, buy and well land and horses and oxen and pay their debts and their taxes. Every one had his riding horse, for there were neither buggies nor wagons then. Most of the men wore long whiskers and homespun clothes, the wool for which was carded, spun and woven into cloth, and then cut out and made into garments by their wives and daughters. Most of this was done by these good women around the firelight at night after the day's work was finished. The sewing was by hand, as no sewing machine had appeared at that time. The Court Crowd But who are the men we see here? They are John Bromley, Stephen Marcum, William H. Frazier and Jas. Stone from Cassville; and along up Mill Creek are the Wellmans, Fraziers, Wilsons, Jarrells, Hamptons, Pyatts, and Thompsons. From along Tug River have come the Artrips, Vinsons, Yorks, Ratcliffs, Copleys, Parsleys, Spauldings, and Marcums. From the right fork of Twelve Pole are the Kirks, Damrons, Prestons, Fergusons, Watts, Osburnes, and Christians. From the left fork and Kiah's Creek came the Maynards and Queens, Napiers and Frys. From Beech Fork there were the Bowens, Smiths and Adkins. From down 12 Pole were the Spurlocks and Garretts, Blosses, Newmans, Plymales and McKeands. From Ceredo the Handleys, Hoards, Kelleys and Wrights. From up the Sandy were the Hattens, Cyruses, Chapmans, Smiths, Strothers, and Loars. The lawyers present at that term of court were Judge Milton Ferguson of Louisa, Col. L. T. Moore and K. F. Prichard of Catlettsburg; Eustace Gibson and Ira McGinnis from the Cabell bar; and of local lawyers were Gobe Burgess, George Ratcliff, Joseph Kirk, Col. Witcher, and Mike Tiernan had just come. George Hutchinson was clerk and kept hotel. Evermont Ward was the judge, and, I believe, Lamech Adkins was the sheriff. County's Prominent Men Among the more prominent men that one saw on the streets of Wayne at that time were William Ratcliff and Samuel Damron from Lincoln district, judges of the old county court; M. Lamech Adkins, one of the great strong men of the county; B. Hoard of Ceredo; W. W. Brumfield from Buffalo; Lindsey Smith from Round Bottom, who owned the finest farm in the county; William Shannon of Gragston; Charles W. Ferguson, living a mile above Wayne; big Sam Ferguson from the right fork; Lewis Queen from Kiah's Creek; and Johnson Fry from Stonecoal. Of course there were a great many other prominent and excellent men besides these, but I cannot undertake to mention them all in a letter like this. Uncle Charley Ferguson I want to take this opportunity of saying about Uncle Charley Ferguson, whom I knew well and intimately up to the time of his death, that in my judgment no more lovable or gentle spirit has ever walked upon the soil of Wayne County. What John Jarrell and the great preachers whom I mentioned, as well as those I have not mentioned, were doing in the way of planting the seeds of religion and righteousness among the people, Charley Ferguson was doing precisely the same thing from the standpoint of the layman. He was not a preacher, yet his life was one of the greatest sermons of history, to settle dispute among his neighbors, keep their accounts, look after their personal welfare, feed and clothe the needy. He stood for everything that goes to make a brighter, better civilization among men. I do not mean to say that he was the only man in the county of this type, but he stood out as being preeminent among a great many others who were endeavoring in every way to imitate and follow in the footsteps of Uncle Charley Ferguson. Dominant Characteristics If I had to describe in a sentence or two the prevailing and dominant characteristics of the men whom I saw at that term of court in 1874, I would say that the dominant trait that was manifest in them was strength of character and fidelity to any cause which they espoused; that the next most prominent impression one got was the good fellowship and kindly hospitality that make each feel very welcome at the home or fireside of every other one. No Party Lines Drawn Out of the spirit of devotion and loyalty to cause grew many a heated and spirited political contest that swept over the county from one end to the other, wherein the neighbors divided upon their support of one candidate or another, and looking at these contests from this time and point of view, about the best word to describe them is to say that they were not only hot, but, generally speaking, "red hot." I can recall the race between Fisher Bowen and P. H. Napier for sheriff, and there are many yet living in Wayne who participated in that race; also a year or two later, the race of George Hutchinson and P. H. Napier for clerk of the court; and of course I could instance many others. At this time there was no party organization in the county. So far as county offices were concerned, all the voters-- democrats and republicans alike--voted for the man they liked, whether he was of the same political party in national affairs as themselves or not. Log Rollings and Husking Bees I cannot close this letter without calling to your attention the log rollings and corn huskings that prevailed throughout the whole of the county. When one cleared up a lot of land, the grubbing and the chopping of the timber and the limbs were piled up in a heap, called a "brush heap", and burned, and in order to make the land tenable and prepare it for corn planting, it became necessary to burn also the trees that had been chopped up that grew on the land. Some of these were as much as two feet in diameter and were so heavy that neither one man nor his immediate family were able to roll these logs together, so that they might be burned and the land completely cleared. Whenever the land was ready for the log rolling, the neighbors were notified, and they all gathered in the morning with thir hand spikes, generally made out of tough sassafras wood and seasoned before the fire. Here in these log rollings were exhibited great feats of strength and skill in handling these heavy logs and carrying them to the nearest fire, where they could be burned. This was a great event for the young men in the neighborhood, because a log rolling always meant that the girls too were invited in at the house for a quilting or wool picking or something of that sort, and then when the day's work was finished--and the work they did was truly herculean--the party came on, and it was a rare thing that the party ever closed before daylight the following morning. Of couuse everybody hd a good time, everybody enjoyed it, and the help that they gave to their neighbor was voluntary and as a matter of course. Kissed Prettiest Girl The same thing was true of the corn shucking. After the corn had been gathered in and put under the shed of the barn or crib, then a corn husking was had, and this was mainly confined to the young men and the young women of the neighborhood, as it offered and afforded a good excuse for having a party and bringing the young people together. One of the rules that prevailed at the corn husking was that whenever one of the young men shucked a red ear of corn that entitled him, as a matter of course, to kiss the prettiest girl in the room. In this way people got their barns and cribs and houses erected, and most of the older houses in the county today, especially the log houses, were all erected by the neighbors coming in to what was known as a "house raising." I would like to go on indefinitely and take up the individual men and women whom I knew and spent a great deal of time in their society, but of course that can not be done. Descendants Of The Great The question that has often presented itself to my mind is whether or not these strong men, mentally and physically, of fifty years ago have impressed their strength upon their descendants and the people around them. Knowing these men as I did, I cannot imagine any greater blessing that could come into a county than if the descendants of these people would so live as to keep up and continue the great strength of character that was so evident in their ancestors who lived half a century ago. Let me hope, Mr. Editor. . . (copy cuts off) Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia December 20, 1923 ****************************************************** IN QUIET THOUGHT Editorial Observations Wayne county is proud of its great and good men who chopped down trees and built cabins and thus paved the way for our civilization. We are thankful for Colonel Vinson's letter in this issue which revives our minds to a new appreciation of the obligation we owe to these sturdy ancestors of ours. No county in West Virginia, or in any other state for that matter, is more distinctive than ours. Wayne county is not patterned after any other county of the universe. To be a Wayne countian is to be just a bit different from the rest of the world. No commonwealth under the sun has produced hearts any truer to their ideas than those found in the breasts of our forefathers. And the great are not all dead. Today we have great men and women among us. It may take the prospective that comes from separation by years to make us fully appreciate the good and great men and women that are now our neighbors. We have behind us noble forefathers. The blood of brave and honorable men is in our veins. We have been handed a priceless heritage in the form of a great ancestry. Let us not falter but take up the torch of progress which has been handed to us and go forward. Thus we will be true to our trust. Thus we will be a worthy posterity to the lion-hearted, God-fearing men who founded our dear county and first lighted the torch that is now ours to carry. . . . Wayne County News Wayne, West Virginia December 20, 1923