Logan County Bits of History and Nostalgia

This is a collection of vintage photos, newspaper clippings and memorabilia that depicts some of the history and nostalgia about Logan County, West Virginia.

Drilling a test hole for new courthouse. Logan Banner clipping March 19, 1963 courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 7814.
Drilling a test hole for new courthouse. Logan Banner clipping March 19, 1963 courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 7814.

March 8, 1960 Island Creek No. 22 Mine where 18 miners were killed. Read DARK AS A Dungeon – Holden 1960 by Dolores Riggs Davis
March 8, 1960 Island Creek No. 22 Mine where 18 miners were killed. Read DARK AS A Dungeon – Holden 1960 by Dolores Riggs Davis

Downtown Logan traffic gridlocks is why there is now a Boulevard. Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson. Image 794.
Downtown Logan traffic gridlocks is why there is now a Boulevard. Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson. Image 794.

c1960s slot-car racing postcard, downtown Logan courtesy of Dwight Williamson. Image 7160.
c1960s slot-car racing postcard, downtown Logan courtesy of Dwight Williamson. Image 7160.

Logan Banner March 4, 1976 clipping. Courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 4891.
Logan Banner March 4, 1976 clipping. Courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 4891.

WLOG Tues. Dec. 9, 1947 Program Guide, Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 16798.
WLOG Tues. Dec. 9, 1947 Program Guide, Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 16798.

1922, Logan, WV Masonic Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony June 18, 1963, Logan Banner clipping. Courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 192201.
1922, Logan, WV Masonic Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony June 18, 1963, Logan Banner clipping. Courtesy of Mark Edward Jones. Image 192201.

Logan Banner, Oct. 18, 1979, Logan Banner, Oct. 18, 1979, Blair Mountain Battle and other recollections - Dellus Pritchard. Clipping courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. Image 3458.
Logan Banner, Oct. 18, 1979, Logan Banner, Oct. 18, 1979, Blair Mountain Battle and other recollections - Dellus Pritchard. Clipping courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. Image 3458.

1972 Logan Banner clipping. Employees of Dingess-Rum Coal Co. had 100 percent participation in the 1972 United Fund campaign. Each pledged a full day´s pay. L-R, Olen Donahoe, Filden Baidwin, Charles Young, John Luther, Bill Davis, Cecil Smith, Okey Gibson, Bill Long, Alice Vance, Roger Mullins, Jack Kelly, Tom Mitchell and Clarence Crum. Banner photo by Bill Marino. “My Grandfather, Cecil Smith” courtesy of Greg Linville. Image Ref. 10467.
1972 Logan Banner clipping. Employees of Dingess-Rum Coal Co. had 100 percent participation in the 1972 United Fund campaign. Each pledged a full day´s pay. L-R, Olen Donahoe, Filden Baidwin, Charles Young, John Luther, Bill Davis, Cecil Smith, Okey Gibson, Bill Long, Alice Vance, Roger Mullins, Jack Kelly, Tom Mitchell and Clarence Crum. Banner photo by Bill Marino. “My Grandfather, Cecil Smith” courtesy of Greg Linville. Image Ref. 10467.

G.C. Murphy Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson. Image 12349.
G.C. Murphy Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson. Image 12349.

Hinchman House Logan Banner clipping image ref. 15691
Hinchman House Logan Banner clipping image ref. 15691

Barker Dairy, Pecks Mill, WV 1956 receipt courtesy of Kenneth Singleton. Image ref. 11568.
Barker Dairy, Pecks Mill, WV 1956 receipt courtesy of Kenneth Singleton. Image ref. 11568.

Lawson Family Settled Here in 1824. Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk.
Lawson Family Settled Here in 1824. Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk.

Hinchman House - A View From the Early Days of Logan, Logan Banner clipping Friday, October 14, 1983 courtesy of Mark and Rachel Jones. (Image 46167)
Hinchman House - A View From the Early Days of Logan, Logan Banner clipping Friday, October 14, 1983 courtesy of Mark and Rachel Jones. (Image 46167)

1948 Sharples, WV - shop men build underground jeep courtesy of Becky Lee Lane. Ref. image 6850.
1948 Sharples, WV - shop men build underground jeep courtesy of Becky Lee Lane. Ref. image 6850.

Courtesy of Robyn C. Ritz. March 1, 1905 letter written by Ella Godby of Logan, WV to my great-great-grandmother Teny Baisden Workman. - 18941
Courtesy of Robyn C. Ritz. March 1, 1905 letter written by Ella Godby of Logan, WV to my great-great-grandmother Teny Baisden Workman. - 18941

Thomas Avis obituary, Logan Banner, 25 October 1932 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. 56164
Thomas Avis obituary, Logan Banner, 25 October 1932 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. 56164

The Logan County Banner, 1890 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk.
The Logan County Banner, 1890 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk.

History of Ward Rock, Logan Banner, 19 July 1932 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. 91646
History of Ward Rock, Logan Banner, 19 July 1932 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. 91646

July 7, 1933, O. J. Morrison Stores Receipt courtesy of Calvin Porter from his Grandmother, Edna Carter. The store was downstairs under the National Bank of Logan. 46997
July 7, 1933, O. J. Morrison Stores Receipt courtesy of Calvin Porter from his Grandmother, Edna Carter. The store was downstairs under the National Bank of Logan. 46997

Memories of John Wilson from the collection of Julia and Walter Shelton, courtesy of Ralph Mcneely and the Museum in the Park. 511919
Memories of John Wilson from the collection of Julia and Walter Shelton, courtesy of Ralph Mcneely and the Museum in the Park. 511919

1972 Super Discount ad courtesy of Keith Gibson. 49367
1972 Super Discount ad courtesy of Keith Gibson. 49367

WWII era postcard mailed to Carl Gibson at Lyburn courtesy of Keith Gibson. 116499
WWII era postcard mailed to Carl Gibson at Lyburn courtesy of Keith Gibson. 116499

WWII era postcard mailed to Carl Gibson at Lyburn courtesy of Keith Gibson. 116489
WWII era postcard mailed to Carl Gibson at Lyburn courtesy of Keith Gibson. 116489

Man Burgess & Lohn Supermarket ad courtesy of Keith Gibson. 611697
Man Burgess & Lohn Supermarket ad courtesy of Keith Gibson. 611697

Man Appalachian Regional Hospital and Dixon Hardware ad wishing Class of 1992 best wishes. Courtesy of Keith Gibson. 864691
Man Appalachian Regional Hospital and Dixon Hardware ad wishing Class of 1992 best wishes. Courtesy of Keith Gibson. 864691

1972 Tape City ad courtesy of Keith Gibson. 499169
1972 Tape City ad courtesy of Keith Gibson. 499169

50 Years a Mountain-Country Doctor by Sidney B. Lawson, M.D. (1867-1953). The Harless Library has two copies available and the Cabell County Public Library in Huntington has a copy. (Note: Cover edited to add photo.) 81124
50 Years a Mountain-Country Doctor by Sidney B. Lawson, M.D. (1867-1953). The Harless Library has two copies available and the Cabell County Public Library in Huntington has a copy. (Note: Cover edited to add photo.) 81124

Logan Civic Little League clipping showing Freddy Duncan, Mark Hatcher, David Allie and F. M. (Nig) Pierce. Courtesy of Frances Pierce Nelson-Hampson. (75664)
Logan Civic Little League clipping showing Freddy Duncan, Mark Hatcher, David Allie and F. M. (Nig) Pierce. Courtesy of Frances Pierce Nelson-Hampson. (75664)

National Cable fast pitch softball team. 1972 State Champs Finished 5th in the ISC World Tournament in Kimberly, WI. Clipping courtesy of team member Ben Bryant. (567441)
National Cable fast pitch softball team. 1972 State Champs Finished 5th in the ISC World Tournament in Kimberly, WI. Clipping courtesy of team member Ben Bryant. (567441)

Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson. (91649)
Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson. (91649)

Guyan Supply Company 1921 Calendar, Logan, WV. The painting is ‘A Misty Morning, Old Virginia’ by Edwin Lamasure (1866-1916). The store building was demolished in 2014.
Guyan Supply Company 1921 Calendar, Logan, WV. The painting is ‘A Misty Morning, Old Virginia’ by Edwin Lamasure (1866-1916). The store building was demolished in 2014.

1927 Poem by T.C. Whited. Credit goes to Logan County Clerk, John Turner who discovered it taped to a deed and showed it to Brandon Ray Kirk who shared it.
1927 Poem by T.C. Whited. Credit goes to Logan County Clerk, John Turner who discovered it taped to a deed and showed it to Brandon Ray Kirk who shared it.

Radio cowboy star Bobby Benson appearing for 1952 Logan Centennial Celebration. Source: Page 42 of the Logan Centennial Celebration Booklet. The B-Bar-B Riders was a popular radio program that ran from 1949 to 1955. Bobby and his friends Tex, Windy, and Irish face modern-day rustlers and other challenges of life on the ranch.
Radio cowboy star Bobby Benson appearing for 1952 Logan Centennial Celebration. Source: Page 42 of the Logan Centennial Celebration Booklet. The B-Bar-B Riders was a popular radio program that ran from 1949 to 1955. Bobby and his friends Tex, Windy, and Irish face modern-day rustlers and other challenges of life on the ranch.

Logan-Madison Ice pick courtesy of Carla Herkner. Her mother was born in Madison and lived in Logan.
Logan-Madison Ice pick courtesy of Carla Herkner. Her mother was born in Madison and lived in Logan.

Logan Banner, January 20, 1978 photo by Dwight Williamson.
Logan Banner, January 20, 1978 photo by Dwight Williamson.

Photo courtesy of Vivian Carpenter. She writes. My great-grandfather, Preacher J Green McNeely. He was present at the baptism of Devil Anse Hatfield by Preacher Uncle Dyke Garrett. Preacher Green is buried in Pecks Mill, WV.
Photo courtesy of Vivian Carpenter. She writes. My great-grandfather, Preacher J Green McNeely. He was present at the baptism of Devil Anse Hatfield by Preacher Uncle Dyke Garrett. Preacher Green is buried in Pecks Mill, WV.

Courtesy of Vivian Carpenter. She writes. My great-grandfather, Preacher J Green McNeely. He was also the Logan County Clerk of Court for several years. He was present at the baptism of Devil Anse Hatfield by Uncle Dyke Garrett. Preacher Green is buried in Pecks Mill, WV.
Courtesy of Vivian Carpenter. She writes. My great-grandfather, Preacher J Green McNeely. He was also the Logan County Clerk of Court for several years. He was present at the baptism of Devil Anse Hatfield by Uncle Dyke Garrett. Preacher Green is buried in Pecks Mill, WV.

Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Annette Jones Browning.
Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Annette Jones Browning.

Retiring Logan Fire Chief Fred Thompson Honored - Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Tina Thompson.
Retiring Logan Fire Chief Fred Thompson Honored - Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Tina Thompson.

Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Jane Kelly about her grandfather, Jim Kazee.
Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Jane Kelly about her grandfather, Jim Kazee.

1926 WV Elementary School Diploma courtesy of Keith Gibson.
1926 WV Elementary School Diploma courtesy of Keith Gibson.

Taplin Airfield Closes - Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Nancy Varney York.
Taplin Airfield Closes - Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Nancy Varney York.

1963 Banner clipping courtesy of the Logan County West Virginia Live Action Facebook Page.
1963 Banner clipping courtesy of the Logan County West Virginia Live Action Facebook Page.

Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson.
Logan Banner clipping courtesy of Dwight Williamson.

Vote for T. S. Hatfield for Sheriff courtesy of Spencer Stogsdill. The button is in his father´s personal collection.
Vote for T. S. Hatfield for Sheriff courtesy of Spencer Stogsdill. The button is in his father´s personal collection.

Logan Banner, 20 April 1923 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk.
Logan Banner, 20 April 1923 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk.

Chicago Tribune, Mon. Dec. 10, 1894. Clipping courtesy of Barbara Vance Cherep.
Chicago Tribune, Mon. Dec. 10, 1894. Clipping courtesy of Barbara Vance Cherep.

1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (1 of 6)
1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (1 of 6)

1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (2 of 6)
1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (2 of 6)

1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (3 of 6)
1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (3 of 6)

1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (4 of 6) On the Logan team was Adolph Marushi who would later become principal of Logan East Junion High School.
1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (4 of 6) On the Logan team was Adolph Marushi who would later become principal of Logan East Junion High School.

1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (5 of 6)
1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (5 of 6)

1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (6 of 6)
1930 Junior High Basketball Tournament Program courtesy of Ralph Mcneely. (6 of 6)

March 6, 1975 Logan Banner clipping showing the demolition of the old Logan General Hospital.
March 6, 1975 Logan Banner clipping showing the demolition of the old Logan General Hospital.

This was the first step to become an American citizen. Declaration of Intention, Guisseppe (Joe) Scaramuzzino courtesy of Bob Piros. Joe Scaramuzzino had a store at Mt. Gay.
This was the first step to become an American citizen. Declaration of Intention, Guisseppe (Joe) Scaramuzzino courtesy of Bob Piros. Joe Scaramuzzino had a store at Mt. Gay.

The Logan Banner Jan. 20, 1978 clipping. Parts of the area received up to 24 inches of snow.
The Logan Banner Jan. 20, 1978 clipping. Parts of the area received up to 24 inches of snow.

This marker is located on RT 49 just outside of Blackberry City, Mingo County, WV. Photo courtesy of Lisa Grimmett.
This marker is located on RT 49 just outside of Blackberry City, Mingo County, WV. Photo courtesy of Lisa Grimmett.

Making apple butter at West Logan. Banner clipping courtesy of Jay Anna Ellis.
Making apple butter at West Logan. Banner clipping courtesy of Jay Anna Ellis.

Logan Banner clipping Tuesday, March 15,1949 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Logan Banner clipping Tuesday, March 15,1949 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.

Logan Banner clipping, Friday, April 1, 1949 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Logan Banner clipping, Friday, April 1, 1949 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.

Logan Banner, Friday, February 22, 1935 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Logan Banner, Friday, February 22, 1935 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.

Logan Banner, Friday, February 22, 1935 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Logan Banner, Friday, February 22, 1935 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.

Clipping courtesy of Lillian Porter-Smith. On Dec. 31st, 1911 Willis Hatfield killed Doctor Who Refused Him Whiskey. Another article about his trial reported that he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to only serve four years.
Clipping courtesy of Lillian Porter-Smith. On Dec. 31st, 1911 Willis Hatfield killed Doctor Who Refused Him Whiskey. Another article about his trial reported that he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to only serve four years.

Courtesy of Carla Frye Waldrop. The Black Diamond Cab company was owned by Logan Mayor, Litz McGuire.
Courtesy of Carla Frye Waldrop. The Black Diamond Cab company was owned by Logan Mayor, Litz McGuire.

A couple of interesting things about this ticket. The 75¢ ticket price seems a little expensive for 1938. Maybe the price included the train ride? The 8:15 start time indicates that the field had lights.
A couple of interesting things about this ticket. The 75¢ ticket price seems a little expensive for 1938. Maybe the price included the train ride? The 8:15 start time indicates that the field had lights.
Logan Banner, TV Guide Section, January 15 – 22, 1966
Courtesy of Herb Harvey
- Page 1, Sunday and Monday (pdf)
- Page 2, Tuesday and Wednesday (pdf)
- Page 3, Wednesday and Thursday (pdf)
- Page 4, Friday and Saturday (pdf)
You may also enjoy:
You can help preserve a bit of Logan County history by sharing your vintage newspaper clippings. To do so, please email its image to the admin at loganwv.us@gmail.com.
According to the WV Tourism online stie, McCormicks Furniture Store opened in Logan WV. in 1936. They leased a small storage space out of a hotel to peddle whatever large appliances people could afford during the Great Depression. After WWII they expanded into a full on department store.
Many of you have probably heard the expression,
” he’s losing his marbles ( brain wise )”. Well the
photo with the marbles shows that I still have mine.
These are the ones I saved from my childhood while
living in Cherry Tree.
I am hoping that more of you will put your recollections
of your marble playing days.
While its true I don’t recall how we played the game,
I had to do some research. We use to draw a square
box on the ground & get down on our knees to shoot
& knock the marbles out of the box.
This game was played with boys, no girls played
in the game as I recall, not sure why?
According to online info, the game was called Dropsies.
The article deals mostly with the circle game of marbles.
Each shooter puts in his marbles to be shot out by
those playing the game. This was my first game
of betting.
In today’s market many collectors pay lots of money for
the different colors & makes of marbles.
there was another game.. you would set up 5 or 6 marbles and then draw a line about 2 or 3 feet away and others would shoot at the marbles and you got to keep the ones that missed.. nice collection of marbles sir
Ralph,thanks for your comment.
Good to know that there are still
people who recall playing with marbles.
Ok, do you recall how the shooters
were selected to shoot first.
Coin toss, heads or tails or some
other ways.
Bob,
I seem to recall that one way the first to shoot was determined was by shooting to see who got closest to a line.
I don’t recall specifics about the games but I recall some “terms” used in the games.
One term was something like “fatty(sp?” which I think was when the marbles were placed in a square.
Another term was “ring” which was when the marbles were placed inside a large circle.
The term “eenies” was when a marble target was placed upon a small squeezed-up dirt mound (seems like it was an optional choice situation)
Similarly, the term “surrounds” was used as an optional choice and it may have been a pre-game decision on rules of “surrounds” or “no surrounds”.
“Tawl” was your shooting marble.
You may recall that in an article I posted early last year under the “Mud Fork” topic, I mentioned a champion marble player from Thompson Town in the late 40′-early 50’s named Dean Curry. I didn’t recall the details of his success but it is deserving of having research done about him.
Thanks for your contributions!
Doug, thanks for your comments &
doing the extra marble research.
Your Feb.14, 2018 Mudfork story
was really wonderful.
I’ll let you do the research about
Dean Curry as I couldn’t find
anything about him.
I did find that in 1923 Scripps Newspaper
held its first marble championship in
Akron ,Ohio.
In 1951 the marble champ was
Shirley Windy Allen who lived in
Fairview, WV.
Is there history of The Chief Logan Bottling Company.
Kathleen, check with the Logan Co,
Chamber of Commerce # 304-752-1324.
The following info was taken from records at familysearch.org &
other online sources.
Willie Grimmett was a wonderful black American hero. His draft card
for June 5, 1917 signed by him shows he was born September 21, 1891
in Warrior Jefferson County Alabama. Warrior is a northern suburb of
Birmingham & it was named after the Black Warrior River which is the
main waterway in Jefferson. The county was named for President
Thomas Jefferson. The Jefferson Warrior Railroad started operating
in 1895. It operated 15 miles in & around Warrior & Birmingham.
Willie’s draft card shows he was living in Birmingham. He was working
for the J.W. Morgan company located in Clift Alabama. Clift was a
planned coal mine town which no longer exists. James Morgan’s
company had mining, geologists, electrical & mechancial engineers.
James Sr. (1871- 1946) was married to Mary Wilson (1872- 1922).
Their children were Willie, Howard, Ethel, Katherine & James Jr.
Willie stated on his draft card that he was short & stout, he had black
hair & eyes. He had both legs off at the knees & he was not able to
have a trade but was able to work. He used crutches to get around.
He was single & had never served in the military.
The 1930 census shows that Willie lived & worked in Omar Logan
County WV. Shows he was born in 1894 in Alabama. His D.R. shows
that he was born February 1, 1887 & he died September 2, 1941 in
Logan from a heart attack. He is buried in Stirrat Cemetery.
His parents were Henry (1862- 1911) & Mary Grimmett (Jones).
Henry died April 8, 1911 from a gas explosion by open light at the
Banner Coal Mine in Jefferson County. There were 127 other miners
who died that day. Mostly all were black men who were convicts
serving 20-day sentences for petty crimes. You can read about this
event by putting in your search, “Banner Mine Tragedy of 1911”.
Row 6 article # 1 about Andrew White, he was
born in 1834 in Logan County. He married
Mary Frances Ferrell born in 1838 on
June 30,1855 in Boone County WV.
They had seven children, James- 1856-1942,
George- 1859- ?, May- 1866-1929,Benjamin &
Russell twins- 1869- ?, Arthur- 1879- ? &
Sarah- 1881- ?.
In 1927, Helen Piros(Tarkany) at the age of 15 worked
for Minister Charles Douglas Whiteley & his wife
Ethel. Charles was the Minister at the Presbyterian Church
in Logan,WV. Ethel was the organist.
Helen worked for them for one year & she received
$ 30 a month. She took care of the home which
was in Middleburg Addition, a two story white house.
Records found at familysearch.org confirm that
Charles was born in 1890 in North Carolina & he died
there in 1961.Ethel was born in 1900 & she died
in 1995 in same state.
Their children whom Helen took care of were
Catherine- 1923- ?
Charles Jr.- 1925- 1983 & Donald – 1927- 1977.
They all moved back to North Carolina in 1930.