General Articles.
By Dwight Williamson Some readers may recall the story of Logan Police Chief Roy Knotts being gunned down in 1930 at the Smokehouse restaurant in Logan by Enoch Scaggs, who put five bullets into the man who was on his first day of work. Despite several eyewitnesses to the killing, the plan was for Scaggs […]
The murderous ’30s Read More »
By Dwight Williamson There certainly was no Walmart, but there once were many stores in Logan County, some of which even doubled as what was known as “filling stations.” On a smaller scale, I suppose one could compare those stations to today’s Speedways or 7-11 stores; the difference being a mechanic usually available. Younger folks
Recollections of old stores and “filling” stations Read More »
By Emery Jeffreys On Feb. 26, 1972 memories of death, destruction, mud, muck and misery on Buffalo Creek were seared into my brain when a wall of black water killed 125 people and left 4,000 more homeless. Monday marked the 46th anniversary. It was the first big disaster I covered when I worked at The
Mud, muck and misery Read More »
By Clarence H. Frey Published in 1952 The City of Logan was 36 years of age when Henry Clay Ragland published his first issue of The Logan Banner. Mr. Ragland was a prolific writer and copies of his newspaper record much current news and feature poems and history of the county most of which he
Newspaper and Radio Read More »
By Dwight Williamson Christmastime brings back many memories for me. The smell of a fresh cut pine tree standing in the living room and the crackling of a fire built to keep us warm while sleigh riding off the schoolhouse hill at Verdunville is what comes to mind as I wander back to the days
Coal camp Christmas memories Read More »
By Dwight Williamson Fires have always taken their tolls on historical sites in Logan County, including two Logan County courthouses. However, two significant fires of interest which some people will remember occurred at very historical sites: the Aracoma Hotel in November of 2010, and the Chafin Building (formerly known as the Guyan Valley Bank) also
Fires change course of Logan’s history Read More »
Scrip – Coal Miners Money In the early days of coal mining, the miner became indebted to the company for everything from food and housing to the tools necessary to perform his job. He could draw scrip as an advance against his wages. The Company built houses which were rented to their employees and general
Coal Company Scrip Read More »
By Dwight Williamson When you are talking about the history of Logan County, West Virginia, in reality you may also be speaking of the history of Cabell County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. So, when one is describing the events prior to 1823, such as the first white settlers in the Guyandotte Valley, or the
The Creation of Logan County Read More »
By Dwight Williamson “It is my land and my corn—why can’t I do with my crop whatever I please?” For years— before, during and after Prohibition— mountain people asked that question of its government, virtually to no avail. With the Appalachian mountain region always lending itself admirably to the making of moonshine, and Devil Anse
Death of the Hatfield brothers Read More »
By Dwight Williamson With Halloween just around the corner, I am reminded of times past when danger lurked on nearly every roadway in Logan County during this time of year. Thank goodness, everybody now seems to have their cell phones and other gadgets to keep themselves occupied, and perhaps that helps to keep people out
Halloween escapades of the “Porch Sitters” Read More »