General Articles.
By Dwight Williamson From everything I’ve been able to discover over the years, it appears Logan County was a mighty tough place to live, particularly during the 1800’s. There were no real law enforcement officers, and oftentimes matters were settled—let’s just say—outside of a court room. The Hatfield-McCoy feud is a prime example. However, there […]
Early Logan Co.: A mighty tough place to live Read More »
By Dwight Williamson While great detail will be given in a future edition of this newspaper regarding the history of legendary Logan County Sheriff Don Chafin and the very house in which he lived, for today’s purposes, I would like to relate a story that few people living nowadays have ever been aware of —
The legendary Don Chafin Read More »
By Dwight Williamson “People who die are not buried in a field, they are buried in the heart” — Anonymous. There exists a somewhat forgotten yet historic cemetery in the town of Logan. Located on High Street, it is unintentionally hidden from view and rarely receives visitors. Like the ghostly former home of legendary Logan
The historic cemetery in Logan Read More »
By Dwight Williamson Some of Logan County’s most precious history has truly been buried within the bounds of Logan County. Unfortunately, along with time, and some factors beyond the common man’s reach, the great efforts of men and women of the past are not nearly as distinguished as perhaps they should be. Take, for instance,
Alderson helped elevate Logan to greatness Read More »
By Dwight Williamson Island Creek Coal Company’s No. 16 store was located where D&S Machine Shop is now just above the Verdunville Post Office. The center of a coal camp, company stores were busy except on Sunday’s when they were closed. It is believed that this photo was taken on a Sunday since there are no vehicles or customers. There was a time not that long ago when nearly every Logan County community had its own version of today’s Walmart.
Growing up with the Company Store Read More »
Mountain Woman: Reflections on Life in the Appalachian Coalfields by Matt Browning at mattbrowningbooks.com Earlier this year, I was invited by Voices of Appalachia to write a piece about Appalachian culture. I chose to interview my mother about her experiences growing up, getting married, raising a family and retiring in the coalfields of Logan County,
Development of Education By J. A. Vickers This article was originally published in the 1952 Centennial Program Booklet published by the City of Logan, WV. The history of Logan County dates back to the French and Indian War. The settlers were all uneducated me setting out into a strange country as pioneers, courage and a
Development of Education Read More »
My memories of Logan – More Than Feudin’ and Fightin’ By Elizabeth Thurmond Witschey This article was originally published in the Spring 2000 edition of the Goldenseal Magazine. It is published here with their permission and our special thanks. Back when I was a child, there was more going on in Logan than feudin’ and
My Memories of Logan Read More »
Coal Miners – The Heroes of Appalachia Everyone talks of a mother’s love but not of a father’s sacrifice. The job of an underground coal miner has always been hard and dangerous. It was especially so during the early years of coal mining. Every working day coal miners risked their lives to provide for their families. That’s
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Early Life In Logan County Described by K. F. Deskins Pioneer Citizen Has Clear Recollection of Sixty Years Ago When There Were But Eight to Ten Houses Here The Logan Banner, Nov. 12, 1937 By Stan Tobin Sixty years ago, which is comparatively a short time in the ordinary span of things canoes and flatboats
Early Life In Logan County Read More »