By Dwight Williamson Imagine this: It is a hot sultry day in late August of 1921 in bustling downtown Logan as you await the afternoon edition of the only real source of local news for Logan County -The Logan Banner. Paperboys with their canvas bags strapped across their shoulders full of newspapers fresh off the […]
Don Chafin and the Battle of Blair Mountain Read More »
Courthouse photo taken in 1903 Logan Banner, Moments in History by Bob Spence. Shown at the right of today’s column is the courthouse built in Logan in the 1870s and torn down in 1905. This photograph is on loan from Ronna McClure and many thanks and appreciations are extended to her. It is remarkable for
Logan County Courthouse 1875-1905 Read More »
by Melvin Triola Published in 1952 The United Mine Workers of America attempted to organize the Logan field in 1921. Their organizing campaign was halted on Blair Mountain at that time by the organized effort of the coal operators in Logan County, with which everyone is familiar. After being unsuccessful in this campaign, they did
U. M. W. of A. in Logan County Read More »
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 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 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 »