Stirrat, Logan County, WV
“Stirrat was constructed by the Main Island Creek Coal Co. and named for that firm’s General Manager – James Stirrat.”1 (See comment below).
Stirrat Photo Gallery
Courtesy of Leslie Rivers. She writes: “Dr. Moore in the late 1920s in his Stirrat office. Note the desk. Cap Hatfield was sitting at this desk when Dr. Moore told him he had a fatal brain tumor after examining him. Dr. Moore referred him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for further confirmation of his diagnosis. Cap opted for surgery to remove the tumor. He went into surgery at 8 am and was dead by 11 am and in the autopsy theater. The tumor was massive and the cancer had metastasized to most of his internal organs. The autopsies found old scar tissue from a bullet wound in his sigmoid colon. They didn't remove the bullet as it was not the cause of death. Dr. Moore and Cap Hatfield had been loyal and confidential friends until Cap's death in 1930. It was not until the late 1950s that Dr. Moore revealed how close their friendship had been. In the 1990s, Jean Hatfield wrote in one of her several letters to me that it was a well-known fact that Dr. Moore was the Hatfield Family physician. The autopsy report is on display in the Pikeville KY Museum.“ Image 764926.
Courtesy of Leslie Rivers. She writes: “Dr. Moore in the late 1920s in his Stirrat office. Note the desk. Cap Hatfield was sitting at this desk when Dr. Moore told him he had a fatal brain tumor after examining him. Dr. Moore referred him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for further confirmation of his diagnosis. Cap opted for surgery to remove the tumor. He went into surgery at 8 am and was dead by 11 am and in the autopsy theater. The tumor was massive and the cancer had metastasized to most of his internal organs. The autopsies found old scar tissue from a bullet wound in his sigmoid colon. They didn't remove the bullet as it was not the cause of death. Dr. Moore and Cap Hatfield had been loyal and confidential friends until Cap's death in 1930. It was not until the late 1950s that Dr. Moore revealed how close their friendship had been. In the 1990s, Jean Hatfield wrote in one of her several letters to me that it was a well-known fact that Dr. Moore was the Hatfield Family physician. The autopsy report is on display in the Pikeville KY Museum.“ Image 764926.
Pine Creek courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16702.
Pine Creek courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16702.
Old railroad bed on Mud Fork courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. Ref. Image 6942.
Old railroad bed on Mud Fork courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. Ref. Image 6942.
1946 Durance Colliery Prep Pant, Stirrat, WV courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16704.
1946 Durance Colliery Prep Pant, Stirrat, WV courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16704.
Pay Day at Stirrat, WV, Oct. 1935, Ben Shahn, Photographer. Courtesy of Library of Congress.
Pay Day at Stirrat, WV, Oct. 1935, Ben Shahn, Photographer. Courtesy of Library of Congress.
1938 Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration Collection, photographer Marion Post Wolcott.
1938 Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration Collection, photographer Marion Post Wolcott.
Omar and Stirrat Doctors and Nurses
Omar and Stirrat Doctors and Nurses
Stirrat, WV, Oct. 1935, Ben Shahn, Photographer. Courtesy of Library of Congress.
Stirrat, WV, Oct. 1935, Ben Shahn, Photographer. Courtesy of Library of Congress.
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely,
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 courtesy of Ralph Mcneely,
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 (4) courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 (4) courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 (3) courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 (3) courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 (2) courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Stirrat Tipple 12-26-1946 (2) courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Dorrance Collery Tipple at Stirrat courtesy of Rayman Herman.
Dorrance Collery Tipple at Stirrat courtesy of Rayman Herman.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School taken November 2017 courtesy of Sabrina Adkins Sigmon.
Stirrat Grade School about 1988 courtesy of Bonnie Vance
Stirrat Grade School about 1988 courtesy of Bonnie Vance
My name is Allen Adkins in 1958 we lived up littlest creek. My dad Golden Adkins worked at number 15 mines. After several injuries he was found passed out going up the metal steps. If my mind serves me right there were 92 steps from the bath house up to the mines. My brother Jimmy and I followed in our dad’s footsteps. The last day that my dad worked was June 9 1970. When he went to the dr. they told him that he 1/4 of 1 lung that was not filled with Blacklung. Dad was not able to do much other than tell his loved ones that he loved them. On June 16 1990 my mom called and said your dad needs you. I lived just 1/4 mile from him and I drove down called an ambulance drove back home got my family. Wh3n I got back the we’re taking him out on a stretcher. Mom got in the ambulance but dad ask them to put her. They said when mom’s feet hit the ground dad died. Our mom passed in 2001. They left 5 boys and one girl. In just a couple of years our sister passed. Now there are just us 5 brothers to carry on. At 24 I got my back broke in the mines and at 34 I messed my neck up. Never worked again. Brother ended up with over 40 years.
Four of us went to Stirrat, Omar then Logan High. Two graduated in 1970 me in 1974 and little brother in 1978.
Douglas, I thank you for your comment.
This link shows the beginning history of Stirrat. https://www.coalcampusa.com/sowv/logan/stirrat/stirrat.htm. The coal camp was named for James Stirrat. James and his family records were found at familysearch.org. James was born April 27 1859 in Abbey Renfrewshire Scotland, United Kingdom. It was known for a civil parish which owes its name to Paisley Abbey,the central religious site in the county and parish church.It was a market town that did weaving, flax spinning and had fishing net factories. James was the son of Dougal – 1835- 1880 and Janet 1837- 1887 Stirrat. They were married March 30, 1857 in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire Scotland.In 1870 the family was living in Putman Township,Fulton County Illinois and Dougal was working as a coal operator.James married Annabell Wright October 24,1882 in Canton,Fulton Co. He was working as a clerk in a local store. In 1900 James and Annabell were living in Fairmont Marion County WV and he was working as a soft coal mine operator. In 1910 they were living in Skelton,Raleigh Co.WV and James was a Superintendent in a coal mine.In 1920 James was living in Stirrat and was the General Manger for the Island Creek Coal Company. James died April 17, 1925 in Huntington,WV where he lived in retirement. Annabell died September 5,1931 in Huntington. Their only daughter was Alice Stirrat ( Binford ) 1884- 1969, she lived in South Charleston,WV. The Stirrat family are buried in Oaklawn Memorial Park in Barboursville, WV.
Bob,
Minor “miner” (pun intended) correction: MAIN ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY –not Island Creek Coal Company,