| PERSONALS
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Taylor of Petersburg are announcing the birth of twin sons at the Winchester Memorial Hospital, Winchester, Virginia on Sunday, august 29th. The infants, their first, weighed five pounds, eight ounces and five pounds, seven ounces. They have been named Ryan Douglas and Chad Christopher. Mr. Taylor is a teacher at the Petersburg High School. The new family is expected to arrive home today (Wednesday). Weekend guests of Mrs. Emma Rinker and Alice Turner were Mrs. Joe Ketterman, Nancy, Bonnie and Cindy, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ketterman and family of Bowling Green, Virginia, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rinker and family, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Puffenbarger of Cumberland, Maryland, Mr. and Mrs. Don Flannagen and family, Maryland Hartman, and Lee Eller of Edgewater, Maryland, Mrs. Bertha Melone and Luther Crider of Bergton, Virginia, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Woods and family of St. George, Sallie Crites and Ollie Arbogast, Mrs. Dora Appold and family, Harry Smith and Maxine, Mrs. Genny Woods, Teresa, Bonnie and Johnny. Mrs. Ralph Ours, Jerry and Corena, Geraldine and Maxine Smith spent last week in Union, S. C. with their uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ketterman and sons. While there they spent the weekend at Myrtle Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Roland Cline spent Wednesday at Jessup, Maryland attending a G. E. Sales and Service Meeting. Mr. and Mrs. earl Brewer, Joshua and Zachrey of Sterling, Virginia spent several days visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otha Turner. The Brewers have moved from sterling to Chapel Hill, N. C. Emma Rinker and Alice Turner spent a recent weekend with the latter’s sister at Woodford, Virginia. While there they toured Busch Gardens at Williamsburg, Virginia. Those visiting the Harry Smith family over the weekend were Mrs. Joe Ketterman and bonnie, Mrs. Nancy Parker and Cindy, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ketterman and family of Bowling Green, Virginia, Mr. and Mrs. Don Flannagen and family of Edgewater, Maryland and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rinker and family of Cumberland, Maryland. Visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rutherford this past week were her mother, Mrs. Elsie Sypolt, Mrs. Annie Brown, Mr. and Mrs. David Eddy and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Twyman and children, Kim and Doug, all of Fairmont, daughter of the Twymans, Mrs. Debra Moore and son, J. D. of Phoenix, Arizona, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Eddy and daughter, Donna of Fairmont stopped enroute from vacationing in California and various other states. Mrs. Twyman and Mrs. Wayne Eddy are sisters of Mrs. Rutherford. Seventy-seven people in the surrounding area toured Kings Dominion last Saturday by Willetts Tour. Mrs. Carmen Barr and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Keny of St. Petersburg, Florida were visiting Mrs. Artie Shirk one evening last week. Col (ret.) and Mrs. J. Maynard Gray of Newport News, Virginia and Mrs. J. M. Gray and daughter, Jennifer at Falls Church, Virginia were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Inskeep. Mrs. Jerry Williams and daughter of Eugene, Oregon, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Stump were visiting recently in the home of their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. “Butch” Stump of Woodbridge, Virginia. While visiting with them they were sightseeing at Rehoboth beach, Del. H. Hull and Mr. and Mrs. Roland Barr and sons were visiting relatives in Monterey, Virginia Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Doug Borror, Dougie and Matt were guests of Mr. and Mrs. “Butch” Stump in Woodbridge, Virginia last weekend. Mrs. Artie shirk was a Sunday evening supper guest of Mr. and Mrs. Dayton Smith at Franklin Pike. E. H. Stump spent a week visiting Mr. and Mrs. Grant Stump and family in Glen Gardner, N. J. Mrs. Harry shoemaker of Bridgewater, Virginia is spending some time here with her father, Forrest Judy, and visiting her mother who remains a patient in Grant Memorial Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Hall of Shepherdstown visited her sister at the hospital during the weekend. Mr. Shoemaker spent Friday here. Guests of Jay and Wendy Jensen over the weekend included Mr. and Mrs. John Jensen, John and Timmy Jensen and Cricket. Jerry Whetzel, Sherri Rotruck, Gerogia Whetzel and Tim, Mr. and Mrs. Jariet Kessel, Kami and Josh, Libby Sherman and Debbie Goldizen drove to Appalachian Park Sunday to hear the Rev. Rex. Humbard. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bonnette and son, Ken, and Steve Magda of N. Madison, Ohio spent a week visiting E. H. Stump and relatives. Miss Brenda Whetzel spent three weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Junior Whtezel. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dawson have just returned from a week in New York City. While there they attended the National Convention of the V.F.W. and Auxiliary, where they represented Post and Auxiliary 6454 among the 40,000 delegates. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Keny returned to their home in St. Petersburg, Florida after spending two weeks here visiting relatives and friends. Mrs. Keny will be remembered as the daughter of the late E. H. and Dora (Kile) Landes. Mrs. Dewey Stoner of Westminster, Maryland spend last week visiting Mr. and Mrs. Harman Kile, Mr. and Mrs. Archie W. Ours and daughter. Lucille Hubble of Wardensville spent last Wednesday visiting in the same home. Mrs. Goldie Bensenhaver and son, Sonny spent last weekend in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where they visited her son and daughter- in- law, Dr. and Mrs. John Bensenhaver and daughers, Mrs. John Bensenhaver returned home with them and are spending the week with her brother-in-law and sister; Mr. and Mrs. Walbert Peters and sons on Trenton Street. Mrs. Rosalie Alt recently attended the Potomac Conference Pre-Planning Sessions for the American Lutheran Church Women of the Washington, D. C. and West Virginia area churches for the year 1977 in Bethesda, Maryland. She is the Conference Secretary of Education and President of the Grace Lutheran Church Women. Mrs. Harry Shoemaker, Forrest Judy and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Judy were visiting their brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Linden Cleaver of Upper Tract last Wednesday. E. H. Stump, Mrs. Junior Whetzel, Miss Brenda Whetzel and Ruth Runion were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey Rose and family of Morgantown. ********************************************************************* PETERSBURG Peters, engineer of note, etches a town from Indian land. Like many other towns in these parts, there seems to be no adequate reason for its existence; but we suppose it accumulated for neighborhood convenience around a blacksmith shop and a mill, developing in the course of time a tavern, a meeting house, a couple of stores, a hundred or two inhabitants, and finally a post office. “Here people have ample time to think profoundly, to study, scheme, plan and do nothing, which they generally accomplish.” This somewhat less than flattering description of Petersburg was penned by traveling outdoor writer extraordinaire Porte Crayon during his first excursion through the valley in the 1850’s. However, his speculation on the town’s formation is quite accurate. There are several versions to the origination of the county seat’s name. The most widespread and documented gives credit to a Jacob Peters (or Peterson, the name being used interchangeably). Peters was the first settler who journeyed to the valley via the Washington Trail. A “fluent speaker, and engineer of note,” the town was named after him in 1745. The proprietor of the first general store in the county, Fort Peterson on North Mill creek also is said to have been named in his honor. One local historian suggests he was also the first owner of the Delay Mill. The town’s father supposedly suffered greatly at the hands of the Indians whom this settlement was displacing. Six of his children were captured and his wife massacred. Peters himself met a violent death. In John Randolph Schaeffer’s.” Over the Alleghenies,” we are briefly told, “Mr. Peters was found one morning suspended from the log rafters of his home.” We have no clue from Schaeffer’s narrative however if the hanging was self-inflicted or murder. Peters resided in a log cabin on the site of the present county library in the old Grant County Bank. In E. L. Judy’s “History of Grant and Hardy Counties, West Virginia,” another version is proposed of how Petersburg got its name. “The Lewis surveying party of 1746 may have brought the name, for in the party were Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas and Peter Hedgeman; and the company of surveyors probably encamped on the very site of Petersburg, and there may have been a small settlement here then.” Still a third possibility for Petersburg’s namesake may have been derived from Peter Keran, a large landowner in the village who purchased a parcel of land in 1797 that was later to house the Delay Mill. At any rate, the settlement’s population seemed to hover steadily around 200 for many years before slowly climbing upwards. Fort George was an early for in the town for protection against Indians. Before the building of the first river bridge, two fords were used to make the river crossing. One was located above the present structure and one below. The Pond was first known as Simpson’s Mill Run after Jonathan Simpson Sr. who received a grant of 103 acres from Lord Fairfax in 1773. The Mill lot was transferred to William Delay in 1852 In 1789, Alexander Simpson was licensed to keep Ordinary at his house, one of the first taverns in the South Branch Valley. The Presbyterian Church first located on Maple Hill was the only church in Petersburg for a time. It was later burned by Federal troops in the Civil War. The first minister was Rev. William N. Scott who died January 24, 1857. Petersburg and Maysville engaged in a running bitter battle over placement of the county seat for 31 years. Records were shuffled back and forth three times with Petersburg finally winning the honor for good in 1897. The first railroad came to Petersburg in 1910—the same year the town was incorporated. Built by John J. and W. B. Cornwell, it was initially known as the Hampshire Southern and later became a branch of the Baltimore and Ohio. Petersburg was a well-used stopping point for several campaigns during the Civil War. Fort Mulligan was a federal garrison located where the grant Memorial Hospital now stands. The first mail transportation by automobile from Petersburg to Keyser was hauled by George Shank. There were no bridges over the streams when water was up; the mail was up a creek so to speak. Bob Baker brought the first horseless carriage (also known as a car) to Petersburg in 1907. Naturally, it was a ford. The first airplane to land in the city was in the early 1920’s and created as much excitement as the automobile had years earlier. R. W. Baker served as the town’s first mayor in 1910. He was elected again in 1922, 1926 and 1931. Elevation is 937 feet. Petersburg’s population trend is marked by a slow but steady climb upward. The 1940 census sets the number of inhabitants at 1, 751. The 1950 census shows 1, 874 and the latest (1970) tops 2,000 at 2,177. RIG Everyone enjoyed the Kid’s Crusade last week at the rig Assembly of God with Libby Sherman and Debbie Goldizen. The winners of the Kid’s Crusade were Madeline Evans, first, Craig Sherman, second Richard Crites third and Billy Miller, fourth. Sorry to hear that Mrs. Ada Sherman of Fisher is a patient at the local hospital. We wish for her a quick recovery. Mr. and Mrs. Box Triplett and son and Mrs. Annie Barr of Monorvia, Maryland were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Riggleman of Critestown over the weekend. Glad to hear that Mrs. Neil Sherman of Mathias is home from the hospital and doing fine. Mrs. Juanita Lambert was visiting Mrs. Jane Kimble and Leatrice, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Riggleman and Mrs. Leona George during the week. Mrs. Lambert and Mrs. Loma Hose visited Mr. and Mrs. Eldie Hinkle and Mrs. Orpha Imperio Saturday evening. Those visiting Mrs. Juanita Lambert during the week were Mrs. Loma Hose. Mrs. Leona George, Mrs. Neil Sherman, Miss Ellen Kimble, Max Borror, Merle Lambert, Robert Thompson and Melvin Lambert Jr. and son Bucky. Mr. and Mrs. John Goldizen Jr. visited Mr. and Mrs. William Miller Friday night. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Crites and daughters from Harrisonburg visited Mr. and Mrs. Robert Crites and son and Mr. and Mrs. William Miller and son Saturday night. Those visiting Mr. and Mrs. Lem Crites and Bobby were Mrs. Alice Crites, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Pratt and family, Mr. and Mrs. lucky Crites and family, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Crites and son, Tommie Crites and son, Josephine Crites and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Crites, Mrs. Carl Crites and children, Barbara Ours, Vickie Lynn Crites, Willie Crites, Britton Crites, Annie Barr, John Baker, Mrs. Richard Simmons, and children, Mrs. Paula Wolfe and Children, Wilda Crites, Mrs. Lucille Shupe and daughter, Mrs. Ila Keller, Mrs. Lynn Bean, Carolyn Crites, Mr. and Mrs. William Ketterman, Mrs. bell Evans and Mrs. Mollie Newhouse. ************************************************************************ ROUGH RUN Mrs. O. G. Harman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harriman of Terra Alta and Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Deavers of Boonsboro, Maryland spent Thursday night with Mr. and Mrs. Earl Harman. Mrs. Goldie Sites of Petersburg visited Mrs. Curtis Sites Thursday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Harman visited Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Dalmer of Kline Saturday evening. Greg Kesner spent Thursday night with his granddaughter, Mr. and Mrs. Olen Ratliff of Mozer. Mrs. Dwight Heavener and Joann and Mrs. Jimmy Heavener and Sherry of Kline visited Mrs. Douglas Kesner one afternoon this past week. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harriman of Terra Alta visited me for a while Friday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Russel Mongold and children and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ayers and daughter and Mrs. Ray Mongold visited Mrs. Curtis sites and Bettie Thursday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Harman attended the Charlie Armentrout reunion Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. William Ayers and Timmy visited Mr. and Mrs. Lee Cullers of Moorefield Sunday evening. Mrs. Harold Roby visited her mother, Mrs. Evers Bergdoll and Harold Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Hall of Shepherdstown visited Mrs. A. E. Simmons and Mr. and Mrs. Galen Simmons Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shobe of Hagerstwon, Maryland are visiting Mrs. J. E. Judy and Mr. and Mrs. Willard Judy. Miss Susie Hamric is visiting her sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Thompson of Montgomery. Mr. and Mrs. Norris Brake and Hilton visited Mrs. Evers Bergdoll and Harold Sunday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Barnes and Mrs. Francis Moore of Syesville, Maryland, Bill Lowe of Mahan, Virginia, and Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Crites of Petersburg visited Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Crites Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Simmons and children, Mr. and Mrs. Tracey Nicely and baby, and Galen Ours visited Mrs. and Mrs. C. T. Harman Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Hall of Shepherdstown spent several days last week with Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Crites. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parsons and Randy visited Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Harman one evening last week. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Mauzy and children visited Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Hines of Dorcas Sunday. ************************************************************************ Scherr Today we present a brief study, which represents the work of one of the finer armature historians the area has produced. John J. Idleman. We concentrate on the text, exactly as written. In future editions we’ll have comments both on the man and the history he recounts. This particular literacy effort is entitled The History of Scherr, West Virginia and Vicinity and has long been out of print. “I will give you a little history of some of the older people and happenings when I was a boy, and some of you older folks may also remember some of these happenings. I will start against the spurs of Allegheny Mountain. Martin and Michael Geizer, who came here with their parents from Germany, and were among those who first came and settled in Myerstown. Martin married a daughter of old Uncle Jonathan Hanlin who then resided on the farm now owned by Doctor Moomau. Martin Geizer, after marriage, settled on a part of his father0in-law’s land, of which he later became owner, where Sanford Cosner now lives. Michael Geizer never married by made his home with his brother. Martin and Michael later bought what is known as the Hess place from an old German who also had settled in Myerstown, but later purchased this place and lived on it until he sold to the Geizers, he then moved to Maysville, and being a carpenter helped to build the old Grant County Court House where was first located the first county seat of Grant County. South of the Hess place and adjoining Joseph Hanlin- grandfather of Kaspar Hanlin- purchased a farm later known as the Martin L. Hanlin farm. Joseph Hanlin was a member of and a minister in the Dunkard Brethren Church and a very spirited Christian. Not having time to tell you about Myerstown we next came to Billy Moreland who owned the farm where the R. F. Secrist brick house and large barn stands and now owned by J. M. Parks. Northwest of the old brick house was the old Moreland graveyard wherein was a number of graves but are now extinct, showing how necessary it is to bring our love ones where they are cared for. Billy Moreland’s farm extended east to the old Petersburg road and adjoining the lands of Solomon Michael. On the south bank of what is known as the Myerstown run and almost directly south and about three or four hundred yards from Mr. Parks present dwelling, was built the first schoolhouse in this community, probably about the year 1852. At any rate I find among my father’s old papers a copy of the enumerations of school children for the year 1852, and there were 71 enrolled. I wonder what our teachers of today would think of that for a one-room school. In this building, probably erected by Solomon Michael, I have heard my mother speak of going to church here, when Mikey Lyon and John Stingley, members and ministers of the Dunkard Brethren church preached regularly, probably the first regular services of nay denomination in this section of the country. In January 1857 Solomon Michael deeded to Martin Cosner and Adam Michael, trustees, 88 poles of land for a church building. However, this deed was not executed and recorded until October of hat year-1857- and it may be of interest to note that this deed was acknowledged before Thomas Martin and Samuel H. Alexander, two justices living in Moorefield, showing that justices were not then as numerous as now, and also that both justices had to sit for the acknowledgement. About the year 1858, the Dunkard Brethren church erected a log building just a little above the south of S. S. Kimble’s present store building in which the Dunkard Brethren worshipped until July 1863, when in a battle between the federal and confederate warriors, the confederates burned the building, so that the Dunkard brethren only worshiped in the building abut five years.” “Immediately after the war in the summer and fall of 1865, A. W. Smith built a small log house which stands below the present school building on the land of K. B. Hanlin. In this building under its first teacher, James A. Cassady, taught a subscription school- no public school those days. (This school building is now found reassembled and on display as part of the Country Store Museum complex.) There I learned my A, B, C’s. Then returning to John Moreland, brother to Basil and Billy Moreland—lived where Cryus Halterman now lives. He had two sons, David W., now deceased at the age of nearly 86 years and James W., now residing in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 84 years. West of John Moreland, on a 120 acre farm, lived Frederick William Tettenburn, who came to this country from Germany, the grandfather of our good friend Henry, Mrs. Louisa Green and so forth. Mr. Tettenburn had three sons, George, William and Fred, the latter being the father of Henry. George and William were captured at New Creek now Keyser by the confederates and perished in a southern prison. East of John Moreland, where now lives Mrs. Boook Muntzing, was John Hampstead, who purchased a 100 acre tact of land from A. W. Smith- a part of the old Henry Smith land- where he resided and reared a large family, later selling to W.H. Muntzing and moved to Petersburg.” “A. W. Smith, who lived where K. B. Hanlin now resides, a son of Henry Smith. A. W. Smith married Caroline Michael, a daughter of Solomon Michael- I don’t recall how many children were born to this union, but Henry Clay, born in 1950- still living, Milton and Sallie, now deceased, were children of his first wife. After his first wife’s death, he married her sister, Kate Michael. Also a daughter of Solomon Michael, of these children, I remember Kate, Tom, Amy and Milford, known as bud, now living at Elkins, 80 years of age.” “Just after the Civil War, perhaps about 1866, the Davis brothers put up a store, the first store in this section, about two rods northwest of O. S. Kimble’s present store. They later moved to Keyser, where they conducted a store and attend to the B&O Station. Then a man by the name of Kildow conducted a store and either Davis or Kildow—I think under David- the Greenland Post office was established and later A. W. Smith because the post master and conducted the office at his house with his son Henry Clay assistant. Then later conducted a store, and moved the store down to what is still Greenland”. Idleman's geographic descriptions begin with the Geizer Place, located on the very broad curve about halfway up the face of the Allegheny Front. He then comes down the hollow to Scherr along the course of the old road, passing the site of the Myerstown Settlement that we will deal with in a later Column. Most farms described are in close proximity to present-day Scherr. The O. S. Kimble Store to which he makes reference is the Evans Store, which houses the Scherr post office. “Solomon Michael lived where A. E. Kessel now lives and owned all the land on east and west side of Walkers Ridge, on part of west side of New Creek Mountain and as far south line of Cal Lyon. William Michael’s home, also a part of the dolly farm that E. M. Evans now owns, and the creek place now owned by Hoe Halterman. Adam Michael became the owner of the property now owned by A. E. Kessel at Greenland and resided there until this death. He built a flour and saw mill, which was run by waterpower. Jacob Hilkey was his first man to conduct the mills, and was a splendid honest and Christian man, and I will here relate a little incident that occurred while Uncle Jake was miller. A certain wealthy farmer, who raised lots of wheat, brought a wagonload of his wheat to this mill to be ground and the flour sold. Some days after this farmer had brought his wheat to the mill with very much sympathy, in fact almost shedding tears in pity and sympathy for the poor people must necessarily buy his flour, finally remarked to Uncle Jake, “Mr. Hilkey you add another quarter to the price of the flour,” Uncle Jake looking at him, angrily replied, “I won’t do it, you move your wheat and flour away from this mill.” The old gentlemen tired to apologize, but Uncle Jake was firm in his demand, and as I now remember the old farmer had to remove his wheat and flour. Such was the character, disposition and honest convictions of Jacob Hilkey of whom I don’t think a better Christian ever lived. John Michael, a brother of Adam, and son of Solomon Michael, married Louesa Smith, a sister to A. W. Smith and inherited a portion of her father’s –Henry Smith—land, now owned by Jesse Kessel’s heirs and A. J. Kessel. . John Michael was a quiet, peaceable neighbor and friend to all those around him, and also acquired a portion of his father’s Solomon Michael, land. William Michael, another son of Solomon Michael owned a portion of his father’s land, between the ridges, New Creek Mountain and to the top of Walkers ridge, where Calvin Lyon now lives. William Michael was a member of the Dunkard Brethren Church and for many years an elder, and head of his church and a splendid Christian man. I need not tell you of his splendid Christian family, many of you know them; they were my schoolmates, and his oldest daughter, Mrs. Martha McNemar, is now 90 years of age. Then returning to Abijah Dolly, who lived where Ernest Evans now lives. He was the first state Senator elected after the formation of Grant County in 1866 and his oldest son, John R. Dolly was Grant County’s first sheriff. I have some of his tax receipts written out by hand, as you would today write a receipt for money paid you. No printing whatever on them. The old brick schoolhouse and township hall was finished in 1868, after which many of you remember, we spent many pleasant hours together in school. The Dunkard Brethren and Methodist held regular religious services there until the building of the brick Methodist Church was built, over on the hill above Kimble’s store. I have forgotten many of the incidents concerning the settlement of Myerstown. However, it was settled by a lot of Germans, headed by one Myers from whom it derived its name. The settlers who were mostly German Lutherans built a good-sized church and on this church a splendid bell. This bell is now at the Presbyterian Church in Moorefield, in splendid condition, I am told. There was a considerable graveyard at this church, but it is now extinct. I may add that Anthony Haslacker, now deceased, but of whom many of you know, was the first child born in this once lively little town. Written and read at Fifth Home Coming at Scherr, W.Va. by John J. Idleman. Printed by The Mountain Echo, Keyser, W.Va. During the summer of 1975 this writer had the opportunity of addressing this same reunion at Scherr for which Mr. Idleman had prepared this history sketch so long ago. Our central theme was that as we approach the Bicentennial year, this community like thousands across our great nation, has much of importance that needs to be remembered. Perhaps the designation seemed flowery, but we called the community a cross roads of America. Mr. Idleman mentioned many of the things makes it so. First, Countless migrants to the promise of the American Frontier used two thoroughfares that passed through the settlement. The older was known as McCulloh’s Packhorse trail, a traders route that dates back early into the 18th century. The other is the renowned Morgantown road, which wound through and over the mountains to the Monongahela River town, which now is the location, our state university. From this terminus, settlers floated down the river to Pittsburgh and the Ohio River, then to the mighty Mississippi if their dreams were that distant. One facet of this trade route that we have always found hard to believe is the amount of pig iron ingots of Grant County manufacture that were transported north by wagon until the drovers hit the National Road, now Route 40, heading West to the steel mills of Wheeling. Few today know of the local iron industry, but the foundry site near Falls is still clearly evident. An overland trek by heavily laden wagons to Wheeling must have been a time consuming and tiring task for the drivers involved, but local iron had a prominent place in the early development or our country. Back to the Scherr community, the most fascinating page in its history for this writer is the Myerstown settlement since so much of it is now shrouded in mystery. We have written previously of the land agents who lured a group of unsuspecting German migrants to our area in 1843 with promised of rich farming land. Truly, the land was rich but too hilly and forested to be the farmer’s dream they had hoped for. From the simple beginnings in 1843, these migrants have through for years formed an important part of our area’s history. The origin of the Idleman family in the United States of America was by Conrad Idleman (Eldelmann). He came from Baden, Germany about the year 1780. Dates handed down are in slight conflict. Apparently Conrad and his eldest child, Frances Daniel came first, leaving his wife and other children to make the crossing later. Although his wife’s given name is not available, her maiden name is Rush. The youngest child may have been born in the country. It is believed that the family first settled in Forks Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, later moving to Hardy County, Virginia, and later to Grant County, West Virginia. Daniel Francis Idleman, son of Francis Daniel Idleman, was born in 1817 and married Eve Cosner in 1817 born in 1822. Daniel was a farmer and mill owner at the mouth Cosner or Maysville Gap near the present store and residence of George B. Simmons. Part of the stonework of the mill dam can still be seen. Daniel died in 1855, survived by his wife and six children. Eleven years after Daniel’s death Eve moved to Southern Iowa with four of her children. Barbara, her youngest daughter, had died and her son Simon, remained here. Simon Peter Idleman was born in 1845 and married in 1868 to Sarah Lyon. They established the Idleman farm on Route 42 about ½ mile north of Brick Church of the Brethren on Looney’s or Luney’s Creek. Here they lived and raised their family. We do not know who built the original four-room log cabin. This cabin had only a half story upstairs and a lean to kitchen. In 1948 Charleton Browne and his wife, Dorothy (Idleman) Browne, (granddaughter of Simon P. Idleman) bought the home from the Simon Idleman heirs. Two years ago they remodeled the home by more or less building around the original structure. They live there at present time. This home was built on land to which the deed was signed by the governor of Virginia, Henry Lee in 1791. Dorothy Browne SOUTH MILL CREEK Mrs. J. H. Greenwalt Mrs. J. E. Judy and Mrs. Willard Judy and daughter, Jeanette visited Mr. and Mrs. John Greenwalt and family last Thursday afternoon. Also visiting in the Greenwalt home were Mr. and Mrs. Allen Greenwalt and children. Mr. and Mrs. Jean Alexander visited Mr. and Mrs. Connie Alexander and family Saturday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Okey Alt went to visit their son Vivan Alt and family in Newark, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. John Greenwalt, Mrs. Bessie Greenwalt, Mrs. Phyllis Miller and boys, Mrs. Lillian Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Meadows were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Larry Meadows of Reeds Creek Sunday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Judy of Petersburg were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Linden cleaver Wednesday aftern0oon. Mr. and Mrs. Connaly Alexander and children were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Connie Alexander Sunday evening. The all-day sing at the South Mill Creek church of the Brethren will be held this Sunday, September 5. Everyone is welcome. Come and enjoy the good old gospel songs and bring a basket lunch. We had a nice rain Friday evening fro which we are thankful Monday morning we had 40-degree weather. It as cold with high winds. ************************************************************************ WILLIAMSPORT In its inception Williamsport consisted of a gristmill, two stores, a post office, two blacksmith shops, a schoolhouse and four homes. A store was operated there by Joseph V. Williams and a Mr. Hack from October 22, 1847 to July 1849. Also, William Connell, T. M. Rotruck, H. Cassady and a Mr. Jones ran a store on the left of the beginning of County Route 5-2 Members of the Marshall family ran another store. The Lyons Mill built in 1882 by John Day occupied much of Williamsport’s business efforts. The mill has been out of use since 1966 Williamsport Squire Alt and the Eagle Roller Mills Located at Williamsport, West Virginia The Eagle Roller Mills, located at Williamsport, W.Va are producers of flour, meal, buckwheat, flour and feed. The mills are equipped with the best appliances for the producing of the best flour and feed that can be made. Its capacity is fifteen barrels a day with storage room for two thousand bushels of grain. On account of the construction of the plant and the nature of the power used, a minimum of labor is required. The power is furnished by a mountain stream and a twenty-six foot overshot wheel. The owner and manager of these mills is Squire H. A. Alt. Squire Alt was born in Pendleton County, West Virginia, in 1868. He received his education at the public district schools and at the Shenandoah Normal College, Basic City, Va., and followed teaching for fifteen years having taught nine years in Pendleton County and six years in Grant County. In 1904 he bought the Eagle Mills of J. S. McDonald and has since supplied the surrounding county with the very finest quality of flour and feed. About the same time that he took over the Eagle Mills, he was elected Justice of the Peace. Squire Alt is married and has a family of four children. He and his family reside at Williamsport. Inter-Potomac Industrial Edition 1908 T. M. Rotruck Merchant of Williamsport, West Virginia About five years ago T. M. Rotruck bought the mercantile business of W. C. High at Williamsport, and from the beginning has made it, by his superior business ability, the leading store in the section. A general line of merchandise is handled and none but the best is to be found on his shelves. He makes a specialty of the world famous Seiz shoes. You will always find his store in excellent condition and with what you need in stock. Mr. Rotruck is a native of Ohio but came to West Virginia in early life. Until 1900, he was engaged in farming at which time he bought D. W. Billmyer’s store at Martin, W.Va., and conducted a general mercantile business until 1902, when he sold his Martin store and bought his present stand. Shortly after coming to Williamsport he was appointed postmaster and has since served the people in that capacity. A Chesapeake &Potomac telephone is installed in his store and he can be found any minute in the day. Inter-Potomac Industrial Edition 1908 County’s Last water-Powered Mill 24-foot Wheel Silent Now at Lyons Mill Assembled in 1882 by John Day, the Lyons Mill operated 24 hours a day during World War II The old Williamsport Mill is silent now. The water rushes over the fifty-foot fall while the wooden chute that used to divert it to turn the massive wheel has turned gray with age and begun to fall apart. The present owners of the mill are Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bonar. Williamsport is one of the oldest towns in Grant County. Located near the Mineral County line on Patterson’s Creek, it was doubtless named for the Williams who lived nearby and were killed and quartered by the Indians led by Shawnee chief Killbuck. At the turn of the century Williamsport had two general stores, a post office, the mill and a blacksmith shop. The general stores sold dress goods, household needs and candy. During trapping season, furs were traded for supplies. The Lyons Mill was built in Williamsport, W.Va. in 1882 by John Day. The wood that was used to build it was white p9ine purchased from McDonald by Acey Alt, who ran the mill until 1907. David Cassady then purchased the mill from Mr. Alt and operated it until his death. It was then purchased by David Lyon and his son, Arnold who named it Lyon’s Mill. They operated the mill until Charles Bonar, the present owner, purchased it from Arnold Lyon. The mill has been out of use since 1966. Power Train Power from the huge 24 foot wheel turned by water from the brook, is transported through the mill by a system of endless belts. The mill sits on a lime marl band. Marl is very soft and the creek has worn away a lot of the marl leaving this bed for the water to fall. The mill is built on four different levels with the firs tone directly on the marls bank upon which the building sits. Here are the wheels that transmit the power to the 24’water wheel to the drive shaft that powers the roller mill and to the belt and duct system that powers the roller mill and transports the grain throughout the mill. Although the water wheel moves very slowly, the inside gears reduce the distance traveled by getting smaller which increases the speed until the drive shaft hums when the mill is operating. The ground flour has the offices, the roller mill, the receiving area for grain, and, at the present, the burr mill for corn. The other levels and floors house the chutes for vertical transport of grain and the augers that move the grain horizontally. The roller mill is powered by the water wheel and it can run around the clock. During World War II it was operated 24 hours a day and put out about 25 barrels of flour daily. Problems of Running the Mill Some of the problems that plague any worker in gain are insects. The mill was fumigated nightly when in operation. Rodents and coons try to get in all the time. In recent years, union wages have increased labor costs in any manufacturing. Additional taxes including 70 cents a bushel on wheat are steep. Other requirements of the law include add ivies like bleach and vitamins. Required records take a lot of time. As in all small businesses that must compete with automated plants, reports, labor costs, supplies and raw material are increasing problems. In 1966 the mill ceased operation. It is still beautiful and is the last water-powered mill in the county. -Reprint from County Roads- Town founder Slain by Indians Samuel Kercheval’s “History of the Valley of Virginia” describes the chilling detain the Indian slaying of former Williamsport resident Vincent Williams. “Hearing of the approach of the Indians, he repaired with his neighbors to Fort Pleasant for security. After remaining here a few days, supposing their homes might be revisited with safety, Mr. Williams and seven others crossed the mountain for the purpose. They separated on reaching the creek (Patterson); and Mr. Williams went alone to his farm. Having tied his horse to a bush, he commenced salting his cattle, when seven Indians got between him and his horse, and demanded his surrender. Mr. Williams answered by a ball from his rifle, which killed one of the Indians, then retreated to his house, barricaded the door, and put his enemy at defiance. They fired at him at random through the door and windows, until the latter were filled with shot holes. For greater security, Mr. Williams got behind a hommony block in a corner, for which we would fire at his assailants through the cracks of the building, as opportunity offered. In this way he killed five out of the seven. The two remaining, resolved not to give up their prey, found it necessary to proceed more cautiously; and going to the least exposed side of the house, one was raised upon the shoulders of the other to an opening in the logs some distance above the level of Mr. Williams, who did not consequently observe the maneuver from which he fired, and shot Mr. Williams dead. The body was instantly quartered, and hung to the four corners of the building, and the head stuck upon a fence stake in front of the door. This brave man was the father of the venerable Edward Williams, the clerk of Hardy County court until the election in 1830 under the new constitution, when his advanced age compelled him to decline being a candidate.” Grandson Skidmore Smith who married Susan Carr came to the farm now owned by Lottie Weimer, from Smith Mountain in Pendleton County between 1868 and 1870. The house was built about 1890. He owned a large tract of land around the area. He was a minister, merchant, farmer and stockman. Jefferson Scolds Disobedient Residents (By Harold Garber) Richmond, April 27th 1781 Old Garrett Van Meter (Van Meter of the old Fields vicinity was serving as the county lieutenant of Hampshire County. Keep in mind that this still some five years before the formation of Hardy County, and some 85 years before Grant County’s separation). Sir: I have directed Mr. Woodrow to furnish Money for the Bounty of the New Levies out of what was put into his hands for the removal of our Militia to Pittsburg. (Mr. Woodrow as at the time serving as a quartermaster of the Hampshire militia). I am sorry such a Spirit of disobedience has shown itself in your County. It must be subdued. Laws made by common Consent must not be trampled on by individuals. It is very much the interest of the good to force the unworthy into their due share of Contributions to the Public Support, otherwise the burden on them will become oppressive indeed. We have no poser by the law of raising Calvary in the Counties generally, but on some similar Occasions we have recommended to the County Lieutenants who have the poser of forming their Militia Companies as they please to form into one Company such individuals of their Militia s will engage to mount and equip themselves and to serve as mounted infantry, & we give Commissions to the Officers in the ordinary stile. These may be used as effectually as Cavalry 7 men on horseback have been found the most certain instrument of public punishment. Editor’s note: From earliest settlement of our area, it appears that Valley residents felt warfare As a matter of course should be fought from horseback. Distances were great between settlements in this sparsely populated area. As in the West in later generations, a man’s best friend was his horse. When wars occurred, infantry action was distasteful. This intense desire to be a "mounted” unit is clear here. Keep ever in mind that our most famous units of the Civil war eighty years later were still mounted—McNeill Rangers and companies under A. S. Scott, George Sheets, George Stump and William Harness. (For the remainder of the letter, Jefferson becomes almost “cloak and dagger” in his enforcement techniques). Their best way to perhaps is not to go against the mutineers when embodied which would bring on perhaps an open Rebellion or bloodshed most certainly but when they shall have dispersed to go and take time out of their Beds, singly and without Noise, or if they be not found the first time to go again 7 again so that they may never be able to remain in quiet at home. This is what I must recommend to you and therefore furnish the Bearers with the Commissions as you desire. If you find this Service considerable you will be Course give the Individuals Credit for it as a Tour of Duty Thomas Jefferson ************************************************************************ Beloved “Miss Ida” one of county’s most outstanding women The history of our area is much more than a chronological compilation of events. Often the most vital and interesting side of history is people. We share a biographical sketch of a beloved local lady who was well known to our county natives, but unknown to many who have come to our community in the past 24 years. The subject of our study is Ida Maybelle Judy, more commonly known as “Miss Ida” to most who knew her well. We are indebted to the local B.P. W. for this column, which is only one of several studies being prepared by members of the organization as a bicentennial project. Nothing could be more appropriate than for this fine organization to highlight the careers and contributions of the women to the history and progress of Grant County. The author of this particular section is Mrs. Gail Snyder. As one who respects both careful research and good composition, we are indebted to both Mrs. Snyder and the Business and Professional Women for their permission to publish the sketch in its entirely. “Ida Maybelle Judy was born in Grant County near Pansy, West Virginia on June 19th 1872. As a young child she had both the advantages and disadvantages of most other young children in those days. She attended a little log school near her home and chose as a close friend a girl named Myrtle Sites. Myrtle was a radiant Christian and the two became fond of each other and spent many happy hours together. Unfortunately Myrtle had poor health and died while still in her teens, but she had already influenced the spiritual bent of her friend Ida Judy. It was about this time that someone asked her what she would like to do in life. She replied, “If I were a man I would like to become a minister.” This person said, “You may be a minister, even though not a man.” Ida took this seriously and went on to school. She went to Fairmont Normal, Shenandoah College and Bridgewater College receiving her degree from the latter institution. She attended Moody bible Institute and graduated from Moody, part of the requirements being personal work in slums, jails and city missions. She once said you had to have a consecrated nose to go into some of the places she visited as a Moody student. This was about the time that the world evangelist was on everybody’s mind and Moody Institute was quite new. She was ordained in 1901 and was first assigned to Franklin charge. This also included the charge of Upper Tract. She later was assigned to t church at Westernport. While there she was burdened about the need for systematic Bible study and offered to establish a course in Shenandoah for not much more than the cost of her board. During the 14 years she was on the Shenandoah Faculty she taught Bible to scores of young preachers of United Brethren, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and other denominations as well as several E. U. B. Conferences. At least one of her students became a Bishop and perhaps more. Many became trustees of our colleges. She declined marriage in order that she might give herself wholly to the cause to which her life was dedicated. During and after her work as Bible teacher at Shenandoah she served briefly as pastor of the United Brethren Church in Dayton, Virginia. From 1927-1928 she served as pastor to Bayard. During her ministry there the church grew to its peak in attendance. From 1928-1932 she was pastor to the United Brethren Church in Petersburg. She nearly always recited her scripture and had an unusual memory for most of the Bible. She once said that Ecclesiastes was the only book in the Bible that she couldn’t memorize without some help. She kept this motto in her classroom: “few people die from overwork, It’s what we do when we don’t work that hurts us.” She was not without some homemaking. Before going to Bayard where she knew the weather was cold, she pieced and knotted a comfort. She loved antiques, and collected and sold many. She took care of her mother until her death. Her brother E. L. had been working on a Grant County history for years so in her last years she helped him to complete it. She wrote several books of which were Soul, My Home Town, John Champ, and some briefer booklets—“Kingsley Funk Student”, Highways and By ways of life”, Outline of Bible Course? And “The Red Fox.” She ministered in various ways to the poor and underprivileged, conducted services at the jail and visited poor houses, holding services there and at least to one penitentiary at Moundsville. Her favorite Bible verse was, “Acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He shall direct thy paths.” When visiting schools she often said “ II timothy 2:15 and expected a reply from the children. “Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman needeth not to be ashamed rightly divideth the word of truth.” She was writing a book at the time of her death, which was never completed. On January 8th 1952, she passed away after a short illness and is buried in the cemetery of Petersburg. As we reflect on the foregoing account of nearly 80 years devoted in service to others, it seems appropriate to mention that Ida Judy demonstrated many of the traits that have made America great. We would almost guarantee that this noble lady had little to say about the equality of opportunity for women, but in her quiet but determined way she made many inroads into areas generally considered almost exclusively in the male domain. First, in education she forged her way for beyond the level usually deemed appropriate for women. Secondly, equipped with her training she entered upon a career of service in the ministry. Even today this field lacks appropriate participation by women, but Miss Ida knew she had a contribution to make a pastoral service and she devoted many years of her life to it unhesitatingly. Thirdly, her years as a college teacher, especially in the religious field, once again made her a pioneering spirit. Many Deans and Boards of Trustees would have been wary of such an innovation. It is to the credit of some of the leaders of her own denomination that Ida Judy was given the chance to mold minds and lives in Christian education. ________Mrs. Gail Snyder The Manor One of County’s Most Historical Homes THE MANOR a spacious complex containing some 30 buildings besides the main residence was recently selected for listing in the prestigious National Register of Historical Places. Owned and renovated by Mr. and Mrs. Roswell Alt. The Manor is located off of Rt. 42 north of Petersburg. The Manor owned by Betty and Roswell Alt, has been selected for listing in the National Register of Historical Places, becoming Grant County’s second inclusion on the prestigious list. The Noah Snyder farm in Lahmansville qualified last year. The National Register is the official list of the nation’s cultural resources worthy of preservation. The Manor, in making the elite list, was first nominated by a State Review Board whose membership included professionals in the fields of architecture, archaeology, history and other disciplines. Once nominated, the sprawling farm complex located just north of Petersburg off of W. Va. 412 came under review and was approved by the National Park Service. Although containing some 30 individual buildings. “The Manor” is the name chosen by the Alts to refer to the main home. Actually, all the land in this area was referred to as the South Branch Manor by Thomas Lord Fairfax who owned some six million acres in colonial Virginia. Much of the land through the Potomac Valley was willed to Lord Fairfax’ cousin, Denny Fairfax, upon the former’s death in the latter part of the eighteenth century. In 1794, Denny Fairfax conveyed several tracts of the property containing 54, 596 acres to John Marshall of Richmond, Va. (this is the same Marshall that became one of the nation’s outstanding Chief Justices of the Supreme Court.) Marshall, in turn, conveyed several tracts of the property in the vicinity of Petersburg to Jesse Welton in 1801. Descendants of the Welton family retained the property until 1819 when it was sold to Peter Hutton. Hutton built the home now known as the Manor in 1830 for his son, Jesse. The Hutton family remained in possession of the property until 1910. Since that time, The Manor has passed hands five times. The past owners included: Jacob P. Shobe, C. C. Martin, G. E. Layton, W. R. Ervin and K. Reid Dolly. During the Civil War, one of the barns near the house was burned, as Jesse Hutton was a Southern sympathizer and slaveholder. Federal troops, garrisoned on Fort Hill (present site of the Memorial Hospital) frequently took pot shots at the Hutton residence. Mr. Alt has a hefty collection of mini-balls as souvenirs. The Manor was a veritable small community where virtually every commodity of the day was manufactured on the farm—which accounts for the 30 buildings. Some of the single-=purpose dwellings include a carpenter’s shop, root cellar, still, tobacco house, cobbler shop, slave quarters, broom house, butcher shed, meat house, kitchen hose (where meals were prepared). Washhouse, grainery, sugar cabin and blacksmith shop. All the buildings, both inside and out have been preserved just as they were over a hundred years ago. Most of the original implements remain that were utilized in the various activities. The house remains a model of yesteryear with practically everything in its confines dating from the 1790-1830 period. The home is of red brick manufactured on the site. Over 20 fireplaces are scattered throughout the complex with the butcher shed sporting a mammoth yawning of 10 feet in width. On a knoll overlooking The Manor lays the family cemetery. Dating back to 1818, most of the tombstones inscriptions bear the names of Hutton and Welton. Slaves ere reputedly buried outside the cemetery’s wrought iron fence on the hillside but no markers remain as proof Yesteryear in Grant County Overeating fatal to cow A fine Jersey cow belonging to J. N. McMullan died Wednesday from eating too much chop, which she got to by the door being left open accidentally. January 15, 1897 Grant County Press ************************************************************************ Presbyterian Church Burned, Baker Building Harbor Deserters During the Civil War The A. J. Welton Home Pressed into service as a hospital during the War between the Stated, it continued its courtship with the medical profession by housing the Veach-Townsend Clinic. Many of the present –day citizens in this section of the state of West Virginia do not realize the part played by this section in the War between the States. Most of the people in Petersburg are aware that there are a few things to remind them of the American conflict. A large percentage of the residents have made at least one visit to the embankments on Fort Hill, and the oldest residents have picked up mini balls as a reminder that war is always deadly. The older element of our population is also aware that the Baker building at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Main Street was used to harbor deserters from the Rebel Army who were heading north. The handwriting on the wall that was scribbled by some of these soldiers is still legible and intact. A third item that the elder residents recall when the Civil War is mentioned is the burning of the Presbyterian Church by the Federal troops. The church was then located in the present-day maple Hill cemetery. As associated item that brings that war closer to those of the present-day is a document concerning the old Presbyterian Church. Such facts at the above can be gained by talking with the older residents or by visiting the places in question. However, there are many facts that even the older residents are not aware of. Such facts should be searched for and brought to light. One of these facts is the part that Petersburg played in the Jones-Imboden Raid. This raid was one of the boldest and strongest in the history of the Confederacy. The air of the raid was simple; but the way was hard. The aim was to destroy all the bridges and tressles on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from Oakland to Grafton, to defeat and capture Union forces at Beverly, Philippi and Buckhannon; and to overthrow the re-organized government of the, what was to be, State of West Virginia, with its center at Wheeling. This plan was thought up by Brigadier General John D. Imboden. He thought that the audacity of this plan might enable the Confederacy to hold northwestern Virginia permanently. Imboden was to take his troops in one direction; Brigadier General William E. Jones was to move his troops along another route. It is with Jones’ troops that we are particularly concerned. The time to leave for the raid was set for April 15, 1863. Jones waited at New Market, Va. Because of a threatened approach by the Federal troops, the raid was postponed until April 21. On that day Jones began to move, having already come to Harrisonburg on April 18. Only the higher officers knew where they were going or what they were going to do. It was not until they reached Lost River Valley that the directions of the raid was given. During all of April 22 the rains came in torrents, and the roads became almost impassable. Due to these inconveniences, the troops did not reach Moorefield until Thursday, April 23—very late in the afternoon. They had planned to cross the South branch at this point but the river was too high. When they awoke the next morning the South Branch was out of its banks. The Confederates were fearful lest they must stay in Moorefield too long and lose the initiative of the raid; therefore, they decided to try to cross upstream. All of the artillery and foot soldiers were sent back to the Shenandoah Valley, and the cavalry moved to Petersburg. The river here was high but the decision was made to cross. Because of the swiftness of the water, one man and several of the horses were lost. After leaving Petersburg the cavalry met a hard fight with the Federal troops at Greenland Gap. After a conflict, however, the men under the command of Jones were able to continue their climbing of the Alleghenies. They marched all night and reached the North Branch of the Potomac the next morning. This was but the route to the raid itself, since no contact had been made with the B&O. the rest of the raid, however, interesting as it may be to students of history, does not again touch this immediate section. The story of the entire raid is too long to be recounted here. It might be of interest to note, however, that because of this raid, cavalry became the chief unit to defense for the first time; and also that after this occurrence, the new state of West Virginia (which became a state two months after the beginning of the raid) was never subjected to an over all confederate invasion. ************************************************************************ The Hermitage: furnishing warm beds since the first stagecoach guests (By Rev. Lawrence Sherwood, former pastor of the Main Street Methodist Church) The original Hermitage was built in the early 1840’s of bricks dug and fired on the premises, with slave labor. The first legal record (1841) described it as a red brick building “with necessary outbuildings.” It has been in continuous use as a hostelry since 1881. The inn has been an integral part of the community since its first guest arrived by stagecoach from Keyser and Cumberland; and later, when the inn’s livery met in the daily train from Cumberland. It is older than the State West Virginia (1863) and older than grant County (1866). Before the Civil War, the Hermitage was the home of Dr. Jacob Kenny Chambers, great-grandfather of K. C. VanMeter Jr., VanMeter Fisher and Mrs. Jane Poe of Petersburg and L. Sinclair and Mrs. Carl Welton of Hardy County. During the War it was taken over by officers of the Federal Troops who occupied Petersburg and were stationed at Fort Mulligan. In 1881, John and Mary Cunningham converted the house into the Cunningham Hotel and operated it into the 1890”s. They were followed by the father and family of the late Charles Godlove. Around the turn of the century, John Ed Taylor came to Petersburg to run the Riverside Tannery. Finding the building too small to house his family (nine daughters, of whom Mrs. W. C. Moomau and the late R. W. Baker were two) and businessmen who required lodging, he added extensively to the building, filling in the space between the original house and the outdoor kitchen and the rooms above it. It was during Mr. Taylor’s regime, that the Inn became known as the Hermitage Hotel. During the First World War, the hotel was operated by G. P. Schaeffer. This gentleman was responsible for additions to the first floor, adding the third floor and putting in the first central heating and plumbing. Mrs. Russell Quinn, daughter of John Ed Taylor, operated the Hermitage for a few years, until it was taken over by her nephew, Donald J. Baker. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Cowherd bought the hotel from Mr. Baker in 1942 and have constantly upgraded and remodeled the facilities; always trying to retain the charm and historic associations of the building. Some rooms here still used from transient guests; some have been converted to apartments; and the ground floor is largely given to the West Virginia Book and Craft shop. During the Second World War, the Hermitage furnished quarters for the wives and families of young officers encamped at Mouth of Seneca with the 10th Mountain Troops. In October 1965, a new and modern Motor Inn was added to the Hermitage, adding yet another page to the long and interesting history of the old Hermitage. Forman Climbed Political Ladder Senate President Hon. L. J. Forman, West Virginia’s most trusted state Senator, was born near Bradonville, Preston County, West Virginia. The son of a farmer, he followed this vocation on his father’s farm until seventeen years old, attending public school during the winter season, preparing himself for teaching. He taught and attended school until graduating from the National Normal University, of Lebanon, Ohio, in the class of 1878,with the degree of B. S. and also completing a business course at the same school. He then taught school for four years in Ohio, and located in Grant County, West Virginia, June 1882. After reading law under the law firm of dyer & Pugh, he was admitted to the bar in October 1883. While reading law he was assistant clerk of the courts in Grant County, October 1884, he was elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney for Grant County which office he filled continuously for sixteen years, being elected the first time by a larger majority than ever before, carrying every precinct in the county. He has been Congressional committeeman for Grant County for twenty years. In politics, both State and National, Mr. Forman has always taken an active interest and was selected as a delegate to the national convention held at Philadelphia in 1900. The same year he made a phenomenal race for the State Senate in the old Democratic district, composed of the counties Hampshire, Hardy, Pendleton, Grant and Mineral being defeated by one hundred and eighty-one votes in a district eleven hundred Democratic. In 1902 he was again a candidate for the State Senate in the new Fourteenth district, composed of the counties of Preston, Tucker, Mineral, Grant and Hardy, and was elected by the largest majority given to any State Senator. He was nominated and re-elected to the State Senate in 1906, and is a leading member of the present Senate serving as chairman of the judiciary committee. He was a candidate for Congress at the special convention held at Keyser in 1905, but was defeated by James S. Lakin, of Terra Alta. As a private citizen none stand higher. His character is above reproach. Inter-Potomac Industrial Edition 1908 Night of June 17, 1949 One of City’s Most Catastrophic The evening of Friday, June 17, 1949, will be remembered as one of the most catastrophic in the history of the South Branch Valley. As dusk fell on the fateful day, steams throughout the valley, swollen by over 12 inches of rain in 24 hours, abruptly overflowed their banks and swarmed over all that was in their path. By Saturday morning, nine persons had perished in the Petersburg area and over 54 million damage had been wrought. Hardest hit by the flash floods that descended Friday evening were areas along the Franklin Pike, Lunice Creek, Johnson Run and the North Fork. The stricken area was quickly declared a national disaster area by President Harry Truman and Red Cross units were dispatched to aid the hundreds of families who were let homeless and penniless by the precipitous floods. The Red Cross established a temporary shelter in the old Petersburg Elementary School gym. By the time, it left town a month later, over $37,323 worth of supplies, food, shelter, clothing and other rehabilitation foods had been handed free to 198 families ravaged by the disastrous floods. Many of the South Branch valley communities were virtually immobilized. Petersburg was without electricity from Friday until Sunday evening. Water had to be boiled before it could be consumed and typhoid immunizations were given at the County Health dept. to thwart an outbreak of the dreaded disease. The state Road Commission estimated 27 bridges of various sizes had been carried away in the county by the turbulent waters and traffic flow into and out of Petersburg was non-existent for a day. For some, the transportation standstill proved fatal, Mrs. Morgan Conrad, a Smoke Hole resident died several days after a copperhead bite because a |