Board Member–Staff Relations and Noninterference Policy adopted by the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority.

 

Document Overview

 

This document is a formal Board Member–Staff Relations and Noninterference Policy adopted by the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority. Its core function is to enforce a strict boundary between public governance (the Board's role) and operational management (the administrative staff's role).

Core Governance Principles

• Governance vs. Administration: The Board retains high-level responsibilities—such as establishing policy, approving budgets, approving major expenditures, and general oversight. Day-to-day supervision, task assignments, and operations remain administrative functions outside individual members' authority.
  
  
• Collective Authority Only: The Board exercises legal power exclusively as a unified body during properly convened public meetings. No single board member—including the Board Chair—possesses independent supervisory authority over authority staff unless specifically delegated by formal board action and permitted by law.
  
  

Prohibited Actions for Individual Board Members

The policy outlines explicit restrictions to prevent board members from micromanaging or directly intervening in daily operations:

• Task Direction: Giving work assignments, reprioritizing tasks, or ordering employees to halt or alter specific jobs.
  
  
• Operational Interference: Instructing staff regarding operating procedures, scheduling, vendor purchasing, waste collections, disposal activities, or personnel issues.
  
  
• Staff Utilization: Tasking staff to prepare custom research, correspondence, or documents for an individual member's personal use.
  
  
• External Communications & HR: Directing staff on who to contact (or avoid contacting) regarding vendors, agencies, or attorneys, or interfering in employee evaluations, discipline, and management.
  
  

Operational & Legal Purpose

• Liability Reduction: Shielding the Authority from employment-related claims (e.g., wrongful discipline, harassment, or conflicting orders) and procurement irregularities caused by unauthorized individual mandates.
  
  
• Clear Chain of Command: Ensuring employees report exclusively to their designated executive leadership/supervisors rather than answering to competing directives from multiple board members.
  
  
• Compliance: Aligning authority operations with standard public sector governance frameworks and open-meeting statutory standards.

Pocahontas County Landfill Warning: Public Health & Environmental Issues

 

Pocahontas County Landfill Warning: Public Health & Environmental Issues 

 

Last night, Savannah Lambert  attended the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority meeting, and what came to light regarding our local landfill is deeply concerning.

 

Board member Nancy Harris passed out photos documenting severe issues at the site. The pictures show trash from the landfill blowing directly onto the property of a neighboring resident, Mr. Dilley. Even worse, the photos reveal a massive, completely exposed mound of trash visible from the property line. No dirt. No tarps. Completely uncovered. The bright orange litter fence meant to stop blowing trash was laying broken on the ground.

 

When confronted, the Landfill Manager openly admitted to the room that they do not cover the trash with dirt on weekends, and that the tarps "don't always get put on." He also tried to blame some of the issues on bears.

 

Why This Matters & Why It Is A Violation:

 

The Daily Cover Rule: By West Virginia state law, landfills are required to cover trash with 6 inches of dirt (or approved heavy tarps) at the end of every single operating day. Leaving it wide open all weekend violates environmental safety rules.

 

The Bear Excuse Defeats Itself: Landfills are legally required to use daily cover specifically to deter wildlife and disease-carrying pests. Blaming bears just proves that leaving the trash uncovered is actively attracting wildlife and creating a safety hazard.

 

Property Rights: Neighbors like Mr. Dilley shouldn't have their private property ruined by blowing litter and unmaintained containment fences.

 

Where is the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) ??????

 

Our community deserves proper environmental management and accountability.

 

Let’s protect our county, our wildlife, and our neighbors. Clean up the Pocahontas County Landfill!

 

 

 

Please share!!! 

 

The Lure of the Limestone Labyrinths

 

The Salt Shaker Press 

JACOX, WEST VIRGINIA — In a thrilling first-hand account of subterranean exploration, local traveler John Branch Green has issued a stirring call to adventure for the daring sport of "a-caving," while offering crucial safety warnings for those who dare to venture into the deep.

The Lure of the Limestone Labyrinths

Green, who admits he was first "bit by the cave bug" several summers ago during a trip into the damp depths of the Hugh Sharp cave in Elk Valley alongside Editor Calvin, has once again journeyed beneath the earth. He reports that the limestone hills of Pocahontas and neighboring counties are teeming with underground labyrinths, vaulted chambers, and obscure corridors that offer a highly unique form of diversion.

For beginners looking to get into the cave-exploring business, Green highly recommends starting with the Dick Snedegar cave near Jacox, located off the side of Droop Mountain. Noted as the most accessible cavern in the area, its entrance is so grand that it can easily accommodate the passage of a two-horse team and wagon. Once past the opening, explorers follow a single, relatively easy corridor that opens into a magnificent subterranean hall measuring up to thirty feet in width and twenty feet in height.

Retracing Frontier History at Sewell's Cave

In his latest expedition, Green and his party set out to locate a historical cave near Millpoint, situated in the face of a rock cliff just to the right of the highway. This cavern is famous as the site where pioneer Stephen Sewell wintered around the year 1750, following a bitter split with his partner, Jacob Marlin, over religious differences. While Marlin chose to move north, Sewell sought shelter under a protecting ledge on this limestone cliffside.

Finding the cave proved to be an arduous task, as Green's party took the wrong path on their first attempt before finally locating the opening, which divides the cliff almost in half.

A Tight Squeeze and a Lesson in Spelunking

Upon investigating Sewell's old winter shelter, Green discovered that what appears to be a simple, shallow indenture under the overhanging cliff actually conceals a narrow crack leading deep into the heart of the rock.

"On hands and knees one can crawl back through this uninviting passage for several hundred feet," Green observed. The exploration quickly grew treacherous as the tunnel narrowed to the size of a large barrel, forcing Green into a grueling "belly-crawl" as the stone walls closed in slowly and relentlessly. Faced with failing light, Green made the tactical decision to put his crawl into reverse, backing out a hundred or two feet to escape the suffocating darkness and return to "Old Sol's dominion" (the sunlight).

To his immense regret, local residents later informed him that had he pushed forward just a hundred feet further, he would have broken through the bottleneck into the first of two magnificent, large chambers where the cave opens into a cavern of massive proportions.

Reflecting on his narrow retreat, Green offered a vital piece of advice for all future cave explorers: "Next time I'll carry three independent and powerful [lights] too".

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MIRACLE BIRD: Pet Carrier Pigeon Finds Hospitalized Owner Eighty Miles From Home

PHILIPPI, WEST VIRGINIA — In an astonishing story of animal loyalty reported by the Nicholas Chronicle, twelve-year-old Brady "Spark Plug" Perkins has been reunited with his pet carrier pigeon in his hospital room under circumstances that have left doctors and nurses entirely spellbound.

Young Brady, the son of Sheriff Floyd Perkins, was recovering in a hospital bed at the Myers Clinic in Philippi—some eighty miles away from his home—when he was startled by a tapping noise at his window sill. Looking up, the boy was shocked to see a New Year's visitor: a pigeon perched outside.

"That's my pigeon, I know him by his bill!" Brady called out to his day nurse, pleading with her to let the bird inside.

Though the nurse initially tried to dismiss his claims as a dream or a trick of the mind, she eventually complied with his pleas. As soon as the window was opened, Brady reached out and captured the bird, immediately identifying it by the distinct band around its leg bearing the number 187.

Sheriff Floyd Perkins explained that the carrier pigeon had first arrived at their home the previous autumn, where Brady fed it and made a pet of it. The bird had not been seen since Brady was admitted to the clinic three weeks prior. It is believed that the loyal bird was on a long flight when it was buffeted by severe, stormy weather, ultimately seeking shelter at the exact hospital window of its young owner.

Young "Spark Plug" returned home this Wednesday with his miraculous bird in hand, fully recovered and eager to get back to his schoolwork.

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THE HUNTERSVILLE HEIRLOOM

 

THE HUNTERSVILLE HEIRLOOM

HUNTERSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA (November 10, 1955) — "The young people of today are digging their graves with their teeth," warns Alfred Beckley McComb, Pocahontas County's oldest living citizen.

At 96 years of age, the spry Huntersville resident has a stern but humorous message for the younger generation, insisting they are "just eating themselves into an early grave" with modern, sticky sweet confections and constant snacking. For the past fifty years, McComb has strictly consumed only two meals a day—breakfast and supper—sticking to plain, hearty frontier fare like eggs, cornbread, meat, and vegetables, with a lifelong partiality for beef and potatoes. When asked if his robust longevity is due to these disciplined eating habits, the old pioneer replies: "You bet that's it... to not stuffing my stomach, and by keeping mentally and physically busy." To prove his point, he still uses tobacco regularly, claiming with a chuckle that "it won't hurt anybody."

Hiding in Caves and Border-State Strife

McComb’s memories stretch back to the dawn of the American Civil War. Born on April 1, 1859, on Cummings Creek just three miles from Huntersville, he was the son of Price and Liza Moore McComb. As a small boy during the war, he vividly recalls his mother hiding him away in a dark cave to escape a Yankee raid.

Living so close to the Virginia border, local residents found themselves caught in a dangerous geopolitical vice. "The people in this section were not trusted by the North, and because of the State's sympathies for the Union, the South trusted us even less," McComb remembers. As a result of this mutual suspicion, local families were regularly pillaged by both Union and Confederate forces alike.

The Turnpike and the Naming of Huntersville

As a boy, McComb listened to his elders recount the creation of Pocahontas County's very first highway: the Warm Springs and Huntersville Turnpike, built in 1838—more than two decades before his birth. Shortly after its completion, a trader named John Harness began the grueling work of hauling essential goods from Staunton, Virginia, into the rugged Allegheny mountains.

Harness established his headquarters at the home of John Bradshaw in Huntersville, exchanging salt, coffee, gunpowder, lead, and calico for the settlers' fur pelts, venison, and wild ginseng. It was this bustling trade in wild ginseng, brought in by the local woodsmen, that ultimately gave the town of Huntersville its name.

Growing up in this wilderness, McComb’s formal education was sparse, consisting of only four months of school each year, which required a daily two-mile walk to the schoolhouse. When he wasn't in the classroom, he learned the essential frontier arts of hunting, fishing, and carpentry.

Twenty-Three Days and Nights to Build a Home

Shortly after marrying his late wife, Emma McLaughlin—the daughter of Hugh McLaughlin—McComb set out to build a home for their future family. He asked his father for enough pine timber to construct a house, cut the trees himself, and spent a solid week at the local sawmill working day and night until the lumber was finished.

With the lumber ready, McComb accomplished the astonishing feat of building his home in just twenty-three days and nights. He credits his late wife as his most valuable partner: "No, sir, I had the best wife in the world and she worked along with me. She would carry the lantern while I nailed on the lathes."

The rapid construction did not please everyone, however. One night, a frustrated neighbor came over to complain that the late-night hammering was keeping him awake. McComb recalls telling him flatly that he needed a place to sleep too, and that the work would go much faster if the neighbor offered to help. Though he didn't get any extra help, the neighbor at least stopped complaining about the noise.

mud-slick Turnpikes and Customers "Wanting to Charge"

To finish the house, McComb had to haul roofing materials all the way from Millboro, Virginia. He recalls the grueling trip as "just hauling them from one mud hole to another."

In 1889, with just one hundred dollars of his own savings, McComb decided to enter the mercantile trade, constructing a physical storefront in Huntersville known as McComb's Store. Rival merchants openly mocked his venture, calling it a "wet weather spring store" that would quickly dry up and fail. Furthermore, traveling salesmen frequently bypassed the town entirely, refusing to stop at the small mountain shop.

However, McComb’s fortunes turned when a supportive salesman finally gave him a break, helping his business take off. For his store's trademark, he chose the biblical passage: "Be Just O Man." His store became so busy that he frequently had to skip lunch entirely, cementing his fifty-year habit of eating only two meals a day.

When reflecting on his long years as a shopkeeper, the old merchant offers a dry, witty observation about his patrons: "I owed my success to my good customers, but sometimes, I would say some of my customers would make the best soldiers... they were always wanting to charge."

"A Boy of 96"

Though he is not a formal member of any church, McComb notes that if he ever does join one, it will be the Methodist Church. Over the past three years, he has dedicated himself to deep prayer and reading his Bible, declaring, "I like every single word in that Bible."

Today, the 96-year-old patriarch remains incredibly active, having raised nine living children—three sons and six daughters—six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. This past summer, he successfully cultivated and harvested a thriving home garden.

"I raised a darn good garden," McComb says with pride, "and that's not bad for a boy of 96."

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Huntersville got its name from the local hunters who frequently traveled there to trade wild-harvested forest goods like ginseng.

Shortly after the construction of the Warm Springs and Huntersville Turnpike in 1838, a trader named John Harness began hauling goods from Staunton, Virginia, into the Allegheny Mountains to trade with the frontier settlers. Harness established his trading headquarters at the home of John Bradshaw in what would become Huntersville.

At this outpost, Harness traded valuable supplies—such as salt, coffee, gunpowder, lead, and calico—in exchange for forest commodities brought in by local woodsmen: specifically fur pelts, venison, and "gingseng" (spelled with an extra 'g' in the original newspaper print). Because the trading hub relied entirely on these hunters bringing in their wild ginseng and pelts to swap for store goods, the settlement officially came to be named Huntersville.

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The General Augusta County Revolutionary Soldier Roster

 

I would be glad to compile The General Augusta County Revolutionary Soldier Roster from your source, "Augusta History PT.pdf".

This roster is incredibly detailed, listing over 1,100 verified local soldiers across several newspaper clippings. To make this a valuable, comprehensive historical register, I propose creating a Tailored Report structured into five key sections:

Proposed Roster Structure

1. Historical Context of Augusta County's Revolutionary Service

   • An overview of Augusta County's military contribution (estimated at over 2,000 troops).
   • The sources of these records (Waddell's Annals, Peyton's History, McAllister, and photostatic muster rolls).
   • A look at the key military units, specifically Captain John Hays' Company of the 9th Virginia Regiment under Col. Thomas Hughart .

2. Alphabetical Roster: Section A to D

   • A–C: From Calbraith, William and Callahan, Dennis to Christian, John (Navy), Christian, Robert (Lt.), and Clark, Robert (Lt.).
   • C–D: Covering Coiner, Samuel, Churchill, Charles, Crawford, James, Daugherty, Cornelius, Dickinson, Josiah, and Drummond, Alexander.

3. Alphabetical Roster: Section E to H

   • E–G: From Edwards, William and Evans, William to Goodwin, Thomas, Gwinn, Abraham, and Grills, William.
   • H: Highlighting commander Hays, John (Captain), Humble, Martin (Captain), Hamilton, Thomas, and Hawkins, John.

4. Alphabetical Roster: Section I to L

   • I–K: Covering Ingram, Valentine, Irvine, John, Johnston, James, Jones, John (Capt.), Keller, George, Kendall, Custis (Capt.), Kerr, Joseph, and Kincaid, Andrew.
   • L: Detailing Love, Ephriam, Laid, David (Capt.), Latimore, Matthew, Leonard, Robert, and the extensive listings for the Lewis Family.

5. Frontier Leadership & Family Spotlights (A–L)

   • The Lewis Dynasty: Individual entries for Brig. Gen. Andrew Lewis, Col. Charles Lewis (killed at Point Pleasant), Lt. William Lewis, and sons John, Thomas, and Samuel.
   • General Andrew Moore (1751–1821): Profile of his service as a soldier of the Revolution and his landmark career as the first U.S. Senator west of the Blue Ridge.
   • The Shuey Pioneers: The record of John Ludwig Shuey and his son Lewis Shuey on the Middle River.

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Historical Register of Augusta County Revolutionary War Veterans (Volume I: A–L)

1. Historical Context of Augusta County’s Revolutionary Service

The American Revolution necessitated the rapid metamorphosis of Augusta County from a rugged frontier defensive perimeter into a primary strategic reservoir of military manpower for the Continental cause. This transition—marked by the shift from parochial frontier defense against local incursions to the formal "Regular" service of the Virginia Line—illustrates the integration of the Shenandoah Valley into the broader American strategy. These records, preserved in musters and pay bills, were published from time to time in the Staunton News-Leader to serve the vital purpose of assisting the Daughters of the American Revolution in the verification of patriotic service.

The Scale of Contribution Quantifying the total mobilization remains a challenge for the colonial historian. While H.J. Eckenrode’s analysis suggests the county dispatched approximately 2,000 troops, the primary registers of J.T. McAllister identify only some 400 names. This discrepancy arises from the unsegregated nature of early returns, where militia levies and Continental commissions were frequently comingled.

Foundational Primary Documentation The verification of this registry relies upon the following authoritative historical texts and genealogical returns:

• Waddell’s Annals of Augusta County and Peyton’s History of Augusta County.
• Henrietta Hamilton McCormick (Chicago, 1897); The Monnet Family (1911); and The Coiner Family histories.
• Cartmell’s History of Frederick County; Howe’s History of Virginia; and Foote’s Sketches.
• Hitman’s Register and the archival records of the Col. Thomas Hughart Chapter, D.A.R.

The 9th Virginia Regiment Spotlight A definitive artifact of Augusta’s regular service is the pay bill for Captain John Hays’ Company of the 9th Virginia Regiment, under the command of Col. Thomas Hughart, dated November and December A.D. 1776. The company’s commissioned and non-commissioned leadership included:

• Commissioned Officers: Capt. John Hays; Lut. Andrew Moore; Lut. James Culbertson; Ensign John Lewis.
• Non-Commissioned Officers: Sergt. William Patterson; Sergt. Jacob Brown; Sergt. John Brown; Sergt. John Brooks.

2. Alphabetical Roster: Sections A through D

The "A through D" cohort is defined by the heavy presence of foundational frontier families whose community standing dictated their military commissions. This section serves as a testament to the total mobilization of the county’s social and political strata.

Veterans Registry (A–D) Calbraith, William; Callahan, Dennis; Cameron, Charles (Colonel); Cammon, John; Campbell, Isaac; Campbell, John (Capt.); Campbell, Robert; Campbell, Patrick; Campbell, Thomas (Capt.); Campbel, Williams (General)¹; Cannon, John (Colonel); Carlan, William; Carpenter, Michael (Lut.); Carr, Benjamin; Cartmill, John (Capt.); Cartmill, Thomas; Catlon, ——— (Lut.); Christian, John (Navy); Christian, Robert (Lut.); Christian, Gilbert; Christian, Gill; Christian, William (Regular); Church, John; Clark, Robert (Lut.); Clemmons, Casper (Lut.); Coger, Michael (Capt.); Coalter, Joseph; Coalter, Michael (Lut.); Cochrain, Samuel; Cole, Richard; Collins, James; Drinnin, Thomas. ¹Note: The clerical variant "Campbel" in the original muster refers to the distinguished General William Campbell.

Service Branch Synthesis The diversity of service is notably represented by those designated as Navy (e.g., John Christian) versus those listed as Regular (e.g., William Christian), illustrating that Augusta’s contributions were not limited to land-based militia but were vital to the maritime and Continental Line defense.

The "So What?" Layer: Family Clusters The prevalence of the Campbell and Christian surnames reflects the "clan-based" militia structure of the 18th century. In Augusta, these family clusters formed the literal backbone of the county’s defense, ensuring that local leadership and social cohesion were preserved through the transition to formal military service.

3. Alphabetical Roster: Sections E through H

In the mid-alphabet, the records reveal a sophisticated shift toward specialized logistics and the movement of the Augusta units into the critical northern theater of the conflict.

Veterans Registry (E–H) Edwards, William; Evans, William; Frederick, Bostion; Goodwin, Thomas; Gwinn, Abraham; Graham, William; Gonsley, Joseph; Gugger, Henry; Grills, William; Huston, Robert; Humble, Martin (Captain); Haines, Abraham; Hill, James; Hamilton, Thomas (A.D.Q.M.); Hunsbury, Andrew ("Regulars"); Hawkins, John.

Key Military Profile: Major John Hays A pupil of an "infant institution" and the son of a pioneer settler, Major John Hays epitomizes the Valley soldier. He led his "band of Valley boys" gallantly through the contested fields of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York under General Washington. Most significantly, under the command of General Gates, his company was instrumental in achieving the victory at Saratoga. A trustee of Washington Academy, Hays returned to the peaceful pursuits of private life on Hays Creek, where he died in 1808.

Logistical and Specialized Roles The appointment of Thomas Hamilton as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster (A.D.Q.M.) and the presence of men like Andrew Hunsbury, specifically designated as "Regulars", indicate the professionalization of the frontier forces as they moved from raw defense to organized Continental strategy.

4. Alphabetical Roster: Sections I through L

The "I through L" cohort reveals the genealogical complexity of a county whose administrative reach was rapidly expanding toward the Ohio River.

Veterans Registry (I–L) Ingram, Valentine; Irvine, John; James, William Graham (Colonel); Johnston, James; Johnston, ——— ("Greenbrier"); Johnson, James; Jones, John (Capt.); Jeffs, Thomas; Job, Jenkins; Joliffer, John; Keller, George; Kelso, James; Kendall, Custis (Capt.); Kennerly, William; Kermison, Jacob; Kinney, James; Kenny, Joseph; Kenny, Robert (Capt.); Kerr, Joseph; Kerr, Robert; Kerr, Thos.; Kincaid, Andrew; Kincaid, Williams; Kirk, Robert; Kirk, John (Capt.); Keister, Fred (Lut.); Kendrick, Abraham; Kennedy, David; Love, Ephriam; Laid, David (Capt.); Lapsley, ——— (Capt.); Latimore, Matthew; Lawrence, Jacob; Leonard, Robert.

Officer and Specialist Highlights The high concentration of Captains—specifically Kendall, Kenny, and Kirk—underscores the emergence of a distinct officer class in these years.

The "So What?" Layer: Geographical Footprint The specific notation of a Johnston veteran from "Greenbrier" is of immense historical value. During this era, Augusta County’s jurisdiction extended to the Ohio River; thus, a Greenbrier designation signifies the mobilization of the extreme western Appalachian frontier under the Augusta banner, proving the county’s role as the military heart of "Old Virginia."

5. Frontier Leadership & Family Spotlights (A–L)

In the post-Revolutionary era, military service became the primary vehicle for social and political ascension, giving rise to the "Frontier Dynasties" of the Shenandoah Valley.

The Lewis Family Dynasty The Lewis lineage maintained a standard of service that predates the Revolution, with Colonel Charles Lewis serving with distinction until his death at the Battle of Point Pleasant. This tradition was upheld throughout the conflict by Brig. General Andrew Lewis and a vast network of descendants including Samuel (Colonel) and William (Lut. and Regular).

General Andrew Moore: The Statesman-Soldier (1751–1821) Transitioning from a Lut. in the 9th Virginia, Andrew Moore’s career is one of foundational importance. He served as a member of the first U.S. Congress and holds the distinction of being the first U.S. Senator from west of the Blue Ridge. His service extended to the convention that ratified the Constitution and a twenty-year tenure as Marshall of Virginia.

The Shuey Pioneers John Ludwig Shuey (b. 1755), a veteran of the conflict and a native of Bethel township, Lancaster, Pa., represents the integration of military service and land settlement. Settling on 1,000 acres of the Borden grant on the Middle River in 1795, he was a member of the Reformed Church and was widely regarded as a "useful man" within the community.

Summary of Memorials The physical legacy of these men is often marked by the tragic erosion of time. We must note:

• Timber Ridge Burying Ground: Memorials to the McClure and McClung families, and John Housten, Sr. Meticulous inspection reveals the stones for Halbert, Samuel, and Alexander McClure, as well as those for John and Wm. McClung, have disappeared.
• Lexington Graveyard: Sites for Gen. John Bowyer (d. 1806), John Trimble (d. 1824), and the Thompson family.

Document Conclusion The veterans of the A-L roster constitute the foundational pillars upon which the Commonwealth was built. From the tactical brilliance at Saratoga to the halls of the first U.S. Senate, their names—preserved in these fragmented musters—remain the primary record of Augusta County’s enduring impact on the formation of the United States.

Fleeing Conflict in the South

 

THE FRONTIER CHRONICLE

GERMANY VALLEY, WEST VIRGINIA — In a daring bid for peace and fertile soil, the pioneering Hinkle family has successfully crossed the rugged mountain heights of the Allegheny frontier to establish a permanent settlement in the shadow of Seneca Rocks.

Led by patriarch John Justus Hinkle, the expedition—which includes his three sons Abraham, Isaac, and John Justus Jr., alongside his sons-in-law Paul, George, and Philip Teter—arrived in the lush basin of Germany Valley after weeks of grueling travel from Salisbury in Rowan County, North Carolina.

Fleeing Conflict in the South

The massive migration was prompted by escalating hostility with Native Americans in the Carolinas. Desiring a more peaceful environment where their families could safely cultivate the land, the Hinkles packed their most essential possessions and began their long, trackless journey north into the wilds of what was then known as West Augusta (now Pendleton County, West Virginia).

To survive the wilderness, the family relied on three indispensable tools: trusty flintlock rifles for protection and hunting, axes to clear the heavy timber, and their family Bibles to sustain their faith. Among their cargo is also a prized, German-made grandfather's clock, which survived the rough passage intact.

Stealth and Survival in Trackless Forests

With no established roads or highways, the party was forced to navigate dense, uncharted forests on foot and horseback. Because of the constant threat of attack by both wild beasts and hostile Native Americans, the settlers employed strict stealth tactics to avoid detection.

During the daytime, they stuffed leaves into the bells of their horses, cows, and sheep to muffle their noise and prevent alerting nearby tribes. At night, they freed the bells so the animals could graze safely around the camp, hobbling the horses to prevent them from wandering back to North Carolina. For food, the expedition depended entirely on the wild game they could hunt along the trail.

The First Glimpse of the Promised Land

The grueling journey culminated in a triumphant moment when the travelers finally reached the summit of North Fork Mountain. Looking down from the height of more than four thousand feet, they caught their very first glimpse of Germany Valley—a fertile and productive basin nestled between Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob.

Here, the deeply religious Hinkle clan plans to build their homes, establish schools, and construct their altars. Local observers predict that the descendants of these hardy, stout-hearted pioneers are destined to spread across the future commonwealths of the nation.

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Hinkle Fort was established as a pioneer refuge in the spring of 1760. It is recognized as one of the most historically significant landmarks in the Seneca country of West Virginia.

Geographic Setting

The fort and its surrounding settlement were established in Germany Valley, which is described as one of the most fertile and productive basins in the region. The geography of the site is defined by major Appalachian landmarks:

• It lies just a few miles south of the towering limestone cliffs of Seneca Rocks.
• It is situated a few miles northwest of Spruce Knob.
• The entire valley is surrounded by prominent mountain peaks that rise more than four thousand feet in height, including North Fork Mountain, which the settlers had to cross to reach their new home.

The Founders

The fort was founded by John Justus Hinkle, a patriarch who led a large, coordinated family expedition from Salisbury in Rowan County, North Carolina. Key members of the founding party included:

• His three sons: Abraham, Isaac, and John Justus Jr.
• His sons-in-law: Paul Teter, George Teter Jr., and Philip Teter
• His unmarried daughters and other family members.

Motivation for Construction

The driving force behind building this wilderness refuge was security. The Hinkle family fled North Carolina due to the escalating hostility of Native Americans in the Carolinas. They undertook the arduous journey specifically to find a fertile region where native tribes were "less troublesome and hostile" so they could "abide in peace".

Vision for the Settlement

Upon descending into Germany Valley, the deeply religious family envisioned the site as more than just a military fortification. They established it as a permanent community where they could build their altars, build their homes, and construct their schools to rear a sturdy, industrious progeny.

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Anna Price

 

The life of Anna Louise Price (née Randolph) is a rich and sweeping story that mirrors the turbulence and growth of the nineteenth-century Virginia and West Virginia frontiers. Remembered as a dedicated educator, a talented writer, and the matriarch of a family that profoundly shaped the civic, medical, and journalistic landscape of Pocahontas County, her legacy spanned nearly nine decades.

Early Years and Frontier Travels

Born on July 15, 1836, in Manchester, Virginia, Anna was the daughter of Henry Seth Ward Randolph and Deborah Perry Randolph. Her childhood was remarkably mobile for the era; when she was a small child, her family moved to the frontier of Texas, where they resided for a few years. They subsequently relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where she spent much of her girlhood.

Anna received an exceptionally strong education for a woman of her time. At age fifteen, she finished her studies in Greensville County, Virginia, under the tutelage of Mrs. Polly Jones, and immediately began her own career as a teacher at the same school. She also went on to graduate from the prestigious Abadie’s Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn.

The Crucible of the Civil War

During the Civil War, Anna moved to Lexington, Virginia, to teach at the Ann Smith Academy. She was present in the historic town when it was "besieged and captured" by Union forces (under General David Hunter).

It was during this tumultuous period in Lexington that she met her future husband, the Rev. Dr. William T. Price, a Presbyterian minister and Confederate chaplain. Following the war's conclusion, she married Dr. Price near Richmond—where her family had relocated—on October 12, 1865.

A Shared Ministry Across the Ridges

The couple embarked on a deep, lifelong partnership of fifty-six years. Their life together was marked by several distinct chapters:

• Monterey (Highland County, Virginia): Their first home after marriage, where their prominent eldest surviving son, James, was born in 1868.
• Mount Clinton (Rockingham County, Virginia): They spent sixteen years residing at the church manse. This period was marked by profound grief when their oldest child, William Randolph, died at just four years of age.
• Marlinton (Pocahontas County, West Virginia): In 1885, the family made their final move to Marlinton, where Anna resided for the rest of her life. Dr. Price preceded her in death in 1921 at the age of ninety-one.

A Remarkable Family Legacy

Anna and Dr. Price raised seven children, establishing a lineage of remarkable local influence:

1. William Randolph Price: Died at age four and was buried in Rockingham County.
2. Andrew Price: A well-known local figure who preceded his brother James in death in 1930.
3. Dr. James Ward Price (M.D.): A dedicated physician who practiced medicine in the Marlinton area for fifty-five years, served in the West Virginia Legislature, and was president of the Bank of Marlinton.
4. Calvin W. Price: The legendary and "doughty" editor of the Pocahontas Times.
5. Dr. Susan A. Price (M.D.): A pioneering female physician who wrote the popular local column "Along the Way" for her brother's newspaper.
6. Dr. Norman R. Price (M.D.): Another prominent physician in the family.
7. Mrs. Anna V. Hunter (née Price): The devoted daughter with whom Anna lived in her quiet, peaceful final years in Marlinton.

Anna’s descendants continued to carry her family names; her granddaughter, Florence Randolph Price (Calvin's daughter), graduated from Flora MacDonald College and taught at Marlinton High School before marrying into the local McNeel family.

Sunset of a "Sunny" Character

Throughout her life, Anna was widely celebrated as a writer and storyteller. She was deeply religious, and her peers remembered her for her "sunny" Christian character and absolute loyalty to her friends. Remarkably, she outlived all of her girlhood companions, yet she kept in close touch with them "as one by one they drifted out upon that unknown sea".

On January 19, 1924, at the age of 87, Anna Price passed away peacefully at her daughter Anna Hunter's home in Marlinton. Her obituary beautifully noted that she approached her grave "as one who wraps the drapery of her couch about her, and lies down to pleasant dreams".

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I have successfully generated and published the price-randolph-family-tree.png diagram, which is now available in your Studio panel.

The family tree maps out four generations of the Price and Randolph lineages, demonstrating how this single pioneering family established a massive dynasty that dominated the medical, journalistic, and civic landscape of the Allegheny frontier.

The Structure of the Price-Randolph Dynasty

The tree illustrates the convergence of two distinct lines:

• The Price Lineage: Originating with Margaret Beard Price on the Greenbrier frontier, her eldest son James A. Price established the family's presence on the massive Marlin's Bottom Plantation (which would later become the city of Marlinton).
• The Randolph Lineage: Centered around Henry Seth Ward Randolph and Deborah Perry Randolph, a family that moved across the Virginia frontier, Texas, and Brooklyn, New York, before settling near Richmond.

These two lines united on October 12, 1865, with the marriage of Rev. Dr. William T. Price, D.D. (a noted Presbyterian minister and the county's primary historian) and Anna Louise Randolph (an educator and writer). Together, they raised a remarkable siblinghood of seven children who shaped Pocahontas County's history:

1. William Randolph Price: Their eldest child, who tragically died in infancy at age four.
2. Dr. James Ward Price, M.D. (1868–1946): A prominent local physician who practiced medicine for fifty-five years, represented Pocahontas County in the West Virginia Legislature, and served as the President of the Bank of Marlinton. He married Lura M. Sharp.
3. Hon. Andrew Price (1871–1930): A highly influential local lawyer, civic leader, and the first Mayor of Marlinton.
4. Dr. Susan A. Price, M.D.: A pioneering female physician who practiced locally and authored the popular columns in the local newspaper.
5. Dr. Norman R. Price, M.D. (1880–1957): Another dedicated family physician who married Jean Kinsey of Fauquier County.
6. Calvin W. Price: The legendary and "doughty" editor of the Pocahontas Times, who became the leading voice of the county's journalism.
7. Anna V. Price: Married F. R. Hunter (a major local benefactor who donated the town's Civil War monuments) and cared for her parents in their final years.

A Legacy of Local Influence

The diagram highlights how the family's legacy branched into crucial civic institutions:

• Medicine: The family produced three medical doctors (Dr. J.W. Price, Dr. Norman Price, and Dr. Susan Price), a tradition that continued as Calvin's daughter Florence Randolph Price married Isaac McNeel, connecting the Prices to another prominent local family with deep medical and historical leadership.
• Journalism: The Pocahontas Times became a family institution run by Calvin W. Price, supported by his sister Susan's written columns and brother Andrew's editorial work.
• Civic Leadership: From mayoral office (Andrew) to legislative seats (Dr. J.W. Price) and historical preservation (Isaac McNeel with the West Virginia Historical Markers Commission), the family's leadership was omnipresent on the frontier.

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Legal?

 

Neither the Town of Marlinton nor the Pocahontas County Commission maintains an independent, specialized municipal surveillance ordinance governing public cameras. Instead, the deployment, operation, and data retention of cameras in the area are governed by a patchwork of state statutes, constitutional standards, agency-level policies, and public records laws.

Statutory & Constitutional Restraints

• Surveillance on Private Property (W. Va. Code § 62-1A-12): Law enforcement officers are strictly prohibited from installing surveillance cameras on private land without landowner consent or a judicially authorized search warrant, except under verifiable exigent circumstances. Cameras mounted in public rights-of-way may only record locations open to plain public view.
  
  
• Fourth Amendment Plain-View Doctrine: Publicly mounted cameras operated by the Marlinton Police Department or Pocahontas County Sheriff's Department are restricted to public thoroughfares, town parks, municipal buildings, and public rights-of-way where no reasonable expectation of privacy exists.
  
  
• Workplace Electronic Surveillance (W. Va. Code § 21-3-20): Public and private employers are barred from using video surveillance in areas designated for employee rest, changing, or privacy (such as locker rooms and restrooms).
  
  

Departmental Standard Operating Procedures

• Evidentiary Chain of Custody: Any video footage captured during an active investigation or traffic stop must be cataloged and preserved in accordance with West Virginia criminal discovery standards and evidence handling protocols.
  
  
• Standard Retention Schedules: Routine municipal facility and public-space security footage is typically placed on automated rolling overwrite cycles (generally 30 to 90 days) unless flagged for ongoing criminal litigation, internal affairs investigations, or formal preservation notices.
  
  
• Traffic & DOH Cameras: WV Division of Highways (WVDOH) traffic monitoring devices across state routes (such as Route 39 and US-219) are operated strictly for real-time traffic flow, incident dispatch, and road-condition monitoring; they generally do not maintain long-term archival recording systems accessible for general civic tracking.
  
  

Public Records and Disclosure Rules

• Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.): Recorded footage from municipal systems is classified as a public record. However, releases are subject to statutory exemptions, including ongoing law enforcement investigative files, personnel privacy protections, or sensitive security infrastructure disclosures.

The Hidden Key

 

The Hidden Key: 5 Surprising Truths About Landfill Security and Environmental Law

1. Introduction: The Gate at Midnight

Imagine pulling up to the heavy steel gates of a municipal landfill at midnight. The facility is officially closed, but tucked inside a nearby lockbox—or perhaps hanging on a discreet hook—is a physical key. This "operational workaround" is a common sight across the country, often treated as a harmless convenience for emergency services or early-morning contractors.

However, as an analyst and investigator, I see this key for what it truly is: a high-stakes legal and environmental gamble. What facility managers view as an efficient way to manage after-hours access, the law views as a critical failure in security that opens the door to illegal dumping, toxic contamination, and massive financial liability. This post reveals the surprising complexities of modern landfill management and the power citizens have to intervene when the "honor system" fails.

2. The "Honor System" Access Trap

Facility managers often leave keys accessible to accommodate "authorized" after-hours users, such as municipal haulers needing to discharge loads before standard shifts or contractors monitoring leachate levels. By relying on this informal key-control policy rather than digital codes or staffed gate attendants, management creates a localized "honor system" that is fundamentally incompatible with modern environmental standards.

This system represents a systemic failure because it effectively bypasses mandatory waste-screening protocols. Sanitary landfills are strictly regulated to exclude prohibited materials like hazardous waste, untreated medical debris, and free liquids. Without an attendant to manifest and verify incoming loads, the "honor system" becomes a gateway for unvetted, potentially toxic materials to enter the site undetected.

Regulatory and Permit Vulnerabilities

• Statutory Violations: Failure to control public access violates federal regulations (40 CFR § 258.25) and specific state permit requirements.
• Administrative Fines: Regulatory agencies can assess daily penalties ranging from $10,000 to over $50,000 per violation.
• Direct Evidence of Failure: An accessible gate key serves as "smoking gun" evidence during inspections or investigations into site fires and groundwater contamination.
• Permit Revocation: Repeated failures to maintain perimeter security can lead to the permanent loss of the facility's authority to operate.

3. The Myth of the Invisible Dumper

A common misconception among fly-dumpers and lax operators is that a physical key leaves no trail. In reality, modern investigators look for the "digital ghost" left behind. Even if the key itself is analog, the forensics are high-tech.

Gate and scale house CCTV, solar-powered cellular cameras, and automated kiosks providing RFID scans create a chronological record of entry. Beyond the site's perimeter, GPS telematics from systems like Samsara or Geotab log exact route histories and "dwell times" within landfill coordinates. For the legal investigator, even the lockbox itself is a source of evidence; latent fingerprints or touch DNA left on a physical key can link a specific individual to an unauthorized entry.

Technological oversight now extends to the topography of the waste itself through drone photogrammetry. By conducting routine aerial surveys, investigators can perform volumetric audits that compare active cell volume against logged disposal tonnage.

"Comparing outbound municipal route collection weights against recorded scale house receipts often reveals unexplained 'ghost drops' occurring outside standard operating hours."

Furthermore, "Tipped Load Forensics" allow investigators to sort through newly deposited waste for traceable origin identifiers—such as shipping manifests, corporate records, or addressed packaging—to link a "ghost drop" directly back to the generator.

4. The 60-Day Clock: Why You Can’t Sue Immediately

When citizens discover these security lapses, the instinct is often to file a lawsuit immediately. However, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) includes a procedural hurdle known as the "Notice of Intent to Sue" (NOI). As established in the Supreme Court ruling Hallstrom v. Tillamook County, failure to comply strictly with notice timing results in the mandatory dismissal of a federal complaint.

The law requires different waiting periods based on the legal theory:

• 60-Day Notice: Required for regulatory or permit violations (e.g., failure to maintain access control). The suit cannot be filed until 60 full days after the notice is received.
• 90-Day Notice: Required for "Imminent and Substantial Endangerment" to health or the environment.
• The Zero-Day Exception: If the suit alleges a violation of RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste management), the action may be filed immediately after giving notice.

These waiting periods allow the recipient to take corrective action before a federal complaint is filed.

Pro Tip: Under federal law (40 CFR § 254.2(c)), the notice is deemed served on the date of receipt by the recipient, not the date of mailing. Use Certified Mail with a Return Receipt to establish your "Day 0."

5. The "Attractive Nuisance" and Infinite Liability

Leaving a gate key accessible creates two distinct fronts of liability that can bankrupt an operator.

1. Premise Liability (Attractive Nuisance): This legal doctrine holds owners liable if minors gain access to the site's hazards—such as steep slopes, heavy machinery, or leachate ponds—and suffer injury or death. An unsecured gate transforms an industrial site into an "attractive nuisance" in the eyes of the court.

2. Statutory Liability (CERCLA): Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, landfill operators face "Strict, Joint, and Several Liability." If an unauthorized party uses a "hidden key" to dump hazardous chemicals, the operator is strictly liable for multi-million-dollar remediation costs, regardless of who physically deposited the waste.

The irony is profound: a simple attempt to be "convenient" for contractors can lead to remediation orders for toxic waste the owner never even knew was there.

6. The "Diligence" Factor: Citizens vs. The State

When a state agency enters into an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with a landfill to fix security issues, the operator often claims the matter is settled. This is a legal myth. Because an ACO is an internal agency settlement and not a case litigated in a court of law, it typically does not trigger the statutory bar under RCRA § 6972(b)(1)(B), which only precludes citizen suits if the state is "diligently prosecuting" an action in court.

Citizen suits act as a vital fail-safe when regulatory agencies move too slowly or provide too much leniency through repeatedly extended ACO deadlines.

Where Citizen Suits Succeed Despite an ACO:

• Scope Gaps: The ACO ignores specific contaminants or groundwater threats.
• Opaque Process: The order was signed without mandatory public notice or comment periods.
• Chronic Non-Compliance: The operator has missed ACO milestones without facing state-enforced penalties.

7. Conclusion: A New Standard of Accountability

The era of "handshake" site management and "honor system" gate keys is over. We are witnessing a decisive shift toward high-tech, high-liability oversight where "plausible deniability" no longer exists. What used to be a minor operational shortcut is now a beacon for investigators, inviting drone audits, GPS subpoenas, and federal citizen suits.

As technology makes the "invisible" visible and the law holds owners strictly accountable for every inch of their perimeter, a fundamental question remains for every facility manager and local official: Is the operational convenience of a hidden key worth the risk to public health and the long-term integrity of our groundwater?

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Regulatory Compliance, Security Vulnerabilities, and Litigation Frameworks for Sanitary Landfills

Executive Summary

Operational lapses at sanitary landfills, specifically the practice of leaving access keys unattended at facility gates, create significant security vulnerabilities and regulatory risks. Such practices bypass mandatory waste-screening protocols, exposing operators to illegal dumping of hazardous materials, environmental degradation, and severe legal liabilities. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), citizens have the authority to initiate litigation against operators for these violations, provided they adhere to strict statutory notice requirements. While Administrative Consent Orders (ACOs) are common tools for resolving permit violations, they do not automatically bar citizen suits, particularly when agency enforcement is deemed non-diligent or insufficient to address specific environmental harms.

Operational Security Risks and Workarounds

The practice of leaving a key accessible at a landfill entrance is often an informal operational shortcut that undermines the facility’s security and regulatory integrity.

Drivers for Informal Access

• Authorized After-Hours Use: Keys are frequently intended for emergency services (fire, environmental response) or municipal haulers needing to discharge waste outside of standard operating hours.
• Contractor Convenience: Maintenance crews, leachate haulers, and environmental monitoring contractors use these keys to bypass the need for staffed gate attendants.
• Policy Failures: Management may implement an "honor system" rather than investing in unique digital codes or individual key-control policies.

Security and Chain-of-Custody Compromise

• Bypassing Waste Screening: Mandatory protocols designed to exclude hazardous waste, medical waste, and unauthorized industrial sludge are eliminated when access is unattended.
• Volumetric and Financial Discrepancies: Unmonitored access prevents accurate recording of vehicle weights, leading to unbilled disposal and unaccounted volume consumption in active disposal cells.
• Vulnerability to Public Misuse: Once the existence of a key becomes known, sites are prone to "fly-dumping" by unauthorized haulers and scavenging.

Investigative Framework for Unauthorized Access

Even without electronic logs from a physical key, environmental enforcement agencies utilize a multi-layered investigative approach to establish site access and liability.

Digital and Visual Intelligence

• Surveillance Systems: Facilities typically use CCTV at scale houses and main roads, supplemented by motion-activated trail cameras at gates.
• Fleet Telematics: Investigators can subpoena GPS data (e.g., Samsara, Geotab) from suspected haulers to identify geofence breaches and dwell times at the landfill.
• Cellular Forensics: Authorities may request tower connection logs or "cell tower dumps" to identify mobile devices active within the facility perimeter during unauthorized windows.

Forensic and Administrative Evidence

• Waste Characterization: Manual sorting of illegally dumped waste often yields "generator markers" such as shipping manifests, addressed mail, or prescription bottles.
• Physical Impressions: Tire treads and turning radius tracks on unpaved roads can be matched to specific vehicle classes.
• Volumetric Audits: Comparing active cell volume through drone photogrammetry against logged disposal tonnage can reveal "ghost drops" occurring after hours.

Regulatory and Civil Liabilities

Failure to maintain adequate access control subjects landfill operators to a range of severe penalties across multiple legal domains.

Administrative and Statutory Penalties

• Permit Violations: Under 40 CFR § 258.25 and state rules, operators are mandated to control public access. Violations can lead to daily fines ranging from $10,000 to over $50,000.
• Superfund Exposure: Under CERCLA, operators face strict, joint, and several liability for the cleanup of hazardous chemicals deposited at their site, regardless of who physically dumped the waste.

Tort and Criminal Liability

• Negligence Per Se: The violation of statutory access-control mandates often establishes negligence in personal injury or wrongful death litigation.
• Attractive Nuisance: Landfills contain inherently dangerous hazards (leachate ponds, methane gas, unstable slopes). Lax security makes operators liable for injuries to minors who gain access.
• Criminal Charges: Knowing facilitation of unauthorized hazardous waste disposal can result in felony charges and incarceration for corporate officers.

The RCRA Citizen Suit Framework

Section 7002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) allows private parties to enforce environmental standards, provided they follow precise procedural steps established in Hallstrom v. Tillamook County.

Mandatory Notice Periods

The "Notice of Intent to Sue" (NOI) must respect specific waiting periods based on the legal theory:

• 60-Day Notice (§ 6972(a)(1)(A)): For ongoing regulatory or permit violations (e.g., open dumping, lack of access control).
• 90-Day Notice (§ 6972(a)(1)(B)): For "Imminent and Substantial Endangerment" to health or the environment.
• Zero-Day Notice: Reserved for violations involving Subtitle C hazardous waste management.

Service and Content Requirements

The notice must be served via Registered or Certified Mail to the facility owner, the EPA Administrator, the Regional EPA Administrator, and the State Solid Waste Agency. It must include:

• Specific legal provisions and factual descriptions of the violation.
• Approximate dates and locations within the facility.
• Full contact information for the plaintiff and their legal counsel.

Mandatory Service Recipients

Alleged Violator Type	Primary Recipient	Mandatory Copies
Private Corporation	Facility Owner / Registered Agent	EPA Administrator, Regional EPA Administrator, State Agency Head
State/Local Agency	Head of the specific agency	EPA Administrator, Regional EPA Administrator, State Agency Head
Federal Agency	Head of the Federal Department	EPA Administrator, Regional EPA Administrator, U.S. Attorney General, State Agency Head

Administrative Consent Orders (ACOs)

An ACO is a binding settlement between a regulator and an operator to resolve permit violations without full litigation.

Components of an ACO

• Corrective Action Plan (CAP): A scope of work for structural upgrades (e.g., automated gates).
• Stipulated Penalties: Automatic daily fines for missing milestones.
• No Admission of Liability: A clause protecting the operator from certain third-party civil claims.

Interaction with Citizen Suits

A citizen suit may often proceed even if an ACO exists. Federal courts generally allow these suits if:

1. Administrative Action is not "In Court": A purely administrative order generally does not trigger the statutory litigation bar, which requires a state or the EPA to be "diligently prosecuting" in a court of law.
2. Specific Harms are Ignored: The ACO fails to address certain contaminants or broader groundwater threats mentioned in the citizen complaint.
3. Non-Diligence: The operator has missed ACO milestones without the regulator taking enforcement action.

Swago Bill

 

William Ewing, widely known in Appalachian history as "Swago Bill," was a celebrated pioneer, marksman, and Revolutionary War veteran who helped carve out some of the earliest settlements in Pocahontas County.

 

The Ewing Family Roots

William was the son of James Ewing, a Scotch-Irish immigrant who arrived in Western Virginia around 1736. William and his siblings were born on his father's Jackson River farm before the family crossed the mountain divide shortly after 1760 to settle along a stream initially called Ewings Creek (later renamed Knapps Creek) in honor of his father.

 

Around 1770, James Ewing sold their Knapps Creek holdings to the pioneer Moses Moore and relocated his family to the Swago Creek farm lands (on what later became known as the McClintic farm), establishing one of the first permanent homesteads in the Swago valley.

 

Carving out the Swago Homestead

 

By the year 1786, Swago Bill was living on Swago Creek. To secure his homestead in the dense wilderness, he blazed a line of trees around the boundary of his selected land and subsequently had the tract officially patented. In addition to his Swago homestead, tradition states that he owned lands along the Williams River. (Decades later in 1810, when he prepared to move to Ohio, he reportedly sold these Williams River holdings in exchange for a single rifle gun and a specific sum of "cut money").

 

The First Indian Alarm

 

Living on the frontier was highly dangerous, and the threat of conflict was a constant reality. One afternoon while Swago Bill was out plowing his fields, an alarm swept through the valley warning that an Indian war party was preparing to attack the settlement. Acting quickly, Ewing hid his heavy plow in the safety of the woods and hurried with his family and neighbors to the nearest fortified stockade, Millpoint (then known to the pioneers as Fort Day).

 

The Damp Powder Escape

A few days after the alarm subsided, Swago Bill ventured back into the forest to retrieve his hidden plow. As he was carrying it back through the dense woods, he was suddenly startled by a sharp snapping sound. Turning to one side, he found himself staring directly at three Indians crouching behind a log with their rifles aimed straight at him.

 

The warriors pulled their triggers, but because their gunpowder was damp, their rifles missed fire.

Instantly dropping his plow, Swago Bill bolted toward the fort at breakneck speed, with the three pursuing warriors hot on his heels. Knowing they would eventually close the gap on the open trail, he ran over a rise of ground and dipped into a small, secluded hollow. In a brilliant tactical maneuver, Ewing abruptly veered off the main trail, ran a short distance up the hollow, and hid in the brush. From his hiding spot, he watched as the pursuing warriors rushed straight past the hollow along the regular trail, completely losing his track. Once the coast was clear, Swago Bill quietly slipped out of the hollow and made his way back to the fort in safety.

 

This thrilling escape took place in 1786, around the exact same time as the historic Drennan raid when James Baker and the Bridger boys were killed.