The Great Texas Bill Wild West Show in Marlinton

 

The Great Texas Bill Wild West show will be held in Marlinton on Tuesday, August 1, 1905. The show features:

• Tribes of genuine Sioux, Pawnee & Cheyenne Indians
• American representative cowboys, champion marksmen, south American gauchos, natives of Mexico, western pioneer and rough riders.
• A "superb, phenomenal spectacle depicting old Mexico"
• The "Battle of Wounded Knee"
• The only genuine cowboy band

There will be two exhibitions daily: an afternoon show at 2 p.m. and a night show at 8 p.m. Admission to the event will be 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children. The show is presented by H. C. Bain and advertised by Dr. G.A. Revercomb.

Marlinton, West Virginia FAQ

 

1. What were some early industries in Marlinton?

Timber and agriculture were very important in Marlintown's early economy. The area saw significant timber sales throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. Local mills provided lumber and shingles. The area's farms produced wheat, corn, livestock, and fruit orchards.

2. What challenges did Marlinton face in the early 1900s?

A major challenge was the debate over alcohol sales. Newspaper accounts from 1905 highlight strong community divisions over whether to allow liquor licenses. This reflects tensions between economic development and maintaining social order.

3. How did Marlinton change in the 1910s?

Marlintown experienced growth and development during the 1910s. New businesses, like Paul Golden's clothing store, opened, offering a variety of goods at competitive prices. The town also saw infrastructure improvements, including a new union depot built by the Union Pacific railroad.

4. Were there educational opportunities in Marlinton?

Yes, Marlintown had several schools. The Hunter'sville and Frankford Academies were operating by 1885, offering a classical education, including Latin. By 1914, the town had an established school department with a graded system.

5. What recreational activities were available in Marlinton?

Fishing was a popular pastime in Marlintown. Local fishermen frequented areas like Marlin's Bottom, sometimes with mixed results. Social events were also common, including dances and musical performances.

6. Was crime a problem in Marlinton?

Newspaper accounts from 1914 document a post office robbery in nearby Highland County. The suspect, Frank Harris, was apprehended in Pinckney, suggesting that law enforcement was active in the area. The incident also highlights the challenges of rural crime.

7. How did Marlinton residents contribute to World War I?

Marlinton residents actively supported the war effort. The community invested in Liberty Bonds to finance the war. Local businesses encouraged residents to "do their part" by contributing financially.

8. Did Marlinton residents experience any hardships during World War I?

Yes, wartime shortages impacted Marlintown. A 1918 article in the Pocahontas Times discussed sugar rationing, urging residents to conserve and avoid hoarding. This illustrates the sacrifices residents made on the home front.

Wayside Notes: Community Happenings and Local News

 

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• Marlinton Buzzing with Activity: The usually quiet town of Marlinton was abuzz with activity last week as folks from neighboring towns and counties flocked in for the highly anticipated spelling match held at the Academy. Twelve eager contestants, six each from Marlinton and Academy, battled it out for spelling supremacy. The competition was fierce, with each participant displaying impressive spelling prowess. While the sources don't disclose the final word or the exact location of this grand event, it certainly provided an evening of entertainment and intellectual stimulation for the entire community.

• New Business Venture in Dunmore: Dunmore welcomes a new business venture as Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Heavner have bravely ventured into the realm of sheep husbandry, establishing a sheep pen right in town. The couple has skillfully avoided the traditional expenses associated with sheep farming by ingeniously employing electricity to power their shearing equipment. This innovative approach is sure to garner attention and perhaps inspire other enterprising individuals in the area.

• The Sad Passing of a Respected Citizen: The community of Marlinton mourns the loss of one of its most esteemed citizens, Mr. Daniel Francis Carey, who passed away on January 10th at the ripe old age of seventy-nine. A consistent member of the Presbyterian church for many years, Mr. Carey led an exemplary life, leaving behind a legacy of faith and good works. His funeral, held at the Droop church, was attended by a large gathering of friends and family who came to pay their last respects and offer condolences to his bereaved loved ones.

• A Thrilling Match Under the Stars: A wave of excitement swept through Dunmore as the town hosted a grand croquet match, drawing a sizable crowd eager to witness the sporting spectacle. The atmosphere was electric, with spectators cheering on their favorite players. The sources, however, maintain a tantalizing silence regarding the final score and the names of the victorious players.

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The sources provide snapshots of life in Pocahontas County during the early 20th century. These vignettes offer insights into various aspects of life, including social gatherings, business ventures, religious observances, and sporting events. They highlight the close-knit nature of these communities and the importance of shared experiences in shaping their collective identity.

The "Wayside Notes" column likely served as a vital communication channel for residents of these communities. It offered a platform for sharing news, announcements, and observations, fostering a sense of connection and shared identity amongst geographically dispersed individuals.

Memorial Services in Early 20th Century West Virginia

 

Memorial Services in Early 20th Century West Virginia

The sources, primarily local newspapers like the Pocahontas Times from 1905 and 1914-1918, provide insights into memorial services held in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, during the early 20th century. While the sources do not explicitly detail the structure or specific elements of these services, they offer glimpses into their purpose, frequency, and the sentiments surrounding them.

• Purpose and Sentiments: Memorial services were held to honor and remember individuals who had passed away. The sources often use phrases like "loving tribute," "lasting impression," and "kind words of appreciation" to convey the respect and affection felt for the deceased. These services provided an opportunity for the community to come together, share memories, and offer condolences to the bereaved family.

• Frequency: The sources mention memorial services for various individuals, suggesting they were a common practice during this period. They were held for people from different walks of life, including prominent citizens, community leaders, and ordinary individuals. The frequency of these services highlights the importance placed on commemorating the lives of those who had passed.

• Location: Memorial services were often held in churches, as indicated by mentions of services taking place in the "Marlinton Church" and the "Oak Grove Presbyterian Church." Churches provided a suitable space for these gatherings, offering a solemn and reverent atmosphere for remembrance.

• Content: Although the sources lack detailed descriptions of the content of these memorial services, they suggest a focus on remembering the life and character of the deceased. The mention of a "memorial text" suggests the use of scripture or religious readings. The phrase "kind words of appreciation" implies that eulogies or personal reflections were shared, highlighting the positive qualities and contributions of the individual being honored.

• Community Support: The sources often note the presence of "numerous friends and relatives" at these services, indicating strong community support for the bereaved families. Phrases like "heartfelt sympathy" and "general expression of sorrow" underscore the shared sense of loss and the desire to offer comfort during times of grief.

Examples from the sources:

• Memorial service for Mrs. M. P. Slaven (1918): A memorial service was held in the Marlinton Church for Mrs. Slaven, who passed away suddenly. The memorial text used was I Thessalonians 5:11, "Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do."
• Notice of a memorial service for Mrs. Slaven (1918): The notice mentions that a sketch of Mrs. Slaven's life would be prepared and appear in the next week's newspaper.
• Death and Funeral of Prof. M. G. Mathews (1918): Although not explicitly stated as a "memorial service," the description of Prof. Mathew's funeral highlights the community's respect and admiration for him. The source notes the large crowd in attendance and the deep sorrow felt by those who knew him.

While the sources offer limited specifics about the structure and content of memorial services in early 20th century West Virginia, they highlight the importance of these gatherings as a means of honoring the deceased, providing comfort to grieving families, and fostering a sense of community in the face of loss.

Satire from a 100 Years AGO--A short humorous piece in the Pocahontas Times titled "$100 a Year."

 

Deplorable Don'ts: A Humorous Take on Life Advice

The term "Deplorable Don'ts" comes from a short humorous piece in the Pocahontas Times titled "$100 a Year." The piece presents a series of "don'ts" framed as bad advice, creating a comical effect through their absurdity and implied negative consequences. These "Deplorable Don'ts" offer a satirical commentary on common societal expectations and behaviors.

Here are some examples of "Deplorable Don'ts" from the source:

• Don't judge cigars and women by their wrappers. This "don't" plays on the idiom "Don't judge a book by its cover," humorously applying it to cigars and women to suggest that appearances can be deceiving.

• Don't try to kill two birds with one shotgun. This "don't" twists the common saying "Kill two birds with one stone," which advises efficiency. By advising against efficiency, it creates a humorous effect.

• Don't forget that the wisest bird occasionally roosts at the wrong time. This "don't" satirizes the idea of perfect wisdom, suggesting that even the wisest individuals can make mistakes.

• Don't forget a man by the name of Next-door neighbor, lie occasionally on your back to see if he is doing the same thing for you. This "don't" uses humor to caution against excessive trust and the potential for deception in social interactions.

• Don't request your grocer to supply you with butter of the 57th parallel, it may get too warm in transit. This "don't" mocks those with overly specific and impractical demands.

• Don't waste your time disputing figures. They seldom lie. This "don't" humorously acknowledges the power of numbers and statistics.

• Don't think because life is short that one set of good resolutions will last a lifetime. This "don't" pokes fun at the fleeting nature of New Year's resolutions and the tendency for people to abandon their goals.

Overall, the "Deplorable Don'ts" serve as a humorous and insightful reflection on human behavior and societal norms. By presenting bad advice with a straight face, the author cleverly exposes the absurdity of certain expectations and actions, encouraging readers to think critically about conventional wisdom.

Analysis of The Greenbrier Independent Article

 

Analysis of The Greenbrier Independent Article

The Pocahontas Times reprinted an article from The Greenbrier Independent about the proposed new town of Marlinton and then fact-checked the article. The Times disagreed with several statements in the Independent article, noting that the correspondent who wrote the story for the Independent appeared to be unfamiliar with Pocahontas County.

• The Independent article stated that Marlinton was located at the junction of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C. & O) Railroad and the West Virginia and Pittsburg Railroad. The Times responded that “not a mile” of either of these railroads had “ever been built in the county”. The Times reported that the closest railroad station to Pocahontas County was about 30 miles away and that Marlinton was “the proposed junction of the two roads, when they are built”.
• The Independent article also stated that the Pocahontas County Courthouse in Huntersville had been condemned and that the county would need to construct a new courthouse. The Times disputed this statement, stating that the existing courthouse had not been condemned and that it was “better than several of the larger counties of our own state”. The Times described the courthouse as being “as good, as we know of in counties of 35,000 inhabitants”.

The Times concluded its response to the Independent article by noting that the newspaper was “always pleased to see newspaper articles of a complimentary character of our county” but did not want to publish stories that contained inaccurate information.

Other sources provide additional context:

• A correspondent for The Pocahontas Times, writing from Cheyenne, Wyoming, noted that a “private journal” kept by Arthur Lee while he was serving as Minister to France at the time of the French Revolution was housed in the National Library in Washington, D.C., along with two volumes of an original journal kept by Major General Nathanael Greene during the American Revolution. The correspondent stated that the National Library was established around 1800. According to the correspondent, the first shipment of books purchased for the library arrived in Washington from London in trunks. This information about the National Library and historical journals is not directly relevant to your query.

• The West Virginia and Pittsburg Railroad was under construction in 1891. The railroad extended from Morgantown, West Virginia, to the Virginia state line, a distance of 300 miles. One hundred and thirty miles of track had already been laid, with the line completed as far as Braxton Court House and under contract to the Gauley River.

• John T. McGraw, mentioned in the Independent article, served as Collector of Internal Revenue before resigning. The Times described McGraw’s successor, A. B. White, as a “bitter partisan” who edited a newspaper called the State Journal in Parkersburg.

• Thomas P. Crusty wrote a letter to The Manufacturers’ Record newspaper of Baltimore, Maryland, describing Marlinton as “one of the most inviting locations” he had ever seen. Crusty’s letter, reprinted in the November 5, 1891 edition of The Pocahontas Times, provided additional details about the new town of Marlinton:

  • Marlinton was located on the Greenbrier River at the junction of the West Virginia and Pittsburg Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
  • The proposed town was originally called “Martin’s Bottom”.
  • The town site was adjacent to a “great timber and coal field” and was believed to be near deposits of iron ore.
  • Pocahontas County residents would vote on December 8, 1891, to decide whether to move the county seat to Marlinton.

• The Pocahontas Development Company, chartered in September 1891, was responsible for developing Marlinton. The company, with its principal office in Marlinton, was authorized to develop timber and coal resources, to build saw mills, shops, and houses, and to mine and ship coal. The company had an initial capitalization of $100,000 and was authorized to increase its capitalization to $500,000.

• The Times reported on October 15, 1891 that the Pocahontas County Court had agreed to put the relocation of the county seat from Huntersville to Marlinton to a vote of county residents. The court would hold the election on December 8, 1891. The newspaper published an editorial in the October 29, 1891 issue urging voters to reject the proposed move.

• The Times published a notice in the November 5, 1891 issue announcing an upcoming sale of real estate for delinquent taxes. The sale would be held in front of the Pocahontas County Courthouse on December 24, 1891.

Marlinton's Location and Proposed Development

 

A correspondent for the Greenbrier Independent, writing in an article reprinted in the September 24th, 1891 edition of The Pocahontas Times, stated that:

• Marlinton was located at the junction of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) and the West Virginia and Pittsburg railroads. The correspondent noted that lots were being laid off by Capt. Oscar A. Veazey and that they were on the market. They also mentioned plans for a new bank to be called the Bank of Pocahontas.
• A proposal had been presented to voters to relocate the county seat from Huntersville to Marlinton. The correspondent stated that the old courthouse had been condemned and that Col. John T. McGraw had offered a proposition of $5,000 and two-and-a-half acres of land for a site if voters agreed to relocate the county seat.

The editor of The Pocahontas Times responded to the correspondent's article in the same edition of the newspaper. The editor noted that the correspondent's description of Marlinton was inaccurate.

• The C&O and the West Virginia and Pittsburg railroads did not actually run through Pocahontas County. Rather, Marlinton was the proposed junction of the two lines. The editor explained that the nearest point in Pocahontas County to a railroad station was about 30 miles.
• The courthouse in Huntersville had not been condemned. The editor asserted that Pocahontas County's courthouse was better than courthouses in several larger West Virginia counties and was comparable to courthouses in counties with populations of 35,000 and assessed property values six times greater than those of Pocahontas County.

The sources provide additional information about the proposed development of Marlinton.

• Thomas P. Crusty, in a November 5th, 1891 letter to the editor of The Pocahontas Times, described Marlinton as a "most inviting location". Crusty noted that Marlinton was "on the outskirts of a great timber and coal field" and was "adjacent to what is supposed to be good iron ore". Crusty also stated that the C&O Company had hired geologist Mr. Langdon to explore the iron ore deposits in the area.
• Crusty explained that the proposed junction at Marlinton was the result of an agreement between the managers of the West Virginia and Pittsburg Railroad and the C&O. According to Crusty, the C&O still had about 38 miles of track to lay from its Warm Springs extension to Marlinton. The West Virginia and Pittsburg had 34 miles of track to lay, in addition to track that was ready for laying, to complete a connection from Pittsburg to Covington.
• Crusty, writing about his conversations with Johnson N. Camden, noted that investors planned to build an independent 30-mile railroad line up Potts Creek from Covington to access 60,000 acres of mineral lands. According to Crusty, this area had already been explored, with the ore body opened in more than 50 places.
• On October 8th, 1891, The Pocahontas Times reported that the Pocahontas County Court had voted to submit the question of relocating the county seat from Huntersville to Marlinton to voters in the county. The court's action came in response to petitions signed by 697 voters. The Pocahontas Development Company had offered to give the county 2 1/2 acres of land in Marlinton for the construction of a courthouse and jail if voters approved relocating the county seat. The company also offered to pay $5,000 to help defray the costs of new county buildings if the relocation was approved. The court set the special election for December 8th, 1891.

It appears that investors had plans to develop Marlinton as a transportation and industrial hub in Pocahontas County. However, the Greenbrier Independent correspondent's description of Marlinton as an already established town was overly optimistic, as no railroad lines actually ran through the county at that time.