Stuff to Know I

 

 

Pocahontas County, West Virginia - Commerce and Industry Study Guide

Glossary of Key Terms

Arkose: A type of sandstone containing at least 25% feldspar.

Buckwheat: A plant cultivated for its triangular-shaped seeds, which are used as a grain.

Burr: Another name for the grinding stones used in a grist mill.

Cam: A rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa.

Carding Machine: A mechanical device used to clean fibers, particularly wool, in preparation for spinning.

Circular Mill: A type of sawmill utilizing a rotating blade to cut logs.

Cloverlick: A location in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, taking its name from the abundance of clover in the area.

Crib: In log driving, a structure built to contain a large quantity of logs in a river.

Dismal Run: A location in Pocahontas County named by early settlers due to the thick growth of hemlock trees blocking out the sunlight.

Greenbank: A town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Grist Mill: A mill for grinding grain, typically using water power.

Hillsboro: A town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Indented Servant: A person who worked for a fixed period of time (typically 4-7 years) in exchange for passage to the Americas, food, lodging, and often training in a trade.

Knappe Creek: A stream flowing through Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Lathe: A machine tool for shaping wood, metal, or other material by rotating it against a cutting tool.

Log Drive: A method of transporting logs downstream by floating them in a river.

Marlinton: A town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Millpoint: A location in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, likely named for a mill situated there.

Monongahela National Forest: A national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.

Mutual Company: A type of company owned and operated by its members or policyholders, who share in its profits and losses.

Poteet: Unclear from context, potentially a local term for a specific geological feature or geographical location.

Run: A small stream or creek, often a tributary of a larger river.

Saw Pit: An early type of saw mill using a pit to accommodate the length of the logs being cut.

Skidding: The process of moving felled trees from the cutting site to a landing or loading area.

Slash Dam: A temporary dam built across a stream to create a reservoir of water used to float logs downstream during a log drive.

Spice Run: A location in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, likely named for a stream or "run" in the area.

Stony Creek: A stream flowing through Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Swag: A low-lying or swampy area.

Team: A group of horses or oxen harnessed together to pull a wagon or logs.

Tilt Hammer: A mechanical hammer powered by water, used in ironworking.

Tub Mill: An early type of water-powered mill, often used as a grist mill.

Maple syrup served as a crucial sweetener in the early diet of Pocahontas County residents, as refined sugar was often unavailable. They relied on the abundant maple trees in the region to produce syrup, which they used to supplement their diet, which often consisted of staples like corn pone, coffee, and bacon.
 
Log driving involved floating felled trees downstream to sawmills or lumber yards. This method, often dangerous and reliant on skilled labor, proved essential for transporting large quantities of timber from remote areas to processing centers before railroads became widespread.

 
The railroad's arrival in Marlinton in 1891, facilitated by the Pocahontas Development Company, spurred significant growth. It solidified plans for a town that had existed only on paper, attracting investment and solidifying its role as a hub for commerce and transportation in the region.

 
The decline of lumber towns stemmed from the depletion of easily accessible timber resources due to extensive logging. This depletion, coupled with the shift towards more efficient logging operations elsewhere, led to economic hardship and a decline in population for these once-thriving communities.

 

The tilt hammer, essential for iron working, addressed a critical need for early settlers in Pocahontas County who relied on it to create tools and implements. Its presence underscores the challenges of establishing a self-sufficient community in a remote and resource-limited environment.

 
Grist mills served the essential purpose of grinding grain, a staple food source for the community. They were typically powered by water, harnessing the energy of flowing streams to drive the millstones and process the grain.

 
Pocahontas County's abundance of streams significantly influenced its industrial development. Water power became a primary source of energy, driving sawmills, grist mills, and other essential machinery for various industries.

 
During its peak, the lumber industry served as the economic backbone of Pocahontas County. It provided widespread employment, attracted investment, and fueled the growth of towns like Marlinton, transforming the region's landscape and social fabric.

 
Log driving presented inherent dangers, including the risk of log jams, unpredictable river conditions, and the constant threat of injury or death for the workers navigating the logs downstream. These perilous conditions highlight the demanding and often hazardous nature of early lumber operations.