Salt Shaker Press: 2024-06-23

Time

The nature of time and its relation to God is a complex question that theologians and philosophers have been grappling with for centuries.

Here's a breakdown of two main viewpoints:

1. God is Timeless (Atemporal)

    This view, championed by thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas, argues that God exists outside of time altogether.
    Time, in this perspective, is a creation for the universe, but God is eternal and unchanging.
    He sees all of time simultaneously, like looking at a completed film reel, rather than experiencing a sequence of events.
    This concept emphasizes God's absolute power and sovereignty over creation.

2. God is Everlasting (Temporal)

    This more modern view suggests God exists within time, but not in the same way we do.
    He never had a beginning and will never have an end, but he interacts with and influences time.
    Proponents argue that this allows for a more personal relationship with God, who acts and responds within the flow of time.

Additional Points

    Both views generally agree that God is eternal, though the meaning of "eternal" differs.
    The concept of creation itself is tied to time. If God created the universe, then he existed before time as we know it.
    Humanity's experience of time, with its past, present, and future, may be a limitation compared to God's eternal perspective.
    Some theological discussions explore how God's actions in time, like miracles or answering prayers, can be reconciled with his unchanging natu

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Time, that seemingly straightforward concept we use every day, hides a surprising amount of philosophical depth. Here are some of the core questions philosophers grapple with:

The Nature of Time:

Absolute vs. Relative Time: Is time an independent entity, flowing at a constant rate (absolute time), or is it relative to events and observers (relative time)? Einstein's theory of relativity challenged the idea of absolute time, suggesting it's interwoven with space into a fabric called spacetime.

Real or Constructed?: Is time a fundamental feature of the universe, or a mental construct we use to make sense of change? Some argue it's a human invention to organize experiences.

The Flow of Time:

The Arrow of Time: Why does time seem to flow in one direction, from past to future? Why can't we revisit the past or freely choose our future? Explaining this one-way flow is a challenge in physics and philosophy.

The Experience of Time: Our perception of time is subjective. Hours can fly by when engrossed, yet drag on in boredom. How does our brain create this seemingly objective passage of time?

Different Theories of Time:

Presentism: Only the present moment exists. The past and future are merely memories and possibilities.

Eternalism: All moments in time exist equally real. Past, present, and future are like different locations in space, all eternally there.

Growing Block Universe: The universe is constantly expanding with the present moment adding to the ever-growing block of reality.

The main idea conveyed in this passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 is that there is a specific and appropriate time for every action and experience in life. The passage lists a variety of contrasting actions and states of being, such as birth and death, planting and harvesting, weeping and laughing, and war and peace. For each of these, the writer emphasizes that there is a designated time.

"A time to every purpose" means that there is a right time for every action and activity. There is a time for everything under heaven.

For example, there is:

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A time to be born, and a time to die.

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A time to plant, and a time to harvest.

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A time to kill, and a time to heal.

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A time to destroy, and a time to build.

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A time to weep, and a time to laugh.

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A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

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A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather stones together.

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A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.

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A time to gain, and a time to lose.

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A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

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A time to tear, and a time to mend.

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A time to be silent, and a time to speak.

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A time to love, and a time to hate.

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A time for war, and a time for peace.

Contrasting Pairs in Ecclesiastes

To be born and to die
To plant and to pluck up
To kill and to heal
To break down and to build up
To weep and to laugh
To mourn and to dance
To cast away stones and to gather stones together
To embrace and to refrain from embracing
To get and to lose
To keep and to cast away
To rend and to sew
To keep silence and to speak
To love and to hate

Cyclical Nature of Life

The passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 presents a perspective on life characterized by natural cycles and contrasts. It emphasizes that there is a designated time for every activity and experience under heaven. Life encompasses both birth and death, planting and harvesting, killing and healing. It encompasses destruction and construction, weeping and laughter, mourning and dancing. It encompasses times for gathering and scattering, embracing and refraining from embracing, acquisition and loss, keeping and discarding. There are times for silence and speech, love and hate, war and peace. This perspective suggests that life is a tapestry woven with contrasting experiences, each occurring in its own time.

The Value of Work in Ecclesiastes 3:1-10

Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 presents a cyclical view of life, emphasizing that there is a designated time for every activity under heaven. This passage lists various activities and experiences, such as birth and death, planting and harvesting, killing and healing, weeping and laughing, war and peace.

The passage concludes by raising a rhetorical question: "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" This question suggests that the inherent value of work might be questionable given the cyclical nature of life. The passage doesn't explicitly state the value of work but emphasizes that there's a time for everything, including work, within the larger context of life's seasons.

Cyclical Nature of Life's Experiences

Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 portrays life as a series of contrasting experiences, emphasizing that there is a designated time for everything. Life encompasses both beginnings and endings, exemplified by birth and death. It encompasses creation and destruction, as seen in planting and uprooting. Life involves both joy and sorrow, represented by laughter and weeping, dancing and mourning. Times of conflict and peace are also integral parts of life. Just as there are periods for love and hate, so too are there periods for war and peace. The passage underscores that life is a tapestry woven with threads of contrasting experiences, each with its own appointed time.

Antithesis is the primary literary device used in Ecclesiastes 3:2-8. Antithesis presents opposing ideas in grammatically parallel words, phrases, or clauses. This creates a rhythmic and memorable contrast, highlighting the cyclical nature of life's experiences. Each verse in Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 features a series of contrasting actions or states of being, illustrating how life encompasses both positive and negative aspects. For example, verse 2 juxtaposes "a time to be born" with "a time to die," emphasizing the inevitable cycle of life and death. Similarly, verse 3 contrasts "a time to kill" with "a time to heal," underscoring the conflicting forces present in the world.

Perspective on Life in Ecclesiastes

The passage from Ecclesiastes offers a perspective on life that emphasizes the cyclical nature of time and the existence of opposing forces and experiences. It highlights that there is a designated time for every action and purpose, suggesting that life unfolds in a predetermined manner. This cyclical nature encompasses both the natural world, such as birth and death, planting and harvesting, and human experiences like emotions, relationships, and even conflict.

The text portrays human experience as a cycle of contrasting seasons, or experiences. There is a time for every purpose under heaven: a time for birth and death, planting and harvesting, killing and healing. There is also a time for every action: weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing, gathering and scattering stones, embracing and refraining from embracing. Humans experience times of getting and losing, keeping and casting away, tearing and mending, silence and speech, love and hate, war and peace.

What profit does a laborer gain from their toil?

Ecclesiastes 3:9 states: "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?"

Verses 2-8: These verses illustrate this concept with contrasting pairs. Birth and death, planting and harvesting, destruction and construction, joy and sorrow, scattering and gathering, intimacy and distance, acquisition and loss, speaking and silence, love and hate, even war and peace – all have their appointed times.
Important Note: The word "kill" in verse 3 can also be translated as "war" depending on the translation. This reinforces the idea of opposing forces having their place.
Verse 9: This verse takes a turn. After listing all these experiences, the speaker asks: "What benefit is there for someone who works so hard?" The implication is that the constant cycle of life can feel exhausting and meaningless.

Overall, this passage offers a philosophical observation about life's rhythm. It acknowledges both the joys and sorrows, the building up and tearing down, that are all part of the human experience. The question in verse 9 leaves the reader pondering the purpose of it all, which is a major theme explored throughout the book of Ecclesiastes.

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Finding Meaning in the Cycle:

Acceptance: The passage encourages accepting life's natural flow. We can't control the timing of events, but we can learn to navigate them.

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The Question's Impact: By asking "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

" the speaker throws a wrench into the seemingly ordered cycle described earlier. It disrupts our sense of purpose and makes us question the point of all the effort we put into life's various seasons.

Frustration with Futility: The question hints at a sense of frustration. If everything has its time and then its opposite, does anything we do truly matter in the long run? Is it all just a cycle of meaningless activity?

Seeking Something More: This verse marks a turning point. The speaker is no longer content with simply accepting the cycle. They're yearning for a deeper meaning, a sense of purpose that transcends the constant flow of life.

Title: The Rhythm of Life and the Yearning for More

Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

Devotion:

Life can feel like a whirlwind of seasons. We experience joy and sorrow, building and breaking down, loving and letting go, all within the grand cycle of existence. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us of this beautiful, yet sometimes overwhelming, rhythm.

Today, let's focus on verse 9: "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" Here, the speaker confronts a question that might resonate with us all. We work hard, we strive, we chase dreams, yet a nagging doubt creeps in. Is there any lasting meaning to all this effort?

This verse is an invitation to dig deeper. It acknowledges that the cycle of life, while offering rich experiences, might not be enough. We yearn for something more, something that transcends the constant change.

Reflection:

What season are you in right now? How does it make you feel?

    Have you ever felt discouraged by the cyclical nature of life?
    Deep down, what are you truly hoping for?

Additional Thoughts:

    The book of Ecclesiastes doesn't provide easy answers, but it encourages us to grapple with these profound questions.

Perhaps the answer lies in finding joy within the journey, in the connections we make, and in the small victories along the way.

Ultimately, faith traditions offer different perspectives on the meaning of life. Spend time reflecting on what brings you a sense of purpose and connection to something larger than yourself.

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Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam): Serving God and following his teachings is central. Finding purpose in good works, living a moral life, and contributing to a better world are all emphasized. There's also the belief in an afterlife, adding an eternal dimension to life's meaning.

Eastern Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism): These traditions focus on achieving liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Following a spiritual path, letting go of attachments, and attaining enlightenment are key concepts.

Other Traditions: Many other faiths offer unique perspectives. For example, some indigenous traditions see humanity as interconnected with nature, finding meaning in harmony with the environment.

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This verse from Ecclesiastes 3:1 is a powerful statement about the cyclical nature of life.

Let's break it down:

"To every thing there is a season": This emphasizes that everything in life happens at a designated time or period. There's a natural flow to events, and things unfold according to a specific order.

"And a time to every purpose under the heaven": This expands on the previous idea. It clarifies that not only do things happen in seasons, but also every action or goal has its own appropriate time. There are optimal moments for planting crops, building a house, pursuing love, or even grieving.

Here are some interpretations of this verse:

Acceptance of Life's Flow: This verse encourages us to accept the natural rhythm of life. We can't control the timing of events, but we can learn to navigate them by understanding the season we're in.

Finding the Right Time: The verse suggests that there's a "right time" for everything. Planting seeds in winter wouldn't be productive, just like celebrating a victory prematurely might not feel right. By being mindful of the season, we can increase our chances of success and fulfillment.

Appreciating Opposites: The implication is that life is full of contrasting experiences. We experience joy and sorrow, building and breaking down, all within the grand cycle. Perhaps by understanding this, we can appreciate both sides of the coin – the sunshine after a storm, the rest after work, the laughter after tears.

Important to Consider:

This verse doesn't necessarily mean we should be passive. We can still pursue goals and strive for improvement, but it suggests doing so with an awareness of the current season.

The concept of a "season" can be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to literal seasons, stages of life, or even emotional states.

Overall:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 offers a profound perspective on life. By acknowledging the cyclical nature of things and the importance of timing, it encourages us to find acceptance, make wise choices, and ultimately, appreciate the richness of the human experience.

Literal Seasons:

Spring for planting, summer for growth, autumn for harvest, and winter for dormancy. This interpretation highlights the natural cycles that influence our activities and emotions.

Stages of Life: Childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each stage has its unique challenges, opportunities, and experiences. The "season" here emphasizes the transitions and growth that occur throughout life.

Emotional States: Periods of joy, sorrow, anger, peace, and so on. These emotional seasons can be short-lived or linger for longer periods. This interpretation acknowledges the fluidity of our emotions and the importance of navigating them all.

Additional Considerations:

Overlapping Seasons: These interpretations can overlap. For instance, the emotional state of grief might coincide with the literal season of winter, amplifying feelings of loss.

Cultural Significance: Different cultures might have their own understanding of seasons and how they impact life.

Personal Application: The most important aspect is how you personally apply the concept of seasons. Are you currently in a time of building or letting go? Understanding your own season can be valuable for self-reflection and decision-making.

Remember: There's no single "correct" way to interpret "season" in Ecclesiastes 3:1. The power lies in its adaptability. By considering these different interpretations, you can gain a richer understanding of the verse and how it applies to your own life's journey.

This text is discussing the concept of "seasons" as a metaphor for different phases or periods in a person's life. Let's break it down:

1. Personal Application: The text emphasizes that the most crucial aspect is how an individual applies this concept to their own life. It's not just about understanding the idea theoretically, but about using it as a tool for self-reflection.

2. Seasons of Life: The text refers to two types of seasons:
- A time of building: This could represent periods of growth, development, or creation in one's life.
- A time of letting go: This might symbolize periods of release, transition, or moving on from certain aspects of life.

3. Self-reflection: The text suggests that identifying which "season" you're currently in can be valuable for:

   - Understanding yourself better
   - Making more informed decisions
   - Aligning your actions with your current life phase

4. Decision-making: Recognizing your current season can help guide your choices. For example, if you're in a "building" season, you might focus on new opportunities or projects. If you're in a "letting go" season, you might prioritize simplifying your life or closing certain chapters.

5. Adaptability: The concept implies that life is cyclical, and different approaches may be needed at different times.

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First Conditional (Possible Situation): If I finish work early, I will go for a run. (This sentence uses the present tense for the condition "I finish work early" and the future tense for the result "I will go for a run" because it talks about a possible future event.)

Second Conditional (Unreal Situation): If I could fly, I would travel the world. (This sentence uses the past tense for the condition "I could fly" because it refers to an unreal ability. The result uses "would" with the present perfect "travelled" to show the imagined outcome.)

Third Conditional (Past Situation): If I had studied harder, I would have gotten a better grade. (This sentence uses the past perfect tense for the condition "I had studied harder" because it refers to a past action that didn't happen. The result uses "would have gotten" with the past participle "gotten" to show the alternative outcome in the past.)

Zero Conditional (General Truth): If you mix water and flour, you get dough. (This sentence uses the present tense for both the if-clause and the result clause because it expresses a general fact that is always true.)

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Examples of logic statements covering different types:

1. Conditional statements (If-then statements):

If it is raining, then the ground is wet.
If you study hard, then you will likely get good grades.
If today is Friday, then tomorrow is Saturday.

2. Biconditional statements (If and only if statements):

A number is even if and only if it is divisible by 2.
Triangles have three sides if and only if they are three-angled shapes.
You can vote in the election if and only if you are a registered voter.

3. Statements with quantifiers (All, some, no):

All dogs are mammals. (This is a general statement, but not entirely true as there are exceptions like monotremes)
Some fruits are orange. (This statement is true)
No planets in our solar system are made of gas. (This is again not entirely true as Jupiter is a gas giant)

4. Simple statements:

The earth revolves around the sun.
Cats meow.
2 + 2 = 4.

Tense in grammar refers to how verbs indicate the timing of an action or event. Here are some examples to illustrate the different tenses:

Simple Tenses:

Present: Describes habits or facts that are generally true.
- Example: "The sun rises in the east."
- Example: "She drinks coffee every morning."
Past: Describes actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.
- Example: "I went to the store yesterday."
- Example: "They invented the light bulb in the 18th century."
Future: Describes actions that will happen in the future.
- Example: "We will travel to Europe next summer."
- Example: "The meeting starts at 10 am."

Continuous Tenses:

Present Progressive: Describes actions that are ongoing at the moment of speaking.
- Example: "She is cooking dinner right now."
- Example: "We are watching a movie."
Past Progressive: Describes actions that were ongoing at a specific time in the past.
- Example: "It was raining when I left the house."
- Example: "They were playing tennis when their friend arrived."
Future Progressive: Describes actions that will be ongoing at a specific time in the future.
- Example: "This time tomorrow, I will be flying to New York."
- Example: "She will be working on her presentation all afternoon."

Perfect Tenses:

Present Perfect: Describes actions that started in the past and continue up to the present or have an unspecified time in the past.
- Example: "I have lived in this city for ten years." (action started in the past and continues to the present)
- Example: "She has visited many countries." (action happened at some unspecified time in the past)
Past Perfect: Describes actions that were completed before another action in the past.
- Example: "She had already eaten dinner by the time I arrived."
- Example: "They had been waiting for hours when the train finally came."
Future Perfect: Describes actions that will be completed before another action in the future.
- Example: "I will have finished this project by next week."
- Example: "The movie will have started by the time you get there."

Perfect Continuous Tenses:

Present Perfect Continuous: Describes actions that began at some point in the past and continue up to the present, often emphasizing the duration of the action.
- Example: "She has been working on her novel for months."
Past Perfect Continuous: Describes actions that began at some point in the past and continued up to another point in the past, emphasizing the duration.
- Example: "They had been practicing for weeks before the competition."
- Example: "She had been studying all night when she finally fell asleep."
Future Perfect Continuous: Describes actions that will have been ongoing for a certain amount of time before another action in the future.
- Example: "By next year, we will have been living here for ten years."
- Example: "She will have been working on the project for a month by the time the deadline arrives."

Irregular Verbs:

Keep in mind that not all verbs follow the standard -ed ending for the past tense. Many verbs are irregular, meaning they have unique forms for the past tense and past participle (used in perfect tenses). Here are some common examples:

Verb | Present | Past | Past Participle *---|---|---|---|
Sing | sings | sang | sung
Eat | eats | ate | eaten
Go | goes | went | gone
Break | breaks | broke | broken

Sequence of Tenses:

When using multiple verbs in a sentence that refer to different times, there are rules for maintaining a consistent flow. Here's a general guideline:

Past actions followed by present actions: Use the simple past for the past action and the present tense for the present action.
- Example: "She called me (past) yesterday to see if I wanted to go (present) to the movies."
Future actions followed by present actions: Use the future tense for the future action and the present tense for the present action.
- Example: "I will call you (future) when I get home (present)."
Past perfect for completed actions before another past action: Use the past perfect for the completed action and the simple past for the later past action.
- Example: "She had finished eating (past perfect) by the time I arrived (simple past)."

More Nuances:

Present Perfect Continuous vs. Simple Past: The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration of an action that started in the past and continues to the present. The simple past focuses solely on the completion of the action in the past.
- Example: "She has been working (present perfect continuous) on her art project all day." (emphasizes the ongoing action)
- Example: "She painted (simple past) a beautiful picture yesterday." (focuses on the completed action)
Future vs. Going To: Both can express future events, but "going to" often emphasizes intention or a planned action.
- Example: "The train will leave (future) at 10 pm." (scheduled event)
- Example: "We are going to visit (future with intention) our grandparents this weekend." (planned action)

Time itself isn't a grammatical element, but the way we refer to it in language definitely is! Here's a breakdown of how time is expressed grammatically:

Tense: Verbs are conjugated to show the tense (past, present, future) of an action relative to a specific point in time. For example, "I ate breakfast" (past), "I am eating breakfast" (present), "I will eat breakfast" (future).
Aspect: This describes how an action unfolds over time. We have simple aspect (completed action), continuous aspect (ongoing action), and perfect aspect (action completed in relation to another point in time). For example, "I wrote a letter" (simple), "I was writing a letter" (continuous), "I have written a letter" (perfect).
Time phrases: Prepositional phrases and adverbs are used to indicate specific points in time ("at noon"), durations ("for an hour"), or frequency ("every day"). These phrases can function as modifiers within a sentence.
Time conjunctions: Words like "before," "after," "since," "until," and "when" connect clauses that refer to different points in time and show the relationship between them.

Environmental and Economic Impact of the Timber Industry in Pocahontas County

The timber industry significantly altered the landscape and economy of Pocahontas County. Brush Run, for example, served as a main transportation route for the industry. Various lumber companies, including the C. & O. Railway, used Brush Run to transport lumber from the area between 1901 and 1926

. This period marked a large-scale removal of virgin forests from Deer Creek and North Fork. The large-scale removal of trees, particularly the white pine, impacted the local climate. Before the removal, early and late killing frosts made farming difficult for settlers. However, these extreme frosts became less common after the removal of the trees

The timber industry also spurred the development of infrastructure:

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The Warn Lumber Company built a railroad through Stony Run, a branch of Galford's Creek

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This railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountain at the head of Stony Run to reach the timber-rich areas in the south. This endeavor, however, proved costly, and the project was eventually abandoned

The provided text does not offer a complete picture of the economic benefits or consequences of the timber industry in Pocahontas County. While it mentions the presence of lumber companies and their activities, it does not discuss the economic impact on the county's residents or its long-term effects. For a comprehensive understanding of this aspect, further research is recommended.

The text mainly focuses on the historical context of the timber industry's influence on Pocahontas County, particularly its role in the clearing of virgin forests and its impact on local place names. It also describes the geographical features of the region and how these features influenced the timber industry's operations.

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The author, Roscoe W. Brown, meticulously documents the lengths, elevations, and drainage areas of each waterway, highlighting their significance in the context of the region's history. Local stories and folklore about early settlers, interactions with Native Americans, and even hidden treasures are interwoven throughout, demonstrating how these natural features shaped the development and cultural identity of Pocahontas County.

Indian Draft: A History

Indian Draft is a small branch in Pocahontas County that flows from Elk Mountain to Stony Creek at Campbell Town.

The Draft earned its name because Indians traveled through it on a path from New York to Georgia. The trails forked near Edray: one crossing Elk Mountain, and the other leading to Clover Lick. The first roads, as well as modern highways, still generally follow those original trails.

Bands of Indians would camp at the mouth of the Indian Draft on their way to and from Ohio and Washington. Early settlers reported that the Indians considered the area to be sacred ground. According to tradition, the Indians traveled through the area to visit the graves of their forefathers.

Notable Events & Residents

Thomas Drennon was the first to open up the lands around Indian Draft.

A surveyor decided the beginning corner of one of the Drennon land grants could be located by sighting a straight line to a black oak on Clover Creek Mountain from Drennon's cabin. Thomas Drennon's home was destroyed in an Indian raid in 1797. His wife was taken captive and killed on Elk Mountain.

Robert Moore, son of pioneer Moses Moore, eventually took possession of the Drennon homestead.

Robert Moore likely first visited the property as a young boy while traveling with his father and others as they pursued a group of French surveyors and their Indian guides. The Frenchmen were ambushed at the forks of Indian Draft. During the ambush, one Indian was killed and a Frenchman was wounded. Fifty years later, human remains were found near the forks, which may have belonged to members of the exploring party.

Lawrence Drennon, brother of Thomas Drennon, had a home near the mouth of Indian Draft on the Greenbrier River.

In 1784, Indians raided his home. During the raid Henry Baku was shot and killed, Richard Bill escaped by jumping a fence, and John and James Bridger were captured. The Bridger boys were later killed.

In another raid, Indians captured a school teacher and a young white girl at the mouth of Indian Draft.

Pursuers overtook the Indians three miles from Huntersville as they traveled along Indian Draft. When the pursuers opened fire, the Indians killed the Sloan baby by smashing its head against a tree. The gunfire startled the pack horse that 13 year-old Joseph was riding, throwing him into a patch of nettles. The Indians escaped with their three remaining prisoners, traveling by way of Indian Draft. Joseph, who was found in the nettle patch, grew up to lose his leg in the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774.

The murdered infant was buried near the present-day intersection of the Marlinton and Huntersville road and Marlin Run. The prisoners were eventually ransomed from the Indians in Detroit after a year of captivity.

During the Civil War, Union prisoner Vorville escaped from a Gay house above the Fair Ground after knocking out his guard.

He was overtaken at the mouth of Indian Draft, and was shot after resisting capture.

Bishop Asbury, considered the father of the Methodist church in the United States, mentions Drennon on Indian Draft as one of his regular stopping points when traveling from Maine to Georgia.

According to his diary, the Bishop would spend a day at Drennon preparing for the 20-mile trip through the Elk Valley Wilderness, and a day at Bingo Flats to recover from it.

The ghost of John Drennon, a soldier in the War of 1812 who died in Norfolk, Virginia, is said to haunt Indian Draft.

Young William Gay, Sr. was returning from a mill on Knapp Creek by way of Indian Draft when his horse suddenly stopped. When he looked to see what had frightened the animal, he saw John Drennon wrapped in a blanket in the fence corner. Before the boy could speak, the horse bolted. Gay told his family about seeing the soldier, believing he was on his way home from the war and that they would soon hear news of him. When he didn't appear, a search party was organized but he was never found. News of his death eventually reached his family.

During the Civil War, the 8th and 19th regiments of the Tennessee Infantry camped at Edray on Indian Draft in 1861.

Measles broke out and several men died. Their bones remain there to this day.

Confederate soldiers are said to have buried a pot of gold and silver on Indian Draft while retreating from an encampment at the end of Endless Mountain.

Tradition holds that the treasure remains, although some say it is not on Indian Draft but on Stony Creek, Stumping Creek, or Stamping Creek. At least two groups, one from West Virginia and one from out of state, have searched for the buried treasure.

Alien Abduction... Mishap?:

Farmer Jed is convinced aliens abducted his prize cow, Bessie. The government arrives, suits, lasers, and all. But upon investigation, they discover a giant footprint... of a runaway circus elephant with a fondness for mooing.
Show drafts

A bloodcurdling moo shattered the pre-dawn stillness of Hickville, Kansas. Farmer Jed bolted out of bed, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. His prize cow, Bessie, was missing! The barn door hung open, a gaping maw in the twilight. Panic clawed at his throat. Aliens. It had to be aliens.

News of Bessie's disappearance spread like wildfire through the sleepy town. Jed, a man more comfortable with cows than crowds, found himself bombarded by reporters. His simple explanation – "Them darn space folk done took Bessie!" – was met with snickers and head shakes. But Jed was adamant. Bessie wasn't just any cow. She was the reigning champion of the Hickville County Fair, a bovine beauty with an udder that could shame a cloud.

Then, the unbelievable happened. A sleek black car rolled into town, disgorging men in sharp suits and sunglasses. They flashed badges that declared them agents of the "Extraterrestrial Threat Containment Unit" (ETCU). Now, Jed wasn't a man of fancy words, but even he knew "threat" didn't quite describe Bessie.

The agents, Agent Smith and Agent Jones by name, were all business. They scanned the barn with instruments that beeped and whirred ominously. Jed watched, mesmerized, as Agent Smith aimed a laser-like device at the sky. "Advanced cloaking technology," Smith muttered, furrowing his brow.

Finally, they reached the back pasture. Agent Jones pointed to a giant, muddy footprint. It wasn't saucer-shaped, as Jed had half-expected, but undeniably large and distinctly… elephantine?

"But… there ain't no elephants in Kansas!" Jed sputtered.

Agent Jones smirked. "Apparently not, sir. But there is a traveling circus currently stranded a few miles down the road due to a flat tire on their elephant enclosure." He gestured to a bewildered-looking elephant munching on a hay bale in the distance. It let out a mournful trumpet that sounded suspiciously like a moo.

A wave of relief washed over Jed. No aliens, just a misplaced pachyderm with a talent for bovine impersonations. Agent Smith sighed, packing up his laser. "Miscommunication," he muttered. "Seems Bessie found herself a new pasture for the night."

The news of the "alien abduction" quickly became a national punchline. Jed, the reluctant hero, found himself on talk shows, his face plastered next to the runaway elephant. Bessie, meanwhile, returned a local celebrity, her udder dripping milk for a grateful (and slightly traumatized) Jed.

As for the ETCU agents? They left Hickville with a healthy dose of humility and a newfound appreciation for the strangeness of rural life. After all, in the vast cosmic joke, sometimes the punchline comes with a trunk and a penchant for mooing.

Marlinton Journal

Summary

The source provides a fascinating glimpse into life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, during the late 1920s. Presented as a compilation of brief news snippets, advertisements, and community announcements from the "Marlinton Journal," the source offers a fragmented yet vivid portrait of everyday life in the county. Readers encounter a range of topics, including local politics, sporting events, social gatherings, agricultural matters, and the activities of community organizations. The abundance of personal names and the detailed accounts of seemingly mundane occurrences emphasize the tight-knit nature of the community and highlight the importance of local events in the lives of its residents. Ultimately, the source allows for a unique form of historical insight, piecing together a broader narrative of rural life during this period through its seemingly disparate parts.

C. J. Richardson sells hardware. C. J. Richardson is giving away a new Ford sedan to the public. In the past, Richardson has given away more than one car.

The name of the local newspaper is The Marlinton Journal.

Rev. J. A. Arthur will preach at Mt. Zion on January 20th.

Uriah Bird died of the flu. He was a resident of Frost, Point Mountain. His wife, whose first name was not mentioned, but whose maiden name was Hudson, had been sick for about 10 days before his death. Physicians were unable to save her and she died the night before Uriah. Uriah was survived by his wife and six children.

Uriah Bird was 55 years old when he died. Uriah Bird, a resident of Minnehaha who worked in the mines, died from influenza after a short illness. Physicians believed that Uriah's poor health made him more susceptible to the disease. Uriah was the son-in-law of Squire J. L. Hudson of Durbin. Six of his children were still alive at the time of his death.

Seebert O. Fisher of Valley Head, Randolph County, was instantly killed while working in the woods at the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co.'s Hickory Lick operation on February 24th. He was killed when a log pulling a trolley overhead fell on him. Fisher was 40 years old.

Summers Sharp was convicted of the crime of Moonshining. Summers Sharp was convicted in the October Term, 1927 of the Circuit Court of Pocahontas County. He was sentenced to imprisonment in the West Virginia Penitentiary for two years. An application for the pardon of Summers Sharp was to be filed with A. G. Jenkins, Pardon Attorney, Charleston, W. Va., on or about December 21, 1928.

The Green Bank High School basketball team lost to Sutton High School at a tournament held in Philippi. The Green Bank boys returned home on Saturday. The Green Bank High School girls' basketball team won a game against Marlinton High School played on the local floor Saturday night. The final score was 26-22 in favor of Green Bank. The Green Bank graded basketball team, consisting of boys from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, was defeated by the "Midgets" from Greenbrier Military School last Tuesday night.

A. H. McFerrin is the Recorder for the Town of Marlinton.

J. Elmer Moore withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for sheriff in favor of Mr. Ruckman. A card from Moore announcing the withdrawal was published in the source document, but there is no information on the month and year this occurred. Moore's card was published alongside articles from January and February of 1929.

Carl G. Beard was elected mayor of Hillsboro without opposition. The election took place on a Thursday. George L. Lark was chosen as recorder. The following people were elected councilmen:

R. W. Rogers
H. Spencer
G. C. Beard
George T. Hill
D. Ruckman

The provided sources do not explicitly state what denomination the church in Dunmore is.

Mrs. Alice Carpenter of Dunmore, West Virginia, was selling 50 acres of land with a house and outbuildings located one mile from a post office, school, church, and store.

Burley Wilfong suffered from a kidney condition. Wilfong was an employee of the Marlin Lumber Co. and was admitted to the hospital on January 6. After receiving medication, his condition improved.

C. J. Richardson's Buick sedan was stolen from in front of the Marlin-Sewell hotel. The theft occurred around 10 p.m. when Craig Richardson, C. J.'s son, parked the car beside the hotel. When he returned a few minutes later, the car was gone. The State Police caught up to the thief near Droop, but the thief got away.

Amos Tharp was convicted of possessing liquor. The case was heard in the court of Hickman, and a verdict was reached. Tharp pled guilty and gave a bond to appear at the October term to receive his sentence.

Lanty Hogsett was arrested in Marlinton. Hogsett was under parole for possession of dope and was arrested for violating parole. He was taken to Atlanta, GA to be placed in the Federal Penitentiary.

Claude Warren was captain elect of the 1929 football team of Davis-Elldns College. While at Shenandoah College in Dayton, Virginia, Warren was captain of the football team in 1925. He was considered one of West Virginia's greatest athletes.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Covington were afflicted with the flu. They were on their way to spend Christmas vacation with Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heard when they were detained in the Huntington hospital. While they were on the sick list, their conditions were not reported as critical.

Dave Barrett lived on Droop Mountain.

Dave Barrett, a 63 year old man from Hillsboro, took his own life on January 2nd by shooting himself with a twelve gauge shotgun. Barrett's body was found on the front porch of his home on Droop Mountain by his child around noon. It is believed that he committed suicide around 11:00 A.M. because his body was still warm when it was discovered. Neighbors believe that Barrett tied a piece of binder twine to the trigger of the gun and to a bench so that the gun would go off when pulled forward slightly.

Ken Brown was Dave Barrett's son-in-law. Dave Barrett's daughter was married to Ken Brown. Barrett borrowed a gun from his daughter and son-in-law on New Year's night, claiming he needed it because a weasel was bothering his chickens. He later returned the gun and asked if he could borrow a different one. Barrett was found dead by suicide the next morning.

Miss Grace Beckley taught piano and organ. She had a music studio in the Eskridge Building.

Ethel Cunningham attended Berea College in Berea, Ky. Several other students from the area planned to attend various colleges and universities, including:

Alfred Edgar, Edward Rexrode, and Carlisle Wade - V.P.I
Joe Eskridge - Marshall College, Huntington
Virginia Neel and Louise Moore - Blackstone College
Walter Mason and Eleanor King - West Virginia University
Ruby May Hannah and Erma McCarty - Fairmont Teachers College
Paul Sharp - West Virginia Wesleyan
Sterl Shrader, Clay Tallman, and Eleanor Wilson - West Virginia University
Mary Hiner - Agnes Scott School for Girls, Atlanta, Ga.
Florence Price and Flora McDonald - Red Springs, N.C.
Betsy Price - William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va.
Helen Hunter - Randolph Macon
Misses Helen and Louise Smith and Mary Baldwin - Staunton, Va.
Miss Edith May - Shenandoah College, Dayton, Va.

The available documents do not specify what event was held at the M.E. church on the first Friday of April.

The Missionary Society of the M.E. Church, South, held a meeting on the first Friday afternoon in April with Mrs. Ellis Curry. The meeting was to take place after the business session, and delicious refreshments would be served.

The people of Marlinton, West Virginia voted against the sale of the municipal light and water plants. At a special election held on Tuesday, residents rejected the sale by a vote of 320 to 159.

While the provided documents don't offer any additional context about the proposed sale, such as the offered price or the potential buyer, they do highlight other developments in Marlinton during that time:

The town was experiencing a severe flu epidemic.
The First National Bank of Marlinton completed a new $10,000 vault.
Residents contended with a lime shortage, with an inefficient local ice plant wasting an estimated 800 tons of ice annually.

Faulty refrigeration in Marlinton caused 800 tons of ice to be wasted in a year. The leaky, uninsulated refrigerators do not keep out hot air. The Leonard Institute of Food Preservation compared this to "pouring water into a sieve," with the sieve being the refrigerator and the water being the ice. The American public is "literally pouring water into a sieve" because of this issue.

To reduce ice waste in refrigerators, the Leonard Institute of Food Preservation suggests consumers should purchase refrigerators based on performance as well as appearance. The Institute determined that the American public wastes millions of dollars in ice and spoils even more food each year due to poor refrigeration. This waste is due to leaky, uninsulated refrigerators that do not keep out hot air.

The average family should use about 8,000 pounds of ice a year if their refrigerator is well insulated and the doors fit tightly. When selecting a refrigerator, one with neither the minimum nor maximum ice usage should be chosen.

The refrigerator that uses the most ice is too costly to keep filled and will not maintain the needed temperature of 50 degrees or less. The refrigerator that uses the least ice likely has faulty circulation and will not adequately preserve food. A blanket or paper should never be used to cover ice to retard melting.

A panther killed fourteen lambs on George P. Edgar's Cranberry River plantation. The panther cut the throat of each lamb. There were no tracks or other signs at the scene as would be expected if the culprit had been a bear. Someone saw a panther the previous summer across the mountain from where the lambs were killed.

Agent Sharpe died from asphyxiation from fumes emanating from a cavern where a whiskey still was located. Another agent collapsed but was rescued by other agents.

The text does, however, contain several mentions of medical professionals, hospitals, and health. For example, there are several "Hospital Notes" that describe patient conditions, surgeries performed by Dr. McIntosh, and the admission of patients for various ailments. Additionally, there is information about a flu epidemic affecting Marlinton and the surrounding communities.

There will be a play, "The Dead of Night", presented by E.D.H.S. students at the school auditorium on December 13th. This will be the first mystery play ever presented by E.D.H.S. students. Admission is 25-35 cents.

The reporter for the Buckeye Community is Beatrice Howard.

The name of the school where Mrs. Glenn Smith teaches is Dry Creek school.

The Beaver Dam school closed on January 20, 1928 because the Board of Education of Edray District, Pocahontas County, West Virginia declared the school discontinued, obsolete, and of no further value for school purposes. On Saturday, March 10, 1928, the Board of Education sold the Beaver Dam schoolhouse and the 3.5 acres of land it stood on to the highest bidder at a public auction at the Pocahontas County Courthouse.

S. C. Kincaid was almost carried away in a windstorm while walking back to his house from his wood shed on Douthards Creek. This event occurred on a Monday.

The Bartow man made sport of by a crowd of younger boys was Sol Rexrode. Rexrode, who was a little deranged mentally, was making imaginary arrests among the boys. The boys tormented and taunted him to the extent that he began throwing stones at them. One of the boys threw a rock that cut a bad gash in Rexrode's head. The boys then ran away while Rexrode looked for a doctor. Rexrode later reported the boys to Mayor H.H. Hudson, who held them over for the grand jury under $500.00 bond.

Lark Hannah spent Thanksgiving at his home on Elk. Short Fowler was visiting at Three Forks of William's River.

Clarence Cameron White and Leona Pearl Mallow, both of Minnehaha Springs, were married on December 6, 1928. The ceremony took place in the Methodist Parsonage in Marlinton and was officiated by Rev. S.H. Neel.

John Woods was the nephew of M. S. Woods of Jacox. John Woods, who was 32 years old and unmarried, died on February 26 after attempting to walk across Cold Knob to his Rock Camp home in Greenbrier county the week prior. He became lost in a snowstorm, fell over a cliff, and sustained injuries and frostbite so severe that he only survived for a week. His body was buried in Jacox.

Brownie McGoy taught sixth month at Beard school. The report lists Brownie McGoy as the teacher and names several students, including Elizabeth and Vlrlllola Poague and Carl Cutlip. The report also notes Mary, Ollie, Vernie, and Elmer Allman and Ida DorallO as students.

J. C. prepared the history of Minnehaha for the Minnehaha Community Meeting at the M. E. church on the night of November 18. The meeting also included papers on the churches and schools of Minnehaha. The community was working on a history to publish.

Mr. E. J. Wilson was the general chairman for the Minnehaha community. The Minnehaha community held its first meeting at the M. E. church on November 18th. The meeting featured a program by school children and papers were read on the history of the community.

Mary McNeel Beard died on December 27, 1928, at the age of 97. Richard McNeel and Mary Edminston were her parents.

The First Methodist Church bell in Durbin will be rung to signal a fire. Durbin recently installed a line water system and now has an organized fire department with 1,000 feet of hose and four hose wagons.

Neal Pritchard found a plow. It was described as an “old wooden mould-board plow” and a “curious looking iron implement”. Pritchard discovered the plow in the woods near the Knapps Creek Methodist Church.

Buckeye Community News

Anna and Florence Howard spent the weekend at the home of Mrs. Charles Richardson.
Mrs. Carl Sheets, Mrs. Richardson, and Miss Madge Eskridge of Marlinton spent Friday afternoon with Florence and Anna Howard.
School in Buckeye resumed on Monday after a week's vacation.
Meade McNeely returned to his job at Cass after a two-week vacation.
Mr. and Mrs. B.B. extend their best wishes to the community.

The corn, grain, and potato show will be held in Marlinton on Saturday, January 12th, most likely in the year 1929. The corn show will be held at the First National Bank. The oats, wheat, and buckwheat will be shown at C. L. Richard Son's. The potatoes will be shown at the Farm Bureau Supply Company.
Mary M'Neel Beard was a member of the Presbyterian Church for 55 years. She died on December 27, 1928 at 97 years old. Her parents were Richard McNeel and Mary Edminston. She was the widow of W. L. Beard. Her sons were M. L. Beard and E. Beard.
The First National Bank in Marlinton, West Virginia paid an unusual dividend of twelve percent to its stockholders in 1928. This information was reported in the context of a stockholders meeting where a satisfactory year was reported despite the current business conditions.
The dog tax is $2 for female dogs. This information comes from a notice about the assessment of real and personal property for taxation in Pocahontas County.
Mrs. Page Friel, also known as Margaret Kimball Friel, passed away at 31 years old and was survived by her husband and five children.
Mr. Ruckman was a farmer and a banker. He was running for sheriff of Pocahontas County. He had to leave a business career in the city and return to his family farm upon the death of his father, Mathews Ruckman. Mr. Ruckman applied business principles to farming and became a successful farmer.
M. J. Ramsey died at his home on Cummings Creek. About two weeks before his death, Mr. Ramsey was working in the woods and was struck on the head by a falling sapling or small tree. He continued to work for three days, despite suffering constant pain. His body was laid to rest in the Beaver Creek Cemetery. Mr. Ramsey was a native of Greenbrier County, but had been a resident of Pocahontas for the past twenty-five years or more.
On Friday afternoon, the body of M. J. Ramsey was laid to rest in the Beaver Creek Cemetery. Mr. Ramsey, a respected and industrious citizen, died at his home on Cummings Creek on Thursday, February 23, 1928, at the age of 50. Although a native of Greenbrier County, he had lived in Pocahontas for more than twenty-five years.
A corn, grain, and potato show was held in Marlinton on Saturday, January 12th. The corn show was held at the First National Bank. There were three classes in the corn show: Reid's yellow dent, any other dent corn, and single ear, any variety. The grain exhibits, which included oats, wheat, and buckwheat, were displayed at C. L. Richard and Son. The sources do not mention any sporting events taking place in Marlinton on January 12th.

Salt Shaker Press

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