Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The West Virginia News, The Greenbrier Independent, White Sulphur Star, and other publications archived since 1852. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original form, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
1922- 100 years ago
Lost and ear and much blood
Last Tuesday evening a young man giving his name as Merle Adams and his home as Auto, this county, went into George’s drug store from the street, bleeding profusely from the head and face and minus one ear, inquiring for a doctor. He was sent to the Greenbrier general hospital, where his wounds were attended to, but efforts to get any information from him were not successful. Bystanders on the street, desiring to know the cause of his injuries, traced his tracks by blood marks about a block east on Railroad avenue, to the front of the new Lee and Lee building foundations, and there found the missing ear and other evidences of a serious encounter.
It is said that the man Adams and another man were observed sitting together on this foundation earlier in the evening, and it was believed that the fight had a moonshine background to it. It has also been said that Adams and the unknown companion came to town together, and that a woman to whom both were paying attention came along, and that the fight might have grown out of this rivalry. At any rate Adams would give no information to clear up the case and made no legal complaints against his adversary. How the other fellow fared is not known, though it was rumored that an unknown man boarded an outgoing train the following day, who was also well bandaged about the head.
Fractured skull
Ward Graham, of Elk Knob, Summers county, is lying in a serious condition at his home suffering from a fractured skull inflicted last Sunday night by prohibition officer 0. W. Smith Graham was hurt in an altercation with Smith following a dispute between Mrs. Sally Fox and him.
According to information at hand the story begins with Graham’s leaving home Saturday to meet Mrs. Fox in Hinton on Sunday. They started away from town and at Possum Hollow disagreed over some matter, Mrs. Fox going to Smith’s house. Graham followed her and Smith interfered. Graham is alleged to have threatened his life, and proceeded to cut a $35-suit from the woman’s back. Smith left the house with an unloaded shotgun and standing at the door whacked Graham across the skull as he came out. Graham is a married man.
1947 – 75 years ago
Friendly woman
William Hopkins, a colored man who said he was working in Ohio and en route to Virginia, was taken from a train here Monday and fined by Justice of the Peace Williams in Lewisburg.
He admitted having a bottle of liquor and drinking with a friendly colored woman on the train, but claimed he got sick and when he came to himself found $200 he had in a hip pocket was gone, and had also lost his shoes. He arrived at the jail in his socks.
Survey of labor being made
Circulars were distributed in Alderson Wednesday asking that all women from 18 to 45 wanting steady employment at good wages come to the Summers county Memorial Building at Hinton June 2 to 6, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., to consult employment service representatives. The survey is being made to determine if the female labor supply in the area would support a new factory. Approximately a thousand applicants are needed, according to the circulars.
Picnic celebrates birthday
Miss Charlotte Gillespie honored her mother, Mrs. Kenneth Gillespie of White Sulphur Springs, with a surprise picnic at Harts’ Run on her birthday. Those attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Billy Morgan and daughter Jane, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Moyer, Billy Moyer, Mr. and Mrs. Gratton Gillespie, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Walker, Mrs. Gladys Childs, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gillespie, and Charlotte and Marjorie Gillespie.
1972 – 50 years ago
Shop to re-open
Zack and Linda Morgan owners of the Bargain Shop in Ronceverte, report that the store will reopen Thursday morning. The clothing business has been closed during recent weeks as a result of a fire that struck the store last month.
The Bargain Shop is located about 1/4 mile south of Ronceverte on Rt. 219.
Sex pot at 50 livens the office
By Abigail Van Buren
DEAR ABBY: I work in a labor union office which employs six women and even more men.
My problem is one of the women who works here. She is past 50, weighs about 140 pounds and not much over five feet tall. She insists upon wearing her skirts so short, they barely cover the essentials.
Outside of the fact that mini skirts are no longer fashionable, I think going around like that in a business office is out of line. Others have mentioned that longer skirts are now “in,” but she doesn’t take the hint.
This same woman keeps on her desk a coffee mug with “SEX POT” painted across it.
I would appreciate your comments, as I am one of the other women who works here. – DISGUSTED
DEAR DISGUSTED: If there are no guidelines as to proper dress in your office, perhaps there ought to be. That 50-year-old “sex pot” sounds like the office character. Wouldn’t the place be dull without her?
1997- 25 years ago
Honaker, Robinson named to Dean’s List
Jennifer A. Honaker and Amy B. Robinson of Lewisburg have been named to the University of Charleston Dean’s List for the spring 1997 semester. Each student who earns a quality point average of 3.5 or higher is recognized on the Dean’s List at the end of each semester.
Karaoke finals (advertisement)
The Longhorn Corral on Rt. 60 in Caldwell would like to announce the Big Karaoke Finals. The Top 10 Winners Are Coming Back To Compete For The Grand Prize Money on Friday, June 13th, 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM Lots of door prizes including a portable CD player.
Broken Reins to perform at Ronceverte River Festival
The country music band “Broken Reins” will perform a Sunday evening concert at the Ronceverte River Festival this weekend, sharing the Island Park Amphitheatre stage with the “Rebels of Rhythm” cloggers. Show time is 7 p.m., and the show will be followed by the festival’s grand fireworks finale. Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair or a cushion and enjoy the evening’s entertainment.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.