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
Will not interfere
The iron hand of the government is not going to regulate the little dandelion out of existence, despite its appeal to the imagination or to the anticipatory sense of taste.
The national prohibition commissioner announces that there will be no official action to halt the artists of the cellars and kitchens who would draw from the dandelion what Omar found in the grape. It is still wrong, very wrong in the eyes of the Volstead law backers to tinker with the dandelion, but let your conscience be your guide, is the admonition from the prohibition headquarters. Furthermore, and consistent with this attitude toward the dandelion, Commissioner Haynes holds that there is nothing criminal in picking the modest little plant which grows so lustily and defiantly in the front lawns.
Another Hatfield gone
The body of J. F. Hatfield, a cousin of the late Sid Hatfield, who was killed in the McDowell County courthouse, was found floating in the Ohio river near Woodlands on Wednesday. From all appearances Hatfield had been murdered. His body was chained down to railroad ties, and he had a bullet hole thru his head, and there were indications that he had put up a terrible fight with his slayers.
According to Coroner McCombs the body was weighted down with four railroad ties, fastened by a chain around Hatfield’s neck, two heavy bars were strapped to his feet. Hatfield lived in a houseboat and pleaded guilty in Federal court at the last term to making moonshine. Officials believe that robbers pounced on Hatfield in the belief he had considerable money and that a fight followed. Hatfield was about 35 years old and a powerful man.
1947 – 75 years ago
That well again!
The test well being drilled on the farm of G. R. Dean near Williamsburg is now down more than 8,000 feet. According to reports, the drillers are very optimistic about striking oil in the near future, as a very hard layer is being penetrated which indicates to geologists that oil is very probably beneath it. The drillers are prepared to go down 10,000 feet or more, although some days the drilling is very slow at the well’s present depth.
Caught in the ringer rollers
The young son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Definbaugh of Caldwell, was trying to help his mother with the family washing a few days ago and got his hand caught between the rollers of the wringer and his arm was drawn through the wringer up to his elbow before his frantic mother managed to extricate it. Although no bones were broken the arm was badly bruised.
1972- 50 years ago
‘Monkey business’ not deductible
By Abigail Van Buren
DEAR ABBY: A friend and I have been sharing a mistress for the last year. It’s been a good arrangement for all of us as I am there (another city] Monday morning thru Wednesday noon, and my friend is there from Wednesday noon thru Friday. [Then she has the weekend off.]
We pay all the expenses and give her spending money. The cost is about $400 a month from each of us. We are both salesmen and we save on hotel and meals.
The problem; She wants to report this for income tax. It comes to $1,518 per year, and we will have to give her extra money to pay it. We are both on salary and pay the full rate and can’t deduct her or any of our expenses as they are paid in cash and we have no receipts. Besides, our wives would find out. What do you advise?
HONEST TAXPAYER
DEAR HONEST: Since you travel for business, you’d be ahead to stay in hotels and eat out. Business expenses are deductible. But NOT monkey business.
3.5 inches of rain hits area
A down pour of rain totaling approximately 3.5 inches of rain during the past 24 hours has done extensive . damage in several portions of Eastern Greenbrier County.
White Sulphur Springs was hit hardest by the waters. The Spa City was virtually cut off from the rest of the county as all major roads leading into the city were blocked.
Approximately 18 to 20 inches of water covered Main St, in the downtown area early today. Other areas of the city were hit even harder and some families had to be evacuated.
The city’s business establishments all suffered from moderate to heavy damage as a result of the flood. Damage to the private homes and business establishments is expected to be in the tens of thousands.
Weather
Rain today occasionally moderate to heavy. High in mid to upper 50s. Cloudy chance of rain tonight and Saturday. Low tonight in 40s. High Saturday in upper 50s to mid 60s.
1997 – 25 years ago
Stanley signs on with Theatre West Virginia
Christopher Stanley of Ronceverte signed on with Theatre West Virginia for its 1997 summer season. Stanley will be a dancer in Hatfields and McCoys, Honey in the Rock and Fiddler on the Roof according to TWV Artistic Director Marina Dolinger.
Stanley is a student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is entering his first year with Theatre West Virginia.
Gbr. County Sheriff’s Department falls victim to telephone scam
A Greenbrier County law enforcement agency was the weekend target of a telephone scam.
According to Sheriff Albert Lindsey, his office received a call on Sunday from a man identifying himself as “Mr. Johnson with Bell Atlantic.” The caller instructed the receptionist to hit the numbers 9 and 0 and then the pound sign (#) so he could – check the office’s outgoing lines.
Believing the man was a telephone repairman, the Sheriff’s Department receptionist did as instructed, unwittingly opening up the office’s phone lines to the caller.
Just before 9:00 on Sunday evening, a representative from AT&T called the sheriff’s office and advised the receptionist that the office had been “scammed” by this Mr. Johnson, Lindsey said.
The scam artist’s call had actually originated in Los Angeles, AT&T revealed.
After gaining access to the outgoing telephone line from the sheriff’s office, “Johnson” had made several international calls. Lindsey said the AT&T official had advised him that, in addition to several brief calls, the scam artist had placed international calls of 111, 72 and 45 minutes in duration.
“I don’t know how high our phone bill is likely to be this month,” Lindsey said.
Little Miss and Junior Miss Fireworks 1997 |
1922 First National Bank of Ronceverte ad |
Make way for Fidel |
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