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
Monroe man missing
Mr. Jacob Mays McGlothlin, of Monroe County, has been missing since May 25, 1922, and his relatives and friends have become alarmed, fearing that some fate has befallen him. He is an electrician and was preparing to open an electrical shop in Union when he disappeared. His age is 27 years.
On May 25, Mr. McGlothlin left home in Union on some business errand and went to Alderson. Hel was last seen in Alderson about noon on that day, and he told an acquaintance that he was going to Hinton train “13” to see about a piece of machinery and would return on a train that night. From that hour he was seen no more by those who know him. Diligent inquiry at Hinton has developed no trace of him there. Nor can nis friends learn anything of his whereabouts or what became of him. He has vanished completely from their sight and knowledge. No written word or message from him of any kind has ever come back to them.
Death of John Shell
“Uncle Johnny” Shell, Kentucky’s oldest citizen and probably the oldest in this country or the world, said to have been 134 years old, died at Greasy Creek, Ky., on July 11, 1922, of the infirmities of age. Shell, a mountaineer, was claimed to have been the oldest man in the world. Among the mourners at his funeral were two sons, William, aged 90, and Albert, aged seven years. The latter is a stepson, however.
Highway robbery
Sunday evening, Rodney Hoke and Lawrence Hoke held up and robbed Luther McDowell, on Kate’s mountain, near the old Bob Young place, five or six miles from White Sulphur Springs, securing $14 from him. They also received contributions from C. H. Vance, 3.00; and from G. A. Vance $8 in cash, a watch valued at $12, and a dollar pocketknife. Each robber had two guns and they “shot a ring” around their victims’ feet to aid them in shelling out.
The robbed men were out cow-hunting and had taken refuge in a cabin from a rainstorm, when the robbers appeared on the scene and proceeded to hold them up. After robbing them the highwaymen made their escape and are supposed to be still going. –White Sulphur Sentinel
1947 – 75 years ago
‘Tear gas’ bombs
The county court of Harrison County, this state, has directed the sheriff of the county to purchase a large quantity of “tear gas” bombs to be used in quelling any strike disorder that may occur in that county. “Tear gas” bombs have been used by the Philadelphia and New York police and are highly effective in dispelling mobs.
The “tear gas” bomb is a product resulting from the World War. Instead of emitting a poison gas, however, a gas which produces a smarting and blinding effect upon the eyes is emitted. The gas makes the eyes flow with tears, and it cannot be endured by anyone, though it is not permanently injurious.
The Gauley Bridge election begins, ends in trouble
Gauley citizens held an election yesterday (July 8) on the question of incorporation. The vote is said to have been overwhelmingly against the proposition and thereby hangs a tale.
Oscar Tinsley, who was one of the leading spirits in the fight for incorporation, says the opposition raided the polls at an early hour on Tuesday morning and drove out election officials who had been selected earlier in the morning. Mr. Tinsley, fearing strong-arm methods, had appealed for police protection, but officers did not arrive on the scene until after the officials
favorable to incorporation had been ousted. On the other hand, the opponents of the move say the proponents were trying to “put one over” on the people by an unfair election and they were only trying to protect the right of a “majority” of the citizens who opposed incorporation.
Sub-division sale Saturday
“Seneca Estate,” Lewisburg’s most attractive and modern sub-division will go on sale Saturday morning, July 19, at 10:30. This is a sub-division of the D. C. T. Davis Estate and is located in the very heart of Lewisburg. In one lot will be sold the Davis Colonial home, with adequate grounds and surroundings. Other lots will accommodate modest homes or mansions.
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1972 – 50 years ago
Fire fee planned for Spa City
By Helen Hamood – Sulphur City Council met Monday night, July 10, to approve an ordinance setting forth fire service fees to become effective August 1, 1972. Mayor Bowling opened the meeting by reading the proposed fire service fee ordinance which council later approved.
Fire service fees reported will be as follows: Residence, $1 to be added monthly to water bills or a $12 lump sum yearly; business places with 0-10 employees, $25 yearly; business places 11 or more employees, $50 yearly; apartment building with single meter, $25 yearly; utility buildings, $50 yearly; government building, $50 yearly: manufacturing establishment – 25 or more employees, $100 yearly; schools, $100 yearly; hotels, motels and restaurants, rates as in business class; church building, sanctuary only, exempt; other church property, as for class property above.
400 million economic base provided by agriculture
By Gus R. Douglass, Agriculture Commissioner – According to recent statistics, the economic base provided by the 1971 West Virginia agriculture business volume was more than 400 million dollars. In addition, nearly one seventh of all people working in the State were employed in producing or processing food, fiber and forest products and they earned an additional 432 million dollars. When considered together, it is easy to see that agriculture is nearly a one billion dollar business in this state. Although only 6 1/2 per cent of the population is directly employed in agriculture, an additional 28 per cent are largely dependent. Consequently, more than one-third of West Virginia’s population is closely related to the agricultural segment of our economy.
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1997 – 25 years ago
Lemons wins local tournament
Tom Lemons won the Greenbrier Valley Country Club Handicap Tournament this past! weekend by shooting a five under par 135 in the 36-hole event.
Bill Corker was second with a four under par 136 and Jay Dyche and Cleve Burgess tied for third with a one under par 139. Ross McClung shot an even par 140 for fifth place. Other Leaders Kimble Legg, 141; Wayne Persinger, 141; Ralph Warren Jr., 143; Boyd Brown, 143; Phillip McLaughlin, 143.
Davis hearing stalls due to unavailability of state’s witness
By Christine Jerman – A hearing to determine if due process had been served in the case of a former Greenbrier County woman accused of first-degree murder by poisoning and two counts of attempting to injure by poison was continued to Monday, July 21.
Mary Beth Davis was indicted by a special grand jury in November. She is accused of murdering her 3-year-old daughter, Tegan, in March 1982 by giving her an overdose of caffeine. She is also accused of administering her then 10-week-old son, Seth, an overdose of insulin in September 1981 and of attempting to injure Tegan by giving her a lethal dose of diet pills in March 1982.
Investigators have theorized that Davis suffers from Munchausen’s by proxy syndrome, in which a parent deliberately injures a child in an attempt to gain attention. The syndrome often involves women who work in the medical profession.
Davis was a registered nurse at a Fairlea hospital at the time. The Davises lived in Lewisburg while husband, Gary, was attending the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
They later had two more children and left Greenbrier County for Gary’s medical residency in Ohio.
The purpose of Wednesday’s mearing was to determine if Davis was provided a speedy trial.
Carnegie Hall’s Renaissance Campaign soars past $2 million milestone
In July 1995 Carnegie Hall officially launched the $2.9 million Renaissance Campaign, a capital campaign that will provide funding for Phase I restorations of the 94-year-old historical landmark. To date, over $2 million has been raised by the community and state to support the project.
Throughout the past year, Carnegie Hall has been transformed into a safe, completely accessible cultural and educational center. Construction crews have removed asbestos from the building; added a new elevator and stair tower; installed new heating, cooling and electrical systems; leveled the floor in the Old Stone Room; replaced the sagging, deteriorating stage roof; converted the old administrative office into a gallery for fine art and hands-on exhibits; and added a new office for the Lewisburg Visitor’s Bureau.
