MARLINTON NEWS: July Celebrations, Court Rulings, and Industrial Resurgence
MARLINTON, WV — The month of July has brought a whirlwind of activity to Pocahontas County, ranging from patriotic displays and social milestones to a significant revival in the local iron industry.
Iron Furnaces to Resume Operations
In a major boost for the local economy, the Buena Vista and Goshen iron furnaces are expected to go into blast this month. These facilities have remained "cold" for several years, a casualty of the recent financial depression. Their reopening is seen as a harbinger of industrial recovery for the region.
County Court and Legal Proceedings
The Levy term of the Pocahontas County Court opened on July 9, focusing heavily on the county's fiscal affairs.
Roads: Road surveyors were present to manage the infrastructure budget. Viewers were appointed to locate a new road "down River" to better serve local lumber camps.
Architecture: Mr. Geisy, the architect for the new court building, arrived on Tuesday. Following a thorough inspection of the ongoing construction, he has mandated specific changes to ensure the project meets all necessary specifications before the work is officially accepted.
Independence Day Festivities
The "Glorious Fourth" was celebrated with enthusiasm across the county. One of the finest picnics in memory was held at Stoney Bottom, hosted by Revs. Telford and McLaughlin. Over 2,000 attendees participated in festivities that included:
Oratory: Spirited speeches that "made the blood course through a fellow's veins."
Music: High-quality performances by Johnny Varner on the banjo, featuring favorites like "The Rebel’s Pig."
Socializing: A grand social dance at the home of Mr. F. P. Vandervort, where music was provided by Willie Wooddell and Bob Geiger.
Local Briefs
Horton Lumbering: The town of Horton, located in "the Sinks," has become a hub of activity. One of the largest mills in the state, built by R. S. McCany, is now processing timber from a 64,000-acre tract owned by the Condon-Lane Boom and Lumber Company.
Matrimony: On July 4, Mr. Charles L. Curtis and Miss Nannie C. Beverage were united in marriage by Rev. Maxwell at the home of the bride's father, Thomas R. Beverage.
Agricultural Outlook: Despite a scorching June, recent rains have brightened the outlook for farmers. Wheat harvesting is currently the "order of the day" at Dunmore and Back Allegmany, with reports promising an abundant yield.
Invention: Local resident Jas. H. Hulings has recently received patents for an innovative rat trap capable of catching 125 rats with one winding, as well as a specialized spray can.
Would you like me to research more specific details about the 1895 Pocahontas County road developments or the construction of the court building?
In 1895, Pocahontas County experienced a pivotal period of development, marked by the ongoing construction of a new courthouse and the expansion of road networks to support the burgeoning timber industry.
The 1895 Courthouse Construction
The construction of the current Pocahontas County Courthouse in Marlinton was a centerpiece of the town's establishment after the county seat was moved from Huntersville in 1891.
Design and Completion: Designed in the Victorian Romanesque style by architect Millard F. Giesey of Wheeling, the building was completed in 1895 at an approximate cost of $28,000.
Key Architectural Features:
The structure is a two-story brick building with irregular massing and a steep hip roof.
Its front elevation features two dissimilar towers; the east tower is the tallest and includes corbeled brick brackets.
The entrance is marked by a broad stone arch supported by squat Doric columns.
The construction date "1894" is carved into the squinches of the main entrance arch.
Contractor and Materials: The Manley Manufacturing Company of Dalton, Georgia, served as the primary contractor. Albert Gunther served as the stone mason.
Internal Oversight: In July 1895, architect Giesey arrived in Marlinton to conduct a thorough inspection of the building and mandated specific changes to ensure compliance with specifications before final acceptance.
1895 Road Developments
Road infrastructure was a primary focus of the July 1895 County Court levy term to facilitate industrial growth.
Surveying and New Routes: Road surveyors and viewers were actively appointed to locate a new road extending "down River" towards local lumber camps.
Industrial Influence: The establishment of roads during this era was closely linked to the timber industry, specifically providing access for large operations like the Condon-Lane Boom and Lumber Company.
Historical Context: Prior to these 1890s developments, major routes such as the road from Huntersville to Marlin’s Bottom (Marlinton) had been contracted to figures like Colonel William Hamilton of Randolph County in the mid-19th century.
Would you like more information on the genealogy of the prominent local families involved in these early Marlinton developments, or perhaps details on the 1895 school system performance data?
The following genealogical and educational details are compiled from historical records and local reports dating to the mid-1890s:
Genealogy of Local Families
Several families mentioned in the context of the 1895 courthouse era and local industry have deep roots in Pocahontas County:
The Dilley Family:
Martin Dilley was a prominent figure of Quaker descent and an early settler of the county.
His son, John Dilley, married Naomi McNeill, daughter of John McNeill, Esq..
Kenney Dilley, a journey-man printer, founded the Pocahontas Herald in Huntersville in 1881.
The McNeel Family:
M. J. McNeel served as a county official during the 1895 levy term.
Winters McNeel and Hammers McNeel were noted as attending the University of Virginia in 1895, studying medicine and law respectively.
The Price Family:
Andrew Price and Norman Price were the owners and editors of The Pocahontas Times during the relocation of the county seat.
Andrew Price also practiced as an attorney-at-law with an office located at the Times headquarters.
The Moore Family:
Robert Moore (referred to as "Uncle Nath") was identified as an early settler whose family was involved in the pursuit of Native Americans in the region's pioneer days.
L. B. Moore was a candidate for the House of Delegates in the 1890s.
1895 School System Notes
The local school system saw several administrative and physical updates during the 1894–1895 period:
Infrastructure: The Split Hook school house was recently upgraded with "patent desks" to improve the learning environment.
Personnel: * Miss Dora Brownlee taught the public school in Marlinton, which opened with "good attendance" in late 1895.
Miss Annie Moore of Edray was appointed to teach at the Pleasant Hill school starting in September 1895.
Leadership: Jas. W. Warwick and J. B. Grimes were among the candidates for School Commissioner in the 1898 Democratic Primary.
Higher Education: Professor Hankla served as the principal of the Hillsboro Academy, actively canvassing the county for students.
Would you like me to look for more information on the specific legal cases handled by the Price or McNeel law firms during this period, or perhaps more on the history of the "White Pole Church" mentioned in your research?
Based on the legal notices and reports from The Pocahontas Times during the 1894–1897 period, here is more information regarding the legal activities of the Price and McNeel firms:
The Price Law Firm
Andrew Price and S. Lyon Price operated as attorneys in Marlinton. Their work often intersected with their roles as editors of the county newspaper.
Land Disputes and Foreclosures: Andrew Price was frequently appointed as a special commissioner to oversee the sale of lands resulting from court decrees.
Estate Management: The firm handled the settlement of estates and legal claims for collections within Pocahontas County.
Notable Case (McClure & Friel): Andrew Price was involved in taking depositions in a significant case involving McClure & Friel in late 1895. This case was marked by dramatic events, including a suspected arson attack on the plaintiffs' threshing machine and wheat stacks.
Office Location: For much of this period, Andrew Price conducted his legal business directly from the Times office.
The McNeel Law Firm
M. J. McNeel was a prominent attorney based in Marlinton during this era.
County Governance: M. J. McNeel served as a legal advisor and official during the County Court Levy terms, assisting with the fiscal affairs and legal liabilities of the county.
Chancery and Property Cases: The firm was involved in chancery causes, such as D. W. Sharp vs. Silas L. Harlow, which resulted in the commissioner’s sale of a 45-acre tract near Edray in 1895.
Educational Ties: The family’s legal and professional standing was further evidenced by Hammers McNeel, who was pursuing a law degree at the University of Virginia in 1895 to eventually join the practice.
General Legal Environment (1895)
The legal landscape of the time was dominated by land titles and debt collection. A notable case mentioned in old documents found at the courthouse involved a warrant for the arrest of two men for a debt of $45, highlighting the strictness of the law regarding debtors during that period.
Would you like me to find more details on the "White Pole Church" history or perhaps research the specific land tracts involved in the McClure & Friel dispute?
Based on the reports in The Pocahontas Times between September and October 1895, the legal dispute involving McClure & Friel was centered on specific tracts of land and property in the Poage Lane and Upper Edray neighborhoods.
Specific Land and Property Details
Location: The firm was operating in the Poage Lane and Upper Edray districts, where they utilized a steam-thresher to process harvests.
The Jacob Sharp Farm: A significant portion of the conflict occurred on the farm of Jacob Sharp, where the firm’s threshing machine and several stacks of grain were located.
The Poage Farm: Research indicates that the firm was also operating on the Poage farm, utilizing their steam-powered equipment.
The Arson Incident
The dispute was escalated by a "startling occurrence" on a Monday night in late September 1895.
Destruction of Property: Three stacks of wheat and oats belonging to Giles Sharp, located on the Jacob Sharp farm, were destroyed by fire.
Equipment Loss: The firm’s threshing box (part of their steam-threshing machine) was consumed by the flames.
Evidence of Foul Play: Investigators determined the fire was the work of an incendiary after discovering that the machine had been tampered with a few nights prior, specifically having several cogs knocked out to render it useless.
Legal Response: Andrew Price was tasked with taking depositions regarding the matter, and local officials noted they were "fast collecting" evidence to identify the guilty party.
Would you like me to find more details on the "White Pole Church" mentioned in your research, or perhaps more on the history of the Friel and McClure families in Pocahontas County?
The following history of the Friel and McClure families is compiled from genealogical notes and 1895 news reports from Pocahontas County:
The Friel Family
The Friels were established residents often associated with the agricultural and industrial growth of the region.
Agricultural Innovation: In 1895, the Friels were among the first in the Poage Lane and Upper Edray neighborhoods to procure and operate a steam-thresher.
Property Ownership: The family held land in the Poage Lane area, where they conducted business operations.
Legal Challenges: The family was notably involved in a legal dispute and investigation following a major arson incident that destroyed their threshing equipment and grain stacks on the Jacob Sharp farm.
Community Ties: Members of the family, such as Gilmer Friel, were active in local industry and collaborated with the McClure family in business ventures.
The McClure Family
The McClure family was deeply integrated into the local economy through partnerships and civic involvement.
Business Partnerships: The firm of McClure & Friel was a prominent agricultural entity in the mid-1890s, specializing in mechanized harvesting.
Historical Roots: Historical notes indicate that William McClure was a recognizable name in the county’s earlier history, with property located near the site of various community developments.
The 1895 Arson Case: The McClure family suffered significant financial loss when their "threshing-box" was burned in an act of suspected sabotage. This event was described as a "startling occurrence" that led to a major legal investigation involving depositions taken by Andrew Price.
Resilience: Following the initial tampering with their machinery (where cogs were knocked out), the family secured a replacement engine to continue their work before the final arson occurred.
Would you like me to research the history of the "White Pole Church" (the McNeel Church) or perhaps find more details on the 1895 arson investigation?
The arson investigation into the destruction of the McClure & Friel threshing machine and Giles Sharp's wheat stacks in September 1895 revealed a series of calculated attacks.
Key Details of the Investigation
Evidence of Premeditation: A few nights before the fire, the machinery had been tampered with and several cogs were knocked out, leaving the thresher useless.
The Arson Event: Despite the initial sabotage, the owners secured a new engine, but on a Monday night around 2:00 a.m., the entire setup was set ablaze.
Loss of Property: The fire consumed the threshing box and three large stacks of wheat and oats belonging to Giles Sharp on the Jacob Sharp farm.
Witnesses and Discovery: Giles Sharp had visited the threshing site at midnight to close gaps in the fencing and found everything in order; the fire was discovered only two hours later.
Legal and Community Response
Taking Depositions: Attorney Andrew Price was actively engaged in taking legal depositions regarding the case on a Saturday following the fire.
Suspected Parties: Local reports stated that the injured parties possessed "strong evidence" to identify the perpetrator, though the specific name of the suspect was not printed in the immediate aftermath.
Community Sentiment: The crime was met with high indignation, with The Pocahontas Times reporting that the community felt "hanging is too good" for the person responsible for such a "startling occurrence".
Detective Work: Detectives were reported to be following a "satisfactory clue" to bring the investigation to a close.
Would you like me to look into the history of the "White Pole Church" (the McNeel Church) next, or perhaps find more on the outcome of the Giles Sharp property loss?
While the surviving 1895 records do not provide a final court verdict for the arson, they detail the immediate and severe impact of the property loss on Giles Sharp and the subsequent legal actions taken by the community.
The Scope of the Loss
Destroyed Produce: The fire completely consumed three large stacks of wheat and oats belonging to Giles Sharp.
Estimated Quantity: Approximately 150 bushels of wheat and 50 bushels of oats were destroyed in the blaze.
Timing of the Incident: The loss occurred at 2:00 a.m. on a Monday night in late September 1895.
The Investigation and Legal Pursuit
Evidence Collection: The injured parties, including Giles Sharp, were reported to have "strong evidence" to make the situation "hot" for the perpetrator once identified.
Formal Depositions: On the Saturday following the fire, attorney Andrew Price was in the Poage Lane neighborhood taking formal depositions to build a case against the suspected incendiary.
Suspicions of Sabotage: The investigation focused on the fact that the fire appeared to be a deliberate act of malice, as the machinery had been tampered with prior to being burned.
Detective Work: Local authorities and detectives were reported to be following a "satisfactory clue" to resolve the case.
Community Impact
Public Outcry: The loss was described as a "startling occurrence" that caused a "ripple of excitement" and high indignation throughout the county.
Sympathy for the Victims: Local reports expressed significant sympathy for Sharp and the McClure & Friel firm, noting that the act of burning a farmer's crop was a particularly heinous crime.
Would you like me to research the history of the "White Pole Church" (the McNeel Church) next, or perhaps more on the genealogy of the Sharp family in Pocahontas County?
The genealogy of the Sharp family in Pocahontas County reveals a lineage deeply connected to the agricultural development and early settlement of the region, particularly in the Poage Lane, Thorny Creek, and Upper Edray districts.
Key Ancestors and Early Settlers
William Sharp: He is recorded as having lived on Thorny Creek.
Ann Dilley: She married William Sharp and resided with him on Thorny Creek.
Mary Dilley: Another member of the Dilley family, Mary married Alexander Sharp near Vanfant Valley.
Jane Sharp: Noted as being from the family of William Sharp, she resided on Thorny Creek, where Landany Sharp lived in the late 19th century.
The Late 19th Century Generation
By the 1890s, the family was prominently involved in mechanized farming and local industry:
Jacob Sharp: A landowner in the Poage Lane area, his farm was the site of the significant 1895 threshing operation and subsequent arson incident.
Giles Sharp: A farmer who suffered the loss of 150 bushels of wheat and 50 bushels of oats in the 1895 fire.
Gilmer Sharp: Involved in the "McClure & Friel" threshing enterprise, Gilmer was noted for threshing approximately seven thousand bushels of grain by late 1895.
William Sharp: His residence was located in the direction of Elk and was noted for its neat construction, utilizing brick from the same burning as the local school building.
Would you like me to research the history of the "White Pole Church" (the McNeel Church), or perhaps explore the genealogy of the Dilley family, who married into the Sharp lineage?
The Dilley family of Pocahontas County has a rich genealogical history, with many members playing significant roles in the early settlement of the region and establishing connections with other prominent families like the Sharps.
The Patriarch: Martin Dilley
Background: Martin Dilley was of Quaker descent and originally from Maryland.
Industry: He was a millwright and established Dilley’s Mill, which featured a waterfall and later a stave mill.
Family Life: He was known for his thrift and hospitality. He was also an indulgent master to a family of slaves.
The Children of Martin Dilley
Martin Dilley’s descendants spread throughout the county, often marrying into other local families:
John Dilley: He married Naomi McNeill, the daughter of John McNeill, Esq.. His daughter, Naomi Dilley, married Samuel Ratliff.
Jeremiah Dilley: He married a daughter of Daniel McCarty.
Clayton Dilley: He married Mary Moore, the daughter of James Moore.
Martin Dilley Jr.: He married Amanda McLaughlin and lived on the family homestead.
Jerome Dilley: He married Julia Francis.
Kenney Dilley: A printer by trade, he founded the Pocahontas Herald in Huntersville in 1881.
Elizabeth Dilley: She married Peter Yeager and lived at Travelers Repose.
Connections to the Sharp Lineage
The Dilley family was closely linked to the Sharp family through multiple marriages:
Ann Dilley: She married William Sharp and lived on Thorny Creek.
Mary Dilley: She married Alexander Sharp and lived near Vanfant Valley.
Ralph Dilley's Descendants: His daughter, Mary Dilley, also married an Alexander Sharp.
Other Notable Family Branches
Andrew Dilley: He married Elizabeth, the daughter of the pioneer Thomas Drinnon.
Martha Dilley: She married William Clark of Bath, Virginia.
Hannah Jane Dilley: She married Wesley Irvine.
Would you like me to research the history of the "White Pole Church" (the McNeel Church) next, or perhaps find more details on the 1830 census records for these families?
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