USA > West Virginia > Monroe County > A history of Monroe county, West Virginia > Part 22
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For nearly thirty years the "Watchman" has had the field to it- self. After a few years the style was changed to "Monroe Watch- man," in which it still appears. Under its alert and energetic man- agement, the "Monroe Watchman" is an eight page newspaper, en- joys a very large circulation, and not only presents the local hap- penings of the county in a comprehensive manner, but its treatment of state and national news renders it much more serviceable as a household journal than the generality of local papers. The local
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JOURNALISM AND LITERATURE
newspaper fills a niche that can be supplied by no other, and when it delves below the surface in matters which are or should be of interest and value to its readers it is doing them an inestimable service.
The "Alderson Enterprise" was started in 1879 by John M. Ferguson of Virginia. In 1882, J. A. D. Turner became proprie- tor and changed its name to "Alderson Statesman." Next winter C. L. Peck bought a half interest. In 1883 Ferguson bought out Turner, and it continued with Peck as publisher and Ferguson editor.
About 1900 Hubert F. Houston published at Alderson a news- paper bearing the unique title of "The Man." Its sketches on the families of Monroe were a meritorious feature. James F. Houchins, another native of Monroe, issued from Greenville the semi-weekly "Greenville Times." The first number bore the date, August 3, 1900, and was a bright, newsy sheet of six small pages. It was announced as "Devoted to America's Cause, Rights of Women, Purity of Homes, and Sanctity of Religion."
In 1900 the "Union Union" was launched at the county seat as a Republican opponent to the "Watchman." C. M. Honaker soon be- came sole owner. It merged with the "Greenville Times," and was edited by J. F. Houchins, who changed its name after the November election to "Monroe Record," and continued publication until the temporary reappearance after a few months of the "Union Union."
Madison Ballantyne, as editor of the "Milton Enterprise" of this state, is an instance of Monroe journalism laboring in other fields.
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"Literary Monroe" is not so brief a tale as in many instances- Yet very few of the nearly 3000 counties of the Union can individ- ually shine forth as luminaries of the first magnitude. And as is very often the case in a rural county, those of its sons and daugh- ters who have won most repute in the literary line have done so in other homes than here. A mountain environment is conducive to poetic inspiration, and there is scarcely a county of the Mountain State that is without its local bards. Serious effort in the prose line is not often attempted by natives of West Virginia, although there is no lack of material on this direction.
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A HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
It would be strange indeed if the beautiful and interesting Ap- palachian country did not move the visiting pen as well as the local pen.
"Ben Bolt" is a very well known and popular song. Its author, Thomas Dunn England, often visited this section of the Virginias about 1850, and is said to have been a guest of Allen T. Caperton and other citizens. Local tradition insists that the grave of the "Sweet Alice" named in the song is in Monroe county.
Ann Royall, who passed her wedded life at Sweet Springs and read everything within reach, afterward wrote eleven books, mostly on travel and observation in the United States. For over twenty years she conducted a newspaper at Washington, D. C.
"The Gospel Self-Supporting," by the Rev. Alexander L. Hogs- head, is a small book of 258 pages, and was published at Abingdon, Va., in 1873. The purpose of the book, as stated out by the au- thor, is to point out a "serious defect in the prevailing modes of pro- viding for the support of the ministry and the support of the Gospel."
George B. Foster, a native of this county, became a minister of the Baptist denomination and a member of the faculty of the Uni- versity of Chicago. The latest of his writings are the books en- titled "The Finality of the Christian Religion," and "The Function of Religion." Neither is in line with the orthodox standards in theology.
Major Andrew S. Rowan is with Prof. M. M. Ramsay the author of the instructive book, "The Island of Cuba," published by Henry Holt of the city of New York. But in conveying at immi- nent peril to himself a message from our government to the leader of the Cuban insurgents, near the breaking out of the war with Spain, Major Rowan inspired Elbert Hubbard to write his little booklet, "A Message to Garcia," which had a phenominal sale and riveted the attention of the whole country.
A. C. Houston is the author of "Hugh Harrison, a Mulatto," which is spoken of by the "Greenbrier Independent" as "an exquisite little love story, beautifully written, and into which the author has skillfully interwoven a discussion of the race problem in the South."
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JOURNALISM AND LITERATURE
Another work by the same writer is "An Incestuous Alliance; or the State and the Individual," published in 1890.
"Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven," was written by Clara P. Vawter and beautifully illustrated by her brother, John W.
Janet Houston was in 1883 the authoress of "A Summer Idyl." "Nonie, a Novel," dated 1893, is the work of Lena L. Johnston.
A contribution to the literature of the civil war period is "Cap- tain Beirne Chapman and Chapman's Battery," by Albert Sidney Johnston.
"Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Allen T. Caperton," is a brochure of 1877.
"Brief Biographic Accounts of Many Members of the Houston Family" was written in 1883 by the Reverend S. R. Houston.
In press as we write is an important contribution to the contro- versial history of the war period. It is by Judge A. N. Campbell and deals with the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley by General Jubal A. Early. The position taken by the author is ably fortified by a wealth of documentary evidence.
The following couplets, extracted from the file of the "Monroe Watchman," are full of human interest and are well calculated to awake a responsive chord in any person who is on or past the merid- ian of life.
But the patient stars, and the friendly sun, and the birds keep on in tune, As they did on a day, in the far-away, of an unforgotten June.
The haunts I knew in life's fresh dew, and the friends and the sweetheart girls,
Are gone with the gray and the soft decay of time on the golden curls.
For the Monroe Home Coming in 1909 poems for the occasion were written by Mrs. Ellen F. Craig and Mrs. Rose O. Sell.
We end the present chapter with a poem on "The Girls of Old Monroe," by Roland E. Ballard, and "A Fairy Dell," by Alcyona Johnson.
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A HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
The Girls of Old Monroe
There's a garden 'mid the mountains Where the brightest flowers bloom, Where the balmy southern zephyr Fills the air with sweet perfume; But the fairest of the flowers Where the balmy breezes blow Are earth's rarest, fairest maidens- The girls of old Monroe.
France may claim with pride her lilies, England boast her queenly rose, Travelers tell of tropic splendor Where the fragrant orchid blows; But the rugged Alleghanies Where the gentlest breezes blow Hold the brightest and the fairest- The girls of old Monroe.
You may see the bright stars gleaming On a balmy summer night But a sudden misty shadow Seems to dim their brilliant light. When bright eyes are turned upon you, Lit by beauty's radiant glow, Given alone in matchless splendor To the girls of old Monroe.
There are dreams of rarest beauty Hidden in the artist's mind, That for ways to give expression He may search but may not find. If he would fulfill his dreaming, Of that rare and radiant glow, He may find that matchless beauty 'Mong the girls of old Monroe.
A Fairy Dell
Mountain-sheltered lies the dell, Zephyrs know it, love it well, There their softest wooing voices you may hear: Flashing with a silver gleam, Through it flows a narrow stream, With a murmur ever soothing, sweet and clear.
Charming with their radiant glow, Cardinal flowers in splendor grow; Mossy carpets here were meant for fairies' feet; Scent of blossom, shade of tree, Song of wild bird, hum of bee, With their magic make this fairy dell complete. 1
A GIRL OF OLD MONROE
TOWN OF ALDERSON View from Hill on the South Side
XXX
FARMING AND OTHER INDUSTRIES
The Grazing Interest-Tillage Crops-Fruits-Industrial Matters.
HE cool upland climate of Monroe is comfortable to domestic animals and does not favor an excessive num- ber of pestiferous insects. The extensive limestone belts are the natural home of bluegrass. The great centers of seaboard population are not far away. In consequence this county is peculiarly adapted to grazing. The raising of cattle for market has always been the leading farm interest of Monroe. Horses for export are raised in very much smaller numbers. Sheep, both for wool and mutton, are an important adjunct. Hogs are kept on every farm, but mainly for domestic use. From the Baldwin Ballard farm of 1200 acres about 100 export cattle are marketed each year.
Until a recent day the wolf was a most vexatious enemy to the stockman, and the large bounties offered for his head show that the depredations of the bear and the panther have not been near so serious. Thanks to the relentless warfare against him, the wolf is now extinct in this county and so is the panther. The bear is so very infrequent as to be of little consequence. The predatory beasts and birds which remain are those which confine their atten- tion to poultry.
The great improvement in the breeds of cattle has had two important results. The beef animals of the Revolutionary period were of only 400 to 800 pounds weight, whereas steers of even more than 2000 pounds are now seen. Such an animal is worth $150 on the spot. But the scrawny beeves of a century ago were worth only $8 to $12. A sheep was worth only $1.25 and a hog only about a dollar. It is true that the purchasing power of the dollar was greater then than now, but it was far from being enough
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A HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
greater to equalize the values. The bayonet-nosed razorback of the earlier day is not to be mentioned in the same breath with the broad- backed swine of the present century. While this book was in prep- aration W. A. Wallace raised a hog of 990 pounds weight. Such a porker would outbalance five or six of those of the year 1800 and be worth many more times as much.
Turkeys, geese, ducks, guineas, common poultry, and a few peafowls represent the feathered population of the Monroe farmyards. In the aggregate they are an important resource, both for home use and for market.
The tillage crops of the county make a very respectable show- ing. The limestone belts are occasionally too much obstructed by ledges to admit of plowing, but the clay loam is strong and retentive, even if it burns in time of drouth. Yet there are many large smooth fields of very easy contour. The freestone belts have lighter and sandier soils, and these are easier to work. The creek bot- toms have a good alluvial soil, but scarcely cover one per cent of the county's area. They are so well suited to corn that this crop has been grown on them almost continuously for 40 years at a time. In the more hilly districts cultivation is pushed into the steepest slopes, and a fair crop of corn will be seen on an incline of thirty degrees. Yet such instances of tilted farming are less likely to be seen among the natives of Monroe than among the recent immigrants from the ragged counties farther south.
Corn, grain, and timothy hay are the leading tillage crops. Considerable of the corn is now made into ensilage. The yields per acre by the best farmers will compare very favorably with those secured in the great agricultural districts. 116 bushels to the acre has been grown by James Beckett, of the Sinks. F. L. Beckner has grown 46 ears weighing 70 pounds. Single stalks have been found with six well developed ears. In 1915 the ensilage corn of C. L. Dickson on Second Creek was of most unusual lux- uriance. Stalks bearing four ears were not uncommon. Some stalks were more than fifteen feet high.
Wheat is the leading small grain. In 1895 there were produced
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FARMING AND OTHER INDUSTRIES
121,509 bushels of wheat as against 30,887 bushels of the other cereals. The production per capita being about 10 bushels, Monroe is independent of the wheat growing states and is on a better foot- ing than the average county of West Virginia. In 1897 the sep- arator of Groves and Shires threshed 16,129 bushels of wheat and 2340 of oats. The yield per acre usually runs about 15 bushels, but sometimes passes 30 bushels. Oats do not thrive so well as wheat in the limestone soil and are a less important crop than in most farming communities. But J. D. Lemon grew a stalk six feet four inches high. A small amount of rye is grown and there is a larger production of buckwheat. Timothy is the leading hay crop. Stalks five feet tall, carrying heads 13 inches long, have been reported.
The Lewis place, which is the "bonanza farm" of Monroe, pro- duced in 1895 1649 bushels of wheat, 6504 of oats, 29 of rye, 50 of buckwheat, and 125 of timothy seed.
In 1902 the acreage in meadow, corn, and the cereals totaled 26,847 acres, or about one-eleventh of the entire area. The corn crop was 294,871 bushels, being a yield of 36 bushels to the acre. 10,199 acres of meadow returned 13,975 tons of hay, being one and three-eighths tons to the acre. The value of farm products was returned as $413,705, and the value of fruits as $58,762. The horses and mules numbered 4,202, the cattle, 13,840, the sheep, 21,309, and the swine, 4,811.
Among the miscellaneous products are the pumpkins, which numerously dot the cornfields in the autumn; the sorghum, grown in small patches for home use; and maple sugar and sirup, a con- siderable quantity of which is made every season. A sugar maple needs not less than four square rods of space, yet it is possible in good seasons to make 100 gallons of sirup from the trees which would cover one acre. In recent years the sirup sells at a dollar a gallon.
As in any cool climate, potatoes do well. F. L. Beckner grew 151 bushels from three bushels of seed. Six of the tubers weighed
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A HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
eight pounds. W. R. Wiseman raised 15 tomatoes, perfect in form and color, that averaged more than 17 ounces. There are also on record a potato of 251/2 ounces and a turnip of seven pounds.
Flax and hemp were once staple crops, but have not been grown since the war of 1861.
Monroe is well suited to fruits, both large and small. In fav- orable years the apple crop is abundant, and even in the off years there is likely to be an ample amount for home use. Just over the county line, at Sweet Chalybeate, a pippin grew in 1910 to a girth of 15 inches and a weight of 24 ounces. On one of the Scott farms northwest of Sinks Grove is an apple tree that was set out on that spot in 1790. The tree is 40 feet in height, 10 in girth, and the diameter of its spread of branches is 50 feet. It is still vigorous and produces about 40 bushels of a white summer apple. Cor- nelius S. Scott enumerates 173 varieties of apples that have been grown in this locality, these including about all the well known varieties. His own extensive and finely kept orchard shows what may be done in this county by employing methods that are up to date. Mr. Scott also names 20 varieties of pears, 21 of plums, and 35 of peaches that have been successfully grown in Monroe.
Pears, peaches, plums, and quinces are grown to a less extent than apples. Grapes are quite well adapted to the county, as is apparent from the size and vigor of the wild vines. Arbors of the domesticated varieties are not infrequent. A few persons give special attention to growing small fruits for market, but there is a large supply of wild blackberries and huckleberries. In 1897 J. A. Dowdy picked 153 gallons of blackberries.
Farming methods have undergone a great change during the last 75, and especially the last 50 years. Much better implements are in use and they are more economical of muscular effort. The maintenance of fertility is better understood and practiced. So long as there seemed to be a limitless supply of good virgin soil in the West, the people of the older communities treated their own lands with very scant consderation. But good soil at a low price is no
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FARMING AND OTHER INDUSTRIES
longer to be had in any of the states. The advance in harvesting methods which began with the successful test of the McCormick reaper in 1831 advanced civilization in this country by half a cen- tury. If the grain crops were harvested as they were at the time of the American war, the labor required would be as much as could be furnished in two weeks by the entire population of military age.
The importance of advanced farming methods is given practi- cal recognition in this county. Use is made of the Farmers' Insti- tute, and the leading farm journals are well patronized by progres- sive agriculturists. The first corn show in the county was in 1909, when 104 boys entered the contest and 67 presented the best ears they had grown. The first prize on yellow corn went to Frank Gwinn, of Wolf Creek, the first on white corn to Paul Scott of Sec- ond Creek, and the first prize on bread to Iva D. Walker of Sweet Springs. Since then the corn show has become a fixture in Monroe. At the corn show of 1911 there were exhibited six white potatoes weighing 11 pounds; one sweet potato weighing 47/2 pounds; one beet weighing 20 pounds, and a cabbage of the same weight. In the contest of 1913 there is a record of 118 bushels of corn to the acre.
With respect to mining and manufactures, the industrial side of Monroe's history is a brief tale. The circumstance that no im- portant line of railroad penetrates this county except in the north- west corner and in the extreme east is enough in these days of steam transit to bar out any other industrial operations than those of saw and grist mills. Because of the lack of coal and probably of gas, Monroe has not experienced any industrial transformation, such as has taken place in the adjoining counties of Mercer and Fayette. There are iron ores, but these are not yet in demand.
During the now extinct reign of small local industries there was a different story. Pottery was made at several points; at Lindside so late as 1880. Near Crimson Spring was once a rude furnace for the smelting of iron ore. In the time of Andrew Summers, Gap Mills was an industrial center of consequence. He operated a wool-
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A HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
en mill, an oil mill, a distillery, a wagon factory, a tanyard, and a trip hammer forge. Along the course of Second Creek there is or has been an average of one mill to the mile for the 18 miles be- low this hamlet. With the exception of Hollywood, where flan- nels, cassimere, and hosiery are woven, the surviving mills now con- fine themselves to grinding and sawing. But gunpowder was once manufactured on Indian as well as Second Creek, and from the days of the Revolution to those of the war of 1861 saltpeter was leached from the nitrous earth found in the limestone caverns.
XXXI
THE MILITIA SYSTEM AND OFFICERS
OLONIAL Virginia had a militia system, and it was continued under independence. The state was divided into five division districts and nineteen brigade dis- tricts, each of the former being under the supervision of a major general and each of the latter under a brigadier general. Each county furnished at least one regiment.
To each division were attached one regiment of cavalry and one of artillery. The regiment, consisting of at least 400 men and commanded by a colonel, was divided into two battalions, one com- manded by the lieutenant colonel and one by the major. Each bat- talion had a stand of colors. In each company were one captain, two first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, five sergeants, and six corporals. The ensign, a commissioned officer having charge of the colors and ranking below a lieutenant, was dispensed with after the war of 1812. On the staff of the colonel were one quartermaster, one paymaster, one surgeon, one surgeon's mate, one adjutant with the rank of captain, one sergeant major, one quartermaster sergeant, two principal musicians, and drum and fife majors. To each com- pany was one drum and there was also a fife or a bugle-
Officers were commissioned by the governor upon the recommen- dation of the county court. It was the men of the most social prominence who were appointed. A position in the militia was con- sidered very honorable and as a stepping stone to something higher up. Yet, as in this county, the men nominated would sometimes decline.
Company musters took place in April and October, battalion musters in October or November, and regimental musters in April or May. Non-attendance involved a fine, usually of 75 cents, and this was turned over to the sheriff for collection. Fines we're num-
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A HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
erous, whether or not they were generally collected. Excuses for cause were granted by a court-martial.
Universal militia service ended with the war of 1861. For some years previous the records of this county contain little mention of officers. During these later years of the system, musters were less frequent, the men went through the evolutions without arms, and the practical value of the drill, as measured by the modern standard, would be very little.
The first regimental organization of Monroe was the One Hun- dred and Eighth. It was called out in the so-called Whiskey War of 1794. Some years later we find mention of the One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth. In 1800 John Handley petitioned without suc- cess for the $26.50 advanced by him for the colors of the former regiment and not paid back by the sheriff.
The captains and lieutenants of the Monroe militia wore the old Continental hats with white and red feathers, and had a red sash around the waist. At the April muster there appeared 1200 men in all imaginable garbs and colors, and with canes and umbrel- las for arms. They marched to the Royal Oak field, south of Un- ion, fife and drums in front, and every man walking his own step. The field officers on their spirited horses took the whole road in front. The animals were excited by the music and progressed side- wise, their rearing and plunging lending a certain zest to the occas- ion. After reaching the field, outsiders were kept ten feet from the fence by a guard. Colored "aunties" were present with their pies, cakes, and molasses beer. The muster was one of the great events of the year and took the place in the popular interest that is now given to the circus.
In the official records, regimental company and battalion precincts are often spoken of as civil divisions of a county. There does not seem to have been any fear of militarism in those days.
The list of militia officers given below is gleaned from the rec- ords of Greenbrier and Monroe. As in the case of county books generally during the antebellum régime, they were not kept with sufficient method and exactness. With respect to the officers of the
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH Johnson's Cross Roads
J. WILLIAM McDOWELL Second Creek District
RICHARD T. McNEER A Sheriff of the County
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THE MILITIA SYSTEM AND OFFICERS
militia, not all who served are mentioned as having qualified. In not a few instances, our only knowledge of their names is due to incidental mention.
The year given is that in which we first find mention of the officer while holding the rank in question. In numerous instances it is the date of his qualification as such.
A man holding a given rank, as that of captain, usually implies that he has come up from the lower grades and that some other man has been advanced to the rank he has vacated.
Abbreviations : Lt-lieutenant; En .- ensign; v-in place of; Batt .- battalion; Cav .- cavalry; Art .- artillery; res .- resigned.
Alderson, Joseph-2d Lt Cav .- 1799
Alderson, John-Capt. v D. Graham-1815
Alexander, James-Lt Cav .- 1798
Alexander, Michael-Capt. v Nimrod Tackett-1803
Alexander, Andrew-Capt. v M. Alexander-1815-res. 1818
Alford, Robert-En. under Hull-1823
Allen, James-Lt-1801
Arbuckle, John-Capt. 1803-res. 1804
Atkeson, William D .- En. v Michael Howard-1818
Bailey, Edward B .- Capt .- 1824
Ballard, Willis-Lt. under John Campbell-1822
Ballard, Ryland-En. under John Campbell-1822
Beamer, Joseph-En. v John Dolan-1817
Beirne, Andrew-Col .- 1818
Beirne, Patrick-En .- 1818
Benson, Ervin-Cornet-1799
Black, William-2d Lt. Cav .- res. 1817
Booten, Reuben-En. under Farley-1788
Brown, William-En .- 1834
Broyles, Solomon-Lt. under Harden Shumate-1817
Bryan, Christopher-Lt .- 1786
Bryson, Edmund-En. v Isaac Milburn-1811
Burdette, Archibald-En. under Nickell-v Robert Taylor-1818
Burk, Andrew-En. v Robert Dunbar-1801
Butcher, Joshua-Lt. v W. McDaniel-1816
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