History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 45

Author: Laidley, William Sydney, 1839-1917. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > West Virginia > Kanawha County > Charleston > History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens > Part 45

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

An appeal to the Legislature for financial aid in the work to be undertaken by the Society. was prepared by the Secretary ; on the evening of February 16, 1890, Dr. John P. Hale, Col- onel Benjamin W. Byrne, Major Thomas L. Broun, Gen. B. H. Oxley, Prof. Jacob F. Cork, and Virgil A. Lewis appeared before the Legislative Committee on Taxation and Fi- nance and explained the objects of the Society with the result that an appropriation was made to assist in the work it had undertaken, that is, "for the purpose of collecting and preserv- ing relics, books, etc., pertaining to the history of West Virginia; the articles which may be collected and purchased with the said funds to be and remain the property of the State, and to be held in trust by said Society for the said State." Thenceforth the Society continued to

exist holding its annual meetings and receiv- ing its appropriations from the State. Num- bers of other gentlemen later became members of it and aided in its work. Among these were Rev. R. D. Roller, Hon. George W. At- kinson, Judge Joseph Ruffner, Hon. J. R. Trotter, J. Tallman Waters, Hon. J. M. Paul, Judge W. S. Laidley, Colonel Addison M. Scott, Hon. John B. Floyd, Col. Robert S. Carr, Gen. B. D. Spillman, Hon. L. A. Martin, Hon. N. E. Whittaker, Judge F. M. Rey- nolds, Capt. Samuel Mathewson, Judge David E. Johnston, Godwin H. Powell, Hon. Daniel B. Lucas, Charles Ward, Col. O. H. Michael- son, Judge J. B. C. Drew. Hon. N. C. Neal, Col. W. A. Ohley, Judge Henry Brannon, John D. Lewis, E. L. Butrick, Col. George W. Pat- ton, Mrs. David Eagan, Gen. J. W. M. Apple- ton, Judge H. C. McWhorter, Col. W. H. Ed- son, Gen. B. H. Oxley, Rev .. W. L. Price, Hon. W. L. Mansfield, Geo. W. P. Craighill, George wards, Col. J. D. Baines, Rev. Thomas John- F. Coyle, Mrs. Livia Simpson Poffenbarger, and others.

Dr. John P. Hale continued as president of the Society until his death in 1902, when Major Thomas L. Broun was elected to fill the vacancy. From 1901 to 1905 it published as its organ the "West Virginia Historical Magazine," devoted largely to genealogy, fam- ily history, etc. It was edited by Dr. Hale until after his death, after which, Judge W. S. Laidley became his successor. The society col- lected much material-books, relics, curios, etc.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY-ITS CREATION AND WORK

Thus previously to 1905, three historical so- cieties had been organized in West Virginia, the first having a continued existence of four- teen years; the second, two years; and the third, fourteen years. Among their member- ship were numbered the names of hundreds of the best men in the State-men who earnestly desired that its history should be rescued, col- lected and preserved in systematic, durable form. This, these organizations could not do, for only the strong arm of the State can ac- complish that work; but they rendered an ex- cellent service by arousing and keeping awake

335

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

an interest in historical research and investi- gation on the part of the people. But it is not the province of historical societies in any Amer- ican State to collect and preserve in systematic order the Public Documents, State Papers, Legislative Journals, Executive Messages, Pro- ceedings and Reports of Boards of Regents and Directors of State Institutions, educational and otherwise; Minutes of Conferences, Pres- byteries, Synods, and other meetings of re- ligious bodies, Proceedings of Grand Lodges and other Social organizations; Records of Commercial and Industrial Progress; pro- grams and catalogues; "dead papers" of courts ; Annual and Biennial Reports of Executive De- partments; maps, charts and drawings, which illustrate the history and geography of the State and of our common country as well, and the many other publications that go to make up the Archives of a State, and to classify them that they may be readily available for study or reference when needed. There were no such collections in West Virginia of Pioneer Times, of the years when the State was a part of Virginia, of the Period of the Reorgan- ized Government, or of the State since its ad- mission into the Union. No selections of the National Publications necessary to elucidate our history. Thoughtful men saw this. They knew that the other States were doing this work at public expense under the direction of laws enacted therefor, and that if done at all, in West Virginia, it must be done this way. This sentiment was voiced by Governor George W. Atkinson in his Biennial Message to the Legislature, January 9, 1901. In speak- ing of the lack of a compilation of our Public Documents, he said :

"I find our Public Records and Documents in the archives of the State in a very incom- plete and unsatisfactory condition. * * I can find no record relating to the Restored Government of Virginia. I have also made diligent effort to secure the Journals of the Legislatures from 1861 to 1864 and have not been able to find them. * *

* The Jour- nals and Documents during that period cannot be found unless, perhaps, the originals are in existence and I hope they are; but it is a big undertaking to find them and one would hardly

know where to begin to look for them. * Messages, Reports, Documents, and Papers cannot now be found. I find no Inaugural Ad- dress of any Governor of the State printed in any bound volume of the State's doings, not even my own. * *

* These Documents are a part of the important history of the State and yet they have not been preserved in endur- ing form. * It is painfully evident that our Public Records are woefully incom- plete."

As a remedy he recommended that provi- sion be made (I) to have the State's Public Records, Papers, and Documents collected and classified; and (2) that a systematic plan be devised for the publication and preservation of all the State's archives in the future.

No action was taken at that session of the Legislature. Two years thereafter, Governor Albert B. White, in his first Biennial Message, said: "The West Virginia State Historical and Antiquarian Society should be made a State Institution.

It is a pri-

vate corporation. Its government should be vested in a non-partisan Board of Directors." Now, in compliance with this recommendation a bill was prepared which passed the House and was on its third read- ing in the Senate when the session closed and it failed to pass.

Again, January II, 1905, Governor White, in his second Biennial Message to the Legis- lature, renewed his recommendation of two years before. In urging the matter he de- clared for a depository of the publications of every Department of the State from its foun- dation ; that a most important work "would be to have all the missing public records, papers and documents from 1861 to the present time supplied as far as possible ; to collect, edit, clas- sify, put them in a series; and to devise and adopt a systematic plan for the preservation and classification of our State archives in the future."

Early in the session, a bill providing for the establishment of a Bureau of Archives and History originated in the Senate, and, ere the session closed, it had passed both houses, and became a law. It was as follows:

336

HISTORY OF KANAWHA COUNTY

CHAPTER 64

An Act providing for the establishment of a State Bureau of State Archives and History.

(Passed February 18, 1905. In effect 90 days from passage. Approved February 21, 1905.)

Sec. I. State bureau of archives and history to be established; to be a department of state government; board of public works to establish by law's ;

Sec. 2. battle flags, etc., held in trust by West Virginia historical and antiquarian society made part of collection.

Sec. 3. State historian and archivist to be ap- pointed by governor; term of office; powers and duties; compensation.

Sec. 4. Secretary of state to deliver biennial reports to such bureau.

Sec. 5. Appropriation for carrying into effect the provision of this act.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF WEST VIRGINIA :

Section I. There shall be established a State bureau of archives and history in which shall be collected for permanent preservation, so far as it can now be done, all valuable papers and documents relating to the settlement of the state; to the period of the reorganized gov- ernment of Virginia, and to the erection. and formation of West Virginia out of the terri- tory of the mother State, with biographical matter pertaining to the men who were prom- inent then, together with all missing public records, State papers, documents of the Legis- lature, executive and judicial departments, and the reports of all State officials, boards of re- gents and directors, of State institutions, edu- cational, charitable, penal and otherwise, from the twentieth of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, to which the annual additions shall be added as produced. In this bureau there shall be devised and adopted a systematic plan for the preservation and classification of all the State archives of the past, present, and fu- ture. In the said bureau there shall also be collected books, phamplets, papers, and other works of history, biography, and kindred sub- jects as are usually found in such collections, together with the works of West Virginia au-

thors and such others as will properly illus- trate the bibliography of the State. In con- nection with the collection in said bureau, there may be a museum illustrative of history, science, the social conditions and life of the people of our country, past and present.

Section 2. The said bureau shall be a de- partment of the State government and it shall occupy rooms in the State Capitol or in the annex thereto. It shall be under the manage- ment of the board of public works, which body shall have full power and authority to adopt and establish such by-laws and regulations for its government, as it may deem necessary and proper to effect the objects of the bureau, and it shall cause to be enforced such library rules and regulations as will secure to all students, readers, and those making research and inves- tigation, that order. quiet and system so nec- essary in such an establishment. It shall take into its keeping the old battle and regimental flags borne by West Virginians in war to- gether with all other property, of whatever character, which has been purchased by the State's money and is now held in trust for the State by West Virginia historical and anti- quarian society, and shall cause the flags and said property to be made a part of the col- lection of the bureau of archives and history, therein to be classified, labeled and catalogued as the other collection of said bureau, in such manner as to be of greatest use to the public.

Section 3. The bureau shall be in charge of a person who shall be appointed by the Governor for the term of four years, and who shall be known as the State historian and ar- chivist. He shall be the custodian of the collections in this bureau and it shall be his duty to carry into operation and full effect the provisions of section one of this act; and arrange for the publication of such matter as the Legislature may, from time to time, pro- vide for printing, and enforce all rules and regulations required by the board of public works pertaining to the bureau, which it may prescribe under the provisions of section two of this act. He shall cause the rooms of the bureau to be kept open to the public daily. ex- cept Sunday, from nine o'clock in the morn- ing until four o'clock in the afternoon, through-

337

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

out the year ; and from seven o'clock until ten in the evening during the sessions of Legis- lature. He shall make annually a report to the Governor to be transmitted by him to the Legislature, which report shall contain an ex- hibit of all the State's papers, public docu- ments, books, pamphlets, and other property belonging to the bureau; of its annal accumu- lations, and a statement of the receipts and expenditures accompanied by such recommen- dations as he deems best for the State's in- terest in the said bureau. His compensation shall be fixed by the board of public works, which body shall disburse all moneys on its own order which may be appropriated for the expense of the bureau.

Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Sec- retary of State to deliver when printed, bi- ennially, at least sixty copies of all the bien- nial reports of State officials and of all boards of regents or directors of State institutions, to be exchanged for similar documents of other States.

Section 5. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act, the sum of two thousand dollars is hereby appropriated out of the revenues of nineteen hundred and four and five; and the sum of two thousand dollars out of the revenues of nineteen hun- dred and five and six; the auditor to issue his warrants therefor upon such vouchers as the board of public works may provide.

A SYNOPSIS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATUTE

The following synoptical arrangement ex- hibits the provisions of the Statute creating the Department :

I. STATE BUREAU OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ESTABLISHED

I. This Bureau is declared to be a Depart- ment of the State Government.

2. It is to occupy rooms in the State Cap- itol or the Annex thereto.

3. It is under the control and management of the Board of Public Works.

4. By it is to be adopted a systematic plan for the preservation and classification of all the State Archives-Past, Present & Future.

5. Two thousand dollars appropriated for each of the years 1905 and 1906 for putting Department into operation.

6. Into it are to be collected for permanent preservation so far as can now be done.

(a) All property of whatever character purchased with the State's money and hereto- fore held in trust by the West Virginia His- torical and Antiquarian Society, including the Battle and Regimental Flags borne by West Virginians in War.

(b) All valuable Papers and Documents relating to the settlement of the State.

(d) All Documents, Books and Papers re- lating to the erection and formation of West Virginia out of the territory of the Mother State.

(e) Biographical data of the men who have been prominent in the affairs of the State.

(f) All missing Public Records, State Papers of the Legislative, Executive, and Ju- dicial Departments.

(g) All Reports of State Officials includ- ing Boards of Regents and Directors of State Institutions, educational, charitable, reforma- tory and otherwise, from the formation of the State.

(h) Works of West Virginia authors and of such others as shall properly illustrate the bibliography of the State.

(i) Also, Books, Pamphlets, Papers and other works of History, Biography and kin- dred subjects, such as are usually found in such collections.

(j) A Museum illustrative of History, Science, and the social conditions and life of the people of our country-Past and Present. I. Has the Management and Control of the Department.

2. Adopts such by-laws and regulations for its government as its members deem necessary.

3. Causes to be enforced such library rules as will secure to students, readers, and all those making research and investigation, that or- der, quiet and system so necessary in such an establishment.

338

HISTORY OF KANAWHA COUNTY

4. Fixes compensation of the State His- torian and Archivist.

5. Disburses all monies appropriated by the Legislature for the expenses of the De- partment.

I. Appoints a person to have charge and direction of the Department and whose title is that of State Historian and Archivist.

2. Receives the Biennial Reports of the State Historian and Archivist, causes same to be printed, and transmits it to the Legislature.

3. As President of the Board of Public Works he participates in the management of the Department.

I. He is the Custodian of the collections in the Department.

2. Carries into effect the provisions of Section I of the act creating it.

3. Arranges, classifies, labels, and cata- logues the collections in such manner as to make it of greatest use to the Public.

4. Enforces by-laws and regulations or- dained by the Board of Public Works for the government of the Department.

5. Arranges for publication such matter as the Legislature may from time to time pro- vide for printing.

6. Causes the Rooms to be kept open daily, except Sundays, from 9:00 to 4:00 P. M. throughout the year; and from 7:00 to 10:00 P. M. during sessions of the Legislature.

7. Makes annually a Report to the Gov- ernor which, after printing, is transmitted to the Legislature. This Report contains :

(a) An exhibit of all the State Papers, Public Documents, Books and Pamphlets, and other property belonging to the collection.

(b) Information regarding the annual ac- cessions to the collection.

(d) Such information as he deems best for the State's interest in the Department.

8. Makes exchange of West Virginia documents for those of other States.

V. The Secretary of State.

I. Delivers biennially, when printed, at least sixty copies or sets of all the Biennial Reports of State officials and of all Boards of

Regents and of Directors of State Institu- tions, to the State Historian and Archivist, to be by him exchanged with other states.

Simplicity and Economy of Administration. From the foregoing it will be seen that the administration of the Department is very sim- ple and economical. Its entire management is vested in the Board of Public Works com- posed as it is of the Governor, Auditor of State, Treasurer, State Superintendent of Free Schools and the Attorney-General. And thus, its control does not cost the State a dol- lar. The printing is paid for out of the Gen- eral Printing Fund and all appropriations made by the Legislature for the Department in ex- cess of the salary of the Historian and Ar- chivist, and compensation for necessary cleri- cal assistance, may be used to increase the col- lections and thus enlarge its usefulness.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT

As is seen by the reading of the Act creat- ing it, it was provided that the Department should take unto itself all property, of what- ever character, which had been purchased with the State's money and then held in trust for the State by the "West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society," this to be made a part of the collection of the Department of Ar- chives and History. Soon after the passage of the Act the Executive Board of that So- ciety entered into negotiations with the Board of Public Works with the result that its en- tire corporate collection was purchased trans- ferred to, and became the property of the State, the consideration being five hundred and eighty dollars. The following is evidence of this transfer :

TRANSFER OF TITLE TO PROPERTY FROM THE WEST VIRGINIA HISTORICAL AND ANTI- QUARIAN SOCIETY TO THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA.

Charleston, W. Va., May 25th, 1905.

"Pursuant to the former proceedings of the Board of Public Works, which proceedings are of record herein, this board, this day ac- cepted the transfer of the property of the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society, made by Messrs. W. S. Laidley, Ad-

339

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

dison M. Scott and S. S. Green, the commit- tee of said society, in writing, as follows :

"To the Board of Public Works of the State of West Virginia :-

"GENTLEMEN :--

"The Executive Board of the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society, has ap- pointed the undersigned to make transfer of property of said society to you, in pursuance of the resolution of the said society at a meet- ing held April 12, 1905, for the purpose of considering your aceptance of the offer of this board to transfer the said property to you upon certain terms and conditions, mentioned in your said aceptance. We hereby now trans- fer the said property to you and give the same into your possession and control, to be held by you on the same terms and conditions that we heretofore held the same, and upon the terms of your said acceptance.

"We ask of you for some evidence of the said transfer and acceptance thereof, that we may report to our board that our mission has been duly performed, and to show the date on which you have taken control thereof.

"We would call your attention to one or two facts in relation to this subject that you may be apprised thereof when called upon to act in relation thereto.

"By the will of Dr. J. P. Hale certain prop- erty was granted to the Historical Society. Only as to the old clock was there any condi- tions, and as to that we were to provide that it be kept in repair and running. We are in- formed that the executor of said will will set up claim to the said property, at the instance of the residuary legatee. We did provide for keeping the clock in repair, etc., by a contract with Mr. Porter.

"There are many articles in the rooms of the society that were placed there as loans, for which receipts were given by which they can be withdrawn by the owners at any time by producing said receipts. No list of said loans has been kept.

"All of which is most respectfully submitted this 25th day of May, 1905.

"W. S. LAIDLEY, "ADDISON M. SCOTT, "S. S. GREEN."

Which property is held by the Board of Public Works pursuant to said transfer and chapter sixty-four, acts of the legislature of 1905."

THE WORK OF REMOVAL FROM THE STATE HOUSE TO THE CAPITOL ANNEX BUILDING

This report covers fifteen months that is from June first, 1905, to September 30, 1906. Having been honored by your excellency with the appointment of state historian and Archiv- ist in May, 1905, I repaired to Charleston on Thursday the first day of June ensuing, my term of office beginning on that day. On Saturday following, I appeared before the Board of Public Works then in session in the speaker's room in the House of Delegates, the administration of the department being vested in that body. By it I was directed to remove the collection of the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society from the state house to the third floor of the capitol annex, and in addition thereto all miscellaneous books, pa- pers, etc., which had accumulated in the law library and in other parts of the building. I was further directed to employ one man to assist me in preparing the collection for re- moval and to call to my aid in this, the janitor's force of the State House and An- nex. This was done and on June 20th-the state's natal day-the removal began, the books removed the day being eleven volumes of "American Archives"; forty-five volumes of American State Papers; one hundred and four volumes of the "Rebellion Record" and several volumes of the "Congressional Globe."

Thenceforth the work of removal went for- ward. All book-cases, shelving, show-cases, desks, tables, chairs, etc., not in use in the State House, were transferred. All these with the entire collection were brought down the elevator shaft in the State House; transferred out of the Capitol grounds and across Lee street where, chiefly with the use of a horse and block and tackle, it was raised to the third story window and placed on the floor there to be assorted, classified, and put in order. The removal was practically completed on the 9th of August. Not a single piece of new furni- ture was purchased; the old taken from the State House, was washed, some of it painted,

340

HISTORY OF KANAWHA COUNTY

all varnished, and put in place as now ar- ranged.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY AS IT WAS SEPTEMBER 30, 1906

The room occupied by the department is 105x82 feet and therefore has, including the tower space, 8,610 square feet of flooring.

Furniture .- On the walls are a thousand feet of book-shelving. On the floor are 25 book-cases, 49 show cases, 48 tables, and 54 other pieces of furniture not otherwise classi- fied. Of the book-cases, thirteen were made for the State Library under the direction of the Supreme Court of Appeals in the early years of the state, and three were used in the West Virginia building at the Centennial Ex- position at Philadelphia in 1876; of the show- cases, eight stood in the West Virginia build- ing at Philadelphia; and seven in the Agri- cultural and Mineral Exhibit Building at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1903; and of the tables, one was in the Forestry building at Chicago, and 16 were used in the Horticultural Exhibit at the Louisiana Pur- chase Exposition at St. Louis in 1804. The total pieces of furniture, including 27 chairs, is 176. Of all this but two pieces-one desk and one show-case-have been purchased for the Department, and the total cost of these was $20.

THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT --- BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, MAPS, ETC.

The books, pamphlets, maps, charts, draw- ings, etc., taken collectively, make the historical and miscellaneous library of the state. Of the books there are 15,438 volumes bound in cloth or leather; 1,870 with paper covers; of pamphlets there are 5.854, thus making a total of books and pamphlets of 23,162. These cover a wide range in different subjects of lit- erature and the collection, considering its num- bers, is rich in history and geography and lit- erature. Of the whole about 1,000 treat of the subjects pertaining to the literature and bibliography of Virginia and West Virginia. All have been classified and arranged for cat- aloguing and the preparation of finding lists, of maps, charts, drawings, etc., illustrative of history, geography, and geology, the number

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 45

Author: Laidley, William Sydney, 1839-1917. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Laidley, William Sydney, 1839-1917. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1066