History of Summers County from the earliest settlement to the present time, Part 28

Author: Miller, James H. (James Henry), b. 1856; Clark, Maude Vest
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: [Hinton? W. Va.]
Number of Pages: 1056

USA > West Virginia > Summers County > History of Summers County from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 28

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HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

er's majority being 49. For member of the Board of Education, John A. Cales, Republican, received 211 votes to 190, by John A. George, Democrat, Cales's majority being 21. This district has been in the habit of giving a large Republican majority for many years.

New Richmond, Brooks and Meadow Creek precincts are Re- publican, while Green Sulphur precinct is always Democratic, Brooks precinct being very close, sometimes a tie. and sometimes one or two majority for the Democrats, and sometimes one or two majority for the Republicans.

In Pipestem District, for president of the Board of Education, B. D. Trail, Democrat, received 206 votes, and had no opposition for member of the Board of Education ; E. E. Angell, Democrat, received 199 votes, to 101 for J. I. Farley, Republican, Angell's majority being 98: there being a vacancy in the office of justice of the peace in that district, C. W. Holdren, Democrat, received 210 votes ; for constable, S. P. Weatherford, Democrat, received 203 votes over C. M. Vest, Republican. who received 95 votes.

In Talcott District, for president of Board of Education, Dr. J. W. Ford, Democrat, received 257 votes, and G. P. Meadows, Repub- lican, 148 votes : Ford's majority, 109. For member of the Board of Education, A. P. Pence, Democrat, received 227 votes; 176 votes received by Charles H. Graham, Republican; Pence's ma- jority being 51.

In Jumping Branch District, A. H. Mann, Democrat, received 238 votes, while Thomas M. Cooper received 203 votes for president of the Board of Education, Mann's majority being 35. For member of the board, L. A. Meador, who was the son of ex-Clerk Allen H. Meador, received 238 votes, and S. D. Lilly, Republican, 199, giving Meador a majority of 39 votes.

This Mr. Lewis Meador was a most excellent citizen, residing on Madam's Creek, and was elected justice of the peace for that district at the election of 1904, but before a single case had been tried by him, he was taken sick, from which illness he died, while · quite a young and useful man.

THE ELECTION OF 1900.

The second race between Wm. J. Bryan and Wm. Mckinley was fought out in 1900, the Republicans carrying the elections throughout the country, and especially in West Virginia by an increased majority. James H. Miller, of this county, having been nominated at the Parkersburg Convention in June for auditor, be-

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HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

came the candidate of the Democratic party against Hon. Arnold C. Scherr, of Mineral County. He was also elected chairman of the State Democratic Committee, which required practically all of his time from the first day of July until the election, at headquar- ters in Charleston, giving but very little, if any, more time to Sum- mers County than he did to each of the other counties of the State. The results of that election are as follows :

Bryan, Democratic candidate for President, received 1,822 votes.

McKinley, Republican 66

Gaines, Republican

Congress,

1,751

Johnston, Democratic

66 1,826

White, Republican 66

Governor,

1,831

Holt, Democratic

Scherr, Republican

Auditor,

1,930

McClung, Democratic

State Senate,

1,832

Miller, Republican

1,740

Eubanks, Republican

House of Del.

“

1,768

Bryant, Democratic

1,805

Graham, Republican

1,794

Lively, Republican

Pros. Atty.,

1,785

Read, Democratic

Assessor,

1,737

Ferrell, Democratic

Surveyor,

1,747

Campbell, Democratic

1,819

Grimmett, Republican

Com. Co. Ct.,

1,735

Hinton, Democratic

1,835

Miller, Democratic

Sheriff,

1,751

Ewart, Democratic

1,765

Lilly, Republican

1,880

Barker, Republican

In this campaign there was a very active contest for the Demo- cratic nomination for sheriff, the fight being between H. Ewart. with J. D. Bolton, W. R. Neely. W. W. Gwinn, E. E. Angell and I. G. Carden, as his deputies, against Chas. H. Lilly, with Jordan Keatly, Geo. W. Hedrick, E. B. Lilly and W. E. Burdette his deputies. The contest was a hard-fought one, Mr. Ewart winning by a creditable majority. For prosecuting attorney, the race for the nomination was made between C. A. Clark and T. N. Read, which was also a very active contest, Mr. Read winning by a con- siderable majority. The fight, however, within the party did not result in desertion from its ranks, the defeated candidates not bolt-

1,750

1,748

1,637

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HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

ing the nominations, although there was considerable soreness exhibited, and the results of an unfortunate conflict within the party lines was felt throughout the campaign and showed in the results at the polls. The Republicans had no contest for nominations, and in this election were as a unit practically in support of their respec- tive candidates.

The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company did not take a de- cided stand in this campaign. The city of Hinton was visited dur- ing the campaign by Wm. J. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for President, and by Theodore Roosevelt. the Republican candidate for Vice-President. The visit of Mr. Bryan to the city of Hin- ton was one of the events of its history. Never before or since has there been a congregation of people within its borders to in any way compare to the crowd assembled to hear Mr. Bryan. Voters came from all of the adjoining counties. Two voters, Messrs. George Canterbury and Brooks, a blacksmith. rode through the country from Oceana, in Wyoming County. a distance of eighty miles, taking them four days to come and return. A great number came from Greenbrier, Raleigh and Fayette Counties: some from as far west as Charleston and Huntington. Mr. Bryan came on a special train arranged for by the chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and was to have arrived early in the afternoon, but leaving Huntington at eight o'clock, where Mr. Bryan made his first speech, stops were made all along the railroad. so that Mr. Bryan had made twelve speeches before he arrived at Hinton, about six o'clock, speaking an hour : he then went on to Ronceverte the same evening and made the fourteenth speech.

The crowd waited persistently and patiently : the streets were filled with an immense crowd. it being estimated that not less than 10,000 people were in the city. The eating-houses, hotels and gro- ceries enjoyed the largest custom ever had on a day.

The crowd to hear President Roosevelt, then candidate for Vice- President on the ticket with Major McKinley, was not so immense, there being an estimated crowd of 2.000 people. his meeting not having been advertised so well. and there not being such a desire to see or hear him at that time.

Early in this campaign. Hon. J. A. DeArmand, the distinguished Democratic Congressman from Missouri, addressed the people at the court house. In the campaign of 1898. the Hon. Joseph Bailey, now the distinguished Senator from Texas. addressed the people at the instance of the Democratic leaders at the opera house in Hinton.

REV. A. D. BOLTON, Pioneer Missionary Baptist Minister.

WVM. W. JONES, Ancient Merchant of Talcott.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LEAUX AND TILDEA FFEL

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HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

THE ELECTION OF 1902.

In 1902, James H. Miller, Democrat, of this county, was the nominee of the Democratic party for Congress, having been nomi- nated by acclamation, and, at the earnest request of his party asso- ciates, having accepted it, received 1955 votes. Hon. Joseph H. Gaines, the Republican nominee, received 1318 votes; Wm. H. McGinnis, Democratic nominee for State Senate, received 1759 votes ; John M. McGrath, Democrat, received 1,763 votes; M. F. Matheney, Republican, received 1,522 votes; Alt Ballard, Repub- lican, received 1,519 votes, there being two Senators under the re- districting of the State to be elected for State Senate, one for the short term of two years, and one for the full term of four years. Messrs. McGinnis and Matheney, both of Raleigh County, were declared elected, Mr. McGinnis, the son of Hon. James H. McGin- nis, drawing the long term, and Mr. Matheney drawing the short term ; M. M. Warren, Democrat, for House of Delegates, received 1,690 votes; Geo. Wiseman, Republican, for House of Delegates, received 1,595 votes : Walter H. Boude, for clerk of the circuit court, received 1,821 votes; Robert Lilly, Republican, 1,439; Joseph M. Meador, Democrat, for clerk of the county court, received 1,826 votes ; E. H. Peck, Republican, 1,433 votes ; George W. Lilly, Demo- crat for superintendent of free schools, received 1,778 votes against Wm. M. Jones, who received 1,467 votes ; Harry Haynes, Democrat, for commissioner of the county court, received 1,747 votes, and L. W. Farley, Republican, received 1,530 votes, the Democrats electing each of their candidates by the following majorities: Miller, for Congress, carried the county by 637 ; McGinnis, 240; McGrath, 241 ; Warren, 95; Boude, 382; Meador, 393; Lilly, 311 ; Haynes, 217.

Hon. Joseph H. Gaines, however, was elected to Congress by a majority of about 2,500, the district being largely Republican.

THE ELECTION OF 1904.

The Democratic candidate for President, Alton B. Parker, re- ceived 1,937 votes; Roosevelt, Republican, 1,702 votes; for Con- gress, Henry B. Davenport, Democrat, 2,010; J. H. Gaines, Repub- lican, 1,622; John J. Cornwell, Democratic candidate for Governor, 2,062; Wm. M. O. Dawson. Republican, 1.558; A. C. Harrison, Democrat, for State Senate, 2,026; Ballard, Republican. 1,611 ; Frank Lively, Republican, for judge of the circuit court, 1,237 ; Jas.

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HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

H. Miller, Democrat, 2,430; D. C. Gallagher, Democrat, for House of Delegates, 2,011; Charles Tinder, Republican, 1,628; A. J. Keatly, Democrat, for sheriff, 2,138; P. H. Brown, Republican, 1,506; R. F. Dunlap, Democrat, for prosecuting attorney, 2,043; A. R. Heflin, Republican, 1,596; L. M. Neely, Jr., for assessor, Dem- ocrat, 1,978; Anderson, Republican, 1,523; W. O. Farley, Democrat, for commissioner of the county court, 2,020; Harvey, Re- publican, 1,618; A. L. Campbell, Democrat, surveyor, 1,976; J. L. Barker, Republican, 1,621.

This was a very hard-fought campaign, especially for the office of circuit judge, the Democratic candidate having no opposition for the nomination, the other Democrats who had been spoken of in connection with the position having generously withdrawn, leaving a clear field for him.

For the Republican nomination, Major James H. McGinnis, of Raleigh; I. C. Christian, of Wyoming; Messrs. T. G. Mann and Frank Lively, of the same city (Hinton), were spoken of for the nomination, but as the campaign progressed the candidates all dropped out, except Messrs. Lively and Mann, and the race became personal, aggressive and determined. The faction known as the Graham faction, or "old-timers," taking the part of Mr. Mann, and the "Blue Pencil Brigade." or Willey faction, taking the part of Mr. Lively. Before the date for the nomination Mr. Mann with- drew his name as a candidate, and Mr. Lively was nominated by acclamation, and went before the people with a large faction of the party opposed to him, with disastrous results, as the returns show.

There have been many political and other meetings of the people in the county, at which distinguished speakers and orators have addressed the people.

Before the formation of the county the custom of political meet- ings to discuss the leading issues of the day had begun to be held, directly before and during the political campaign, but within the territory of the county, prior to 1870, but few meetings of this character had been held, even during the agitation of secession, there were but few public discussions and but little public speechmaking, the question of public interest being usually discussed at religious meetings held at the churches once or twice a month, on Saturdays and Sundays. At the "log-rollings," "fence- buildings," "corn-shuckings," the former being occasions when the people of the neighborhood would meet on a day invited, all the neighbors coming in to aid in grubbing out and fencing a piece of "new land," or rolling the logs thereon into piles convenient for

283

HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

burning; in the spring time preparing it for a cornfield, or in the fall to shuck out the season's corn crop before snowfall, after which the young ladies and gentlemen would secure a "fiddler" in the neighborhood; and "trip the light fantastic toe" until a late hour in the night. Each farmer in the community was expected to have one of these gatherings once in a year, and in one day prepare a field for crop. And this was greatly in vogue in the early settle- ment of the country, and the men for miles would come in to tlie "gathering," and a large part of the wilderness was cleared in this way. Frequently, the women folks would meet at the same time to do sewing, have a "quilting" or a "skutching," and aid the house- wife, while the men were aiding the men in the fields and the woods.

Those were good old times, when neighbors were neighbors, indeed, and there was not the modern disposition to selfishness now in many cases exhibited. This continued up to the present, but is very largely a custom of the past. The writer, when a boy, attended many of these good neighborly affairs, and grubbed all day, or "log-rolled" to help his father's good neighbor. The "musters" were once a month, when the men within the age fixed by statute for military service were required to meet once a month to receive military training, prepare themselves for service in the army in the event of being called upon by their country. Every man physically able within the military age being prepared for a soldier, and, 110 doubt, this preparation tended to make the soldiers of the Civil War of four years between the States, aided materially in giving the country the best armies that ever went to war. Universal militia service ended with this war.

After the war political meetings began to be held in this region, and at which times some speakers of note would be produced to discuss the "issues of the day."

The first meeting of this character held in the county of which I have any information was at Green Sulphur Springs, in 1868. during the Grant and Seymour campaign. A barbecue was held in the bottom, on the exact ground were Dr. E. E. Noel's fine residence is now located, the plan originating with the distinguished phy- sician and surgeon, Dr. Samuel Williams, an ardent Southerner and Democrat, and, after advertising the inceting for thirty days, a beef was provided by Sheriff H. Gwinn, and the meeting held, the greatest event in the history of this section. A large United States flag was made by the ladies ; everybody came, men, women and children, for miles and miles around. Tables were set out in the grove, people bringing in baskets of food, and a regular holiday

284

HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

celebrated. Captain R. F. Dennis, then practicing law at Lewis- burg, and in his prime; Colonel B. H. Jones, another soldier and lawyer of Lewisburg, and Hon. Edmund Sehon, a young attorney then located in the same town, were the orators of the occasion, and they occupied the larger part of the day, the meeting breaking up just in time for the people to return to their abodes. The meeting was Democratic, and the orators advocated the election of the Dem- ocratic candidate for President, Horatio Seymour, then Governor of New York State, and B. Grats Brown, of Missouri, for Vice- President. It was a great occasion. After this there was no polit- ical campaign without political discussions, and sometimes, but not frequently, joint discussions.

The city of Hinton has had some noted speakers and some famous meetings, including the wonderful Bryan meeting of the campaign of 1906. In October he passed over the C. & O. Railway by special train provided by the chairman of the Democratic State Executive Committee of West Virginia. The train of five cars left Huntington between eight and nine o'clock, after Mr. Bryan had delivered an address to a great crowd. The train stopped, and Mr. Bryan spoke at Hurricane, St. Albans, Charleston, East Bank, Handley, Montgomery, Hawk's Nest, Thurmond and Hinton, all short speeches from the rear platform of the rear car, except at Huntington, Thurmond and Hinton and other points, when he left the train, making set speeches from platforms improvised for the occasion. After his speech at Hinton, his train passed on to Washington, the only other speaking stop being at Ronceverte.

At Hinton, people came for 100 miles on horseback, in wagons and by foot; one gentleman, Mat Belcher, came from Bluefield, a horseback ride of two days, in going and re- turning, in order to hear their leader proclaim the doctrines of Free Silver. The city was crowded with such a mass of hu- manity as was never seen before, and, likely, never again. The streets were crowded. It was impractical to move from one section of the town to another. The train, of course, was belated by reason of the numerous stops. The town was literally eaten out ; the groceries, bakeries, hotels, restaurants and eating-houses were "cleaned out" of eatables until it was a matter of impossibility to get a square meal, by reason of the long delay. Many came in the night before, which required food for three meals on the noted day. A wonderful congestion of people was witnessed at the rail- way station when the train arrived, by reason of the great desire to see the "orator of the Platte." He had to be practically carried

285

HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

through the crowd to a carriage, where a procession was formed, with brass bands, flags, etc., and made a short march out the prin- cipal street to the public school building, and thence to the court house park, where the great commoner proclaimed the faith of his party, which required an even hour for its delivery, and where a platform was constructed under the supervision of Hon. Charles A. Clark, chairman of the County Democratic Executive Com- mittee.

There were various estimates of the number composing the great crowd. It is impossible to make an approximately correct estimate, but 10,000 souls would not be an overestimate, we firmly believe.

During the same campaign, President Roosevelt, then the Re- publican nominee and candidate for Vice-President, visited the county, passing through on a special train. His meeting was not well advertised, it not being generally known that he would speak in Hinton. The Democrats tendered him the use of their platform, and a large meeting was held, however, regardless of the want of notice, and the town will ever be proud of having had the honor of a visit from so great and distinguished a citizen, the greatest and best President of the United States since the death of Abraham Lincoln.

During the campaign of 1900, the Honorable Charles Emory Smith, a member of President Mckinley's cabinet, spoke at the court house in Hinton.

In the campaign of 1904, Hon. Henry Gassaway Davis, the Democratic candidate for Vice-President on the ticket with Judge Alton B. Parker, spoke from the front porch of the Y. M. C. A., in Hinton, after dark, to an immense crowd of the people when passing through the county by special train, campaigning. Hon. John T. McGraw, then chairman of the Democratic State Executive Committee, the brilliant Democratic leader, accompanied Mr. Davis. and also addressed the people.

Hon. Steven B. Elkins, United States Senator, and a son-in-law of Hon. Henry G. Davis, and a distinguished citizen, spoke to an immense crowd in Parker's Opera House, in 1896, as did also M. E. Ingalls, the president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company. claiming to be a Democrat, but to be a "Gold Democrat," was sup- porting Hon. Wm. Mckinley. He spoke on one occasion at the Parker Opera House, and on another at the baseball park, on the old Ballangee place. The Republican Committee took him in charge, secured a carriage and four horses, and conveyed him over the town as a conquering hero. Mr. Ingalls was exceedingly popu-

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HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

lar with our people by reason of his apparent friendliness toward the city, but they did not go to the extent of following his appeals to vote against their convictions.

A very interesting joint discussion was had during the campaign of 1896 between Gen. J. W. St. Clair, the brilliant attorney of the neighboring county of Fayette, and Hon. Pat McCall, the latter, in some respects, having the better of the meeting by reason of mis- information had by Gen. St. Clair in regard to the character of bonds issued and secured by the mortgage of the C. & O. Railway Company. This great meeting was held under a tent spread in the jail yard by the Republicans for use during the campaign.

Another distinguished joint debate on political issues was held in the court house, and was had between Hon. John A. Preston, the Lewisburg attorney and Democrat, and Hon. Samuel C. Burdette, attorney and Republican, of Charleston, W. Va., and now judge of the Kanawha Circuit.

Judge David E. Johnston. of Mercer County, as candidate for Congress, spoke, during his canvass for Congress in 1898, at Park- er's Opera House, as did also Hon. Wm. Seymour Edwards, his Republican opponent, and Hon. Joseph H. Gaines in the second canvass in 1900, of Judge Johnston for that office.

We doubt if a more brilliant orator ever honored the county with his presence than the Hon. Henry S. Walker, native West Virginian, now dead, not excepting Mr. Bryan. His services were secured by the Democrats, when available, during each political campaign. I have heard him on numerous occasions. and his elo- quence never became stale and was not surpassed. Had he had the opportunities, he would, in the opinion of many, have gone down in history and to posterity as one of the greatest orators of this whole land.

Hon. John Edward Kenna. the last Democratic United States Senator elected in this State, and who died in office, was a favorite campaign speaker to Summers County citizens, although he lost a large part of his popularity in the county prior to his death by reason of the position taken by him in that most unfortunate case of The State vs. J. S. Thompson, tried on an indictment for the killing of Elbert Fowler, but he was only performing an entirely legitimate and honorable duty in defending his client, as well as kinsman.

Col. James W. Davis was a familiar speaker in the Republican cause, as was also Col. T. G. Mann, a lawyer of the county, and a native of the good old mother of counties-Greenbrier.

287

HISTORY OF SUMMERS COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

One of the most enterprising political speeches ever delivered in the county was in the Parker Opera House in 1898, by the great Democratic Senator from Texas, Hon. Joseph Weldon Bailey, then a member of Congress from that State, and who has recently made a history-making speech on the Railway Rate bill, now pending in Congress.

Hon. J. W. Ball, a member of Congress, also from Texas, spoke at the new court house in 1902, from the Democratic standpoint. Hon. Wm. DeArmand, of Missouri; Turner, the iceman, of New York; Senator Butler, of South Carolina, have all spoken at Hinton.

Hon. Wm. M. O. Dawson, the present Governor of the State, delivered a speech in the court house in 1904, he then being the Republican candidate for that office.

Hon. John J. Cornwell, the Democratic candidate for Governor in 1904, also spoke at the court house during that memorable cam- paign in which the tax reform was then agitated, Mr. Dawson being a great and sincere advocate of tax reform along the lines adopted by the Republican party of the State.

Hon. Chas. W. Osenton, of Fayette County, has frequently come to the aid of the Democracy, and has been heard from the forum in its behalf on many occasions.

Hon. Joseph Holt Gaines, who has been the Republican member of Congress from this district for the last six years, and an able champion of the doctrines of that party, has been frequently heard throughout the county.

Dr. John J. Lafferty, the eminent Christian editor, preacher and lecturer, delivered one of his famous lectures in the old Methodist Church in Hinton.

Hon. C. Wood Dailey, one of the leading lawyers and orators of the State, has made political speeches on behalf of the Democratic party at Talcott and Hinton, in the campaigns of 1892 and 1896.

Judge James H. Brown, of the Charleston Bar, when a candi- date for Congress in the Third District, and Hon. Wm. P. Hupbard and Geo. C. Sturgis, able representatives of the Republican doc- trines, have argued their cause before the people in the old court house, as well as Hon. A. B. Fleming, in his memorable contest as the Democratic nominee for the governorship in 1888, with the ablest exponent of Republican principles ever produced in the State, General Nathan Goff, Jr., now judge of the United States Court. It was over this election there grew the famous contest for that office before the Legislature of 1889, in which the vote of this county was to some extent brought in question. The majority on

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History of Summers County from the earliest settlement to the present time, Part 28

Author: Miller, James H. (James Henry), b. 1856; Clark, Maude Vest Publication date: 1908 Publisher: [Hinton? W. Va.] Number of Pages: 1056

Author: Miller, James H. (James Henry), b. 1856; Clark, Maude Vest
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: [Hinton? W. Va.]
Number of Pages: 1056