USA > West Virginia > Logan County > Logan > History of the city of Logan, W. Va. [West Virginia], 1823-1916 > Part 7
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Nurses and lady attendants will be always in attendance and we feel sure that this institution will become a popular resort for the suffering public.
We left here fully satisfied in our own minds that it need not be necessary for any person in this part of the state to journey to any hot springs of any other bathing resort for we have right in our midst an institution able to give a line of treatment that will equal, if not excel any treatment that can be received in any part of America.
Wholesale Houses
Logan Grocery Company
The first wholesale house to be established in Logan was placed here by Huff, Andrews and Thomas, of Roanoke, Va., about 1905, in the building now owned by the Logan Grocery Company. This firm was succeeded by the Guyan Valley Grocery Company, a corporation formed of local part- ies, which consisted of the folowing stockholders: S. B. Robertson, R. B. Hays, W. P. Neekamp, R. L. Shrewsbury, W. S. Hammond and J. Cary Alderson. These parties pur- chased the business of Huff, Andrews and Thomas, and con- tinued the business until July 1914, when it was purchased by the large wholesale firm of Lewis, Hubbard & Company, of Charleston, West Virginia.
The Logan Grocery Company, the present concern, is
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being conducted as a subsidiary of Lewis, Hubbard & Com- pany, and is under the personal supervision of George .W. Gibbs, who holds the office of Vice President and General Manager.
The busines of the concern has been very successful from its first organization and it has a splendid field for a ter- ritory and is able to supply the wants of the great army of laboring men who are engaged in toil through this field.
This concern carries a full line of groceries the quality of which is of the best, for while this is a vast coal field it is a mistaken idea in the heads of many people unacquainted with miners, that they eat of the plainest foods. This is a mistake for the average miner makes good wages and they demand the best food that the market affords and the writer ventures to say that it would surprise ninety per cent of the people of farming section if they could see the table of the average miner.
Being under the management of George W. Gibbs, who has had years of experience in selling groceries through this field they are able to buy in vast quantities just the quality and quantity of goods that are in constant demand by the merchants.
Then again we wish to say that the present firm will find a successful career in the Guyandotte Valley, for the writer has personally purchased goods from Mr. Gibbs, when he was filling the role of traveling salesman, and it was a pleas- ure to have Mr. Gibbs call, for unlike a majority of the traveling fraternity, he never tried to overload a merchant or sell him something that would not move from the shelves. but on the other hand he would advise with the merchants and only sell them goods that would fill the demand and of which the quality was of the very best. The writer knows that Mr. Gibbs enjoys the respect and confidence of the merchants throughout the Guyandotte Valley, thus they wil not be skeptical of dealing with the Logan Grocery, as long as he may remain at the head of the concern.
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This company have just recently installed a complete and up to date cold storage plant in the basement of their build- ing which will enable them to handle apples, potatoes and other vegetables as well as eggs, butter, sausage and etc.
It is a safe bet that this firm wil install every improve- . ment that will give to the trade the best quality of goods in the best sanitary condition and we know that their efforts along this line will be appreciated by the people whom they serve.
In addition to George W. Gibbs as manager they have an office force of the following: Percy G. Oakley, efficient- ly filling the position of bookkeeper; George L. Bower, sten- ographer D. R. Durham, bill clerk; James S. Higgins, house salesman with Thomas J. Riggs as shiping clerk and stock keeper.
Rutherford B. Hays and Charles W. Gibbs, are the genial traveling salesmen while Charles L. Morgan looks after the city trade and assists in the office work.
Logan Hardware Company
The Logan Hardware Company was organized in Febru- ary 1904 and opened its doors for business in April of the same year under the management of Messrs. C. McD. Eng- land and W. F. Bevilll. The concern first occupied quarters in the three story frame building of J. B. Buskirk. These quarters were occupied until the fall of 1905 when they moved into the brick store building just being completed by Messrs. Buskirk and Robertson where they remained for six years.
The first stock of hardware was shiped by rail to the noted town of Dingesss, West Virginia, on the Norfolk & Western R. R. and thence hauled by wagon over the almost impass- able roads from Dingess to Logan, a distance of about four- teen miles, which road crossed the noted long and steep Dingess mountain. The price paid for such hauling was 75 cents per hundred pounds.
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A little later or in the spring and early summer of 1904 they had some of their freight brought in over the new line of the C. & O. R. R. to Midkiff, W. Va., then either brought to Big Creek, W. Va., by the C. & O. work trains and then to Logan by push boat, or all the way from Midkiff to Lo- gan by push boat. This was considered somewhat of an im- provement over the method of hauling by wagon from Din- gess.
In October 1904 the new line of the C. &O. R. R. to Logan was opened up for both passenger and freight traf- fic and the situation was greatly relieved and everything started off with a rush which has become greater and great- er up to the present time.
During the first few months of the existence of the Lo- gan Hardware Company there was considerable competi- tion in their line, there being at that time in business in Lo- gan the C. V. White Department Store, Standard Mercan- tile Company and Buskirk Bros. all in the general mer- cantile business and each handled a complete line of hard- ware. During those days it was the custom for one to go into a store and buy what ever he might want, including groceries, 'dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, drugs, hardware and furniture. These conditions, however, were changed somewhat about that time and these general mercantile concerns began to concentrate on some of the lines and drop others out.
It was about this time that the entire stock and building of the C. V. White Department Store was consumed by fire after which he purchased the stock of the Standard Mer- cantile Company and in turn,the Logan Hardware Company purchased from Mr. White the entire stock of hardware.
After this it became necesary that the Logan Hardware Company secure larger and more extensive quarters for the stock of hardware and to do so it was necessary for them to purchase a lot and erect a satisfactory building, there-
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fore in 1910 they began the erection of their present main three story building facing the court house square.
Owing to increased business conditions it again became necessary for them to have additional room and in 1904 they purchased a lot and erected their magnificent brick warehouse building which is 63 x 100 feet with four stories and basement, making in their two buildings approximately forty-five thousand square feet of floor space.
In 1904 Messrs. England and Bevill conducted the busi- ness without additional help. At the present time they em- ploy a corpse of fifteen salesmen, shipping clerks and office force.
The present officers are J. W. Ruff, President, C. McD. England, Vice President and General Manager and W. F. Bevill, Secretary and Treasurer.
Guyan Supply Company
The Guyan Supply Company, the original concern which was organized in 1904 bore another name, was reorganized on January 1st, 1916, with the following officers: J. R. God- bey, President; H. C. Avis, Vice President; and G. R. Clay- pool, Secretary and Treasurer.
This ; firm has the distinction of doing both a wholesale and a retail business and is doing a successful amount of business.
This firm has at its head solid financial business men of good sound busines sense and under their guidance is fast building up a splendid trade through this section and we predict for them a most successful business career.
They have no travelnlg salesmen and it is the intention of the owners to give to the patrons the advantage of this sav- ing.
The retail business done by this firm is about equal to the amount of wholesale business done by them and by cater- ing to both of these classes of trade they find themselves
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recipients of about all the trade that they can handle yet they always welcome more patrons and will endeavor to care for all the business that may come their way.
Coming of J. & D. Railway
Along about the year of 1900, there came creeping up in- to the Guyandotte Valley a branch line of the Cresapeake & Ohio railroad, drawn hither by the vast amount of coal {deposits that had been found to underlie these mountains. On September 3, 1904, the first train reached Logan. ' Twas then that the great prosperity struck this field and has con- tinued' with us since that date. 'Tis said that Dr. Thomas Dunne English, who resided here in the "fifties" first dis- covered the coal in this section and we are inclined to be- lieve this to be true for the old surveyor's records disclosed the factthat at the time Dr. English had some 27 tracts of land entered in/his name. Some of these tracts lie on Island Creek while others are scattered over other parts of the county. Nevertheless Dr. English prophesied what Lo- gan, in the days of the future, would become and we pause to wonder if Dr. English was living today, and could see the vast industries of the county, if he would feel that the facts had fulfilled his prophecy. However the genius of man had seen the coal cropping out from the surface and had viewed the beautiful scenery and the natural result was the coming of the railroad to pierce this wilderness, which has termin- ated in being the greatest feeder of the Chesapeake & Ohio system.
The natural scenery of the county is the most charming to be found in the commonwealth. All kinds of coal save anthracite are here stored in vast quantities. Soft coal is had in veins running from four ¿to thirteen feet in thick- ness. Famous Pocahontas coal is mined at less than a hun- dred feet from the surface and is known far and wide for its superior qualities. Cannel coal is found in veins of five feet.
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Many of the streams flow over solid ,beds of coal. No sec- tion of West Virginia offers such rich prospects for invest- ment of capital as does this county.
The business of the railroad has grown with leaps and bounds and today, while we were unable to obtain any of- ficial figures, these not being given to the public, we were told by Mr. G. R. Armstrong, the genial agent, that the busi- ness was enormous. In fact so large was the volume of busi- ness, that they were ashamed to tell it. And in taking in comparison the poor little coop of a station situated here, we feel that their situation is amply justified.
However, as long as there is life there is hope, and we are living in hopes of better accommodations in the near future. The little cramped yards of the railway that were situated in the west section of the city have been removed to Peach Creek and rumor has it that the freight station will be moved to this site, giving ample room for the con- struction for an adequate passenger station. The passen- ger station at the present time being a little dirty cramped affiar, consisting of nothing more than a small room for' the selling of tickets and two small spaces called waiting rooms. For the accommodation that it affords we might as well have a piano case located there. There are only two things that Logan is ashamed of and they are the present passenger station and the water works. However we are informed by the mayor that the year of 1917, will find the city with money enough to undertake the construction of a system of water works to be constructed and owned by the city. We belive that by that time we will have a better station which is so sorely needed.
The Chesapeake & Ohio is straining every point in an ef- fort to take care of the ever increasing coal output and ere long we will witness the line between this point and the main line being double tracked. Then too, with the coming of some of the other roads which has been rumored, the field may be able to market their entire output.
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The numerous branch lines eminating from Logan have been extended every year since the railroad first came and coal operations are opening up in every nook and corner of the county.
Some Mining Operations of Logan
The H. T. Wilson Coal Company.
A short time after this field was penetrated by the C. & O. Railway, the H. T. Wilson Coal Co., of Pennsylvania, having heard of the vast amount of coal lands lying in this valley came here and being convinced that there was a great future for the coal industry in Logan County, demostrated their faith by leasing 650 acres and in the year 1906, under the personal supervision of Frank Lee, opened a seam of coal averaging about five feet in thickness, located in the eastern section of the town. Mr. Lee remained with the Company for a period of one year and was succeeded by Roy Keyser, who filled the position of superintendent for a period of two years. Thomas Wilson succeeded Mr. Keyser as superin- tendent and has remained continuously with the firm since since that time. Under the supervision of Mr. Wilson the output has been increased to a monthly tonnage of approx- imately 12,000 tons. The very latest equipment is installed in the mining operations and the coal is gathered by means of gathering motors of the six ton size and transportd to the outside by large 10 ton haulage motors. During this year the firm has completed a new tipple, which was erected by the Pittsburg Coal Washer Co., at an approximate cost of $20,000. This new tipple which is of wood frame covered with corrugated iron, enables them to load four grades of coal at the same time. It also enables them to handle a much greater quantity of coal with less trouble and expense. The tipple is of the latest pattern, being equipped with
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shaker screens and all the latest appliances and it is the in- tention of the superintendent to further increase the annual output, now that he is able to handle all the coal that can come from the mine. The number of men employed by this company at the present time is 110 and they have room for more. The quality of coal is the best and superior to much of the coal to be found, being a vein of perfectly clean coal, solid bottom and good top.
Thomas Wilson, superintedent, is ably assisted by John Dower as mine foreman, A. F. Mitchell, assistant foreman; B. B. Wilson, tipple foreman; while the store department is under the management of H. H. Oakley, who is assisted by Wirt Stone, an efficient counter clerk.
Mr. Wilson in addition to his duties as superintendent findstime to take part in the upbuilding and development of Logan. He is deeply interested in the industrial and com- mercial welfare of Logan county and devotes part of his time, means and energies to the material welfare of the town and county.
In addition to being a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, he is a member of the city council and the Repub- lican candidate for the legislature of West Virginia.
The H. T. Wilson Coal Company has proven a great factor in the development of this field and has been of great advantage to the city in that it has furnished employment to many men and through the medium of its extensive pay roll has proven a commercial asset to the city of Logan.
The Logan Mining Company.
The Logan Mining Company, one of the largest and foremost corporations in the field of coal development, is the outgrowth of a combination of three different mine operations.
The Manitoba Coal Company opened a mine at Ethel, in 1910, then in 1911 the Price Coal Company, which was
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operating a mine at Wanda station, one mile west of Ethel, was purchased by the Manitoba Coal Company.
The Ferndale Coal Company organized and opened a mine 10 miles southeast of Logan on the main line of the Chesapeake & Ohio railway in the year 1911.
These mines were owned and operated by practically the same people, and in 1912 the three companies were con- solidated under the corporate name of the Logan Mining Company, composed of the following gentlemen who are the principal stockholders :
C. E. Hutchinson, president; M. I. Hutchinson, vice- president; C. H. Jenkins, secretary and treasurer, all of Fairmont, West Virginia; and Justus J. Ross, general man- àger, of Logan, West Virginia. . .
The capital stock of this corporation is $500,000, thus they are one of the strongest firms of operators in the field today.
This company acquired additional leases and in 1913 they opened Mona mine on Main Island Creek, 5 miles southeast of Logan, and during 1915 they opened another mine one mile southeast of Mona mine which is now called Rossmore.
In the first mines opened and purchased by this com- pany they have endeavored to develop and bring to the highest point of efficiency these operations and in this con- nection they have always endeavored to improve and en- large the accommodations and living conditions afforded the miners. The very latest type of mining machinery has been installed and every thing added that would in any way tend to advance the interest of the employer and em- ployee alike. The mining towns of Mona and Rossmore, those that have been constructed by this Company during the latter years, are model mining camps and the homes and accommodations of the employees are models for coal fields. Rossmore represents the latest type of model min- ing towns. Situated in a level valley the town has been
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laid out and constructed through plans that are perfect for building here a beautiful little town. Each row of houses are built in line and the row of buildings is separated by a wide street, while each house is separately fenced, and each occupant has erected for him by the company at the rear of his home a bath and wash house, coal house, closet, etc. The houses are constructed of the best material, in best and most sanitary manner, well and beautifully painted and in fact these cozy cottages afford a home for the miners that represent the highest type to be found in the coal fields. Each separate operation has a company store and the company has in operation at the present time five stores, all of which are under the management of E. M. Jeffrey, general manager of stores, who does the buying for the entire number, thereby enabling them to buy in large quantities and save a large sum of money on the purchases. This saving is carried by the company down to the miner and the writer has no hesitancy in saying that prices in these stores compare favorably with prices in any store to be found in the field.
The Logan Mining Company employs at the present time approximately 500 men and are able to afford em- ployment to many more.
A fair example of the development can be gained from the following figures rspresenting the annual increase in the total output. Tonnage in 1912, 223,000 tons; in 1913, 280,000 tons; 1914, 382,000 tons; 1915, 429,000 tons; and it is the intention of the management to push this figure to 600,000 tons for 1916.
J. J. Ross, the general manager, is a very busy man, yet he finds time during the business hours to devote part of his time as well as his means in the advancement of the Guyan Valley field and the city of Logan. He is the presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Logan. He is ably assisted in the management of the coal industry by B. L. Flynn, hold-
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ing the position of general superintendent of operations. Both Mr. Ross and Mr. Flynn have at heart the interest of their employees and they do every thing within their power to assist them in every way. These gentlemen are known by the employes to be kind, courteous and easily approached and the relationship between employer and employee is most cordial.
The resident officials at the several different opera- " tions carry out this same spirit of cordiality and if any of the employees are ever visited by misfortune or the hard hand of fate they well know that they can appeal to their employer and find a friend in every hour of need.
The Logan Mining Company through their extensive operations have been of vast benefit to the county and through their large and ever increasing payroll have en- abled many men to provide the necessaries of life and ac- cumulate a sum for the proverbial rainy day.
In reply to an inquiry of the writer as to whether or not the company had any plans for the future that would be of public interest he was told by Mr. Ross that the only plans held by the company at the present time were to carry out and bring to maturity the plans held by them calling for the development to the highest point of all oper- ations and construction and to advance the material wel- fare of the miner to the highest point obtainable. After this is fulfilled they may then undertake the development of additional property. Knowing as I do, the progressive and liberal spirit prompting the actions of this corporation it is a safe bet that these plans will be fully carried through.
The Gay Coal & Coke Company
In connection with the other pioneers of Logan county we are pleased to mention the pioneer coal operator being H. S. Gay, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gay followed the profession of consulting mine engineer in Pennsylvania and the report of the vast amount of coal lying in Logan county
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having reached the ears of certain parties operating in the vast coal fields of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gay determined to . come down here and investigate the matter for the benefit of himself and other parties. Upon his examination he found the report to be true in every particular and being impressed with the wonderful possibilities here he dertemin- ed to open a mine for himself. Accordingly he organized the Gay Coal & Coke Company, consisting of G. W. Robert- son as president, H. S. Gay, vice-president and general man- ager and C. K. Robertson, secretary and treasurer. This company was capitalized at $50,000 and in the spring of 1903 they opened the Gay coal mine, located one mile south of the court house. The opening was made and the first car of coal was mined previous to the coming the railroad. After the railroad came the coal was hauled to Logan in wagons and loaded on railroad cars. The track was im- mediately constructed from town to the mines and the first mine to be opened in the county was now in full operation. In securing this property the above company bought the claim of the Fisher-MountsCoal Company containing a lease of 800 acres in which there are three seams of marketable coal, namely, Island Creek, Draper and Eagle seams.
The seam being mined at the present time is the Island Creek seam, being on an average 6 feet, 4 inches in thick- ness with hard bottom and good substantial top. A modi- fied long wall method of mining is used. The coal is cut by means of the Sullivan long-wall and Morgan-Gardner breast machines, gathered by both mules and motors, trans- ported to the outside by a 9 ton haulage motor, thence to the tipple by a 7 ton steam locomotive. Electric drills are used in boring holes for shooting the coal.
The tipple is capable of loading the following grades of coal: 3 and 4 inch lump; 3 and 4 inch egg; 3 and 4 inch run of mine, straight run ofmine, and nut and slack. Pick- ing tables and bar screens are used, while the management has under consideration the installation of shaker screens.
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H. S. Gay also reported to other parties in Pennsylvan- ia upon other tracts of land nearby, and it was upon his report that the mines of Yuma and Monitor were opened.
The opening of Gay was made under the personal su- pervision of Mr. Gay, and he remained in active charge un- til 1913, when his son, H. S. Gay, Jr., was made superinten- dent, and has since that time been in active charge of the operation. H. S. Gay, Jr., has, since taking charge of the mine three years ago, been able to increase the daily output 100 per cent. The capital stock has since organization been increased to $300,000, and while the allotment today is 1200 tons the management expects to be able to increase this amount in the near future .. This mine runs every day that railroad equipment can be secured, and the treatment ac- corded the miners and the relationship between the employ- er and employee must be cordial from the fact that half of the men employed have been with the company for a per- iod of eight years or more.
The Gay Coal Company has three distinct things to be proud of, and these are the following:
1st. First mine to be opened in Logan county.
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