The Clay County Landmarks Commission and Historical Society met on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the home of President Jerry Stover. Present were Jerry Stover, Hazel Stover, Jim Miller, Sandra Claybrook, Betty Robinson and Eloise Boggs.
The meeting was called to order by Jerry and the minutes of the March meeting were approved as published in the local newspapers. Jim Miller gave the treasurer’s report.
President’s Report
- The following letters and materials have been received recently:
- A letter from Miriam Brown Dorsey of Jackson, MI, who is working on her family tree. She also inquired about back issues of Now & Then.
- A cassette tape donated by Ellen Jeffers recording the sounds of the BC&G engine No. 4, taped by Larry Fellure in 1965.
- A 1933 Widen High School yearbook given to Marlene Potasnik who donated it to the Historical Society.
- Photos and information about the Mount Zion one-room school donated by Clarice Parsons.
- ( The letters were given to Eloise to include in the next newsletter.)
- The paper-work procedure for mailing the newsletter has changed dramatically and this caused another day’s delay in mailing the winter issue which had already been weather-delayed for weeks.
- Danny Dawson has established a website for photographs related to Clay County.
- It is http://www.claywvheritage.no-ip.org
Committee Reports
Sandra reported on the progress of the Garnie Testa book. A discussion followed. We have around 40 photos to go with the 54 teacher autobiographies and we are still looking for the other 14. In addition to the 54, numerous other teachers are mentioned in the text of the book. Many teachers of that era are not mentioned. Readers of these newspapers are asked to send us the names of the teachers you had in the Clay County elementary school you attended prior to 1980. We would also like to know of teachers who taught in Clay County as far back as the 1800s or early 1900s (e.g., I can recall that folks in my family mentioned a Daniel Murphy, and others, who taught in the Oak Hill one-room school in the early 1900s, and Stella Perrine Rogers taught two separate terms, years apart, at the school). We are thinking of adding an “Honorable Mention” page to the book which would list names of teachers not already named.
Eloise has sent the spring issue of Now & Then to the printer.
New Business
Ronnie Hamrick is resuming his work on a book about WWII. Following are excerpts of the letter he sent to us: “ I am working on the WWII book again. There are still many names I do not have information on. There are over 1500 names. . . Copies of discharge papers are really needed since they contain the most pertinent information for those who are researching a veteran. I only have a few service pictures. Any service-related pictures and documents are welcome. Any information not considered public domain I need (written) permission to use. The scope of this project is still a research tool and not a narrative. Some “extras” will make it more interesting. “Here (tentatively) is the information that will be in the book for each veteran: Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Gender, Branch, Rank, Arm or Service, MOS Service Dates, Active Service Dates, Organization, Basic Training, Advanced Training, Qualifications, Theater(s), Battles/Campaigns, Wounded, Awards, Other.”
Send to the Clay County Historical Society, P.O. Box 670, Clay, WV, 25043 and write on the envelope “WW2”. We will see that Ronnie gets it. Or e-mail Ronnie directly at clayww2book@hotmail.com. He will have a notice in the local papers later on.
Two books about the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company and the BC&G Railroad were recently given to the Society by Neil Boggs. Neil also sent additional photos relating to the BC&G and Swandale and Dundon. These items will be placed in our library.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 1:00 pm, Clay County Library
Eloise Boggs. Recorder
