December 1958
Dundon, W. Va.
November 25, 1958
To my employees, associates and friends of the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company:
As of today I have resigned all my offices and directorships in our associated companies. My stock and my family’s shares of stock have been sold to the Pittston Company, one of the leading companies in the bituminous coal mining industry. By bringing this about I have done everything I know how to make sure that you will have as steady work as anybody in the industry, and I want you to realize that this is the most important thing in life to you and your children. The new owners, I believe, will be considerate of your interests and pleasant people to work for.
We have fought our battles shoulder to shoulder, and have been drawn together in the strife. Next time I shall not be your leader. So, I hope there won’t be a battle. Don’t neglect your meetings. Elect good, honest men so that no small and selfish group will get control. Strikes don’t pay. They keep you poor. Your best protection—the only prosperity you will have—will come to you from the profits of the company you work for. Therefore, for the money you are paid, give the best work you can. Find out what the man you work for wants and do it—do it his way.
I came to you when I was 22 years old, you took me in, and made me one of you. You gave me your confidence and what honors you could. Above all, you gave me your hearts. You believed in me. In return I gave you everything that was in me to give. I worked for you as much as you worked for me. It was a happy time for me. Now I am 77. The time has come for me to make sure of your future prosperity. I have done the best I knew how. While I say goodbye to you as your leader, I remain your friend. I shall be one of you as long as I live.
Yours sincerely and affectionately,
J. G. Bradley
Widen, West Virginia
Dear Mr. Bradley,
It is with a great deal of sadness that we write this letter. Sadness because you are no longer associated with us in the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company. We have known no other president and it will not be the same without you here, to guide us on. However, we realize that you were thinking of our best interests when you decided that you should sell the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company. We know that it was for our benefit that you chose to sell to the Pittston Company, whose reputation speaks for itself.
We shall do our best to please our new employers. We shall be loyal and steadfast. We shall cooperate in every way possible.
You have given us the best years of your life, for which we are eternally grateful. Words cannot express our appreciation for all the wonderful things you have made possible. Most of all we cherish your friendship. Your name has been a household word in our homes down through the years and will continue to be long after we are gone. What you have done for Clay County and Central West Virginia will long be remembered.
It is our wish that you and Mrs. Bradley have many, happy years together. We cannot say goodbye—we hope that the call of these West Virginia Hills will bring you back to visit us—often.
May God bless you!
Sincerely,
Your Former Employees
An auction sale will be held at Cressmont, West Virginia, Saturday, January 10, 1959, to sell the entire dairy herd and farm equipment of the Cressmont Dairy Farm.
NEW ELK RIVER COAL AND LUMBER COMPANY OFFICERS
Mr. Stephen Canonico, Vice Pres. Mr. H. L. Beattie, General Manager Mr. Robert H. Hughes, President
Mr. Robert H. Hughes and Mr. Stephen Canonico, of Elk River Coal and Lumber Company, were guests of Mr. H. L. Beattie at a dinner held for department heads of the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company, the Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad Company, and the Bank of Widen at the Widen Club House on Wednesday, December 10, 1958.
