Thursday,
January 17, 1963
From the desk of Mrs. Jane Price Sharp

Arraigned
Kenneth Lonnie Bryant was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Thomas W. Smith Monday and held for the March Term of the Grand Jury in connections with the death of James Henry Lester at the Bryant home at Buckeye last Saturday night. Lester died from wounds of the head, face and neck caused by shot from a 12 gauge shotgun. Bryant was released under $2,000 bond set by Judge Nickell Kramer.
Robert Dale Wilt and Wilson Van Irvine were arraigned on Tuesday on the charge of accessories before the fact to the breaking and entering of the Bryant residence at Buckeye by James Henry Lester.  After a preliminary hearing, Justice of the Peace Thomas W. Smith held them over for the Grand Jury.
 
Robins
Mrs. Lucy Davis had a flock of 25 to 30 robins at her home on Kee’s Flat Monday.  The weather Saturday seemed like Robin time but Monday and Tuesday the thermometer was a chilly 7 and 4 here in town.
Zed Smith has been buying food for the fish in the lake near his house and last week two geese were feeding on it.  After feeding he saw them fly high to the south and figured they were gone but the next day they were back to feed.
 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Pocahontas County Historical Society is now the largest historical society in West Virginia and growing fast. To date there are 318 members.
 
SCENIC HIGHWAY
Senator Jennings Randolph has disclosed that the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads has released $3.5 million for the first stage construction of the Highland Scenic Highway through the Monongahela National Forest.
Initial work will be on a 23-mile section from a point east of Richwood to another point at Slaty Fork where it will join U. S. 219.
The Highland Scenic Highway, as proposed, will be a 160 mile forest road running through the heart of the national forest from near Richwood to Gormania on U. S. 50 in Grant County.
 
 
Boys and Girls in Service
In answer to the soldier’s “Long Tour of duty,” Veteran Bob Jones, of Sebring, Ohio, writes:
“I spent one year in Schofield Barracks, one Thanksgiving, one Christmas, one New Year’s, one Easter and one Mother’s Day, but I had one satisfaction and solace.
 
I could stand in Schofield Barracks and look down to Pearl Harbor and see the Arizona lying there with 1,500  boys who would never make it home even for one Thanksgiving, one Christmas, one New Year’s, one Easter and one Mother’s Day – I was alive and I got back for all of them.
 
In Uniform
Sheriff Henry G. Hevener and his deputies are now wearing official sheriff uniforms.
 
The Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department was called out early last Thursday morning to Stamping Creek where a cabin owned by a Mr. Thompson was destroyed by fire.  Their emergency car made two runs Monday, bringing Mason Sullivan, of Marlinton, and Mrs. Henderson Sharp of Frost , to the hospital.
 
Divers Diseases
The old preacher stood up to preach.  He read the text: “They brought to Jesus all sick people that were taken with divers diseases.”
The preacher said: “Now, doctors can scrutinize you, analyze you and sometimes cure your ills, but when you have divers diseases, then only the Lord can cure.  And brethren, there is a regular epidemic of divers diseases among us!
“Some dive for the door after Sunday School is over. Some dive for the television set during the evening service. Some dive into a book of excuses about work that needs to be done for Jesus. Others dive for a car and take a trip over the weekend, forsaking the assembling and teaching assignments. Then a few dive into a flurry of faultfinding every time the church takes on a work program.  Yes, brethren, it takes the Lord and love of the church to cure divers diseases: you is in a bad way, brethren.”
From Newsletter, Waverly Road, Kingsport, Tennessee, Presbyterian Church.

BIRTH
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Phillips, of Marlinton, a son.
 
DEATHS
Mrs. Olevia Malcomb, aged 91, widow of Thomas C. Malcomb.
 
James Henry Lester, aged 32, the son of Henry and Eliza Vandevender Lester; burial in Mountain View Cemetery.
 
Garnett Lee Sharp, aged 77, born in Clover Lick, a son of the late Clark and Virginia Ellen Kittle Sharp; burial in the Valley Head Cemetery.
 
 
 
 

Thursday,
January 10, 1963
From the desk of
Mrs. Jane Price Sharp

New Bridge
It is planned – depending on the weather – to open the new bridge near Buckeye to traffic this week. The road has had some sealing coats but will not be hard-topped until warmer weather. This is a big improvement, eliminating a one-lane bridge and doing a lot of straightening. The project was set up to cost $149,000.

Legislature
The Legislature convened for a sixty-day session on Wednesday. Our delegate, Tom Edgar, left Tuesday to attend. Governor Barron was expected to bring a message dealing with educational problems. Redistribution and the question of strengthening the Sunday “blue laws” seem to be the loudest problems.

Correction
The gremlins were loose again last week and we let a mistake go be in a name that we well knew. The Stulting or Pearl Buck house is owned by Martha Ann Edgar Townsend, not Margaret. We will have to admit mistakes are the easiest things to make that we know.

FOUR-H CLUB NEWS
Riverside Blue Angels 4-H Club held their public meeting on Friday, December 21, in the basement of the Marlinton Graded School with 23 in attendance.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Janice Dunbrack. The meeting opened in regular form. Roll call was answered by Safety Slogans and the reading of the minutes.
Program Theme: “What Christmas Mean to Me.”
Prayer – Butch Smith; Poem, “What Christmas Means to Me” – Sharon McCloud; Story, “Old, Old Carols” - Janice Kay Dunbrack; Fire Safety – Delores Friel; Recital, “The Longest Day” - Martha Coffman; “My Teeth and I” - Judy Friel; Poem, “Christmas Bell” - Nancy Anderson; Song, “Jingle Bells”All; Play, “Christmas Story – by members.
The meeting was adjourned and the Christmas part followed.
Teddy Dunbrack, Reporter

Boys and Girls in Service
Private First Class and Mrs. Ernest H. Friel, of Bordentown, New Jersey, spent Christmas with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Friel, and her mother, Mrs. Verna Gibson.

Chief and Mrs. William S. Gibson, and children, Floyd, Lloyd, Boyd and Sandra Kay, of Charleston, South Carolina, spent the holidays with their parents, Mrs. Verna Gibson and Mr. and Mrs. Willie Gibson, on Elk.

SA. Edward Lowell Walton, who completed Boot Training at Great Lakes, Illinois, spent a 14 day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H.Walton, of Lobelia.

War Recollections
by Evelyn Yeager Beard
Arbovale, W. Va.
November 4, 1926

In the fall and winter of 1861-62 the Confederate solders camped at Camp Allegheny, my old homeplace, under the command of Jose (Ed) Johnson. The sugar grove belonging to my father, John Yeager, consisting of about five hundred trees was sued for building the camps and cabins.
This location could be used as a point of vantage, as by using field glasses they could observe the movements of the Union Soldiers camped on top of Cheat Mountain near the Club house.

The year of 1861-62 was a cold rainy year. Many of the soldiers camping there were from the South. I remember them as being not very warmly clad, and shivering with cold. Not being used to the cold, damp climate many of them sickened and died and were buried on a little hill back of our home.
Our back porch was partitioned off to be used as a commissary by Uncle Jack Arbogast. The soldiers wanting tobacco, candy, etc. would have to wait their turn. The room being small, and at times crowded, they would ask me to make their purchases for them. Being a child and small, they would make room for me. I would make their purchases and then received a liberal share of the candy. I was a youngster of about ten, and my brother, Mack Yeager, was eight.
The officers and soldiers made a lot over us children. Receiving boxes from home they would invite us down to help eat them. Colonel McCune would often let me wear the big plume he wore in his hat, and it was gala days for me when I would have the privilege of wearing it. When leaving Camp Allegheny he gave me the plume, taking it from his hat, saying I could keep it for always.
One of the skirmishes of the Civil War was fought at this point, called Church Hill. While but a skirmish it was a hard fought one, and lasted from about 4 a.m. until after 2 p.m. If I remember correctly, nineteen were killed. I remember the shots falling on the roof of our house like rain. My mother and sister, Fannie, were ill at this time. During a lull in the battle, Col. Baldwin of 52nd Virginia Regiment had them carried over on cots to his own cabin for safety and they remained there during the night. My brother, Mack, and myself watched the remainder of the battle from a point of safety. We saw the Confederate flagman fall and saw the flag almost instantly raised again, I believe by Lieutenant Rigor, but am not positive in regard to the name. Captain Mollohan was killed in the battle of Church Hill, and was buried there, along with many others. A spent ball passed between my brother, the late Henry Yeager and Rachel Arbogast, who was visiting us. Captain Anderson was killed by an Advanced Guard of Union soldiers dressed Confederate uniforms. Captain Anderson waved to them, thinking they were Confederate men, and he was instantly killed. After the battle was over there were several wounded men to be taken care of. The cabins were unsuitable, and my mother had the upstairs of our home converted into a temporary hospital. Our house was under construction when war broke out, and was not then complete. The upstairs was in one large room. Several of the wounded men died and were buried along by those killed in battle. For a brief period a downstairs room was occupied by a sick officer, with his wife and baby, Edgar. Later the same room was used for a while as a Post Office kept by Uncle Jake Arbogast. The front part of this house is still in good condition, the remaining being torn down.
To be continued.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas Birchfield, of Seebert, a son, John Glenn
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Lee Hiner, of Triangle, Virginia, a daughter, Carolyn Sue
Born to Mrs. and Mrs. George Dean, Jr., of Mill Point, a son, Michael Kevin
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo George Dean, Jr., of Huntersville, a daughter, Kimberly Ann
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Leroy Rose, of Marlinton, a son, Donald Leroy, Jr.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Carpenter, of Arbovale, a son, Mark Hamilton

DEATHS
Miss Polly McNeel, aged 65; funeral service in Oak Grove Presbyterian Church; burial in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Jacob J. Loury, aged 87, formerly of Minnehaha Springs; a son of the late James and Mattie VanBuren Loury. Burial in the Huntersville Cemetery.
Alvon Burr, about 64, of Elkins of a heart attack. Born in Hillsboro, the son of Alvon and Annie Pyles Burr.
A. H. McFerrin, aged 73, of Marlinton, son of the late Francis Garland and Eliza Bobbit McFerrin; former executive vice-president of the Bank of Marlinton.
Randall Rider, aged 50, of Manassas; born in Minnehaha Springs, the son of Frank and Ida Sue Rider.

Thursday,
January 3, 1963
From the desk of Mrs. Jane Price Sharp

WEATHER
From the rule days it looks like a hard, cold winter. Temperatures have gone to zero or 2 above each night in town.
Snowfall in December was 38.8 inches, a record for a long number of years.
The icicles are long and numerous, so whether you hold to this belief that the length indicates the depth of snow or the time the snow will stay on the ground, it means a lot of wintry weather.

Centennial Baby
Church bells rang in the Centennial Year of 1963 and three hours and forty minutes later, John Glenn Birchfield was born in the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital, apparently the official Centennial Baby of Pocahontas County. Young John Glenn weighed only three pounds and fifteen ounces. His parents are James and Kathleen Gray Bostic Birchfield, of Seebert, and this is their first child. The baby was delivered by Dr. L. E. Rexrode.
The baby received gifts from the Chamber of Commerce, Lang’s Dress Shop, Home Products Market, Jim Martin’s Photo and Appliance Center, People’s Store, Wilbur Sharp & Son, C. J. Richardson, The Pocahontas Times, Moore’s Auto Store and the Royal Drug Store.

Pearl Buck Home
It is with great pleasure that we have learned that the Pearl Buck birthplace in Hillsboro will be opened to visitors this summer. In special recognition of the Centennial Year of our State, the John Townsends (she is the former Margaret Edgar and owner of the home) plan to make some repairs to the house and have it open to tourists from July 15 to October 15.

New Camp Ranger
Dewey Sharp has been appointed Camp Ranger of the Buckskin Council Scout Reservation at Dilley’s Mill effective January 1. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp will move into the residence at the camp on February 1. The securing of a ranger to live at the camp will increase the use of the facilities throughout the year.

GUMPERSON’S LAW
January is a good time to think about the law of perverse opposites – or, as it is known to most laymen, Gumperson’s law – and it is still un-repealed.
For those of you who are unaware, Gumperson’s law neatly explains a number of irritating events that might otherwise be put down to mere chance. It is Gumerpson’s law, for example that causes bluegrass to grow in the cracks of concrete sidewalks but not on your lawn.
It accounts, too, for the fact that you can throw a burnt match out the window of your car and start a forest fire while you can use two boxes of matches and a whole edition of the Sunday paper without being able to start a fire under the dry logs in a fireplace.
The law stated simply, is that the contradictory of a welcome probability will assert itself whenever such an eventuality is likely to be most frustrating.
Some of Dr. R. F. Gumperson’s better known laws are as follows:
After a raise in salary you will have less money at the end of each month than you had before.
A girl at the race track who bets according to the color of the jockey’s shirt will pick more winners than the man who has studied the past performance of every horse on the program.
Children have more energy after a hard day of play than they do after a good night’s sleep.
A person who buys the most raffle tickets has the least chance of winning.
A child can be exposed to the mumps for weeks without catching them, but can catch then without exposure the day before the family goes on vacation.
The dishwasher will breakdown the evening you give a dinner party for ten people.
Good parking places are always on the other side of the street.
Dr. Gumperson served as a consultant to the armed services during World War II and evolved the procedure whereby the more a recruit knew about a given subject the better chance of receiving an assignment involving some other subject.
There is no knowing to what further glittering heights Dr. Gumperson’s genius would have led him had it not been for his untimely death in 1947. Strolling along the highway one evening, he was obeying the pedestrian rule of walking to the left facing traffic. He was struck down from behind by a Hillman-Minx driven by an English visitor hugging the left side of the road.
Excerpts from Changing Times Magazine

Boys and Girls in Service
A 2-c Lynn E. Triplett is spending a leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clay Triplett. He is enroute from Kelly AFB, Texas, to spend a tour of duty in England.

William N. Shafer of the U.S. Navy, son of Mrs. Mary Shafer, has returned to his base at Cecil Field, Florida, after having spent a 15 day leave with family and friends in Marlinton.

Gerald Davis returned Tuesday to Fort Benning, Georgia, after spending the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Davis.

Stephen J. Lane, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lane, of Marlinton, has returned to his Navy Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois, after spending a 14-day leave with his parents.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Maize, of Slaty Fork, a daughter

DEATHS
Miss Dora McClintic, aged 81, of Renick; survived by a sister, Mrs. C. E. Knapp, of Renick; burial in the Renick Cemetery

Andrew Fertig was born April 7, 1893, at Thorny Creek, the son of the late Missouri Loury and G. A. Fertig; departed this life December 25, 1962; member of the Cass Presbyterian Church; burial in the Dilley Cemetery.

Thursday,
December 27, 1962
From the desk of Mrs. Jane Price Sharp

Centennial Year
Church bells over the State will herald the arrival of the Centennial Year next Monday at midnight. Let us kindle enthusiasm for this celebration of our State’s 100th birthday! It is time not only to look back on the past hundred years but to look forward to the possibilities of the next hundred years. Enthusiasm is contagious. Start spreading it.

Centennial Baby
The first baby born in Pocahontas County after the stroke of midnight on January 1 will be our Centennial Baby. The Marlinton Chamber of Commerce has agreed to promote this undertaking and started it off with a gift of $25 to the first baby of 1963. Merchants and individuals will follow suit with gifts for the lucky baby.

Boys and Girls in Service
Edward McLaughlin is home after three years’ service in the Army, the last two of which he was stationed in Germany. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Basil McLaughlin and they met him in Roanoke, Virginia, Sunday. Also here for the holidays was another son, Army Pfc. Ray McLaughlin, who is stationed at Fort Monroe, Virginia.

A3c Thomas Burns arrived here last Wednesday to spend a 30 day leave with his wife and son and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burns, Sr. He is stationed in England.

WEDDING
The Edray Methodist Parsonage was the scene for the wedding of Jacoba Grace Friel and Robert Lee Mann on Saturday, December 22, 1962.
Miss Brenda Jo Friel was maid of honor for her sister.
Wayne Mann was best man for his brother.
The Rev. Clarence Pierson officiated the double-ring ceremony.
Mrs. Mann is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Friel, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mann, all of Marlinton.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Grady Austin, Sr., of Lewisburg, a son, Gary Steven.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Grant D. Sharp, of Mill Point, a son, Gregory Grant.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Schuman, of Neola, a son, William Carl, Jr.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis McKenney, of Warren, Ohio, a son, Randy Lee.

DEATHS
Andrew Fertig died at his home in Joplin, Maryland; burial in the Dilley Cemetery.

Mrs. Nannie Oliver Hill, aged 68, of Green Bank; daughter of the late Charles and Mary Mann; burial in Wesley Methodist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Gayle R. Hughes, aged 52, of Bartow; burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.

Tell Me
By Edith S. Meadows, of Marlinton

Have you ever had a friend who would walk beside you to the end,
Whose back was big and strong and wide
And you felt much better with him by your side.
And when you came to the bumps in the road
Your back was aching with a heavy load,
He’d reach out his hand and with a smile
He’d carry your burdens along for a while.
And in the darkness when the thunder rolled
You were shaking in fear your hand he’d hold.
And just by knowing you had such a friend
Made Life’s journey better right up to the end.
-Finish
And if you have such a good, true friend,
I surely hope you do,
Will you kindly point him out to me?
I’d like to have one, too.

Thursday,
December 20, 1962
From the desk of Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
 
Prayer for the Middle Aged
Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old.  Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.  Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful but not bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
 Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains.  They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.  I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me endure them with patience.
 
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.  Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. 
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.  Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected people.  And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen. Copied
 
Boys and Girls in Service

A Long Tour
Across the blue Pacific, Hawaii is the spot, we are doomed to spend our time, in the land that God forgot.
Filled with rice and pineapples, we are gallant soldiers true, out in the middle of nowhere, 3,000 miles from you.
We are soldiers of the 25th, we earn our measly pay.  Guarding other people’s millions for two and a half a day.
On our sacks at night we dream, of a certain lovely miss, to hold in our lonely arms again and receive a treasured kiss.
No one knows we’re alive, no one gives a damn, the old gang has forgotten us, we are owned by Uncle Sam.
In the heat and dust we march, dusty and begrimed by sand; we’re classified as convicts, defenders of our land.
But when the pearly gates at last come swinging into view, our frowns will turn to laughter, for the joke is all on you.
For once inside of heaven, you’ll hear St. Peter yell, “Fall our! You men from Schofield – you’ve spent your time in hell.”
 Pfc. Edward E. Sutton and buddy, Rudy.
 
 New Sawmill
Plans now seem definite for the establishment of a new sawmill at Stillwell below Marlinton. R. S. Burruss, Jr., of Lynchburg, Virginia, has purchased the Brown McComb property of 265 acres and will operate an all-electric band mill, chipping plant and lumber concentration yard, employing 25 to 30 men at the beginning, later going to about 45.  Power lines are being built, a railroad siding will be put in, the access road will be improved, and a low water bridge across Knapps Creek will be built in the spring.
 
Weather
It was a little cold around the edges last week, even though winter does not officially arrive until Saturday, December 22, at 3:15 a.m. Temperatures down to 24 below were reported.  The official readings at Seneca State Forest, according to James Schaffner, were the lowest since their records began in 1938.
 
Newspaper
The Marlinton Journal, beginning this week, will be printed by a new process of printing – offset.  This “cold-type” process involves no hot metal casting.  The printed matter is set by Varityper and Headliner and pasted on a page form.  Then the whole lay-out is photographed by a huge camera.  This is then developed on a metallic sheet and printed on a new Multilith press. The most admirable feature of offset is the clear reproduction of photographs. And it eliminates the extra step of making engravings as with conventional printing.
 
Centennial Queen Contest
Mrs. Robert Sharp, County Centennial Chairman, helped with the staging of the State Queen contest in Charleston last weekend.  She reports our Queen, Miss Patsy Hevener, looked mighty pretty and was about the most pleasant and congenial girl there; also that the judges had a hard time deciding because the points were so close for so many of the girls.
 
Injured
Larry Mitchell, Joe Shafer and Ralph Dunbrack, Jr., were injured last Friday night when the Mitchell car, coming toward Marlinton from Huntersville, apparently hit the shoulder and swung out of control in a circle, hitting the left front against the concrete wall on the right hand side of the road at the Joe Buzzard curve. The boys were thrown from the car. Mitchell suffered several broken ribs and a punctured lung, among other injuries; Dunbrack has a skull fracture and cuts; Shafer has a chipped vertebra and other minor injuries.  Reports on Tuesday indicated they all are making satisfactory progress.
 
 BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Workman of Droop, a daughter, named Roxanna.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Shearer, Sr., of Marlinton, a daughter named Teresa Renee.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Garland Galford, a son, named Gary Page.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Grady Austin, Sr., of Lewisburg, a son.
 
DEATHS
G. A. Workman, of Hinton; son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James M. Workman, of Hillsboro; burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Elza Morton Rexrode, aged 67, of Frank; burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.

George Stanley McLaughlin, aged 55, of Stony Bottom; burial in the Stony Bottom Cemetery.

R. Glenn Shrader, aged 51; the son of the late George H. and Lena McCarty Shrader; burial in Mountain View Cemetery.

Asa Clark Barlow, aged 87; a veterinarian and farmer in Pocahontas County since early manhood; the son of the late Henry and Nancy Cassell Barlow; burial in the Edray Cemetery.

Kirklyn McNeer Kerr, II, aged three months and one day, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Kirklyn M. Kerr, of Morgantown; grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Beard Kerr of Green Bank; burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.

Thursday,
December 13, 1962
From the desk of
Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
 
NOTICE
This is to inform the spot-lighters in and around Marlinton that the three deer on the Huntersville straight stretch have been killed, so there is no further use to spot these fields any more this year.  So put your light and gun away with great care so they can be used again next year.  Surely there will be some more come in next year. 
Signed, A Citizen
 
DEER
Three-hundred thirty-one deer were checked at stations in Pocahontas County and a total of 372 was reported as the Pocahontas total from Charleston, which would include those checked in adjoining counties.  Anyway, the kill exceeds that of last year.
 FARM NEWS
A Holstein cow owned by K. D. Rader, of Marlinton, has just completed an outstanding record for milk and butterfat production, according to recent Dairy Herd Improvement Association figures.  This cow’s production in 312 days – 14,150 pounds of milk, 469 pounds of butterfat at four years and two months of age.
 
CENTENNIAL TREE HUNT
Charleston –A tree so big that five yearling cattle take shelter in its hollow trunk with room to spare!
State Forester Lester McClung, is supervising the big tree hunt for the 1963 Centennial, and the largest yet reported is a white oak measuring 11 feet, 3 inches in diameter located in Randolph County about two and one-half miles south of Huttonsville on Route 219 on the property of Dr. R. C. Starcher.
“It has a hole at the base of the tree in which five yearling Black Angus, weighing 500 to 600 pounds each, go inside this tree one by one to spend the hot afternoons, with ample room inside, “Mrs. Starcher wrote to McClung.
 
M.H.S.
The National Honor Society held an assembly in the auditorium on Monday, December 10, at which time the new members, who are chosen by the faculty on qualities of leadership, scholarship, character, and service week taken into the club. The new members are as follows: Phillip Anderson, Dwight Diller, Martha Kay Dilley, Sharla Gladwell, Nancy Harper, John Hudson, Suzanne Jett, Kenneth Job, Cheryl McNeill, Sandra Moyers, Mary VanReenen, Chipper Williams, Eva Anna Wyatt and Susan Yeager.
 
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hoke, of Renick, a son, Dennis James.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker Beverage, a daughter, Melinda Lee.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl McNeill, of Marlinton, a daughter, Nancy Lynn.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Shelton, a son, Robert Wayne.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Aceil Ryder, of Minnehaha Springs, a daughter, Susan Ann
Born to A2-C and Mrs. James E. Simmons, a daughter, Jamelyn Estelle.
 
DEATHS
Robert Lynn Burner, aged two, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Burner, of Bartow; burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.
John Guy McLaughlin, born in Dunmore, a son of the late Robert and Lydia Rusmisel McLaughlin.
Julian Lynn Beard, aged 60; born at Hillsboro, the son of Mrs. Grace Kinnison Beard and the late Colonel Paul Beard; burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Saul McNeely, aged 77, of Huntington; burial in the Gibson Cemetery on Elk.
 
 

Thursday,
December 6, 1962
From the desk of
Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
 
Students
The West Virginia University Livestock Judging team won sixteenth place in a field of 38 colleges at the International Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest at Chicago.  John Warren, of Lewisburg, won top honors in swine judging. Lanty McNeel, of Hillsboro, was sixth - high individual in judging cattle.  In overall judging, based on the number of points earned in judging all animals, McNeel finished ninth among the 180 student judges. The WVU record for this phase was an eighth place in 1940.
 
State Champion
Roger Thomas Sharp, of Clover Lick, has been named West Virginia state champion for his age group in the Ford Dealers NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.  In making this announcement, M. B. Dilley, of Marlinton Motor Sales, who sponsored Roger, stated that he is one of five boys from West Virginia now eligible to compete for further honors in area competitions, the next level of the event.
 
Historical Society
The Pocahontas Historical Society met with Mrs. Mabel Barlow at her home in Huntersville last Monday night. A large group enjoyed the interesting taped talk by G. D. McNeill on county history, including thelocation of the original Seneca or Warriors Trail.  This tape was made by J. H.Keene.
 
White Pine Preservation - excerpts
by Katherine McClure
“What did the white pines look like, Pop?”
How horrifying to think of this question ever being asked by a child in Pocahontas County.  It could never happen here, you say?
Why couldn’t it? Where are the chestnut trees? What did they look like? Many young people who are reading this article don’t know. They never had the privilege of seeing one.
Perhaps many of you, as I did, took a drive over some of our county roads during the bright foliage season.  Or, maybe you just gazed at nature’s splendor out of your kitchen window as you washed the dishes. Many of you also noticed the beautiful green of the pines, interspersing the brilliant hues of the forest trees.  In some sections, large areas of the green stood out in contrast to the reds and yellows.
Only God can make a tree, and Pocahontas County has been richly endowed. But how many of us realize the battle that has been, and is being fought against the deadly disesase, White Pine Blister rust, in order that this, our natural heritage, might be preserved for our use and enjoyment in the years to come?  
 
Brownsburg News
Mose Alexander remains ill at his home in Marlinton.
Rev. and Mrs. Carl E. Boggs, Maurice, Anita, and Jeffrey Allen Boggs, Mrs. Annie Patterson, Mrs. Mary Evans, Norma and Ronnie, were dinner guests of Mrs. Mabel Boggs on Sunday.
 
William Daugherty, who is employed at Gap Mills, was a weekend guest of his sister, Mrs. Effie Walker and daughter, Miss Virginia Daugherty.
William Daugherty and Josephine Boggs were dinner guests of Mrs. Effie Walker and family on Sunday.
 
Lobelia News
Mr. and Mrs. Lanty Rose and son, Gregory, were here for the Thanksgiving vacation. They are teaching near Baltimore, Maryland.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cutlip, Ricky and Renae, of Williamson, spent their vacation with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Coxey and Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Cutlip.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Gladwell and little daughter, Jane Elizabeth, of Huntington, are visiting this week with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Gladwell, of Beard, and Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Cutlip.
Mrs. Yvonne Brown and little son, of California, came by plane to Charleston last week and are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Hill.
 
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Hause, of Newport New, Virginia, a boy, named Kyle Thomas, Jr.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Monk, of Boyer, a daughter, named Susan Patrice.
 
DEATHS
Willis Austin Gum, aged 77, of Green Bank; a member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church; burial in the church cemetery.
 
Mrs. Mollie Sykes Martin, aged 69; mother of James T. Martin.
 
Miss Watsie McNeill, aged 73, of Buckeye; daughter of the late Matthew Wallace and Martha Perkins McNeill. She lived her entire life in Buckeye among many friends; graveside service in the McNeill Cemetery in Buckeye.
 
William Wease Harper, aged 80, of Marlinton. He was a lumber manufacturer and wholesaler; his wife preceded him in death in March of this year; burial in the Rock Cave Cemetery.
 
Clifford Adkison, of Buckeye; son of the late William McNeill and Margaret Rogers Adkison. As he goes to his eternal reward he will continue to live in our hearts and minds.
 
Ivan Riley, about 48, of Catskill, New York; brother of June Riley and Gus Riley.

Thursday,
November 29, 1962
From the desk of
Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
 
Gay Sharp, of Marlinton recently purchased five registered Angus cows from Jewel Scott, of Hillsboro.
Miss Bertha Waugh sustained a broken shoulder in a fall on Price Hill last week.
 
Lobelia News
Lorraine Hill, of Baltimore, Maryland, spent a week with her father-in-law and mother-in-law here a few days ago.
Mrs. Jack Brown and infant son, Billy, of Fontana, California, are spending some time with her parents, the L. T. Hills here. She will be best remembered as Miss Yvonne Hill.
Mrs. Minnie Hill and son, Curtis, are with her son-in-law and daughter and child, Trooper and Mrs. Kyle Hause, of Newport News, Virginia.
 
Brownsburg News
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Wilson, of Steubenville, Ohio, were weekend guests of their father, S. Moody Wilson.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Patterson, and daughter, of Huntington, were Sunday guests of Mrs. Annie Patterson and Rev. and Mrs. Carl E. Boggs.
Mrs. Mabel C. and Wilbur Boggs, Mrs. Norma and Mary Evans and Ronnie Evans were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Boggs and family on Thanksgiving Day.
Philip and Virginia Daugherty are ill at their home in Brownsburg.
 
MHS News
The Marlinton Football team of 1962, which had a very successful season and lost only by seven points to the State Champions, Rainelle, went Saturday, November 17, to Morgantown to the Citadel and WVU game.
 The M. H. S. Band and Hillsboro’s Band went to Elkins on Tuesday, November 20, 1962, to see the President’s “Own” Marine Band present a special student program.
 
Native Daughter
Slender, blond Dorothy Callison, with a voice as clear and caressing as the notes from her autoharp, has quietly taken New York, the networks and newspapers by storm.
As the official good-will envoy of her home state, West Virginia, Miss Callison puts her many talents to effective use in her role as folk singer and authority on native folklore, to which she has devoted years of study and research. With a fine flair for high level public relations, she has talked and sung and strummed the praises of West Virginia via radio, television, newspapers and magazines in the biggest of big cities – New York.
 
Model
The Herald-Advertiser (Huntington) Sunday magazine section of October 14 carried the success story as a New York model of Lynn Slavin, daughter of Ray O. and Jean Alderson Slavin, both formerly of Marlinton, and granddaughter of Mrs. Carl Slavin, of Marlinton. A talented pianist, she went to New York seven months ago to study drama and dancing as preparation to going on the stage.  Then fate intervened.  She was asked to model for a manufacturer and then began the job of learning to be a top flight model
 
Recreation Enterprises
A limited number of farmers in Pocahontas County may be eligible for cost-share assistance in establishing pilot recreations enterprises on their cropland in 1963.
The enterprises, part of the long-range program of land-use adjustment to help farmers convert their farms from crop production to grass, trees, wildlife and income-producing recreations uses, were authorized by Congress as a part of the Food and Agricultural Act of 1962.
Practices aimed at developing fishing, swimming, boating, hunting preserves, picnicking, camping and other recreational use of the land will be considered in developing the pilot developments in addition to wildlife conservation practices with soil and water benefits.
 
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Morrison, of Renick, a son, Bobby Lee.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ira Biggs, a son, Ira James.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Ray, of Cass, a son, Johnny Cash.
DEATHS
Clyde Wallace Moore, aged 77, of Mill Point; the son of the late John and Mary E. McNeel Moore; a retired carpenter.
 
James O. Corbett, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Musto Corbett; born at Huntersville, January 20, 1880.
 
George F. Fink, aged 69, of Marlinton; the son of the late Alfred A. and Liza Deering Fink.
 
Samuel Reece Pritchard, Sr., aged 84; son of  Stephen Cornelius and Mary Frances Pritchard; reared at Dunmore and a lifelong member of the Baxter Presbyterian Church.

Thursday,
November 22, 1962
From the desk of
Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
 
The Christmas lights, strung with pine and rhododendron, went up across the streets of Marlinton last weekend.
Marlinton stores will be open Wednesday afternoon due to the Thursday holiday.
 
Bear
The Armstrong brothers and their dogs were over from Staunton last week and joined the Sheets, Galfords, Taylors and others in the Dunmore and Green Bank area in a big bear hunt.  The group got three bears, each weighing around 150 pounds. Those killing bears were Ray Corbett, Everette Dilley, Jr. and Warren Sheets.
 
Record
Harvey Buzzard, of Stony Bottom, has some pullets that are really out to break some egg records.  He brought in four eggs that totaled 21 ounces, three weighing 5 ounces and one weighing 6.  The largest eggs was 4 ½ inches long, measuring 9 ½ inches around the long way and 6 ½ inches around the middle.  They are white chicken – he did not know the name – and he had gotten them at the Southern States store.
 
Farm News
The 17th Annual Farming For Better Living Awards Banquet and Program was held at Durbin last Friday evening honoring the farm families enrolled in the program for 1962.
Mr. and Mrs. Delbert G. Moore, who operate a sizable livestock farm near Dunmore, won top honors, and a $25 cash award.
In the part-time farming group, top honors and a $15 cash award went to Mr. and Mrs. Max White, of Minnehaha Springs.
Miss Linda Lee Cassell provided the dinner music at the piano and H. A. Yeager led the group singing. Special music was provided by the Durbin Quartet.
 
4-H News
The Arbovale Rolling Rockets held their monthly meeting November 6, 1962 at the Community Building at Arbovale. The meeting was called to order by our president, Nancy Waybright.
We decided to make two new 4-H signs for our community project. Wayne Gillispie and Douglas Snyder are going to make the signs.
Wayne Gillispie, Jerry Turner, George Shears and Nancy Waybright gave the following reading: “My Teeth and I.”
Nancy and Janie Waybright, Phyllis McLaughlin and Susan Gillispie sang a song about eating the proper foods for clean and healthy teeth.
After the meeting was adjourned, we had a wiener roast and played games.
Reporter,
Susan Gillispie
 
The monthly meeting of the Pine Grove Peppy Steppers 4-H Club was held on Thursday, October 25, in the home of Doris and Diana Grogg, with twelve members present.
Our vice president, Harry Auldridge, called the meeting to order, by singing our club song followed by the 4-H Pledge.
 Officers elected for the following year are as follows: President – Becky Rexrode; Vice  President – Harry Auldridge; Secretary – Doris Grogg; Treasurer – Mary Auldridge; Reporter – Diana Lambert; Song Leaders – Judy Cassell and Diana Grogg; Recreation Leaders – Ray Vandevander and Rosemary Lambert.
Discussion then followed concerning our community project and different ways to make money for the club treasury.
The next meeting will be in the home of Diana and Rosemary Lambert.
The meeting was adjourned. Refreshments were served by the hostesses.
 
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Deputy, of Dunmore, a son, Robert Richard.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cochran, of Renick, a daughter, Jo Ann.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Keith McLaughlin, of Huntersville, a daughter, Alice Diane.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Tyler, of Marlinton, a daughter.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Symes, of Eastport, Long Island, New York, a son, Nathan Symes, Jr.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Hiner, of Norfolk, Virginia, a son, Charles Edward.
 
Alpine Theatre
“The Sad Sack”
Jerry Lewis – Peter Lorre
“The Delicate Delinquent”
Jerry Lewis –Darren McGavin
“Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation”
James Stewart –Maureen O’Hara - Fabian

Thursday,
November 15, 1962
From the desk of Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
 
Bear
Reports of bear are coming in from all around.  Argile Arbogast and his dogs have been called out several times but so far they haven’t gotten the bears.
Earl Beverage, of Clover Lick, beat Goldilocks last week. He was out squirrel hunting on his land on Laurel Run and saw six bears, two big ones, two middle sized ones, and two small ones. Having only light shot, he just watched them for a long time.  But then he went back to the house and got his son, Richard, and another gun and this time Mr. Beverage killed one of the middle sized ones weighing 110 pounds and that finished one menace to his sheep.  The next time out he didn’t find any.
 
Turtle
Mrs. Rush McNeill found a small land turtle in the road last Tuesday.  I don’t know much about them but it seemed right small for this time of year.
 
Town Council
Motion was made by Fred C. Burns, and seconded by J. W. Moses, voted upon and carried to submit application for approval for three major work projects in the Town of Marlinton.  One for Streets. One for the Water Plant, and the largest for a municipal sewage treatment facility plant.
 
Election officials
The County Court wants to congratulate the election officials for their work on November 6.  After canvassing the votes on Tuesday they feel this was the best job of any election in their experience.
 
MHS Senior Play
The game between Hastings and Winnebagushi High has been postponed because of a peculiar illness which has overtaken the entire team at Winnebagushi High School.  Two members of the high school have been accused of poisoning the team and the plot thickens in the three-act comedy entitled, “Beauty and the Beef” to be presented by Marlinton High Senior Class, November 16 at 8:00 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.
 Delmos Barb as “Beef” Anderson, football captain at Winnebagushi High, makes up in persistence what he lacks in brilliance. 
Cast members: Sondra Nelson, Karen Galford, Paul Workman, Sue Ann Withers, Blix McNeill, Phyllis Friel, Effie Underwood, Sue Sparks, Linda Malcom, Charlotte Reed, Brenda Galford, Beth Kellogg, Kermit Friel, Christine Sharp, Brenda T. Galford, Sandra Walker, Bill Perry, Don Jackson, Harold VanReenan, Bill Morrison, Harry Kelley, Richard Morgan and Betty Mann.
 
 BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Friel, of Marlinton, a son, Daniel Ray.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Moore, of Marlinton, a daughter, Patricia Marlene.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Dice Sharp, of Clover Lick, a son.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, of Minnehaha Springs, a daughter.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Deputy, of Dunmore, a son.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Hanna, of Marlinton, a son, Samuel Wallace.
 
 
DEATHS
Jeffrey Allen Sewell, one day old son of Mrs. and Mrs. George Sewell.
Miss Willa Belle Cross, aged 79; former manager of the Alpine Hotel and Restaurant at Cass.
James Lee Gragg, aged 28, of Durbin; lifelong resident of Durbin, and a member of the Durbin Methodist Church; burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.
Ward Arnold Kiner, aged 62, of a heart attack; son of the late Ed and Martha Burgess Kiner; burial in Cochran Cemetery.
Herman Walter Young, aged 80, of Frank; employed by the Pocahontas Tannery as a millwright; burial in the Simmons Cemetery.