Thursday,
April 19, 1962

Proclamation

WHEREAS: Americans cherish individual freedom as a birthright, and,
WHEREAS: Our legal and judicial systems are foundation stones upon which rest our representative government, our economic well being, and our whole social order, and,
WHEREAS: It is desirable to foster increased respect for law and a broader awareness of the benefits and the responsibilities of citizenship.
NOW THEREFORE: WE, P. F. Long, Mayor of Cass, James B. Gragg, Mayor of Durbin, C. L. Clowser, Mayor of Hillsboro, G. R. Faulknier, Mayor of Marlinton, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 1, 1962, Law Day USA in the cities of Cass, Durbin, Hillsboro and Marlinton; and call upon all citizens, organizations and schools to give appropriate recognition to this special day.
Any organization or school desiring a speaker may call R. S. Jacobson of Marlinton, Pocahontas County Law Day Chairman.

DID YOU KNOW?
One of the many purposes of the "Keep Pocahontas Beautiful" program is to learn more about our county. And in preparation for the coming summer and for the Centennial Year, when we will be host to many visitors, we need to brush up on our history and interesting facts and attractions. Mrs. Walter Mason has asked that some "Did You Know?" columns be printed again this year. Maybe W. E. Blackhurst will be kind enough to again gather some interesting facts. Here is a starter:
Pocahontas County, named for the famous Indian Princess, was formed in 1821 from parts of Bath, Pendleton and Randolph Counties. Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell were the first white settlers in Pocahontas, having spent the winter of 1749-50 and found here by Colonel Andrew Lewis.
The population in 1800 in what is now Pocahontas County was 153 persons.
The first court was held on the 5th day of March, 1822, at the home of John Bradshaw at Huntersville.
A committee recommended the present site of Edray as the county seat, but arguments for Huntersville prevailed and it was the county seat until 1891.
Huntersville was incorporated in 1822, but its charter was surrendered at some time unknown. Hillsboro was incorporated in 1886, Marlinton 1900, Cass 1902, Durbin 1906.

Marlinton High School News
Those attending the State School Forensic Tournament at Morgantown were our speech instructor, Miss Jane Ruckman, and the following students: Helena Taylor, Bonnie Beverage and Paul Layman.
Friday night, April 13, the FFA Banquet was held in the Marlinton Graded School Lunch Room. Miss Linda Wooddell is Chapter Sweetheart this year.
Chosen for next year's Varsity Cheerleaders are Jean Burr, Vicki Moore and Charlotte Sharp. Sue Withers will return as head cheerleader.
The Junior Class reports $276 made on their class play, "I Remember Mama." The proceeds will help pay for the Junior-Senior prom and the Junior-Senior Banquet.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wiley, of Hillsboro, a daughter, Linda Gayle.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. George Shinaberry, of Clover Lick, a daughter, Kathy Marie.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Garretson, of Alexandria, Virginia, a son, Troy Bryant.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. William Phillips, of Hillsboro, a son.

DEATHS
Juanita Biggs Carr, age 45, of Hinton; daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Biggs, of Marlinton
Mrs. Maggie Bradley Reynolds, aged 76; daughter of the late Gaston C. and Virginia Wickline Bradley; wife of Stokes Reynolds, who preceded her in death May 6, 1937.
Mack Wooddell, aged 61; husband of Leona Wooddell; father of Leota and Frederick.
Harry T. Walton, aged 56, of Hillsboro; lifelong resident of the county and a woodsman; husband of Bertha. Death was attributed to a heart attack.
George W. Vandevander, aged 65, of Durbin; son of the late George W. and Mattie Calhoun Vandevander. Twice married, first to Mazie Lambert who died in 1918; on October 2, 1929, he was married to Ethel Curtis, who survives.
Mrs. Susie I. Walker, aged 83, of Marlinton. She was born in Bath County, Virginia, in 1879, a daughter of the late Samuel and Cynthia McGinnis Stewart; survived by five sons and three daughters.

ALPINE THEATRE
"Mr. Sardonicus"
Oscar Homolka - Audrey Dalton

"Valley of the Dragons"
Cesare Danova -Sean McClory

"The Big Show"
Cliff Robertson -Esther Williams

ﾠ

Thursday, April 12, 1962

Library Week

April 8 - 14 is National Library Week and Mrs. Omar Michael calls attention to our Library at the Mayor's office.
She has received 75 new books and urges everyone to visit the Library during this special week and become acquainted with its services.

Policeman Honored
Washington, D. C. - District Police Privates Alan R. Hefner and Walter T. Behe of the eleventh precinct have been selected as "Policemen of the Month" for last December for saving a young boy, who was buried alive.
The Award of Merit Committees said the officers received a call on their car radio on December 3, "for an injured boy at Wheeler Road and Valley Avenue, S. E." After radioing for assistance the policemen began digging with their hands into loose dirt which had caved in a tunnel some youngster had been making in the side of an embankment.
Kermit Simoneau, age 11, actually was buried alive under 18 inches of dirt. Private Hefner uncovered a blue shirt and others concentrated on this spot. The child was pulled from the hole, unconscious and apparently suffocating. A Fire Department unit administered oxygen. The boy recovered fully at a hospital.
The merit committee said the statement of witness [es] made it very plain that the actions of these two officers were the difference between life and death for the boy.
Hefner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hefner and son-in-law of Mrs. Mary Godwin, all of Marlinton.

Forest Fires
We have had several warm days this spring - and we have already had several forest fires.
Forest fires do not come with warm days, but from human carelessness with fire!
Since people spend more time working or playing out-of-doors, in the spring the chance of forest fires becomes greater. When out-of-doors exercise care with matches, lighted cigarettes, and brush fires. Be sure matches and cigarettes are dead out before you throw them away.
Here are some safety measures to follow:
(1)Make a fire break around brush piles that are to be burned.
(2)Keep brush piles small
(3)Do not light the fire until you are certain that fire fighting tools and help are on hand.
(4)Do not leave a fire until you are positive that it is dead out
By following these suggestions, West Virginians can substantially reduce fires constant threat to life and valuable property. Remember - only you can prevent forest fires.

Invention
Arthur Blain Cunningham, who was born in Marlinton, has become an inventor.
He was in the landscape gardening business for himself for years, later quitting business to become Landscape Engineer at Howard University, Washington, D. C. He resigned this position, and took a job with Capitol Parks in the Department of Interior as Landscape Gardener; he is now serving in this capacity.
For many years he has seen the need for watering and feeding plants at the roots, and has perfected this device for feeding and watering plants at the roots. This device is patented under the name "Feed-O-Root," and has been proclaimed as the most ingenious device ever offered for this purpose.

Hillsboro News
Mrs. and Mrs. Eugene Brown have returned from Liberia, Africa, and have moved to Morgantown where he will enter school to work on his master's degree. They have been visiting her father Ralph Burns, and Mrs. Burns.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Payne have moved into the Dr. McNeel house. They sold their property to Russell Cook.

WEDDING
Announcement is made of the marriage of Miss Bonnie Defibaugh to Private Darel Lee Underwood, by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson W. Defibaugh, of Marlinton, The groom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Underwood, of Huntersville.
The single ring ceremony took place at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 1962, in the Presbyterian Church in Warm Springs, Virginia.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kelley, of Huntersville, a daughter, Susan Elain.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Roberts, of Hillsboro, a son.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Woolard, of Marlinton, a son, Raymond Lee.

DEATHS
Harlan James McFadden, aged 47, of Marlinton; son of the late Arthur J. McFadden and Nancy McFadden Hammond; survived by wife, Edith; six sons and a daughter. Death, on Saturday, April 7, 1962, was attributed to a heart condition and ulcers.
August Leslie Lemasters, age 42, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, formerly of Frank, was killed instantly on March 12, 1962, when a tractor he was driving turned over backward. The accident occurred on the farm of Everette Kiser, in the Mt. Clinton area, where he had worked and made his home for the past six years.

ALPINE?THEATRE

"Wild in the Country"
Elvis Presley - Tuesday Weld

"Francis of Assisi"
Bradford Dillman -ﾠDelores Hart
"From chains to ﾠSainthood! He put aside the Sword to follow
a vision of Glory!"

ﾠ

Thursday, April 5, 1962

CRISIS
The Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department gave notice to the Town Council on Monday night that the entire department will resign on April 17 unless the citizens of Marlinton give evidence of support for their work and refrain from undue criticism of their new alarm system.
The assistant State Fire Marshal directed the town to install a new alarm to supplement and eventually replace the present antiquated alarm and designated a position on Eighth and Ninth Street as the proper central place for the alarm. This place also being located near the necessary Power Company transformer.
When the new alarm is installed the number of blasts will be reduced to four short blasts.
Granting the fact that no person would actually desire to have a siren near his home, the fact that our town cannot support a paid fire department makes it necessary to depend on our young and able men to carry this burden, and this makes it necessary that an audible alarm system be maintained to call them in case of fire.
Our Fire Department members are well trained and have worked long hours voluntarily to become proficient in the handling of complicated equipment. They assured the council they would train new personnel, but getting that personnel would be a problem and would not correct the basic problem.
The members of the Fire Department and the Council feel they have given reasonable consideration to complaints but they see no alternative to the designated location.
So, I suggest we close ranks and express our support and appreciation for the voluntary service of our firemen and hope they will reconsider and again give of their labor to protect our lives and property.

Fire Calls
On Monday night fire destroyed an unoccupied house, recently bought by a Mr. Thompson, on the river road below Buckeye, and on Tuesday the home of Kenneth Boggs on Droop burned. The Marlinton Fire Department answered both calls.

F.H.A.
The Green Bank Chapter of the Future Homemakers of America opened their March meeting in the auditorium with the F. H. A. Prayer Song.
On Friday of F. H. A. Week each member will wear a red skirt and a white blouse symbolizing the colors of F. H. A.
Themes for each day are: Monday - Church Day; Tuesday - Family Day; Wednesday - Courtesy and Manners; Thursday - Good Deed Day; Friday - Clean-up Day.
Our Easter Tea will be in April.
A talk was given on the teen-age consumer. Many members were awed by the amount of money that teen-agers spend on clothes, snacks and other articles.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bennett, of Slaty Fork, a daughter
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennie Wingler, of Beard, a daughter, Donna Marie
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lorraine Hill, of Baltimore, Maryland, a boy, Larry Durwood
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Kershner, of Long Beach, California, a son John Anthony
Born to Dr. and Mrs. Roland Paul Sharp, Jr. of Mullens, a daughter Suzanne Marie
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Layton Beverage, of Washington, D. C., a son, Layton Hubert
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilton Burge, of Hillsboro, a daughter, Jerrine Lea.

DEATHS
Paul W. Haddock, age 54; editor and publisher of the Marlinton Journal and the Cameron News; husband of Virginia I. Ahey Haddock. Death was attributed to cancer.
"Having chosen Pocahontas for his home, he chose to make it his final resting place."
Robert McNeil Rose, aged 44; son of Mrs. Alta N. Rose and the late Robert L. Rose; husband of Nola Jones Rose. Death was attributed to a heart attack.
Mrs. Levia Jane Gibson Carter, aged 88 years; the only daughter of the late Rachael Ann Hannah and the late Goerge S. Gibson, both members of pioneer families of Pocahontas County; wife of Marvin C. Carter, son of another pioneer family in Pocahontas County. Death was attributed to generalized schlerosis.

ALPINE THEATRE
"Everything's Ducky"
Andy Rooney -ﾠBuddy Hackett
"Twist Around the Clock"
Chubby Checker - Vicki Spencer

ﾠ

Cass Railroad

This continues the article by Roy B. Clarkson and Kenneth L. Carnell that has been running in the Fifty-Years-Ago column for the past few weeks.

This Company used over 100 standard 40-foot flat cars of 80,000-pound capacity. These were fitted with automatic couplings and all other standard equipment. All rolling stock was equipped with air brakes. Nevertheless, it was necessary for the intrepid brakemen to clamber from car to car over the logs to set the brakes on the steeper grades, and loosen them when more temperate grades were reached. The number of carloads brought down at one time depended on the engine used. N0.12 could haul twelve or thirteen carloads, but smaller engines only four to seven. The train crews were well prepared for emergencies while on the road and could easily take care of simple derailments and minor repairs.

In addition, several boxcars were used to carry food and supplies for the men and horses at the camps on Cheat. During peak operations this required four carloads of food and feed twice a week. A three-wheeled, rubber tired speeder was used by the company doctor, the superintendent, and the timekeeper. This device was light enough to be carried by one man around log cars, loaders and other obstacles that were on the tracks.

In the early years the tracks were laid by hand, using Italian immigrants. These crews lived in special camps known as "bohunk camps." Later a steam shovel and ditcher were purchased, thus much smaller section crews were needed for track building and repair.

For many years several logging camps were operated continuously. Each camp had about 85 men and 20 - 30 horses. In addition to these there were section men on the railroad, and a number of crews involved in cleaning up after the loggers and cutting pulpwood from the smaller trees. The total number of men employed in the entire logging operation was about 2,000.
Skidding was done entirely by horses until 1919 when three steam skidders were obtained. Steam loaders were used to load the flat cars.

The economical operation of such an extensive amount of machinery made it necessary for the Company to do most of its own repair work. Consequently, it developed an excellent machine shop and foundry at Cass. These made castings and constructed flat cars. A locomotive or skidder could be completely disassembled in the shop and almost any piece duplicated. The effectiveness of this care is attested by the fact that even today the second Shay, bought by the Company in 1902, is still in operation.

The volume of timber cut by this company was phenomenal. In addition to the 35 million feet of lumber each year, a huge amount of pulpwood was produced. For a quarter of a century a train with 44 cars of pulpwood left Cass and Spruce [everyday] for the paper mill at Covington. It is estimated that during the first forty years of operation this company cut 1,126,400,000 board feet of lumber and about the same volume of pulpwood. In addition to the mill itself, there were dry kilns, and a large planing mill which produced flooring and dimension stock.

The Company store, officially known as the Pocahontas Supply Company, supplied the neighboring farmers as well as the men who worked for the Company. Such staples as canned goods, salt, feed, fertilizers, nails, fencing, matches and logger's boots were bought by the carload. As many as four carloads of condensed milk were purchased at one time. This store is reported to have done over a million dollars worth of business annually for many years. In addition the Company owned a large store at Spruce and one at Cheat Junction.

South of Spruce the Company operated five coal mines. These supplied the trains, skidders, and loaders. Coal was also sold on the local market. The Company also owned farms and an extraction plant.

At the peak of operation this Company is reported to have employed between 2,500 and 3,000 men. It is small wonder that the economy of the entire neighborhood began to wane as timber became scarce and work was cut back. Many men were gradually laid off. The situation did not improve and rumors that the mill and town would soon close became commonplace. When the final blow did come, on July 1, 1960, the populace found it almost impossible to believe. Many still wait, over a year later, for the mill to reopen. The tracks, skidders, loaders, engines and other equipment were sold for junk. Several miles of track were taken up, skidders and loaders burned, and the scrap recovered.

But a bright spot appeared on the horizon - Russell Baum of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, appeared before the West Virginia Legislature with an impassioned plea to save the remaining tracks and the three engines for a tourist attraction. The Legislature responded with an appropriation of $150,000 for the purchase and improvement of the railroad, shop and about seven miles of track. A survey is now being made and it is expected that the railroad will soon become the property of the State. Only the future can tell what developments will be forthcoming.

Thursday, March 29, 1962

People

Tom Edgar was in Charleston last week for the fundraising dinner of Goodwill Industries, Inc. He, Harold Russell, the nationally know disabled veteran, and Jinx Hinkle, the Nicholas County young man injured in a mine accident, appeared on the Don Elliot TV Show.

Ham and Bacon Show
The First National Bank paid a record price of $124.25 for the Grand Champion Ham in the 4-H Ham and Bacon Show and Sale March 15. This beautifully trimmed ham was an entry of Phyllis Ann Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie B. Hill, and a member of the Lobelia Aztecs 4-H Club; it weighed 17 3/4 pounds and sold for $7.00 per pound. The Reserve Champion ham, entered by Howard McLaughlin, of Huntersville, was purchased by Senator Hans McCourt, of Webster Springs.
Cooper Benedict, owner and operator of the Ben Bucks Farms, of Lewisburg, was the successful bidder on the Grand Champion Bacon. This entry, by Patty Gay Sharp, member of the Fairview Mountain Lions 4-H Club, also went for a record price of $7.00 per pound, a total of $50.75. The Reserve Bacon, produced by Lonnie Armstrong of the Buckeye Winners 4-H Club was purchased by the Style Rite Beauty Shop for $1.75 per pound - a total of $11.38.

Hillsboro HighﾠSchool Play
"The Boarding House Reach."
Cast: Willie Nelson - David Loury; Samson - Dock Hollandsworth; Mary Lou Nelson - Brenda Starks; Bonnie Nelson - Sharon White; Maxine Smith - Judy McCoy; John Nelson - Joe Smith; Janice Nelson - Huberta Bostic; Aunt Martha - Barbara Kidd; Limpy McGuire - Curtis Pritt; Nora McGuire - Marvel Hodges; Herman "Ninety Volt" Jones - David Rose; Roughhouse Ruby Jones - Jane Ann Rock; Mr. Potter - Jerry Hollandsworth; Lucy Burns - Mary Pyles; Mrs. Mott - Ruth Starks; Connolly - John Smith. Sponsors - Miss Mary Liggett and Mrs. Charles Moore. Prompters - Ralph Combs and Roy Brock; Curtain - Marion Hodges; Sound - Herman Oscar; Announcer - Johnny Hilleary; Stage Crew - John McCarty, Charles Long, Wayne Kennison, Harley Carpenter, Robert Kramer, Junior Morrison, LaVerne McCoy and Roger Morgan.

Cass Railroad
continued
Early in 1902, the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company made up of John G. Luke, of Orange, New York, and his sons, (William, Al and Charlie,) S.E. Slaymaker and William Whitmer, completed a large double band mill at the mouth of Leatherbark Creek on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. This mill made its first cut on February 22, 1902. In the same year the town was incorporated. It was named for Joseph K. Cass, Chairman of the Board of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company of New York. Cass exhibited the phenomenal growth characteristic of lumber towns of that period. Within a few years it contained a huge company store, known as the Pocahontas Supply Company, a hotel that could accommodate 50-75 people, another hotel that was much frequented by loggers, numerous other stores, and a generous supply of restaurants, saloons and entertainment houses. There was a school for whites, one for colored, three churches, over 400 company-owned dwellings and a number of privately-owned homes. Like most logging towns, Cass was a hotbed of drinking, fighting and carousing. The white picket fences and board sidewalks gave testimony of the days when lumber was abundant and cheap.
Around 1910 the mill and holdings were transferred to the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company who were interested in supplying pulp to their paper mill at Covington, Virginia. It was sold again in 1942 to the Mower Lumber Company who ran it until July 1, 1960, when operations ceased.
The original mill, completed in 1902, had a capacity of 125,000 feet of lumber per day. It ran six 22-hour days per week and cut 35 million feet annually. The building was destroyed by fire in 1922. The second mill was used until operations were suspended in 1960.
The railroad was the backbone of the entire operation. The first locomotive, a 65-ton Shay-geared engine, built by the Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio, was bought second hand in 1901 from the Huntley Lumber Company of Ronceverte. By 1910 the Company owned four additional locomotives, one 45-ton, one 65, one 75, and one 120-ton. Later other engines were added until twelve Shays were in operation in Cass. One of these, No. 12, was a 150-ton, the heaviest Shay-geared engine ever built. This locomotive was eventually enlarged by adding a section to the water tank and another truck beneath, thus converting it from a three-to a four truck engine.
The Shay-geared locomotive is ideally suited to mountain logging. It is so geared that every wheel on the engine and tender is a drive wheel. All wheels are geared together, thus no wheel can spin unless all spin. This gives tremendous traction, which, when combined with a power-producing gear ratio, makes a very powerful and useful work engine.
More to come...

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Gary, of Marlinton, a daughter

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gay, of Columbus, Ohio, a son, Randall Lewis

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Denver Roberts, of Marlinton, a son, David Ray

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brown, of White Plains, Maryland, a daughter

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Seldomridge, of Cass, a daughter

DEATHS
Mrs. Georgia Ruth (W. W.) Harper, aged 76; service at the Marlinton Methodist Church with the Rev. George W. McCune; additional service in the Rock Cave Methodist Church. burial was in the Rock Cave Cemetery.

Sidney Clark Long, aged 26; he spent most of his life in Hillsboro and was a woodsman.

ﾠ

Thursday,
March 22, 1962

Mrs. Harlan Grimes, of this office, saw a cat carrying a full-grown rabbit last week near her home.

Marlinton High School
Last Friday night, the annual staff of Marlinton High sponsored a St. Patrick's Day Dance. There was a Queen elected along with 6 attendants. They were as follows:
Ruth Dunn - Queen (7); attendants Barbara Curry (7); Dana Fuhrman (8); Pat McComb (9); Carla Gladwell (10); Christine Sharp (11); Nancy Jo Morgan (12).
Music was provided by the Marlinton High Dance Band. The dance was semi-formal.
Mr. Sidney Goodwin won the National Science Foundation Scholarship to George Peabody College for this summer.
Our coach, Elmer Friel, along with Blix McNeill and Richard Morgan, went to Morgantown last week to the State Basketball Tournaments.

Sunday SchoolﾠAttendance
On Sunday, March 18th, Jimmy and Jackie Moore, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Moore, of Jerico Road, were awarded attendance bars by the Pastor Rev. Eugene Pierce. Jimmy and Jackie have a seven year perfect attendance record for Sunday School at the Stony Creek Church.
These boys should be commended for their faithfulness and interest in Sunday School.

Cass Railroad
The following is the first part of an article "West Virginia's Logging Railroad - Its Past and Present," written by Roy B. Clarkson, Assistant Professor in Biology, and Kenneth L. Carnell, Associate Professor of Silviculture, West Virginia University, in The Northeastern Logger.
Mr. Clarkson hails from Cass and the more written about our Railroad and the farther it goes, the better. Last week Governor Barron went to Washington with a request for about $200,000 for development of the Cass Railroad, which would be added to the State's funds of $290,000.
The recent acquisition of the abandoned logging railroad at Cass by the State of West Virginia has focused attention on an interesting, but little-known era in the history of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Today, the town of Cass, in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, gives little evidence of its former activity and importance. The sawmill is closed, and the town quiet. The logging railroad which climbs the steep mountainside to the spruce and hardwood stands above, gives an inkling of the gigantic logging and milling operations of half a century ago. To understand the rise and decline of this town and fully appreciate its unique logging railroad, it is necessary to go back to the last years of the nineteenth century and follow their development step by step.
Sam Slaymaker was one of the first lumbermen to see the magnificent red spruce and northern hardwood stands on the headwaters of Shavers Fork of Cheat River. For several years near the close of the last century, he was involved in the removal of white pine timber along the Greenbrier River and its tributaries. During these operations, Slaymaker spent much time exploring the forests of the surrounding countryside.
These reconnaisances eventually brought him over Cheat Mountain to the virtually unknown headwaters of Shavers Fork. Here he found an endless expanse of red spruce, yellow birch and hard maple. Unfortunately, unlike the Greenbrier, this stream was too small for log driving. Thus it was necessary to devise another scheme for removing this valuable timber.
The search ended when it was learned that the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad planned to build a spur up the Greenbrier River from its main line at Ronceverte.ﾠ This spur would pass the mouth of Leatherbark Creek at the present location of Cass.ﾠ Thus it would be possible to construct a logging railroad up Leatherbark Creek and over Cheat Mountain to the headwaters of Shavers Fork.ﾠ This would require a steep rise of 1,500 feet from the mouth of Leatherbark to the lowest gap over Cheat.
Mr. Slaymaker was convinced that such an operation was feasible, and secured a tract of approximately 173,000 acres under the name, S. E. Slaymaker and Company. In 1900 he built a construction camp at the present site of Cass and started building a standard gauge railroad up Leatherbark.ﾠ The engineering difficulties were great but not insurmountable, and the top of Cheat was reached via two switchbacks and seven miles of winding track.ﾠ The grade up the eastern side of the mountain averaged between 4 and 5 percent and attained 10 percent in some spots.ﾠ At the top where the tracks paralleled Shavers Fork the grade was 2 to 3 percent.
This railroad, known as the Greenbrier, Cheat and Elk was later extended northward to Cheat Junction, Randolph County, where it connected with the Western Maryland and westward to Bergoo near Webster Springs, Webster County.ﾠ At the peak of operations, over 85 miles of track were in use.
The town of Spruce was built along the railroad on Shavers Fork at an elevation of 3,853 feet.ﾠ Here a pulp peeling mill was installed.ﾠ This community boasted a post office, hotel, a large store and numerous dwellings, yet had no access to theﾠ "outside" except by rail.ﾠ With the cessation of lumbering the inhabitants gradually moved out, and today all that is left of this seldom-seen town is a few abandoned houses.
More to come -

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Merle Kerr, of Dunmore, a daughter, Brenda Frances
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward Jackson, of Warren, Ohio, a son, named Kenneth Ward

DEATHS
Mrs. Lenora Woods, aged 74, of Woodrow, the widow of William Edward Woods, a daughter of George A. and Cilda Campbell Hamrick. She is survived by eight children.
Harry Crawford Burner, aged 95, of Bartow; husband of Mrs. Maude Arbogast Burner; father of Lincoln C. Burner.
Anderson N. Curry, aged 46, of Durbin. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

ALPINE?THEATRE
"Snow White and the Three Stooges"
Carol Heiss - The Three Stooges

ﾠ

Thursday,
March 15, 1962

Weather
Total snowfall from October 1961 to March 1, 1962 was 37.8 inches.
Total this time a year ago was 69.1 inches.
At the time of this writing, we have the largest accumulation of snow this winter, measured from Monday morning to Wednesday morning. Accumulation at Seneca State Forest is 12.9 inches.

FARM NEWS
A Holstein cow owned by K. D. Rader, of Edray, in Pocahontas County has just completed an outstanding record for milk and butterfat production according to recent Dairy Herd Improvement Association figures. This cow's production calculated on a 305 day mature equivalent basis was 15,189 pounds of milk, containing 506 pounds of butterfat. This record is some six thousand pounds above the average D.H.I.A. tested cows in West Virginia, this average being approximately nine thousand pounds of milk.
This high producing cow is artificially sired, being a daughter of the bull, Bear Rock Ormsby Duke, formerly in service through the West Virginia Artificial Breeders Cooperative, Clarksburg.

4-H and F.F.A.
At the 4-H and FFA Ham and Bacon Show and Sale on March 10, at Hanna Chevrolet Show Room at Lewisburg, the Grand Champion Bacon was shown by Brown McCarty, of Huntersville, the Reserve Champion Ham was shown by Lloyd Foe, of Cass. The Grand Champion Bacon sold for $4.00 per pound and was bought by The First National Bank of Ronceverte.
Hams purchased by local people: The Shrader Store, Charles Richardson and Dr. J. M. Mallow. We wish to thank these people for their support.

On the Level
by Leslie E. Montgomery
Local U. S. Soil Conservation Service workers received Radiological Monitoring training at Jackson's Mill. Leslie E. Montgomery, Layton Sharp and Charles H. Brown attended the three day training workshop the week of March 5.
The training is part of a program to initiate a nation-wide network of fixed Federal Monitoring Stations to assemble data on radio-active fallout, and to provide information to farmers on the management of soil, crops and livestock in case of atomic emergency.
With the completion of this training, the Soil Conservation Service will have such stations in operation in 44 counties in West Virginia.

Meeting
The Hillsboro Home Demonstration Club held the February covered dish dinner and business meeting at the home of Mrs. Louise McNeel, on February 22.
The devotional program - A film strip, King of Kings - was in charge of Mrs. McNeel, closing with The Lord's Prayer.
Mrs. Prather, presented the lesson, "Our Part in Rural Area Development."
Mrs. Mable Barcroft taught a lesson and demonstrated various uses of smocking.
A demonstration of the use of jar rubbers in making of rugs was given by Mrs. Maude Sheets. She also gave help in Swedish weaving and smocking.
The business meeting was in charge of the President, Mrs. Eva Payne.

Notice
There will be a movie shown on Saturday, March 17, 1:30 p.m. at the Marlinton Methodist Church that will interest all parents of pre-adolescents (ages approximately 8 - 12 years). The movie will illustrate behavior problems of children of this age, and help parents to better understand their children.
At the first program of this nature, the parents present requested a program that would be of help to parents who have children in this age group. There will be a short discussion period following the movie. This is a good opportunity for parents to discuss mutual problems.

Citizen's Committee
A County-Wide Rally in opposition to the proposed liquor by the drink legislation will be held in the Marlinton Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon, March 25, at 3:00 p.m. This will be one of the 55 state-wide rallies to be held on that day.

BIRTHS
Born to Mrs. and Mrs. Vincent Harper, of Huntersville, a daughter, Candace Sue
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Schoolcraft, of Buckeye a son, Jerry Gilpin, Jr.

Mrs. Etta Erma Beverage McNeill, aged 84, of Buckeye, the daughter of G. W. and Lydia Adkison Beverage, and wife of A. W. McNeill.

M. E. Friel, aged 81, who was born at Clover Lick, the son of John Friel and Mildred Moss Friel; husband of Rella Gum.
Joe E. Sheets, aged 41, of Richmond, Virginia, was on his way from work Monday evening, March 5, when he had a flat tire. He went across the street, apparently going to a nearby public telephone to call for a serviceman, when he slipped in the snow and slush, hitting his head against a utility pole or the curb. He was dead on arrival at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital.
He was the son of the late Joe A. Sheets, formerly of Green Bank.

Alpine Theatre
"Can-Can"
Juliet Prows - Frank Sinatra

Shirley MacLaine- Maurice Chevalier

"A cascade of HILARITY, MUSIC and ROMANCE!"
"The Tall T"
with Randolph Scott

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Thursday,
March 8, 1962

From the Editor;
I'm not right sure about the distinction between being honored or being gullible in being named president of organizations but I'll be conceited and accept it as an honor and say right here I have been having more than my share of honors and am probably due for deflation. Quick in succession I was elected president of the Marlinton Woman's Club and Chairman of the Farming for Better Living Council. Saturday I attended the West Virginia Democratic Women's Convention meeting at the Greenbrier - we went for breakfast and decided it was time to leave before the banquet, also a good way to save some money, and from the paper Sunday I learned I had been named one of the Congressional District Democratic Women of the Year - a nice way to give honorable mention after the selection of Mrs. Juanita Clark, of Nitro, as State "Democratic Woman of the Year." Anyway, all the nice things are appreciated.

Weather
As much as 22 inches of snow in the upper part of the County with only about six inches here at Marlinton on Tuesday. No school because of drifting snow. Depths varied as much as 6 to 10 inches within a few miles. Greater depths to the northeast. French Thomas called home folks and reported 32 inches at Front Royal, Virginia.

Pocahontas Beautiful
There will be an important meeting of the county-wide Keep Pocahontas Beautiful Commission at the Mayor's office in Marlinton on Saturday night, March 10, at 7 p.m. We would like to have representatives of all civic organizations, town governments and state and federal agencies. If the president or top official is not able to be present, will you please send a representative. Any interested individual is welome.

Farm Woman's Club
Edray Farm Woman's Club met for its February meeting at the home of Mrs. Clarence Kellison. This was an all-day meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Mrs. Arnot McNeill had charge of the Devotional, Scripture from Proverbs, prayer and a poem, "Never Gossip."
The lesson was "Our Part in Rural Area Development." Mrs. Jane Price Sharp, Editor of The Pocahontas Times, taught this very informative lesson. We learned many things about Pocahontas County and its place in the development plan.

Marlinton HighﾠSchool News
The Junior Play plans have gotten underway this week. They have decided to give the play "I Remember Mama," by John Van Druten. It will be under the direction of Mrs. Alice Moore. The following have been cast in the play: Brenda Triplett, Sue Withers, Paul Workman, Beth Kellogg, Christine Sharp, Doug Sharp, Blix McNeill, Sandy Anderson, Patty Gay Sharp, Karen Galford. Delmas Barb, Brenda Dunbrack, Don Circosta, James Tacy, Ralph Dunbrack, Brenda Galford, Sue Sparks, Billy Morrison, Charlotte Reed, Sondra Nelson, Betty Mann and Clark Miller.

Happy Birthday
On Saturday afternoon, February 24, Ernest E. White, of Minnehaha Springs, was surprised by a Birthday Party given by his wife, Mrs. White, this being his 65th birthday.
Many gifts were received and many good wishes for many more birthdays.
The co-hostesses were Mrs. Gladys Moore, Mrs. Ernest White, Jr., and Mrs Frank Rider.
Refreshments of cookies, cake, punch and coffee were served to the following:
Frank and Essie Rider, Norman and Pearl Wanless, Hal and Richard Wanless, Leona White, Maud Wanless, Arlie White, Thelma White, Eddie and Paul Douglas, Gladys Moore, Otis and Naomi Kelly, Alice, Eileen, Eugene and Sarah Kelly, Hal and Mrs. Grace Moore, Rev. and Mrs. Rex Ball, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wanless, Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Ward Harper, Benton Lester, Junior White, Allen Carrell, Richard Carrell, Jack and Frieda Carrell.
The afternoon was enjoyed by all.

BIRTHS
A daughter, Marsha Renee, was born to Mr. and Mrs. E. Dale Henley, of Dothan, Alabama, on Friday, March 2, 1962. Mrs. Henley is the former Martha White McNeel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard I. McNeel, of Hillsboro.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Varner, of Durbin, a daughter, Peggy Sue

Born to Mrs. and Mrs. Harold Sponaugle, of Renick, a daughter, Deborah Jane

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerth Friel, of Marlinton, a son, John Michael

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith, of Marlinton, a daughter

ALPINE?THEATRE
"Hey, Let's Twist!"
Joey Dee and the Starlighters
"Ada"
Susan Hayward -ﾠDean Martin
"The sensational story of an ambitious woman who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted out of A MAN'S WORLD!

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Thursday,
March 1, 1962

Bert Smith was the first to report a robin in town, seen on the Courthouse lawn near his home. Later last week they were reported in many places.

Young Charles Woods, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Woods, of Woodrow, was in this office on Saturday with a powder horn he had made, slung around his neck on a plastic cord. He had whittled a wooden tip to fit in the pointed end and also a plug for the larger end.

NOTICE
On Sunday, March 11, at 2:30 p.m. in the Marlinton Methodist Church, as meeting will be held to organize a Pocahontas County Citizen committee for Defeat of the Liquor Amendment. The Rev. George McCune is temporary Chairman, and on the 11th a permanent Chairman.

WHITE HOUSE,
Washington, D. C.
To 4-H CLUBﾠMEMBERS

Greetings and good wishes on your forthcoming observance of National 4-H Club Week. You deserve congratulations for the fine record you have achieved in your program stressing the four-fold development of Head, Heart, Hands and Health. In 4-H you develop mentally as well as physically, benefiting from the guidance of parents and public-spirited leaders. You also contribute to a more responsible and competent citizenship - which is today's greatest challenge to young people.
I would commend you especially for your constructive and worthwhile efforts in learning to live and work cooperatively with others. Your promotion of goodwill and friendly association with other people, and your ever-enlarging circles of friendship, will help bring about better and happier relations at home and abroad.
Already you have built bridges of understanding to more than 50 other lands with 4-H or parallel organizations, and I trust your program will continue to grow and expand. May each of you influence other boys and girls, other young men and women, to join in learning, living and serving through 4-H.
John F. Kennedy

Star Farmer
The Green Bank Chapter Future Farmers of America selected Tim Hevener of Back Mountain as their Star Farmer for 1962. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Hevener and is a senior at Green Bank High School.
Tim began his work in Vocational Agriculture in 1958. His enterprise program that first year consisted of 5 sheep, 2 dairy cattle, 50 poultry, 3 swine from which he realized a labor income of $962.98 The next year he expanded his farming program to include 2 sheep, 2 dairy cattle, 40 poultry, 1 swine, 3 acres of hay and1-10 acre potatoes, from which he received $411.50 labor income. This past year his enterprise program consisted of 2 sheep, 2 dairy cattle, 40 poultry, 2 swine, acres hay, 1-10 acre potatoes, and 1 acre oats. His labor income was $737.56 making a total labor income for three years of complete work of $2,112.04.
In addition to his farm work, he has served as vice president and president of the FFA Chapter, and president and treasurer of the Nature Club. He takes an active part in his community, is a member of the Brethren Church and is active in church work.

Marlinton HighﾠSchool News
Two outstanding students of the junior class, Richard Morgan and Sandy Anderson, were chosen to attend the twelfth annual "Know Your State Government Day" held in Charleston. Mr. Yeager, our principal, took them down to Charleston February 26.
Sharla Gladwell, sophomore in the Marlinton High School, placed second in the 9th District American Legion High School Oratorical Contest held in Elkins Saturday. Miss Gladwell received a medal and certificates for her school, teacher-sponsor Miss Jane Ruckman, and herself. American Legion Post No. 50 of Marlinton was the sponsoring post. The title of her oration was "An American Citizen's Rights and Responsibilities Under the constitution."

Farm Bureau Women
The Farm Bureau Woman's group met in the graded school lunch room with 28 women present. Mrs. Virginia Callison, Chairman, called the meeting to order. She told about the two essay books on Liberty that had been placed in each of the three high schools in the county.
Mrs. David Long, the state chairman, from Romney, reminded us that it takes several things to be a good citizen. First of all we must have courage to speak up instead of letting things that we know are wrong pass by because we wouldn't stand up and express our idea. Second, we should have knowledge to know and understand things and never let our emotions trick us into making statements we don't know enough about to back them up with true facts.
Mrs. Long told us that there was one thing that cost more than education and that was ignorance.

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. June Buzzard, of Huntersville, a son, Elmer Isaac
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Anderson, of Huntersville, a daughter, Angela Ann.

DEATHS
Mrs. Arizona B. Scott, aged 79, of Edray, daughter of Beverly and Harriet Cunningham Waugh; survived by two brothers, Orestus Waugh and Charles Waugh

ALPINE THEATRE
"Posse from Hell"
Audie Murphy -ﾠJohn Saxon
"Ring of Fire"
David Janssen - Joyce Taylor

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ﾠ

Thursday,
February 22, 1962

In a national hymn poll last fall votes were cast for more than 1,900 famous hymns and gospel songs. Almost half voted for the top four: "The Old Rugged Cross" is still America's favorite hymn. "How Great Thou Art" was a close second; "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" placed third, with "In the Garden" ranking fourth. The gospel song "Amazing Grace" moved from 9th in 1960 to fifth place in 1961. Next in order were "Rock of Ages, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "Abide with Me," Beyond the Sunset," and "Whispering Hope."
According to the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Pocahontas County residents, in 1960, received $15,545,000 in personal income for a per capita annual income of $1,534. The Chamber also reported that retail stores in the County rang up a 1960 total sales of $6,699,000.

New Arrival
The Fred Trainers are announcing an addition to their family, by the name of Lucky. Lucky weighed just 12 ounces when the Trainers got him. Lucky is a bear. Fred Trainer works for the Department of Natural Resources as superintendent of the French Creek Game Farm in Upshur County.
Two black bear cubs were born at the Game Farm on January 27. They were born in the cage with several other bears. Trainer decided to remove the cubs, because the mother would destroy them in the process of protecting them from the other bears. Trainer said that female bears in the wild require complete seclusion for birth and nursing to be successful.
Trainer removed the two bears and weighed them,12 ounces each, but before the day was over one had died from internal injuries inflicted by the mother carrying it around in her mouth, looking for seclusion.
Lucky is doing fine. He is fed from a baby bottle every three hours by Mrs. Trainer, and he's kept warm by the heat from an electric light bulb.
The Trainers consider the cub as part of their family now. And the little fellow might well be considered "lucky."

F. H. A.
The Marlinton Chapter of the Future Homemakers of America met Thursday, February 8, in the Marlinton High School Auditorium. The opening ritual was led by the president, Helena Taylor.
The devotions consisted of a call to worship by Sue McLaughlin; readings by Linda McNellan and Linda Moore; and a reading and prayer by Marion McCarty.
Nancy Jo Morgan was presented with an award for winning the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow contest in Marlinton High School.
Readings, "What Do You Want To Do When You Grow Up," were presented by Marion McCarty, Marietta Underwood, Linda McNellan, Linda Moore, Phyllis Friel and Charlotte Sharp.
A Skit, "We Learned by the Silver Spoon," was led by Marietta Underwood with the following participating: Linda McNellan, Wilma Ray, Marsha Madison, Charlotte Sharp, Sue McLaughlin, Carolyn Ramsey, Linda Moore, Helen Pennington, Phyllis Friel, and Mary VanReenan.
Nancy Harper,
Reporter

BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Vaughan, of Hillsboro, a daughter, Corena Jean.
Born to Mrs. and Mrs. William Keene, of Renick, a daughter, Fawn Sue.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kiner, of Mill Point, a son.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold McFadden, of Marlinton, a son.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Buzzard of Waynesboro, Virginia, a son. The mother is the former Frances Astin, of Marlinton.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, of Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arlie White.

DEATHS
Mrs. Savannah Georgia Waugh, aged 89 years, 6 months and 10 days, widow of Henry H. Waugh; the daughter of Jacob and Rachel Ann Beverage; born at Clover Creek.

Mrs. Eula Grace Young, aged 56, of Grafton, wife of Paul Young, mother of Kyle; sister of Ward Deputy, of Dunmore, and Frank and Robert Deputy of Huntersville; member of Dunmore Presbyterian Church

Herman Guy Kump, 84, a great Governor of West Virginia during the critical depression period of the early thirties.

Richard R. Long, 64, of Ogden, Utah, was killed Saturday, January 27, 1962, when a backing Union Pacific locomotive struck him as he was working on a sander locomotive on an adjacent track.
Mr. Long was born at Hillsboro, the son of Alex and Sarah McComb Long.

Dolpha Yeager Sharp, aged 53 years, 10 months and 13 days, of Marlinton; son of the late Ethel Reeves and Elmer Eli Sharp.
Mr. Sharp was a devoted husband and father, active in Church work in his community and throughout the counties.
"Yet must we part, and parting weep;
What else hath earth for us in store?
These farewell pangs, how sharp and deep!
These farewell words, how sad and sore!
Yet we shall meet again in peace,
To sing the song of festal joy;
There none shall bid our gladness cease,
And none our fellowship destroy.
There, hand to hand, firm linked at last.
And heart to heart enfolded all;
We'll smile upon the troubled past.
And wonder why we wept at all.

ALPINE THEATRE

"Claudelle Inglish"
Dian McBain -ﾠArthur Kennedy

"A female whoﾠdidn't care!
Her love affairs affected the lives of an
entire community."

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