Histories of 58 WV Communities - Chapter 22



Chapter 22  Wayne County
Buffalo Creek - East Lynn - Wayne


                    HISTORY OF BUFFALO CREEK COMMUNITY
                             Prepared in 1925

Early Life in the Community
Long before white men came to West Virginia Buffalo Creek was a favorite 
hunting ground of the Indians. Deer, bear, raccoon, turkey, and small game 
was plentiful and flint arrow heads may still be found among the hills and 
valleys around here. Due to the fact that a number of Indian mounds or 
graves are found near here it is generally supposed that a large village 
was located near by. 


Pioneer Settlers
The fertility of the soil and abundance of game soon attracted the 
attention of settlers. So far as is known the first settler was James 
McKeand. Then came the Dukes, the Isaacs, the Haneys, the Plymales, the 
Maloneys, the Brumfields, and Staleys. They built their houses of logs, 
covered them with boards split from the trunks of trees. A short chimney 
built of sticks and clay took up the greater portion of one end of the one 
room. The bare ground in some cases formed the floor. The furniture was 
crude and rough. Here the pioneer feasted on venison and Johnny cake and 
lit his fire with flint and steel. After the country became more thickly 
settled it was no unusual thing to borrow fire. Some of the names of these 
pioneers are still kept alive in the geography of the community as in 
Duke's Knob, Plymale's Branch, Walker's branch, Plymale's Rocks, and 
Haney's Branch. 

The First Industries
The first mill in the county for grinding corn and wheat was located at 
the mouth of Buffalo Creek. It was owned and operated by Bill Turner. 

Buffalo Creek was at one time the largest town in the Tri- State section, 
due to a large iron forge being operated within three hundred yards of 
Buffalo Creek station. The ring of the eighteen-hundred-pound hammer could 
be heard for miles on a still morning. 

A brick plant and lime kiln was also in operation at a very early time. 

Schools and Churches
The people took interest very early in churches and schools. The first 
schools were private and only the more wealthy class could afford to give 
their children an education. The first churches were built of logs. Some 
of them are still standing. 

From this community have gone forth, ministers of the gospel, lawyers, 
civil engineers, legislators, professors, merchants, county officials, and 
teachers. 

John Plymale represented this section of the state, in the state 
legislature while Richmond was the Capitol. W. W. Brumfield and Kellian V. 
Whaley were members of the convention which separated West Virginia from 
Virginia. 

Joseph Plymale was for years county surveyor. W. W. Brumfield was a member 
of the county court and district judge, Marion Plymale was county 
assessor. Chas. Hayard was county superintendent of schools. Nearly a 
hundred teachers have been produced from the immediate neighborhood. 

In 1908 a four-room graded school was erected which in 1915 was changed 
into a high school, of which the people are justly proud. 

We are proud of the past, thankful for the present, and as we consider our 
present opportunities we are made to believe that the future holds still 
greater things in store for us. 




                      HISTORY OF EAST LYNN COMMUNITY
                       Prepared By Lucian W. Osborn
                                  1927

Most biographers in writing the life of a great man commence at a period 
before their hero was born. I shall imitate their example and begin at a 
period before East Lynn came into existence. 

First, I want to give the original name of this community or section as I 
received it several years ago from Hon. Chas. W. Ferguson who was once a 
resident of Camp Creek. He said that owing to the fact that Camp Creek and 
Little Lynn empty their placid waters into Twelve-pole only a few yards 
apart the place was called Twin Creek, which seems to be a very 
appropriate name. 

It seems that nature has generously favored this place from a commercial 
point of view. The coming together of these two creeks and with Big Lynn 
and Laurel only a short distance above and Newcomb and Peter Cave only a 
short distance below makes this a very central point. 

Who the first settler here was I do not know but it was not long after the 
first settlement was made till the pioneers saw that this would be a 
business point, so a store was placed here, the first one I learn by 
Eldridge Smith. Soon after Burwell Spurlock was selling goods here. 

Other early merchants were Wade Ferguson, Noah and Jarrett Peters, Hawk 
Cole, Harvey Adkins, Harrison Watts, Nat Turner, and Chapman Fry. 

Of the merchants now living who have been in the business for a long time 
I shall speak briefly. 

C. W. Tabor has served the longest period of any in selling goods. He 
began away back in 1876 and informs me that he has only missed about three 
years in that time. Who can beat this record of 47 years? Mr. Tabor still 
occasionally assists some in a store and takes an active hand in the 
affairs of the community. During the cold weather last winter he made a 
trip alone, a distance of about 200 miles to Tazewell County, Virginia, to 
visit relatives. 

The next in length of service in the store business here is C. W. Osborn 
who has sold goods with but very little interruption for 34 years. At 
present he is located just above the mouth of Camp Creek on the east side 
of Twolve-pole. In this shady nook he has a general store and hotel, and a 
dug well 50 ft. deep that never goes dry. The water in this well is so 
cold that on hot days it seems to have come from somewhere near the North 
Pole. During the dry season about thirty families use water from this 
well. 

W. H. Newhouse has been selling goods here for about 24 years. He is 
located on the corner of Mulberry and Front streets in the same building 
that W. R. Osburn and Chas W. Ferguson sold goods in 36 years ago. 

One of the first saw mills in this section was operated by attaching the 
horse-power of a threshing machine to it and then running it with horses. 
Noah and Jarrett Peters owned this mill. 

The early grist mills were run by horses and each person that patronized 
the mill furnished a horse to grind his grist. Among the first blacksmith 
shops were those of John Irby which stood on the bank at tho west end of 
Twelve-pole bridge, Jesse Fry's near the Post Office, and Alfred Luther's 
on the site of where William Porter's residence now stands. 

The first church house was a log structure and stood just below where the 
Little Lynn bridge now is. This house burned during the Civil War. 

There was no post office in this section until after the Civil War and the 
people here and for many miles above here had to go to Wayne Court House 
for their mail. But in 1868 Adkins Mill postoffice was established at the 
water mill then owned by Attison Adkins, one and one-half miles from our 
present community center. 

Chapman Adkins was the first postmaster. I am told that the amount of mail 
then received was so small that no mail bags were required to carry it in, 
and the mail only went once a week 

After a few years the office was moved to the community center, and after 
going through various hands W. D. Vaughan was appointed postmaster in 
1876. He moved the office down to where "Uncle Robert" Napier lived, a 
short distance from where the railroad depot now stands. Later Mr. Vaughan 
moved the office to where he now resides and kept it till about 1888 when 
C. W. Tabor was appointed postmaster. The office was then moved back to 
the community center and placed in H. Watts' store. 

Soon after this the name was changed from Adkins Mill to East Lynn. Mr. 
Vaughn informs me that when he took charge of the office the pay for one 
month was only about five dollars and that not as much mail was received 
at the office in two months as is now received in one day. 

For several years what is now known as Stonewall district was a part of 
Grant district and there was only one voting precinct in this whole 
territory, first at the mouth of Cove creek and later at the mouth of 
Brush creek. 

The first school house built here after the free schools came into 
existence was erected in 1879 on the present site of the East Lynn Coal 
Company tipple. It was a small log house and in it M. F. Walker taught the 
first school. A frame house was erected about 1885-86 and W. P. Mankin 
taught the first school in it. This house which stood on the present site 
of our school building, burned some years later. Another house about the 
same size was erected which was replaced some years later by the present 
four-room building. 

Just about the time the first frame school house was being erected there 
appeared in our midst an unique figure in educational circles. He was a 
writing master and his name was Jonas Whitt. He came from Kentucky in the 
fall of 1885 and began to teach writing schools and he was certainly 
skilled in the art of penmanship. He had formerly been a teacher in a 
Commercial College and had taught special schools in grammar and 
arithmetic and is the author of a book on arithmetic, a copy of which I 
have in my possession. He spent the winter and until May in this section 
teaching the old as well as the young how to write. 

Though his manner of dress and appearance would be scoffed at today he did 
a great service to the people here and such is the reverence in which he 
is held by the people that his automatic pen work is still found in the 
homes and in one home his name written by himself on a blackboard, in 
ornamental style, is still preserved after a lapse of forty years. 

He wore a suit of blue overall goods, fur cap, and gum boots. He 
manufactured the ink his pupils used and carried it about in a tin 
kerosene oil can. In his pockets he carried a number of small bottles of 
automatic pen ink. Mr. Whitt went back to Kentucky from here and finally 
became a preacher of the gospel. 

I feel that a community history would be incomplete without some notice of 
the spring just above the school house. It is commonly called a sulphur 
spring but is more of a chalybeate water than sulphur. This everlasting 
fountain gushes forth from a solid rock and has perhaps supplied more 
people with water than any other spring in the county. In addition to 
supplying the schools for 46 years it supplied the church going people for 
many years while preaching was done in the school house. It also supplied 
the miners who worked near it for a number of years. 

This spring has furnished water for all kinds of gatherings including 
elections, barbecues, and associations, besides several families living 
near use water from it. Here the weary traveler pauses to slake his thirst 
as no doubt did the red hunter before the coming of the white man. No one 
knows how old this spring is but we have every reason to believe it will 
last till the Saturday evening of time. 

Among the many improvements that have been made here since the days of 
Twin Creek I shall make special mention of that which Dr. O. T. Hines now 
of Huntington made on the stony point a few yards above the Osburn House. 
This place was a veritable ivy thicket when he purchased the lot. He went 
to work with a will and after many months of labor erected one of the 
largest and most handsome residences in the town. He then improved the 
grounds by grading, and setting flowers until the place fairly blossomed 
as the rose. Being situated on the heights a good view of the town is 
obtained from this point. This property is now owned by Noah Wellman Jr., 
and is occupied by Squire Fry. 

When the World War was in progress a number of young men from this section 
enlisted but as I do not have a complete list at hand I will only mention 
the five who gave their lives that you and I might live on. They are: 
Wayne Sellards, W. S. Napier, Allen Tabor, Andrew Wellman and Linza 
Adkins. 

This place has sometimes been called the timber metropolis of the county. 
It would be impossible to give anything like an accurate estimate of the 
value of the timber that has been shipped from this place. Vast quantities 
of ties, staves, tan bark, and handle timber have gone out, besides the 
saw logs. Many of us can remember when during a freshet the waters of 
Twelve-pole were black with saw logs. 

Coal mining has been one of the chief industries here for more than twenty 
years. Some forty years ago the only coal that went out from here was 
mined by Wayne Neal, near the present entrance to the Katona mine. He 
loaded the coal on a push boat and took it down to Wayne Court House. At 
present the Katona Coal company is shipping from 500 to 800 tons per day 
from this place. It is pulled by an electric motor, across Twelve-pole on 
a trestle sixty feet high that cost about $20,000. Thence it goes through 
a short tunnel and is placed on a large belt which carries it across 
Twelve-pole again where it is loaded on the railroad cars. 

In recent years some attention has been given to the development of gas 
found in our hills and it seems that there is an inexhaustible supply. 

We have a vast coal field near by that has not yet responded to the 
caresses of capital and labor. There is also a legend that there is a lead 
mine within one mile of East Lynn. "Uncle Alderson" Watts says that many 
years ago when he lived here he one day visited a neighbor and found him 
melting lead ore which he had obtained from a nearby hill. 

Our progress in material things has been truly great. Our fine graded 
road, rail road, school building, bridges, and telephones have all come in 
the last few years. Our venerable neighbor and ex-Confederate soldier, J. 
W. Lloyd, to whom I am indebted for part of this history remembers when 
there was only one log cabin at this place. Just before that time this was 
a howling wilderness infested with the beasts of the forest, and Indians 
still lurked around seeking whom they might devour. 

There are numerous mounds in this section built by a prehistoric race that 
lived at a time we know not when, perhaps before the Christian era. On the 
farm of the late Wash Clark just across from the head of Camp Creek on the 
Lick creek side of the hill is a mound which was excavated a few years ago 
and found to contain a man's thigh bone and knee-pan. The thigh bone was 
taken charge of by a local physician and after measurement and comparison 
with others it was found to belong to a man about 9 feet in height. This 
man may have lived about the time Herculaneum and Pompeii were destroyed 
by an earthquake or he may have belonged to the period spoken of in 
Genesis 6:4, "there were giants in those days". 

An excavation was made in the mound on the farm of the late John Doss, on 
the right fork of Beech Fork and it was found to contain fire coals and 
ashes. 

On the farm of Charles R. Morrison, on the head of Beech Fork is a small 
mound covered with stones. Mr. Morrison informs me that an excavation was 
once made in this and in it was found an Indian tomahawk and near the 
mound has been found at least a hundred arrows made of flint. This mound 
is in Mr. Morrison's apple orchard, that produced this year 1500 bushels 
of apples. In times past these apples have won prizes not only at our 
district and county fairs but also at the state fair. 

A few rods up the hill from this mound is a spring the basin of which is 
cut in a solid rock and is about the shape and size of a small wash kettle 
and will hold several gallons of water. The basin is smooth and judging by 
the mound and arrows nearby, this place must have been the habitation of 
Indians at some period. Could the rocks and hills but speak no doubt they 
would tell some wonderful stories of the early settlers and the Indians in 
this section. 

Daniel Boone, the noted hunter, Indian fighter and public servant, 
represented this section in the Virginia Assembly in 1791, this being a 
part of Kanawha County at that time. He resided near Point Pleasant for 
some years and it is likely that he did part of his hunting right here on 
Camp Creek and Beech Fork. 

Lord Byron wrote of Daniel Boone: Of all men, saving Sylla, The General 
Boone, backwoodsman of Kentucky, was happiest among mortals anywhere, and 
that he enjoyed the lonely, vigorous, harmless days, of his old age in 
wilds of deepest maze. 

The story of the captivity of Mrs. Jenny Wiley is connected with the 
history of this community from the fact that she has a number of relatives 
living in this section. Her maiden name was Sellards. Cornelius Sellards 
who died a few years since, within one and one half miles of East Lynn at 
the age of 95 was a nephew of Mrs. Wiley. Mrs. Wiley was also related to 
the Fry family. She was taken captive by the Indians in Tazewell County, 
Virginia, in 1790. Three of her children and one brother were slain at the 
time of her capture and later the Indians killed two more of her children 
by dashing their brains out against trees. The account in Hardesty's 
Encyclopedia, of this capture says that the Indians proceeded down the Tug 
and Big Sandy rivers to the Ohio with their captive. Whether they followed 
the rivers all the time I know not, but there is a legend that they came 
down Camp Creek and encamped one night at the natural bridge on the right 
fork of Camp. 

The Indians proceeded with their captive to the wilds of Kentucky where 
she remained about eleven months and then resolved to make her escape. 
While the Indians were absent from camp she started on her perilous 
journey through the forest during a rain storm and at length came to Big 
Sandy river. She called to some men who were at work on the opposite side 
of the river and told them of her escape from the Indians. Having no boat 
these men rolled some logs into the river and tying them together with 
grapevines, pushed across the river and brought Mrs. Wiley back with them. 
As they were ascending the bank the old Indian chief appeared on the 
opposite bank. He recognized Mrs. Wiley and seeing that she had made good 
her escape disappeared in the forest. Mrs. Wiley rested here a few days 
and then returned home and rejoined her husband who had long supposed her 
dead. 

Let us now notice a few of the natural curiosities of this neighborhood. 
We have a number of caves scattered about, stone caverns that seemingly 
have been produced by some eruption of the earth. 

The natural stone bridge on the right fork of Camp Creek is wide enough 
for wagons and automobiles to pass over it. 

The "turkey tracks", on the head of Beech Fork near Mills Chapel are 
impressions made in stone, resembling tracks made by turkeys. 

Many overflowing springs are found here. Perhaps the ones that were first 
known to the early settlers are those at the "springs" place on the right 
fork of Camp Creek. This was a resort for invalids many years ago. The log 
building that was then used for a hotel is still standing and I am told it 
is more than one hundred years old. There are two springs here, the one 
below the house being a chalybeate and the one above, genuine sulphur. The 
water in this spring has a taste similar to White Sulphur and Pence 
Springs. 

The highest point in this section is Scaggs Knob on Beech Fork which is 
more than eleven hundred feet above sea level. The largest knob is what is 
known as Buck Knob, between Laurel and Camp Creek. This knob is about one-
half mile in length and has become a rendezvous for fox hunters. This 
sport is enjoyed by a number of our neighbor boys. They assemble here at 
night and have their camp fires. 

Many years ago I heard it suggested that our court house be placed on Buck 
Knob. This was before Kenova came into existence, so this place has a 
superior claim to Kenova. 

The products of the soil and earth are many and varied. "Slumbering in our 
hills are princely fortunes". "Fires are kindled with our coal on the 
hearth-stones of every people". The gas wells from this section furnish 
heat and light for people in many states. More than fifty years ago, in 
1876 a block of coal was taken from the present natural opening of the 
Katona mine and placed on exhibition at the Centennial Exhibition in 
Philadelphia. This place has a supply of coal that will last for many 
years to come. 

As stated before some prize apples are raised here. Some years we have a 
plentiful supply of peaches. Of the small fruits, gooseberries, currants, 
raspberries, etc., grow in abundance, with proper cultivation. This soil 
is well adapted to strawberries. Considerable wheat and oats used to be 
produced here. Flax and cotton have been grown here. Irish potatoes and 
beans are grown in abundance. Sweet potatoes weighing five pounds each 
have been produced in this soil. 

But the most useful and largely cultivated product of the soil is maize or 
Indian corn, large quantities of which are raised here, especially in the 
Beech Fork section. Wayne County has long been a corn producing section 
and I believe at one time was the banner county in the state in the 
production of this grain. 

An amusing incident in regard to this is related by "Uncle" Albert Smith, 
an ex-Confederate soldier and one of Wayne County's most esteemed 
citizens. He relates that during the Civil War he and a fellow soldier 
from Wayne County were traveling in one of the counties of Eastern 
Virginia and stopped with an old farmer one day for dinner. No sooner did 
this farmer learn they were from Wayne County than he began to inquire 
about it and said he had often heard that Wayne was famous for corn. 
"Uncle" Albert's companion told him a story about the raising of corn here 
and wound up by saying that it was not an uncommon thing in this county to 
see a single stalk of corn with two good ears on it and a nubbin a foot 
long. The old farmer seemed to believe the story and exclaimed: "Well, 
now, don't that beat anything you ever heard of". 

I shall now mention the names of those who have filled important offices 
so far as I can gather them. Most of the following were born and reared 
within the territory described in the beginning of this article. The 
others who were not reared here but spent a good portion of their early 
life here. 

Among those who took an active hand in the affairs of the county and state 
I will first mention Captain Joseph M. Ferguson who was a member of the 
Confederate congress, captain of a company in the Civil War and later in 
1873 while a member of the West Virginia Legislature helped to frame our 
Free School Law. 

Mr. Ferguson's brother Jameson was colonel of a regiment during the Civil 
War and after the war became a Circuit Judge in Kentucky. Chas. W. 
Ferguson, Sr., another brother was a member of the West Virginia 
Legislature. Others who were members of the legislature are Robert Napier, 
M. M. Morrison, B. L. Osburn, and Oscar Watts. 

Those who served as prosecuting attorney are P. H. Napier, William Fry,and 
Chas. W. Ferguson, Jr. Those who held the office of clerk of the circuit 
court were J. W. Lloyd, M. J. Mills, W. S. Copley, and C. E. Walker. The 
office of clerk of county court was filled by P. H. Napier and Hezekiah 
Adkins. Those who were members of the county court include H. A. Jackson, 
Jno. S. Osburn, W. R.Osburn, Spencer McComas, C. M. Fraley and J. W. 
Crabtree. 

Among the professional men I shall first mention the lawyers: J. H. Meek, 
F. F. Scaggs, C. W. Ferguson, Chapman Adkins, L. W. Blankenship, Chapman 
Fry, William Fry, Cumberland Fry, C. G. Fry, J. M. Clay, and J. W. Warf. 
The doctors were A. J. Watts, O. T. Hines, A. J. Morrison, J. H. 
Thornbury, J. R. Keesee, Glenn Johnson, G. W. Fooley, L. W. Gilkerson, and 
Walter Thornbury. 

The preachers and school teachers are too numerous to mention. 

Rev. S. A. Donahoo who was born on Camp Creek has distinguished himself as 
a public lecturer. 

Of our inventors I will mention two. L. F. Ross has lately patented a cane 
mill which has not yet been put upon the market. Many years ago he secured 
a patent on a device for coupling rail road cars. 

F. C. Lloyd secured a patent on an ironing board. 

We have one writer of sacred music. Harkins Fry published a number of 
hymns, words and music written by himself in a volume called "Celestial 
Joy". 

So we have lawyers, doctors, statesmen, preachers, teachers, lecturers, 
inventors, and poets. 

It seems that the primitive mode of living had much to do with the 
physical development of our pioneers. The outdoor life, the plain manner 
of dressing, the simple mode of cooking by the open fireplace, and plenty 
of hard work developed a hardy host of men and women. 

Two men prominent in clearing the forests of this section and making it 
fit for the habitation of civilized people were Jesse Francis and Hansford 
Watts. They were giants in the way of physical endurance. One of them 
could do the work of two ordinary men of today. 

The modern schools possess many advantages of those of 50 and 75 years 
ago, but I doubt if many of the text books are equal to some used in that 
period. Let us visit in imagination a school of three quarters of a 
century ago. We find a log school house with an open fireplace and wood 
fire, split logs for seats, no glass windows, pupils clad in jeans and 
linsey. Neither teacher nor pupils have ever seen a railroad train. They 
never even heard of an automobile, a phonograph, telephone, moving picture 
show, or radio. 

What text books do we find in these schools. The usual ones were 
McGuffey's Readers, Webster's Elementary Spelling Book, Ray's Arithmetics 
and in some schools the New Testament was used for a reader and lessons 
taught therefrom. There was no opposition then to teaching the Bible in 
school and the teachers were unacquainted with evolution. 




                    A BRIEF HISTORY OF WAYNE COMMUNITY
                       (Wayne County, West Virginia)
                            By Wesley D. Kirby
       (Instructor in History and Civics, Wayne County High School)

Introduction
This "brief sketch is intended to answer a need, to lay the foundation for 
an intelligent enthusiasm for the pupil's own community and county. If his 
education should terminate here it has served a noble purpose. If his work 
in education continues, however, (as it probably will, if he can 
comprehend the meaning of it all) this work will then have served two 
aims: (1) Its needful place in the grades, and (2) as a foundation for 
high school civics and American history or the social sciences. Though 
there is a continuous system of free education with broad views for the 
training of boys and girls, and even though the system has developed 
beyond the attainments of any other historical period, the pupils have 
been left without knowledge of their home communities, the true beginning 
of the study of civics and the foundation for American history and other 
social sciences. 

It is clear, then, that for the average child, the aim to bring local 
industry, home geography, social and economic life of his immediate 
ancestry, his parents, the community, his relationship with home, school, 
and church, his interdependence and his own personal responsibility into 
the school during his plastic life, will appeal to the intelligence of the 
pupils and will intellectualize all later contact with practical affairs. 
There is a very legitimate demand now made, and urged on the schools, that 
such a work be prepared, to span the plateau from the child's inaptability 
to master the grade history and civics so that when he shall have reached 
that stage in his intellectual development when he begins to reach out 
beyond the pale of his own settlement, county, or state, he shall not put 
his hands on bare plow handles, without a knowledge of how to plow, 

If the schools meet this demand by an attempt at vocational methods, or 
training in skill that industrial institutions might give, there will be 
little or no profit to society. However, if the schools will recognize the 
industry, history, civics, social and economic life of a County as an 
expression of human genius and cooperation, and if this history can serve 
to implant into the minds of youth ideas as well as skill to guide them in 
later practical life in this related work, then the schools will have made 
a genuine and positive contribution to society - a beginner's text book in 
the grades - an introduction to the study of civic life and community 
problems, and American history. It is hoped that this brief history will 
be only a beginning, that this will stimulate others to contribute new 
efforts in the direction of the community's needs, and that the immediate 
purpose which gave rise to this work should be kept in view - the child. 

Naming the Community
The first man to settle here was Abraham Trout. His home was situated on 
the west side of Twelve Pole River, twenty miles from its junction with 
the Ohio. It was beautifully located on an eminence over-looking the small 
winding river at an elevation of 150 feet above the stream and 690 feet 
above tide water level. Because of Trout's residence here, it was called 
Trout's Hill. This name was in service for some years, then with the 
arrival of more settlers (Daniel Stephens, David Fry, Samuel Wellman, 
William Ferguson, Jessie Adkins, Benjamin Davis, Burwell Ferguson, Milton 
Ferguson, and Jacob Adkins) the name was later changed to Fairview for a 
brief time, then to Wayne Court House. This later name stuck for a period, 
and was finally changed to Wayne. It was in honor of and respect for 
General Anthony Wayne that the county and community \vas so named.. 

Early Settlers
Abraham Trout was the first. The rest of the early settlers arrived in 
1842, the year the county was born. Hugh Bowen was the first merchant 
(1842). Calvin Cyphers opened the first blacksmith shop (1845), Dr. 
William Maupin was the first resident physician. Henry Lloyd organized the 
first Sabbath School, (1845), and in 1844 Benjamin Davis opened the first 
shoe shop. These first men were muscled for endurance, with shaggy locks, 
and long beards. They were clad in coon skin caps, and their bodies were 
covered with coarse cloth or the skins of animals, and shoes of different 
types, usually the inventions of the owners. Skins of animals were used to 
wrap the legs as we today use leather leggings. These first men to whom 
many claim kin, came quietly and on a thoughtful and purposeful mission. 
They came to build homes. These homes, as were their schools and churches 
were crude affairs. Those hamlets, however, housed the most liberty loving 
people of all times. The early arrivals reared large families because the 
work was hard and many hands were needed. It is because of this fact, with 
due consideration for the need of social intercourse, that such progress 
among primitive communities can best be explained. 

Industrial Development
Agriculture was predominantly the life blood of the first settlers. They 
exemplified almost purely an economic unit. Then followed the merchant, 
the blacksmith, the cobbler, the miller, the stone mason, the carpenter 
(who at first only cooperated with others), the sawyers, loggers, stable 
keepers or hostlers, and within recent years the modern industrial plants 
and modes of transportation. Mr. Ferguson of Elmwood, the father of the 
present prosecuting attorney, Charles W. Ferguson of Wayne County, had a 
grist mill on his farm that ground grain for years. Men came here to mill 
from the entire water shed of Guyan Valley. 

A brick yard gave service to many and work for some. It has now ended its 
usefulness. The coal mines nearby makes fuel cheap. It was with the coming 
of the Norfolk and Western Railroad and the development of oil and gas 
interests that this community has touched the pulse of the outside world. 
The man responsible for this railroad coming up the Twelve Pole Valley 
more than any other man is probably Belvard Jones Prichard. His influence 
and effort that contributed to the development of the oil and gas interest 
of this community is the most outstanding. His work for the community is a 
monument in itself. Not only has he aided greatly in industrial 
development but politically he has added much, serving first his county, 
then the state, in both houses. He was active in law until his personal 
interests absorbed his entire attention. He is the founder and president 
of the Wayne County Bank, and is a cousin of Fred C. Prichard who founded 
the new school at Ona. 

The Norfolk and Western Railroad furnishes employment for a number of men 
of this section. The majority of industry here is still agricultural, 
especially grain crops. Recently, however, the farmers have profitably 
turned their attention to truck farming. Following close to truck the 
farmers have become interested in fruits. This is one of the best fruit 
belts of the state. The county agent, W. D. Click, has proved conclusively 
by example that this is a truck growing community. At present practically 
every farm or tract of land is under lease for oil and gas. Two or three 
big main lines for gas are definitely located to reach and pass through 
this section. 

The water power has not been tapped. Just below the present town of Wayne 
is a beautiful power site. It has been estimated by engineers that there 
is enough water volume here, if properly made use of, to be converted into 
power sufficient to light the present city of Huntington, as well as the 
community of Wayne, for homes, garages, and other purposes. Then too, to 
climax the power project, this site has a natural rock bed, one of the 
prerequisites necessary for a successful venture in water power. Probably 
the community's industrial life has been slow in development but it has 
been a sure and steady growth. 

Reverend Burwell Spurlock Religious Development
The economic wants must necessarily come first in the life of a community. 
Those being satisfied, man turns to his Creator - this has been the 
repeated past. The outstanding figures in this community's early religious 
development were Rev. Burl Spurlock and William Jarrell. Both were circuit 
riders. Spurlock has left his imprint for good more than any other 
religious leader of early days. His untiring efforts have come down and 
paved the way for modern development. There are now four different 
churches in the limits of the town of Wayne: Baptist, Holiness, Christian, 
and Methodist. Each church is cooperative with the others best interests.  
Because of the smallness of membership in each church a movement began in 
1925 known as the "Wayne Mens' Christian Association," to which all men 
could join whether Christians or not. Church membership was not a 
prerequisite. It was void of church lines and denominational spirit. This 
organization has done more to unify Wayne Community than any other force. 
It was a positive and progressive measure for good. The Baptist and 
Methodist churches have recently completed splendid brick edifices of 
worship. The community as a whole is distinctly Christian. 

Educational Development
With the satisfaction of man's physical and religious needs comes the 
third requirement, his cultural and intellectual needs. The most 
influential educator in Southwestern West Virginia was Taylor Bascom 
McClure. He was born in Lawrence County, Kentucky, January 16, 1847, and 
received his education in West Virginia University, graduating in 1875. 
Professor McClure served on the board of examiners for teachers many 
years. Then too, he founded, and was principal and master of Oakview 
Academy for years. This academy, although not in use today, still stands 
as a monument to his labor and achievement. It is the Alma Mater of many 
prominent men of today. Probably his greatest contribution has been the 
noted men and women that he has turned out from his school. He is a 
thorough progressive. With his help the modern Wayne County High School 
was established against great odds. His achievement, though mostly in 
education, is not all of his contribution. Politically he has given much 
and his influence was most keenly felt. Now rounding out his eightieth 
year, he is still found in active service, alert, agile, active, useful, 
and in good health. He is a relative of Henry Clay. 

The present High School (Wayne County High School) is one of the most 
influential institutions in this community, young but now with an 
enrollment of about one hundred and ninety pupils. The increase in the 
enrollment the past two years has been astounding. The future can only 
tell its possibilities. The graded school has been in need of new quarters 
for some time and the new building is now assured, since the contract for 
a new brick structure was recently let. The progress of rural education 
because of the new county high school has already been felt and the 
standard of both will necessarily be raised. 

The first newspaper appeared here 1874. It was begun by P. P. Lewis, who 
for political reasons moved the paper to Cassville. The first paper was 
named the Wayne County Advocate, later changed to Wayne News. Seven years 
ago when Herman P. Dean took over the paper he changed its name to Wayne 
County News. He has developed the present paper to one of first class. His 
efforts and interest are always for the community. 

Social Development
The people are congenial, hospitable, and friendly. The party life has 
never troubled this section. Probably custom is more rigidly enforced here 
than in most rural communities. The community has been aroused to its 
social obligation to the young people. The churches have tried to aid this 
need. The public schools are no doubt contributing much. It is the 
development of the social need more than any other factor that is needed 
to raise the average of the community's score. 

Political Development
The political development has been the most marked. Many professions 
including editors, statesmen, lawyers, and others have been blessed by 
native sons from this community. Gobel Burgess, W. L. Mansfield, Boyd 
Jarrell, J. J. Mansfield, John Meeks, and Prosecuting Attorney Charles W. 
Ferguson are only a few of the prominent men from this community. These 
men not only hold prominent positions today but have added greatly to the 
community's prosperity and betterment. 

Wayne 's Assets
It has been stated that the community has four churches. It also has one 
county high school, a first class grade school, and a one hundred fifty 
thousand dollar court house. There are two progressive banks, the Wayne 
County Bank and the Peoples State Bank, three garages, a hotel, restaurant 
and several boarding houses. 

A chamber of commerce advertises the town and aids progressive 
enterprises. There are many mercantile establishments, and a drug store. 

The location of the town is its greatest asset. Located on the Lakes to 
Florida highway and nestled among the foothills, it offers a spectacle of 
beauty and commands admiration of natives and visitors alike. 

Many of the great men and women of the nation got their early learning in 
such schools as these. Many got their inspiration from the lessons taught 
in McGuffey's Readers. I have lately been examining these Readers and have 
one that dates as far back as 1853 and I don't believe they can be 
surpassed by any other set of Readers for morals. 

Literature exerts a powerful influence either for good or evil. Benjamin 
Franklin said that his reading of Cotton Mather's "Essay to do good" 
moulded his entire life. 

Those who have read the history of the French Revolution know that the 
revolutionary character and spirit of French literature had much to do 
with bringing on this war. 

Who will doubt that "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a factor in hastening on our 
own Civil War? 

Let me close by applying a quotation made by L. W. Burns, County 
superintendent of Schools in Greenbrier County in a welcome address to the 
state Teachers Association, to our immediate vicinity: "The finest 
constellation in all the clear skies of Liberty is a cluster of some forty 
odd brilliant stars known as the United States of America, and one of the 
most splendid stars in that glorious group is the one which represents the 
state of West Virginia. Mother nature has lavished upon our state with 
extravagant hand her manifold blessings; our valleys are veritable gardens 
of flowers and fruits. Truly it is a habitation fit for man." 

Let each of us make the best use we can of this habitation. What we are 
doing now will influence future generations for it is what man was that 
lives and acts after him. The golden words that we utter and the good 
examples we set will live through all time; so will the unchaste words and 
bad examples. Do we appreciate as we should what God has given us? 

Permit me to quote from Kipling's Recessional: 

"God of our fathers, known of old - Lord of our far-flung battle line. 
Beneath whose awful hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine - Lord God of 
hosts be with us yet, Lest we forget - lest we forget." 

                         (c) WebRoots March 2002