www.scarbrowv.comThese pages are dedicated to the courageous families and the
descendants
of the Coal Miners that toiled there in the early to mid-20th Century. These pages are for you to enjoy and reminisce. Please contribute!
email me
at: dennis@scarbrowv.com
Corrections, comments and contributions are very welcome. Please
review the Submittal Rules before
submitting content. We reserve the right to refuse any submittals.
NOTE: If
there is anything in your correspondence that you would not like added
to these pages please advise in the content. Otherwise, We are assuming
that you would like the contribution to be enjoyed by our visitors.
email addresses are now being held for privacy reasons. We would be
pleased to forward your requests to the parties as time allows.
| Date | emails |
|---|---|
| Jump to: Nov | Oct | Sep | Aug | Jul | Jun | May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan | |
| Dec 31, 2006 | "Dennis, Did you know about a recent publication published by the
Fayette Tribune called A Pictorial History of Fayette County? If you
don't have a copy, let me know. You've done such a great job with this
website, I'd like to buy you a copy (if they're still available). There are a couple of interesting photos from Carlisle, Scarbro, etc. 1. Lowell Thomas (the broadcaster) who visited the Whipple mine. He is pictured with many of the miners and they are all identified in the photo. (contributed by Samuel Nicholls) 2. Another photo is of the Toney family in Carlisle (1930s). (contributed by William "Bill" Toney) 3. Also, one of Thomas Hundley who worked at the Oakwood mine. (contributed by Ollie Hundley) 4. Another of Toney's Pure Oil Station in Dothan, circa 1952. (contributed by William H Toney) I have another publication, Picturing West Virginia, that contains a picture of the New River Company Store at Scarbro (this picture doesn't look anything like the company store that I remember--maybe the older wooden structure?). This pictorial archive was published in 2005 by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (The Cultural Center, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25305)" Chuck Creger Reply: Hi,I don't have a copy. I would like to see it. Thanks! Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Dec 30, 2006 | "The teacher in the photograph is Mrs. Harrah, I believe.
She was still there in 1960 when I entered the first grade. Her
classroom was so full, though, that I was transferred to Miss
Myrtle Burgess's classroom and that poor lady scared me to death.
I cried every day for weeks. ha! I finally recovered (sort of)."
Chuck Creger Reply: Which picture? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Dec 30, 2006 | "Dennis, I was raised in Scarbro, but lived in NYC for 22 years, returning to Scarbro in 2002. I am really enjoying your website and wonder if anyone has a picture of the old Scarbro Elementary School? I went there through the 8th grade before transferring to Mount Hope High School with the rest of the kids who lived on the lower end of Scarbro (near the present Scarbro Post Office). I also have two very old Oak Hill High School yearbooks (from the 1920s). In them I found pictures of Miss Smith and Miss Burgess, two of my early teachers in Scarbro. I will try to scan some photos and send to you. Thanks for putting this information together for everyone!" Chuck Creger |
| Dec 27, 2006 | "There is a Mary Seletyn buried there in an unmarked grave. She died August 4, 1910 and was buried on August 5, 1910. I got proof from the Catholic Church in Oak Hill." Thanks, Teresa Seletyn |
| Dec 17, 2006 | "Watched the pictures on computer of Carlisle and Whipple. Like to know more about Mossy." Jo McCoy |
| Dec 16, 2006 | "I am trying to research my family history and wondering if anyone can help. My grandparents lived on Toney Fork Rd. in Dothan. There names were Caroll Leslie Toney (Jimbo) and Claris Toney. They had 9 children (7 of which are still living)…Adam, JoEllen (Muff), Darrel (Fats), Wilbur (Ham), Judy, Katie and Barb. The 2 deceased are Roger and Charles (Hunk). Several still like in Oak Hill, but I don’t have many pictures or stories to leave my children. I lived in Oak Hill until I was 12 then I moved with my mom Judy and my brother to Lynchburg, Va.. I currently live in Medina, Ohio and have 2 children that I would love to start a family history for. I got interested in your site when I saw an old friend responding. I was wondering if you had heard from Lee Massie and how his search for family history was going? Thanks for your work on this wonderful site." Kimberly Williams Riddlebarger |
| Nov 25, 2006 | "Hi Dennis. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Was deer hunting myself and dinner was Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup heated over Sterno. May be of some help. Have never heard of a 'slave cemetery' but did hear that there was a cemetery on the left side of the road going up the mountain toward Dothan near the top. Will do some checking as soon as I get a chance to go up and look around. Also supposed to be another one across from the company store above the 'fan house' that used to be there. A little ridge comes out there. This could also be near the 'Smith Cemetery' on the John Brenneman property at Whipple. He thought it was some of the miners from the explosions in the area but the graves are unmarked and it could be slaves there I suppose. Nice job on the site. Look like you stay busy forwarding mail for site visitors. Have a couple of pictures myself to send if I can get my lazy self busy and do so. Always glad to be of any help I can." B.J. Bernath |
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| Nov 21, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, My name is Emma Milam Kelly I was born in Dothan, WV live now on Pt Creek Rd next to Mossy. As a child my grandmother Minnie Angle most knew her as Minnie Haw Haw or Minnnie Hall told me about a slave Cemetery on Carlisle Mt do you know where it is?" Emma Milam Kelly |
| Nov 21, 2006 | "You can use this photo if you want - I don't know who the man is. It is of the old Oak Wood Tipple that was located at the bottom of Carlisle Mt." Vernon DeLung Mossy, WV |
| Nov 13, 2006 | "Dennis, Thank you so much for forwarding the email to me about my Uncle Pat. It is so nice to hear from someone that knew him. I sent a long response back to Bill. I was going to forward it to you but somehow I can't find it. Most large towns or cities don't have a sophisticated web site like our much loved little coal mining town...thanks to you. Scarbro was small but full of big hearted folks that will always love it and cherish their memories from there. Please feel free to post this on your site. If any other people have memories of my family, we would love to hear them. Again, thank you. I wish Pat and my mom, Ann, were around to enjoy your site." Beth (Bishop/Griffith) Reisman, Grandaughter of the late Clarence and Eleanor Bishop; daughter of the Ann Bishop Griffith (deceased since 1993); niece of Bill Bishop, Carolyn Bishop Thornhill and Paul (Pat) Bishop (deceased since 2003). Cincinnati (OH) |
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| Nov 10, 2006 | "Hi Dennis could you please pass this to Beth Griffin Reisman: Thanks." Hi Beth, just read your comments of November 2nd on the Scarbro Site. I grew up with your Uncle Pat. Went too school with him thru the 8th grade and believe the 9th until he betrayed us and transferred to Mt Hope High School to finish. Spend many a day at his home over our years of growing up. I think we both could/can contribute a lot of facts to this site, but something are best un-mentioned (ha-ha). Just wanted to let you know that Pat was a true and dear friend of mine. Did not keep in touch after High School, but think we all are guilty of that. Realizing too late that we have let that happen. Those were some wonderful years of our/my life growing up in Scarbro. Get back there every year or so. Really enjoy that. Well Pat's Niece take care and God Bless you and yours." Bill Wojtowicz |
| Nov 10, 2006 | "Hi, I bookmarked your site a while back and just checked on it…good job. I am a local too. I noticed people mentioning some specific names and dates for immigration, thought I would share a link, here you can enter relevant info and get their immigration to US info. http://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/ " Mike Underwood – Mt Hope |
| Nov 9, 2006 | "My name is Laszlo Horvath, Slovak Republic, Europe. I am
found your very interested web site that is why I decided to write
you. I am searching for my roots, grand grand parents emigrated to US in about 1900 from Hungary. I have found my great grandmother Barbara Bajzath in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery. Scarbro, she was catholic. ( Bayzath Barbara Dec 6, 1872 - May 31, 1931, Buzz Byset's mother ) I would like you to give me a direction how can I find her husband. I know only that he died in US in 1959.( no information where ) They both born in Toronya - Hungary Had 3 children John, Julia and Anna. I found them, they died in Glen Jean. Is it possible to get more information about them? and where?" Thank you for your help, Laszlo Horvath |
| Nov 7, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, I would love to talk to Pauline (Pauline Scarbro
Nelson). I believe she went to school with my uncle Tim.
Sorry its been so long, but I would love to chat and share info."
Amber Piesyk Reply: Amber, I have forwarded your request to Pauline Scarbro Nelson. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Nov 7, 2006 | "Dear Dennis, C. Omer Coleman tried to reach me a few
months ago. He knows my grandparents and great grandparents and I
would love to talk to him and share stories." Amber Piesyk Reply: Amber, I have forwarded your request to C. Omer Coleman. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Nov 6, 2006 | "Sorry!! my last name is Coad (married) my maiden is Bostic. I am studying Mother's side: she was a Mucuk (Lukasz) was her father, and my grandfather. My great grandfather was Joe Galant 1869-July 5, 1924. Scarbro. My great grandmother was ?? Galant, she returned to Poland, with one of the daughters, as i had said. My grandmother Helen(ka) raised her sisters, brothers, with my great grandfather, remaining in America. I spoke to my sister, yesterday. My uncle Pete, and aunt Ann, took the name Karvasky, (Mucuk's by birth) listed as William Karwasky on your website, buried in Scarbro Jan 1892-Feb 7 1926. And Kruk? my sister did not like? as a little girl. My mother married a Bostic. And here I am!! Have i confused you Dennis? I hope not! My grandmother and mother, etc, are all buried over at Highlawn Memorial in Oak Hill. Thank you!!" Jeanne Bostic Coad |
| Nov 5, 2006 | "Hi Dennis! The site looks great! I am the great grandaughter of
Joe Galant (Poland) Tonee, as listed on his death cert.,
my uncle? I believe? My grandmother was Helen |
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| Nov 2, 2006 | "Dennis, This is Beth Griffith Reisman, the grand daughter of Clarence and Eleanor Bishop (New River Company Store Manager) and the daughter of Ann Bishop Griffith. I was reading some of the entries on the web site and came across the entry by David Goode on July 28, 2006. By coincidence, I was just researching the mine wars earlier this week. I have some old family shotguns (from my father's side, residents of Boone and Logan Counties) and Dad told me that one of the guns was used in the Blair Mountain Mine Wars. For years leading up to the Battle of Blair Mountain there were labor disputes in many of the mining counties including the battle between the Italian coal miners in Fayette County with the "Company Men". It is my understanding that the miners involved in the mine war were from all of the Southern WV mining counties, including Fayette. Tomorrow (November 3, 2006) is the 3rd anniversary of my uncle, Paul (Pat) Bishop's death. We used to spend hours talking about and researching facts about Scarbro. I was thinking about him tonight and decided to visit your site again and take a trip down memory lane. Pat would have loved this web site. I know he would have been able to contribute so many facts to the site. Thank you for the wonderful job you do in keeping this site going so the people that love Scarbro have a place to reminisce and reconnect." Beth Griffith (Bishop) Reisman |
| Oct 31, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, could you pass this email on to Becky Tolli.
Thank you. Hi Becky, my name is Walter Grzyb, Jr. my sister,
Barbara, and I lived down the road in the red brick house on the
corner. My mother was Nellie (Zzastawniak) Grzyb, Walter was
her brother. Your mother, Bootsy, is my cousin. I live in
Youngstown, OHIO. I have 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. Sister lives in
Arlington, VA. Walter Zastawniak also had a younger sister
"Toots" Charnobay that knew your mom. She lives in
Cleveland, Ohio. I told her about you and she wants to know how your
mom... is doing... Hope this finds her OK. Toots would like to talk to
her if possible....Would like to hear from you. Have a very nice day."
Walter Grzyb, Jr. Reply: Walter, I have forwarded your request to Becky. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Oct 29, 2006 | "Dennis, Please add Andrew Lively to the 2002 Death List." Thanks, Roy lively |
| Oct 12, 2006 | "Paul Delmich, Immigrated 1907 From; Hungaria, Whipple Mines 11 years, McKell Coal & Coke Company 2 yrs, 2 years @ Collins, 11yrs at Summerlee. 26 years as a miner. Lived: Number 98 Whipple house. Wife Ann." Thanks, Barbara Lucas (Delridge) |
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| Oct 9, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I have always lived in Scarbro, and still do. I was looking over the info on your website and saw that in August of this year Jane Todorvich Hargrove mentioned Nelly Dickinson. I just wanted to let her know that she was my 8th grade teacher 1973-1974 school year, at Scarbro Elementary. She was one of my all time favorite teachers and one of the reasons I became a teacher myself. I think I have some old pictures with her in them.' Thanks, Becky Treadway-Donnelly |
| Oct 6, 2006 | "Hello, I saw your website and it brought back memories. As a child my mother grew up in Glen Jean and they lived in the old McKell house which was torn down. My grandfather was an auditor for the McKell Coal Company and then for the New River Company. He used to do the books at the Whipple store and all the other company stores around the area. They moved to Maple Ave in Oak hill across from the Jones mansion in 1940 after McKell died. I have some old photos, etc. I will try to send you some digital pics. I will have to dig them out of the boxes. I have my grandfather's ledgers from when he work for Mckell. I get down that way a few times a year because they are all buried at Highlawn cemetery." Bill Stratton |
| Oct 2, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I was reading more of your letters. Brenda Coffman
Hall wrote about Cafego Rd. Would I be able to EMail her
and ask about this." Thanks, Marge Fesus Reply: Marge, I have forwarded your request to Brenda. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Sep 28, 2006 | "I have the picture of the Whipple Mine Night Shift. I will try to scan and send over to you. I will have to look through my pictures to see if I have one of the Company Store. I think I do." Barbara Lucas (Delridge) |
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| Sep 27, 2006 | "Hello, Could you pass along my email to Linda Delridge Obora?
I believe she is my cousin? Mayor is my dad Paul's cousin. I was born
and raised on Hunk Hill. Loved it! I recently went on the same trip
you had. Visiting all the sites and area's that I once knew. It was
great and I want to do it again soon. I do have a picture of the
Whipple Mine. Pano view." Barbara Lucas (Delridge) Reply: Barbara, I have forwarded your request to Linda. Any chance of you emailing me a scan of the panoramic view of the Whipple Store? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Sep 26, 2006 | "Wow! What a surprise seeing a site about Scarbro, WV. I was born and raised in Scarbro. My father was Andrew Canada, Sr. , and we lived on a hill that had two houses. Our neighbors were the Hymons. My mom talked about the times when Scarbro was “the place”. I remember hearing about the company store and the movie theatre. I remember when the post office was on the side of the company store. Does anyone remember when there two elementary schools, the four room school for blacks which is now, I think, used for medical purposes and the one that is now Scarbro Elementary? There was a store near the school, run by Mr. Mahoney, I believe, where we bought penny candy and sold pop bottles." Thank you, Janet Canada |
| Sep 14, 2006 | "Dennis, I have just returned home from my visit to the Whipple
Company Store and I have a question I hope someone can answer for
me. Does anyone remember where the doctor's office was situated in
the company store? Unfortunately I have floor plans that do not place
the office. I have been told that the doctors office was there. Any
information would be so helpful. I also have an old
photo
of the building painted white. Anybody remember this? I will
be painting back to that color in April of 2007. If anyone is visiting
the area please feel free to visit as the store will be open to the
public during the restoration process.. April 15- Oct 1 2007." Thanks,
Joy Lynn Reply: Joy, any chance we can post the photo of the "white" store? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Sep 12, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I have Emailed you once before. My husbands
grandfather & Mother lived at 3 White Oak Rd. I read in some of your
correspondence that this road was changed to Cafego Road. I
found a map with this information on it. If I went to Scarbro , WV do
you think I would be able to find this house on Cafego Road?.
It seems far fetched but I am desperate to find some information on
John Lusinsky (Luchensky on the 1910 census. }. Awaiting your
reply." Thanks, Marge Fesus Reply: Marge, I don't know if it has been established that Cafego Road was originally named "White Oak Road". I think that "Oak Street" was mentioned instead. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Aug 28, 2006 | "Thank you, we are so pleased with the purchase. My last name is Lynn. My Grandfather worked the Brooklyn coal mine in the 40's His last name was Berry. I was born in Oak Hill .I currently live in Florida but, return to WV every chance i get. I plan to retire in Fayette county. I will be happy to send you restoration photos as we progress.. We will be looking at bids for different remodel and restore jobs throughout the winter. We would like to leave it a store. My plans right at the moment is to meet up with the coal heritage and historical people to see what opinions they have....I want the integrity of the coal miners lifestyle to be represented and respected. I'm so happy with your website Thanks for writing back, please keep in touch." Joy Lynn |
| Aug 28, 2006 | "My name is Joy, and with my husband Chuck, we have
just purchased the Whipple Company Store. As I was doing research on the store, I ran across your website and all the information it has to offer about the area and the times. Our intention is to restore the company store. I will be checking up on your website hoping comments, messages, and ideas will help in reviving the old place to its Historical Coal Heritage status. Any suggestions and/or comments will be greatly appreciated." Thank you, Joy Lynn Reply: Joy, Congratulations on your purchase. Is your last name Lynn? Maybe you could provide restoration photos for the Scarbro web site as you progress. Will you keep it as a store? What are your plans? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Aug 23, 2006 | "I'm sorry, after I wrote that I realized what they were talking about. I thought that they were talking about somewhere up on Whipple, not at the bottom. That building has been there so long, I can't believe that it is still standing. I drove by that everyday on my way to elementary school (the old Scarbro Elementary) Collins Middle School and Oak Hill High School. We really didn't live on a road that had a name it just had a route no. Now I understand it has a name. I can't remember what it is now. But as you turn right coming from Whipple where the old theater and store used to be and veer towards the right that was the road that I lived on. The road dead ended and we were the 3rd to the last house on that road. We lived in old coal houses. We lived on one side of the hill, my grandmother lived on the other and my aunt lived down the hill. The Jackson's own most of the hollow now. I remember when they built that health center down the road I guess now it is a big deal. When I was really little my father used to take me to Washington's store on Whipple Hill. It was owned by a little black man and mostly black people would shop in there. I loved that little store. My father would buy me penny candy and pop. I don't know if you are interested in any of this stuff, but I'm enjoying reminiscing about my childhood." Thanks, Becky Tolli |
| Aug 23, 2006 | "Hi, I lived in Scarbro for most of my adult life. I lived there from 1965 to 1989. My family lived there their entire lives. My grandmother was Dorothy Pennington (maiden name) Zastawniak Rice. My grandfather was Walter Zastawniak and then Charles Rice. My mother's name is Tonita Jewell Zastawniak Tolli and my father's name was Frank Tolli. I had an aunt who recently died who was named Ruby Tolli. I have several aunts and uncles who grew up in Scarbro. There was Joe, Albert, Annette, Ruby, Tony , Demaia, and Johnny. My mother didn't have any siblings. My grandparents on my father's side were Italian and they had come over from Italy in the 1910's. My grandparents on my mother's side were from Poland. It's been awhile since I was home so I imagine by looking at your website that things have changed. I'm confused by the Whipple Hill establishment that you are talking about. I don't remember anything like that while I was living there. Is it something new?" Thank you, Becky Tolli |
| Aug 18, 2006 | "Dennis I just received your web site from my nephew in WV. My name is Vivian Miller Edwards my dad was Perry Miller he was the President of the union in Kingston in the thirties & forties I would like to hear from anyone that remembers that time." Vivian Miller Edwards in Fl |
| Aug 7, 2006 | "Dennis could you highlight the previous info about donations to
the Fayette County Public Library to draw attention to it? We would
love copies of some of these photographs. Could you give me Marge
Fesus email - we'd love a copy of the Dunglen hotel photograph. We
have these items displayed free to the public. Also a note...the
Whipple store isn't open any longer, it is for sale $115,000 not a bad
deal." Brenda Moore Reply: Brenda, I have forwarded your request to Marge. I can print 4"x6" photo copies of anything on the site for the library. Let me know what you would like. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Aug 6, 2006 | "Hi Dennis., I see that you are a ex-jar head [MARINE] I also was like Dave Goode. It either the Marines or the coal mines. I took the Marines [1951-1954] I was in Wpns Co 2nd marines 2nd Marine Div. My brother, Earskine Lively, was killed on Saipan Island June 1944. He was also in the 2nd Marine Div. I would like to hear from former Marines from the Scarbro / Carisle / Dothan / Mossy area. Thanks Dennis, and keep the good work." Roy Lively |
| Aug 6, 2006 | "Dennis, I have a better quality photo of the Scarbro Depot. I also have better information which I obtained from Mrs. McCallister who is 94 and is still living in Scarbro (Stover Hollow). She said that this depot was located directly in front of the Rialto Theater (not there at that time) at the railroad tracks. The two large houses were at the site of the old Price house and the Company Doctor's office/house." Richard Fitzpatrick |
| Aug 3, 2006 | "Dear Dennis, think I just seen a message on your web that might
be from a relative of mine, Irma L. Ayers (Caten). Could you
please provide her with my E-Mail address or me with hers. Think her
grandmothers name was Minnie (my aunt) also from Harvey she
also has an aunt in Oak Hill by the name of Margaret Ayres (now
Crisp) Would like to communicate with her and any help that you
can provide is appreciated. Thanks, Fred D. Raines Reply: Fred, I have forwarded your request to Irma. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Aug 2, 2006 | "Hello, My name is Jane Todorovich Hargrove. I now live in Scottsboro, AL but was born in Oak Hill, WV. My parents are James (Jim) Todorovich and Sue Dickinson Todorovich. My Grandmother was Nelle Lilly Dickinson who taught at Scarbro for many years. Maybe you or someone remembers her? I am writing to ask for any information about my grandparents. My father’s father’s name was Jovo Todorovich and his mother was Mary. They had five children, George, Nick, John (Killed in the mines 1947), Mary, George, and Jim. I know when Daddy was very young (born at) he lived at Page. Later they moved to Oak Hill. Any information will be greatly appreciated. For a long time I thought the name of the mine was Page! I am old enough to know that I need to know where my family came from (I know it was former Yugoslavia). Family and our roots give us a sense of belonging. I need that. I will be forever grateful." Sincerely, Jane Todorovich Hargrove |
| Aug 1, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, My husband drove through Whipple a few days ago and
he was telling about the old co. store. I looked it up and found your
website, its great. Is there anyone I could contact about getting a
better look at it. That is a beautiful building. Is anyone trying to
preserve it?" Name Unknown my e-mail is
drpepperinnc@aol.com Thanks Reply: You can contact them directly below. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com Update June, 2007: The Whipple Company Store is under new management contact Joy Lynn http://www.whipplecompanystore.com |
| Jul 31, 2006 | "Dennis, my Uncle Carlos Clifton just called me and wanted to know when the next Scarbro Reunion was going to be. Could you please find out and let me know?" Thanks, Janet Clifton Miles |
| Jul 28, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, What I'm about to tell you has nothing to do with the
villages you mention at your website other than the question, "Did any
of the local coal miners participate in the major war between the
miners and the mine operators in Mingo / Logan counties in the early
1920s?" I have tried to read everything I can find on the battles back
then and when the miners marched on Logan 10,000 strong to kill the
Sheriff, who had 5,000 armed deputies at the top of the mountain over
which the miners had to cross to get to Logan, the Governor went to
President Harding and asked him to declare martial law.
President Harding consented and sent troops. He also directed that
a squadron of bombers from Langley Field, VA be sent to drop tear gas
bombs on the miners. This squadron was led by Brigadier General
Billy Mitchell, the father of U. S. Military Air power! Imagine,
this famous American patriot being sent to drop bombs on other
Americans. Do you know if any of the Scarbro and vicinity miners
participated in the battle? Just go to Google and search for "Billy
Mitchell and the coal mine wars" and you will find a plethora of
information on this subject." Dave Goode, former Oak
Hill resident (departed in 1950.....my choices were the Marines or the
Mines and I chose the Marines!) Reply: Maybe our viewers have some information. Dave, the Marines was a good choice. I served 1962-1965 in the 2nd Marine Division. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Jul 27, 2006 | "Hello, my name is Bobby G. Ayers II, I have been doing projects related to the Layland Mine explosion for well over a year now. My newest is trying to find the graves or at least know where the men who died from the explosion are buried. Being that there were 112 dead this is hard to do. Only about eight were buried at Layland (not counting the 12-15 unclaimed bodies buried in a corner of the cemetery) about12-20 are buried at Springdale, supposedly 60 at Hinton and ay least 12-20 are buried in the Scarbro area. I have gotten the ones from the Catholic cemetery on your site. Do you or anyone else know of any others? Maybe in the Miner's Cemetery? If so please contact me." Thank you, Bobby G. Ayers II |
| Jul 26, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, Thanks for posting my questions on your site. What kind of pictures are you interested in? I don't have WV pictures except for one. It is the old Dunglen hotel. My mother in law was born in Dunglen in 1908. The town is completely gone. I got the white oak road address from the 1910 census. Dunglen is no longer on the map. Her birth certificate does say Dunglen. Let me know about anything else I could send for you." Thanks again, Marge Fesus |
| Jul 23, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I have been reading the input from people in Scarbro.
My husbands grandfather and grandmother lived there. I have them on
the 1910 Census. We were told that John Lucinsky ( Lochinski,
Lorinski, Lochensky) and Karl Antal were killed
in a mining accident around 1911 or 1912. The men were in a mining car
and the cable broke loose and several men were killed. I have tried to
verify this information for several years. There house number on White
Oak road was 23. I think. Any information I can get would be
appreciated. I don't know what mine it was in. I also checked death's
in that area. No Luck. Can my questions be posted on your website.?"
Thank you, Marge Fesus Reply: Marge, posted your request. Do you have any family photos you can submit? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Jul 22, 2006 | "It was wonderful to seeing this site. I was raised in Scarbro WV. The company store and theater had closed growing up but I remember "talk" of the busy days of Scarbro. My grandfather John Alexander Hymon and Elizabeth had (I believe) 14 children. My father John Alexander Hymon Jr. was paralyzed in coal mining accident. I could not find their names in the census listings. If you have any information or documentation regarding this family, please let me know. Again, I applaud your research and hard work." Thank you. Drema Hymon |
| Jul 13, 2006 | "Dear Dennis, Would you please provide Omer Coleman with my
email address? He graduated from Kingston High School with my Mother,
Gloria Dean Parrish. I would really like to some things about
Kingston, the school, etc. and I can't ask Mother since she passed
away in 2002. Thank you for your help and for building the site!"
Warmest regards, Andrea Ferguson Reply: Andrea, I forwarded your request to Omer. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jul 13, 2006 | "Dennis: Could you post this on your web site? The Fayette County Public Library Headquarters building behind the Oak Hill Public Library built an archives room and we are accepting any donations. We would also love to have copies of some of these pictures you're posting! Your name and donation would be mentioned in a monthly column in the Fayette Tribune. Your name is also displayed with the items. For more information, contact Brenda Moore at mooreb@mail.mln.lib.wv.us |
| Jul 13, 2006 | "Dennis, could you please pass along contact information for
Charley Neeley? The Fayette County Public Library has started an
archives and we would love to have copies of some of the pictures he
has submitted." Thanks. Brenda Moore Reply: Brenda, I forwarded your request to Charley. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Jul 11, 2006 | "Hello Dennis...I still think that you have the best web site on the internet. I would like to hear from people that know me and knew me when I was living in Dothan, WV Please pass my address to anyone that wants it." Thanks, Roy Lively |
| Jul 9, 2006 | "I'm Erma L. Ayers (Caten now) from Harvey WV. Graduated
from Mt. hope WV in 1961. I wanted to find out if B.J. Bernath
is from Hill Top and is he about my age. I think he was friends with
David Sullivan. I now live in Mandeville LA, about 40 miles
north of New Orleans (still in Katrina Country). My mom was Willia
Ayers from Harvey and she was the postmaster and had a grocery
store there. I'd love to hear from someone in Harvey or Glen Jean that
I knew back when." Erma Caten Reply: Erma, I forwarded your request to BJ. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jul 5, 2006 | "I have been scanning the internet to find the Sifers ancestors. One Steve Sifers from that area is Glennis Sifers and Essie Sifers son. Could your Steve possible this one. If so, I have information related to his family." Teddy Richmond |
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| Jul 4, 2006 | "Dennis, Sweetwood Holler' is very special to me. I spent many days there during my youth. It is where I swum, hunted and picked blackberries. Three families lived on the Stover Holler' end. They were Yoney, Connor and Fitzpatrick. The Fitzpatrick's, my Grandfather Jerry and Grandmother Alice, lived there around 1900 when there house burned and they moved to the first house on the left as you enter Stover Hollow. My Grandfather died soon afterward and my Grandmother lived there until the early forties. I knew the Yoney's and Connor's very well. A family of Yoney's lived in Stover Holler' until they opened a roller rink in East End about a mile East of Summerlee Road." Richard Fitzpatrick |
| Jun 21, 2006 | "The (Scarbro) depot was still there when I was living there. We had to go there to get our baby chicks from Sears Roebuck. We could get them at the Post Office in later days. I wonder who lived in the 2 huge houses in the background." Richard Fitzpatrick |
| Jun 19, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, A great site. My Dad, Lace Sanger, was raised in Scarbro. He began working on the White Oak RR in 1909 and retired in 1961. I am a life long resident of Oak Hill, 12/28/1931 and am active in the Oak Hill High/Collins High Alumni Association. We sponsor a school wide reunion every Labor Day weekend. All who ever attended either Oak Hill High or Collins High are cordially invited to attend. Any who are not receiving our newsletter are encouraged to send me their name and address and we will get the newsletter to them. Keep up the good work." Bob Sanger |
| Jun 16, 2006 | "Dennis, A little about the History of the Scarbro Store. I went to this store many times to buy groceries and use the Hoover's scrip." Richard Fitzpatrick |
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| Jun 16, 2006 | "Re: Scarbro 1950's Photo - Dennis, We lived in the small house lower right where my Sister was born in the late 30's." Richard Fitzpatrick |
| Jun 16, 2006 | "Dennis, Since I promised just 3 years ago to send photos, I think that I need to get busy. I am not old enough to have taken this one. When I lived there all that was standing was some of the Wingrove Mine structure which was associated with the stacks. Also, the shaft opening was still there and probably still is. I think that the Church and store were also gone." Richard Fitzpatrick |
| Jun 16, 2006 | "Dennis, I enjoyed the photos of Stover Holler where I lived and also the excellent photo of the swimmin' hole in Sweetwood Holler'. That is where I learned to swim. We, Rudy and Donnie Lester and Bill Taylor and myself, went there one summer and camped for 4-5 days. The older boys decided that I was old enough to swim so one took my legs and the other my arms and with a 1-2-3 count they tossed me into the deepest part. I learned to swim in a hurry because it was a swim or drown situation. We caught large minnows in the evenings and ate them. We had a feast one evening when "Junior" Charnsbay came with a chicken (alive). I remember that some boys found Freddy Campbell's spring where he kept his homebrew and took it to the swimmin' hole and drank it. I was not there, darn it! I was there the evening that Freddy just came and stood around for awhile and then said, "I don't mind you boys taking my homebrew, but would you bring the jars back". The girls on Wingrove Hill would come to swim in the evenings and Oris Thompson would walk with them. He would stop them on the top of the path until he could come ahead and make sure that no boys were skinny-dipping." Richard Fitzpatrick Baton Rouge, LA |
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| Jun 14, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, I just found your web site and was very impressed
with it. I was born in Oak Hill West Virginia and my family has been
in Lochgelly since the early 1900. I am going to my mom’s to go thru
her pictures of Oak Hill and Lochgelly and would like to pass on same
to you for your web page. I would also like to contribute funds to
keep the web page going. Please let me know how much the web page cost
per year. Look forward to hearing from you." Rochella Riordan Reply: Hi Rochella, I am looking forward to seeing your submittals. The hosting of the web site costs me $95.40/year. I do purchase relevant historical items for submittal from antique stores and web auctions. The financial supporters have contributed various amounts throughout the years. Any amount is greatly appreciated. I do not charge for my time maintaining the site, It is part of my contribution. The web site is for all those that take interest. It's a mutual endeavor and very satisfying. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jun 9, 2006 | "I have a new web site that may be of interest to you. I know you have several different types of links listed on your site: http://www.scarbrowv.com/index.html. I am not sure this will be a site qualified to be linked with you, but I thought I would bring it to your attention. I was born and raised in Bradley, WV an married my husband who is from Oak Hill. My family roots are from the Eccles and Glen Daniel area. (Maiden name is Daniel.) We moved to NC in '98, but still call WV home. My family still lives in the Prosperity / Beckley / Glenn Daniel area. My mother and I are just beginning an internet classified service to serve the communities of Raleigh and Fayette counties, as well as surrounding areas. We believe this can become a wonderful asset to the community as Internet technologies are drowning out print medias such as newspapers. Our site is http://www.bargainbrowsing.com. We hope to eventually branch out to other areas, but wanted to start this endeavor from "home." If you would like to out a link to our site on yours, we would be most appreciative. Maybe we could even provide a space within our site to link to your site as well. We are have just published our site and hope to be fully functional by June 13th (2006). Thank you for your time. If we can be of any help to you, please feel free to let me know." Sincerely, Christina Helm |
| Jun 4, 2006 | "More Old Photos: Main Street Oak Hill, WV (early days) Fayetteville, WV (Pre-1900s) Near Oak Hill, WV (early) Minden, WV 1940 Collins High Seniors 1952 Collins High Class 1952 45th Reunion 1997 Collins High Class 1952 45th Reunion 1997 Announcement Oak Hill, WV Holiday Inn Oak Hill High Freshman Boys M-Z 1948-1949 Hanging of Wash Adkins November 11, 1893 Collins High Class 1952 50th Reunion 2002 Collins High Deceased 2002? Charley Neely Class of 1952 |
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| Jun 2, 2006 | "Dennis, I may be able to help you with some old Photos of Oak
Hill, Minden and etc. Collins High School, Sophomore 1948-1949 Class Oak Hill, WV 1965 Oak Hill, WV 1951 Utility Workers Oak Hill, WV 1925 Merchants and Miners Bank Oak Hill, WV c1900s? ..My name is Charles Neely and I live in Raleigh, NC. ....I just discovered your site and it is great. I paid big bucks for the photos but I gladly share for the sake of memories and history." Charley Neely Class of 1952 'I would rather live my life as if there is a God than die and find out there isn't than to live my life as if there isn't a God and die and find out there is.' |
| May 29, 2006 | "Hello, I was viewing your site and found it of interest. I was born in Oak Hill Hospital and lived in Whipple in a house on the left going up the hill toward the mines and railroad tracks in the house with two very large rocks in the yard. My mother was one of the four teachers in the school at Scarbro for many years. Later moved to Hilltop and later to Mt. Hope. Would like to communicate because I want to document my beginnings for my grand kids. Thank you." ?? R. Haley?? |
| May 10, 2006 | "Dear Dennis: Maybe one of your readers can help me with my search. I am looking for a panoramic photo of the 1927 day shift of the Whipple Mines in Fayette County. My grandfather Paul Delridge is in the photo. My dad Joe "Mayor" Delridge remembers that at one time it hung in Clay Garvin's pool room in Oak Hill, possibly in the 1950 or 1960's. Mr. Bragg does not have this particular photo, I've already checked. If anyone can help me, I would certainly appreciate it." Linda Delridge Obora |
| May 10, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, was born at Oswald in 1928, Father was a miner and was
killed there in 1936, Grandfather was the super during the late 20s
and mid 30s. Do you ever get any postings on your site for Oswald, or
Tamroy? Enjoy your web site and even recognize some names as after Dad
was killed lived at Hill Top for many years." Thanks, Fred
Raines Reply: Fred, I never had any mentioning of Oswald or Tamroy to date. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| May 2, 2006 | "Dear Dennis: On 4 Jan. 2006 Jane Powers posted a message
regarding William Bethel Powers. If she is interested I have
more information on him and his brother's and sisters. His brother
John Bell Powers is my wife's Grandfather. If you don't mind pass
along my e-mail address and she may contact me if she wishes. I noticed Roy Lee Lively has posted messages also. I live in Maysville Ky. and his brother Lowell lives across the Ohio River in Aberdeen, Ohio. I used to see Pat Lowell's wife quite often before she retired from U.S. Bank. I also see his brother Roma every-once-in-a-while when I'm in Oak Hill. Roy Lee's father and mother Webster and Stella were friends with my father and mother when they lived in Kingston." C. Omer Coleman Reply: Omer, I forwarded your email address and message to Jane. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| May 1, 2006 | "Dear Dennis, If you don't mind would you pass along to Ms.
Amber Piesyk my e-mail address. Her Grandfather Homer Powers
is my wife's first cousin and we personally knew her GGreatgrand
Parents. Maggie and Clayton Aliff along with Rosella "Aliff"
Powers. We would be interested in the many stories by her Grand
Parents. I was raised on Lick Fork branch of Mossy Creek in Fayette
County and both my wife and I graduated from Kingston High School.
Thanks in advance for the favor." C. Omer Coleman Reply: Omer, I forwarded your email address to Amber. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Apr 27, 2006 | "Dennis........I was just looking at your sister website of Eccles.......My grandmother Dollie Marie Williams Anderson was the daughter of Mollie Williams and Cyfus Williams who ran the Titanic Boarding House for many years. She is gone now and all of her family but I know they lived there while she was school age and she graduated from Trap Hill High School. She raised me and I remember going to Eccles and visiting her friends the Harpers and the Stoots. All of her family is buried at Mt.Tabor. She married my grandfather Harry Anderson in the 1920's,she was 18 so Frank Hadra had to live there when they were running it. Wish I knew more, and there is no one to ask for help and I have forgot so much......I remembered bits and pieces while I was looking at the pictures and reading the articles. I doubt if anyone is still around that might remember the Williams family. Her brothers were Wilbur, Buck, Chap, Lon and her sisters were Elizabeth, Jessie. If anybody remembers them I would love to know." Brenda Hall |
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| Apr 16, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, Could you forward my email address to Amber
Piesyk. I am related to Rosella and went to school with
either Amber's dad or uncle." Thanks, Pauline Scarbro
Nelson Reply: Pauline, I forwarded your email address to Amber. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Apr 9, 2006 | "Dennis, I need help from you or anyone else that can help me find Karen Napier Cornett (she is divorced now) so I do not know if she is still using her married name. I talked with her Sister that lives in Beckley, Misty Martin, and this was all she could tell me. That she lives somewhere in Florida. So please if anyone can give me more information as to where to find Karen, I would appreciate it so much. Karen and I went thru Grade School, Jr. High, and graduated in 1962 from Mount Hope High. Thanks so much, any information would be helpful. Dennis please put my email address in also: jlm3201@ameritech.net and phone number 440-888-0566. Also, please thank the person that gave me her sister name, at least this was a start." Janet Clifton Miles |
| Apr 5, 2006 | "To: E. Loray Calhoun, Feb. 6, 1915, the New River Co. lost
22 men in an explosion at their Carlisle Mine. You can get this mine
map at: http://www.state.wv.us/mhst/ go to mine maps, click on folder
322, and map # 322077_01. This site has mining history, you will enjoy
the site." H. D. Graley Reply: H.D., I forwarded your information to E. Loray Calhoun. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Apr 5, 2006 | "Hello Dennis,...I really enjoy your web site...Would you please
inform Jessica Settle that I knew her father Leonard. I
bought a bike from him in 1944. I also knew his sister Inez. I
was living in Dothan at the time. My uncle, Homer Coleman, and
I used to run a dry-cleaning down Mossy, Kingston, Milburn and all
down Paint Creek in 1948-1951. I am now living in Akron Oh. There is a
Dothan-Toney Creek reunion It is held at the Oak Hill High School on
the last Saturday of July every year. Several people from Mossy
Carlisle, Whipple, Scarbro, etc., attend the reunion. Dennis, please
note my new e-mail address." Thanks, Roy Lee Lively Reply: Roy, I forwarded your information to Jessica. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Apr 5, 2006 | "Hello! My mother, Mary (Delridge) Dobbs grew up in Oak Hill and was the daughter of a coal miner, John Delridge. She now lives in Cleveland OH." Jennifer Coleman |
| Mar 31, 2006 | "Dennis: Your website is spectacular. I have really enjoyed
browsing through and reading what others have written, seeing the
names, and the pictures. I am Jessica L. Settle and my family
is from the Mossy, WV area. My father and grandfather, both named
Leonard Settle, were coal miners for years, as were many of my
uncles. The Settle’s are a relatively large family and most
still live in the same area. I read in a previous message that someone
had written where they referred to Kingston Elementary School.
Although the school closed down a few years before I was old enough to
attend, one of my fondest childhood memories was, after the school had
shut down, how everyone would get together at the school and the men
would play softball. The school was scary enough while it still
functioned as a school, but once it no longer was a school, it became
downright spooky. The adults would tell us stories of it being
haunted…has anyone else mentioned that? Just curious. Regardless, the
coal companies bought the land and the school has not been accessible
for years. Do you have any pictures of Kingston Elementary?"
Sincerely, Jessica Settle Reply: Jessica, I don't have any pictures of Kingston Elementary, hopefully our viewers might help. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Mar 21, 2006 | "Dennis Just happened upon your web site. What a great place! I
started reading through all the messages and saw lots of names I
recognized. However, I had to stop when I got to the Sept. 5, 2005
message from Ken Hiser. That's my cousin. His late Mom and my
Dad are siblings. Could you please pass along my email address to him?
I am Linda Delridge (now Obora). My Dad is Joe (aka "Mayor",
"Yorskel") Delridge, the youngest child of Paul and Anna
Delridge. My Mom is Jean Gillenwater. Her mom was Mamie
Gillenwater. The Gillenwaters and Delridges lived
across the road from each other on Hunk Hill. Dad was born in 1931 in
Whipple and Mom in 1941 in Oswald, that's Raleigh County. I have been
doing research on both sides of my family for a long time. It's been a
lot easier to do Mom's side, as my Delridge grandparents came
here from Hungary about 1910/1911. I will check for any old pictures I
may have. Would love to hear from anyone who knows my families. I live
in Pataskala, Ohio, near Columbus and am married with two sons."
Thanks for a great site." Linda Delridge (now Obora) Reply: Linda, I have forwarded your email to Ken. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Mar 14, 2006 | "Hi Dennis: I really enjoy your site. My name is Violet Kokoski Treadway. Joe Kokoski was my Father. I just wanted Roy Lively to know Albert Kokoski (son of Nellie Kokoski Nowlin who is now in a nursing home) is doing well and living in Ohio. Also, I attended SS Peter & Paul's Catholic school and church. The church at Scarbro is still standing but has been sold along with the school property to Ronnie Sayre. The school and church is now located on Oyler Avenue in Oak Hill." Violet Kokoski Treadway |
| Mar 11, 2006 | "Please add the following names that died in the Scarbro area in 2005. Bessie"Granny Mae" Scarbro of Scarbro WV {died Nov 17 2005 ] Thomas 'Tom' Lee Toney, Sr. of Dothan WV { died Dec 4 2005 ]" Roy Lee Lively |
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| Mar 11, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I am reading messages left by so many wonderful
people. It is a special thrill for me. I grew up in Scarbro during the
late 40's and early 50's, and I recall so many of the names, even
though I did not know them. This last one I just read mentions a
Jerri, Geri Mylenek not sure that it was spelled that way
when I knew them. If it is the same Geraldine that was a
neighbor when I was a very young lad. She lived with her mother on
what was then Oak Street, now Cafego Rd. I am sorry for not
having any more complete info than that. Keep up the fantastic work."
Fred Burmer Reply: Fred, Geraldine is a cousin of mine. Geraldine's mother was Mary Mlynek, who would be my great aunt, was married to John Mlynek. I never met them. see http://scarbrowv.com/hadra.htm. My grandmother, Florentyna Mlynek Hadra, was John Mlynek's sister. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Mar 9, 2006 | "I knew the Kokoski family at Dothan very well [ Joe, Tony, Frank, Nellie & her son Albert ] Albert was one of the best friends that I had in Dothan. I have a lot of fond memories of him & I playing together when we kids.....Dennis, you have the best web that I have seen. Keep up the good work & keep the memories coming..." Roy Lee Lively |
| Mar 8, 2006 | "Just a bit of info describing the photo (Old Scarbro Theater and Drugstore) submitted by Connie Smith Osteen. At the far end of the picture is the Rialto Theatre, down the steps to the street level and around the corner was the White Oak Drug Store operated by Doc Henderson, also under the theatre and beside the drug store was a barber shop. The New River Co. Store had three levels, the lower or basement level was for grocery shopping. On the main level, you shopped for notions, clothing and the butcher shop, and I believe that Beans Craft was the butcher of my time. On the upper level you could find home furnishings. The near end of the building housed the U.S. Post Office and the Postmaster of my time was Mrs. Arrington. Keep up the good work Dennis." Fred Burmer |
| Mar 2, 2006 | "Hi There, My name is Becky Treadway-Aldridge. My grandfather, Joe Kokoski, was killed in a roof-fall at the Lochgelly Mines in 1966. He was only 49 years of age and was working a double shift when this occurred. I also wanted to let the person who was inquiring about Helen Napier know that Helen and her husband Lee have both died. However, their daughter Misty is now Misty Martin and lives in Beckley, WV. I'm sure she could tell you how to get in touch with her sister, Karen." Becky Treadway-Aldridge |
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| Feb 25, 2006 | "Dennis, my Dad, Carroll Sylvester Clifton, was from Scarbro and worked at Lochgelly mines for 25 years. He died on April 24th 2001. Please insert his name in for me. Also I noticed a Helen Napier, can anyone let me know if she was from Wingrove, and had a daughter Karen that attended Scarbro and Mount Hope Schools. I am still trying to find her. Thanks so much for your column, it has helped so much. Also thank Bill Bernath for me, he also, should be praised for his pictures and his contribution to your column. I found a box after mother, Mildred "Micki" Clifton passed 2003 that I still have to go thru and I'm sure there will be something important to send you." Janet Clifton Miles |
| Feb 25, 2006 | "Hello! I'm Agnieszka Łukasik. I'm 15 years old and I am
from Poland. My dad found on website correspondence_2004.htm notice
between Antoni Jewasinski and Nicole Pacha (July
3 2004). I have a question. Do you have a mail of Nicole
Pacha? I don't know how sign on your website so I write to you.
Please write back!" Agnieszka Łukasik Reply: Agnieszka, I am forwarding Nicole Pacha's email and address. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Feb 21, 2006 | "I have just read Phil Grabowski's email dated February 16,
2006 and I think I have some information that can help him. About a
year ago, and out of the blue, I had a lady contact me asking me if I
had run across Alex Grabowski as there were many similarities
to my Maddow family. I had not but quickly found him in the
1910 census and also his World War 1 Registration card. I still have
these in my computer and can email them if you wish. I know I was told
that he was a stowaway on a boat, and from a large family. I believe
he also mined at Sun and one of his sons was born about 1915."
Fiona Maddow Reply: Fiona, thank you for your kind offer for submittals. Please end any copies of photos, documents, etc. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Feb 21, 2006 | "I was born in Kingston and raised in Dothan. I went to Dothan and Oak Hill School [also Toney Creek school.]. I played a steel guitar on WOAY radio in 1948 6:30am I had my own show on WJAN-TV Canton, OH in 1970, playing a pedal steel guitar. My brother, Roma is still living in Dothan...I remember Earl Cliffton running the mail route in Dothan and Mossy. At the time I was going to Toney Creek School.." Roy Lee Lively |
| Feb 20, 2006 | "I recently received a letter from Wanda Davis Martin,
Opal Vargo’s sister. Wanda says that Opal is very
alive and living in Katy, Texas close to her sons, Mickey and Jeff
. She fell recently and received a laceration to her head requiring 10
stitches. She lives alone but has someone staying with her day and
night due her injuries." Regina Thompson Yates Reply: Regina, sometimes we get "word of mouth" notice of a Scarbro death but this is the first time we have gotten bad information. The web site reference has been corrected. Please accept our humble apologies and we pray for Opal's speedy recovery. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Feb 19, 2006 | "Dennis, Thank you for hosting a wonderful website! I refer to it
often while performing my own research. My family is the Payne
family from Lick Fork / Mossy / Scarbro. I visited Scarbro many
times as a child in the 80's to visit my great grandfather. I am
planning a trip the second week in March to take photographs to post
in my own family history scrapbook as well as to visit gravesites and
visit with family still in the area. Please let me know if there are
any photographs you would like for me to take during my visit and I
will be happy to email them to you. I also plan to copy some of the
family photographs currently in my possession and mail t hem to you
soon. One I think you may enjoy is of many family members on Payne
Mountain. I also have mining records for my family, along with
many postcards postmarked in the nineteen teens which are still
legible, and discharge papers stating my great-great-great
grandfather's release from the military after the Civil War. If any of
these are of interest of you, please let me know and I will gladly
send you copies. Thanks again for your website; I enjoy checking it
regularly for updates and new correspondence". Tracey Nicholson
Chestertown, Maryland Reply: Tracey, thank you for your kind offer for submittals. Please end any copies of photos, documents, etc. I would like to see more photos of the coal mine ruins, and various photos of the remaining stores (ruins), churches and houses that were occupied by the coal mine families. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Feb 16, 2006 | "Hi Dennis. My name is Phil "Butch" Grabowski. I grew up in
Mt Hope but spent a lot of time in Whipple visiting my Aunt
Charlotte Bernath and her husband Dutch. I recognize a lot
of names of your contributors and know many of you were familiar with
my family. I am trying to find out details about my father's (Bill)
father Alex (Grabowski) and his wife . I know that he spoke
Polish, arrived in the US around 1905 was married around 1910. His
wife gave birth to my Uncle Joe and died six months after
giving birth to my dad. He died around 1956. Other than that I have
zip. Does anyone have any more information or stories to share?
Phil "Butch" Grabowski Reply: Butch, my great grandmother's family came from the village of Grabowski district of Wieliczka, province of Galicia in Poland. My grandfather came through Baltimore, MD and the information was on his Letter of Intent that all immigrants had to fill out within seven years to indicate whether they intended to become citizens. County Courthouse's have records of marriages, births, deaths and letters of intent If your family was Catholic, try the Catholic church offices for the old records book entries. I found my family records at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill, WV. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Feb 6, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I have scanned the only 2 photos I have of the Scarbro
area, 1908 and 1910.
Photo 1: Carlisle or Scarbro, WV, 1910 and
Photo 2: Summerlee or Carlisle, WV, 1908 Post-Wedding. They
were Polish coal-mining families. They are copies of copies, so this
is the best quality I possess. I have attached them; the only
information I have from the back of the photos follows: I hope this
helps!" Best, Professor Kevin M. Gillen Reply: Kevin, thanks for the great photos! Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Feb 2, 2006 | February 2, 2006 "My parents were born and raised in Summerlee and Oak Hill West Virginia. They will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary this month. I am trying to find them pictures of Summerlee / Oak Hill, or both to give them for their anniversary. Where would I go to find these?" Thanks, Lisa Royster |
| Jan 31, 2006 | "I appreciate it Dennis. Also Dennis just to let you know, Connie Osteen is my sister. Again thanks." Joe Smith |
| Jan 27, 2006 | "Dennis, This is a very good web site. I have read and looked at many things on the site. I was hoping to find any articles or newspapers clippings on a shooting that occurred January 30,1929 in Summerville. My great uncle Otho Graham was shot and killed. Where would I start research for this type of info? Thanks you so much for any help and for this website/" Linda Wood |
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| Jan 25, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, I was going through some of your correspondences
and read one from a Larry Elmore, I was friends with his
family. I knew his older brothers and his Mom Goldie. I would like to
find out whatever happened to Jackie. The last I heard of him
is that he was living in Chicago. Any info would be appreciated."
Thanks, Joe Smith Reply: Joe, I forwarded your request to Larry. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jan 20, 2006 | "Dennis: I am looking for any information on the John Blake family who lived in Scarbro, West Virginia. He owned a barber shop and he was married to Anna Poole. They had six children: George Blake, Stewart Blake, Samuel (Sammy) Blake, Russell Blake, Walker Blake and Ella Blake Faile. They are all deceased except for Walker Blake who lived in Conn. I am the daughter of Ella Blake Faile. Any information would be helpful." Thank you, Betty White Charlotte, NC |
| Jan 19, 2006 | "Hello , my name is Betty Stover Nesci am trying to find the address, or email address of George and Melanie Bragg. I understand he has a new book out, of miners pictures and school pictures. Someone told me that my Dad (Montague Stover) is in the book two times in mining pictures. Also, did you know the May Scarbro that recently passed away in Nov, 2005?" Betty Stover Nesci |
| Jan 17, 2006 | "I just found your address on your Fayette County town website. Do you know anyone at Red Star, Fayette County. I am trying to find biographical information about a Florence Dixon of that town who was the WV state president of the Degree of Pocahontas (of the Improved Order of Red Men) 1908-1909. Sometimes her address was given as Hill Top. Her local chapter, Minnewawa Council No. 10 of Red Star, may have later relocated to Clendenin. Any assistance you can give will be greatly appreciated as I am nearing completion of a Centennial history of the Great Council of West Virginia, Degree of Pocahontas of the Improved Order of Red Men, 1902-2002." Sincerely, Kenneth R. Reffeitt |
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| Jan 17, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, Don't know if I sent you this before or not or if you found it yourself but you might find it interesting if you have family that died in WV. May want to put the link http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/ on the site somewhere for those that are always asking for info. about deceased family members." BJ Bernath |
| Jan 16, 2006 | "On the Payne cemetery there should be a marker for Andrew Aliff and there are two unmarked baby graves just below Martha Stover. They were Jackie and Rosemary Stover. He was stillborn and she lived a couple of months but I don't know the years." Judith Stover Rakes |
| Jan 16, 2006 | "Dennis, Could you forward my email address to Amber Piesyk.
Her grandmother, Rosella Powers was my first cousin. I grew up
in Mossy. My Husband is from Sun." Judith Stover Rakes Reply: Judith, I forwarded your request to Amber Piesyk. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jan 15, 2006 | "Hey, I have been looking through your pages for days. The amount of information you have compiled is amazing. Great job. I am from Mossy and went to Kingston Elem. School. I would love to find history on that school. I later lived (for a short period of time) across the road from the Whipple Company Store beside what I call Shirley's Market. The information you have about the Yoney farm interested me. I seem to remember my parents telling me that the Yoney's had a house where the lake now is. I remember the water being low and clear and my dad pointing out the steps that led to the front door now under water. Anyway, great job!" Krissie J. Jones |
| Jan 11, 2006 | "Hi Dennis, I just ran across your site, thanks for providing all this great information. With the recent disaster at the Sago mine, I have a somewhat renewed interest in my grandfather's (John Lyons) career as a coal miner for the New River Coal Company at the Oakwood mine near Dothan, WV. My great grandfather (James Abraham Lyons) was killed in an elevator accident at the same mine. Thanks again for all the great information!" Cheers, Mearis Martin, III Roanoke, VA |
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| Jan 9, 2006 | "Dennis, My name is Dell Whipple and I was wondering how
and if I could get a Whipple City Limit sign? Where would I write or
e-mail to. Also where is Whipple WV? I just think its pretty cool and
I would like to take my kids there this summer from Colorado! Thanks
Dennis!" Dell Whipple Reply: Whipple, WV can be found on http://www.mapquest.com/ Can anyone help Dell? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jan 8, 2006 | "Subject: Earl Webster Clifton Sr. and Response to
Pauline (Scarbro) Nelson.: Hi, Earl Webster Clifton was my
grandfather. We lived in Stover Hollow, Scarbro. He passed 1961. I use
to go with him on the mail route thru Mossy, and etc. My grandfather
passed from a heart attack and had Alzheimer, back then we never heard
of it. Before your grandmother, he was also married to Alma, &
Bess. Alma is buried at Blueridge Memorial next to my
grandfather. Bess died in New Mexico but I do not know where
she is buried. Your grandmother, tell me something about her and your mother. I graduated from Mount Hope High in 1962. I went to Scarbro Elementary. I went to school with a lot of kids from Pax. The Craddocks. I remember the Payne, Yoney, Allif, ( I worked with a Chuck and Effie Allif at AlCOA in Cleveland) Is your Mom still alive? The following on the Clifton side have passed: Sis (Maxine Pennington), Clayton, Billy, Earl Jr. (Jiggs) Carroll (my Dad) and the only one left is Carlos. He lives 6 months in Dayton and 6 months in Bradenton, Florida. His wife Shirley just passed in June. My Son, Jeff, passed 4 yrs ago from Melanoma Cancer, 5 weeks later my Dad, Carroll passed from Lung Cancer. Two years later my Mom passed from a Massive Heart Attack. Then this year I lost my favorite Aunt Shirley (married to Carlos) in June. I guess we don't realize it but we are all getting older. Go to Dennis' pictures and you will see a picture of my grandfather at the post office holding a post office bag. I sent this to Dennis. Thank God Dennis started this column, as it has helped so many people. Thanks Dennis and if you wish you can print this answer in your column. I would appreciate it." Janet Clifton Miles Parma, Ohio p.s. "Have you been to Stove Hollow. If so, your grandmother lived about the middle of the hill. We lived at the bottom and at the top was Yoney Cemetery. We owned all the property on the left side of the hill. On the right was the Ward farm. Our house at the bottom is no longer there, someone set the back porch on fire. Above my grandfather's house was another house and when I was little we use to live there but the house caught on fire on burnt down. That is why we built the house at the bottom of the hill. My Dad was a coal miner at Lochgelly for 25 years. I believe that if my grandfather had not retired from the Post Office he would have lived longer He we young when he passed. Go to Dennis' column of pictures and you will see a picture of my grandfather at the post office. I sent it in." |
| Jan 8, 2006 | "A friend of mine says his father was the foreman of the Oak Hill
mine during the years 1976-1977. I was wondering if you have any
information about him I could pass on to him. Thanks" Reply: What is his father's name? What is your name? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
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| Jan 6, 2006 | "Hello Dennis, I was born and raised in Mossy, WV. A Coal Miner's daughter. I was surfing for family history and found your website and Janet Clifton Miles' messages. Her father's name seems familiar. My grandmother Alana Aliff Scarbro Clifton was married to Earl Clifton. I they lived out in Scarbro. I don't remember the name of the hollow they lived in. Earl was a mailman. Perhaps Earl is some relations to Janet. Could you contact her and ask? My mother was a Stover and my Dad a Scarbro. The Stover's have a reunion each Memorial Day weekend at a park in Oak Hill. I plan on attending this year, God willing. How's the cold weather? I spent many years in Chicago. Currently in Vail, AZ (south of Tucson)" Thanks, Pauline (Scarbro) Nelson |
| Jan 5, 2006 | "Hello, I was so pleased to come across your site! My Polish
ancestors lived in the area, and attended Sts. Peter & Paul church. I
have 2 images from the area, ca. 1910, if you would like. Do you know
if the church is still in existence? Are records obtainable? I am
always looking for more material on Kwasny line. I found the
name in your list of surnames, but, there were no further links, so
I'm not sure what you may have on that surname." Best, Professor
K. M. Gillen Reply: Professor, the old church is still there but as far as I know it is not used and is in great need of repair. The new Church is in Oak Hill, WV. Please send the c.1910 photos for the web site. I don't recall how the Kwasny surname got on the site. Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jan 5, 2006 | "Hi... Happy New Year... First time reading your page. seen a lot of names in the obit. that I knew.. I lived in Scarbro until 1964. School Sts. Peter & Paul 1957 & Collins High 1961.. My Father was a coal miner & worked in all those mines. His name was Walter Grzyb, he passed away in 2000. My name is Walter Grzyb Jr. I do not remember about the mine explosion. I will check with my aunt & get back to you." Thanks, Walter Grzyb Jr. |
| Jan 4, 2006 | "Subject: Do you have information in reference to the 1962 Oakwood Coal Mine Explosion? John Woods, Grandfather was in the Oakwood Mines (Carlisle and/or Whipple in 1930's). Father: Theodore H. Martin was in the mines as well (Carlisle/Whipple in the 30's and/or 40's) My father and grandparents established and built Pleasant Valley Baptist Church there in Carlisle, West Virginia.: E. Loray Calhoun |
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| Jan 4, 2006 | "Hi Dennis. I hope all is well with you and yours for this new year. I am sending the 2005 list of deceased Scarbro residents and former residents that have been in the local obituary columns and have otherwise come to our knowledge. I am sure that some have died without being in the local papers and some listed have been a resident for only a short time in their life. We started the 2006 list today (JAN. 4) with the death of Walter Fitzpatrick. Walter was really a nice guy and a local figure for many years. He will be missed by many. For the former Scarbro residents the attended Mount Hope High School and missed the reunion this year. You really missed a great time. With the combined classes attending the reunion they filled the ground floor of the Raleigh County Armory. The crowd at the homecoming game and mixer at the gym was the largest that I have seen. The sad part of the football season was losing the "Little Brown Jug" to Oak Hill Red Devils one more time. I hope the competition with Oak Hill will resume on a permanent basis. The rivalry was always great. Keep up the good work with the site." BJ Bernath |
| Jan 4, 2006 | "Hi...my name is Jane Powers. I have vague memories of the Scarbro, Oak Hill area. My dad was from there...I was a young child the couple times we visited. My dad was William Howard Powers. His father was William Bethal Powers. His mother, Amanda Ellen Thompson. My dad's siblings that I remember were George Powers, Rachel Nancy Powers and Emma Jane Powers. The other names I remember from the area were Buck and Sis Hall. The Webb name and Toney name sounds familiar also...I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed browsing your site..." Thanks, Jane Powers |
| Jan 4, 2006 | "Subject: Do you have information in reference to the 1962 Oakwood
Coal Mine Explosion? My parents told me the story of the mines
exploding either in Carlisle, Whipple or Scarbro in 1962. I wondering
if you had any information and photos. My parents were born and raised
in Carlisle, W.VA. My father in 1910 and mother, 1926." E.
Loray Calhoun Reply: What were the names of your parents? Dennis Chadra dennis@scarbrowv.com |
| Jan 1, 2006 | "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!" To submit to this web site: 1.] Please Submit Scanned photos and documents via email to dennis@scarbrowv. |