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Eccles, WV (Raleigh County) - A Selected History Early 1900s Through Present Day - |
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Correspondence 2004 |
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Welcome. These 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! Can you help identify the unknown people in the photos? Please email me and share your photos, stories, facts, documents pertaining to this area...Dennis Chadra (grandson of Frank Hadra a.k.a. Chadra, and son of John Chadra) email me at: dennis@eccleswv.com Corrections, comments and contributions are very welcome. 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. NOTE: email addresses are now being held for privacy reasons. We would be pleased to forward your requests to the parties. Disclaimer: We reserve the right to refuse any submittals - PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF IN THE EMAIL. Disclaimer/Policy Page - Please read! |
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| Stories and information by contributors - via emails and letters 2004 | |
| Dec 17 |
"Dennis: (re: Men in the New River Company Store, Cranberry, WV taken around 1950-1960) There are three men behind the counter. The first man is wearing a suit. The next man is wearing a white shirt and tie. His name is Thomas Havel Woolwine (1912 - 4 Sep 1993). I do not know the third man who was wearing a white shirt and tie. I got the info from my brother Jim Creed. When he told me to look at Havel worked there prior to that time. the picture, I knew it was Havel, too. My brother worked at the Cranberry Company Store, about the early 50's. If you want to get a more accurate date, feel free to write to him at ...." Nyla Creed DePauk p.s. As long as I remember, Havel Woolwine and his wife Ora (Conner) lived next door to my grandmother (Leota Dickens Williams) at Prosperity. Nyla |
| Dec 17 |
"Mr. Chadra: I have added links to both sites (http://www.eccleswv.com/
and Scarbro/ Carlisle /
Whipple & Oak Hill, WV ) on our Featured Links section
http://www.wvculture.org/history/featlink.html We would
appreciate you adding a link to Archives and History
http://www.wvculture.org/history on your sites. Thank you for
your interest and best wishes." Joe Geiger
West Virginia Archives and History
Thank you Joe, consider it
done!
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Dec 17 |
"Dennis I want to Thank you and your kind
respondents I have reached my goal. Thank you so much! Happy Holidays
to you and your family." Sincerely,
Yvonne Evans
NOTE:
Thanks to everyone out there
that helped Yvonne.
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Dec 16 |
"Dennis, Please forward the following information to Yvonne Evans concerning Trap Hill High School. Students who are in the former THHS district now go to Liberty HS and she may be able to get information by contacting Liberty or the Raleigh County School Offices. Liberty High School P.O. Box 265 Glen Daniel, WV 25844 Phone: 304-934-5306 Raleigh County Schools 105 Adair Street Beckley, WV 25801 Phone: 304-256-4500"
Sincerely,
Shirley Maloney Ellis
REPLY:
Shirley, you are a real
trooper!!
Thanks!!
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Dec 16 |
"Good morning Dennis. Thanks for the great website.
Regarding Yvonne's request, she
may want to visit the Trap Hill Alumni's website which is
www.thhsalumni.com with her
request. She is listed as graduating in 1976 which turns out to be
the next to last year seniors passed through the doors of Trap Hill
High School. Merry Christmas to All!"
Jeff
Callaway
REPLY:
Jeff, thanks for your
information and Merry Christmas to you!
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Dec 15 |
"Hello Dennis I am
Yvonne Evans. I need a
contact number to obtain a copy of my diploma from Trap Hill High
School I can't recall my year but I recall it was stated it was their
close out on graduation as then Trap Hill High. I need a copy as soon
as possible could you please point me in the right direction. My
homebound instructor was Ms Walker.
I recall this statement that we were the last to graduate from then
Trap Hill High. I would appreciate any help or insight on this matter.
Is it possible to replace a class ring from that period as well. Am
now age 48. My then mailing address was PO Box 8 Eccles, WV. I
then lived on Old Eccles Hill. " Thank you
Yvonne Evans
NOTE:
Anyone out there that can
help Yvonne? I have her address, phone number and email address.
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Return to Top | |
| November 2004 | |
| Nov 29 |
"Dear
Dennis; Matt, Mae & Jack Durbin,
left a worked out mine at Price Hill in 1938 & moved to Maple Fork,
Sand Branch, Cirtsville, Cranberry, Dry Hill & landed in the upscale
community of Weber City in February 1944. During our sojourn,
Matt worked for the WPA, NRA, and
had it not been for the back yard gardens & pigs, chickens, things
might have gotten bad. As I mentioned, Weber City was like a gated
community in Glade Springs to this 11 year old ragamuffin! We were
fortunate to stay in Eccles until I finished grade school at #6 Hill,
Jr. High at Eccles & finished (high school) at Trap Hill in 1950.
During this stay in Weber City, I found friends and acquaintances that
are still in my memories from time to time. I think about a man named
Bert Dwyer, who lived in a 2 room
shack, just a few feet from the #6 slate dump. He didn't need a
heating stove, as the burning refuse kept his house warm! Matt used to carry him groceries,
as he was an immense man, maybe 300lbs. He became my personal barber
and I ran errands for him and at age 12, he gave me my first shotgun.
I remember my first good buddy, Arnold Hinte,
who lived on Purity Hill could shoot a sling shot better that most
could shoot a .22 and we would go up the hollow behind the slate dump
and hunt rabbit, squirrel and about anything that moved. The
Cormack boys
trapped muskrat, mink,
etc in the cattail and mud turtle pond that flowed thru Eccles. In the
early 40's, maybe 800 or 900 men worked at Eccles. I can't remember
what happened to mine no. 3 or 4, but the entry at #5 was about 600ft
and #6 maybe 400ft. The last few years, Matt
walked into the slope shaft at #3 and cleaned track on the
evening late shift. He had a stroke in (19)48-49 and never worked
again. I worked for Ray Stafford
in his grocery store some; James Ray Stafford
(his son) opened a Mobil oil station and Ihad the honor of
working with Buffalo Kessler for
quite some time! The memory has not kicked in on that period, but this
dear friend was quite a man! I'll send more later and you can do as
you wish with my scratchings, regards and thank for the memories!"
Jack Durbin
REPLY:
Jack, thanks for your
continuous support of this site with your great memories.
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Nov 27 |
"Hello Dennis! My name is
Amy
Willoughby, and I live in Virginia. I am writing you this
email because I have some questions about the mining industry today.
You see, I know an amateur photographer who wants to do a book on the
south, hoping to set the record straight in New York that we are a
beautiful people who live beautiful lives. One particular interest is
the coal mining industry, Rodeos, etc, and she does wonderful work to
portray the southern people as they really are: kind, simple, loving
people. There have been several other books done by New Yorkers over
the years that don't quite portray us as such...but that's why she's
on a personal mission to do this book. This photographer is my twin
sister, Kim Willoughby. Anyhow, we
have driven the several hour drive to West Virginia to try to work on
this book, but have turned up empty handed in getting anything that
would really add something to the story she is trying to tell about
the people there. I am having a hard time trying to find any
information about the mining communities that still exist, and where
we could go, who we could talk to that would be willing to let Kim
photograph them and their surroundings. I was wondering if you could
maybe suggest some places that we could visit, as we are not West
Virginia natives and really don't know our way around that well. I
would greatly appreciate a response, though I'm sure you're quite
busy. Thank you so very much for your time. Hope your holidays are
bright. Thank you again." Sincerely,
Amy Willoughby
REPLY:
Amy, that's quite a request.
Try our Links Page
http://www.eccleswv.com/links.htm .
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Nov 21 |
"Dennis: It has been a long time since I contacted you. Thanks for putting the pictures I sent to you on the website. I have several comments from relatives still living in the area. I also wanted to tell you that I have a new e-mail address: mpros3533@bellsouth.net. I will be sending you a donation to help with the expenditures of the website. You have my permission to publish my e-mail address. Thank you for all that you are doing. What a wonderful idea". Margie Minor Prosser |
| Nov 19 |
"My apologies for the delay in posting these great messages. I had been under the weather with the flu." Dennis Chadra |
| Nov 9 | "I need some help on finding my grandfathers relatives so we know some information on the family if available. My grandpa's name is William Douglas Lewis and his father's name was William Dickerson Lewis and he was a Doctor in Beckley at the time he died when my grandpa was only 8, which I would think that would make the year 1937 but I don't know the month or date. I know his grandfather's name was Paris Edward Lewis, If that is of any help. If you can't help, please tell me how to do this. I know there was an uncle or cousin that's name was Cam Lewis and he was into real estate but he might have passed on, he could be in his late 80's." desperate Genny Lewis |
| Nov 2 | "My father and I were looking at your site. We are able to identify a young lady in one of your pictures. The 1938 picture has a future Trap Hill teacher in it. The girl in the bottom right corner is Fern Tolley - better known as Mrs. Fern Robinette. Thanks for a great site," Jennifer Blankenship |
| Nov 1 | "Correction/Addition Eccles Jr. High 1954-55 (9th Grade) Third Row Down first picture is John Barker. On the same row to the right of Bill Maloney is Juanita Willard. John is my brother-in-law and Juanita is my first cousin. Thanks very much." Peggy Lester Barker |
| Nov 1 |
"Dear
Dennis, I noticed on the typed list of
victims of the
Eccles 1914 Mine Explosion one of my great-uncles was not
listed but he is shown on the Memorial. His name should come after
J.A. Lester...it is
Wayman Lester.
I was not sure where to post this correction so am sending it to your
address. Thanks very much." Peggy Lester
Barker REPLY: Peggy, this list is from a published book "They Died in the Darkness" that is out of print. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Return to Top | |
| October 2004 | |
| Oct 28 | "Dennis, please tell Jim Durbin that this is not the same Jimmy Stanley. Totally different family. The Jimmy Stanley, son of Monis, that he is looking for, came to Cleveland where he died 6-29-1999. He was married to a lady named Mae, don't know her maiden name." Barbara Gulley |
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Oct 24 & 25 |
"I came across your web site today and have a question regarding the gentleman they say is Cooper Stoots - have you found out if this is him or someone else? I am attaching a photo that to me looks like the same gentleman. Tell me what you think? I was told the man in my photo's name is Joseph Burgess who died in a WV coal mine accident in 1925 - somewhere near Logan WV. Can you help? ... Do you have any idea how I can contact Barbara Williams Hoke? She identified a gentleman in one of the photos on your web site as Cooper Stokes and I have a picture of a gentleman that looks a lot like him. I've been told my person is Joseph or James Burgess. Please help." Teresa Elaine Hodge |
| Oct 22 |
"Dear
Dennis: I've just discovered your web site through my brother
Pat Williams. I am interested in
corresponding with Diana Morris.
I am the daughter of Nile H. Noble,
which would make us relatives." Thank you
Rachael A. (Williams) Papa REPLY: I have forwarded your request to Diana Morris. Please let us know your name. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Oct 22 | "Hi Dennis. This is a picture of Oscar and Mabel Bowling, , Mr. Bowling worked in the Eccles Mines for 28 years. I was married to their son Lonnie Bowling until he died in 1993. Everyone knew Mr. Bowling as "Peg" because he had one leg. This picture was of their 50th anniversary in 1970. Both have passed away." Sheena Collins |
| Oct 21 | "A Post Card from the New River Store, Cranberry, WV around 1950's." Thanks, Ellen Smith. The New River Company Store Antiques. Cranberry, WV. |
| Oct 21 | "The picture of the men in the New River Company Store, Cranberry, WV taken around 1950-1960, I don't know who they are. The other pictures are old store receipts from the Mt. Hope Store. Hope these are of some use." Ellen Smith. The New River Company Store Antiques. Cranberry, WV. |
| Oct 20 | "(Christmas in Beckley 1960..hand signed etching) an old picture ...thought you might add it to your site." Thanks, Ellen Smith, The New River Company Store Antiques. Cranberry, WV. |
| Oct 19 | "(Yearbook Pages, Trap Hill School 1963, Grade unknown)" Sheena Collins |
| Oct 17 | "Dennis, I have been told that there were 4 disasters at the Eccles Mine, but I have only been able to find the names for the first two. Do you know where I could find the names for #3 and #4? I am working with a friend on a my family site and I posted names from several mine disasters from this area and that is why I would like to find all of the names. Much appreciated." Anita McClung, Fayette County, WV |
| Oct 16 | "So many of the people from Eccles attended Trap Hill High. There is a new website - totally free - that may interest them. It is www.thhsalumni.com. Some yearbooks have been scanned and graduation photos are posted." Helen Goodson |
| Oct 8 | "Dear Dennis, I remember a Jimmy Stanley from Eccles. His dad was Monnis Stanley and in the early 40's, moved to Harper Heights and I lost touch. Would this be the same Stanley?" Jack Durbin |
| Oct 6 | "(Regarding MESSAGE: September 20, 2004) Hello Mr. Williams. Yes I am Shirley (Mac) McCutcheon's daughter, Pam. My dad has lived in Cleveland, Oh for 43 years. He is retired from LTV Steel and has a lovely home. I don't think he'll ever get a computer as he thinks he won't be able to operate one. His sister, Zelda, lives in Florida and recently visited dad here in Cleveland. (Right before all the hurricanes started.) I also have a younger sister, Karen. Dad and Zelda went to the high school reunion in West Virginia at the end of July of this year. Hope to hear from you soon." Pamela L. Allen |
| Oct 3 | "Dennis I have a Correction to the Wiseman photos. Page 1 Right top Edward was the Uncle of Dorothy and on Page 4 Left photo Fred Wiseman was Dorothy's father." Boyd Ballard |
| Oct 2 |
"Dear
Dennis, I have enjoyed looking at the
Wiseman
family photos today. I was wondering if this family is
related to Albert and
Walter Wiseman
who died in the Eccles Coal Mine Disaster. The name
Ora Wiseman has come up in my
family research and she was their daughter / sister. Please feel
free to give my email address to Boyd Ballard
if he has any information about this. I hope to get my husband's
grandmother over this week to look at the pictures on your site. I am
sure she will be able to give you some information. She has told me
many interesting family stories. I appreciate all the work you do for
your websites." Fiona Maddow
REPLY: Fiona, I have forwarded your request to Boyd Ballard. I also have three more photo albums and a few scrapbooks from Dorothy Wiseman's estate full of newspaper clippings covering engagements, weddings , funerals, military and news stories. These will be put up on the web site as time permits. Until then, please submit any photos or stories about Eccles. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Return to Top | |
| September 2004 | |
| Sep 30 |
"(Regarding
MESSAGE:
September 8, 2004)
For 9-8-04, Pamela Allen
I was quite pleased to see the name
Shirley McCutcheon.
He was a friend when I was in school in Eccles. I would like to
hear from or about him. I liked him, and you, as his daughter would
have to be a nice person also! I'd also like to hear of
Zelda
your aunt and
Shirley's
older sister."
Jim
Williams
formerly
of Weber City, Eccles REPLY: Jim, I have forwarded your request to Pamela Allen. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Sep 30 | "Hi, Hope everyone is well. We have changed our Internet service and I have a new e-mail address. Please send all future correspondence to (Request from Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com) Thanks!" Laurie Geisler |
| Sep 30 |
"Please
send us the address of Jim Stanley
who wrote about his grandmother running the rooming house. My
father in law lived there and we have something from there that he may
be interested in seeing. Thank you"
Barbara Gulley REPLY: Barbara, I have forwarded your request to Jim Stanley. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Sep 24 |
"Hi
Dennis, Haven't written for awhile. I still haven't learned to
email so I'm writing you for an address or at least give my home
address to Beverly J. Cox,
daughter of Luther Carl Cox.
I know her entire family. In fact, her Aunt
"Katie" (deceased) was married to my uncle who is now
deceased. I had last contact with the family when
Katie passed away. They had
a daughter Margarite.
Beverly is interested in information.
She can get in touch with me. Thank you for your help, you have a
great web site. I find lots of enjoyment reading the messages.
Wish I was good at the computer. It could contribute lots of
comments on the information. I know or know of lots of people
that are talked about or referred to." Thank you,
Evelyn E. Carter
- Circleville,
OH. REPLY: Evelyn, I have forwarded your request to Beverly J. Cox. Thank you for giving me a "thumbs up" on the site. I enjoy the information also. My 90 year old mother emails all the time through Juno. It is easy to use and learn. Have someone set you up, it's as easy as writing a letter. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Sep 24 |
"Dennis,
We have a friend from Eccles named Jack Don
Stanley who said his grandmother ran a boarding house there
so he may be a cousin to Jim Stanley
(Re: message 9-15-04). Jack now lives in Ohio and is no longer
on the net but I can furnish an address if Jim is interested in
contacting him." Shirley Maloney Ellis REPLY: Shirley, I have forwarded your information to Jim Stanley. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Sep 24 | "Hello, My name is Beverly Cox, I am the daughter of Luther Carl Cox whom lived in Old Eccles and was in the mines either number 5 or 6 mines and his parents Ed and Myrtle Cox lived on what I think is number 5 hill, right above the old company store? Any pictures you have I would be interested in or articles, I lost my dad march 8 2003 and he is buried in the Mt Tabor Cemetery now." Thanks, Beverly J. Cox |
| Sep 21 |
"Hello,
My name is Donald Hofford Lambert II.
I was wondering if i could get Barbara
Williams Hoke E-mail address to inform her of a wrong date
on a pic or you could just write her and ask her to write me back
thank you. "Donald
Lambert II REPLY: Donald, I have forwarded your request to Barbara. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Sep 15 | "My name is Jim Stanley. My father and his parents grew up in Eccles in the 30's and 40's. His name is Warner C. Stanley. His mother ran a boarding house in Eccles close to the mines. His brother Roger Stanley with several sisters, names I don't remember. One was Loula Stanley. Her photo is in the 1930 Eccles Jr. High picture. I would love to see if anyone knew them. Dad has long passed away. My mother Edith Stanley now lives in Glenn White. I have been gone from the area since the late 60's and been living in Dothan, Alabama where I am about to retire after 30 years with the City Police Dept. Thanks for the sight and any information you may know about the Stanley family from those days." Jim Stanley |
| Sep 8 | "I have stumbled across your website and am very interested in it. Found a picture of my grandfather, Van McCutcheon, with the Eccles No. 5, Second Shift. I just wanted to tell you that It is a very good and interesting website and I am enjoying it greatly. I am trying to talk my father, Shirley McCutcheon, into buying a computer so he can enjoy it as well." Thank you. Pamela L. Allen |
| Sep 5 | "Dennis, Another picture for Military Page. Left to Right Bobby Daniels, L. G. Ballard and Boyd Ballard, Weisbauden, Germany 1952" Boyd Ballard |
| Sep 2 | "Dennis, I have come upon a couple more old pictures. 1.] Ocie and Frank Martin 1937, 2.] Frank and Zetta Martin 1943 , 3.] Frank Martin 1937 6 Months Old " Boyd Ballard |
| Sep 2 |
"Dennis:
Can you use this on your website? 'Eccles,
WV - c 1978 by
Frederick "F. W." Bartlett, II
(born 28 May 1940, died 25 Dec 1997 in Pennsylvania) Used with
permission of
Gail Bartlett.' If not I'll add it to the others drawings I am supposed to be getting." Nyla Creed DePauk REPLY: Nyla, Great artwork of an Eccles Tipple. Thanks for your continuous support for the site. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Sep 1 |
"Dennis,
The girl in the middle row (1951 Class of Old Eccles Jr. High),
after Nora Herron, is
Katherine Richardson. I
remembered her name before I fell asleep last night. I haven't checked
my picture yet. I may have spelled Kessee
wrong. It may be
Keesee. Old
age is creeping on!" Shirley Ellis REPLY: Shirley, I should have caught the Keesee spelling also, Thanks for your continuous support for the site. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
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|
August 2004 |
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| Aug 31 | "Dennis, Imagine my surprise that Boyd Ballard had my 9th grade class picture! (1951 Class of Old Eccles Jr. High) I can identify nearly all of the class by memory. I have the same picture with all names on it, but I will attempt to name them now (I'll have to look through albums for the picture). Top row: Ralph Henderson, Raymond Rowan, Dorman Treadway, Donnie Hinte, Sue Wilson, Sanford Snuffer, Betty Bolash, Lois Fletcher, Tibby Martin and Peggy Harris. Middle row: Dickie Kessee, Ruby Miller, Margaret Cormack, Nora Herron, _____Richardson, Neda Barker, Mildred Roberts, Helen Richardson, Norma Jean Allen, Jack Patton, Dexter Pugh and Bob Riffe. Bottom row: Shirley Maloney, Joan Wilson (Sue is in top row), Wanda Lee Hinkle, Ella Jean Dillon, Eva Cox, Rose Anna White (older sister of Alma), Patty Roberts, Anna Marie Clark and Dorothy McNamara. I'll look for my copy of the picture and check the names and send corrections later." Sincerely, Shirley Maloney Ellis |
| Aug 31 |
"Dennis,...
it is the Grand Ole Opera,
Little Jimmie Dickens
and as a guess I would say it was in the very early 30's. His home
town is Bolt, WV.
I do not think the gentleman in the Company store photo (Eccles company store 1920's) is Cooper Stoots as indicated by Barbara Hoke, he never worked at the Company Store. Her Great Grandfather, worked in the mines and had a farm on Sand Lick. The last I knew the farm place was owned by the Giadella family. He farmed with a team of Oxen. Had three daughters and no sons. He therefore required the girls to work as farm hands. Mabel and Carrie worked in the fields and did the outside work. Ocie did not have good health, when young, and did the inside home work. Ocie died on August 8th of this year at the age of 91." Boyd Ballard |
| Aug 31 | "Dennis, I have found a picture of the 1951 Class of Old Eccles Jr. High which I am inserting." Boyd Ballard |
| Aug 28 | "Dennis...... We have a picture of Joe (Ellis) in the same type uniform as the picture of George Ballard in Korea. The Ballards were neighbors of my family when we lived on Old Eccles. The family made a croquet court on a vacant lot and allowed all the kids in the neighborhood who wanted to play a chance to learn the game. The Ballard boys and their parents supervised and made sure everyone was treated fairly and there was no cheating. That created a lasting, good memory of growing up in Eccles for me. Thanks, George and Boyd!" Sincerely, Shirley Maloney Ellis |
| Aug 27 | "Dennis, his is a picture of my husband, CSM Joseph N. "Jesse" Ellis, Ret., who was born and raised at Eccles. Served: USMC 1950-1954 (served in Korean War) US Army 1954-1974 (Served in Vietnam)" Sincerely, Shirley Maloney Ellis |
| Aug 22 |
"Thank
you, Dennis for your quick
response, I have already heard from Wallace
Carter. My last name is Durbin
and I lived in the small neighborhood of Weber City from 1944 until
1951.
My birth name was
Hayes, but the
Durbin's adopted me in 1938 and we
lived at Price Hill. Made a world of friends from the melting
pot that was all coal mining towns and I still can't put to rest how
the out of state coal barons have devastated the hills and hollows and
the people that remained. After retiring in 1995, I went back to work
as a driver for a delivery company that catered mainly to the coal and
trucking companies in WV, OH, PA and VA and in every delivery I ever
made I saw very little improvement for the working miner and his
family. If I wasn't in my 70's, I'd become an advocate against all
forms of mining, especially mountaintops. Again, thank you for
maintaining the web site and I hope to send you some financial help
soon. I got a return from ...(Sona).
Do you still have her e-mail?" Jack
Durbin REPLY: Jack, the only email address I have for Sona (Kessler Farmer) is (the one I emailed to you). Maybe she will see the correspondence and contact me for yours. Dennis Chadra dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Aug 22 |
"Hello,
I was recently directed to your site on the Eccles Mine explosion and
would like to make a comment about some of your information. My great
uncle,
Arthur William Broughman died in the explosion at
Eccles No. 5 on 28 April 1914. His name, A.
W. Broughman, is listed as a
survivor of
this disaster using the book "They Died in the Darkness"
as stated on your site. I have read this book myself and I'm
not exactly sure, but I don't believe the book actually says this.
A. W. Broughman is listed as a victim
in that book to my knowledge. You will also note that his name is on
the memorial plaque depicted in the photo. I have been to Eccles and
seen this memorial myself. I am currently writing to a lady who says
she has found the grave of A. W. Broughman
and we are discussing this matter. You see, there is a marker for him
at the site of the memorial and I was told he was buried there. The
other lady's discovery of his tombstone in another location sheds
doubt as to him being buried at the site of the mine.
A. W. Broughman did in fact lose his
life in this mine disaster. I am going to look for this book again at
our library and will get back to you on what is said about his name.
If he is listed as a survivor, it is wrong and I would ask that you
somehow state this on your site. Somewhere in my documents I have an
article that says Arthur was one
of the first 6 victims pulled from the mine and was found just inside
the entrance when the crews finally went in the mine. Imagine being
that close to safety and not making it. Thank you for putting up this
site." Candie Freeman -
daughter of Gloria J. Broughman Baumgardner
Perkins
REPLY: Candie, Thank you for the additional
information regarding your great uncle,
A. W. Broughman.
Please continue to submit photos, accounts or documents to the site.
Please note our
disclaimer regarding information on this site. There are
various accounts for various events and this is a forum to express
those views / accounts. Hopefully, we all will have a better
understanding of our family histories and what they went through to
survive the hardships. My grandfather, Frank
Hadra, was a survivor
in the same mine.
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Aug 21 |
"Dear
Dennis, Wallace Carter and
Boyd Ballard were school chums of
mine in the 40's and 50's and I would like to hear from both. I
did have Boyd's e-mail but lost
it. I'm having back problems and didn't get back for the reunion
in July and August. I really enjoy the web site thanks."
Jack Durbin
REPLY:
Jack,
I forwarded your request via email to Wallace
Carter and Boyd Ballard.
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Aug 20 |
"NOTICE: We updated today with a new, larger server and our email was down. If you had sent any emails to dennis@eccleswv.com today, please resend - Submitted by Dennis Chadra August 20, 2004 |
| Aug 18 |
"I was just wondering if anyone knows what Cooper Stoots did for a living? What year he died? ..." Barb Williams Hoke |
| Aug 15 |
"Dennis, Surely did enjoy seeing the new pictures. In the school picture of Eccles Jr. High, grade 2, 1948-49, the girl in row 3 #4 is my sister, Daisy Juanita Maloney (now Carter). In picture of Eccles Jr. High, grade 3, 1948-49,student #1 in row 2 is my brother, William "Bill" Maloney. Thanks," Shirley Maloney Ellis |
| Aug 14 |
"Dennis, Rob Cormack got in touch with me shortly after I last emailed you and it was he who told me of the name changes. He told me that the girls in that picture were Nora and Sophia (the younger Sophia, daughter of Frank and Sophia Maddow). Also Frank Maddow looks very similar to a man in a picture labeled 1930 safety meeting." Fiona Maddow |
| Aug 13 |
"Dear
Dennis, Here are some photos I have for your Eccles website. 2. Eccles School Grade 1 1946-1947 Fred Maddow is bottom row 3rd from left. 3. Eccles Jr. High Grade 2 1948-1949 Leon "Bob" Maddow is Top Row 6th from left. 4. Eccles Jr. High Grade 3 1948-1949 Fred Maddow is bottom 3rd from left. 5. Bob and Fred Maddow with Justice (?) children 1945. 6. Bob Maddow playing in his yard 1945. 7. Maddow family Back Row: Jean (Graham); Andrew Maddow; Front Row: Fred Maddow, Oswald Graham, Bob Maddow; Jean & Oswald are brother & sister of Margret (Graham) ( Andrew Maddow's 1st wife) 1944.
8.
Andrew Maddow
c. 1945"
REPLY: Fiona,
Thank you for the great photos. There is a
photo on the 1920's section of the web site that shows two
Madden girls with the
two Fabyon girls. Do you know
anything about them?
Dennis Chadra
dennis@eccleswv.com |
| Aug 13 |
Barbara Williams Hoke |
| Aug 11 |
1.My Mother (Carrie Lambert Williams) and my dad Roland Williams 1971 2.Carrie Lambert Williams in the early 1960's 3.Carrie Williams Lambert 1968-69 4. My mother Carrie Lambert Williams and Me Barbara Williams Hoke 1973 5. Carrie, Roland and Barb June 1972 6. Donnie Hoffard Lambert Mid 1980's 7.My mothers grandfather his name is Donald Lambert it was taken Aug 1964 8.Mabel Stoots Lambert and Donnie Hoffard Lambert I think this was mid to late 60's 9.Mom's sister Mazie Mae Lambert Harrison I think this was taken in the late 50's 10.Mom's sister Dixie Dunbar and her son Terry Lee 1974 12.Mom's brother Donald (Bubby) and his family, Belinda, Charolette (Janie), Don Don 1988-89. 13.Mom's sister Elsie Vay Lambert Howerton and her late husband James Howerton 1973 14. My Grandparents Donnie Hoffard Lambert and Mabel Lambert Stoots Christmas early to mid 70's 15. My Grandparents Donnie Hoffard Lambert and Mabel Stoots Lambert 1969 16.Mom's mother Mabel Stoots Lambert, daughter of Elsie Ferrell and Cooper Stoots 1970's" Barbara Williams Hoke |
| Aug 10 |
"(Lambert Girls Photo) This is my mother Carrie Lambert Williams and Her sisters Dixie Lambert Dunbar and Lila Lambert Smallwood....God bless," Barbara Williams Hoke |
| Aug 10 |
"Dennis, The gentleman in the back row with the hat on (Eccles company store 1920's) I think he was the 4th one in the back row of this picture is Cooper Stoots, my great Grandfather. God bless," Barbara Williams Hoke |
| Aug 5 |
"Hi, in the 1938 class picture, (Trap Hill High School 1938), in the seventh row, the second from the right, is my father, Frank Robert Gialdella." Thanks, Rita Gialdella Wood |
| Aug 2 |
"Could
you please forward our E-Mail address to Sona
Kessler Farmer or give us her E-Mail address. Upon reading
through correspondence I saw her cousin was
Derwood Blankenship, this is my birth father, who I NEVER
MET. I met with John Paul Blakenship
approx. 1 year after Derwood
passed away. I also met Derwood's
daughter (my half sister, Elinor).
Thank you for your help!!! Sona
may know my mother also, Doris Marie Hinkle.
I was born June 14, 1944 in Eccles, West Virginia. I live in Santa
Maria, California" James Ray Weaver
(Hinkle). Thanks again!
REPLY:
James,
I forwarded your request via email to Sona Kessler Farmer.
Dennis Chadra |