by Deanna Edens
A couple weeks after leaving Mrs. Jones’ farm, police jailed Mother Jones in Homestead, Pennsylvania for speaking without a permit. When an unruly crowd of her supporters threatened the jail, she persuaded them to go home peacefully. Next day appearing before "a cranky old judge" she made a famous civil liberties speech that raised up Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams; but the judge fined her heavily, furious at her equating patriotism and unionism. On September 22, 1919, a quarter million steel workers across the country walked off their jobs. It was the largest strike of steel workers the country had seen.
On May 1, 1930, Mother Jones celebrated her birthday in Maryland. One hundred years old, by her count, she made her debut before newsreel cameras, condemning the Prohibition Act “as a curse upon the nation” because it violated her right to have a beer instead of water.
http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1053
http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-243
Mother Jones’ views on the suffrage movement and visit to the prison in Sissonville can be read about in her autobiography:
The Autobiography of Mother Jones Edited by Mary Field Parton, Introduction by Clarence Darrow; Copyright, 1925 by Charles H. Kerr & Company, Chicago, Illinois (Kindle Edition) (Copyright not renewed)
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The Lever Act of 1917, also known as the Food and Fuel Control Act, gave the United States federal government complete control over the coal industry including the production, pricing, sale, shipment, and distribution phases. Although the Act also included oil and natural gas, it prevented the government from having as much control over these two energy sources. The Act outlawed the production of alcohol from grain, initiating Prohibition. It also created two new administrations, the Food Administration to control the food and beverage regulations, and the U.S. Fuel Administration (USFA) to control and monitor fuel regulations during wartime. The USFA was dissolved in 1919 when Congress denied it further funding. However, in September and October of 1919, a steel strike and coal strike occurred, to some extent initiated by “Mother” Jones, forcing the resurrection of the administration. In November 1919, Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer sought and won an injunction against a strike in the coal industry under the Act, even though, when the Act was passed, it was not intended to prevent strikes by labor unions.
www.eoearth.org/view/article/154232/
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The elegant Glen Ferris Inn has been greeting guests since 1839 when Aaron Stockton, the original proprietor, obtained a license from Fayette County to open a "common room." Since then, the inn has seen large numbers of guests pass through its doors. There had been a large house at the site since the early 1800s and records indicate that the original building was damaged by fire at one time before passing into the hands of the Stockton family. Since it was one of the few larger homes in the region in 1820, it is quite likely that Lafayette stayed there during his extended tour of America. Once it was established as a full inn, many other famous people have spent nights or had their meals there. Records indicate that the inn served Andrew Jackson and John Tyler, both pre-Civil War presidents. Henry Clay, the renowned senator from Kentucky, was a frequent guest and other political figures of the young nation remained in the inn as they traveled from their homes to attend Congressional sessions in Washington, D.C. The road that passed through the Kanawha Valley was one of the primary routes for travelers during the early 1800s. One famous traveler who spent at least one night in the inn was John James Audubon, the renowned naturalist. The inn that served presidents in quiet elegance extends a welcoming invitation to anyone looking for comfort. Whether it's a weekend getaway, a business retreat, a lively wedding celebration, or a stopover to a distant destination, the Glen Ferris Inn offers the charm and elegance of the nineteenth century to its guests of today. It is a wonderful drive to the inn and a great place to visit.
http://www.glenferrisinn.com/history.htm
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Hawk’s Nest State Park is nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country. Hawks Nest State Park encompasses 276 acres bordering a rugged section of the New River Gorge National River and is known for the panoramic views. The New River was designated an American Heritage River on July 30, 1998. There are currently fourteen American Heritage Rivers in the country. The name of this area comes from the numerous ospreys (some call them, “fish hawks”) that once nested on the cliffs. Today, many hawks, turkey vultures, black vultures and the occasional bald and golden eagles are seen soaring above the canyon. Additionally, peregrine falcon studies within New River Gorge National River has been part of a restoration program for the species.
http://www.hawksnestsp.com
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The conception of the Kanawha County Public Library came about in July 1908, when the Women’s Kanawha Literary Club appointed a committee to organize action in support of a public library for Charleston, West Virginia. Their plans became a reality when on June 3, 1909, the Charleston Public Library opened under the direction of Miss Mabel Delle Jones, Librarian, with 1,200 volumes. The Library was housed in the YMCA building at Capitol and Washington streets. In the early years of its existence, the Library’s quarters were changed frequently. The first move occurred in the summer of 1912 when the YMCA needed space to accommodate its own expanding services. Rent-free rooms were provided by the First Presbyterian Church on Quarrier Street and the Library moved into the former residence of their pastor. On May 15, 1913, the Library was moved to the lower floor of the YMCA building on Virginia Street, just east of McFarland and began paying rent. On September 3, 1914, other quarters were found on the corner of Kanawha and McFarland Streets and again the Library moved. The Library remained here until March 1921, when it moved to the Red Cross building on the levee near Capitol Street. In May 1926, the Library moved to its first permanent home, the former Capitol Annex Building, which stood on Lee Street between Hale and Dickinson. The purchase of the building for $400,000 was made possible by a gift of $100,000 by Colonel Albert E. Humphreys, which inspired other contributions.
http://kanawhalibrary.org/about/history/
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Wehrle B. Geary opened the Diamond Shoe Store in 1906. This became the Diamond Shoe and Garment Co. in 1912 and reached full department store status in 1917, moving farther up Capitol Street each time. Merchants Wehrle B. Geary and A.W. Cox merged their resources in 1926 to launch the elegant new store at the edge of Charleston’s business district, on Capitol Street near its intersection with Washington Street. Built in 1927 on the site where the old State Capitol had burned in 1921, Charleston’s grand Diamond Department Store was among West Virginia’s flagship retail establishments. Its five floors featured daylight lighting, arcade display windows, modern ventilation, three fast elevators, and a pneumatic tube system to convey cash and receipts between sales stations and the central office. Renowned for personal service, the Diamond in its heyday offered portraits by photographers as well as an onsite artist; a discreet wig booth within its beauty salon for patrons with thinning hair; a book store with author signings and luncheons; and store-to-church bridal assistance. Hungry shoppers flocked to the luncheonette on the first floor and the large cafeteria on the fifth. Mechanized toy lands, trains, and nativity scenes drew crowds to its street corner window during the holiday season. Erma and Ida worked there for over ten years in various departments.
http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1893
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The Ruffner Hotel in Charleston, West Virginia was built in 1885 and was closed in 1970. The Ruffner was grand in every way, and it came onto the scene in Charleston with the splendid new State Capitol, also built in 1885. With 180 bedrooms, the Ruffner, as originally built, featured a spire on one corner and an elegant portico facing Kanawha Street. The South Side Bridge, the first bridge across the Kanawha River, was built almost at the Ruffner’s doorstep in 1891, allowing easy access to the C&O Railroad depot directly across the river.
www.wvencyclopedia.org/
articles/140
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In 1870, the West Virginia State Capitol was moved from Wheeling to Charleston. The 1870 capitol was built in the Italianate style, with Romanesque details. The state’s fourth capitol building, the second one in Charleston, incorporated the 1870 capitol into the new structure. The 85 rooms of the new building were completely occupied in 1887. This building was the seat of government until it burned in 1921. Two men were arrested for attempting to steal a fire truck during the conflagration.
http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/sections/264
www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2773.html
www.wvculture.org/historygovernment/capitolfire.html
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Some of Will’s jokes can be found in a book called More Laughter in Appalachia (Southern Mountain Humor) by Loyal Jones and Billy Edd Wheeler, August House Publishers, Inc., 1995.
Will’s Recollection of the Ten Commandments
1. Put God first.
2. Praise and worship Him only.
3. Keep God’s name holy.
4. Keep the Lord’s Day special.
5. Ya gotta obey your parents.
6. Don’t hurt anyone.
7. Love the one you’re married to.
8. Don’t take nothin’ that ain’t yours.
9. Always tell the truth.
10. Don’t be jealous of what other folks have, ‘cause the Lord will give ya what ya need.
Thank ya for reading Erma’s Attic.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed Erma’s Attic. I would greatly appreciate your feedback with an honest review on Amazon.com.
First and foremost, I’m always looking to grow and improve as a writer. It is reassuring to hear what works, as well as to receive constructive feedback on what should be improved. Secondly, proceeds earned from this book are donated to the Monroe County Humane Society, and the animals can always use your help.
Best regards,
Deanna Edens
