SEVENTY YEARS AGO
There are some of us still around who can remember the Homefront here in Doddridge County during the years of WWII. This week I want to share what I found to have been occurring during this week in 1952. If you are not old enough to remember this period, perhaps you will find a name or an event that was told to you by your parents or grandparents. I hope you enjoy:
Dr. B. B. Sturdivant
LOCAL PHYSICIAN BUYS BUILDING,
MAY ESTABLISH CLINIC HERE
Dr. B. B. Sturdivant of West Union has purchased that part of the Silas P. Smith estate known as the old “Opera House” on Court Street here and states that he hopes at some time in the future to establish a medical clinic in the building.
For many years the building has been used as an apartment dwelling house and Dr. Sturdivant says it will continue as such indefinitely. “There are some obstacles to be surmounted and details to be worked out in the establishment of a good, modern clinic,” he said, adding that it would “take some time.”
Dr. Sturdivant came to West Union about ten years ago and had built up a lucrative, successful practice in Doddridge and surrounding counties. He is a Veteran of World War I, having served in the Medical Corps, and came here from Rowlesburg in 1943 to take over the practice relinquished by Dr. W.J. Harper.
DODDRIDGE EXTENSION WORKERS
RESIGN
Ronald L. Stump, County Agricultural Agent in Doddridge County since January 1, 1949, has submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors of the County Farm Bureau effective July 15, 1952. Mr. Stump has accepted the position of county agent in Ohio County and will assume his new duties in Wheeling on July 16.
John Harvey, presently employed as assistant county agent in Harrison County, has been hired to replace Mr. Stump as Doddridge agent. Mr. Harvey is a native of Barbour County and is a graduate of the College of Agriculture at West Virginia University.
Mary E. Chidester, home demonstration agent in Doddridge County since June 1950 has resigned effective July 1, 1952. She is the wife of George P. Chidester, Jr., 4-H Club Agent in Doddridge. The couple plan to remain in West Union, where Mr. Chidester will continue his work. No immediate replacement for the position held by Mrs. Chidester is expected. The State Agricultural Extension Service has indicated that a home demonstration agent for Doddridge County will be recommended as soon as possible.
A NARROW ESCAPE
Russell McCray of West Union, an employee of the Kroger Company, narrowly escaped serious injury Sunday at about 5 p.m. on the west side of Jaco Hill. McCray was enroute to Parkersburg in one of the company’s supply trucks, when mechanical troubles developed in the air brake system. He had pulled off Route 50 on the hill and was underneath the vehicle when the emergency brakes failed. The truck landed in a ditch at the side of the road and McCray miraculously escaped injury. The vehicle, one of Kroger’s giant supply-trailer was empty at the time.
PERSONAL MENTION
Staff Sgt. “Bill” Faulkner, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Faulkner of West Union is with the U. S. Army on Okinawa and has met and visited several times with Sgt. And Mrs. George Flynn, also of Doddridge.
Mr. Justin Henderson and son have returned from Tulsa, OK where they visited with relatives.
Miss Joan Underwood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Underwood, who has been employed in Washington, D. C., by the Bell Telephone Company, has accepted a position with the Monongahela Power Company in the West Union office. She will replace Mrs. Jean Doak, who has resigned.
Mrs. James R. Nutter and daughter, Sherry Lee, of Flint, spent the week in Cumberland, MD at the home of Mrs. Nutter’s father, George Flinn.
Guests of Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Hickman on Brushy Fork are Mrs. Mary Whitter and daughters, Margaret and Beth Ann and Ronald Clark, all of Dayton, OH, and Miss Pearl Sharps of Richmond, VA.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Crislip, Mrs. Bess Crislip, Mrs. Edna Coleman, all of Smithburg, and Mrs. Frank Darnell of Weirton spent Sunday in Parkersburg with Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Darnell.
Mrs. Euleta Connally of Washington, D. C., is spending the week in Smithburg at the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Belle Ware.
Mrs. Idell Kehoe, who has spent the past three and a half years with her son, Andrew, in N. Hollywood, Calif., is spending some time here with her sister and brother, Mrs. V. G. Stinespring and Mayor E. M. Nutter, and in Clarksburg with her son, David.
James Curry of Weston, a soil conservationist, was a business visitor in town a few days recently.
Mrs. Cora Swartz of Big Flint is in receipt of a cablegram from her grandson, Sgt. George A. Flynn, and wife, who are on Okinawa, sending best wishes and stating that Mrs. Flynn is employed in radio communication work. Bot are getting along well, the message stated.
Glenn Romine, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Romine of Big Flint, who suffered a heart attack, is reported to be improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Corwin McKinney and son, Gerald, of Warren, OH, are guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. McKinney here.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Williams and daughter Nancy, of Flint are spending the week in Baltimore as guests of the former’s brothers, Harry, and Howard Williams.
Mrs. C. C. Stewart (Stuart) of Wabash Addition spent the past week in Pensacola, Fla., as a guest of her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Stewart. Mr. Stuart attended the Five-Flag Festival and visited several places of interest. She says the south has had torrid weather. Her son is employed by an oil company.
Major Clarence Wolfe and two children from Scott Air Base in Illinois were visiting the first of the week with Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Connor in West Union. Major Wolfe and Mr. Connor were together in the U. S. Army in 1938.
Private and Mrs. Fred M. Dotson are spending a few days with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Keys and Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Dotson. Pvt. Dotson will report to Edenton, NC for further duty.
Guests of Mrs. Lily Corathers of Nutter’s Fork over the weekend were her daughter-in-law and grandson, Mrs. Neal Corathers and son, Kenny, of Columbus, OH; Mrs. Meta Croak, Miss Elizabeth Bonin and Mrs. Flora Beck, all of Mansfield, OH.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson Williams of Nutter’s Fork spent Sunday in Wilsonburg at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Williams.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Scott of Weirton spent the weekend here and were accompanied back by Mrs. Ethel Scott and Mrs. Maud Garner, who will spend a few days there.
Mrs. Flossie Scott spent part of the week in Weirton with her sons, Joe and Andrew Fleming.
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Jones and daughter, Linda of Weirton, spent part of the week in Smithburg at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Jones.
Mrs. Blaine Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Conaway and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Smith of Charleston are guests in Wilmington, Del.
Beth, three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fraley of Wadsworth, OH is improving from a mild case of polio. Mrs. Fraley is the former Miss Mamie Scott of West Union.
Mrs. John Kidner of Hampton, WA is spending some time here at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ancel Smith of Church Street. Her husband, Lieutenant Kidner of the Air Force, has been assigned to duty in England.
Mrs. Henry A. Hain, who resided in Roswell, N.M., where her husband was stationed with the Air Force, is spending the summer with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Davis. Lieut. Hain is on temporary duty in England with the 509th Bomber Group of the Air Force.
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Michael of Main Street left Sunday for Greenbelt, Md., where they will spend the week with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Morris.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey Knight, Mr. and Mrs. W. Bailey Knight, Jr., and daughters Billie Lynn and Barbara Lee and Mr. and Mrs. Dick Knight and daughters, Deborah and Claudia of Bridgeport spent Sunday at Crystal Lake, where they enjoyed a family picnic.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morris and daughter, Ronita and granddaughter, Lucy Ann, and Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Morris Sr., spent Sunday in Rockland, Ohio, with Mrs. Oda Matheny and family. Mrs Matheny is a sister of Lindsay Morris.
Roy G. Romine, a state auditor, and daughter, Dorothy Ellen, a student for the summer at WVU, spent the weekend with home folks on Big Flint.
Miss Katherine Martin, nurse at the State School for Boys at Pruntytown, is spending a few days here with friends.
Mrs. Edmond Cole, Mrs. Henry Droppleman and Herbert Schmidt were joint chairmen of the community program, “New Ideas in the Home and on the Farm.” Those taking part were Rita Brown, Mrs. Henry Droppleman, and Herbert Schmidt. Glenn Schmidt was elected president for the coming year, with Herbert Schmidt as vice president and Rita Brown, secretary, and treasurer.
Mrs. V. T. Ball of Morgansville honored Mrs. Clarice D. Talkington with a shower on Thursday of the past week at the Talkington home. The time was spent in pleasant conversation and refreshments were served. Those present were Mesdames Ross Leatherman, M. E. Swisher, and grandson, Bill, Theodore Holden, Cora Davisson, Clarence Husk, C. E. Bland, Bart Hickman, V. T. Ball, Bruce Swentzel, Misses Barbara Wallace, Harrietta Wallace, Evaline Davis. Unable to attend, but sending gifts were Mesdames P. D. Holden, Harry Wallace, Kip Swentzel, C. L. Ball, Edsel Swisher, Harley Talkington, E. R. Underwood, James Adams, J. P. Underwood and Shurl Underwood.
Miss Patty Cogar became the bride of Delmer Mulvay Thursday morning of the past week. They were married by the Rev. Vernon Hurst. The bride is formerly of Greenwood but has been making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Orean Ferrebee for some time. Friends and neighbors gave the couple a rousing serenade Saturday night. They will reside with his grandmother, Mrs. Ileana Mulvay, for the time being.
Mr. and Mrs. William Porter Nutter and children of Dayton, OH, were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Waldo.
Miss Jetti Debrular is spending some time with Mrs. Ben Mason of Pennsboro.
God Bless
Patricia Richards Harris
Doddridge County Historical Society