ONE HUNDRED-ONE YEARS AGO…
Pullman Lunch is the short, narrow building, 2nd on the left side of the photo.
“PULLMAN LUNCH CAR OPENS FOR BUSINESS”
Anyone who has lived around West Union any length of time probably remembers the Pullman Lunch. So, when I came upon this article in the West Union Herald, January 19, 1922 publication regarding its opening, I felt I needed to share it with you.
Main St. at 1950s Homecoming Parade. Pullman Lunch can be seen still in operation.
“The New Pullman Lunch car, which is located by the side of the Charter building, and which was entirely constructed by Ray Smith, the all-round handyman, both with a saw and hatchet as well as one of the best artists in the culinary line, opened up for business last Saturday, and folks have begun ton find this new eating establishment first-class in every way.
The car is built like a Pullman Diner, and has features imbedded in it that outshines even those that run between New York and St. Louis.
This Lunch room is handy in every respect, close to the main section of West Union for one thing, a short order counter, and three individual built in lunch tables, and a kitchen for convenience and easy accessible, that would make any woman envy the cook.
It will pay you to make this new Pullman Lunch car a visit even if you are not hungry.
Seizure of the Kinney moonshine still by Sheriff R. E. Allen and Deputy R. G. Romine, and Chief D. B. Cunningham.
MOONSHINE STILL AND MEN SEIZED
“Two men were arrested, a 30-gallon still and a seven-gallon still, with full equipment, were seized by Sheriff R. E. Allen, Deputy R. G. Romine, and Chief D. B. Cunningham in a raid made in the vicinity of Blandville about five miles from West Union, Saturday night. The raid was made on the premises occupied by Lloyd Kinney on the old Cowan farm near Blandville, now owned by L. B. Maxwell. Kinney and his son were arrested and lodged in jail here late Sunday night. The stills were both secreted one in the hay mow and the other in the smokehouse. Both stills were of copper and equipped with copper coil. One still looked like it had had considerable use at some time or another. No hootch (word used to describe inferior or illicit whiskey) was found about the premises. The stills, together with the copper coils, were brought to the sheriff’s office.”
Wabash from Shannon Knob (area on the right and up the hill called Shannondale Addition).
FIRST HOUSE IN SHANNONDALE ADDITION
“It was a pretty close race in Shannondale Addition to West Union as to who would have the first house completed. While there are about a half dozen houses practically completed there and some of them already have occupants, yet probably the honor of entirely completing the first one goes to Charles H. Pigott. He sold this splendid house to Simon Yeater, son of the Late Alvy Yeater who resided on Franks Run, at a ver reasonable price. Mr. Pigott was able to give Mr. Yeater a barbain in the purchase of this residence view of the fact that he had done all the work on the house himself with the assistance of but one hand even to the plumbing, building the chimney and laying the tile for the hearths and the mantels. The house stands on a double lot and has a well on the porch and every convenience ready for use. The town is to be congratulated upon securing so good a resident as Mr. Yeater who is employed by the Hope Gas Company and upon having a citizen having the industry and enterprise of Mr. Pigott which makes it possible for those desiring to come to town to secure property worth the money.”
Shannondale Addition is an area next to Wabash Addition that traverses toward Shannon Knob.
A NEW MUSIC STORE OPENS IN WEST UNION
According to this newspaper advertisement in 1922, Oscar E. Keys opened a new music store called the “C. C. Keys Music Company” in the Stuart Building on East Main Street.
Correction: I want to correct something in my last week’s article. I was informed that in the last photo of the article, Lillian Bartee is on the right, and Mellie (not Nellie) Powell is on the left. I apologize for the error.
God Bless
Patricia Richards Harris
Doddridge County Historical Society