Monroe County,

West Virginia

New 42 Page Booklet

Early days in Monroe County, WV -- encompassing the past and/or present communities of Union, Alderson, Sweetsprings, Lynnside, Gap Mills, Peterstown-- are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this booklet.

The spiral-bound booklet is comprised of excerpts from four rare vintage books: Historical Collections of Virginia by Henry Howe (1845); West Virginia in History, Life, Literature and Industry by Morris Purdy Shawkey; History of West Virginia by Virgil A. Lewis; and Virginia, a Guide to the Mountain State, a WPA publication (1941). The booklet is printed on 60# opaque paper, with the print size enlarged as needed to fit the 8 1/2 x 11 size. The front cover is a parchtex card stock, protected with a vinyl sheet.

Among the many subjects included are: Red Sulphur Springs, Salt Sulphur Springs and other mineral waters; the First County Court and the First Circuit Superior Court and their officials; the town of Union organized, and first trustees; early settlers; early school and first land surveys; a woman's detailed story of Indian captivity; Lt. Andrew S. Rowan of Gap Mills, a Spanish- American War hero, subject of the short story "A Message to Garcia"; Concord State Normal School; Noted visitors to "Old Sweet" resort; the colorful life of newswoman Ann Royall, including her enterprising interview with President John Quincy Adams; Goov. John Floyd; Rebohoth Church; Federal Industrial Institution for Women; Notable estates; and other bits of history and trivia.

Attention Genealogists: This booklet contains biographies of many county residents of the late 1800s, often going into considerable detail. They include: Rev. James F. Newcomb, William Pence, Omer E. Houchins, Henry S. Ellison, the Boone Family (grandfather of Daniel), William M. LaFon, William F. Boggers.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?