A Little Note from the Sheriff’s Desk: A Glimpse into 1891

“My demands are such that it is a matter of necessity not a matter of choice.”

Come on in and sit a spell, neighbors. I’ve got something special to show you today—a little scrap of paper that’s traveled over a hundred and thirty years just to tell us a story. It’s a letter dated June 13th, 1891, written by Sheriff R. H. Boone right here in Fayetteville. It seems our old friend Laban Guinn was a bit behind on his taxes for his 230 acres of land. The Sheriff was polite, but he was firm, explaining that he had to get his reports in and couldn’t wait another minute for that $49.28.

When you look at this letter, you can almost feel the weight of those years. The paper has turned a warm, buttery yellow, and those deep crease marks tell us it was once folded up tight, perhaps tucked into a pocket or a desk drawer for a long time. The letterhead is really something to see, with that fancy, decorative typography listing out R. H. Boone and Wm. F. Boone. You can see the Sheriff’s personality in his handwriting—dark black ink flowing in a cursive script that looks like he was in a bit of a hurry to get his business finished.

It is easy to think of history as just names and dates in a textbook, but a letter like this brings the past right into the room. Back in 1891, these men were navigating the rugged beauty of Fayette County, from the Falls District to Quinnimont, dealing with the same pressures of bills and deadlines we face today. The Sheriff even asked Laban to pass a note along to a neighbor, Mr. Hoff, showing how folks really relied on one another to get the word around back then. It was a time of growth for West Virginia, and every penny of those tax tickets helped build the community our ancestors called home.

Looking at this today, it’s a gentle reminder that we’re all part of a long, long chain. Laban Guinn’s worry over his taxes and the Sheriff’s declaration that his request was a matter of necessity are echoes of a life lived with purpose. It’s not just a bill; it’s a heartbeat from 1891, reminding us that we’re all just looking after our land and doing our best by our neighbors, then and now.

Original Transcription

R. H. BOONE,
Fayetteville, W. Va.
SHERIFF FAYETTE COUNTY.
-AND-
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
-FOR-
Fayetteville, Kanawha and Falls Districts.

OFFICE OF
R. H. BOONE,
Sheriff Fayette County, West Virginia,

WM. F. BOONE,
Fayetteville, W. Va.
DEPT SHERIFF FAYETTE Co.,
-AND-
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
-FOR-
Mt. Cove, Sewell and Quinnimont Districts.

Fayetteville, W. Va., June 13th 1891

Mr Laban Guinn
Dear Sir, I have the following tax against you and must have the money at once, I am compeled to make my Delinquent report

Labon Guinn (1890) Personal Tax $ 5.89
” ” (1890) 230 acres Land $24.18
Int .76
$30.83
Old Tickets & Interest is 18.45
$49.28

Please give Mr Hoff the enclosed letter for him, and tell him I am compeled to have the money now, can not wait longer, My demands are such that it is a matter of necessity not a matter of choice