History A Handshake and a Lined Page from 1885 M Gwinn, December 28, 2025January 17, 2026 “Be sure to meet me as I can not be there after Tuesday,” Pull up a chair, friends, and take a look at this little piece of West Virginia history from the spring of 1885. It is a simple letter written by J.C. Peters to Laban Gwinn, penned on April… Continue Reading
History A Bit of a Dust-Up in Union: The Case of the Skinny Calves M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “I tell you my cattle did not do as well as the ones I had in the range at 50 cts pr head for 6 months” Pull up a chair, friends. I’ve got a little piece of Union, West Virginia history to share today. It’s a two-page letter from 1885,… Continue Reading
History A Bit of Land and a Muddy Road: A Note from 1885 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “I will go out and See Samuel When the Roads Dry up a little” Pull up a chair, friends, because I’ve found something special in the archives today. It’s a humble two-page letter, penned back in the winter of 1885 at Sewell Depot. The paper itself has turned a lovely… Continue Reading
History Neighbors, Debts, and the Wollowhole Land M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “I am about to get into a Land Suit and it takes money to Law as you are well aware” Come on in and sit a spell while we look at a real treasure from the archives. This here is a letter from the winter of 1885, penned by Mr…. Continue Reading
History A Warm Hearth and a Fair Shake: Laban Gwinn’s 1885 Letter M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “I want a draft for the amount I Claim with interest from date of the Claim between and the circuit Court or I will have to put it in the oficers hands for collection” Pull up a chair, friends, because I have found a real gem in the archives today…. Continue Reading
History A Neighborly Warning from the Old Depot M Gwinn, December 27, 2025February 5, 2026 “I will Expect you to pay the rest of your tax at the July Court which is the first Tuesday in July.” Pull up a chair, friends, because I’ve found a little piece of our past that feels like it’s still whispering today. Imagine holding a sheet of cream-colored paper,… Continue Reading
History A Helping Hand at Prince’s Station M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “Which we trust you will find correct and that you will give the same your earliest attention and settle same as we are very much in need of the money” Come pull up a chair and take a look at this little piece of West Virginia history I found tucked… Continue Reading
History A Neighborly Request at Sewell Depot M Gwinn, December 27, 2025February 7, 2026 “I am hard up for money & must have it” Pull up a chair, friends, and let me share a little piece of history that feels as real as the morning coffee. I’ve been looking at a short, urgent note sent by a man named William Tyree to his neighbor… Continue Reading
History A Determined Spirit from Mammoth Spring M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 I have a right to the one half and say that to no one man you have not bought half of that land and I shall hold it. Well hello there, neighbors. Pull up a chair and let me tell you about a little treasure I found tucked away in… Continue Reading
History A Heartfelt Handover at the Knob M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “I am Ready to Give up the Possession of the Knob to you before that time” Imagine holding a piece of history so fragile it feels like a dried leaf in your palm. That is exactly what it is like to look at this little slip of paper from way… Continue Reading