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 Winter Word from Sewell Depot M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “Please so arrange as to let me have the amount due Wm Cook for timber at that time.” Pull up a chair, friends, because I’ve found a real treasure tucked away in the archives. It’s a humble little letter, dated January 22, 1883, sent from Sewell Depot, West Virginia. A… Continue Reading
History A Neighborly Word Across the Laurel Branch M Gwinn, December 27, 2025January 7, 2026 “if it is the Case I am very Sorry it occurred and Stopud my men at once from Cutting any more untill I know I am right” Gather round, friends, because I’ve found a real piece of our local history tucked away in the archives. It’s a handwritten letter from… Continue Reading
History A Race Against Time in Fayette County: A Glimpse into Our Shared Past M Gwinn, December 27, 2025 “It is really of importance that you go at once, as I understand that other parties are trying to get the land from Dicks heirs.” Gather ’round, friends, because I’ve found something truly special tucked away in our archives. It’s a handwritten letter from way back in 1873, penned right… Continue Reading
History A Bit of Neighborly Advice from 1889 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “Squabble those fellows out of all you can.” Well, hello there, neighbors! Pull up a chair, because I have stumbled upon a real treasure in our archives today. It is a letter dated March 14, 1889, written by J.W. Davis to his friend Laban Gwinn. This little piece of history… Continue Reading
History A Handshake and a Hearth: A 1892 Message from the Gwinns M Gwinn, December 27, 2025January 29, 2026 “it is with great pleasure I take to write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well and hope this will find you all the same” Pull up a chair, friends, because I have something truly special to share with you today. Imagine holding a… Continue Reading
History A Little Blue in Deep Water: A 1894 Love Letter to a Dear Friend M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “I know you would forgive my presumption if you knew how blue the house is since you went away.” Pulling this letter out of the archives feels like holding a small, warm piece of the past in your hands. Dated February 20th, 1894, these two yellowed pages are filled with… Continue Reading
History The True Corners of Elton: A Brotherly Letter from 1897 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025January 27, 2026 “I Hope this will find you all enjoying good Health” Gather ’round, neighbors, for a little trip back to the spring of 1897. Imagine holding a piece of history that’s as fragile as a dried leaf—a yellowed, lined sheet of paper covered in the flowing, elegant cursive of a century… Continue Reading
History A Mother’s Heart and a Husband’s Hand: A Glimpse of 1901 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025December 27, 2025 “Go little Pilgrim to thy home on yonder Blissfull Shore” Come on in and sit a spell, neighbors. I’ve been sorting through some old boxes in the back of the archives and found a piece of our history that really pulls at the heartstrings. It’s a scrap of lined paper… Continue Reading
History A Brotherly Plea from the Hills: The Gwinn Letter of 1880 M Gwinn, December 27, 2025January 31, 2026 “i will just say to yo that i am hard up for money at this time” Pull up a chair and let me share a little treasure from the archives with you. This is a personal letter written by Samuel Gwinn to his brother Laban on a summer day in… Continue Reading