FOREWORD

In preparing the History of Fayette County we have endeavored to record the principal events that transpired within the county from the time of its earliest exploration to the present, giving special emphasis to the settlement and development of the various towns and communities.  It has been the general aim to keep within the borders of the county, yet, in a few instances, historical occurrences of a related nature have led us, to a certain extent, beyond the limits of Fayette.

In the process of our undertaking, we have made diligent search in an effort to collect information and we have gathered from many sources, such as the records of the County Court, journals of the General Assembly of Virginia, old county newspaper files, books of an historical nature especially those with reference to the Kanawha and New River valleys, legends and traditions handed down by pioneer settlers, and, in addition to this, we have traveled over practically the entire county and have interviewed many aged citizens, some of whom have since passed to the great beyond.

We are cognizant of the fact that this volume has certain imperfections; we know it will not come up to the expectations of some; we expect to be criticized by many; yet, we deem it a privilege to have been enabled to gather facts herein presented and to put them in such a form that they will be preserved for future generations.

During the progress of our work it has been very encouraging to note many cheerful and friendly expressions of sincerest interest in the progress and success of our undertaking, and we are under many obligations to a number of the citizens of the county for the loan of pictures, for information, for valuable assistance, and for courtesies extended to us.

While the greater portion of our material has been derived from our own investigation, we have in several chapters used data and information, having reference to this section, gleaned from other historical publications, and we desire to make acknowledgement to several works to which we had occasion to refer, viz.: West Virginia Geological Survey - Fayette County Report, West Virginia Legislative Handbook and Manual; "Semi-Centennial History of West Virginia," by James Callahan; "History of the Great Kanawha Valley" by John P. Hale; "History of West Virginia and Its People" by Thomas C. Miller and Hu Maxwell; "History of Charleston and Kanawha County" by W. S. Laidley; "History of West Virginia" by Virgil A. Lewis; "Robert E. Lee, Man and Soldier," by Thomas Nelson Page; "History of Summers County," by James H. Miller; and "Records of the Protestant Episcopal Church in West Virginia," By George W. Perkins.

We especially wish to mention the following persons to whom we are indebted for assistance and in the preparation of this work, viz.: Hon. J. Alfred Taylor, Senator H. O. Boley, Dr. John E. Hughart, Henry A. Gentry, S. P. Campbell, L. S. Montgomery, W. C. Washington, G. E. Rodes, L. S. Tully, J. W. Campbell, W. N. Blume, Wm. A. Deitz, Mrs. Martha J. Kyle, Mrs. Yula Durrett and Mrs. Elizabeth Mosley.

We further desire to express our appreciation to Mr. Clifford Myers, State Historian, for his many courtesies; also to Josiah Hughes, John Cook, Boyd B. Stutler, C. A. Goddard and E. W. Becker, who read portions of our manuscript and made helpful suggestions.

The most sincerest thanks of the authors is extended to the stockholders of the Fayette County Historical Society, who made possible the publication of this book, and to all persons who have in any way contributed to the success of this enterprise.

J. T. P.

H. B. C.

Fayetteville, W. Va., July, 1926