THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 45 May 2003





SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK

submitted by: Roleta

The guest book is a courtesy to you from Judy Daugherty Kimler. It is a way for you to leave a little message. But, it is not the way to receive the newsletter. Once in awhile I read the guest book and I see names of people who are not on my notification list. Neither Judy nor I check the guest book regularly. We just don't have time to write each new signer and ask if he/she wishes to receive the newsletter notification. Therefore, if you are reading this newsletter and are wondering why you aren't receiving a notice when each new issue is on line to be read, now you know. You must write to me and request to be added to the notification list. Write Roleta1@aol.com. Please include your name (maiden too, if it applies), school and year you did or would have graduated. If you wish to be removed from the notification list, also write to me. Thanks




GETTING TO KNOW GARY AND CAROL GROW ROBEY

Greetings from beautiful Prescott, Arizona, the mile high city also known as The Christmas City of 35,000 souls. We retired here in 1996 after living in Las Vegas, Nevada for 40 years.

Roleta said to cover memories from school at WI, well there are certainly plenty in this house. Carol, (Grow), and I were married in December 1958, while I was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. We graduated from WI in 1957.

We remember the great times we all had growing up in Clarksburg, like the years in Central Jr. High, WI and of course Bland's. We remember hanging out at Central Restaurant after ball games and other events.

I remember Frank Ellis Jr., that was a back door neighbor and of course I will always remember Jerry and Harriet Danley, the Mayer's, Corsini's, Teddy Wilson, and the Cotter's, Jack Emerick, the Garrett's, Huey O'Donal, all kids I grew up with on Washington Avenue below St. Mary's Hospital. I remember The Main Street Grocery. Especially since my dad had been a friend with the owners and their parents for many years before I was born. The Spadafores, the Alvarez family with their Dairy Queen and my very dear friends I lost touch with many years ago Wally and Timmy Neely. Carol grew up in Broad Oaks. There weren't many girls in her neighborhood so her best friends were boys i.e., Bob Davis, Bob Dennison and of course her brother. After her freshman year her family moved to Hartland. She has a brother, Ron Grow who is now retired from an Athletic Director's job in Virginia. They both remember many of their childhood friends from Broad Oaks and Hartland. Carol loved parties in high school and was especially tickled during her senior year at WI when her brother would invite her to parties at WV U where he attended.

She remembers hanging out at Stalnakers on Hammond Highway near the bridge where they had this room where everyone danced. High school was full of memories like the football games at Hite Field - the sororities (Carol was in Delta Iota Delta aka DIDS), the slumber parties especially at Carol's house and just hanging out with her friends like Nan Norvel, Mere Gerson, Mary Helen Thompson, Lynna Sands, Charlotte Stuart and Mary Ann Dilly and on and on. We both often talk of the Chicago Dairy, Harriett Murphy's mom and dad's confectionery they had at the Corner of Chestnut and Washington, a favorite hang out for kids.

We have two children, seven grandchildren and our first great grandchild, a sweet little girl. Our daughter and her four children live in Arizona. Our son and his children live in Boone Iowa. Carol and I both attended Clark County Community College and University of Nevada Las Vegas. I also finished LaSalle Law School in the early 60's, then attended Northwestern University at Evanston Illinois, the Traffic Institute, Homicide School in Oklahoma, Driving Instructor School - Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol Motorcycle School and Research Center in Sacramento California, National University at San Diego California. I retired from the police department in 1983 and attended USC after retirement. In the 70's I got my pilot's license and was hired by Team America Racing Team in Las Vegas to drive and teach their younger up and coming drivers the handling of race cars from Formula Ford's to Indy's. Carol went through the Jacque Coutour School of Racing at Ontario, California where they ran a series of races after training for seats and factory sponsorship for racing season in Europe sponsored by Van Dieman Racing Company of England.

Carol was a career Juvenile Probation officer in Las Vegas and retired after 30 years. I retired from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after 22 years. I then opened my own business of Private Investigations and Polygraph services. I owned two airplanes by then and flew the newer one in the business and rented the other one out.

We love being retired because we can do what we want whenever we want. We both do volunteer work. Carol was appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court to serve as Chairperson for one of many Foster Care Review Boards here in Yavapai County to review neglect and abuse cases. She also does volunteer Juvenile Probation work here and is also on the board for Yavapai Family for Kids for prevent child abuse. This keeps her pretty busy. As for me, I've dibbled and dabbled in volunteer work for the Veterans Hospital here and also served as Judge for the Court on civil matters. I now have a new career, I've taken up painting in oils and acrylics - the landscapes in Arizona are awesome.




1967 CLASS REUNION

submitted by: Terry Snider Fazio (WI '67)
Terrymomma@aol.com

The WI class of '67 is having a reunion 8/15 & 8/16/03. As you can see we're not real conventional --- this will be a 36th year reunion instead of the usual, boring 35th year. Paul Wycoff is our great leader--keeping us all in shape and on our toes to get everything organized. We still have a few MIA's we haven't been able to find addresses or e-mails for to let them in on the fun. If anyone knows someone from our class, make sure you ask them if they've been contacted. We are really planning a great time--just the planning sessions have been fun. If anyone wants more info, they can e-mail me or Paul at pwyckoffjr@aol.com, Susan Sloan Marra at smarra_1@yahoo.com, Stan Frum at sdfrum@aol.com.



submitted by: Don Sager (WI '56)
Dks@dav.com


Broad Oaks Bunch: l-r Fred Alvaro, Bud Collins, Janet Webb Wendt, Jim Alvaro, Carl (Barney) Besterman, Jack Borror, Mary Sue Clark Spahr, Don Sager, Janna May Clark Westfall, Dokie Boone Natcher


WI Class of 1956 in Florida--l to r--Bernie Cohen, Carl Besterman, Jim Warren, Mary Sue Clark Spahr, Don Sager, Janet Webb Wendt, Jim Alvaro, Dokie Boone Natcher, John Harrison, Augie Malfregot, Babe Bisping Cashman, Jack Borror (RW), Don Cinci.
Again, I think we (1956) were the largest contingent from WI.

I know everyone's camera was flashing but I think you will enjoy these two pictures. I took the Broad Oaks Bunch that attended Alta Vista and Mary Sue Spahr took the Class of 1956 photo.

FROM THE EDITOR---Please let me take a minute to say thank you to Roger Dean (RW 1956) who led the picnic group in singing "God Bless America." I just sprang the request on him when he arrived and he came through with that glorious voice of his.

Thanks Roger. Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge you.


RECIPE REQUEST

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

In the March newsletter I requested copies of recipes for some of the food that was brought to the Clarksburg picnic. If you made something to share, won't you also share the recipe? A couple of the requests are for the recipe for the pink fluffy fruit desert. Another person has written about a salad that had corn in it. Oh and several mentioned a sweet potato casserole. These sound great. I collect interesting recipes. I have no idea who brought what to the picnic but I sure hope some of you will share. Please send your recipes to Roleta1@aol.com.




EDITOR'S NOTE----- DATE OF CLARKSBURG WINTER PICNIC
WILL BE MARCH 13, 2004 IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA.





CLAY B. HITE TID BIT OF INFORMATION

submitted by: Gary Weiner (WI '60)
Cias@iolinc.net

Clay B. Hite from the 1927 Reminiscences - Background

West Virginia University   Football Team-'14, '15' '16.'19, Captain elect '17:
     Basketball '15, '16, '17,Captain '16.
Entered Officers Training Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. in May 1917:
Assistant Coach University North Carolina, '20;
Athletic Director W.I.H.S. '22', 23, 24, 25, 26, until death.




KELLY MILLER



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fglvhs46@aol.com

This school was named after a gentleman by the name of Kelly Miller, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. The school colors were black and orange. They were known as the Kelly Miller Yellow Jackets. The last principal of this school was E. B. Saunders. He became principal in 1919. In 1929 the building was expanded to include a gymnasium, swimming pool, large library, more classrooms manual arts workshop, auditorium with a seating capacity of 825 and a first class home economics department.

As far as I can remember, they only played a white team in an all star game at the Carmichael Auditorium. I attended many of their football and basketball games from 1947 until the school closed. When the schools were integrated in 1956, Kelly Miller was then closed. Principal Saunders was placed as acting principal at Linden Grade School. Mr. Saunders later retired. I visited Mr. Saunders many times after his retirement and he was kept busy baby sitting a grandchild. He informed me that he was not in favor of integration and that was why he retired from the school system.

This school building has been the location of the central offices for the Harrison County Board of Education since January 1982. The future of this building is in limbo as the board offices are planning to close Gore Elementary School soon and move their office to this location.



submitted by: David Nichols (WI '55)
Dnicholsii@aol.com

The old Kelly Miller High School was located on Water Street and became the offices of the Board of Education after Harrison County Schools were integrated. I attended public schools in Clarksburg through 1955 and they were segregated, including athletic teams. There was a football practice field adjacent to WI field that we shared with Kelly Miller. That was as close as we got to racial integration in those years. I remember watching them practice and thinking how much harder they worked out than we did. Even the universities and colleges in WV were mostly but not completely segregated. Athletics, especially football, probably had as much to do with real integration at the college level as anything else in the 1960's and later.

There were some good hotels in Clarksburg and of these the Stonewall Jackson was possibly the best. It boasted a restaurant and ballroom, an arcade with retail shops, a barber shop, shoe shine parlor, coffee shop and other "fancies" including an upscale pool room. As the downtown area started to hit the skids in the 1960's the Stonewall fell into decline as a hotel and was later used as an office building by the Union Bank and the Steptoe and Johnson Law Firm.



submitted by: Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds@lvcm.com

Ever wonder how Kelly Miller got its name? Check out this site--- http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/special/miller_kelley.html



submitted by: Sargent McQuillan (WI '57)
Sargent827@aol.com

Kelly Miller High School was located on Water St. just south of St. John's Italian Catholic Church. Last classes were in 1953/54. I remember Ernie Holyfield (Guard), Gene Donaldson, and a scatback named Marshall coming out for football in the fall of 1954; all 3 became starters. Kelly Miller played in an Afro-American league. I can remember asking my parents for the car to take them home from my house after football practice. We had walked from Hite field to Wilson Street. Taking the "short cut" (straight up to Chestnut St. from Hite Field) was a bear after practice.



submitted by: Bob McNutt (WI '55)
Unruly@capecod.net

Kelly Miller: The Class of '55 was still in the era of segregation and Kelly Miller and its surrounding streets were off-limits to most of us and totally unknown. It was rumored that their principal was the only principal in Harrison County to hold a doctorate in education.

But even before desegregation, small cracks in that wall were being formed. Jack Randolph, the marvelous director of the a cappella choir arranged for an exchange with their choir. We walked through town to Kelly Miller and were warmly greeted. And later we were treated to a marvelous concert when they appeared at WI. We learned more than music in that exchange. We all know who Washington Irving was, but none of us had a clue about Kelly Miller. He was the first black person to obtain a graduate degree in mathematics. He became a university professor of math and sociology at a time when it was extremely difficult for African-Americans to do so.

Another crack in that wall of segregation occurred when our class invited a black person to be our commencement speaker. These steps towards integration and understanding were small ones, but our class should be proud that they were taken.




SENIOR TRIP

submitted by: Caroll Duffield Spring (WI '61)
Bspring507@aol.com

I graduated in 1961 and married Bert (Eddie) Spring in 1965, who also attended WI. We moved to Plant City, FL in 1970 and have resided here since that time. We get back to Clarksburg occasionally as we have life long friends there, Cassie and Jim Duncan. Cassie is a ' 62 graduate of WI and was formerly Cassie McDougal.

My class also enjoyed a Senior Trip to New York City on Easter weekend in 1961. We went to the Empire State Building, United Nations, Radio City, Greenwich Village, Statue of Liberty, etc. I don't remember the trip being an "invitation only" trip. Some of the people on the trip (as I remember) were Robin Woolard, Ann Ruck, Bobby Gainer, Brooks Gainer and Irvin Miller. I do remember a couple of the girls in our group getting lost in Greenwich Village and returning in the middle of the night - much to Mrs. Dodds' displeasure.

I really enjoy the Newsletter and can appreciate the time and effort you expend in this endeavor. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to the next issue.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't remember a Senior Trip. Do you remember your senior trip? If my class had a senior trip, I didn't go. Did you go on a senior trip? Write Roleta1@aol.com.




MY FATHERS BIRTHPLACE

submitted by: Bob Williams
bwilliams@swfla.rr.com



Roleta, do you know where this log house was located before being removed when the interstate was being built between Clarksburg and Fairmont? It was located on old state route 73 near the Salt Well Road and back from the Hope Natural Gas compressing station on 73 which was completely destroyed when the tornado came through Shinnston. The house was many times referred too the old" Ross House". My father was born in this house September 19, 1904.

Today this house is the centerpiece of the Salem fort in Salem, West Virginia. I was instrumental in helping give this house to Salem College when they began acquiring old log houses to start the project. The house was taken down log by log and rebuilt at the sight and is one of few two-story log houses preserved.



“ECHO’S OF MEMORIES”

submitted by: Charlotte Sharp Smith
WI Class of 1946
Written: June 1986

When people ask, “What part of the South I am from”?
My answer to them, may sound a little dumb,
As many aren’t familiar with the towns in our state,
But to me, in the forties, our town was first rate.

I don’t think of Clarksburg as it is today,
I can get lost very easily, I’m sorry to say.
I sometimes wonder what happened to my hometown,
But, of course, it’s been thirty-six years since I’ve been around.


Since then there are so many landmarks that’s gone from just our Main Street, Remember…?

McFaddens, Andersons Restaurant, Craigs Music Store, Caplans Jewelry, Style Shop, Hagans Ice Cream, Smart Shop, Romines Funeral Home, Rogers Drug Store, The Arcade, Orpheum Theatre, Hecks News Stand, Well and Haymakers, Newsbaums Book Store, Murphys, McCroys, Grants, Woolworth, Exclusive, Parsons Souders, O.J. Morrisons, Montgomery Wards, Eva Douds, Cheesemans Paint Store, Budget Shop, Sears Roebuck, Palace Furniture Store, Krogers, Quality Furniture, Youth Center Empire Laundry, Maiden Form, A & P Foods, Sanitary Laundry, Dave’s Place, The Eagles Club, Elaine Shop, Loundes Bank, Livingston Shoe Store, Ford Automobile Show Room……..

And remember “The Clarksburg News,” that was published once a week?

Wasn’t too familiar with the area on Pike between Third and Fourth Street,
Due to Pool Rooms, K& H Hotel, and beer gardens, that was considered off beat.
Fond memories remain for the Moore’s Opera house and the Robinson Grand for me,
As I was a cashier there for about five years, and saw all the movies free.


Other streets, places and events are coming into view: How about:
The Ritz, Chicago Dairy, Sanitary Meat Market, Burke’s Furs, Stickman’s Popcorn Stand, Cooks Restaurant, The Peggy Shop, The Sherry Shop, The Record Hut, Dairy Dell, Gore Bowling Alley, Ritz News Stand, Third Street Sandwich Shop, West Virginia Sandwich Shop,Stamms Grocery, Loar & White, Harpers Restaurant, Melets, St. Mary’s Hospital, Union Protestant Hospital, Manhattan Restaurant, Workingman’s Store, OPO, Cranes Men Store, Clarksburg Feed & Grain, Clarksburg Tire Company, Sanitary Lunch, Rady & Deem, United Cigar, Robinson Grand Coffee Shoppe, Stonewall Billards, Folio’s Beer Garden, Adams Tailoring, Clique Club, Friend’s Place, Zanzibar, Green Parrot, Riverside, Shamrock, Willow Beach, Haymond Rocks, Shady Lane, Pure Ice Cream, Imperial Ice Cream Co., Daily’s Coffee Kitchen, Home of the Boston Cream Pie.

And there was a hot dog stand and a grocery store on Fourth Street,
That their name my memory cannot recall.
But “Candyland”, after a movie was a must, and to me, the greatest
Landmark of them all.

“Stalnaker’s” was the place where I learned to dance, and it provided
a place for teenagers to meet,
And their milk shakes, hot dogs and hamburgers could never be beat.
A service man home on leave would stop by to see what friends he could see,
Doc & Lucille Stalnaker would play the Juke Box and supply his food free.


Think back to when there was:

A soda fountain and booths in Blands Drug Store, Bicycle Rentals at Neighborhood Playgrounds, Grocery Stores where everyone charged their groceries and had them delivered daily to the home. When the mail was delivered twice a day, stamps were three cents and a post card only a penny. Movies a dime, pop corn a nickel, the big named bands played at the Carmichael Auditorium, the cowboy serials at the Moore’s and Orpheum every Saturday, Evenings in Paris and Blue Waltz Perfume, the Clarksburg and Producers Dairy delivered milk to the house; When the county Health Doctor quarantined the house for Measles, Mumps & Whooping Cough, and you always kept a handkerchief in your desk, in the event Miss Duncen, the Health Nurse, would visit the school, and Miss Shackleford taught us to make ovals in penmanship;

When the Clarksburg Ice Company and the North Pole Ice Company delivered ice to the homes if ice cards were in the windows; When everyone used Ipana Toothpaste. Oleo came in a pouch with a yellow button to puncture for coloring, Dances at Lake Floyd and Maple Lake, Friday Night Dances at St. Mary’s School, Meyers Jewelry on Court Street, that never could keep help. Radioes had Soap Operas during the day, Stories and Comedian shows after Lowell Thomas gave the six o’clock news, Jack Armstrong, the All American Boy and Little Orphan Annie were always in a dilemma, Lemon Cokes tasted the best, Hamburgers cost more than Hot Dogs. When Spin the Bottle and Post Office were the popular games at parties. Remember how we marched in the halls to a record before going to recess?. When boys always had dirty nails and knuckles from playing marbles and had a little knife in their pocket for “Mumbly Peg”. Whenever three or four kids got together, the games were “Go Sheepy Go”, ”Hide & Seek” or “King of the Mountain”.

In the Spring, on a sunny day, there were more students on Loundes Hill than in the classrooms. Remember eating lunch in the Auditorium, wanting a hall locker instead of in the locker room. Being sick with fear in July, afraid of getting Miss Yoke, Miss Gray or Miss Taylor, as they were the “Hard Teachers”. The janitor, Pop Drake, who never smiled but was always around if you needed him. And trying to explain to Miss Custer why you were sunburned when your excuse read “Dentist Appointment”.

Main & Pike Streets were our main route to get across town and on each corner a stop light.
Now with the expressway crisscrossing our town: We can accomplish it quicker without the traffic fight.
Public transportation, buses, street cars, prompt taxi service and trains took us near or far.
Now, we almost feel “stuck” if you don’t have two cars.

It’s no wonder I feel like a stranger in my hometown today,
But, I haven’t missed a class reunion, wanting to recapture yesterday.
Forty Years is a long time I’ll admit. And nothing stays the same for long,
Just look at yourself, Children, Grandchildren, Friends, Styles, Dances, Homes, Automobiles and even Songs.

Thinking of all the “use to be” and all “the Remember whens,”
Gives a nostalgic thrill it’s true,
So let’s thank God together, for allowing us to be here, able to reminisce and celebrate on this
Our fortieth rendezvous.



MARBLES


submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46vhs@aol.com

The Akro-Agate Marble Factory at one time was the largest producer in the world. It was founded in Akron, Ohio in 1911. The Clarksburg Plant opened in 1914 and was located on Harvey Street near the former WI football field, which was later renamed Hite Field.

Akro Agate made toy marbles, florist ware, lithographic balls, toy dishes and other type glass novelties. When it first started it turned out only 120 marbles per minute and employed 50 males and 15 females. In the early days in Clarksburg the marbles were boxed in wooden crates and then delivered to the B&O Depot in Glen Elk to be shipped to Mexico and Central America. In the nineteen thirties a new game called "Chinese Checkers" involved the use of marbles. The Clarksburg Plant furnished the marbles for this game. At peak production, the marble factory employed close to 90 workers.

Marbles were gauged by different sizes. They started at zeroes and ones. Ones were most used for playing marbles. There were twos (three-fourths thick), fours (one inch thick), and sixes also one inch thick. Marbles were also used for reflecting letters in road signs known as "cat eyes."

Mostly on weekends you could find kids filling up cans and jars with the marbles that were discarded over the hill because of imperfection or odd sizes.

Around 1951 the Master Glass Company of Bridgeport took over the assets of Akro-Agate. This company started in 1930 in Anmore and also made marbles plus other products. They moved to Bridgeport in 1941. In 1974 Master Glass ceased operations.

Playing marbles in grade schools at recess time in good weather was a lot of fun, mostly for boys. There was one draw back in my grade school at Hepzibah. When some or all of your marbles rolled out of your pockets in the classroom kiss them good bye as the teacher retrieved them and they were never returned.

EDITOR'S NOTE: from Roleta---My mother was a teacher in several grade schools in Harrison County during the 1950's. I have a large vase of marbles that belonged to my mother. She was one of those teachers who took the marbles from the boys who dropped them on the classroom floor. It was my understanding that most of the marbles were on the floor because the boys were playing around with their marbles in class and this was the way the teacher emphasized that all attention was to be on the work in the classroom. My apologies to you guys who lost your marbles!!!!!



submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
Jpulice@msn.com

Being retired, from Union Carbide in Anmoore, I know for fact that there once was a marble factory on that site. So many of the old timers that worked and lived in Anmoore told the stories and every once in a while in part of the plant you would find a marble or 2 in the dirt...also there was a marble factory in Bridgeport...across from the old stock yard. My brother Joe was Marble Champion of Glen Elk for several years. Boys would come from North View, Broad Oaks, and Stealey to play. He had a large Gym bag full of his winnings. He gave that away as he got older. He always had his favorite shooters.



submitted by: Connie Bailey Casto (WI '59)
Castoca@aol.com

Last week my 5th grade students read a story in their basal about a young girl who became a marble champ because she was unable to do any other sports. This brought back so many memories for me and the time we spent outside Morgan School playing marbles. We all had our prized collections of shooters, steelies, moonies, and others. I tried to find an older person in our community who was well versed in the game of marbles to share with my students. I was not able to find anyone, however, I do know that it is still an active hobby and there are tournaments in Orlando. We spent some free time in class learning how to play marbles and my students had a great time learning this memorable game with me.



submitted by: Nancy Rice Delaney (WI '62)
NLDeLaney@aol.com

I have a whole ammo box full of Akro Agate marbles. I just love to look at those swirls and different colors. I have large & small ones that my grandfather gave me when I was a kid. My favorite is a big jawbreaker sized one that is black with bright yellow & orange swirls. I also have a vinegar bottle lamp that is filled with marbles. Most of those are like milky in main color with colored swirls. I don't know if all were made from the same factory, but I do know they are Clarksburg marbles.



submitted by: Willard F. "Bud" Wheelock (WI '60)
hawkewoode708@aol.com

I can remember the Master Glass company out in Bridgeport. It was located by the railroad tracks near the river just off Virginia Avenue where Bridgeport now has a set of tennis courts. Anybody remember the old stockyards nearby? The city of Bridgeport has preserved the unique old concrete truss bridge that stood nearby.

Sorry, I am getting off the subject. My students at Robert C. Byrd HS wouldn't be surprised about that. My dad worked for the B&O Railroad and would often take me with him when he went to check cars. We stopped at the glass factory many times & the owner, Mr.Clinton Israel, would always see to it that I had some marbles in my pocket when we left. He was one of our close friends at St.Paul's Methodist Church and every time I drive past KFC on Pike Street on the way home I remember him.

Funny thing I can never remember "shooting marbles" but I still have a gallon jar full of them at home. I seem to remember that Hazel Atlas at one time made marbles too. Unfortunately, like all our other industries that once made Clarksburg a prosperous city, it too is long gone.



submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '64)
BobnAlong1@aol.com

You are indeed doing a super job with the newsletter. It's my hope that more and more WI alum's on the "Net" will be in touch with you and provide you with pertinent information.

As for the marble factory, it was the Akro-Agate Company, and I was told at an early age that it was the largest marble manufacturer in the world. I don't know exactly what year it closed, but it was a stone's throw from Hite Field ... just to the north.

I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hardy -- I believe he has the antique shop at West End where the Checkerboard feed company was situated -- have (or had) a number of Akro-Agate marbles in their possession. I did a feature story on their interest in those marbles about 15 years ago for the Exponent-Telegram. I think the Hardys reside somewhere in the Point Comfort section of town.



submitted by: Bill Foppiano (ND '62)
Fopps@citynet.net

The marble factory in Clarksburg was named "Akro Agate Glass Company." They were located in the Chestnut Hills section of Clarksburg. Started in 1914 and went out of business in 1947. The factory and its warehouse contents sold at public auction in 1951. Cheap and plentiful gas combined with a skilled glass work force were the reasons the factory was located in Clarksburg. I had over 100,000 marbles and sold them all during the last 5 years. There was also another factory called Master Glass, which made "Master Marbles" located 2 miles outside the city limits at a place called Anmorre, WV. 1939-1963.



submitted by: Bob and Barb Warren Williams
Barbwilliams@southfa.rr.com

Bob recalls The Akro Agate Company located beside Hite Field. It was the second American marble company to manufacture glass marbles by machine. It was founded in Akron, Ohio in 1911. In 1913 company officers purchased property in Clarksburg for manufacturing glass marbles, becoming operational in the fall of 1914.

There was another marble factory in Bridgeport and Clint Israel was president or manager of it in the 1940's and 50's. Four former employees of the Arko Agate Company founded the Master Glass Company in Clarksburg in 1930.The company closed in 1941 and the machinery was purchased by one of the former owners who formed The Master Glass Company. Master Glass closed in 1973.



submitted by: Frank McDonald (WI '58)
Jeep1940@aol.com

As I remember the marble factory was just across the river from my home on Grove Ave. in Stealey. Billl Swatts and I used to walk the train tracks at the west-end of town to the old factory and dig for marbles. All the kids in Stealey had bundles of them. Like many things from the old days they are not around today.

Nice web site. My sister just mailed it to me.



submitted by: David Nichols (WI '55)
Dnicholsii@aol.com

There may have been more than one marble factory in Clarksburg but I remember the one located along the railroad tracks toward Mt Clare not far from the river and what became Hite field. There was a "seconds" bin of marbles outside the factory and some of we grade-schoolers, marble shooters all and tempted beyond endurance, took it upon ourselves to liberate those beautiful marbles. And so we escaped the scene of the crime running down those railroad tracks and learned three things. One, you cannot run very fast carrying a gunny sack full of marbles and two, crime does not pay, because we were caught and had to liberate the marbles, and third, there was hell to pay when our parents and school principal were informed. Shame learned at an early age is seldom forgotten, especially when accompanied by a switch to the backside.



submitted by: Rick See (PHS '71)
Ricksmarbles@charter.net

Hi, my name is Rick See. I went to WI in 1967 but graduated from PHS in 1971. I went to Central JHS and Alta Vista in Clarksburg. I dig marbles. I live in Parkersburg and know a little about the Clarksburg marbles. There is an antique shop in Clarksburg, Westover Antiques (I think), that has most of the Akro marbles. Akro was behind the football stadium (Hite Field) in Clarksburg. Master was also located there and I know where it is located but not sure how to give you a location. There is a huge factory (electrical?) there now and it is all fenced in. Greenbergs Guide to Marbles gives about the best description of the factories if you can find the book. They generally sell used for 40-80 dollars. Good luck




THE LIBRARY

submitted by: Judy Allen Hutson WI (would have graduated class of '56)
Judithahutson@webtv.net

Thank you again for including my little bit of stuff in your newsletter. I've been very surprised to hear from a couple of people who, even though I had my facts wrong, were kind enough to write and share stories with me about the Mary Berger dance recitals at the Robinson Grand Theatre. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Why didn't they share with the readers too?) Anyone else out there remember those recitals from 50 to 53?

I also remember the long walk up to the fabulous old Library and how I just couldn't wait till I got old enough to check out books down stairs in the adult section. Imagine my disappointment when I finally got old enough we moved to Oklahoma.



GRANDPAS

submitted by: John P. Harrison (WI '56)

For some who think of childhood days,
Their memories may contain,
A visit to the country,
Down a narrow twisting lane.

We always went to Grandpa’s house
Where we stayed for weeks or more,
I’d climb the trees and watch for bees,
While Grandpa did the chores.

Those summer days seemed longer
When I was just a child..
At noontime it was hotter,
In the evening cool and mild.

I could tell you stories
That would surely curl your hair
Like the time I smoked a corncob pipe
Or fought a grizzly bear.

Those days were filled with pleasure
As I fondly now recall
But there’s one thing I remember
That stands out best of all.

Grandpa had a work horse
Dapper was his name
And Grandpa let me ride him
Through the meadow by the lane

When I climbed upon his back
I was just as proud as punch
I’d have ridden that horse the whole day long
If it hadn’t been for lunch.

I have other memories as a child
That happened long ago
And I recall them everyone
With a warm and tender glow.

There's just one thing that I regret,
Among my reveries,
It's too bad Grandpas can not last
... as long as memories.


EDITOR'S NOTE: Do you have poetry or a short story that you have written? Send it to me, maybe I could use in the newsletter? Roleta1@aol.com



SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

I hope that one of the following subjects will inspire you to write to the newsletter. Hopefully several people will contribute and I can do a feature about one of the subjects in the near future. Thanks.

Junior-Senior Prom--Remember what you wore? Who was your date? Where did you go after the prom? What was your transportation? Kids now days take a limo! Did you go to dinner before the prom? Remember the rule about no outsiders for dates, how do you feel about that? (I mean only juniors and seniors from our high school were allowed to attend--no outsiders as dates.) Write anything you can remember about that big occasion in your young life.

Street Characters-These are some of those characters who hung out on the downtown streets of Clarksburg. Do you remember one of them? Do you remember a name? Describe the person? Do you know anything about that person? For instance, there was a lady named "Rosie" who made flowers from crepe paper, remember her? A blind man who sang and was led around by a small boy, remember him? There were many others---tell me about your memory of them. These people hung out on Main Street mostly, near Murphy's 5 and 10.

Junior High School--Where did you attend? What was it like? What was your favorite class? Favorite teacher? How did you get there? Who was your homeroom teacher?



NEW E-MAIL ADDRESSES


Claire Nicewarner Conley (WI '50) tomconlou@aol.com
Mary Nicewarner Tucker (WI '56) spankytuk@netscape.net
Janet Molle Morse (WI '54) jmorse@lcia.com
Caroll Duffield Spring (WI '61) Bspring507@aol.com
Pat Sprout Newbrough (RW '57) rich.newbrough@sympatico.ca
Rich Newbrough (Bridgeport '55) rich.newbrough@sympatico.ca
Frank Iaquinta (WI '59) fiaquinta@kdaholdingsince.com
Judy Ash Guy (WI '50) jguy@gggha.com
Chris Wrinkles (VHS '70) chriswrinkles@aol.com
Chad Sinsel (WI '53) Casinsel@martinandseibert.com
Carol Tomes Cassidy (WI '52) Mommocas@atc-pa.com
Shari Josephs (WI '65) shari@ohaflcio.org
Rick See (PHS '71) Ricksmarbles@charter.net


CHANGE OF E-MAIL ADDRESS

Dave Morris (WI '63) wd8nsc@verizon.net
Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74) dfisher4140@bellsouth.net
Jeannie Wells Himmel (WI '59) dhimmel1@cox.net






submitted by: Claire (Nicewarner) Conley (WI '50)
tomconlou@aol.com

I am Claire (Nicewarner) Conley, a graduate of WI with the class of 1950. My brother, Philip (Sonny) Nicewarner graduated with the class of 1948 and later became the principal of Bridgeport Jr. High. He passed away in 1999. I also have a sister, Mary (Nicewarner) Tucker that is an alumni of 1956. After her graduation, she moved to Annapolis, MD with our parents, Phil and Celestine Nicewarner. My father retired from the Clarksburg Police Dept. after 25 years. Then after moving to Annapolis he became a policeman with the County Police. I married a man from Clarksburg, Tom Conley (St. Mary's) two months after graduating. We have three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grand children and twin great-grand children due in August.

For the 25th reunion of WI, I was unable to attend due to illness and was determined I would go to the 50th reunion but again illness struck. I had to retire Sept 1980 from the Anne Arundel Board of Education here in Annapolis, where I was a paraprofessional for 2nd and 3rd grades and also did substitute teaching. I, unfortunately, fell in the school library and broke my ankle in three places. I was in a cast for 2 years after having 3 operations I had to have fusion in the foot.

Enough about me....my cousin, Don Sager sends Mary and I the newsletter each month and we really enjoy it. I see some names that I remember from the "old days" and wonder how many of "us" are left. My husband still has siblings living in Clarksburg so we do get "home" 3 or 4 times a year but the town is so different from when I lived there. We go to Meadowbrook Mall and come back saying we didn't see anyone we knew but I guess they could walk right by us and we wouldn't recognize them.

The picture in the April edition, we think is Davis Funeral Home but we are probably wrong although we did recognize Union Hospital and Blands Drug Store in previous newsletters.

Please add me to your list for further issues and my sister, Mary would like to receive them too. Thank you.-





submitted by: Carol Tomes Cassidy (WI '52)
Mommocas@atc-pa.com

Didn't know there was such a newsletter. Was forwarded the April issue by Mary Ann Hite Williams, WI class of 1952 I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the latest news, especially two articles written by Bernice King McHenry, another classmate. Also enjoyed the articles on the old Union Protestant Hospital and the fact that it once was Mason House. My grandfather's name, [maternal side was Mason]. Therefore my Mother's maiden name was Mason. Although I do not live in Clarksburg, or WV right now, my heart is still there. Pennsylvania stinks.





submitted by: Burt Spangler (WI '38)
Burtsbs@nccn.net

As usual, a great job!! I printed it out--all 36 pages of it so my wife could read it too without struggling through scrolling it up on this little lap top that I happened to be using to check my Email at the time the newsletter came through. Pictures all print fine, but I'm not very good at identifying the buildings until I'm reminded, then the memories of them keep flooding back.

My wife noted that all of the letters were a generation younger than I am and wondered why no one from my era ever wrote? I had to remind her that there weren't too many of my era left. It is even hard for me to realize that all those kids are or would be in their eighties now. The list of those passed away is much longer than the list of those still with us--it is the same for those guys I served with in WWII and during the Korean conflict--even memories of people I worked with are growing dim after 23 years of retirement. Your newsletter does wonders to revive memories of my very early years however. It is interesting to learn what happened to places and things after I left Clarksburg. My brief returns there didn't give me much in the way of the history of my post WI-RW years.

Your picnics sound like a lot of fun. I wish we could make one but that is more travel than we can take. We only travel by motor home. No flying or trains. Our trips are pretty well confined to northern California and Nevada. With current gas prices here, we will probably be abbreviating those outings this summer. I guess summer will come--we had snow this morning (at 2300 feet elevation). California isn't all sun and beaches--this foothill country is really beautiful--much like West Virginia as to terrain and climate.

Again thanks for your great newsletter. I know the effort it takes as I edited the NorCal Good Sam Tel-A-Sam (40 pages quarterly) and the Western Apicultural Society Journal, also a quarterly, for several years. Keep up the great work--





submitted by: Pat Sprout Newbrough (RW '57)
and Rich Newbrough (Bridgeport '55)
rich.newbrough@sympatico.ca

My husband and I did not go to WI. I graduated from RW (57) and my husband graduated from Bridgeport (55). However, we would really love to receive your newsletter as we knew a lot of people from WI and lived in Clarksburg until 1959 when we were married and moved to Quantico, Virginia where my husband attended Officers Candidate School. We lived throughout the states and are now living in Kitchener, Ontario where my husband is a retired Athletic Director/football coach for Wilfred Laurier University.

Please include us on your list to receive the newsletter.

Thanks very much,





submitted by: Judy Ash Guy (WI '50)
Jguy@gggha.com

Just received an e-mail copy of the latest April issue of the WI Newsletter. Really enjoyed it. Would you please put me on the mailing list? You are doing a great job (I know it must be a lot of work!!!)





submitted by: Diana Cleavenger Swiger (WI '66)
Mamaswag6@aol.com

I'm looking for an email address, phone number, postal address for Larry Smith, class of 1964? He married Sandra Virginia Fox who moved to Maryland where he retired from the Maryland State Police. I know Larry retired and I believe Sandy worked at one of the schools in that area. Sandy would have graduated with the 1966 class, but her Grandmother raised her and had died, and then moved to the Deep Creek, Maryland area. I used to have all of the above information, but in this senior moment I'm drawing a complete blank. I just want to let them know about this web site, as the article on Locust Court in the 4-3 addition mentions a lot of people that we grew up with.





submitted by: Jim Villers (VHS '57)
Jvillers@newportbeach.com

Again, my compliments regarding your great newsletter. It is great that you are including VHS and others.





submitted by: B. Carlisle Bowling (husband of Elaine Marie Fowler Bowling WI Class of '59)
Zarvon@aol.com

Great job on the last issue. I always enjoy reading the issues.

I just spent ten more days in the hospital in Daytona Beach and one of the X-ray techs is from Clarksburg and I told her I would forward her e-mail address to you so you can add her to the list for the newsletter. Her name is Chris Wrinkles and she graduated from Victory in 1970. Her e-mail address :Chriswrinkles@aol.com

Although I am still bedfast after 10 months, at least we have started a great Physical Therapy program and today for the first time I was able to transfer myself, out of bed and back into bed, into my wheelchair. I have also stood for five minutes but no steps yet. That will be next. Just a short capsule of where I am now.





submitted by: Jim Hovey (WI '62)
Jhovey@bwiairport.com

Along came April 1 (then April 2). NO NEWSLETTER! I got real nervous! What Happen! Is Roleta ill? Did not enough people contribute and Roleta said chuck it all? The relief on the morning of April 3 was great! We cannot tell you enough how much we appreciate your diligence and hard work helping us stay in touch with our, what seems now to be truly blessed, past growing up in Clarksburg.

Others' discussions of the Stonewall Jackson Hotel brought back memories of it to me. We of course had our Junior Prom in the "Ballroom". I took Kendra White (I felt like the luckiest guy in WI). I doubled with Dave Rowe who took Mitzi Brinkley. Dave picked me up at my house and promptly wrecked his car backing on to Taylor Street. Fortunately, nobody got hurt although Dave's face turned several pretty colors and the night was great from then on. At least I thought so. (I don't know what Kendra thought). One morning in June of 1960 Lynn Gottlieb, Steve's older sister, asked me to go to the Stonewall Jackson with her for a "political rally". I really didn't know what that meant but went with her anyway. I remember shaking John Kennedy's hand at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.

Again, Thanks Roleta.





submitted by: Chad Sinsel (WI '53)
Casinsel@martinandseibert.com

Hi Roleta - My name is Chad Sinsel (WI '53) and one of my classmates, Joellen (Fletcher) Allman sent me the March newsletter. What a fantastic idea!! It's particularly appropriate this month as my wife, Nuala, was born in Dublin, Ireland. Your mystery picture is the old Union Protestant Hospital that sat at the foot of Washington Avenue. My brother Doug (WI '56) ("Put" to those of you who knew him in high school) was born there, and I had my tonsils removed there in 1939. Interestingly enough, my Dad, Rupert Sinsel, was on the Board there when the hospitals merged in the mid 1960's, and he was very active in bringing the Methodists and the Catholics together for the good of Harrison County.

I practiced law in Harrison County until 1987 and then moved to Deep Creek Lake where my wife and I ran a loan office for One Valley Bank, and where we met Jean (Eenie Smouse) King - "WI '58 and her husband, Ed, who became and remain our very dear friends. Also while at Deep Creek we introduced Tom Myers WI '53 to his present wife. So when we go back there, which we do frequently, it's like old home week for WI Alums. We moved to Martinsburg in 1995 where I now manage the real estate department for the largest law firm in the Eastern Panhandle. This is a beautiful part of West Virginia and an area with which I had very little familiarity until we moved here. It's the fastest, and only, area of the state that is really growing (some say too fast). I'm retiring at the end of June, and we're moving to Ormond Beach, Florida, so count us in for the picnic next March.

This email address will only be available for the next 88 days, but as soon as we get settled, I'll send you my new one. I've kept in touch with many of our classmates over the years and would like to contribute to your efforts. Keep up the good work. What a great way to re-connect!!!

Again, Thanks Roleta.





submitted by: Carol Greynolds Cleveland (WI '61)
CLE704@aol.com

Hi Roleta,

The April Mystery picture shouldn't be a mystery to anyone that lived in Clarksburg. It is the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home and is a lovely landmark on Main Street.

My father, Bill Greynolds (Unidis '39) worked at Davis-Weaver just after he graduated from high school. He often mentioned that he had intended to make the funeral business his career, but WWII came along and he enlisted in the Marines and his life, as well as most young men's at that time, was changed forever. When he was discharged and came back to Clarksburg he went to work for Barnes & Brass Electric where he worked until his retirement.

My most interesting memory of Davis-Weaver was John Davis and his remarkable gift of remembering people's names. No matter how many years had passed between funerals in our family, he would always be able to greet us at the door and call us by name. I do remember a discussion amoung the employees about how he once forgot a name and of course they never let him live it down.

Roleta, thank you so much for all you do. I have made many contacts with friends and neighbors through your newsletter. It's really great.




IDENTIFICATION OF APRIL PRECIOUS CHILD

EDITOR'S NOTE: I was surprised that only one classmate of the precious child for April remembered her from grade school and that classmate was Sandy Iaquinta. I didn't attend grade school with her but I don't think she changed that much before I met her. She was a beautiful girl with a wonderful bubbly personality. We had a lot of laughs in high school.

CHERYLL (SHERI) GILL RASMUSSEN

    




PRECIOUS CHILD


Would you like to put your picture or a picture of a friend or relative here? Just send an early picture, a high school picture and a recent picture, contact Judy Daugherty Kimler (jkimler@ezwv.com) for information on how to submit your pictures. You can either scan and e-mail to her or send US Mail and she will scan the pictures and return to you ASAP.



PRECIOUS CHILDREN FOR MAY



Do you remember these children? Send your guess and a memory of them to Roleta1@aol.com. Thanks




WI SUMMER PICNIC

The summer picnic will be held in Clarksburg on August 23, 2003. All you need to do is: write to me (Roleta1@aol.com) or to Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (mtmama@iolinc.net) and tell us if you are coming, bring a covered dish, your own drink, maybe a lawn chair in which to sit, and some money to put in the pot to cover the expenses of the pavilion, paper products, etc. No alcohol please! If you are from out of town and can't bring a covered dish---stop at KFC and buy some chicken or the local market and get some fruit, vegetable plate, cheese and crackers, etc. Some smart people this winter brought tablecloths to cover the picnic table where they sat to eat ---pretty smart. The time is 11:00 am until you leave! Please plan to be there. This is a picnic for anyone who did or would have graduated from WI. If you attended WI you are welcome to come and see your old friends. Tell all your relatives, neighbors and friends. WI WILL SHINE!




GEORGE JOSEPHS' RELATIVES RESPOND

submitted by: Shari Josephs (WI '65)
shari@ohaflcio.org

Roleta - please put this in the next newsletter. I will try to e-mail personally those that wrote about George but right now I am extremely busy at work and this is the only place I have access to e-mail. Go ahead and put in my work e-mail address.

To all who wrote about my brother, George Josephs: I was extremely touched by all the responses regarding my brother, George Josephs. I really didn't expect so many people to remember. I am going to forward the newsletter to Kathie Green Josephs (his wife); Jennifer Josephs and David Josephs (his children). They really don't know much at all about George as a young boy as they were both very young when he passed away. I am sure they will enjoy reading about him and will be just as appreciative as I was.

Since George was 10 years older than I am, I too don't have many memories of him as a young boy. Let all who wrote know that his son David is the image of George and from what I read about George as a young boy was exactly like him too at that age. To all that knew George, David (electrical engineer) and Jennifer (accountant) are leading very successful lives in Chandler, Arizona (near Phoenix). They are both extremely intelligent and wonderful young adults and I am very proud of them. George's wife Kathie never remarried and to quote her, "I will never find another husband as wonderful as George." Kathie is a wonderful woman and we remain like sisters to this day, not sister-in-laws. She is an extremely dedicated teacher in the Tucson, Arizona school district and I visit her as often as I can. I know Kathie and the kids will get a kick out of reading the submission by Betty Jo Nichols Lane regarding the "birthday ruse" as that is one story she knew about and related to Jennifer and David more than once.

Once again, thanks to all who remembered - you made my day. Shari

FROM A COUSIN OF GEORGE JOSEPH

Shari sent me a copy of your newsletter. I am George's cousin. I loved all of your memories. Thank you so much for all your kind words. It really made my day. As I read your newsletter I remembered visiting some of the locations when I was in Clarksburg. I lived in Akron, Ohio and in the summer George would come to stay with us for a few weeks. To earn spending money he would mow our neighbor's lawns. He was a few years older and my girlfriends all thought he was cute (and then there was that accent!). We thought it was very funny to make him lemonade laced with vinegar etc. Such bratty little girls. My sister who was Shari's age was sent to West Virginia when George was in Akron. I am sure she and Shari had many fun adventures. Living and raising kids in a big city (we are in Los Angeles) doesn't provide the same close feelings that a small town life has. Also we don't let our kids out to play on the street. We now realize that in some ways we were very fortunate to grow up where we were.


UNION PROTESTANT HOSPITAL

submitted by: Gary Weiner (WI '60)
Cias@iolinc.net

I have found the Memorials book for the (then) new Union Protestant Hospital. It lists the memorial plaques and where they were originally placed. Most are now outside on a sloped wall where people sit on them, the weather hits them and birds do what birds do. The present management of the hospital has no respect for those who originally built it. Also listed are the members of the Women's Auxiliary to the Union Protestant Hospital, Inc. and the 1963 Members of the Hospital Company and its Board of Directors.

My father, Robert Weiner, was active in raising funds for the hospital and was a member of the Hospital Company.



TUNNELS

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

Recently the Clarksburg newspaper has disclosed the fact that there is renovation being done to the Clarksburg downtown streets. There have been tunnels or secret rooms uncovered under the streets. These tunnels and rooms often have arched doorways and some are pretty good size. They are usually accessible from the basements of buildings. There is speculation that the rooms or tunnels may have been connected, may have been storage space, or may have been used during prohibition or even before. Do you have any ideas about these tunnels/rooms? Write to Roleta1@aol.com



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY BABIES

19   Greg Werner (WI '82)   WernerGodSpeed1@aol.com

12   Richard F. Tetrick (WI '47)   FragileGranny34@aol.com

21   Elaine Fowler Bowling (WI '59)   Zarvon @aol.com


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

  2   Bob Hall (WI '56)   RDHall9171@aol.com

14   Bill Van Voorhis (WI '58 ) and Harriet Danley VanVoorhis (WI '58)   Bill.VanVoorhis@mail.wvu.edu




In the United States, Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors Americans who gave their lives for their country in wars. Memorial Day is known as the holiday that opens the summer season. Even though it was created for a somber occasion - to honor those who died in battle - it is often celebrated with backyard barbecues and picnics. It is also the first holiday in the new year when we proudly display our patriotism by unfurling Old Glory.

"...from these honored dead, we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain... "

~Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address~




TRIVIA PICTURE FOR MAY



Can you identify this site? Send me your guess and include a memory or a story about the site. Send to Roleta1@aol.com. Thanks. You can just click on my e-mail address right now and send your guess then when through, you can continue reading the newsletter.



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR APRIL

submitted by: Richard Underwood (WI '60)
Undie@zoominternet.net

This building is an early picture of the Davis Weaver Funeral Home. I spent a lot of evening's and weekends next door courting Mary Elizabeth in the late 50s. Unlike the kids today, if I wanted to go see her I had to find my own transportation. We lived at Lake Floyd in the summer and I would either hitchhike in town or if I didn't get a ride I ended up walking. By the time I got my driver's license we had both moved on to other things.




submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
Jpulice@msn.com


I guarantee you the employees who work here are the last to let you down! It is Davis Weaver Funeral Home in Clarksburg on East Main Street.




submitted by: Mary Lou Strosnider Marshall (WI '64)
Cat1211woman@AOL.com


The Trivia picture this month is of the Davis Weaver Funeral Home. If you will look to the left of the picture and use your imagination you can just see the old home of Mr. Weaver and his family. I remember "Tootie" and another daughter. I just can't remember her name. We belonged to the same sorority. I remember that we all had a good time.




submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)
Hawkewoode708@aol.com


This is the old Despard House built by a Col. Despard just before the Civil War. Gen. Rosecrans and his staff of despised Yankees used it as a headquarters as they defended Clarksburg from the ravages of raiders such as those who conducted the famed Jones-Imboden raid. It is now used as the Davis-Weaver Funeral home.




submitted by: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI '56)
Msspahr@aol.com


This was a great newsletter. Looks like people are responding to your pleas for stories. The mystery picture is the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home on East Main St. This is the funeral home my siblings and I chose for arrangements and visitation for both of our parents. Thousands of other families have made the same choice over the years.




submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)
Waynepawco@aol.com


This is Davis Weaver Funeral Home on Main Street. I remember it as I went to school at WI with Mary Elizabeth Weaver and knew her parents. Jo Nutter and Denver Atkins now own the business. Before that Harrry Kennedy ran it. They took care of arrangements for my father when he passed away.




submitted by: Brooke "Boo" Beall (ND '58)
Bbeall@buggs.net


This is a picture of Davis Weaver Funeral Home. My brother worked there. We shared an apartment on Terra Cotta Street for awhile. I remember that the funeral homes used to do all the emergency calls (before the invention of the volunteer/county emergency squads) and he would be "on call" from time to time to drive the funeral home's ambulance. This month's Newsletter was great! It just gets better and better! Really enjoyed the picnic in Sarasota, got to see some old friends that I had not seen for many years. Looking forward to next year.




submitted by: Mary Elizabeth Weaver Snead (WI '60)
Auntmerts@earthlink.net


Roleta, I knew it would be just a matter of time before you had this picture up for guessing. It is a picture of my Father's Funeral Home, Davis-Weaver Funeral home, 129 East Main Street. I lived next door to our funeral home from the early 40's till I graduated from WI in 1960. Of course I have many fond memories of growing up there. When my sister (Tootie) and I were still small, we would ride our bikes up and down the sidewalk next to the Funeral Home. Our Father would make sure we didn't play close to the Funeral Home while there were visitors inside. We would come home from school to eat lunch and I can remember putting on my roller skates and skating till it was time to go back to school. It was in the early 50's, my Dad did some major remodeling to the Despard Mansion. That is the official name of the building. He even changed the design of the parking lot. I can remember picking pansies from the front lawn and putting them in a large bowl my Mother would have at the front door. I can remember many times seeing either my Mother or my Father stand at the front door watching to see when their daughters were coming home from school. And we had better not be late!!!

After I learned to drive, my Father would let me put the cars in the garage. That was located behind my house and it was quite a feat to get those big cars into the garage without getting a scratch on them. I even used to help wash those BLACK cars, too.

Growing up next to a funeral home is not as bad as one would think. And having a Dad as a funeral director was even better. I wish now I had followed in my dads footsteps as he wanted me to do.

I lost my Dad on New Years Eve 1966 and my Mother in 1987. And I lost my sister in 1973. So the Davis Weaver Funeral Home has some very special memories and ties to my life. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Thanks for the opportunity to share a little of the Despard Mansion and our Funeral Home.




submitted by: Alex Sandonas Thwaites (WI '65)
Alex13741@cs.com


I believe it's Davis Funeral Home located on East Main Street. If it's the one I think it is, I remember it because my grandmother's ceremony was there.




submitted by: Carol VanHorn Dean (WI '58)
DBLU2@aol.com


I believe the mystery house is Davis Weaver Funeral Home. Even though the house is in the right setting, the red house to the right is also familiar. Jewel Criss, co-worker at King's Beauty Shop opened her own shop there years ago. Don't know if she is still there or not. I worked with Helen Stockwell at the Lady Anne Beauty Shop and went with her to style a woman's hair at Davis Weaver Funeral Home. It was a little creepy being my first experience because the woman's hand slumped to the side of her. Helen said that was not unusual and their reflexes could cause them to even sit up.




submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI '52)
Fragilegranny34@aol.com


I guess my identifying the old Union Protestant Hospital was a bit late to make the Newsletter. My memories were very vivid and sentimental of that hospital, as I worked there as a Lab Tech for several years and had my first child there--way back in 1956!

The mystery picture for April is none other that the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home on East Main St. I admired the property as a little girl and have shed many tears there since it became a funeral home probably in the late 40's. It is still a beautiful old home and has been well cared for.

The newsletters are interesting and fun to read. You deserve a big "Thank You" for creating this letter for us to look forward to each month and the memories it brings.




submitted by: Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74)
Dfisher 4140@aol.com


This month's picture is of the Davis-Weaver Funeral home. I remember sneaking around there when I was a kid. I'm not sure what I was looking for.




submitted by: Terry Snider Fazio (WI '67)
Terrymomma@aol.com


This is Davis Weaver Funeral Home. I, along with a lot of people, have spent too much time there. The older we get, the more time we spend there. If that's the way you have to go, they do it with style!




submitted by: Brian McIntyre (WI '65)
Bmcintyre@ec.rr.com


It is Davis Funeral Home located on Main Street, near the Goff Plaza Bridge. This is not far from where my classmates Richard George, Bev (Rumble) Kramer, Jim Freeman, Ernie Swiger, Susan (DuFour) Sutter and Scott McKinney lived. Most of my family's departed were at the Davis-Weaver on Pike Street downtown. My WI memory was when Hilda Logston's dad had died (1964?) and John McCuskey and I arrived early and sat with Hilda for a long time and talked with her; the other classmates who showed up for the visitation didn't know what to say and just walked by. At that age most of us still had both parents living. More recently I have the memory of my step-dad Delbert Junkins being there in 1995. When my mom died in 1992 Davis-Weaver made so many mistakes that my brother and I decided that the next decision would be to go with Davis. They were very caring and efficient.




submitted by: Lawrence Kinney (WI '51)
Djkinney@dnet.net


Another great newsletter. I was sorry I had to miss the picnic in Sarasota, but due to my health problems we couldn't make our annual trip to Sarasota.

I believe the April picture is the Davis Funeral Home on East Main St. at Oak St.




TO ALL OF OUR 1959 W.I. CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS

submitted by: Carolyn and Jerry Warne (WI '59)
Wrmychsnut@aol.com


Jerry and I left for our winter place in Florida shortly after Terry's funeral in Feb. We arrived back in Clarksburg on April 8th to an overwhelming amount of sympathy cards and notes of condolences, filled with so much warmth, love and caring thoughts to both Jerry and I . We cannot express in such few words how much you touched our hearts with your kindness and thoughtfulness during such a difficult time. When Terry was diagonsed in June -- The Lord allowed us precious hours and days together . We traveled, went to Dr. appointments together, rode our Helix bikes together and loved every minute that he spent at our home... There is such a void now, but Terry will live FOREVER in our hearts and minds !!! Thank You for keeping us close in your thoughts and prayes, it is truly comforting ....

SINCERELY,
Carolyn and Jerry Warne




OBITUARIES

LYNN EDWARD LEWARK

Lynn Lewark, age 62, of Dumfries, Virginia, died April 22, 2003. He was born and raised in Clarksburg. Lynn graduated from Washington Irving with the Class of 1960. He was the husband of the late Carolyn Ann Lewark. Surviving is son John Edison Lewark of Dumfries, Virginia and Cheryl Lewark of Woodbridge, Virginia. Burial will be Monday, April 28 Bethesda Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Fall Branch,Tennessee.



DAVID OSBORNE CORBETT

David Osborne Corbett, 59, of Clarksburg, died in his home on March 30, 2003. He was born June 12, 1943, the son of the late Donald and Jeanne Corbett.

David is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Forte and Kathleen Corbett; grandchildren, Mason and Caroline Forte; and a brother, Donald Corbett Jr.

Excerpts from The Clarksburg Exponent



CONTRIBUTIONS

I welcome all e-mails and am so happy to receive them. Sometimes I don't take the time to thank each of you when you write, I am sorry, but I do try to acknowledge your contribution to the newsletter. If you send a guess for the Trivia picture of the Month and you don't include a memory or something else. I usually thank you but I am sorry, due to space, I can only use those e-mails that say something other than just an identification of the site. I hope you understand. I appreciate your guess and hope you will write more! When you write to me, please always include your name, school and the year you graduated or would have graduated.

If you have pictures of Clarksburg; surrounding area; pictures of friends or yourself; grade, jr. high or high school pictures; please contact either Judy at jkimler@ezwv.com or write to me at Roleta1@aol.com, we will tell you how to get them to us. Remember, I try to use all information sent to me. Send me your ideas and suggestions. I have the right to edit whatever you contribute. I don't publish anything political, religious or racial in the newsletter. If your article doesn't appear, submit it again. Sometimes you send it but I don't receive it. Also, in this great electronic world, remember one false move of a finger and a page may be sent to cyber space to never be seen again. (I HAVE DONE THAT.) I am not a computer guru--I am an amateur. I am here doing a newsletter for you, my friends. This is a new experience for me. I started the newsletter 4 years ago--my first attempt with the written word since college. I have never worked in the journalism field. I was planning to be a teacher but became a housewife instead. Twenty years into the marriage, we went into business. Our business is selling materials to contractors who build and repair highway road surfaces. Nothing to do with creative writing! So I am trying……Thanks for the patience and all of the help. Forgive the grammar errors….this isn't being submitted for a grade. Thank God!





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