My Memories of Logan

More Than Feudin' and Fightin'!

By Elizabeth Thurmond Witschey

Back when I was a child, there was more going on in Logan than feudin' and fightin' and mine wars. Those were the events that made the newspapers, but the outside world had no idea of how wonderful it was to live in Logan, how much fun we had, or how many exciting cultural and entertainment events rode the rails into our little town.

In 1914, Logan began bursting its seams, which up until then had consisted of a sizeable hill on one side and a lazy little fish-filled stream on the other. As the area coal business began to prosper and expand, satellite industries kept up the rigorous pace and the population of Logan exploded.

As always with a population explosion, the need for school facilities increased. It wasn't long until a new junior/senior high school was built beside the ancient grade school. Mr. F.O. Woerner – known to us as "Perfesser" – reigned with an iron ruler and no one even thought of misbehaving when he was nearby. He not only kept us in line, he scared us to death – every minute of the school day. Even so, he was loved and respected as long as he lived.

Summertime in Logan meant long lazy days swimming and swinging from wild grapevines over the Guyandotte River (locally known as the Guyan River). On the last swing out, we'd let go with that deliciously scary feeling of falling out of control, until we were jolted back to our senses with the smack of the water against sunburned bodies. This activity resulted in sore muscles and skin that smarted for hours afterward.

A few years later, we deserted that swimming hole for another in the nearby town of McConnell. It was just as much fun, but dangerously deep! And although we felt more daring, we were never quite as comfortable as we had been back at our old swimming hole in Logan.

You can read the rest of this article in the Spring 2000 issue of Goldenseal, available in bookstores, libraries or direct from Goldenseal.