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The original name for Fayetteville, was Wan dalia, after Abraham Wandal, who kept a tavern at the Fayetteville site as early as 1230. It is told by Colonel G.W. Imboden, who received his in formation from his father-in-law, Colonel William Tyrée, that when the vote on the location of the seat of justice was taken Hiram Hill, the first clerk of the county court, gave away a number of one acre tracts of land without any specific boundaries, thus qualifying to vote the ones to whom they were given. At that time under the Virginia government only free holders could vote. The two towns voted on were New Haven, Mountain Cove District, and Vandalia. By this strategy the vote was carried for Vandalia and the county seat has remained at the Fayetteville site ever since. Later the name was changed to Fayetteville. The county itself was named after the famous La fayette, the French nobleman, who aided the struggling colonists during the trying days of the Revolution. It is said that Henry Clay at one time stopped at the old Vandal tavern. One room of this primi tive hostelry was set aside for guests and all those stopping for the night, be they one of several, were required to sleep in this one room. In the early days Fayetteville was a mere hamlet, where the county officers resided, and, of course, the population was small. A store, however, was opened early, conducted by one Oliver Waite. Afterwards Augustus Pack conducted a store. Some time after the removal of the county seat Miles Manser, at whose store in New Haven the court meetings of the county were held, moved his store to the new seat of jus tice. James Philips also conducted a general mer chandise store tere before the war. During the war period of 1861-65 there was a general exodus of the Fayetteville citizens. Only four houses were left after hostilities ceased. Partinately the court records were taken away and thus preserved. In this manner there were saved from destruction all the early records of the county, excepting a very few. P. J. Lawrence opened a store soon after the war. Then came the general merchandise establish ment of Gus Montgomery, who sold out to W. G. Dickinson, at present in the merchandise business at the same stand.’ The present Carter Brothers’ firm began business in 1900. In 188% there were about one -hundred and twenty-five people at Fay etteville. The town was incorporated in 1883. The follow ing have held the office of mayor: W. A. Wiseman, L. G. Gaines, E. B. Hawkins, W. D. Payne, L. G. Gaines, 5. L. Walker, Co. R. Summerfield, S. L. Walker, C. W. Dillon, E. J. Nuckolls, E. B. Hawkins, R. J. Thrift, 2. 1. Carter, A. M. Kincaid, H.. J. Tucker, 5. L. Walker, W. L. Lee, R. H. Dickinson. The later growth of Fayetteville has not been such as its most enthusiastic residents would like to have recorded in this publication, yet recent developments brought, about through concerted effort on the part of her most enterprising citizens, gives encouragement to the belief that within the next few years such advancement will be accomplished , that will place the county seat town among the most progressive and promising of all the towns of the New River region. The ‘present municipal organization, is made up of the town’s most progressive citizenship. Colonel R. H. Dickinson, the mayor, is sheriff of the county as well, and at the organization of the Fayetteville Business Men's Association some months ago he was selected as the head of this new organization, which, is calculated to accomplish great goods in the way of getting, behind public improvements and improved municipal government. H. W. Claypool, deputy assessor, is recorder of the town, an aggres sive and indefatigable worker. The council is com posed of the following well-known and influential citizens: Circuit Clerk Floyd Keller, Dr. J. W. Hopkins, Captain S. L. Walker, W. L. Lee, of the law firm of Hubard Lee, and George Koontz. About one year ago the public spirited citizens of Fayetteville put their heads together in a general movement for the betterment of the municipals and the organization of a movement by which greater good might be accomplished in the way of public improvement. This movement resulted in the organization of the Fayetteville Business Men’s Association, composed of practically all the public spirited citizens of the town. This organization has fade but little noise, has done but very little in the way of dress parade, but somehow from the very date of this organization things have been showing an improvement in and about Fayetteville in the way of civic betterment. Instancing this fact it need only be cited that the town has voted a bond issue of $14,700 to be expended in the construction of sidewalks through out the town,and the work will be fairly well under way when this publication is placed before its patrons. Six thousand feet of cement sidewalk is to be laid‘under the terms of the contract brought about through the ratification’ of the band issue, and this will be, followed by the, permanent improvement of the streets in the prominent sec tions of the town, so,that the work, bids fail to start a movement for a greater, Fayetteville, in which all the people of Fayette County will have a part. “The Fayetteville Business - Men's Association soon after its organization placed its influence be hind the proposition to construct a new county road from Fayetteville to the Chesapeake and Ohio rail road station at Fayette. County Engineer Gentry had completed a survey of the proposed new road by way of Marr’s branch, and issued the remark able statement that the road could be constructed on a grade never exceeding five per cent,and for the mast of the distance much less than this maxi mum. With this report of the engineer as a basis the committees, of the Business Men's Association got busy, and after presenting a strong memorial to the county court, succeeded in getting an order for the immediate construction of this new road with the convict labor at the disposal of the authori ties. All during the present year the misdemeanor convicts available for work have been utilized in the construction of this new roadway. About two full miles of grading has been completed and is ready for the macadam. In this construction all the claims of Engineer Gentry have been verified, and the people of Fayetteville and Tayette County are assured of the early completion of one of the best stretches of road in the entire State. During the winter it is the purpose of the county FALL OF MARRS BRANCH— SCENE ON GENTRY ROAD
Newspaper Details
Fayette Journal
Fayetteville, West Virginia, US
Thu, Nov 02, 1911
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
John H.
USA 24 Jun 2026
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