Hatfield Murder Trial Recalled By Court Reporter
Ben D. Keller recalls the Willis Hatfield murder case in Pineville, highlighting Wlllis Hatfield's courtroom confrontation with Dr Thornhill, the tense atmosphere, key figures like Judge Jim Henry Miller and prosecutor John Marcum, and the dramatic verdict of voluntary manslaughter followed by a three year sentence. The tale marks a vivid, era-ending moment in Appalachian court history.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ben D. Keller
Willis Hatfield
Anse” Hatfield
Thornhill
Hatfield
Mullens
Wyoming Hills
Jim Henry Miller
Pineville
Cap”’ Hatfield
Ben
Court House
Carroll County
Willis
Devil Anse
John Marcum
John McGrath
Princeton
George Williams
Beckley
Hatfields
Patriach
Anse
John
Miller
West Virginia Police Chiefs Convene At Oak Hill
The first session of the West Virginia Police Chiefs convention opened at 10 a m at Hotel Hill with Otto Boles of Parkersburg presiding. City Manager Wallace Bennett gave the welcome to 15 visiting chiefs while Parkersburg Mayor William G. Brown and others were expected to arrive for the two day meeting, per Oak Hill Police Chief H E Janney.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oak Hill
RNS
West Virginia
Police Chiefs Convention
Hotel Hill
Otto Boles
Parkersburg
Association
Wallace Bennett
William G. Brown
H. E. Janney
State Training School For Police Discussed At Oak Hill Today
The West Virginia Chiefs of Police Assn opens a two day meeting at Oak Hill with discussion on establishing a police recruit training school at the State Police Academy in Dunbar near Charleston. Police Chief Otto Bowles of Parkersburg heads the group and invites mayors and city managers from about 50 municipalities to attend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oak Hill
W. Va
West Virginia Chiefs of Police Assn
Ember
State Police Academy
Dunbar
Charleston
Otto C. Bowles
Parkersburg
Robbery at Freeda's Cafe Sparks Arrests in Wyoming County
The Freeda's Cafe robbery at Allen Junction last Thursday led to arrests and possible arraignments. Edgar Day and Clarence England, both in jail in Pineville, face robbery charges after signing incriminating statements. About $80 from a pinball machine and cigarettes were stolen, with an 18-year-old Besaco girl reportedly involved. Police also charged Clyde Mitch em, Tom McKinney, Jay McKinney, Alpeca, and Archie Lester with receiving stolen money. Investigating officers include Troopers Wynne and Gosnell, Sheriff Goode, Deputy Ellison, and Monty McCary.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Besaco
Earlin Taylor
Clyde Mitchem
Stephenson
Tom McKinney
Jay McKinney
Alpeca
Archie Lester
Barkers Ridge
Fred Wynne
William Gosnell
Paul Goode
Garland Ellison
Conservator of the Peace
Monty McCary
Ami- Ro
Mullens Stations to Donate Part of Gas Sales for Polio
Mullens area service stations will donate two cents from every gallon sold during Friday to the March of Dimes. Gene Atkins, chair, organized the drive with 17 local operators urging motorists to buy only needed gas Thursday and fill Friday. Placards will advertise the fundraiser.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mullens
Mullens Area
Gene Atkins
Area Polio Fund
Herndon Heights Truck Overturns
Homer Dunn, 39, of Herndon Heights, swerved his truck during a downhill descent on the Bear Town Herndon Heights road beside State Route 10 and overturned about 100 feet. Dunn suffered multiple bruises. police note prior wrecks in the same vehicle in recent months.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dunn
Mrs. Avis Lorene Brown Dies in Marianna
Mrs Avis Lorene Brown 26 daughter of Joe and Bessie Toler Toler Toler Toler Toler died at Stevens Clinic Welch. Funeral at Mouth of Cub Church at 1 p.m. burial in Morgan Cemetery. Wife of John R Brown, she leaves four daughters Annie Mae Bessie Lee Mary Jane and Linda Sue all at home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Guyan
Annie Mae
Bessie Lee
Mary Jane
Linda Sue
Oak Hill Garden Group Elects 1955 Officers
Oak Hill Garden Group elects Mrs. F. W. Dickinson president for 1955 at a Monday meeting hosted by Mrs. L. C. Allman in Highland Ave. Other officers named include Mrs. Roy Scott vice president and Mrs. J. R. MacDonald recording secretary. The group announced a joint flower show with two local clubs set for May 7 and pledged to sponsor a scout troop. The club reported a 100 percent Prominent Home Fund donation and heard updates from state and national presidents. Twenty four members attended Co-hostesses were Mrs. H. E. Wilson and Mrs. R. N. Noyes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Longhenry
J. W. Daugherty
J. R. MacDonald
Farr Nursery
Pennsylvania
Lottie Johnson
J. C. Hamilton
Fayetteville
Appalachian
Spade and Trowel Garden Club
Percy Gillie
Home Fund
William J. Waters
Bailiff Returns Home From Clearwater Visit
Mrs J O Bailiff of City Service Apartments arrived home Friday after a 12 week visit in Clearwater Florida with Mrs Nell M Noe.
Four State Police Transferred Across Posts
Four troopers of Company D State Police are to be transferred effective Thursday per Captain C. L. Walker. Cpl. L. P Mullins moves from Princeton to head the Mullens detachment. Trooper W. C. Hersman shifts from Hinton to Mullens, after stints in Beckley. Trooper R. C. Warfe transfers from Lewisburg to Hinton, with Beckley service past year. Trooper W. A. Gosnell moves from Mullens to Lewisburg.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Company D
State Police
C. L. Walker
Cpl. L. P
Maben Polio Fund Race Raises Track of Donations
Maben Elementary School held a March of Dimes race with total receipts of 210 dollars. Ina Elliott's room led with 75 dollars, Mary Lou Thompson's room second at 47.40, and the principal's homeroom third at 40.50. Other standout contributors included Geneva Clay 23.76, Marie Shumate 23.34, and top students like Robert Kessler 16.65 and Suzanne Severt 10.08.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
MABEN
RNS
Ted Clay
Maben Elmentary School
Ina Elliott
Saas
Mary Lou Thompson
Geneva Clay
Marie Shumate
Robert Kessler
Suzanne Severt
Jack Severt
Roger Tolliver
Randall Smith
Jackie Lou Clay
Wins Acquittal On Killing Count
Colonel Wallace White of Crumpler was acquitted by a county criminal court jury of murdering his cousin Leo White of Crumpler. The trial lasted a single day with a 40 minute jury deliberation. Leo White was fatally shot on January 7. White testified he acted in self defense.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Devil Anse
Hatfield
Welch
McDowell County
Wallace White
Crumpler
Leo White
Kincaid Infant Rites To Be Held Thursday
Funeral services for Teresa Suzette Kincaid ten day old daughter of A2c and Mrs Eugene Kincaid Biggs Air Force Base El Paso Texas will be held at 11 am Thursday at Williams Funeral Home with Rev J Elbert Perkins officiating Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park The infant died Saturday night at Bellomont Hospital in El Paso Survivors include the parents maternal grandparents James B Deck Sophia and paternal grandmother Mrs Clarence Wood Sophia The body will remain at Williams Funeral Home until the funeral hour.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Teresa Suzette Kincaid
Eugene Kincaid
Biggs Air Force Base
el Paso
Tex
William’s Funeral
J. Elbert Perkins
Sunset Memorial Park
Bellomont Hospital
Alva Lou Deck
Sophia
James B. Deck
Clarence Wood
William’s Funeral Home
Fayette Doctors To Meet March 1
The Fayette County Medical Society will meet at the White Oak Country Club March 1, according to Dr Ivan Bush, president. A dinner meeting was held last Tuesday at the Edgewater Steak House, Gauley Bridge, followed by a general business meeting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oak Hill
RNS
Fayette County
Examinations for Pineville Postmaster Set
Pineville postmaster appointment or reappointment soon with a $4870 yearly salary. Applications due by March 1. Candidates need two years postal management experience, pass a written test, and meet residency age and character requirements. Information and forms available at the local post office or via the U S Civil Service Commission in Washington.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pineville
Service
Post Office
U. S. Civil Service Commission
Washington
D. C
Also Mentioned on This Page
D. Keller
Dorothy Hesse
Willis Branch
Charlie Osenton
Cap” Hatfield
McGrath
Police of
Freeda
Edgar B
Skipper” Day
Clarence England
Rabbit” Mills
Preston Wilson
Pine
Allied Enterprises Inc
Otp
Sanitone
Sanitone Dry
Arreeve
Richmond Cleaners — Laundry
Herndon Heights
J. R. Brown Marianna
Oak Hill Garden Group
H. E. Wilson
R. N. Noyes
Statesmen Quartet
Atlanta, GA
Wally Fowler
His
Oak Ridge
Shady Spring High School
Beaver, Wva
Beaver Lions Club
Melody Shop
Neville St
A. K. Gilliam
Kincaid
Fayette
Civil Service Commission
Beckley Theatre
BLDG
Neville Street
Galperin
Baldwin
Wiarcs
S. Kanawha
Colgate’s
Gardol
Colgate
New Colgate
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!