newsletter 4-13

In the J-F-M, 2007 issue of H&P it was reported that WCHPS member Bill Kibble had his own unique manner of preserving and sharing our past. His venue? The internet. Though Bill takes time off from sending his epistles during the summer months, he is again sending out his interesting stories of the past. Printed below is one of his latest offerings. Want on his mailing list? Bill can be reached at:

In 1756, long before there was a West Virginia, the Governor of Virginia sent Col. Andrew Lewis, several officers and about 340 men to what is now southern West Virginia. Their mission was to drive out the Shawnee Indians that still might be in that area. It was a 300-mile expedition from eastern Virginia to where Mingo County is today. And part of that journey was crossing the rugged Allegheny Mountains.
They did take some provisions with them, but not nearly enough to feed all the men for very long; they figured on killing wild animals for their food. The expedition took place in March, and the winter was far from being over. It was a long expedition in the worst imaginable weather. They did not have good luck in finding many wild animals to kill as food for that many men. Before long, food was being rationed and the troops were going hungry. Being hungry and freezing to death are not very good combinations.
Little by little some men gave up and headed back toward eastern Virginia. Several of these troops never made it back, they died on the way. Some froze to death, some starved to death, and some were killed by Indians. Eventually the troops that stayed had absolutely nothing to eat. In desperation they killed their pack-horses for food. Things continued to get worse and more troops deserted and headed back home. At one point, Col. Lewis only had 30 men remaining. At the end, Col. Lewis’ men became so desperate for food that they literally ate the “tugs” (strips of leather) off their shirts, moccasins, belts, etc. They’d boil them to get them as soft as possible and then eat them. To us, this story sounds hard to believe, that people would actually eat leather strips from their clothes and shoes. But I’m sure

Who says the railroads are no longer running in Parkersburg? Actually, they are alive and well, operating very near the Sixth Street Station (where it used to be).
Trains of most every gauge can be in constant motion at the Mid-Ohio Valley Model Railroad Club. Situated in lower level of the Noe Office Supply building is an unbelievable display of beautifully crafted railroad settings. Would you like for your kids or grandkids to see how travel and transportation used to be? If so, this is a must see! They have at least seven large layouts, one of which represents portions of Parkersburg, the Ann Street Station and the Viscose plant.
The Model Railroad Club has been set up at the Noe location for seven years. Bill Amman, president of the group says that they have about sixty members who meet in evenings of the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.
The group is usually at the facility on Tuesday evenings and on Saturdays. You are welcome to check them out anytime. There is an “open house” planned for February, watch the newspaper for more details.